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times experience, when visiting new scenes, or in S nc histories or incidents in real and miagl „ „ in hearing of occurrences, or nary narauve, or in Hearing 01 , . . I when we behold a strange lace. .Perhaps it is, not right to speak of these as phenomena ot mem ory. Vet it is difficult to designate them other-: , v [<e. These feelings have been often and elo-j uuemlv described, and by none more beautifully, displayed than by W ovdsworth, in the Ode, which | begins* with “Our birth is but a sleep and a for-j getting,” and containing those lines—“Trailinej clouds of glory do we come,” “From God who: is our home.” ‘ Pre-existence is considered as the only adequate solution of the problem suggested \ by these feelings. Is it a fact that we have lived j before ? Or must we believe that all beings “ are but parts of one stupendous soul” and that each j new incarnation ot spirit being participant ot an j eternal existence, having always lived and never j to die, recollects what the H//experienced before I its separation ? This, too, has been proposed as . a solution, it is a phenomenon. These solu tions are tin satis factory. f lhe first is not proved to be fact. The second makes Cod and man identical, the Author of life but a multiplied being, and Providence, Law and Retribution, a mere farce. It is a phenomenon. They who observe it must ever wonder. But though the mind can recall all ot its known existence, and read the history of every hour; though all experience confirms the doctrine, that man never forgets, yet many complain ot an in efficient memory. It is not seldom, that we hear even those who are somewhat reflective, confess ing that they do not remember; and they who declare their inability to keep any thing in mind are a legion that no man can number. bile the thoughtless is heard to say, J have no memory — the thinking man says, my memory is not a ready steward. The treasures committed to her trust are not displayed when called for; yet sometimes unbidden sne shows what is in her keeping, and the exhibition she makes assures me that nothing is lost. But what is wealth if it cannot be used at will. Reputation, comfort, the welfare of others, may be hazarded by the merchant who cannot promptly meet the demands to which his resources are more than adequate, as well as by the moneyless speculator. The pleasures ot knowledge, the power of instructing the ignorant, are lost to the well-stored mind that cannot com mand its treasures; and for the great purposes of life it is as unprepared as* the ignorant. It is like the intermittent spring, that gladdens with sparkles and refreshes with coolness the traveller who chances to approach it at the period ot its flow, but unlike the aqueduct from the far off'and unfailing fountain, it cannot minister to the wants of any hour. It is voluntary recollection that we need for our daily intellectual service. But the aquisition of this power is difficult and rare. Its importance is universally confessed, and the want of it extensively bewailed. To render the mem ory subservient to the will, many methods have been adopted. There is a word in our language which shows how early the practice ot assisting the efforts of memory by artificial helps prevail ed in the world. We ask of those who have lis tened to a speaker, what were the topics of his discourse. Now we draw this word, or rather the popular use of it, from a method of aiding the memory prevalent among the clasical ancients. An orator, rising in the forum to address the as sembled people, or standing before the tribunal of the selected judges, fixed his eye upon a cor nice, a faeade, or a column, and determined in his mind, that such an object should remind him of a given subject, and, assigning to each place its office of mnemonic service, be proceeded to utter his premeditated thoughts, and the consecu tive subjects of remark carne to be denominated topics. Since this early time various mnemonic syitems have prevailed, or rather, I should say, have been proposed, for none have been found completely adequate to the purpose for which they were designed, the subjection of the ope rations of memory in some degree to the will. Involuntary recollections will occur of course. Impressions, derived from whatever source, whether study or conversation, surrounding scenery or passing events, will always remain, and many influences, visible and invisible, may turn the eve of the mind upon these impressions. But to acquire the power to recollect at will, is desirable. And hence we have had multiplied systems of mnemonics. In my judgement, artificial memory is ineffi cient, and it is a waste of time to acquire the use of it. It is treacherous in the extreme. The true way to fasten a subject in the mind is to re produce what we read, and to repeat to our selves or others what we observe. Have we read a book, let us at our leisure view the sub ject of which it treats, when the book is removed from sight. Have we observed a fact, let us communicate it to another, or utter it in words, or in some manner make ourselves sure that we can state the facts concerning the subject without the aid of foreign associations. What we have made our own we can keep and command. The difficulty of clear recollection arises from imper fect knowledge. I have here, as I think, declared the secret of the power of voluntary recollection. To multiply words is needless. Let those who find difficulty in remembering, ask themselves if they have ever perfectly formed the image they now wish to behold. Are they not attempting to .I?member —I use .the word now in its literal sense —are they not attempting to remember, to re arrange, what was not in the first place perfectly put together. The word remember means, as we all know, to collect again what, having been originally well formed, has been taken apart and ‘laid aside. The process of remembering is like setting up a machine. It any part was originally wanting, or if it was not carefully laid up with the rest, it cannot be produced when the machine |is to be re-erected. So it any part of the subject was not committed to memory, it it were allowed to drop without design and to make a chance im pression, it can be recollected only by chance, and will be found missing when most wanted. They who are engaged in the instruction of the voung, cannot be to careful to train them in hab its of real intellectual labor. Let them never prepare lessons merely to recite. Let them feel | that they are to store up knowledge in such wise as to command it when they will. t. p. R. mlscS& is A N Y * PHYSICAL PERFECTION OF WOMAN. This subject cannot fail to constitute an impor tant chapter in nature’s advocacy of human hap piness and progression—a subject not to be lightly scanned or hastily commented upon —involving more closely the prosperity and well being of our race, than the whole catalogue of theories or the proudest dogmas; a subject vastly more impor tant in favor of those, whose position and influ ence in societv stands divinely prominent ; whose example and whose perfections sway for good or evil the destinies of mankind. But to proceed with our chapter —a city life, of; all others, is least adapted for the development of nature’s ends, as regards womanly perfection ; and we become painfully impressed with this tact when we observe the pale brow and paler cheek of the great majority of our city-dwelling females. Frowning walls and stern customs tor bid that free gushing of the merry soul which, in itself, is nature’s wisest ordination and intent, inasmuch as this same spirit of mirth and joyous ness gives its animation to the whole system, en dues the limbs wtth activity, exercises the body and empowers the mind. This vivifying impetus, being chilled by the cold reserve, and deadened b}'the natural usages of society, the system must necessarily become relaxed and enervated, sub ject to disease and languor, and wholly unfit for the great purposes of human existence. And it would almost seem that such a race is growing around us; that an age of boasted civiliztion has almost entirely overlooked the great secrectof human progress and improvement, and that the germs of degeneration and decay are being thickly sown by this neglect. Our Mothers were women, taught in nature’s school and trained by experience ; free, healthy forms ; strong, unfettered minds, nobly calculated and destined to produce a proud and mighty race. Bat how have their daughters forsaken this noble standard of female worth and excel lence, by the gradual intermingling of French folly and English Aristocracy? We find them, not with the wheel and distaff, ennobling life by activity and usefulness, and perpetuating moral end physical perfection by their example, but premature young ladies and fashionable belles, prominent in all that can least serve humanity and utterly wanting in the accomplishment of her great mission. A ‘ lily cheek ’ may grace the poet’s page, and win the praise of the brainless; but it speaks in activity of muscle and a dormant heart. Pride and fashion, bv a humiliating course of exaction and deformity, may make the ‘lady,’ but all the wealth of pride and fashion were vain to pur chase one tithe of the happiness inseparable fiom a state of health and vigour, as developed in the true woman. Then how necessary, how all im portant is it that females should devote less time to fashion and its pursuits, and more to bodily culture ; less time to the cultivation of the pretty accomplishments, and more to the building of a strong and healthy constitution, which may be im parted as a ‘ store house of blessings ’ to their de scendants. This subject is of immense importance as re gards the welfare and future destiny of our coun try and of the world ; for the might of women is all powefrul, and her influence for good or evil is paramount in its progress or decay. Man makes laws and executes them ; builds empires and over throws them ; but woman makes man; moulds him for good or evil,and her early influence proves ever the lover of his efforts. The influence of a mother, be it good, bad, or indifferent, gives to the world the statesman or the fool, the Christian or the knave, and sends on his mission the brave, pow erful and robust, or the weakly, cowardly or de formed. Then is it not unmeasurably requisite that wo man should perfect herself, mentally and physi cally, for the great and important duties devolv ing upon her ? And how is this to be done ? 1 answer—by physical education, or culture of the body, first. This simple and easily attainable process will surely strengthen the mind and shar pen the whole range of faculties, diffusing a most happy and elevating influence throughout the sys tem. Mothers! if you would yourselves become truly contented and cheerful, healthy and happy, and bestow this inheritance of blessings upon your offspring, have.your sons in high stations and” tal ented, vour daughters nature’s pride, and the en vy of all art, see to it that you take regular exer cise; give not up to household seclusion and to the enervating influence and harrassing pett\ cares indoor. Let exercise return as pleasantly and as regularly as the hour for dinner 01 toi ie pose. Let there be eight hours devoted lor rest, eicjlu hours for your occupations or studits, and eight hours for healthful pastime. Establish diis rule in your family and among your children, with the exception that children should be allowed more recreation and less study* Iwo 01 thut hours per dav is all sullicient tor the studies ot children, and those should be ot the most simple character, mainly by objects, pictures, maps, or conversation. 1 f you would have them 4 schooled ’ while young, let it be almost entirely physically . — Developt’ the system by a judicious course ot ex ercise daily. Allow them free use ot limbs and lungs, and encourage gaiety —by this method you will find the mental faculties to grow, and strengthen with their growth, and when the proper lime arrives they will seize upon knowledge with avidity and an appetite, and rapidly become more learned and talented than those who have been toiling from earliest infancy against nature and reason. And daughters !—you w ith the pale cheek and sluggish step —if you w*>uld become as sprightly as fawns and as beautiful, cheeks like fresh ro ses, anti eve beaming with life and brilliancy — take exercised run! ride! walk! dance! join your gvmnastic institutions, and take an occasional flight into the country. Depend upon it, physical culture is the ground work of female perfection. MoJd American Courier . A TH KILLING SKETCH. BY MRS. L. M. CHILD. Otic of my fiither’s brothers, residing in Boston at that time, (when the yellow fever prevailed to such a frightful extent) became a victim to the pestilence. When the first symptoms appeared, liis wife sent the children into the country, and herself remained toattendupon him. Her friends warned her against such rashness. They told her it would be death to her, and no benefit to turn, for he would soon be too ill to know 7 who attended upon him. These arguments made no impression on her affectionate heart. She felt that it would be a long-life satisfaction to her to know who at tended upon him, if he did not. She accord ingl\ T staid, and watched with unremitting care. He grew worse and worse, and finally died. Those who went round with the death-carts had visited the chamber, and seen that the end was near.— They now came to take the body. His wife re fused to let it go. She told me that she never knew how.to account for it, but, though he was perfectly cold and rigid, and to every appearance quite dead, there was a powerful impression on her mind that life was not extinct. The men w ere overborne by the strength of her conviction, though their own reason was opposed to it. The half-hour again came round, and again was heard the solemn words, “ Bring out your dead.” The wife again resisted their importunities; but this time the men w r ere more resolute. They said the duty assigned to them was a painful one, but the health of the city required punctual obe dience to the orders they received ; if they ever expected the pestilence to abate, it must be by a prompt removal of the dead, and immediate fu migation of the infected apartments. She pleaded and pleaded, and even knelt to them in an agony of tears, continually saving, “ I am sure he is not dead.” The men represented the utter absurdity of such an idea ; but finally overcome by her tears, again departed. With trembling haste she renewed her efforts to restore him. She raised his head, rolled his limbs in hot flannel, and placed hot onions on his feet. The dreaded half-hour again came round, and found him as cold and rigid as ever. She renewed her entreaties so desperately that the messengers be gun to think that a little gentle force would be necessary. They accordingly attempted to re move the body against her will, but she threw herself upon it, and clung to it w 7 ith such frantic strength, that they could not easily loosen her grasp. Impressed by the remarkable energy of hei will, they relaxed their efforts. To all their remonstrances, she answered, “If you bury him, you shall bury me with him.” At last, by dint of reasoning on the necessity of the case, they ob tained from her a promise that, if he showed no signs of life, before they again came round, she would make no further opposition to the removal. Having gained this respite, she hung the watch upon the bed-post, and renewed her efforts with redoubled zeal. She kept kegs of hot water about him, forced hot brandy between his teeth, and breathed into his nostrils, and held hartshorn tohisnose ; but still the body lay motionless and cold. She looked anxiously at the watch ; in five minutes the promised half-hour would expire, and those dreadful voices would be heard passing through the street. Hopelessness came over her —she dropped the head shehad been sustaining— her hand trembled vipleutly—and the hartshorn she had been holding was spilled on the pallid face. Accidentally, the position of the head had become slightly tipped backward, and the pow erful liquid flowed into his nostrils. Instantly there was a short, quick gasp—a struggle—his eyes opened ! and when the death-men came again, they found him sitting up in the bed ! He is^still alive, and has enjoyed unusually good health. A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY, SAVANNAH, THURSDAY MAY 10, 1H49/ AGENTS. Mr. J. M. Boardman is our Agent for Macon. Mr. S. S. Box for Rome* Mr. Robt. E- Seylk for the State of South Carolina. SEASONABLE SHOWERS. The Muscogee Deniocrat, Columbus, says: —“We h, been favored the past week, in this region, with a •uecasi tOB of showers, that have caused vegetation to spring forth with unexampled rapidity, giving hope to tho farmer that lie ma, yet recover, in some degree, from the blighting influences 0 f the late frost, so far, at least, ns the corn crop is concerned.” The Cherokee Advocate, Marietta, says:—“Wo have hid refreshing showers within the last few days. We are gnti. fled in learning that though the wheat has suffered several* from the recent frost, many of our farmers will muke full an average crop.” We have been favored in a like manner with occnnioiul showers during tho past ten days, which has given an impetus to vegetation. FIRE IN CHARLESTON. We learn by the Charleston papers that a fire occurred there on Monday, which destroyed between 120 and 130 houses, loss estimated at $20,000. The papers are of the opinion that if was the work of an incendiary. The intelligence of the tire was communicated, by Tele graph, to Augusta. The firemen of that place promptly ten. derod their services to the Mayor of Charleston. A SUGGESTION. Would it not be well for the Georgia Historical Society to purchase the splendid collection of reptiles, minemls and shells, made by the enterprise and persevcronce of our oner gctic townsman Mr. Win. Humphreys, Jr., and have them properly arranged in their new hall. It would lay the foundation for one of tho finest museums in this country, and be a source of attraction to persons visiting among us. For oim, we are willing to contribute our mite to retain it in the city. DUPUYTREN’S RECEIPT FOR RESTORING TIIE GROWTH OF THE HAIR. 1 drachm of powdered Spanish flies add one ounce spiriti wine, leave stand for two weeks, frequently shaking it during that time. Then decant the liquid. For ten parts of this tincture ninety parts of lard, and somn essential oil to scent it, as lemon, bergamot, almond, or what ever pleases. Rub into the hair night and morning, this mixture, and brush it in with a stiff brush till the scalp becomes rodoned, it will restore the hair almost invariably. BANK OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. The following gentlemen were elected, on Monday last, Directors for one yenr : A, Porter, C. P. Richardsone, R. Hutchison, W. Thorne Williams, N. A. Hardee, B. Snider, 11. D Weed, Joseph Washburn, the last named is anew Director. Hiram Roberti is the Director ou the part of the State. The Board unanimously re-elected A. Porter, E*q., Preu dent. CENTRAL RAIL ROAD. The earnings for the past five months in comparison with those of last year, show an increase of one hundred and thirteen thousand dollars, an increase of nearly fifty per cent, over last year, as follws : 1847-8 1848-9 December, 37,421 73 67,861 05 January 52,29 1 27 66,629 07 February 57,786 38 71.364 00 March 51,434 38 75,000 00 April 30,254 39 61,171 90 $229,188 15 $342,026 02 THE HERON FAMILY. The performance of this talented family was well at tended on Monday evening, and the audience was delighted. Their delineation of character is inimitable, and extremely chaste in speech, gesture, and dress. Their singing was ad mirable, and was several times encored. We are aware of a prejudice existing in the minds of many to visiting the Theatre, and seeing the performance of plays. If it was no harm to witness that of the Kilmistes at Armory Hall, certainly there can be no impropriety in seeing th* Heron Family at the Theatre, where the adjuncts of scenery, &c., adds so much to the representation. For our part, we love a good, honest, hearty laugh, when it can be indulged innocently, and we shall miss no opportu nity °f enjoying one excited by the highly amusing entertf" 0 * ment of the Herons—which we consider as among the moil diverting and gratifying of the season. AMERICAN MECHANIC. We have received the first number of anew paper pub lished at Athens, Ga., under the above title, edited by an as sociation of mechanics. We welcome the enterprise of the mechanics of Athens, and hope they may meet with a just ap preciation of their merits. RICHARDS* WEEKEY GAZETTE Is a very* neat sheet, devoted to Literature, the Arts and Sciences, and General Intelligence, and is intended to super seed the Southern Literary* Gazette. Success to your enter prise friend Richards, may you reap an abundant harvest and subscribers. tW We call attention of the Sons to the notice of Father Matthew's Division, No. 34, inviting them to attend the ti^ l anniversary in Athens on Saturday, May 26th. Health and business permitting we will avail ourselvesof the invitatioo- The flags of the Shipping were pi splayed at half-mast o* Friday, as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr. Joh’ Dillon, who died after an illness of three weeks. Mr* was supercargo of the ship Nkw Zkland. THE CENTRAL RAIL ROAD. The Stockholders at their meeting yesterday resolved ** increase the capital stock of the Company by an *’ $450,000 of new stock.