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EDITOR'S DEPARTMENT.
’ ‘ “’ . - jf
ATHENS': FEB.
’ ——i
Scientific Progress.
At no period of time, of which Ave have authentic
r ecords, has the progress of Science been so rapid or
so Avondei-ful as at the present day. Single great
discoveries in physical science have, at various times,
marked eras in the Avorld's annals, and Ave look back
to them Avith a sort of instinctive reverence for the
genius and research they involved. Without, how*-
ever, detracting from the distinction Avhich very
properly belongs to the -discoverers of the circula
tion of the blood—the gravitation of matter —the
rotation of the planets, and other splendid facts in
“Science —we Avould remind our readers that, up to
this very time, the chain of discovery has been
l engthening, link by link, and, lately, Avitli a rapid
ity that leaves no time for Avonder at individual dis
coveries, and, therefore, greatly diminishes the
eclat Avhich they Avould have acquired, had they
been made, at long intervals, in a less eventful age
of the world
We do not design to make in'ridious comparisons
betAveen the discoveries of the seventeenth and eigh
teenth, and those of-the nineteenth centuries. It is
unnecessary, perhaps, to determine which are the
most valuable, the old or the new. Our purpose is
to shew that, Avhilc in remote periods there were
achievements in seiontiflc research Avhich dazzled
the Avorld, and gave fresh dignity to human learn
ing, these achievements are i.oav so common that
men have ceased to Avonder at them, and are ev r cn
prepared to believe the assumptions of enthusiasts,
that they have aeliieA'ed physical impossibilities.
Hence it is that so many are found to give a sort of
credence to the oft recurring claims of some visiona
ry, that he has discovered “perpetual motion,”
Avhich one of our most intellectual machinists once
pronounced a “perpetual notion.” We say it is
the frequency and splendor of the actual acliieve
meuts of modern Science that induce some men to
give credit to claims perfectly ideal. Doubtless,
“ perpetual motion” Avill be “discovered at last,”
ho long as the Avorld endures, and, aft or all, remain
as impossible as ever. But, mcamvhile, there will
be discoveries made that are not dreamed of in our
present philosophy, and, amid them all, this age of
the world Avill be marked among our posterity as
cue of splendid invention.
The discovery of the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph,
for instance, will stand out Avith a glory and distinct
ness amid the gathering obscurity of the Past, that
will equal, if not excel, the present renown of any
event of the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries.
‘Hie fame of this invention will extend Avith thepro
gress of rime. A century hence, telegraphic com
munication may, and, in all probability, Avill, be
established in every quarter of the globe; and the
“girdle” Avhich Puck proposed “to put about the
earth in forty minutes,” may turnout Io be no ideal
cestus, but a tangible circlet of ooppcr-Avire—a high
way for the progress of human thought! I hen the
occurrence of a startling event, in any region, will
literally electrify the world —for the lightnings will
tell the tale, from sea to sea, from island to island,
and from continent to continent. 1 loav sublime the
thought, that a century hence the whole human
race Avill be finited in one \*ast, brotherhood by the
agency of the Electric Telegraph ! What tremen
dous barriers will it not OA r erleap 3 Avhat vast distan
ces Avill it not annihilate 1 f J he vibrations of the
pen of this wonderful instrument Avill eventually
quicken the pulsation of the heart of the world.
The ‘ a <r e in Avhich we live 5 is full ol discoveries
in Science ; and he who contrives, amid the bustl ?
of human affairs and the excitement of the great
human struggle, to keep himself informed of the
march of Science, is startled almost daily by some
new development in one or another of the a\ ide
fields of scientific research. But ‘the end is not
yet,’ and wonders remain to be revealed to the ken
of human genius—perhaps CA'en more extraoi dinary
than those which now seem to be the uriima thine ot
hitman discovery. The human mind is ess.m ia 11 \
progressive—and it is, we think, clearly revealed
that the discovery of what remains hidden to mortal
ken Avill be one of the employments of the mind,
ivken, no longer encumbered with the trappings of
mortality, it rev r els in the elysiuin of perfect know
iedge.
§ ® unr S3 &[E 53 BafITFSt&AISY ®AB IB 1f“lf g •
The Prize Articles.
The first annual volume of the “Gazette” will be
completed Avith the mouth of April; and as the in
! terval of time to elapse before its clo-c is too brief to
aJoAv of our publishing nil the prize art i "cles, avc haA r e
concluded not to commence their publication in this
volume. Ou • readers may expect to see, next week,
i our announcements for the second year of the “Ga
i Bette,’ anil avc hope to satisfy them that so far from
J growing weary of our undertaking, avc are disposed
to continue Avith increased zeal and greatly enhanc
ed attractions. Our.motto will be “Excelsior,” —
But Ave will not anticipate.
I* <Dur Gossip Column.
As avo deprive you, dear readers, this week, of the
customary “Loavl of Punch,” and feel thereupon a
little consc'.e; oe smitten, we think to make-amends
by affording you a few “Sips at this our own private
! table. We do not know that “Punch” could be
I much improAcd in spii it aid qu riity—but u; o.i the
reasonable supposition that nothing is pe feet i.i
this “mundane sphenoid,” (as thegcographe snick
name our terrestrial globo,) we may venture to sug
gest that “Punch” has grown, of late, better than
ever. Mr. Douglass Jerrold is understood to have
! become, again, one of tli-e Corps Editorial, and his
; genius irradiates the pages of t he chief repository of
Avitin the Avorld. The pictures of “Punch” arc
seldom tame or Avithout point; and it would be im
j possible, it seems to us, for the veriest stoic to look,
uh moved to laughter, upon his inimitable-designs.—
Before us, at this moment, lies one of his latest
i“ cartoons” —illustrating the pleasures of Home. —
The centre-piece is a family group, consisting of fa
ther and mother and ten children . The father is a
fine old fellow, filling Avitli his huge frame a large,
| high-backed chair. His spectacles are pushed back
1 on his ample forehead, and his fingers are lovingly
j clasped, a* hide hi bis lap lies the newspaper, inscribed
! “ State of Europe.” By bis side, and reflecting his
broad grin of satisfaction on her round face, is his
wife, holding in her arms a little one avlio is playing
with a toy globe. On the right is “ the youngest”
in a cradle, and “ the eldest” diligently poring over
his “ Grad us.” In the foreground is a child play
ing avitli a miniature locomotive, upset at his feet.
Close by are two lovely children, looking eagerly
over a large Ayluine. Behind them are two lads sail
ing a boat i,i a tub of A\ T ater—ivliile still mofe in the
back ground are brother and sister, the l itter “net
ting,” and listening to the tale her brother is pour
ing into her ear. A portrait of “ Queen Vic” hangs
upon the Avails, and evidences of plenty all around
give force to the motto inscribed beneath —“ There
is no place like home.” Now, mark the contrast,
and Avitness “ The State of Europe.” All around
this charming picture arc illustrations, in outline, of
Avhat is going on iii Europe. Ilore a battle—there
a siege. In this corner, an assassination—in the
j other, the priests flying .before the torch and the
j sword. No'.v a party of clowns kicking a crown for
a foot-ball, and opposite, a group kneeling reveren
: tially before a pair of boots Avitli a sword supporting
j Napoleon’s cap! At the foot, of tho picture sits
Liberty, weeping over the nefarious deeds commit
ted in her gentle, holy name—while on one side is
| a Avoman wielding, the murderous axe against a fa.ll
. en victim, and upon tire-other, all the horrors of an
j archy ami civil Avar are displayed. We have de
scribed the picture at some length, because it is a
work of genius—a history. “ Punch” is making
the most he can out of the California gold-mania,
1 Avithout absolutely going himself to the “diggins.”
; He says that an order has been received at Birming
ham for ten thousand shoA r els, and hints that in the
game now being played in California, spades will be
j trumps, and that AvhoeA*er has not a spade in his
hand, will have no chance of winning! He says
that a large tin-ware house in London is advertising
“ Dust-pans, for the collection of gold dust,” of
Avhich article, he thinks a good deal has already
! found its Avav into the —eyes of the public ....
i We do not like to say bard things of any one, but
1 really, avc cannot help expressing our opinion—that
the man avlio. after subscribing for a paper and re
ceiving it nine months, orders it to be stopped with
out paying for it, does not deserve any considera
tion. He disgraces his name! That’s all we have
to say about him ! .... We assure our esteem
ed NeAv York correspondent,” that Ire makes a great
| mistake in congratulating us upon our enjoyment of
tho balmy airs of Spring, and the odour of peach
blossoms. Not a bit of it, most excellent “ Flit.”
Aucontrairr, (on the contrary, you understand!)
Ihe past week has been signalized by some very cold
Aveafher —not exactly the coldest in the memory of
that venerable personage, “ the oldest inhabitant”
—but quite cold enough—quite. The mercury on
Monday morning last, stood at 8°; lower, Avith one
I exception, than it has been known since “ the cold
. aturday” of 1535 We have reeei\red
from our esteemed friend and correspondent, the
Hon. Robert M. (Aiarlton, a copy of his Lecture,
j recentJy delivered before the Young Men’s Library
i Association in Augusta. The subject of tho Lec-
ture is “'The Poetry of Death,” and it is invested
with the graeo and beauty so insuperable from Avhnt-
CA'er .Judge Charlton wt iris. 11 is mityl is truly poeti
cal, and lie discovers j oetry where its existence would
sni cely he suspected By numerous well-drawn pic
tures-of death-scenes; special and general, tho Poetry
of Death is strikingly exhibited. One or more of
these illustrations wc shall quote in our next
Asa ‘labor of love,’ avc have commenced the pub
lication of a Magazine for Boys and Girls —the first
of the kind ever attempted in the South ! —and avc
shall continue it, so long as there is the slightest en
couragement to do so. The ‘ SchoolfelloAv’ has
been pronounced, in every quarter, the most beauti
ful and attractive work of the kind now published,
and we feel somewhat proud of the popularity it has
‘Von in a few weeks. When avc inform our readers
that each number contains 32 handsome pages, and
from ten to twoiAC beautiful engravings, they “ill
not think us exaggerating, when wo say that it is
the cheapest .1 are nil.* periodical in this country. Its
articles are nearly all original, and embrace a great
\ ari ty of subjects. For the sake of the rising gen
eration, this work ought to bo widely circulated;
Every school should form a club of subscribers, by
Avhich to secure the work for Seventy-five Cents a
year. Will not teachers and parents aid us in this
matter, so conducive to the best good of their pupils
and children 1 .... Tho two Societies of Frank
lin College have, during the past week, celebrated
their respective Anniversaries —the Demosthcnian
Society on Monday, the 19th, and the Phi-Kappa
Society on Thursday, the 22d. The Anniversary
Oration of the first named Society Avas delivered by
Mr. Wm. T. Harris, of Greenville, and of the Ju
nior Class. It Avas an exceedingly creditable per
formance, and Ave could not but regret that tho se
verity of the Aveathcr prevented many —and espe
cially the ladies—from hearing it. The Phi Kappa
Address was delivered by Mr. Morgan Callaway, of
Washington, and of the Senior Class. We regret
that avc were deprived of the pleasure of hearing it;
but avc are assured by an excellent-judge, that it
Avas decidedly good, both in matter and manner.
(Due Uooft Gallic.
The History of EriGLANb, from the Accession of
James 11. By Thomas Bahington MacajuJey.
Vols. 1 and 11. N. York : Harper & Brothers.
It might seem to the superficial observer that the
History of England had already been written Avith
the utmost possible variety of views and minuteness
of detail; in short, that the theme had been ex
hausted. The histories of Ilutne, Smollet, Robert
son, Goldsmith, Ilullatn, Archbishop Keightly, and
others —together with the innumerable fragmentary
histories presented in the memoirs of distinguished
characters, from the pens of such writers as Pcpys,
Walpole, Wraxall, Croly, and Miss Strickland—
might be supposed to embrace all that could be re
garded cither as valuable or authentic in English
history, and so making it a work of supererogation
to Avi rite another history, necessarily covering the
same ground, and introducing tho same actors w ith
all preceding Avorks. This conclusion Avould be,
however, very unjust, and significant of an exceed
ingly low and imperfect estimate of w hat history
really is, in its truest character and Avidest scope,
fc'ucli a feeling might prompt its possessor to regard
Avith indifference the splendid work, of which the
first tw’o volumes are before us —a work which is des
tined to produce a deeper impression on the world
than any preceding records of English annals, and
to enrol the name of its author first upon the scroll
of historical fame!
Mr. Macauley is eminently fitted for the great
task he has undertaken. lie brings to it a brilliant
and comprehensive intellect, a large and well in
formed judgment, enlightened and liberal views, re
markable poivers of analysis and discrimination —
combined w ith unsurpassed rhetorical abilities —all
cf w hich are exhibited to admirable effect in the
volumes under notice. We have read his gloAving
pages Avith a delight certainly never before realized
in our historical studies, and with an interest as
deep and unflagging as the vigor and energy of their
author.
To review Mr. Macuuley’s work, is no part of our
purpose in this article ; but to record simj ly the im
pressions with which avc have arisen from its peru
sal, and to afford our readers some idea of its scope
and character.
As the title-page indicates, the historian dates
his work from the accession of James the Second, j
but the first four hundred pages are occupied with a
brilliant summary of the events preceding that pe
riod, to make what follows intelligible to the gener
al reader. It is a rapid but exciting prelude to the
great drama subsequently unfold ‘d in his work —
and facts familiar to all are invested w ith the charm
of novelty, not more by the peculiar style of the
narrator, than by the ucav and important relations
in Avhich he exhibits them.
The influence of the Romish Church —the dawn
cf religious liberty—the origin of the Anglican
Church —the character and influence of the Puri
tans—the causes which led to the Rebellion—the
character of Cromwell—the return of Charles 11,
his character, and the eventi of his eventful reign—
are all themes that call forth tho great powers of
the historian, compel the admiration of the reader,
and prepare him to enter upon the more elaborated
chapters that follow.
Mr. Macauley is just the man we should chooee to
depict to us tho errors and the glaring abuses which
arc so frequently comprehended in English history,
for he probes them Avith a steady and reso’ute hand,
and exposes them with an uncompromising honesty.
So, on the other hand, is he the one, of all others,
wo delight to follow* in his splendid developin’ uts ol
the ] OAver and resources of his country—in his lofty
and enthusiastic defence of her maligned patriots—
in h.s brilliant and gorgeous descriptions of the
prowess of her warriors—the wisdom of her states
men, and the advance of her national glory.
1 he volumes before us carry tho reader through
the great Revolution of Ifibo—the last actual revolt
Ot the English peop'c ; gainst their government.
Mr. Mncau'ey's wo.k L i ot merely a history of
the civil j ollty ol England - . n account of its Kings
and its Queens —its bittl s nod its sieges—its pros
perous anil its adverse conditions. It is more than
all this—infinitely more. It is a picture of her so
cial progress, from barbarism to the height ot re
finement-entering into those details which other
historians have, perhaps, regarded as beneath the
dignity of History. It is n history of the English
people of their habits, their domestic, religions ami
intellectual pursuits—of thejr amusements, fashions,
and. in short, of all that concerns them as men ami
women.
The style of the work, like every tiring from its au
thor, is full of vigor and brilliance, abounding with
magnificent imagery—with rapid and,
startling antithesis—but, Avithal, so logical and im
pressive, that the reader's attention is as complete
ly spell-bound, as if under the influence of a master
fiction.
M e shall be impatient until Ihe succeeding vol
umes arc in our possession, when we shall attempt
to do tho work the justice which tho limits of this
notice preclude.
Cd“* For sale, in Athens, by Wm. N. White.
Kings and Queens, or Life in tho Palace. By
John S. C. Abbott. One’vol., 12m0., pp. 312.
New York: Harper & Brothers.
It was a happy conceit of Mr. Abbott’s, thus to
group together a number of portraits, CA*ery one of
which is remarkable, and the effect of all greatly
heightened by comparison and contrast. In this
royal gallery, if avc may so speak, are presented the
following distinguished subjects: Josephine and
Maria Louisa, and Louis Philiippe, of Fr&noe—
I ordinand, of Austria —Nicholas, of Russia—Leop
old, of Belgium—lsabella 11, of Spain—and Victo
ria, of England.
Os these brilliant materials, it is not surprising
that Mr. Abbott should make a readable volume.
But he has done more than this; for he has given
us, in connection Avith tho best authenticated me
moirs of these royal personages, his own discrimina
ting and unprejudiced estimates of their characters
By thus combining the charms of pictures, gay with
the pomp and pageantry of splendid courts, with
moral lessons deduced from the excellencies and de
fects of the characters portrayed, he has made a
volume no less instructive than agreeable, and one
which young and old may road Avithout cause for
self-reproach that they ha\*c wasted the hours devo
ted to it.
Sheep Husbandry in the South : comprising a
Treatise on tho Acclimation of Sheep in the
Southern States, and an account of the different
breeds. Also, a complete manual of breediug,
summer and winter management, and of thotreat
ment of diseases. With portraits and other illus
• trations. In a Series of Letters from 11. S. Ran
dall, Esq , of New York, to R. F. W. Allston,
Esq., of S. C. In one vol., Bvo,, ip. 320. Phila
delphia: J. Skinner &. Son, and Carey & Hart.
This work is one of peculiar value, not only be
cause it is tho most ample and comprehensive vol
ume ever devoted to Sheep Husbandry in the South,
but because the present time is favorable to its re
ception among our planters and farmers. The ex
ceedingly low j rice of ntir “ great staple’’—great,
w e apj relief,d, no longer !—renders it absolutely ne
cessary thatySome other field for investment of capi
tal and labor should be discovered amongst us, and
we feel ‘veil assured that Sheep Husbandry will re
ward the attention of our agricultural population.
‘I he value of Wool in every great market is liable, at
present, to less fluctuation than that of cotton, and
the South is peculiarly adapted to the production of
the former staple, as this volume abundantly shews.
We need only to call the attention of our farmer
readers to the work, to ensure for it their earnest
perusal, especially as it proffers to do them, and the
Avhole South, a va t pecuniary service—generally
the first consideration which incites to action.
There is a large amount of the most practical ami
authentic information in its pages ; and, under the
editorial direction of Mr. Skinner, it is as perfect a
book of its kind as wc may expect to seo in this gen
eration.
327