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THE WIltK-UKASS REPORTEft.
THOMAIVILLK, OEOROIA.
WEDNESDAY/ SEPTEMBER 88, 1858. I
wot closs or the yean •
The paper of the Bth inat. closed the first
year of the “Wire-Grass Reporter,” and
taat week waa the commencement of anew
year*’ The proprietor has no cause to com
plain, but rather much cause to be thankful.
The” liberal patronage extended to this
new establishment has been greater than
was expected. The paper has now a per
manent foundation, and nothing but the ne
glect of its friends can arrest its earner. We
express our gratitude for the continued confi
dence of the pnblic. Out of nearly a thou
sand subscriptions, not a dozen hare been
discontinued. 4< Thia is truly gratifying and
encouraging, and shows an appreciation of
our labors far above our deserts. We shall
net relax in our efforts to make our weekly
issue an instructive and interesting sheet.
But here we must beg leave to put our
patrons in remembrance, that money is not
only the “ sinews of war,” but of ait other
manly enterprises, and “ no-man goetli to
battle at hi} own expenses.” Our patrons
must furnish us the “ sinews,” if they wist)
us to do battle valiantly. We have notified
all such as have not yet paid na for the first
year of our paper, 1 and to inch we now say
we most have our money, as we mnch need
it. We trust it will not be delayed any long
er. , To those who have liberally paid ac
cording to our terms, at tbe time of subscri
bing, we need only remind them that another
year in advance ia now due, which we trust
they will forward to us at their earliest con
venience. Two dollars is such a poor pit
tance, that no one need delay sending It, un
less through neglect, whilsj to the publiaber
it ia a matter of the first importance. Wo
are aware that the detention of a year’s sub
scription is often more the result of careless
ness than design, and to avoid this it is best
to attend to it at onee. When you go to tbe
office, or send there, for your paper, carry or
send two dollars, and have it mailed by the
Poli Master at once, to bo sent off by the
first mail. This ia the proper mode of truly
“patronising” a publisher. A subscription
without pay is no patronage, but just tbe
reverse. \ ’ ■ “'•*
17’ We have just returned from a trip
through the counties of Lowndes, Clinch,
Ware, Appling and Coffee, and althongh we
had a very watery time, yet wo were recom
pensed by seeing the faces and shaking the
hands of many true and tried friends. Tbe
crops are generally good, althongh the cotton
has suffered to some extent from rust, and
the com, particularly in Appling, for want of
rain while in the maturing state. The deer
are nearly all dead and no mistake, and from
all we could gather from tbe people, a law
for their protection for some years to come
would be popular. A law of the kind would
affect the writer as much perhaps as nny one,
aud yet, under the circumstances, we should
not object. The journey homeward was un
pleasant and frequently perilous from the
high waters. A friend, however, who knew
tbe diffidßltiesand dangers of the way, made
us a small present, by tire use of which oc
casionally,.,we were encouraged and cheered
in time of trouble. Thia present consisted
of a ; small transparent vessel distinguished
by a representation of General Jackson on
one side, and a spread eagle ou the other, to
gether with “the accompanying documents.”
Something more may be said of this trip
hereafter.
LOOK OUT TO* IHCSHDIABIES.
On Saturday morning last, a little before
daylight, the roof of I)r. J. C. Paslay’s
dwelling houae was discovered to be on fire
on the outside, under the comb. As it was
just beginning to blase, it was soon extiu
guiebed, without material injury to the prem
ises. It was evidently the work of an in
cendiary or incendiaries.
There are some finished villains abont
Thom&sville. Three several attempts, it is
mid, have lately been made, to enter the
store of E. Remington, Esq., after it was
closed for the night. The drug store of Es
Seixas has been within a short time,
and other clandestine acts of villainy com
mitted or attempted; and it behooves every
good eitisen to be on the * look out, and to
use every means in his power for their ap
prehension.
tU-WESXLT RECORDS*.
We publish among the advertisements the
proposal of R. M. Orme & Son to publish
the Recorder at Milledgeville tri-weekly du
ring the session of the Legislature, and give
through it “ a synopsis of debates, bills and
all other matters of importance that shall
some before the Legislature.” Such a pub
lication bas long been needed during the ses
sions, and if well gotten up and properly
eahried out will afford a large amount of in
formation to the people which they have
heretofore never obtained from that quarter.
Heretofore it was difficult to learn from a
Milledgeville paper wbat the Legislature
were doing.’ As this is no party movement
every one may encourage it, and we hope
will do an- ... ■ . - .
ty Mr. Fobsvth, the American minister to
Mexico, Will return to the United States in
the course of the next month.
Gen. Dan vers ha* resigned the oflSce of
Governor of Kansas territory.
Mr. Richardson has resigned as Gover
nor of Nebraska territory, to take effect Ist
|Mr Bcnmmin declines the mission to
THE HAW THOM ONCE MOSS
We have no disposition to continue a fur
ther controversy on this subject with any
one, mwe cap tec no good lively to result
from iff’ Public opinion hereabouts is pretty
decidedly made up, and we could nbt change
it if we ao desired, either one way or the
other. Each line, the tffe middle and
the lower, has ,its advocates, and we are
willing to letivb them iti the enjoyment of
their opinions, claiming the same privilege
for ouracli Our object now is, simply to
correct a mistake, inadvertently made, by
us at least, in regard to the opinion -Enter
tained by Dr. Screven, in 1824, aa to the
proper line to be adopted by the Atlantic
and Gulf Company. We have it from reli
able authority that there is an error in the
extract wo made from the Brunswick Her
aid into onrs of the Bth inst. In the letter to
Ms. Anderson, incorporated in his report of
1854, Dr. Screven says—-“ The Brunswick
enterprise standing in our way, occupying
the Md we desired for our line of road, and
in tbe expectation that it would be carried
to successful completion, the only alternative
left to this company was to cross that line of
road and connect with Florida.” This was
Dr. Screven’s view in 1854. and we confess
it is widely different from saying, “ unfortu
nately the Brunswick Company occupy with
their road the line would have prefer
red.” We make these remarks in justice to
Dr. S. and close with the hope that as be
now has tbri whole territory within his con
trol, he will stick to the field then occupied
by the Brunswick Company, which stood in
his way, but which he may nou> occupy with
impunity. \
THE ILLINOIS ELECTION.
There seems to be great interest felt through
out the whole Union, in regard to the resulT
of the canvas for members of the Legisla
ture in tbe State of Illinois. Judge Breese
will be the administration candidate before
that body for U. 8. Senator, Judge Douglas
presents himself also as a Democratic candi
date, but independent, not harmonizing with
tbe administration, and Abraham Lincoln is
the Black Republican candidate. The can
vas is progressing with a view to this latter
election, and all other issues appear to be lost
sight of. Each of tbe candidates have taken
the field, and are using tiieir best efforts to
make friends. Our opinion will hardly reach
if it joes, will have no effect there.
Wo therefore express it frankly now, and ac
knowledge that we feel no great interest in
the canvas, and for these reasons: If Brecsc
and Douglas can manage between them to
gain enough Democratic members to the Le
gislature to beat Lincoln, of which we have
our doubts, their respective friends will go
into that body heated and irritated by the
canvas, and the contest will be renewed there
under stronger excitement than ever. The
consequence will be a worse distraction than
before the election,'ami a more violent and
personal opposition to each other than to the
Black Republican candidate, aud the only
way they will he able to harmonize at all
will be to nbandou tlveir own candidate and
both concentrate upon anew man, which will
be a difficult matter to accomplish. We be
lieve therefore, with a view to a perfect re
union of the Democratic party in tiiat State
in the next Presidential election in 1 SCO, it
would be about ns well that both sections
of the Democratic party get a beating nt the
present election ; and this we think is highly
probable too. This result will lose to the
Democratic party a member iu the Senate,
but it is tbo only result that we can see which
is likely to preserve the Electoral vote of
that State in IS6O for the Presidency.
THE COMET
Well, the Comet has come, or rather may
be seen, sure enough. If you will cast your
eye to the blue ethcrial at tbe north-west a
little by west, and a few degrees above the
horizon, a short time after daylight down,
there you will certainly see it, if there is
nothing to intervene. The nucleus is of a
white milky appearance, liko a light summer
cloud, resembling the constellations in the
“ milky way.” The tail appears to be of
the same mltorial, shooting out in rays stream
ing to the north. The Comet is rapidly
rushing in a westernly or south-westernly di
rection. The tail is now apparently about
two yards long, as it appears to the naked
eye. Tbe Comet is said to be approaching
the earth, and if so it will increase.in appar
ent magnitude os it approaches. It now dis
appears under the horizon at about half past
seven o’clock. It is said it may also be seeu
in the morning about four o’clock in a direc
tion a little north of east.
In times past when astronomy was in its
infancy, direful have been the portends on
the approach of Comets. But now it is
known they have orbits, like other heavenly
bodies, and like them have their regular
entrances and exits. Tbe apprehension,
therefore, of one of them coming in contact
with the tuiTtii is po greater that, the dan
ger of coming in collision with the aim,
the moon, or any other of the heavenly
bodies. Nor are they supposed to be more
that opaque, vapory substances,’ that could
not materially injure any body as dense as
the earth, even if they ran afoul of it.
It is a fact of unusual occurrence, says a
writer in the Boston Traveler, that there are
now visible in the heavens three Comets, the
brightest of which, Donati’s, can be seen with
the naked eye abont ten degrees above tbe
horizon in the north-west, about 7} P. M.—
It shows a tail of two degrees in length,
and is rapidly increasing in brightness and
rising higher above tbe horizon at that
hour.
a
- m ■ ■=
the late satannah QEOBOIAN.
We, with others, regret tbe loss of this
old and time-honored daily of the Democrat
ic party, i It ha* done the party good service
in its day, and deserved a better fate. But
if we are asked, do we regret the loss of
newspaper to Savannah or tbe State of
Georgia, we emphatically answer “ no!” nor
should we regret it, for their. own sakes, if
three fourths of them ifiStild go the same,
way—die for the want of support. Tbe re
mainder then could be supported. They
would receive patronage enough to be sus
tained liberally, and tbeir proprietors would
not have to live from hand to month, some
times without money or credit enough to
keep up a supply of paper, as many of them
do now. The accumulation of newspapers
in the country is a'great evil. If there were
only one fourth the number they wquU he
■ better supported, arid tbe proprietors could
afford to have them better edited and printed.
Georgia has now printed within her territo
ry at least four times the number of newspa
pers more than she supports decently.
THE OCEAN CABLE.
It seems as if the ocean telegraph, in Yan
kee phrase, had “gin eout.” Mr. Field has
written a note to the Journal of Commerce,
stating that the insolation of the cable re
mains perfect, but that no message had come
over it for seven days. He docs not know
the cause, but supposes it is from a change
of the shore eud at Valencia, which was in
contemplation.
In relation to this matter, the Ifew York
Express says—“ Wo can see from outgivings
and hints in certain quarters, that we may
as well postpone all expectations of getting
any further news through the cable until
about tbe Ist October. The Trinity Bay
people-do not say that, but it is said for them.
Let us havtf patience, therefore, if but to
show the Newfoundland operator that* tele
graphed the other day to London that we
(Yankees) were “mad for news,” nro liot
quite so crazy or impntient as some people
suppose.
Mr. De Snnty, the electrician in charge of
tho Atlantic Telegraph at Trinity Bay, de
clines to make any stAteSment relative to the
cable for publication, beyond the positive
assurance to tire_J*gent“Of“llie Associated
Press,.that there are only temporary difficul
ties of an electrical nature, and that there is
no reason whatever for the rumor that the
cable has parted.
YELLOW FEYEB IN SAVANNAH.
That this pestilential disease exists in Sa
vannah is admitted by the local authorities.
The last wo have heard from there was a jie
port of the health officers of four or five ca
j * j
; ses, said to be of a mild character. ‘We see
! also tbe report of two deaths by tbe same j
disease. The rumors aCout hfitv, as they !
reach us, are bad enough, and no doubt much j
exaggerated. That the disease has spread a |
general pnuic among the citizens, and all are !
leaving tho city who conveniently can, is j
most probably true, and yet there may be no I
imminent cause for alarm. Wc trust the
cool weather fur about a week last past will
check, at least, if it does not extermiuato
\ ■ • . •• • .
the disease.
CAMP MEETIHGS.
The Camp Meeting at Mount Zion camp
ground, thirteen miles from Troupville, will
commence on Friday evening, October Ist,
to which Preachors and people are invited.
The Camp Meeting Waresboro’ will
commence on Friday, the Bth October, to
which the ministry and. public are also invi
ted. - ~ ~ ...
Bear Creek Camp Meeting, in Decatur,
will include the secoud Babhatli in October,-
commencing on Thursday uigbt previous.
WILCOX COUNTY.
We understand the following named gen
tlemen are candidates before the people of
Wilcox county, for seats in the uext Legisla
ture :
* For Senate ,
norman McDuffie,
. GEORGE R. REID.
For the House,
MITCHELL FORTNER,
SMITH TURNER.
These gentlemen are all good and reliable
members of the Democratic party.
FINE STOCK.
We refer our readers te aw. advertisement
rtf fine stock, which will shortly appear in
our market. Mr. Baker is a reliable man,
-and whatever he says of his stock may bo
taken for truth. He is an extensive stock
dealer, but no jockey.
THE SLAVES DISPOSED OF.
A dispatch from Washington says—The
Colonization Society has concluded a con
tract with the Administration with reference
to the cargo of the slave brig Echo. The
Society agrees to support and educate the
Africaus for one year in Liberia, at a sum
not to exccod fifty thousand dollars. Thom
as Rainey has been appointed Special Agent
to make the transfer.,.
TERRIBLE BAILBQAD DISASTER.
A terrible accideut occurred on the Steu
benville and Indiana Railroad, near Steu
benville, on the night of the 10th inst, by
which tbe whole train, filled with passengers,
was precipitated from a bridge, which gave
-way, to the water beneath. The whole thtin
went dowu and numbers were killed. The
particulars have not come to hand.”
ty Hon. Philip J. Fontank, Mayor of
Key West, departed this life, in that city,
on Saturday evening the 28th ult. He was
one of the earliest settlers at Key West,
having emigrated there in 1823. He was
an active and energetic citizen, and aided
largely in the improvement of tbe city.
rant mw you conventions
The Black Republicans and native Amer
icana of the State of New York held simul
taneous Conventions at Syracuse, on Wednes
day and Thursday, the Bth and 9th instant.
The objects were, in the first place, to bring
about a fusion and consolidation of both par
ties into one, and then nominate a ticket for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Canal Com
- missioned and_State Prison Inspector. The
Americans being in a meagre minority, were
most anxious for this union, to save their par
ty from annihilation; but the leaders, who
were on the ground, thinking there was no
use in belonging to a party unless something
was made by it, made a demand for some
portion of the “spoils” in the event of suc
cess. This the Black Republicans would not
listen to, nor would they even listen any fur
ther to the committee appointed to negotiate
with them, but, in the most insulting man
ner, proceeded to nominate a ticket, all of
-their own party. Erastus Brooks, of the
American party, labored worthy of a better
cause, to bring about a c unpromise; but
in conclusion, finding all bis efforts but “love’s
labor lost,” broke out in the following sorrow
ful strains : “He regarded the action of the
Republican Convention, in refuting to vole
on llit conference resolutions, as an unfair and
unhandsome treatment of this body ; they
had proceeded to nominate a Governor and
Lieutenant Governor without consulting this
Convention ; and he deemed it now due to
the self-respect of this Convention that it at
once proceed to nominate,” &.c. We think
so too. But even after this, Mr. Brooks
made several ineffectual efforts to reconcile
matters and bring about a union of both par
i ties into one. He hdlniliated and degraded
himself to the Black Republicans, but all to
jw-avail - - J
The Black Republicans nominated the
following ticket:
For Governor —E D. Morgan.
For Lieut. Governor —Robert Campbell.
For Canal Com'r —Hiram Gardner..
For Prison Inspector Everett.
The Americans nominated
For Governor —Lorenzo Burrows.
For Lieut. Governor —W. S. Benton.
For Canal Com'r —James R. Thompson.
For Prison Inspector —-Wm. A. Russell.
HEW POST OFFICE IH CLINCH.
Anew Post Office, called Carter’s Bridge,
has recently been officially established in
Clinch county, on the Stago road leading
from Troupville to Magnolia, and Jesso W.
Carter appointed Post Master.
TAX COLLECTOR’S APPOINTMENTS.
I will attend at the following places, at the
I times mentioned, to receive the Taxes of
the citizens of Thomas county, to wit:
j Glasgow, Monday, 27th September.
Gtooverville Court Ground, Tuesday, SStli. j
Swain’s Court Ground, Wednesday, 29th. I
Thornasville, Thursday,
I Seventeenth Hist. Court Ground, Friday, ‘
| Ist Oct.
.Duncanville, Saturday, 2d.
M. R. Mcßae, Tax Collector
THE WEATHER.
Oil Monday and Tuesday of last week the
Weather was unsettled, with heavy clouds
from the south-east, and occasionally squalls
of rain. On Wednesday a somewhat se
’ vere nfirtheast storm set ia, doing injury to
! the opening cotton crop, blowing down green
timber, fences, &c. The rain was heavy,
swelling many of the 6inall water courses,
and renderijig them impassable. Tho mails
from the 6outh were detained several days.
Since then the weather has been settled, the
sky clear and the air cool. The blowing was
not as severe about Tliomasville as in years
previous, and whether we must take this flur
ry for the usual autumnal equinoxial gale, or
that that is yet to conrte, a week or two will
determine.
On the coast the gale appears to have been
more severe. Wo make extracts, as far as
we have heard from :
Gate in the Goff.
We learn by passengers who came on the
steamer Calhoun from Tampa, that a severe
gale was experienced in the Gulf on Wednes
day. The Calhoun was in imminent danger
of being wrecked. In making a harbor in
Ocilla Bay, she went agftjiind at ebb tide, in
five feet of water. Tho passengers loft in
the yawl boat, leaving the steamer still hard
and fast some five miles south of St. Marks
Light House. -
The N. Orleans steamer, duo at St. Marks
on Wednesday morning, had not reached
there on Thursday evening. Fears are en
tertained for her safety.
A barge, belonging to D. Ladd, with a
white man and three negroes on board, was
blown oat to sea from the Spanish Hole by
the violence of the wind. The steamboat
Spray went in search of it on Thursday, but
when the cars left on the evening<of that
day, no tidings had been received of the miss
ing craft.
The brig General Bailey, which arrived
off the Spanish Hole on the 14th, was driven
ashore on Long Bar. She will probably
have to bo lighted\about half her cargo to
get her off.
The pilot boat May Flower was sunk at
her moorings, but can be raised without dif
ficulty.
The Light House keeper, J. J. Allen, lost
all his wood, boast, poultry, bath, house, Ac.
This is the extent of the damage done, so
far as heard from, except in the prostration
of trees, fences, Ac.— Tallahassee Floridian.
The Weather.
This ever faithful theme is the topic for
general discussion iu our city. The oldest in
habitants cannot recollect when we have had
quite as much rain as has poured down upon
us for tho last ten days, and there is as little
prospect f(fr its clearing up now as there has
been at any time since it set in. It comOs
down with a regularity and perseverance,
that is only acquired by long practice.
Last eveuing the wind and rain seemed to
vie With each other in furious Btorm. Trees,
awnings, shatters, and sign hoards, in all
parti of the city, were more or less damaged, 1
and the streets and lanes deluged in water.
We have not been able to ascertain whether
the shipping iu the harbor received any in- j
jury.— Sap. Rep. of Thursday last. ‘ *
The Storm at Madison. ttMjr** 6-
The amount of damage done in our vil
lage was very greaC. N Houses were levelled
to the ground, trees torn up by the roots and
garden andsytoref fences blown down, leaving
their contents unprotected from the stock. !
The large and new storehouse of Mr. Bom-1
uel Williams, which he had recently erected ‘
ai large expense, was blown down, and made
a complete wreck. The stable of Mr. J. M.!
Bunting was blown down upon a pair of fine
horses, but by a seeming miracle, they were
tnken from the ruins uninjured.
Reports from the country are equally dis
astrous. The dwelling house of Mr. J. A. j
Lash, some three miles south of this place, |
was blown down, and Mrs. Lash, it is feared,.
mortally injured—one of her children also !
receiving; n slight ’ injury. Almost every
place we have heard from, has suffered more
or less from the gale. I
In consequence of -tlie great quantity of |
rain which had previously fallen, the ground <
had become very soft, causing the tri es to
yield readily to the force of the wind. So
many have fallen that the cotton crop has
almost beert*entircly destroyed, and the roads
completely blockaded. The cotton which
had opened was all blown out, Almost all the
unripe bolls and forms whipped off, and the
st&lks leveled with the ground or crushed by
the trees. The storm has nearly given the
finishing touch to the cotton crop, which had
already been seriously injured by the rains.
If the damage to the cotton be as great in
other portions of the State as it is in this
section, it will bo cut off, at the least calcula
tion, two thirds.— Southern Messenger.
Murder.
It is our painful duty, to record tho mur
der of one of our citizens, Hector Patterson.
He was found on yesterday afternoon lying
| near the Scott Pond in a dying condition,
1 perpetrator, or perpetrators, of this horrid
crime is yet unknown.— Madison Messenger.
THE FLORIDA INDIANS.
Washington, Sept. 4.—C01. Rector has
been instructed .by the Secretary of the In
terior to proceed to Florida, and as soon as
the season will permit, to take measures for
the removal of the Seininoles, who are now
in the Everglades. The Secretary is desi
rous that this should be done under the su
perintendence of Col. Rector alone, without
the interference of the authorities or citizens
of Florida. White flags will be distributed
through the swamps, for the purpose of call
, | ing them to a council., No military force will
be employed. The Indians will be remov
,jed to Arkansas, (whither Billy Bowlegs and
j his band were transferred) should the nego
’ tiations be successful. (J*
A Florida exchange of recent date says—
“ Capt. Shaw of the U. S. steamboat Ran
ger, who arrived at New Orleans on Friday
I last, from Tampa, Fla., states that Capt. Mc-
J Neil, who was in charge of the party en
| deavoring to open a communication whir the
i Tallahassee Indians, had a talk with two of
! the Chiefs, who informed him that they
j would get ready to emigrate in the fall, pro-
I vided Billy Bowlegs would return and have
i a talk with them. It appears the Tallahas
see Indians were hot aware that Billy had
already emigrated. In'all probability they
will soon come. in.
THE UNION OF CONTEMPLATION AND ACTION.
We hnve been favored with a copy of tbe Inst ai.-
t mini addroßß delivered before the Phi Kappa and
Demoftheuian Societ.es of the University of Geor
gia at Commencement, on the sth August, ISSS, by
Ueoiige Gordon, Esq., of Savannah, an honorary
member of tbe Phi Kappa Society. The subject is
that embraced in the caption of this article.
We have read this address with much pleasure,
and regret we have not room to devote a larger por
tion of our paper to its many beauties. The arrange
ment is methodical, the language pure, and the ar
guments happy and conclusive.
We have ueither time nor inclination to review
this classical production critically. We most pass
over its leaves hurriedly, and can only make a single
extract
The address opens w ith the creation of man. and
a short notice of our progenitors in the Garden of
Eden iu their original purity and innocence and the
full enjoyment of all their fresh and newly endow
ed sensations. Upon this base the orator builds his
structure. He draws a beautiful parallel “between
tbe youthful explorer of the mysteries of science
and the first created partaker of tbe delights of
earth,” we must pass over, and only f. ; so
because we have not the space necessary to dwell
upon it. The parallel is just and beautitul through
out.
The orator then reverts to the career of some of
the most eminent of the ancients, who have left
their names to future ages. Alludes to Alexander,
who always carried a copy of Homer about his per
son. To the two first Csesara, who cultivated letters
amidst the toils of war and the anxieties of govern
ment, aud a host of other eminent men ; shows how
thoy combined letters with business, and entwiued
the chaplet of science around the baton of war.
From the ancients he descends to the moderns,
pays a passing compliment to Lord Brougham, and
gracefully passea over to hia own country. Here
he pauaes and makes a beautiful apostrophe to Mr.
Everett, the eulogist of the Father of his Country,
the great and good Washington. Then comes tbe
extract which we subjoin.
We wish we had timo and room to give this
chaste and classical production a closer attention. It
is full of.beauties frou7 beginning to end. Wo can
only find room for the extract:
And this leads me to tonch upon some few
of tbe advantages, which flow from the pre
servation in of the literary tastes,
which tho graduate at one time held in pos
session.
And, if for nothing else, this love for let
ters should be sedulously nurtured, in that it
makes the possessor thereof a domestic
man. I mean not now tbe exclusive pursuit
of literary avocations. Experience has
shown that most of the devotees to letters
alone have been unhappy in their domestic
relations. Not to mention many of less note,
Byron, Bulwer, Thackeray, Dickens and
Herbert, are sad illustrations of this fact in
our generation. Whether it has proceeded,
ex-uecessitate, from the nature of their call
ing, may or may not be the case. But the
fact remains an apparent anomaly.
And this not uufrequer.tly occurs in the
one-idead man of any nrofession. Music,
for example, which should melt the heart and
elevate the thought* of tbe rapt high-priests
of her mysteries, very often unstriuM
percap&yis of her worshipper, and uu
fits lmn for .pursuits of Rfe. jt
| farther, as though to furnish .herself the
startling exhibitions of contrast, she will D *
| seut you with the picture of one, froq, wbod’
eyes are streaming anon tears oi davotionsj
feeling as he renders some exquisite couceo
tiou of Handel or Mozart, and wlmse deer
, dation ih the lowest species of dissipTS^’
I but a moment after, inspires a ’dnubtcfT‘
i identity. Many and many a poor devil”
1 whom you raise from the gutter y, c |,. ; ”
lor his follies and sympathy for hi ß f a || j’ ‘
i yesterday, at the shrine of his one idea, bath’
ed in the harmonies of heaven, poured o t
! his soul to Divinity in the melody of nra’
and sounded the clarion of victory, aa jj e i!*®
lieved bis vires eradicated. And yet, fL e
bodies, a caricature of humanity,
j an instant from the pinnacle of purest uhj 1
sure to the depths of dirt aud degradation
I do not meau, then, the fanatic io any da
j partmeut of literary excellencies. Ido not
mean the astronomer, whose gaze tan never
I be withdrawn from the stars, the philosopher
whose: common sense is obscured in uncom!
; mon attainments, tlte poet) who is unable to
descend from the clouds, the pedant, who is
always on stilts. These err, all iu # greater
degree than the man of simple utilitarianism
Put 1 mean that, for one whose attention is
faithfully given to the active duties of his
profession, a cultivation of the tastes, which
were his delights in college lij, will tester a
love for home, which is, beyond all else, the
safeguard of American character.
For these studies must be pursued at home
The lawyer cannot line the shelves of ln
office library with Catullus and Ovid ami Lu
can. The physician cannot carry to the bed
side of his patient the disquisitions of philo
sophic enquiry. The merchant cannot fur
nish tho desks of his counting-room with the
volumes of classic poetry. Undoubtedly
with the vocations of each, the results of a
literary life will exhibit themselves in every
transaction of the day. But the mysteries of
sciencq must be penetrated after the work of
the day has been accomphshedTaud’ when
the mind has dismissed for the time the anxi
eties of its existence. And then, under tbe
domestic roof, may rest and recreation and
refreshing joys be experienced in the explo
ration of the domain of science. * •
Under the domestic roof! I will not draw
the beautiful picture of tbe man, who, after
the toils of the day are over, draws near hit
hearthstone and leads the companion of hia
home through tho grottoes and palaces of an
cient poetry. I will not paint the beauty of
that 6ketcli, when the man of the world lock#
up his cares with his office, and, by, the fami
ly fireside, unfolds to the group of loved ones
around him, the wonders of the starry firma
ment. 1 will not attempt to pdrtray the
heaven of that Jiome, wiiere the arrival of
the husband arid father is the signal for the
study of tlie book of science. To all, such
blessings are not vouchsafed. But in this
age of bustling progress, where money and
gain are the watchwords of action, what a
Eiowcrful impulse in the right direction to
l ive secured the presence of the head of the
household under the domestic roof.
We are too regardless, in this country, if
the obligations of homo, We are willing to
slave ourselves by day and by night to accu
mulate substance and wealth for the children
of our loins. We aij willing to traverse con
tinents and wear out the frame and expand
the energies to gathei for those at home the
means of abundant subsistence. We shirk
no labor and falter at no sacrifice to obtain
position and eminence for the name, which
we are to transmit. But, while in careful
labor, we are working and toiling and break
ing down onr frame, our home!—for which
we are thus striving—our home—in which
we hope some day to rest—our home! What
is it 1 Luxury is there, for we have lavish
ed it upon the wife of our early love, as
though all the wealth of the Indies were
worth one hour's presence of the beloved.—
Plenty is there, for all that money could be
stow was at the disposal of the heart, left
ilesi late by onr absence. Chihli en arc there,
but, like ruddfilcss ships on an unknown
sea, they are tossed to and fro by every
wind of doctrine. All is there to constitute
happiness, Rave the one radical aqd all-im
portant item of personal presence. That ob
tained, and, although a perfect picture may
not be universally drawn of every home, yet
the balance wheel has l een replaced, the reg
ulator has been restored and a large item in
the aggregate of domestic happiness secured.
If, then, the cultivation of literary pursuits
lias a tendency to lead the man of the world
to spend a larger portion of his time under
the domestic roof, should not the effort be
made to engraft upon the character of the
American citizen a taste for letters 7 And
when once under the domestic roof, habitua
ted to devote a regular portion of bis time
thereto, how surely, though imperceptibly,
must the sweet influences of home have their
triumph. Little by little, the closed door of
the silent study at home will yield to the
gentle pressure of the infant hand that knocks
for admittance. The frown* which clouds
tlao brow, disappears at the sight of the sweet
image that smiles upon our cares, and ere we
know it, tbe precious gift, which was meant
for our comfort, is upon our knee, her flaxen
curls dancing iu tbeiight of the setting sun,
her laughing eyes twinkling in joy at her
triumph and tier little hand leading the worn
frame of the father into the blessed circle of
the household. There are smiles of welcome
and delight. There are ears to listen to all
our thoughts, and tongues to applaud our ev
ery achievement. There are hearts to cheer
our sorrows and sympathise in our disap
pointments and elevate us into very demi
gods. There are hearts uever weary of hear
ing of all that moves or concerns or interests
us. And the parlor becomes the study, and
our loved ones our fellow students, and we
read aloud our little auditory, so numer
ous in their praises,and wonder that the hours
so quickly speed. And, when another day
has begun and the heated atmosphere of reg
ular duties must be encountered, think you
that the influence of home is nothing to car
ry with you during the hours of lakypr and
toil 1 Oh, the increase of the strength of
virtue, which is home as a safeguard from
such a home I Who can estimate its value
or determine how many a downward career
it hfs checked, how many a temptation it
has overcome, how many a crime it has pre
vented. The light of that family fireside
streams through the avenues of the next
day’s pursuits. It irradiates tbe honest trans
action, it beautifies (ho act ol charity, it glares
npon the deed of fraud and kindles a flam*
of remorse ib tbo conscience that has been
violated.