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164 LITERARY. VILLUn W. MANN, Editor. Tl»e Southern Field and Fireside IS PUBLISHED ETEET SATURDAY. TERMS—S2.OO a year, Invariably In advance. All Postmasters are authorized agents. SATURDAY, OCT. 15, 1859. BACK NUMBERS. Persons subscribing to the Fit Id and Fireside can be supplied with all the back numbers. terms to news-dealers. This paper is mailed to news-dealers at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents per one hundred copies. Mi II I 1 terms of advertising. For each insertion of ten lines or legs, one dollar; and f jrover ten lines, at the rate of ten cents per line. notice"to subscribers. We do not send receipts by mail for subscriptions re mitted. The receipt of The Southern Field and Fireside, after the meney 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. —— TO CORRESPONDENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS. J. K. A. must communicate his name. We have received during the week: Ellen Manvers, a sketch by Claire. Lines to Spring, by M. W. C. R. Let there be light! By A. L. B. Carlos, a Letter Returned, by Willis Bland. An Adventure with a Shark, a A arrow p'-s --capo, a Fact, by T. D. M., is respectfully declined. We must decline also, with regret, a Discourse, pronounced by the Rev. friend who sends it to us, on the 4th July, 1858. It having been pub lished in part, previously, the rule we have adopted, and which has already excluded many valuable articles that have been offered us, will prevent its acceptance as original matter. POPULAR EDUCATION. We give place, in another column, to an arti cle on the comparative advantages of the present Common School System and the proposed Free School System, in the hope of exciting public at tention to the subject, and provoking discussion. The subject is a very important one. We could wish that our correspondent had favored us with more of his data— giving us more largely of the figures and facts which have led his mind to such decided conviction, and enabled him to deal so largely and confidently in assertions. For ourselves, we have not examined the subject, and are incompetent to decide between the two systems. But we feel the absolute necessity of popular education, if we would preserve our lib erties ; and we wish to see established in the State, and well supported, the better system of the two, or a better than either. We hold it to be the duty of all governments to afford the means of elementary instruction to all their subjects. In Republics, popular educa tion is the fundamental condition of their safe existence and permanence. It is to us incom prehensible how, in Republics, an intelligent rich man can refuse to bo taxed, and heavily taxed, too, for the schooling of his poor neigh bors’ ohildren —of his poor and lazy neighbors' children, if you choose. Why, the very tenure of his property depends upon it! He can hold securely liis lands and his negroes only upon the condition of popular education. Socialism, Com munism, Agrarianism, are only bred of Popular Ignorance. In Republics, in popular govern ments, they are its almost inevitable fruits.— And we do fear that, in the United States, we are now rapidly marching to social and political dissolution, from this very cause— Popular Ig norance. It is the sons of these poor men who are to be the voters of the country in a few years; and their votes, no matter how ignorant they may be, and incapable of comprehending the duties of citizens and perceiving the real interests of the commonwealth, are to tell at the polls just as efficiently, each of them, as the vote of a Web ster, or a Calhoun, or a Washington, —just as efficiently as your own votes and those of your sons, ye rich men who hold that it is “ unjust ” to make the rich man, in a Republic, pay for the instruction of the poor. The poor are the ma jority—mad-men that ye are!—the poor are the majority 1 now; and will be, in still greater pro portion, as population increases in density.— But the majority in our country is the sovereign whom we must all obey, whom we must all snbmit to, whom we must all be protected by, or crushed by! This is a stern, inexorable, splemn fact that no logic-choppers can get over or get around. Shall our sovereign be enlight ened, m%de capable of understanding his duties and responsibilities, and of well performing them —an independent, intelligent, reflecting, self sufficing ruler, or «a honest, but ignorant, un stable, undignified, despotic master, without fixed principle, fooled by contemptible dema gogues (his flattere/s), and n*sjed by designing, ambitious men to the ultimau ruin of the State and of Society? Oh ! yoHch, who, in governments of large popular base, wbuld give grudgingly of your wealth for the cause of pop ular education: you are unwisely clutching y«mr coffers by a handle that will break in your graspT Popular Ignorance will, and before long—in the lives, perhaps, of your own children, certainly in those of your grand-children—produce a ca tastrophe in which your hoarded treasures, and, worse than that, our boasted Civil and Political Liberty, and, worse than that, the fundamental principles of Society, will bo scattered to the winds I We hold, then, that the State should afford to every child within its limits, yea, and to all its iuhabitants (its free white inhabitants), men, women and children, the means of elementary instruction. We would not have the rich man compelled to send his children to the Common or Free Schools; but we would have Common or Free Schools established by the State, and made and kept so good, by State supervision and SKK SOTfSKEEK VXXS&9 AND FX&ESX9E. State pecuniary provision, that rich men could find no better schools for the education of their rnvn children. We will welcome serious and able discus sion of this subject to the columns of The Southern Field and Fireside. And in the mean time we recommend to the perusal of our correspondent, J. C. P., and of the public in gen eral, the Letter of Hr. Tiios. R.*R. Cobb, on Free Popular Education, recently published in many papers of our State. It will be found in our number of 24th September last, page 142. — • Our excellent Paris correspondent, having ad vised us that he proposed to quit the Capital, and rusticate in the provinces, for a week or ten days, he lias either omitted to write liis usual weekly letter, or, not writing from Paris, his letter has missed the steamer. AVe are there fore without a report from him for this number. But, fortunately, we are able to fill the space usually occupied by liis communication with an interesting letter from a European correspondent of The Mobile Advertiser, giving accounts of recent visits made by tho writer to Stratford upon-Avon, and to Kenilworth and Warwick Cas tles, in England. From Itipon, a rapid passage on tho railway brought us the next day to Warwick, and from thence we took a carriage over a fine road, amid beautiful scenery, to “Where liis first infant lavs sweet Shakspeare sung, Where the last accents faltered on his tongue." With no small degree of interest did we enter and gaze around into every nook and corner of the grotesque old houso that first sheltered the immortal bard. The very amiable lady in attendance, after receiving our contributions, directed us to in scribe our names in a large book kept for tbo purpose. Glancing over the names recently registered, we saw that of |Franklin Pierce and his lady, who were here the day before our arri val. We then passed up to tho room above, in which Shakspeare was born. Here, notan inch of space was to be seen that was not literally covered with names and dates. We traced the name of Sir Walter Scott, written by himself with a diamond on a pane of glass in the front window. Following such an illustrious example, we obtained the good lady’s consent, and man aged to find space enough to inscribe our own name, with date and Mobile beneath them. AVe reed the following stanza, written on the wall in 1810, by Lucien Bonaparte, which we consider of sufficient interest to copy: “ The eye of genius glistens to admire How Memory hails the sound of Sliakspeare’s lyre, One tear I'll shed to form a crystal shrine, For all that's grand, immortal and sublime.” We next proceeded to Trinity Church, which is delightfully situated on tho banks of the Avon. It contains many monuments of beauti ful workmanship, but we turned from all these to a plain, bumble slab, which covered all that was perishable of William Shakspeare. On tho slab was inscribed the following stanza, written by himself, and suggested on seeing exhumed bones cast into the charnel-house: “ Good Friend, for Jcsvs sake forbeare To digg the dvst eneloascd Ileare Illesse he the man yt spares thes stones And cvrst be he yt moves my bones.” On the wall, north of tho churcli, above tho grave, is an ornamental arch between two Co rinthian columns, supporting an entablature de corated with death’s hend, Ac. Within tho arch is a bust of Shakspeare, the right hand holding a pen, the left a scroll. Beneath are two inscrip tions, one in Latin and the other as follows: “ Stay passenger, why goest thou by so fast ? Head, if thou canst, whom envious death hath plnst Within this monument. Shakspeare, with whome Quick Natvro died: whose name doth deck ye tombo Far more than cost: Lith all ye he hath writt Leaves living art bvt page to serve his witt.” Beside the grave of Shakspeare is that of his wife Anne, who died Gth of August, 1628, aged sixty-seven years. Next to this is the grave of Shakspeare’s daughter Susanna, with the follow ing inscription upon it: “ Witty above her sex, but that's not all, Wiso to salvation was good to Mistris Hall Something of Shakspeare was in that, but this.. Wholly of him with whom she's now in blisse. Then, Passenger, hast ne'er a teare To weep with her that wept with all, That wept, yet set herself to chere Them up with comfort’s cordial: Her love shall live, her mercy spread. When thou hast ne'er a teare to shed.” There were other places in Stratford-upon- Avon associated with ShakspeaTe, such as Guil hall, over which is the school-room in which he was educated, and New Place, where he wrote some of his most admired plays, and where ho spent tho last years of his life. This house be came the property of Rev. Mr. Gastrell, by whose order the favorite mulberry tree, planted by Shakspeare himself, and which was visited with so much interest by strangers from all quarters of the world, was cut down to prevent the trouble of answering questions respecting it. Mr. Gastrell consummated the measure of his guilt by having the house destroyed, and then left the town amidst the merited and just exe crations of the inhabitants. From Stratford upon-Avon we drove to Kenil worth, after passing Guy’s Cliff. The old castle stands “ rest of all its ancient giory;’’ the ivy trails over its gray and broken arches, and “ruin darkly lowers” around it. The apartments which Queen Bess occupied on her visit to her haughty favorite Leicester were pointed out, and the little dark room was shown us where Amy Robsart was confined.— Too many great minds have exhausted their wealth of description upon these mantled ruins for our pen to linger here, and as the wand of an enchanter has cast the spell of its most potent attraction over this historic spot, we would direct the reader to Scott’s “ Kenilworth” for the most graphic description of what is now but the shat tered fragments of a splendid castle. A castle which was beleagured by the Plant agonet, held by de Montford’s son, witnessed the captivity of the second Edward, and the triumph vs Mortimer, was the favorite abode of John of (Hunt, had a special attraction for Harry the Eighth, and Charles the First, and was confer red up«p Robert Dudley by queen Elizabeth.— Sctnes osthe deepest interest have transpired within the*q walls, and renders this spot the most attractHe of places of resort of all Eng land. A Bton«'in the churchyard records the name of a daughter of Columbia, who crossed the Atlantic to find a grave in the consecrated grounds of tho Monk* of Kenilworth. . We visited Warwick'Castle on our return, and found it a very imposing and extensive struc ture. By handsomely remunerating three sub ordinates we were enabled fa pass through the public apartments, which were filled with some choice paintings, excellent specimens of ancient armor, and a great variety of implements of warfare, both ancient and modern. The floor of the great hall was made of Venice of A r erona marble, the ceiling of elaborate oak carving—tbo walls bung with ancient armor. We saw here a helmet studded with brass worn by Cromwell and some revolving muskets, from one of which (of Italian manufacture) Colt’s idea of the re volving pistol js derived. Among the portraits that of Cliarlep I. by A'andyck, was the most at tractive and celebrated. In tlie Green house we were shown the celebrated Antique A ase. It is the finest specimen of ancient Grecian sculp ture known. ’Found at the bottom of a lake at Adrian's Vila, near Tivoli, a >out twelve miles from Rome, i| was purchased by the late Earl of Warwick. It has two srge handles formed of interwoven vine branch* i, around the outside are satyrs, their heads >ound with leaves of ivy, the vine clad spear o(Bacchus, the crooked staff of the Augurs and he skin of a panther with head and claws beautil ally finished. Many other beauti ful designs n ;re elaborately carved on the exte rior. At tlie Poi er's Lodge we were shown the ar mor and a nu nber of curious relics of that hero of antiquity, ( uy, Eearl of Warwick. His " porridge pot” and flesh porro, were ob jects of great (juriosity. Four of our party got into the pot, and found room for half a dozen more persons. Those relics were of immense size, indicating that this personage was no ordi nary giant. The grounds around this castle are exceeding ly beautiful. Tho classic Avon falls with a “ soothing sound,” over a cascade, and takes a wandering course -hrough a highly cultivated park. Tlie towers and turrets venerable with age, tho lofty walls cl*l with ivy, as English walls always are, lead btsy fancy back to “ deeds and days of other yean,” to scenes, when the mail clad knight, the lrdly baron and the “ ladie fair,” peopled a sppS around which romance has (lung its bewitching charm, and nature her lux uriant beauty. - i NSW BOOKS. [Wc publish, often under this head, a list of new publications, careful y selected from all our exchanges. The list embraces all vorks, Foreign as well as Domes tic, which we think nay be valuable, or to which cir cumstances may glvxgeneral or special interest, wheth er Literary or Selenitic, History or Fiction, Prose or Poetry, Religious, Meal or Political. The notice simply gives the title of thejook, name of the author, place of publication, and nam of Publisher.] Relioious.— RepreiontaUve Men of the New Testa ment ; by Geo. C. Ballwin, D. D., of Troy. New York : Clakoman A. Mason. Parables of our Lor i. Beautifully printed in ornate Saxon type, on tinted :>apcr, and magnificently illustrat ed with engravings on steel. Folio. Turkey, super ex tra. $lO. Philadelphia : S.P. Lippincott A Co. The Great Tribulathn Coming on the Earth. By Dr. Gumming, author of ‘ Apocalytic Sketches.” London : E. Bentley. History of the Church of Christ in Chronological Ta bles ; Syclironistieal View of Events, Characteristics and Culture of each period including the History of Polity, Worship, Literature, aad Doctrines; together with two Supplementary Tables upoh the Church of America, etc By Rev. Prof. H. B. Smith, D. D. The Reformed Woman, Edited by Edith Rivers, and an Introduction by Bov. Dr. Haven. Boston: Henry Hoyt The Life and Writings of the Et Rev. George Wash ington Doanc, D. I). LL D., for twenty-seven years Bish op of New Jersey. 5 Tolumes. 8 vo, containing his Po etical Works, Sermons. Miscellaneous Writings. With a Memoir by liis son, Win. Croswell Doane. New York: D. Appleton A Co. The Palace of the Great King ; or, The Power, Wis dom, and Goodness of (iod, illustrated in the Multiplici ty and VarietyofHisworks. By Rev. Hollis Read. New York : E. A. Scribner. Devout Instructions on the Epistles and Gospels for Sunduys and Holidays, with explanations of Christian faith and duty, and of"church ceremonies. By the Rev. Leonard Goftine, Priest of the order of Premonstraten sians. Translated from the German, by the Rev. Theo dore Noethoa New York; Edward Dunigan A Bro ther. Misi'ELLXENOrs.—The History of South Carolina, from its first Eurojiean discovery to its erection into a repub lic. By William Gilmore Simms. A new and revised edition. 1 vol. 12mo. New York :J. 8. Redfleld. A new Dictionary of Quotations. From the Greek, Latin,and Modern Languages, translated into English, and occasionally accompanied with illustrations, Histor ical, Poetical, and Aneedotical. By the author of “ Live and Learn,” with an extensive index, referring to every impertant word. Philadelphia : J. P. Lippincott A Co. The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, and proceed ings of the Natural History Society of Montreal. New York: Bailliere Brothers. Figures and Descriptions of Canadian Organic Re mains. Decades 1,8, 8, with piates, New York : Bail liere Brother!'. A History of England from the earliest times to the Revolution of 1568. By David Hume. Abridged, in corporating the corrections and researches of recent His tories, and continued down to ISIS. Illustrated by en gravings on wood. New York : Harper A Brothers. Self Education ; or Tho means and Art of Moral Pro gress, translated from the French of M. le Baron Doge randu, by Elizabeth X’. Peabody. 2d edition, with addi tions. The Logie of Political Economy, and other Papers—a new volume by Thomas DeQuincey. 1 vol., 12mo. 75 cents. Boston; Ticknor A Fields. Letters on Modem Agriculture. By Baron Von Lie big. Edited by Jno. Blythe, M. D., Professor of Chem istry. Queen’s "College, Cork. New York; John Wiley. Men Who Have Risen ; a book for boys, elegantly il lustrated. Women of Worth ; a book for Girls, elegantly illus trated. Mount Vernon and its Associations; historical, bio graphical, and Pictorial. By Benson J. Lossing, author of “Field-Book of the Revolution,” “ A History of tho United States,” etc., etc. With about 150 engravings, embracing numerous views of Mount Vernon, Portraits of Washington, etc. On superfine tinted paper. Small 4 to. $3 to |«. Gold Foil Hammered from Popular Proverbs. By Timothy Titcomb. Lectures on the English Language. By Hon. G. P. Marsh. George P. Morris’s Poetical Works, complete in 1 vol. with a portrait and Memoir. New York: Charles Scribner. Tho friends, foes, and Adventures of Lady Morgan. By Wm. John Fitzpatrick. Esq. London : Simpkin A Marshal. Pioneer Women of the West. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet. London : R. Bently. — ■■ [For the Southern Field and Fireside.] LOVE OF HOME. AVe hear much about “the folly and sin of lavishnoss and display in the adornment and or namentation of home.” It is all moonshine.— There is nothing in which a man is less likely to sin or to make a jackanapes of himself. There arc few things in which pride is more commend able and vanity more deserving of cultivation. The man who lays beautiful carpets on his floors, who adorns his walls with tasteful pictures, who stocks his library with choice books and his par lor with elegant furniture, is a man of taste, cul tivation and refinement —and, what is more than all, he is likely to be a home man. There are exceptions in the slaves of display; it is true— but they prove the rule. The man who can throw the spell of beauty around his family circle, build a temple of art upon his hearthstone, and rear a college in his silent study, is a philosopher; and if lie opens his purse wisely to satisfy his taste and inclina tions in this regard, we say, let him do it. They will enlarge his mind, strengthen his faculties, improve his tastes, give him a more proper con ception of himself, and make him a thorough family man. Wherever you are, cultivate a love of Home, and to this end throw around your home all the beauties and graces you are able to command — not only of moral character and life, but of those material objects which are at once the illustra tion of moral graces, and the incentive to their development. **. Augusta, Ga. For the Southern Field and Fireside. THE PRESS NORTH AND SOUTH. I-u-ka, Tishomingo Co. Miss. ) August 29,1859. ) Mr. Editor: —On my perigrinations up and down this glorious country, this land of free laws and free institutions, I have become more tho roughly convinced every day I have lived, that the only sound basis for a republican form of government is to be found in a thorough dissem ination of general knowledge among the masses, and a free interchange of thought and feeling between the inhabitants of every section. There are many things in the United States that con tribute tojthisjdesirable state of affairs. The world is marching with rapid strides towards perfection in the Arts, Sciences, and Literature—we wish that we could say in Religiou also. This is em phatically an age of Rail Roads, Steamboats, Tel egraphs and Balloons. Among the many causey that have a tendency to enlighten the masses, and diffuse a general knowledge of people and things, none are second to the influence of a free and enlightened Press, as exhibited more partic ularly in tlie thousands of public newspapers, that are thrown broadcast over tho land daily and weekly, and penetrating into every nook and comer of the country, in every class of socie ty, working a silent and gradual reform in the minds and hearts of men; and exerting an in fluence for good or evil, which eternity alone can reveal. It is truly gratifying to the patriot and philan thropist, as he travels over the country, to find the Press so liberally patronised in every City, town, village, and liamlet, and that the news paper is growing to be one of the indispensa ble requirements of the American citizen. The cheapness of this kind of literature and the low rates of postage, have had much to do in bring ing about this state of affairs. Another reason is, the materials of which the newspaper is made up. It is not an abstract treatise on Science, Politics, Religion, Literature, or the Fine Arts, but is a compendium of each, monopolizing, as it were, tlie entire range of information on every subject that can possibly interest the people.— It is true, however, that there are many, that are professedly devoted to one particular subject, profession, or branch of science, as Agriculture, the Law and Mathematics, yet even in these, is to be found much valuable information on topics of a general character. But it is of those publications usually termed Literary, that we would more particularly speak. In this sort of information and the abundance of the supply, the Northern States of this Union have much the advantage over the South. To what this is owing, we shall not at present stop to consider, but en passant would say, that it should he a source of gratification to every South ern heart, that although tho subject of general Literature has not received so much attention here as at the North, yet the quality of our light reading has always been recognised, even at the North, as of a superior character. Especialiy is this true with respect to the moral influence of our light literature as compared with that of the Northern States. It is deeply to be regretted, that many of tbo conductors of such journals in tho North ern States pander to the vitiated tastes and cor rupt sensual appetites of men, wink at dissipation and tho extravagances of sinful indulgence and cover with the fascinating brilliancy of romance, the most hideous deformity. It is deeply to be regretted, I say, that from the press of Northern cities, yearly issue millions of volumes which, for pictures of vulgar and shameless licenteousness and debauchery, have no parallel in the works of Paul de Kock or Eugene Sue. This state of af fairs is increasing in aggravation every year, notwithstanding the influences brought to bear for its overthrow. High-toned gentlemen and modest ladies give their sanction to this evil by liberally patronizing, and with their influence sustaining newspapers and magazines which contain many articles that ought to tinge with crimson bllishos tho cheek of every female reader, and make the husbands, fathers, and brothers of the land burn with indignation. AVe admit, with alacrity, that this is not the universal character of Northern Literature. AYo admit that we are indebted to the Northern press and to Northern authors, for some of the most rare and beautiful productions ever reaped from the field of Romance. But in the South,our own beautiful land, while we are sorry to lie compelled to own that the cause of Literature has been, heretofore, much neglected, we are glad to record that wo have never known a single Southern press to curse society by the issue of such foul contaminating sheets as those which we have above signalized as emanating in such pestiferous abundance from the press of the North. In connection with this, the friends of Educa tion, sound morality and refined literature in the South are rejoiced to know, that a pleasant and exhilarating change is taking place in the minds and hearts of our people, and that within the last few years the latent talent of tlie Southern mind is obtaining an ingress to tlie hearts of the masses through respectable and influential me diums in our own South-land. Respectable news papers aud monthlies are springing up at differ ent points, and the time is not far distant, we trust, when we shall not be dependent on North ern enterprise for an abundant supply of healthy and wholesome literature. And here allow me, Mr. Editor, to congratulate you and your readers on the advent oi a weekly journal, that is destined, I hope, to supply the desideratum so long felt and deplored by the noble-hearted sons and daughters of our section—a newspaper that has no superior in all this land, either in point of literary ability, moral tone, editorial superintendence, or typographical beauty—l re fer of course to tlie “ Southern Field and Fire side," published at Augusta, in tho State of Georgia; a publication, which is rapidly gaining characterand influence in every section. I trust that the great “Bonner” of the New York Ledger is now convinced that there is energy, talent and mechanical ingenuity even in the slave States, and unless we are sadly mistaken, he will find in the Field and Fireside a rival, that will reduce his receipts and expenditures thousands of dollars annually. Yes, let tlie Field and Fireside now fill the place so long oc cupied by the Ledger, for it is infinitely more worthy the support of an intelligent people. It is its equal in reading matter and typography, and vastly its superior in combining with its literary character the subject of Agriculture, one long neglected in the South. AVe hope that the people will come up manfully to its support, and place it upon such a basis as will secure its re gular issue for many years to come. I am pleased with your plan of sending out copies to those who are not subscribers, and believe that a large increase in the subscription will be the inevitable result. But I have trespassed too long on your pa tience and that of your readers. AVishing all a long life of happiness and prosperity, I sub scribe myself, Rambler. THE ODD FELLOWS. The origin and spread of this association in the United States are so remarkable, that we may be excused for briefly reverting to them. It had its beginning in a small public house in Baltimore, called the Seven Stars, and kept by a man named Will Lumpton. Here, on the 26th of April, 1817, the present patriarch of the American branch of the Order, Thomas Wildey, with the only four other members who could be found in the city, met and formed themselves into a lodge under the name of Washington Lodge No. 1. Requiring, however, some author ity to work under in order to guard against the evils likely to result from the system of self-in stitution, they sought and obtained a charter from the Duke of York Lodge, Preston, Eng land, under which they were legally constituted and duly authorized as the head of the Order, to grant charters and express supremo authority in the United States. In this commencement, humble as it was, originated the Grand Lodge of the United States, with its numerous ramifi cations of subordinate lodges now spread in ev ery direction throughout the Union. The growth of the Order was slow, until the abduction of Morgan and decline of Masonry gave it its first great impetus. Our readers can not have forgotten the excitement that pervaded the country in consequence of the disappearance of this man, or the political use that was made of it. The results to the Masonic affiliation were disastrous. It lost within the two following years about two hundred thousand members, and in New York alone out of three hundred lodges, only seventy, and these merely skeletons, re mained. The Odd Fellows, of course, gained largely by these defections, and we accordingly find them rapidly increasing in number, until they have reached their present aggregate of over two hundred thousand. The Masonic Or der, which has recovered from the odium cast upon it by the Morgan affair, numbers about a third more. Like the Masons, the Odd Fellows have long since renounced all allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England. In 1843, we are told that the United States “ formally and unanimous ly severed the connection, and declared itself the only fountain and depository of Independent Odd Fellowship on the globe.” We have alluded to the works of charity and benevolence which constitute the main objects and the daily duties of Odd Fellowship. No es timate can be formed of the immense amount of good which is done by its members. But for their exertions the eleemosynary aid which is doled out by State and corporate institutions would have to be increased to perhaps double its present amonnt. But there are offices of kindness and of charity which public institu tions Cannot easily discharge and which it is the especial duty of the Odd Fellows to per form. Like Masons, they relieve the necessi tous, and visit the sick and desolate, administer ing words of hope and comfort to those who might otherwise think themselves deserted by their friends and society. In thus playing the part of the Good Samaritan, the Odd Fellow per forms one of the noblest and holiest duties, which it can fall to the lot of humanity to fulfil. It is the more admirable in this case from the fact that, as the members of this society aro in general hard-working and busily occupied men, they have but little timo left for the rest and re creation which are indispensable to recruit their exhausted energies.— N. Y. Herald. —-*«■■— CHESS COLUMN. We see it noted in the chess column of a New York paper that Messrs. A. B. Meek, of Ala., and W. W. Montgomery, of this city, two well known amateurs, have been spending some time in New York. The former has been playing with Mr. Morphy several games, at the odds of a knight: and been beaten. Mr. Morphy has returned to New York from Niagara, and is about leaving for New Orleans, It is proposed to hold a convention of Chess- Editors, in connection with the second Congress of the American Chess Association, at Philadel phia, next year. Solution op Problem VII. (Published In onr last number, page 157.) WHITE. BLACK. 1 Queen d 4—d 6 f King b B—a 8 2 Queen d 6—c 6 Queen f s—c 8 (1) 3 Rook d I—d 8 Rook g 4—g 8 (2) 4 Queen c 6—b 7 : f Mate. NOTES. (1.) This is a forced move. (2.) In the present position, no matter what defensive move the Blacks may make, the Whites will take either the bishop, or the queen, and give check mate. Opening IV. (From De la BourdonnaU , page 12.) WHITE. BLACK. 1 Pawn e 2—e 4 Pawn e7—es 2 Bishop f I—c 4 Bishop f B—c 5 3 Pawn c2—c3 Queen dß—e 7 (1) 4 Knight g I—f 3 (2).. .Knight g B—f 6 (3) 5 Queen d I—e 2 Pawn d7—d 6 (4) 6 Pawn d2—d3 (s)...Pawn c7—c 6 (6) 7 Pawn h2—h3 Pawn h7—h6(7) 8 Bishop c I—e 3 (8). ...Bishop c s—e 3: (9) 9 Queen e 2—e 3 : .... Bishop c B—e 6 10 Bishop c 4—e 6: Queen e 7—e 6: (10) 11 Knight b I—d 2 Knight b B—d 7 12 King castles—g 1 King castles—g 8(11) NOTES. (1) The Blacks make this move to prevent the Whites from establishing their pawns a-breast in the centre of the board (2) V you had played this knight to your king’s se cond square, the Blacks would play bishop c 6—f 2 : t, and then queen e 7 —c 81, thus gaining a pawn, and a good position. (3) The Blacks would have played badly if they had taken the pawn of your king’s bishop. (4) By attacking the pawn of your king’s bishop with their knight, they would give you the time to establish your pawns at the centre. (5) You might have pushed this pawn two squares, and occupied the centre for a moment, but you could not have maintained yourself in this position. (6) The Blacks might have played bishop c B—g 4, and then you would have had to play pawn h 2—h 8, in order to dislodge their bishop, or force them to exchange piece for piece. It is a general rule, the player should never allow his pieces to be pampered in their movements by the bearing of adversary bishops, when it can be pre vented. (7) These pawns have been played by both parties for the purpose of preventing the bishops from interfering with the knights. (8) When the pawn of your queen cannot mask the play of the adversary king’s bishop upon the pawn of your own king's bishop, you should take care to post -* your queen’s bishop upon your king's third square, for the queen’s bishop is the only piece that yon can suc cessfully oppose to the bishop of the adversary king. (9) If they had withdrawn their bishop, instead of at tacking your’s, they would have lost time. When there is question of exchanging pieces, you should always be the first to take, unless you perceive a manliest advan tage resulting to yourself from leaving the adversary to take first; as for instance, if you wished to separate his pawns, or to conqiel him to chnnge bis line, Ac. (10) You see here the utility of the rook’s pawn which was advanced at the 7th move. But for that, the Blacks might now play knight f 6—g 4, attacking your queen, and afterwards push two squares the pawn or their king's bishop, to bring him into action. These opportunities it is Os great moment to seize, especially in games where you have been compelled to bring ont your knights in front of your pawns. (11) In this position the game may be considered about equal. He of the two players who can first bring into action the pawn of his king's bishop, by advancing It two squares, will have the advantage of position.