A Friend of the family. (Savannah, Ga.) 1849-1???, August 23, 1849, Image 2

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that so plentiful was cheese in the Donori district, 1812, that some of it was used for manuring the ground, which practice would amount to throwing it away, for they are not given to any industrial means of agriculture. So fertile was Sardinia under the Romans, that, in the last years of the second Punic war, corn was so abundant that it was sold for the mere price of the freight. Should the reader be curious to know the result of this cheapness.be may see it in the present condition of Sardinia compared with its former, a popula tion diminished from about two millions to about five hundred and twenty-four thousand, and lull three quarters of the land uncultivated. THE MARRIAGE ALTAR. Judge Charlton in an eloquent address before the Young Men’s Library Association at Augusta, Ga., thus sketches the marriage scene: 1 have drawn for } T ou many pictures of death ; let me sketch for you now a brief, but bright scene of beautiful life. It is the marriage altar; a lovely female, clothed in all the freshness of youth and surpassing beauty; leans upon the arm of him, to whom she had just plighted her faith, to whom she had just given herself up forever.— Look in her eyes? ye gloomy philosophers, and tell me if you dare, there is no happiness on earth. See the trusting, heroic devotion, which impels her to leave country and parents, for a comparative stranger. She has launched her frail bark upon a wide and stormy sea; she has handed over her happiness and doom for this world, to another’s keeping ; she has done it fear lessly, for love whispers to her that her chosen guardian and protector bears a manly and noble heart. Oh, woe to him that forgets his oath and his manhood! Her wing shall the eagle flap, O’er the false hearted, • His life-blood the wolf shall lap, Ere his life be parted ; Shame and dishonor sit, On his grave ever, Blessing shall hallow it Never! Oh! never! We have all read of the husband who in a mo ment of hasty wrath, said to her who but a few months before united her faith to his—“lfyou are not satisfied with my conduct, go, return to your friends and your happiness.” “And will you give me back that which I brought to you *?” asks the despairing wife. “Yes,” he replied, “ all your wealth shall go with you —I covet it not.” “Alas!” she answered, “ I thought not of my wealth—l spoke of my maiden affections—of my buoyant hope —of my devoted love; can you give these hack to me?” “No!” said the man throwing himself at her feet —“No, I cannot re store these ; but I will do mote ; I will keep them unsullied and unstained; I will cherish them through my life, and in my death, and never again will 1 forget that I have sworn to protect and to cheer her who gave to me all she held most dear.” Did I not tell you that there was poetry in a wo man’s look—a woman’s word ? See it here ! the mild gentle reproof of love, winning back, from its harshness and rudeness, the stern and un yielding temper of an angry man. Ah, if cre ation’s fairer sex only knew their strongest weap ons, how many of wedlock’s fierce battles would he unsought—how much of unhappiness and cold ness would be avoided! Kindness . —There is true philosophy in kindness. It gives its possessor complete triumph over all circumstances. It is the sweetest revenge, for by it one can heap coals of fire on an enemy’s head, and secure a good conscience, which gives a good appetite —a soft pillow —and a light heart. It is an important element of life, and upon the culti vation of it depends much of human happiness. Selfishness leads one to regard his own happiness alone. Kindness prompts him to seek the happi ness of others, which I think is a very good way to make ourselves happy. There are various ways in which it can be manifested: in look, in action, in gesture, and in the tone of the voice.— How soothing and welcome the accents of kind ness that fall upon the ear when we feel sad or discouraged. The most turbulent disposition can be conquered by it; and it is said to have a won derful power in taming even the wild beasts. A certain philosopher gave it as his advice to treat an enemy in such a manner that he might become a friend. And our Saviour has told us if we are smitten on one cheek, to turn the other also. Such action can proceed only from a kind heart. We .see the evil consequences of taking a contrary course. Nearly all the quarrels in society, which sometimes lead to “wars and fightings,” are oc casioned by unkind words and actions. We ought to be kind to all, especially our friends, our pa rents and teachers, in return for their kindness to us. Christianity in Burmah, —Rev. Mr. Abbott, of the Baptist Mission among the Karens, states, in a letter published in the last Macedonian, that at a meeting just held of 35 native preachers of the Gospel among the Karens, they voted to look hereafter to the native churches themselves for .support —doing it as a matter of Christian self denial, that the American Baptist Board might be able to spend the more on other fields. Rev. Mr. Ingalls of Arracan, and Rev. Mr. Binney of Maulmain, give very interesting details of the progress of Christian truth at their respec tive stations. r A Hint to Teachers. — Some twelve or thirteen years ago, there was in the Franklin school an exceedingly dull hoy. One day the teacher, wishing to find a word, took up the lad’s dictionary and, on opening it, found the blank leaves covered with drawings. He called the hoy to him. “ Did you draw these?” said the teacher. “Yes, sir,” said the boy, with a downcast look. “I don’t think it well for boys to draw in their hooks,” said the teacher ; “ and I would rub these out if I were you ; hut they are well done. Did you ever take lessons?” “ No, sir,” said the boy, his eyes sparkling. “ Well, I think you have a talent for this tiling; I should like you to draw me something when you are at leisure, at home, and bring it to me. In the meantime see how well you can recite your lessons.” The boy felt he was understood. He began to love his teacher. He became animated and fond of his books. He took delight in gratifying his teacher by his faithfulness to his studies ; while the teacher took every opportunity to encourage him in his natural desire. The hoy became one of the first scholars, and gained the medal before he left school. After this he became an engraver, laid up money enough to go to Europe, studied the works of the old masters, sent home produc tions from his own pencil, which found a place in some of the best collections of paintings, and is now one of the most promising artists of his years in the country. After the hoy gained the medal, he'sent the teacher a beautiful picture, as a token of respect; and I doubt not to this day he feels that that teacher, by the judicious en couragement he gave to‘the natural turn of his mind, has had a great moral and spiritual effect on his character. Be Kind to the Old. —Be kind to those who are in the autumn of life, for thou knowest not what suffering they may have endured, or how much it may still he their portion to bear. Are they querulous or unreasonable ? allow not thine anger to kindle against them—rebuke them not, for doubtless many and severe have been the crosses and trials of early years; and perchance their dispositions, while in the springtime of life, were more gentle and flexible than thine own. Do they require aid of thee? Then render it cheerfully, and forget not that the time may come when thou ma3 7 est desire the same assistance from others, that now thou renderest unto them. Do all that is needful for the old, and do it with alacrity, and think it not hard if much is required at thine hands, lest when age has set his seal on thy brow, and filled thy limbs with trembling, others may wait upon thee unwillingly and feel relieved when the coffin lid has covered thy face for ever. The old must soon pass from this to another world. It is a world of bliss ? # Then though they may have much to cheer them through the remnant of their pilgrimage, be kijid to them, for they have sorrows to endure; they have yet to passthrough “the valley of the shadow of death.” Is it a world of woe to which they are hastening; they have no hope of heaven ? Then he doubly cautious how thou addest a single drop to a cup already full; for surely they have enough 1o bear, if their prospect for both time and eternity are shrouded in gloom. Curse oj 111-gotten Wealth. —There is such a curse goes with an ill-gotten estate, that he that leaves such a one to his child, does but cheat and deceive him, makes him believe that he.has left him wealth but has withal put such a canker in the bowels of it that is sure to eat it out. Would to God it was as generally laid to heart, as it seems to be generally taken notice of! Then surely parents would not account it a reasonable motive for unjust dealing, that they may thereby provide for their children ! for this is not away of providing for them ! nay ’tis the way to spoil them of whatever they have lawfully gathered for them ; the least mite of unlawful gain being of the nature of leaven, which sours a whole lump, bringingdown curses upon all a man possesses.— Whole Duty of Man . Music of Old. —The ancient Egyptian flute was only a cow’s horn with three or four holes in it, and their harp or lyre had only three strings; the Jewish trumpets that made the walls of Jericho fall down were only rams horns; the psaltery, was a small triangular harp or lyre with wire strings, and struck with an iron needle or stick ; their sacbut resembled tbe zagg used at Malta in the present day—aspeciesol bagpipe; the harp, with wire strings, and struck with a stick like the saltery—such as are seen about the streets of Lon don in the piesent day. Imagine the discord pro duced by 200,000 of such instruments, while play ing at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple.— Mr. Thompson Kay in the Medical Times. A Question for Naturalists —A keelman examined in the Merchants Court, Newcastle, was speaking ot a portion of the river, formerly zigzag, but now stiaight ; and being at a loss for an object to which to compare its old conditions, the more fertile town clerk suggested “ a dogs’ leg.” “ Oh! ” said he, a ? r ? vv arse an mon y a dog’s leg o’ the yrizunt day. Are we to inter then, that dogs’ legs, as well as the river Tyne, have become straighter with the other improvementsin the times ?—Gates head Observer. Do you know, reader, that the skin of the black cat is in great demand for muffs, and other furry ‘utensils’of comfort? It is even so; to such a degree, indeed, that a distinguished proprietor in Maryland, the honorable supporter and dis penser of an honorable name and princely es tate, has established a colony of black cats on a small island of his in the Chesapeake Bay 7, where they feed at small cost upon the always abundant fish of the enclosing waters. In less than a twelve month there will be five thousand black cats on the island, under the charge of a single Professor, who will have an interest in them, ‘which will not cease with their lives.’ He’ll have a pleasant time of it at night, won’t he ? What dulcet strains will be heard of a still moonlight evening, stealing ‘cat-like’ from that enchanted island ! And in dark night’s, how will those five thousand burning eyes light up the surrounding gloom! It would be pleasant to approach the island at such a time, and hear tne occupants carrolling in praise of the forecaste and enterprise of the proprietor. Albany Dutchman. The young should always cultivate a habit of reading, for it may be to them, not only the means of information, but the perennial source of many of the finest enjoyments of life. They who make good books their constant companions, will never want good and faithful friends in their prosper ous days, or those who will sympathise in the seasons of reverse. There can be no blank in the lives of those persons, who from active love hold daily fellowship with the wisest and best of their race. We think we could hardly be tempt ed to exchange our habit of reading for any other friend it may be our fortune to find on earth.— And we are sure that any who will make this habit a friend, will ever esteem it among the wisest steps of their lives, and so we commend the young, from our own experience, among all their gettings in this world to getting the habit, the love of reading—and always to have at hand a good book with which to fill up every 7 leisure hour. In this way they may come to know that the gems of life are found in its waste places. If newspapers were to suppress all cholera re ports, and the sick, saddening and harrowing de tails of the scenes caused by the dreadful scourge, people would feel more cheerful and happy, and there would be fewer deaths. Some of our co temporaries boast of giving the earliest cholera reports, and make it a particular feature to furnish as many agonizing details of the dreadful epi demic as it is possible to crowd into their columns. Theideaof piling up the agony and frightening people, they may consider enterprise. Some peo ple are just such blockheads.— Alb. Knick . 1 “Did not Think.” —The Portsmouth Journal , says that two boy 7 s went into a store in that town, and looked at some knives; when they left,a knife was missing. The tnoughtless boy had some sal utary reflections before next morning, as is shown by the fact that the knife was thrown into the store by a boy 7 who passed so rapidly that he could not be recognized. With the knife was a billet which ran thus: “Mr. Abbey,—l did not think a moment, last night, when I took this knife from ymur store. Please forgive me.” Wilson the Vocalist. —The New York Mirror savs that Mr. Wilson the vocalist, who recently 7 died at Montreal of cholera, was originally a composi tor in the printing office of Ballantyne & Cos., Endinburgh ; and in that capacity lie put into type some of the earliest novels of the “great Unknown.” Having a taste for music and a very fine voice,he became celebrated as a ballad-singer, as well as an operatic performer. He first came to this country with Miss Shirreff and the Seguins, and appeared at the Leonard street Theatre, then under the management of James Wallack. After an absence of several years, he returned to this country 7 last fall, accompanied by one of his daughters who had acted as pianist at his musical entertainments, and who, by this bereavement, is left under peculiarly melancholy circumstances. The Sorrows of Ireland. —Fresh evidence of the sorrows of •this unhappy country are brought to us by 7 almost every steamer and every immigrant vessel from the East, and numerous are the pro posed remedies. It cannot he doubted that estab lishments, landlordships, absenteeism, and civil and religious tyranny, each share in the causes which produce so much wretchedness in that “Ocean Gem.” But not the least prolific cause is found in the tyranny of appetite, and in those na tional customs which cultivate appetite, for in toxicating drinks. Notwithstanding all the labors of Father Matthew, and the successful efforts of other philanthropists in the Temperance cause, it is officially stated that there were consumed in famishing Ireland the last year, seven million gal lons of ardent spirits ! —nearly 7 a gallon for every man woman and child in the whole country. Republicanism in Russia. —The Czar of Russia has published a ukase i or the regulation of the Uni versities. These institutions have become in that country, as in other parts of Europe, so many bot-beds of republicanism. The secret societies among the students are imbued with liberal ideas to a dreadful extent. To prevent the spread of the contagion, the Czar has prescribed that the number of students at each University shall not exceed three hundred, and has forbidden the re ception of applicants until the number has been thus reduced. Why ought they to have plenty of Because the captain can lay two (too) an V B he pleases. v I “Out of darkness cometh light,” ast} ls , I ter’s’devil said when he looked into the i r] j.” ■ An exchange speaks of a lady who Cri I her carriage with so much powder on her f ar . ! ’ • she blew up the driver. “Do you keep matches here?” asked a v I a retailer. “Oh, yes, all kinds,” was the Then, I’ll take a trotting match.” “Astonishing cure for consumption,” asj, I lady 7 said when she sprinkled snuff on the vi H of her boarders. Why are the boys who loaf about thewj like hardware merchants? Because they iron and steal for a living. A friend say r s lie saw a fence made of, crooked rails that every time a pig cra through it, he came out on the same side. The firmest friendships are formed in me adversity, as iron is most strongly 7 united bvl fiercest fiame. “ What’s the difference between experinu and practical philosophy ?” “ Experimental philosophy is yrnur asking to lend you a dollar^--practical philosophy ij telling you I wont.” A Printers’ Asylum lias been established London. None to be admitted under 70 vea age. How many at that age do they expfcct have as inmates? The age of birds is greater than many ine. A swan may live 200 years—goose 80- peacock 29 —the thievish crow 100—buttliesw nicrhtin2:ale onlv 18. A fine block of Tennessee marble is aboutto furnished bv the citizens of Hawkins countv,;; wards the National Monumental Washington, Father Mathew is making great headway I Boston. It is said that no less than 27,000 hJ signed the pledge in that city. Notwit hstandi the consumption of brandy is greater than atm former time. It. is now taken medicinally, and is really 7 astonishing how much medicine so:i persons do require. Some rascally anti-disciple of good Fail Mathew, on Saturday night last, 28th ult., bit* into Daniel Webster’s Mansion House in Franks N. H., and stole Daniel’s “silver wine cooler, A reward of fifty dollars is offered. Omnibus fare in Philadelphia lias been reduce from six to three cents. The consequence v be that “everybody and his family” will rid and the proprietors of stages get rich in half: usual time. The Cincinnati Despatch says—“ We sc stated that the Postmaster at Aurora is so looit his habits that lie got awfully tight on Sun. week, for which he was fined $5 and imprison* in jail ten minutes. The Aurora Postmaster me be a-roarer.” Ten Thousand Sermons. —Rev. Thomas P.Hue the Temperance champion, incidentally mentio that from April, 1527, to April, 1549, tvvenlv-tV’ years, he delivered ten thousand, sermons and a dresses! There are, probably, very few j)ren:: ers in the world who in the same length of tin have been so frequently before the public. The House of Knox. —John Knox’s (the Scot:: Reformer’s) house in Edinburgh, being in a da: gerous state has to be taken down. It is pfr posed to mark the stones and re-erect it in exact'; the same manner. Nautical Arithmetic. —lt is an old saying, tk “ sailors get their money like horses and spent like asses.” A sailor called on another to borre twenty shillings of him ; the moneyed man i to telling it out in shillings, but the other took up handful of silver, and said, “ Here, Jack, gives a couple of handfuls or so of it, and I’ll give}- a hat full when my ship’s paid off.-’ The Boston Journal tells the following : f Sunday a clergyman in this city, after preach a somewhat long but very excellent discou# undertook to read the Governor’s recent prod*’j mation for a day of fasting and prayer ; but ft- q some unexplained cause he took Gov. last proclamation for an annual fast, whicl'^. excellent but rather elaborate document bs , from beginning to end, when he quietly remark that there must be some mistake in the matter,^: was evident from the dates that he had of the wrong proclamation To make a sober man a drunkard, give wife who will scold him every time he comes then scold at her son Bill, kick Tom over the dab Ned over the mouth, and then drive the® 3 ’ into the kitchen with a broomstick. It is stated in the Wilmington (Del.) Republic, that a man at the alms house in that place, outdast week to dig two graves. He, thinking they might want others soon, and strange as it may seem, the next morning was a corpse, and placed in one of them.