The Southern field and fireside. (Augusta, Ga.) 1859-1864, August 27, 1859, Page 107, Image 3

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was touched by the sight of such appealing sor row, and the little hot, fair hand rested in her brown palm, as she sung to her in low lullaby,and hushed into sleep her plaintive wails. Youth and a vigorous constitution resisted the further encroachments of disease, and the little girl’s eye again brightened with returning health, and rewarded the care of her watchful nurse. She implored her husband to retrieve his cruel step, by restoring the little creature to her home: but, sullen and exasperated by his own suffer ings, he repulsed all her supplications. With a harsh and unreasonable cruelty, he continued to regard the innocent child as the cause of all his wrongs, and to retaliate upon her his injuries. An increased sternness of manner induced the trembling Aliene to draw, with an instinctive sense of protection and safety, to the side of the tender-hearted mother and her son. For her amusement, the young Yula would forego his accustomed sports and pass days in his endeavors to soothe and please her. For her, he foamed the woods in search of wild dow ers and ripe berries, and devoted himself to her happiness, with the absorption and tenderness of a young girl. The summer had now passed, and autumn, with her rich and varied hues, touching into beauty the surrounding foliage, was upon them. The memory of the little Aliene was gradually losing its hold upon the past —the home, and fond parents who still pined and sickened with their wretched remembrances, were becoming to her childish recollections as a fading dream. Autumn deepened into winter, which now set in with all the intensity of an extreme latitude. “Bald Eagle,” morose and dissatisfied, determin ed to leave his present retreat, and proceed over the Rocky mountains, and find a home on the Pa cific coast; not caring to be encumbered with the child, and refusing to trouble himself by con veying her to her parents, he suffered his wife and son to project plans for her security and comfort. With a conscientiousness equalled only by her kindness, the Indian mother determined to leave the little wanderer with her own race and color, and thoughtfully busted herself in preparing, for her protection from the cold, a lit tle fur suit, from the skins of animals which the expert Yula had furnished by his rifle. Fitting on her novel preparations for travel, the Indian woman, consigning her to the care of her young son, bade her an affectionate farewell —instructing him to leave her at the door of a cottage, which lay smilingly embowered in a wood, some miles from their present resting place. The next morning before the sun had attained his meridian, the Indian tribe were wending their weary way towards their future home, on the Pacific coast [to be continued.] TEA, AND THE TEA TRADE IN THE UNITED STATES. The Russians never take milk in their tea. They take either cream, a. slice of lemon or preserved fruit, or simply sugar, without the addition of anything else. They hold that milk spoils tea, and they are right. The tea, with lemon or preserve, (forming a kind of tea punch, well worthy the attention of teetotalers), is only taken in the evening. Sometimes rum is added. Tho superiority of the Russian overland tea to that which is received in the West of Eu rope from Canton, has been often mentioned, and sometimes denied. Oddly enough, M. Te goborsky, the late Russian senator, denies per sistently that the tea from Kiakhta is at all bet ter than the Canton tea. lie declares, in his work on the productive forces of Russia, that he has tasted flowery pekoe in London quite equal to the same description of tea ( tsvetochny ) sold in Moscow. Perhaps Mr. Tegoborsky's taste was inferiorto his literary talent; or rather, as in his chapter ou tea he endeavors to prove that Russia would be benefited immensely by hav ing her ports thrown open to vessels from Can ton, his taste may have been influenced by his wishes. For our own part we have no hesita tion in saying that no such tea can be found in London as that sold m Moscow, and throughout Russia, except in some parts near the Baltic shore, or the Prussian frontier, where smuggled Canton tea is sold. Sir John Davis, who has paid more attention to the tea question than M. Tegoborsky, says: It would be absurd to pre tend that the long sea-voyage, in which the equator is twice crossed, and the water in which the ship crossed is often heated between eighty and ninety degrees, has no ill effect on tea car goes. With an absolute and complete absence of all humidity, we know that heat has littlo or no decomposing effect; but such a stato cannot be the ordinary characteristic of a ship’s hold, as must be clear to all who have found the diffi culty of preserving some articles from damage between this and India. Some of the compa ny’s finest hyson teas were packed in double cases of wood, besides the canisters. Black tea is better able to contend with the chances of injury to which a cargo may be disposed than green. It has generally been subjected, in a much greater degree, to the action of fire in drying, and has, besides, less delicacy of flavor than the other." Sir John Davis goes on to observe, that there is no difficulty in accounting for the superior condition in which “green tea especially" is found in Russia, the region it traverses being generally dry as well as cold; thanks to which, none of the original qualities of the tea are lost by evaporation or otherwise. The most delicate kind, however, that comes to Russia, is the tsvetochny, or flowery tea, to which the nearest equivalent to be obtained in the West of Europe, is flowery pekoe. The best specimens of the latter, either from tho reasons mentioned by Sir John Davis, or from natural inferiority, are not to be compared to the finer specimens of the formor. Probably, too, the enormous prices paid by the Russians for their tea, have some thing to do with the question. There is but little sale in England for the very best qualities of tea that are imported now; and it is doubtful whether China ever sends us her choicest pro duce at all. It is known that the blossoms are plucked from the trees several times in the course of the season. The first gathering gives the rarost quality of tsvetochny; the second gives the ordinary tsvetochny; at last, instead of tsvetocony, common tea is obtained. The earliest gatherings of tea-blossoms or flowers are sont to Russia, but it is by no means certain that any are exported to England. Several of the St. Petersburg journals suggested, before the publication of the recent tariff, that the mo nopoly of tea so long enjoyed by the caravan trude should be at length abolished, and that Canton, or other tea, should be at length admit ted by sea. These suggestions have not been adopted, and the Russians will still have to pay about two roubles (six and sixpence) a pound for ordinary congou, when, if the ports were open to tea cargoes, it might be sold, after payment of a moderate duty, at a little more than half that price;,and the annual consumption will continue to be limited to something more than nine millions of pounds, whereas, with the known predilection of the Russians for the bev TMM BOTWKEmi YX3S&D MMM erage, a great diminution in price would have given it an almost indefinite increase. The advocates for admitting tea through the ports, maintain that the superiority of the cara van tea over any that could be introduced by sea is so marked, that the former would always com mand a sale at high prices from those rich ama teurs, who, in certain cases, will pay as much as thirty-five shillings a pound for particular growths. At present an excellent mixture of black tea and flowery pekoe is sold at ten shil lings ; and it is quite true that no such tea can be procured in any other country, except China itself. It is nevertheless highly probable, that ninety-nine families out of a hundred would pre fer a somewhat inferior mixture, at half the price; and in this case the Siberian trade, to protect which the government is so careful, would in deed bo injured. The maintenance of the cara van trade through Siberia, to the injury of all the tea-drinking inhabitants of Russia, must, to be rightly judged, be viewed in connection with the projected railway from Nigni-Novgorod to Irkutsk; and as long as any intention of form ing so important a line is seriously entertained, it must be politic to encourage, as much as pos sible, the overland traffic between Russia and China. The above information concerning the quality of the various teas, is taken from Mr. Edwards' “Sketches and Studies in Russia,” and we take from the New York Express the following statis tics of the tea trade: Tea Trade op the Uxited States. —Our trade with China has been increasing from year to year, and one of the chief imports—perhaps the chief—has been tea, which, instead of being brought hither by English vessels, is now ship ped mostly, if not all, by vessels under our flag, and thus materially increasing the revenue and enriching the community. The following figures are gathered from reliable statistics: Imports into the United States during the last Six Years. Crop. Blacks. Greens. 1R52-’3 lbs. 14,431,596 26,529,161 ISSB-'4 11,365,693 29,980,155 1554-'5 8,022,989 21,854.922 l&5-'6 14.956,304 24,858.434 1856-7 8,176,795 17,878,633 1867-8 13,237,600 18,002,516 Totalln six years 69,190,927 129,603,526 The average consumption of Blacks per an num is 11,500,000 pounds, or 27,000 chests per month, and of greens 21,500,000 pounds an nually, or 35,000 packages per month—the total aggregating 13,000,000 pounds per annum. The receipts at all ports of the United States during the present season, up to date, amount to 10,500,000 lbs. blacksand 17,500,000 lbs. greeus. The shipments to Great Britain, so far, from all the Chinese ports, foot up 53,500,000 lbs., against 61,500,000 lbs. in 1857-8. The stocks in the China markets, at latest accounts, are 2,500,000 lbs. blacks, against 9,250,000 lbs. same time last year; and 2,250,000 lbs. greens, against 4,500,000 lbs. same time last year. WASHINGTON’S STYLE OF LIVING DURING THE PRESIDENCY. Washington’s diuing parties were entertain ed in a very handsome style. His weekly din ing day, for company, was Thursday, and his dining hour was always four o’clock in tho after noon. His rule was to allow five minutes for the variation of clocks and watches, and then go to the table, be present or absent whoever might, lie kept his own clock in the hall, just within the outward door, and always exactly regulated. When lagging members of Congress came in, as they often did, after the guests had sat down to dinner, the President’s only apology was “ Gen tlemen (or sir), we are too punctual for you.— I have a cook who never asks whether the com pany has come, but whether the hour has come.” The company usually assembled in the drawing room about fifteen or twenty minutes before din ner, and the President spoke to every guest personally on entering the room. He was al ways dressed in a suit of black, his hair pow dered, and tied in a black queue behind, with a very elegant dress sword, which he wore with inimitable grace. Mrs. Washington often, but not always, dined with the company, sat at the head of the table, and if, as was occasionally the case, there were other ladies present, they sat at the foot of the table, and were expected to be quietly attentive to all the guests. The Presi dent himself sat half way from the head to the foot of the table, and at such times he w’ould place Mrs. Washington, though distant from him, on his right hand. He always, unless a clergyman were present at his own table, asked a blessing in a standing posture. If a clergyman were present, he was requested both to ask a blessing and to return thanks after dinner. The centre of the table contained five or six large silver or plated waiters, those of the ends circu lar, or rather oval at one side, so as to make the arrangement correspond with the oval shape of the table. The waiters between the end pieces were in tho form of parrallelegrams, the ends about one third part of the length of the sides; and the whole of these waiters were filled with alabaster figures, taken from the ancient my thology, but none of them such as to offend in the smallest degree against delicacy. On the outside of the oval formed by the waiters were placed tho various dishes, always without covers; and outside the dishes were the plates. A small roll of bread, enclosed in a napkin, was laid by the side of each plate. The President, it is believed, generally dined on one dish, and that of a simple kind. If offered something, either in the first or second course, which was very rich, his usual reply was, “That is too good for me.” He had a silver pint cup or mug of beer, placed by his plate, which ho drank while din ing. He took one glass of wine during dinner, and commonly one after. He then retired —the ladies having gone a little before him—and left his secretary to superintend the table till the wine bibbers of Congress had satisfied themsel ves with drinking. His wines were always the best that could be obtained. Nothing could ex ceed the order with which his table was served. Every servant knew what he was to do, and did it in the most quiet and yet rapid manner. The dishes and plates were removed and changed with a silence and speed that seemed like en chantment.—Letter of the late Dr. Ashbel Greene. — Disasters to our Navy.— The National In telligencer publishes a statement, collected from authentic datq exhibiting all tho disasters that have happened to our Naval Marine from the year 1798 to 1859. Os these, 1 frigate , 7 sloops , 6 brigs, 13 schooners, 1 small steamer, \ gun boat, and 1 pilot boat —in all 30 vessels—have been lost; 3 frigates, 4 sloops, 6 brigs, 9 schooners —in all 22 vessels—captured; 4 ships burned, at Washington, to prevent their falling in the hands of the enemy; 2 ships, l steamship and 1 schoon er have been accidentally burned; 1 steamship, 1 schooner, and 1 hulk blown up—making, in all, 63 disasters of various kinds. — The population of Macon. Ga., according to a late census, is over eleven thousand. [Writ ton for the Southern Field and Fireside.] LITTLE GOODEY COARSE SHOES. “Dear mother! if you'll let me stay At home to-day with you, I'd help you sew, and mind yon well, In all you bade me da I don’t like school, I do not dread My lesson to recite ; I always know them every one; Tou teach me them at night. But, mother, all the girls make fun. And say 'tis low and mean To wear coarse faded frocks like mine, Though they are whole and clean. And then my “Goodev Two Shoes'’ book I took to school one day. To show it to some of the girls When we went out to play— They call me Goodey Coarse Shoes since— Oh! if they did but know How hard you worked to buy these shoes, They’d not laugh at them sa I do not care although my clothes Arc not as fine as theirs: — You’ve told me if the heart is right, No matter what one wears. , But when they laugh. I think of yon. And then, in spite of me, 1 cry. And, though 1 know ’tis very wrong. I almost wish to die! 1 well remember ’twas not so, Before my Father died; When we dressed fine, and had nice things, And often went to ride. And we had many friends so kind, Who came to sec us then; And made us presents too, sometimes— Would it were so again! The house we lived in then is near, But a stone’s throw from this— What has become of those dear friends, Whom we so sadly miss? Did they all die when Father died ? Or have they moved from here ? Why do we never see them now ? Do tell me, mother dear.” “My darling, do not murmur, though Tour little heart does bleed ; While buffeting this hard cold world; Our’s is not greatest need. We’ve clothes enough to keep us warm, And wholesome food to eat, While many creatures, starved, and cold, Are begging in the street. If ’tis for me, you are so grieved, Dear child, no longer weep: Tour tears but swell the bitter cup That I have drank so deep. What’er betides, keep up brave heart! ’Tis only when I see My little ones seem happy, that I live contentedly. As to the friends of other times, But few have died, or moved; Though many, since our dark days came, Have hollow-hearted proved. But we have still one Friend whose love Endures through every strait! That friend is God, so strong to help, If we will meekly wait" “There, mother, now I’ll go to school, Without a murmur more: And I’ll be brave, and bright in hopes Os blessings yet in store. Eva Lind. [Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.) LETTERS FROM MY LOG CABIN-NO. 3. “You recollect,” remarked CoL Peyton, as they passed on down the broad walk of the gar den, “that I sent Mr. Williams to Virginia, last summer for a pair of mules.” “ I remember —has he returned?” “Yes, he got back last week; and lam going to show you his selection.” Opening the door of a stable, the two mules stood haltered in the stable—tho first introduc tion, probably, of that useful, and now common beast of labor into the State of Georgia. Ligrive surveyed them curiously’ for several moments, as if calculating the capacity of these slim, nar row-bodied, slender-legged, long-eared animals to perform the work of the plantation. “They are very small,” he observed, at length. “They seem so to me,” replied the Colonel; “but Williams informs me they are able to do tho work of the largest horses, and upon less food.” “Are they gentle ?” “As a general thing, more so than the horse.” “But do they grow no larger?” “Well, ofthis breed, probably these are a good average. They are of the Maltese stock, and I believe were first imported into this country by Gen. Washington. There is, I understand, a distinct race of Jacks, belonging exclusively to the Old Province of Poitou, which are said to have produced a much heavier and larger mule from the fine mares of Brittany. But I have never heard of any being brought to this country.” “Your object, then, is to test the relative pow ers of these animals and the horse.” “Exactly—and if the experiment is favorable, I shall take measures for increasing the stock.” "They are siugular looking creatures,” said Ligrive, as he turned off, “and they may answer in some measure for our plantation work: but I do not think they will supercede tho horse.” “Their economy on the score of food will be something.” “Perhaps so, as they are small animals. I suppose, ” continued Ligrive, “that they have been long enough in this country to test their capability of improvement m size and quality’.” “I should think not. This stock has only been here some fifteen or twenty, or twenty-five years at most, and they are said to have made considerable improvement in size and make. Rome was not built in a day. You should re collect that old mother England was at an almost incredible expense from the times of Athelstane to George the First, somewhere near eight hun dred years, before she produced a first rate racer. Good horses she had—probably the finest in the world —but not for racing. In less than a tenth of that time we shall do much greater things.” Col. Peyton was correct in his prediction. We have done much greater things, in less than a tenth of the time. And the “great commoner” of Kentucky, Henry Clay, sometime in the year of either 1835 or 1836, imported into this country the identical Poitou stock; and this, with other subsequent importations, has produc ed a breed of mules of any desirable size. “I intended showing you tho improvements that have been made in ginning and preparing our cotton for market,” resumed Col. Peyton, “but will defer it till another time, as I think I heard the sound of a carriage as if driving to the house—we shall probably have other company.! “How do you progress in picking out cotton?” asked Ligrive. “Oh, finely—my hands average sixty-five pounds—and I think will soon reach an hun dred.” “Indeed I” “I have often been amused,” continued the Colonel, “in thinking of the perplexity of my father, the first year he planted, what was thus considered a large crop of cotton — about twenty five acres. It produced extremely well; and when it had began to open finely, (about this season of thejrear,) he took all hands,myselfincluded, and w ]ent into the field by the time it was light and picked diligently all day, to see how many pounds he could pick out, so as to know how to task us; and how much do you think he Diek ed?” F “I really can’t say—probably fifty pounds!” answered Ligrive. “No, sir!— only twenty-six pounds a half!" said the Colonel, laughing. “The good old gen tleman was very much perplexed; for he knew at that rate, with the five or six hands he had, ho could not pick his cotton out before time to plant again. But in a few days, however, the hands began improving—they were getting ac customed to the work, —and in the course of a fortnight, they doubled their first day’s picking: and we housed the crop before Christmas.” Just then a little negro boy, dispatched by his mistress, came running down the garden walk to inform Col. Peyton that some company had come. “ Who is it ?” enquired the Colonel, as ho lei surely turned and closed the door of the stables. “'Em be Miss ’Quineey and Miss Ada,” an swered the boy; those ladies were very well known to the house servants, as they were fre quent visitors at Col. Peyton’s. Ligrive’s heart seemed to leap up in his throat at tlie announcement, and the blood crimsoned to his very temples. His first impulse was to order his horse and drive off immediately; but an instant's reflection showed him the great im propriety of doing so, as it would be known he was there and probably make his embarrass ment at some other time greater ; besides, such conduct might wound his Aunt’s feelings, if not his Uncle’s. Col. Peyton cast a sly and half in quiring glance at his nephew, as he observed— “ You are fortunate to-day, Reck.” “I hope I may find it so,” was the reply, as the young gentleman turned away to hide in some measure his confusion. “You don’t mean to say that you speed in differently with the charming daughter of our guest?" asked the Colonel, with some little sur prise. “Oh, no.” “ Then you have not won over the good lady mother ?” “ Not entirely,—l should judge so at least.” “But you are on good terms, eh?” “ Oh, yes—that is, we are polite and courte ous.” “ Ah—l fear you are not a good strategist,” remarked tlio Colonel, somewhat musingly; and after a slight pause continued, “We have a very homely saying, which it w<*ild have been well for you to remember—l dare say it will apply to your case: * Give tho cow a nubbin, and she will let you catch her calf.’ You should, by all means, have won the good will of Mrs. BeQuin cy.” “ I have made some exertions to do so; but unfortunately I am not much of a jljritan.” “ Ah, —I see!—the habits of some of the old cavaliers have descended to their children," re marked the Colonel, with a good natured smile. “ Likely enough,” replied Ligrive.a little dryly. “ But you know Mrs. De Quineey is a very strict Presbyterian;” intimating, probably that that good lady exacted a little too strict a code of morals. “ But,” he continued, seeing his Uncle did not speak, “ I am rosolved in time, to move every obstacle from the mind of Mrs. Be Quineey. A young lady of Miss Adelaide's superior virtues, is worth sacrificing one’s useless,if not injurious, habits for!” “A noble idea, my boy,” spoke the Colonel, enthusiastically, “ I am proud to know you have made such a resolution. Adelaido Be Quineey is a girl of a thousand. She has good common sense. And if without a penny, she woHld bring a dowry of sunshine and happiness worth mil lions.” Buring the conversation, Ligrive was mentally nerving himself for the unanticipated interview, —and finally, he determined to make, if opportu nity offered, a frank confession of his amusing dilemma. The relations between Mrs. BeQuincey and himself were certainly not all that was desirable. As a prudent mother she was reluctant, and very properly too, to bestow the hand of her only daughter upon one who, however talented and accomplished, was rather wild and unsettled in his character, —though she neither offered or intended any disrespect to the object of her daughter’s choice. Hence, great courtesy and politeness were manifested on either side. Mr. Ligrive’s visits,it is true,had become less frequent, but then Miss BeQuincey and himself met often enough in society to fully understand each other’s feelings. There was no restraint imposed by her mother; and this had the good influence upon Adelaide to make her a patient, loving and confiding daughter. While her mother did not insist upon her discarding Mr. Ligrive, she would not, from any consideration, have entered into a clandestine marriage. It was, therefore, on her part, a hopeful, trusting, patient waiting for a better development of her lover’s true charac ter, that would bo satisfactory. Mrs. BeQuincey and her daughter had come to spend the day with Mrs. Peyton, in the good, old-fashioned, socjable country manner, —a cus tom then, greatly in contrast with the present heartless, hypocritical “ pop-calls ” of fashionable life—which latter, however refined and elegant, are wanting in all the elements of sociability and true friendship. As the two gentlemen approached the house, they met the ladies coming out —Mrs. Peyton bearing a covered basket in her hand, and a ser vant girl behind, with a largo waiter on her head, likewise covered. Col Peyton welcomed his guests with the bland courtesy of the true gentleman of the old school—while Mr. Ligrive bowed with profound respect as he took the prof fered hand of Mrs. BeQuincey, who met him with a very gracious smile. “Itis to me, ” he said, “ a most unexpected pleasure to meet you here, madam ; ” and turning to the young lady, bowed slightly, with a pleasant, familiar smile, which was returned; and tho look that passed between them iustautly satisfied our friend that all was right. Col. Peyton, a little surprised at finding the party leaving the house, turned to his wife with an enquiring look. “We were just going to gratify Mrs. BeQuin cey’s old whim of partaking of a little lunch at the dairy and spring house; we had left word for you and Recklaw to follow us, ” said Mrs Pey ton, her pretty face beaming with pleasure. “You know very well, Colonel, ” added Mrs. BeQuincey, with an amusingly serious look, for she was a lively, loquacious lady, “ that I have always some whim or fancy to annoy myself with, or trouble my friends; and Mrs. Peyton seems to take so much delight in being troubled with me, tluit I wish to gratify her as much as possible. ” “ I sympathise with you in your infirmity, my dear madam, ” laughed the Colonel; “ but as a Eva Lind. good husband I should bear a portion of the burdens imposed on my wife. Be pleased, there fore, to bestow some of the trouble you intend for Kmily, upon myself, by leaniug upon my arm. ” The which the good lady did not hesi tate to do, while the Colonel reached the basket from his wife; and the three proceeded along the path which led to the spring, at some hundred and fifty yards distance from the house. Mr. Ligrive and Miss DeQuincey followed leisurely. The latter was certainly a most lovely girl. Her form, slightly above the medium size, was as perfect as the mind could well conceive ; with an elastic ease and grace that seemed to breathe life and beauty in every motion. Her features were purely Grecian, her hair was black, and her eyes of very dark hazel, and so soft and liquid in their expression, with the very slight twinkle of liveliness, as to attract at once the notice and admiration of all who looked upon them. Truth, benevolence, and loving frank ness were stamped openly upon her face ; and yet, a close observer could detect a mark of firm and high resolve in the small dimple that rested upon her beautifully rounded chin. “Would you believe it, my dear Adelaide,” ob served Mr. Ligrive, smiling, and making a frank confession of his feelings, “that of all others, I wished to avoid meeting with you this morn ing ?” The soft loving eyes of his beautiful compan ion were instantly raised to his own with a won dering and anxious expression, as she remarked: “You are certainly jesting, Mr. Ligrive.” “Indeed lam not. But lam satisfied now." “Do explain yourself.” “Can you doubt, for a moment, the anxiety I felt as to the manner you might be affected to wards mo by the events of the last few weeks?” “Oh, do not ask if I can doubt, —say rather yon mistrusted. Is it not so ?” replied the young lady, with a sweet and confiding smile, “Pardon me, my dear Adelaide; but to have appeared to you in a ridiculous light, would have been to destroy my life's hope of happi ness.” His words and earnest manner conveyed to Miss De Quineey a delicate and flattering testi tiraony of the high nature of his devotion; and her heart throbbed proudly at the homage.— Bui seeing how seriously Mr. Ligrive was affec ted by the thought that his own silly vanity might have lost her to him, she attempted to rally and restore his confidence by playfully ex claiming, “’Oh, ye of little faith I’ how often have I striv eu to convince you that I am not a frivolous, variable, light-minded girl, and ye will not be lieve. Verily, I will even strive with you yet a while longer. I’. 1 ’. “Nay,” laughed Lagyive, at the amusing manner of her rallying him, and joining in the spirit,—“l pray you to discard me at once ; I doubt not it will bring about a conversion.— For I really commit blunders, I believe, from the effect of mere contrast, in considering your goodness and my folly,—do turn me off, for I de serve it” “Oh, no!—l’m too charitable to throw you upon this hard world, without any one to take care of you—oh no, I can’t think of it." There was something so pleasant, loving and natural in her playful manner; that it heightened one’s love for her amiable character. Ligrive was for a moment silent and grave, even to a look of sadness. Miss DeQuincey noticed it and asked, “ Are you considering the hardness of vour fate?" * “Nay, sweet one, —the happiness.” “Dear me, your happiness must be a very se rious affair, if it makes you look so grave.” “My happiness does not make me look so grave; it is my selfishness, —to think I have won the love of so good a heart, and deserve it so little.” “ Oh, I’m selfish too.” “Indeed?—l cannot believe that there is a particle of selfishness in you.”* “You are very much mistaken. I have the selfishness to appropriate all your high qualities to myself, while I leave you to discard all that are superfluous.” There was something so frankly encouraging in the remark, to nobleness of action, and so del icately reproving of foibles, which he himself detested, that Ligrive felt pride and pleasure rather than annoyance; and he instantly re plied, “Be assured then, my dear Ada, that for the proud honor of your love, I will cast off what you reject.” “Thank you‘” she said, with a bright winning smile; and after a moment, added playfully— “ Let me suggest that you do qot wait to be a sexagenarian first. But see, our friends are waiting for us.” The spring was a sweet, delicious fountain of clear cold water, gushing out from the steep hill side, amidst a thick grove of oaks, and falling in a rude artificial rock basin, two or three feet in diameter. Over this was built an open house; long benches formed seats on the greater part of threo sides, and in one corner was a small rustic table. Mrs. Peyton proceeded to take from the bas ket, which her husband had carried, some plates and glasses ; and from the waiter of the servant, some peach and apple pies, and potatoe cus tards, together with water-melon rhine and peach preserves. Then opening the dairy, which stood a few steps off, she brought forth some pans of sweet, cool milk, covered with rich golden cream; and then proceeded to fill the glasses, and cut the pies, and to distribute them to her guests. And this, dear city readers, who have your lunches, was what constituted one, and the manner in which it was often partaken • of, among some wealthy country families and their friends, some fifty or sixty years ago—and lam glad to say the custom is not entirely obse lete in this day. Rags.—The importation of rags for the pur pose of paper making, is a great deal more ex tensive than most persons would imagine. Du ring the year 1857 we imported 44.582,080 pounds valued at $1,458,125. and making 60,- 461 bales ; 35,591 bales were from Italy, and more than one-third are entirely linen, the rest being a mixture of linen and cotton. About 2,000 bales were also imported from the free cities of Hamburg and Bremen. France pro hibits the exportation of rags, so does Rome; * the few which we get from Ancona (a Roman province,) being by special permission on pay ment of large fees. Prussia and Germany gen erally impose so high an export duty on rags as to stop the trade entirely. The exports from Alexandria and Smyrna are chiefly collected in Asia Minor, by Agents having license from the government, and the domestic demand must be supplied before any can be exported. It is the same with Trieste, where only the surplus is al lowed to come away. The Trieste rags are col lected all over Hungary. We are informed that New York and Boston receive the largest quan tity, and the place that ships the most is Leghorn in Italy. 107