Newspaper Page Text
12
LITERARY.
WILLIAn W. MANN, Editor.
The Southern Field and Fireside
IS ri'BLISHKD EVERY SATURDAY.
TERMS—S2.OO a year. Invariably In advance. All
Postmasters are authorized agents.
TRAVELING AGENTS:
Charles Pfmri.k.
•Tons L. Stockton,
W. 11. Crane,
W T. Beall,
L. K. White,
R. D. Phillips,
Henry Tylek,
J. W. Taliaferro,
.1. B. Overstreet.
Each Traveling Agent has a written authority to col
lect and receipt for subscriptions, signed by the Proprie
tor, and his signature verified by the Mayor of the cl Tv
of Augusta, with the seal of the city attached.
SATURDAY JUNE 4, 1559.
cr Tlie abundance of literary mutter, and
the large space given to the Summary of Euro
pean intelligence, necessarily exclude the edito
rial remarks we had intended for to-day. We
do not mean to make a habit of this self-abnega
tion. It is forced upon us, for this time, by the
extraordinary interest which the war in Europe
imparts to foreign intelligence, and by the fact
that two weeks have intervened'between our
first and second numbers. The amount of for
eign news accumulated for to-day, is thus unu
sually large. We intend that the readers of
the Field and Fireside shall, as events transpire
in the progress of the war, be regularly advised
of them. Henceforth, the Field and Fireside will
appear, punctually, on the day of its date.
sy It is intended, so soon as the Literary
Editor of this paper sliull become accustomed to
his new duties, and able to perform them with
more economy of time and labor Ilian is now
practicable, to devote weekly a column or two
of the Field and fireside to notices of new works,
and criticism. For the present, our readers must
rely upon the volunteer service of a correspon
dent who, as opportunity offers, will render us
this favor in a manner which, we are well as
sured, will leave no reason to regret that the
Editor is otherwise employed.
We are glad to add that a friend, perfectly
competent in this matter, has kindly consented
to furnish us weekly with a short efows-article.
Hundreds, wo might perhaps say thousands, of
our readers will bo pleased to see a part of a
column devoted to this noble game.
—
tw We are sorry that we have been com
pelled to omit for this number the Autobiogra
phy of Jack Uojteton , which was already in type.
It will be continued in our next. AVe shall en
deavor hereafter to arrange so that the Literary
Department of this paper shall offer a greater
variety of matter; not allowing more than three
novelettes, or tales of fiction, to bo appearing, at
the same time, in its columns. These we will
continue, without intermission, except in ease of
unavoidable necessity, to the dose of each.
We regret that the promised contribution of
Madame Le Vert is not offered to our readers
to-day. It has failed to reach us. We hope to
receive it in time for our next: but cannot again
promise it.
We have received, since our last, numerous
lyjerary favors; only a small portion of which
have wo been able to read. Os all these, the re
ception is acknowledged below: and we ask our
friends to accept these notices in lieu of letters
by mail.
TO CORRESPONDENTS AND REGULAR CON
TRIBUTORS.
The Siege of Pandora, Gibson,> a Nov
elette, will be read at our earliest leisure.
The first chapters of A Year in Georgia —No. 2 of
Country Life — and The OUI Bachelor, all from “Sibyl
Grf,y,’' are in our portfolio, near the top.
Arria, a Tate of the Roman Empire, (by R. 11. R„)
has been received
The Romance of Moss Spring, “A Georgia Scene,”
received from an Alabama friend, will be read and criti
cised with every disposition on onr part to find it worthy
of the hopes that are connected with it
Os prose contributions, not tales or novedettes, we have
to acknowledge reception of the following:
“Anecdotes,” by R.— Common Thoughts, tby Novis
6i.Mrs)—Charmed by a Serpent, (by E. N. W. y—Stray
Leaves from a Diary, (by M. M.) —An essay on the poor
er of small forces to effect great things.
Wc have also some droppings that she little wots of
from the pen of Betty Bashful.
Life — Where located t (by R. 11. NTsbkt.) will re
ceive attention at our hands very soofi.
“ A Sketch,” (by Jessie Randolph.) will be read and
decided upon as soon td possible. 40
Favors from our poetical friends are most numerous.
The Song of the Misanthrope will soon appear: as,
also, A Paraphrase from the Italian of Zajtpi. from
the same pen.
We have also to acknowledge the reception of a Son
net, by Wm. O. Wilde;
Right aDd Shade, by J.;
Twilight Musiugs, by James Nathan;*
Lines on visiting the Blue Spring, near Albany, Ga.,
by A. L.;
Hare you Forgotten her ? by J. F, G,;
“An old story told anew," by Query, Who?
Heart's Ease, by Minny Frazier :
Wreath of Memory, by Jere. Gibson ;
Throe poems, by j.LK.;
Forget me not;
The College Bell, (from Alabama);
The Rich Man and Lazarus, by R. II..; *
“Awake! Oh South,” b> L.;
Two poems, by Crammond Kennedy;
Little Goodey Coarse Shoes, bj- E. L.;
The Fate of the Erring, by saws;
Italia, by A. C.;
The Oyster Roast, by 8.;
The Sinner s Prayer, and the Answer, by R. F. C.
The lines “To the Savannah River,” by Mrs. C. L S„ i
flow smoothly as her theme, and will, in their turn, find !
place in our columns.
Many of the above poems have not yet been read by
the Editor. It is impossible for him to read all contribu
tions immediately upon their reaching his table. He will
soon, however, resume his critical'labors upon the pile
before him; and will announce, in a future number, those
to which, for Borne reason or other, he does not think
that he can give place in the columns of the field and
Fireside.
PREMIUMS TO POSTMABTERS—FIVE HUN
DRED DOLLARS IN PREMIUMS.
We invite attention to the premiums offered to the
Postmasters of Georgia. South Carolina, Alabama, Mis
sissippi and Tennessee, for the largest lists of subscribers
to The Southern Field anp Fireside. See Prospectus.
KicE sovvs&u m&i in vskssxins.
Loris Cormick.
William Clark.
W. M. Russell,
Wm. P. Bottom,
Edward A. Hill.
R. A. Rees.
Josephus Camp,
R. F. Übmuhaet.
. OUR PRIZES.
As we tirnyt <|Hite impossible to neknowl<-dge by let
ter the reception of each of so many articles forwarded
by competitor* for the various prizes uffered by the pub
lisher of the Field and Firesitle, (see the advertisement
on our eighth pngojwc take this method of relieving
anxiety, and of announcing to all. the safe arrival of their
favors.
We have received and placed in the proper category
fee Novelettes, four of which arc from ladies—Annie
Mure ton, or Love's Changes ami Chances; A Reminis
cence of Roanoke; The Foundling of tke Paeolette; The
Young Shakeress; Lucy Bell.
Firs Literary Essays —two of which are from ftgnak
authors, and three from gentlemen—Essay on Boys;
Education—Us Proper Course; Southern Literature; An
Essay on Prefaces; Literary Women.
One Agricultural Essay —by a gentleman—Essay on
Agriculture.
Fifteen Poems not less than Sixty Lines —eight of
these are offered by ladies, and seven by gentlemen—
Dedication of Solomon's Temple; Thoughts in a Grave
yard; Eugeniu Clare; Hope; Music; Daddy Jim, the
Banjo Player; Our Jewels; The Grave Digger's Song;
Morning Breaking; A Vision of the “Temple"; La
Campogna; The last of his Race, to the Spirit of Inez;
The Suicide's Farewell to Life; The Conquest of Peru;
St. Andrews’ Bay; Let there be Light!
Fifteen Poems less them Sixty Lines—of which ten
are forwarded from ladies, and five from gentlemen—A
Dream of Locust Dell: Georgia: The Song of the But
terfly: Banished Rome; Taking a Snooze; Nature; The
Silent WaH; A Memory—for Little Minnie; The Tem
pest; The Field and Fireside; The Life of Love; The
Heart; May Day; Song for the Montgomery (Ala.) True
Blues; May.
Let us take this occasion to say that competitors for
the prizes should not allow their real names and residence
to appear upon the manuscript containing the poem, es
say, or novcllette intended for competition. These it
would be well to inclose in a sealed envelope, to be opened
or not, as may be desired, after the award. Some—a very
few—of our friends offering for the prizes have done so.
Names of authors will not be communicated to the com
mittee of award.
If any persons, who intended to enter the list for the
prizes, should find their articles acknowledged in the no
tice to “ correspondents," they will please advise us by
letter of the error, and the proper correction shall be
made.
We have reeei veil, at the moment of going to press,
“At Last—a Story by Dame Durden."
noticing Subscribers.
It will be iuii>ossßtfe to send receipts, in future, to each
subscriber, owing to the large number of subscriptions
coming in daily. The receipt of The Sovthern Field
and Fireside, after the money is remitted, will be evi
dence to each subscriber that his money has been re
ceived and his name duly entered on the mail book.
MAGAZINE.
The June number of this interesting monthly
is on our table. Here is its attractive bill of
fare: Property and .Spoliation, (from the French
of Bastiat.) —Ballad, from the Polish—La Tra
versee—Summer Verses—Epistolary Gossipings
of Travel—Adant Mickiewitz—Actress in High
Life—What was it ?—The Bospliorous—The
Bird—Burial of Paul Jones—Editor's Table—
Literary Notices.
——
THE COURANT.
The fifth number of this weekly (a Soutlaem
Literary Journal, of Columbia. S. C„ edited by
Howard H. Caldwell, Esq.,) is ltefore us. with
a great variety of pleasant matter. It will be
one of the most welcome of our exchanges.
■ -
The Pilgrim Monument.—The Plymouth Rock
of the 19th instant, says; “ Vie are happy to
inform our readers that nearly a thousand tons
of granite have been delivered upou the hill in
the vicinity of the proposed monitmeut to the
forefathers: and the Messrs. Hall, of this town,
have commenced laying them in form to consti
tute the foundation to the monument itself. The
corner-stone, which is already cut at the yard in
Quinev, will be laid on the Ist of August, with
appropriate and imposing ceremonies. Mr. Bil
linas, the artist in charge, is now sanguine of
rapid progress in the work, and we hope he is
not to be disappointed.
m Episcopal Convention.—The Pro
testant Episcopal Convention of the Diocese of
Georgia assembled in St. Paul’s Church, in this
city, on Wednesday morning last, Bishop Elliott
pressing, and Rev. Wm. C. Williams acting as
Secretary.
The first day was passed principally in reli
gious services, reading certificates of delegates,
and the business of organization generally.
Yesterday morning, the Convention re-assem
bled at the usual hour. The Bishop’s address
was read, ns were also the annual parochial re
ports.
It was determined to hold the next Annual
Convention of the Diocese at Christ Church, Sa
vannah, on the Thursday after the first Monday
in May, 1860.
The Convention will meet this morning at the
time appointed.— Constitutionalist, June 3.
*»■>- .
Edward Everett says of the Bible:/“ Apart
from its direct claims upon our reverence, as the
depository of a divine relation, we cannot but
respect the Bible as the foundation of onr civil
ization. Strike from the political, moral and in
tellectual condition of modem society, all that
; has tlowed. directly and indirectly, from this
source, and you would reduce European and
American Cliristendom to the state of the bar
! barons and semi-civilized countries, whose char
! aeter has been powerfully influenced by the Ko
] ran, or other religious coles of the East. The
| highest historical proliability can be adduced in
support of the proposition, that if it were possi
j hie to annihilate the Bible, with all its influ.
1 ences, we should destroy with it, the whole spir
itual system of the modern world—all our groat
moral ideas—refinement of manners—constitu
tional government—equitable administration of
law, and security of property—our schools, hos
pital and benevolent associations—the press
the fine arts—the equality of the sexes—and
the blessings of the fireside; in a word, all that
distinguishes America and Europe, from Turkey
and Hiudostan.”
i •*- •nmm—
Library for William and Mary College.
Professor Morrison, of William and Mary College,
Virginia, has been in New York, recently, where
he received liberal subscriptions in aid of the
purchase of a new library for that institution.
■ iii
Powers' statue of the Greek Slave, which was
awarded to Miss Coleman, of Cincinnati, last
year, by the Cosmopolitan Art Association, has
been purchased by A. T. Stewart, of New York,
says an exchange paper, and will be placed in
Ids dry goods store.
_ * —tp t«s
Madame Roland Could prepare her husband’s
meals with her own hands, and at night delight
the most literary company of France, by her
brilliant powers.
[Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.]
AMERICAN LITERATURE:
Considered especially with reference to its lack oj j
Independent Journalism and Independent
Criticism.
by j. a. Turner.
.Three years ago. an attempt was made in
New York to establish a journal of independent
criticism, of a high order, under the name of
The Criterion. Os course, it did not succeed, but
it did soon ljeconie defunct. Those who had the
control of American literature would not tolerate
manly and just criticism. At the time of the
publication of the few numbers of The Criterion,
| which saw the light, I jotted down some thoughts
| on the subject of American criticism, which have :
i lain in MS. until now, because I did not think \
any paper of literary pretension, on this conti- j
nent, would have the manliness to publish them. !
Since the Field and Fireside starts, independent j
of all cliques—and ? hope and believe it will re
main so—l offer what was written several years
ago, with some additional remarks, for its col
umns, believing that one of the grand desiderata
for the establishment of a literature of high order
in our midst, is the want of independent criti
cism. Wliat I wrote three years ago.commences
with the next paragraph.
♦Somebody—probably the publisher—sent me,
a few days ago, The Criterion, vol. 1, no. 17. I
have also received two other numbers of this
j journal. It is something after the order of the
i late Literary World, and somewhat similar to
j the London Athenaeum. I believe its intentions
are honest to become a fair exponent of the lit
erature of this country, and a medium of inde
pendent criticism. It seems to me. however, to
lack ability; and its editor, or editors, though
possessing a fair share of knowledge, sometimes
display a “ ’prentice hand " in the embodiment
of their lucubrations.
' I admire the stand of The Criterion for inde
pendence—this quality being no less rare in
literary, than in political jot rnals. It strikes me
very favorably, to see it giving its opinions, as
in its review of Dora Grafton, in opposition to
those of Hunt's Merchant’s Magazine. The Herald,
and sundry' other newspiqters. But how far does
the independence of The Criterion extend? Will
it dare to differ with those who do up the no
tices of new ltooks for the Harper’s, the Apple
ton’s, the Putnam’s, and the Lippinoott’s, as well
as with those who cater to the demands of the
lesser lights in the publishing world? Is it in
dependent only of such publishers and journals
as do not belong to its set, or will it defy algo j
the opinions of cliques favorable to its interests? |
I merely ask for information, because I long to i
see independent criticism in America. And, so
far as 1 know, there is npne of it. perhaps with !
a very slight exception.
I make the following extract from the journal
Iteforc me, remarking that the punctuation is
bad:
“In the present number, we (five the first of
a proposed series of reviews, which are to in
clude, in connection with the particular book
under consideration, a few of the notices it may
have already received. By this means, our
readers will be enabled to form a very fair idea
of the style in which the “literature” is “done”
in many x>f our papers. There is an old adage
almut' the receiver, etc., and the pupil will detect
the application by observing in what manner
these notices are employed. Seriously, are these
notices known to be undeserved ? if yes, wliat is
the character of those who make use of them?
We are well aware that editors are annoyed and
coaxed to a degree, that might have overcome
Saint Anthony, and we also suppose that some
publishers are not well qualified to judge upon
the merits of a review; these may, to a certain
extent, lie exonerated from intentional wrong.
But there are many who cannot shield them
selves with such defense. To such, we say in
all kindness: reflect upon wliat you are doing—
is it honorable, is it honest? Shall everything
be sacrificed to cupidity? reform your manner of
conducting business. To the public, we promise
to observe a vigilant scrutiny of these matters,
and pledge ourselves to expose in plain Knglish
the various means by which a few persons are
seeking to degrade the literature of America.”
Here The CWferion“speaks of “a/eic persons
seeking to degrade ttie literature of America.”
If putting books because editors and reviewers
are paid to do so, whatever may Vie the demerits
of those books —if decrying other books because
editors and reviewers are not paid not to do so - m
or because the authors do not belong to tlieir
clique; or because the ramifications of the said
editors’ and reviewers’ interests do not, some
liow, run inlo the success of the authors of those
other books—if doing these things is “seeking
to degrade the literature of America,” then The
Criterion need not have spoken of “a few," who
are thus seeking to degrade American literature;
but it might have extended its remark almost
to universality. Where is the editor or reviewer
who writes an independent or impartial criti
cism? And where is the journal that would
publish such an article when written ?
It is plain to those lieliind the scenes liow lit
erature is managed in America. It is well enough
for the mass of readers to understand this mat
ter also, and not continue to be gulled inrilie es
timates they place upon books, by the venal
scribbiings of hireling critics. Take the liook of
Jerry Fumguzzle, Esq., for instance. It is styled
“Interesting Reminiscences of the American
Revolution.” Mr, Fumguzzle has written it at
the instance of those highly appreciative pul>-
lishers, the Messrs. Ramshorn. These gentle
men have a fine talent for loving money, and
their liook is designed to sell. Accordingly, as
soon as it is published, The Thunderbolt,' The
Streak of Lightning, The Sun-Beam, The Canon
ier, The Giaacutas, and various other highly re
spectable news|wpers and magazines in the pay
of the Messrs. Ramshorn, without once looking
at the "Interesting Reminircenees," come out
in glowingly eulogistic reviews of the book, all
written by the Messrs. Rainsliom, or some one
in their establishment, but purporting to come
from the editors of the aforesaid highly respecta
ble journals.
Frank Candor, being a young man fond of
reading, upon seeing the favorable notice of the
aforesaid “ Reminiscences,” buys the book, and
sits down to its perusal, promising himself a
rare treat. He gets through the first two or
three pages, with a deal of effort to keep his
eyes open, and begins to wonder when the in
teresting part will come. He reads on, how
ever, nothing doubting but that it will come.
Tl# book grows duller and more stupid: but lie
reads on, and begins to grieve over his mistake
in having supposed that lie possessed some taste,
and some intellect. He lias no idea of differing
with the editors of The Thunderbolt and The Gi
ascutas. in the opinions they have given of the
“ Reminiscencesnor lias lie any idea that they
have told wilful untruths in their published crit
icisms of the book. So he reads on, still hoping i
to find something interesting, and lamenting his j
want of appreciation, until finally, upon reading
the last page, its never-ending monotonous stu- j
•Written March 16, IsoG. j
piditv having quite overcome his respect for the
critics, he rises in his wrath, and sure of the cor
rectness of his own appreciation of the work, he
pronounces the “ Reminiscences insufferable
trash, the Merest swindle, in the shape of a book, i
he ever had the misfortune to read; and he j
dashes the liook upon the floor. Frank is full of
honest indignation. He has thrown away his
dollar in the purchase of a stupid rigmarole
alxmt the American Revolution, when that dol
lar would have gone a good way towards pur- |
chasing Bancroft. Besides, he lias thrown away j
all the leisure time he has had lately, in reading \
Fumgnzzle’s lkxik, and time, with hint, is money, j
He swears he will exjiose the whole affair; and 1
so he sits down, and writes a slashing review of 1
the worthless imposition. He does not send it i
to either of the journals which so much be- j
praised the Messrs. Ramsbom’s latest publica- |
tion, because he doubts wliotlier it could find a ;
place in tlieir columns. But lie sends it to :
the Independent Gazette, not dreaming of a possi- j
bility that this journal will also refuse to publish |
it. But one of the contributors of the Inde- I
pendent Gazette has a forty-ninth cousin, who
once spoke of having lieen introduced to a gen
tleman, who had heard of a person, who pur
posed enquiring of the MeSSrs. Ramshorn if they
would publish a liook lie contemplated writing.
Thus the relation lietween the Independent Ga
zette and Furnguzzle’s publishers is so intimate
that this independent paper declines the publica
tion of Frank Candor's article; the “ Reminis
cences” are still sold to the dupes of The Gias
cutas and The Thunderbolt'a falsehoods; and the
Messrs. Ramshorn make money, and— patronize
Ame rica a literature.
I do not know but that I should have added,
that the editor of the Independent Gazette was
hoping to get some advertising patronage from
the Messrs. Ramshorn. But, of course, this did
not prevent them from publishing the slushing
review of Fumguzzle’s book.
I was once an editor. Many are the adver
tisements of patent pills, lotteries, plans for
making money, Ac., Ac., which I have received
from the hordes of swindlers who subsist upon
the fools who abound in the world; with lying
editorials in praise of tlieir iniquities, ready writ
ten to my hand. Soon after the commencement
of the Know-Nothing excitement, I received
from a New York publisher an account of a liook
lie was aliout to publish, containing marvelous
accounts of the wicked doings of the Roman
priests, accompanied by an editorial puff, wliich
lie bad the audacity to ask me to publish as my
own—and that, too, in advance of the publica
tion of his book. I noticed, some time ago, in
that spieev and Ixild journal, the Richmond Ex
aminer, an account of an amusing passe Marines
between some Boston publishers and an editor
in that city—l believe—who had the hardihood
to oxpress an honest opinion in reference to some
book put out by these publishers. They ad
vised the editor, by note, that lie was injuring
their trade by speaking so disrespectfully of the
book, and that therefore they would no longer
advertise with him. It is possible, however,
that this incident was a mere invention—a ‘trick
of trade” on the part of the “cute” Yankee pub
lishers, designed to attract notice to their book.
I recollect once seeing a remarkable adver
tisement of some New York dry goods store.
It was when Fanny Ft4n was in the height of
her glory, writing those paragraphs for the news
papers which she afterwards collected and called
Fern Leaves. You took up a newspaper, and
thought you were reading a brilliant sketch
from the author of Rose Clarke, the subject of
which had been selected merely because of its
adaptedness to the flowers of rhetoric, to an ex
pression of pathos, and to her powers of de
scription. Before the sketch was finished, the
penetrating eye discovered that Fanyy was
merely writing an advertisement for the dealers
in dry goods, for which she probably received an
equivalent in ribbons and de laines. Nobody
could blame Fanny Fern, however, for she had
to provide food and raiment for her two father
less children.
Os late I have seen a paragraph going the
rounds of all the newspaper headed, “ A remark
able man,” or some similar subscription. As
people are fond of reading about remarkable
men, they seah this paragraph to see what man
ner of man is the subject of it. After reading
about the newspaper iiero, whoso name is Hol
loway, those who are up to the tricks of trade,
discover that the paragraph is nothing more nor
less than a putting advertisement of this mon
ster quack, and his pills and unguents, though
apparently written, originally, by the editor of
some newspaper, merely to gratify public curios
ity concerning a remarkable man. The proba
bility is, however, that Holloway himself wrote
the notice, or dictated its contents, paying to the
editor in whose paper it appeared a round pecu
niary equivalent; as also to those editors who
happened to give the paragraph an insertion in
their papers. By the way, I have seen the “re
markable man” copied into some papers from
which I expeeted better tilings. 0
It is thus the press is prostituted to the allure
ments of gain, and the opinions of its conduc
tors bartered for filthy lucre.
The Criterion sees the necessity for indepen
dent criticism. I hope it will act"accordingly—
not only ostensibly', bnt also in reality. Let
its practice be always up to the mark of its
profession. By so doing, it will supply a great
desideratum in American journalism, and make
for itself an enviable name and reputation. Nous
verrons, as father Ritchie used to say.
Here ended wliat was written three years ago.
The Criterion very soon died, because our authors
and publishers would not tolerate independent
criticism. They had the disposition, and the
means, to crush out an independent literary or
gan published in New Y'ork, because, by combi
ning as they do, their interest being common,
they wielded an irresistible power there. But it
is to be hoped that tlieir power and influence
does not extend far enougfi South to make the
Field and Fireside subservient to tlieir purpose.
There is no reason why this should be so. The
conductors of this paper have no connection with
Northern papers, publishers and literature; and
they can afford to allow tlieir correspondents to
speak freely tlieir mind. I trust that this jour
nal will come in, and occupy the field which its
projector intended should be occupied by The
Criterion. Can we not have one single journal
in America whose opinions upon literary matters
will be worth something? worth something be
cause its conductors and contributors will try all
matters of literary import by those tests which
have been established by the highest literary
taste, from the days of Ilomer, down to the time
of Jeffrey—the one using that taste for the crea
tion of a powerful work of art, tho other em
ploying the same taste for a proper appreciation
of the works of art!
There is a splendid opening for the establish
ment ,of sncli a journal as I would have, and as j
I presume the conductors design the Field and ;
Fireside to be. There is no such papers in Amer
ica. Let us have one whose articles shall com
pare favorably with those of the Athenceum,
Blackwood, the Edinburg Review, Ac. And none
in the land have so good an opportunity to as-
siime this position as the one just started
Georgia. If is entirely independent of all the
cliques, and mercenary critics who are corrupt
ing, and preventing a healthy growth of Ameri
can literature.
—
FUN, FACT, AND PHILOSOPHY.
Under the above head there will appear week
ly, in our columns, an agreeable melange of wit
and wisdom, prepared expressly for thic paper.
It will be composed of amusing anecdotes and
items of wit and humor, of short paragraphs
conveying useful knowledge or interesting intel
ligence, and of pithy sentences, proverbs, apho
risms. epigrams and maxims, giving in condensed
form, and with striking expression, the wisdom of
the sage and moralist, the thoughts of the phi
losopher, the lore of the student, and practical
precepts for the man of the world. Let none
turn with contempt from our column of Fun,
Fact and Philosophy. Our aim is to make the
grave smile, the thoughtless think, and to im
prove all. It will always contain something
good for the mind, the heart, and the body. Let
it be read by all who would “laugh and grow
fat," or who would “live and learn.”
•
•• What is the best guard against an adversa
ry ?” said a pupil in the art of self-defence, to
his teacher, a noted pugilist. "Keep a civil
tongue iu your head,” was the unexpected and
significant reply.
“ Landlord, you do me too much honor; you
let mo sleep among the Big Bugs last night”
“Oh, don’t be too modest, my dear lodger—l
doubt not they have your own blood in their *
veins.”
A short time ago, a schoolmaster was wanted
in a Western village. One of the applicants be
ing asked to give a philosophical reason why
cream was put with tea, replied, “ Because the
globular particles of the cream render the acute
angles of the tea more obtuse.” He was elected.
“What an ungrateful return!” said a defeated
candidate when a count of his votes proved him
to l>e in the minority.
A physician told his patient that he could
cure his toothache by simply holding a certain
root in his right hand “ What root?” asked the
sufferer. “The root of the aching tooth.”
You may always ascertain whether you are in
a city or a village, by finding out whether the
inhabitants do or do not care for, or speak about,
anything thnjp days after it has happened.
A Good Retort.—Upon Fenelon telling Rich-’
elieu that seen the portrait of his emi
inence at the palace, the cardinal sneeringly
asked, “Did you ask it for a subscription for
some poor friend?” “No,” mildly replied Fen
elon, “ the picture was too much like you.”
Quite Quiet. —Profound silence in a public as
semblage has been thus neatly described: “One
might have heard the stealing of a pocket hand
kerchief.”
New Bedford Wualees.—From seventy-five
to ono hundred large whaling ships are expected
to arrive in New Bedford during the present
season, bringing oil and whalebone to the value
of nearly three millions of dollars, and employ
ing in the whaling trade about-ten thousand
men. » m
An alchemist, who knew that Leo Xth was a
great eneourager of tl»e arts and sciences, ad
dressed him on a discovery he had made of turn
ing other metals into gold. The Pope read his
address with great attention. Whilst the phi
losopher was gaping after his remuneration from
his Holiness, lie received from him a very large
empty purse, with these words: “You can fill
it.”
Serenade. —Scissored from a Lady's Album-
So. coino to me when sunrise sets
Over the pinguid sea.
Anil the silent bells In the minnrets
Toll out so noiselessly.
When the hippodrome soars high in air,
Over the maelstrom's dome.
When the bulbul cowers in her shelly lair
Beneath the ocean's foam.
When the pensive clam coos loud and long.
And from the tamarind tree
The Ichthyosaurus tunes his song,
Then, dearest, come to me !*
Coquettes, (Selected from another Album.)
"A coquette is a rose from which even- lover
plucks a leaf. The thorns are reserved for the
future husband.” Ug\
Denied! That is not so.
“No! each lover forlorn
Walks off with a thorn.
While the husband receives
The beautiful leaves'.”
C.
True!
But happier he
The thorn sticks for a day,
Than the luckless wight
The leaves stick to for aye!
W.
The desire of appearing wise often prevents
our becoming so.
It requires no small degree of ability to know
when to conceal it.
To praise great actions with sincerity, may be
said to lie taking part in them.
Men often boast of great actions; but they
arc oftener the effect of chance than of design.
We would often be ashamed of our best ac
tions, if the word were aware of their motives.
There is nearly as much ability requisite to
know how to profit by good advice, as to know
how to act for one’s self.
One is never made so ridiculous by the quali
ties he lias, as by those he affects to have.
Marriage is the tio of perpetual friendship,
and there can lie no friendship without confi
dence. and no confidence without integrity; and
he must expect to be wretched who pays to
beauty, riches, or position, that regard which
only virtue and piety can claim.
It is an unpardonable offence to show a man
you do not care whether he is pleased or dis
pleased.
The oldest existing London journals are the
Morning Chronicle, established in 1769, by Wil
liam Woodfall, a celebrated parliamentary re
porter; the Morning Post, established in 1772,
by John Bale: the Morning Herald, established
in 1778 ; and the Times, established in 1788, by
Mr. Walter.
Fans. —It is a matter of question whether the
fan came direct to us from the East during the
Crusades, in the reign of Richard 11., or was
imported from Italy in that of Henry Till.,
more than a century afterwards. At any rate,
it is not until the time of ElizabetU that we find
it popularly used; but at this period, both sexes
wore it; and young gentlemen, who would have
thought it shockingly effeminate to be seen in a
coach, made no scruple of carrying fans and
feathers in their hands, which, in war, continues
our authority, “their ancestors wore on their
heads."