Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^ " ""I i'l |^|g^ ijlslilltIbif^itllli^ili!'if1 flMrtTi "I My' II Ji Ap/14" |k-1K ^jj ,|>-' ,|jp|^Qi (jtpi?#>. DEVOTED TO LITERATURE, THE ARTS, SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE, NEWS, POLITICS, <feC., &C. TERMS?-TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM,] "liOt it bo Instilled into the Hearts of your Children that the Liberty of the Preas Is the Palladium of all your Rights." Junius. [PAYABLE IN ADVANCE VOLUME .6?NO. 40. ' ABBEVILLE C. II., SOUTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4, 1859. WHOLE NUMBER 200 From, the Advrrliier. OENBBAL McQOWAN BEFORE THE PALMETTO ASSOCIATION. Mr. Editor:?I am very glad to seo that Mr. Ramsay, at the Post Office, lias for aale yet, a few copies of the admirable speech of Gen. McGowau before the Palmetto Association. This production of Mr. McGowau's, does as much credit to his genius and taste, as anything which has proceeded from him. It iB exceedingly difficult, on such a themo, to meet the demands of vulgar expectation, and still conform to the rules of tasto nnd elegant composition. So much blood is hsquired to flow, so much noise of drum, trumpet and culverin is expected to roar, and po many appalling pictures of limbless human bodies, of mangled charges trampling over the wounded and dying men, and of cities desolated by Ore and sword, with their women violated, their husbands weltering in gore, and their children consumed in the smouldering dwellings that sheltered their helpless infancy, are supposed to move in the grand panorama of every speech that is made on the Mexican war, that almost every orator who has gratified the public demand, on that subject, lias most signally offended the judgment, and wounded tbe nicer susceptibilities of the few temperate and wise, who listen to such things. The address is very unpretending?designed only to give a Blight sketch of what was suffered and done by tbe Palmetto^ Regiment, and to claim for that gallant corns a reasonable share of credit and a proper place in history. The style is easy, perapicuouB, graceful, and rather classic. The reader will readily conceive, whilst perusing its pages, that the writer could accomplish even greater things?because there seems to be manifest in it so great a lack of effort. That is one of its chief beauties, and a complete history of the regiment, after the same manner, and finish, would, indeed, be incomparable. But I own, that the General has been a 1 little too unambitious. His effort would have had a longer life, if he had made two or three strong points, and to their elucidation, development, or establishment, directed the whole artillery of his thought, the images and drapery of his delightful fancy, nnd the force and eloquenco of his convincing logic. The right government of volunteers, their aptitude for foreign service, and their sufferings in Mexico, would each have presented a field for remark and discussion, wide enough to have filled the hour. The causes of the peculiar bearing, prowess and heroism of the South Carolina volunteers, would alone, have furnished argument for the longest oration. And the comparative merits of the Northern and Southern voluuteers, though rather an invidious, would yet have afforded a roost highly interesting topic, the discussion of which, would have been justified by the circumstances surrounding us, and by the difficulties, harrassments, and dangers, that beset and imperil the South. These remarks I am sure, are not made by way of objection. The speaker touched on nearly all the matters mentioned. The human mind is bard to satisfy; and upon tasting so much that is good, it longs to eat and drink, until the appetite, so provoked, shall be appeased by a complete sur feit. The history afforded us of the career of the regiment, and all the reflections thereon, .appear to be truthful and just, and conveyed in language of great simplicity and appropriateness. Only, I think there is a little inaccuracy in the account of Santa Anna's attempt npon Quitman's Brigade between El Pinal and Amazoque. I had the pleasure of reading the Mexican General's own despatch to his own Government, {relative to the occurrence; and I have con rereea iteeiy on me subject wiui tnc otlicer who commanded tbe advanced guard of the palmetto Regiment on the day of the modi* fated attack. It was perhaps no accident, ?hat Gen. Worth awaited the arrival of Gen, Quitman, and that tbe latter hastened his piarch on the thirteenth of May, 1847. General McGowan, on reflection, will recollect, that during the night of the 12th May, >*jk the New Yorkers and South Carolinians lay near tbe pass of El Pinal, after Tattoo had long been beat, after the excitepsent consequent upon tbe aooident in the quarters of the New York Regiment, by jrfcTch pnfi member of that command shot fAQifrer, had entirely subsided, and after frfdI enveloped tb^ thole camp in profound repose, that tfifc Sentinel at post, No. ^vaarttnrt?i9t^^P^?'^o*rterniuter ^?. ifewany hailed- thread times, some unknown ''fbtruder, who had galloped np to the line* rfit fflllj^ed, and ..wm. only arrested By the ,jftithful #o|aV q( , the guard awake , to his f iH al?o romember, that ji?t ftt dlfc? iqtfast wbon tbo sentry had accosted ^rlmr^OJWI, tba third sad lMt time, and '.<& ^ttKUM-^Uag pfU?<B (Jitwket lock ga*r fft?th, thfl ?roice of the Lieut. w435Pjjj*thdfedard retrained tbesol,fn/9* ?** perlipantorw' r1 ' % jS0j|jjj) * der,?"Sentinel No. 7, will let the express pass." The mystery there is solved. On that night an express from Gen. Worth reached Quitman informing him of Santa Anna's designs, and warning him to use all despatch in tho morning, in forming a junction with his Division at tho village of Amazoque. TJje tonts were struck early and before clear light, and Lieut. Abney who commanded the advance guard of the South Carolina regiment, and Lieut. Mayne Iteid, who commanded tho advance of the New York regiment, received orders to proceed rapidly ahead of tho Brigade, no doubt, to givo warning of the approach of the enemy, and to keep him in cheek until the refriments if Dressed, mialif. fnrm tlmlr line of battle. The 13tli of May was trying to the hearts of at least a portion of the Palmetto regiment. The guard commanded by the Lieutenants named, continued at least one-half or three-quarters of a mile in advance of the Brigade, and tlie looks of the Mexicans on the road side and in the little villages, and every thing around, gave such positive indications of a fight, that one or two non-commissioned officers and privates of the "forlorn hope, ' snuffed battle so strongly "in the tainted gale," that their courage instantaneously evaporated into the thin air, their strength failed them, their steps faltered, nnd they fainted by the wayaide. The booming of cannon, and the hissing of shot and shell, soon realized their most dreadful apprehensions. Still the lit1 tie van guard pushed forward, even in sight of the enemy, and tlie two officers in command, like true soldiers and comrades in a common glorious cause, made no dispositions for falling back upon their regiments, but formed their heroic bands in good order, pledged themselves to each other, to fight together or fall together, and to share alike the honors and the hazards of the day. At this juncture, nn aid or otlicr messenger of Quitman's galloped forward, and ordered tlie guard to join tlieir respective regiments and prepare for battle. The line of battle was formed, with the greatest promtness and rapidity, the sick wagons were literally emptied of their burthens, and the second plattoons of some companies, were composed of men, as emanciated as the immortal men who fought and perished in the ranks of Brien Buorombe. Col. Butler was exhorting his troops to the performance of deeds, worthy of their sires, worthy of their proud little state, and worthy of their great and glorious country:? "And there was mounting in hot haste ; the steed, The mustering squadron, and the clattering car, Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, And swiftly forming in the ranks of war. And the deep thunder, peal on peal a far : And neAr the beat of the alarming drum," When lo, in a beautiful plain on our right in front, we beheld the Star-spangled banner borne in triumph by the knightly and heroic Worth, and sustained by the hardihood and bravery of his noble Division, who had already anticipated the enemy, had encountered, baffled and vanquished him. But I am transcending the bounds of this communication, and will trespass no longer, than to mention and deprecate the fact, that any committee of New York could have recommended some other man than the truly chivalrous Mayne Reid, for the patriotic bequest of Gen. Jackson. The writer of this has accompanied that officer in all sorts of imminent danger, and notwithstanding his too apparent immodesty, will bear williner testimonv. that in tli? hat ties of the valley, ho was among tho foremost of his corps to charge the enemy every whore, and in the terrible field of Churiibusco, set them an example of courage and daring, that might have put the boldest of them to shame. Rcid was a true soldier, and what could not be said of all Northern volunteer officers, was a gentleman, and regarded his honor. JOAN. If you see a wife carefully footing her busband's stocking*, you may conclude that be will not find it dfficult to foot her bills. An Irish lady in her will ordered her body to be opened after her death, as she was afraid of being burned alive. If a roan addicted to smoking marry a widow, does it follow that he roust abandon hi? rirror Kiutaiita ?t>? < !?/? <? ! ?- ??? '? W.^?. wwtiuoo DUO W lip UCI WCCUO I A roan the oilier day declared he had in bis time eaten so much veal, he wax ashamed to look a calf in the facet"We suppose he never made use of a looking-glass. Tou may wish to get a wife without a failing, but what if the lady, after you And her, happens to be in want of a husband of the same character I An editor says,on our outeide will be found some fine suggestions for Raising peaches,1' "Wo suppose that on his intiide may be found the peaohea themselves.' With four metalio qualifications a . man tttajr be pretty ?nre ofworfcHy sireoett?they ajre gold in. his pocket, ^ifver ih big tongue, brass in hi* fsoe.aad iron in his be^t. - A prominent politician of this piece oooe wrote e*erie? ofeswLys toprore that "Sbelcsitart* Jrttf (to gentoor," but Williem M still iSdfcojtwHif h W." ? ' /,? y. ** ^ jfiMiltii i Hili1ri ii'irrtTj-iBMi'iiliii INCIDENTS OF THE MEXICAN CAMPAIGN, D\' A MEMBER OF THE PALMETTO REGIMENT. Tlio Alvarado Expedition, [Continued.] Oursceon<l night's cncnmpinent encompnsscil the site of a once refreshing lake. IJut haying heen subjected for the past six month's drought, to the evaporating process of a tropical sun, the little water itcontaincd lm<l dwindled down to a ewine puddle. Far and near, not- a blade of grass nor a tree was to he seen. It was dark, long before we reached this point of the story ; and if it had been broad daylight, we could not have seen more than we did. The stars had made their entry in the firmanent, and the reflection of their light upon the surface of the pond, imparted to it the transparency of clear water. I tasted it and it was like physic. Some of the men divcBled themselves of their shoes and hose, and waded into it, thinking to procure a better nrticle further on ; but it was still the same water, which nothing but some chemical process could ever render palpatablo, us it happened, it proved unlucky in every way to all those who thoughtlessly left their shoes and socks on shore ; it being a given signal for all who were bare-footed and bare-legged to supply themselves. And from the scene that ensued, there must have been a goodly number who needed those articles. Only think of making coffee with such water ! we did use it for that purpose. And the lapse of years can never efface from our memories its disagreeable nnd nauseating taste and revolting odor. As a last alternative we brought buckets of it, thinking that it would become purified by morning ; but the morning's light revealed no chauge for the better. The dirt and filth which impregnated it, had also entered into the composition of the fluid itself, of which it formed the principal iugredicnt. The mounted men who flunked our line of march during the day, hod procured a tolerable good article of water further in the couutry. Tliis night they sold canteens full of it to soineof our nen, who were glad to get it nt any price. On the morning of the 1st April, the following conversation took place between two of our soldiers, whom we shall designate as NO. 1 and NO. 2. "Iiow's Army stock going this morning." NO. 2. " look here, I'll treat 3*011 if you never name 6tock to me again NO. 2. " Well! you first started it." NO. 1. -'Weill 'spose I did, I despise to ?oo a man always ma. king a fool of himself." NO. 2. Weill I have heard talk of April fools, and I think if there ever was a set of those verJantH, we all indi. vidually and collectively come under that appellation NO. 1 and NO. 2. were both original characters, and the above incident first started from a proposition which NO. 1. had made to NO. 2, some time back, to the effect that he would gladly sell out his etock and uuuc in ujc ?ir ; im-iuuing iuu ncres oi land. NO. 2. remarked to liim nt the time, nlso by way of jest, that lie himself had eaten lip bis quarter section of land, alluding to the amount of dirt he had consumed with his daily food. There were a good many number one* in the Regiment at this time, who would gladly have relinquished all the present and forth coming honors of this war which hns only been realized in the shape of salt pork, hard biscuit, and fatiguing marches. Scarcely recovered from yesterday's fatigues, the rising sun beheld our wearied column, slowly traversing our route across the prairie. The general nspect of the whole recalled.forcibly to mind NO. 2'a. remarks this morning ; for every one, if we aro to judge from his sober cast of countenance must have belt its stern reality. In the course of the day we passed several parties of the natives, both male and female, all of whom were mounted on their diminutive horses. The meeting of so large an armed force did not appear to arouse uieir lears, nor cttccl their demeanor in the least ; anil to all of our interrogatories relative to the route and distance to Alvarado; they returned cheerful answers. -The females were'mountcd after the fashion of the men which was one peculiarity ; I could not refrain noting ; and another was, that when they had a couple of loose steeds to drive, they tied their heads and tails fast together. The sun now beamed upon us with greater intensity as we had receded from the seacoast, A large number of the men have fallen miles in the rear, numbers have been taken very ill, and not a few have fainted by the wayside. Dr's. Davis and Bland our Regimental Surgeons are kind and attentive to the sick, and in extreme coxes, they are allowed room in the transportation waggons, which have been brought along empty, for that purpose. We have seen no water yet, and many of us have not tasted a drop to-day. At 12 o'clock, we descried the first appearance of a human habitation! a diiat-ar nf branches looming in the distance, which very much resembled some gentleman's mansion, as caased by the reflection of the sans rays. The occupant* of the huts were civil and supplied the Army with whatever their moans afforded ; and that was nothing but a cask of bad water, and hardly a drop to a man when shared out Ho wfcver, Gen. Quitman stationed a guard over the premises until the column passed by to prevent the residents from biitfg encroached upon. At 2 o'clock p. m., we are again in view of the waters of the Gulf. Hardby, is a pond covered with green sc\im, and inhabited by aoores of frogs and aligatorp. We waded in and slaked our phrensied thirst Long abstinence from this life imparting beverage and exposure to a tropical sunshine rendered thin filthy water a most grateful luxury. Near tbo margin of the pond, were some wells sunken to tbe depth of 12 feet, and the water, oy percolating thrpugh, bad becoma partially purified. The wall was crowded with men from bottom .to top. Tboto iniido forming a communication along "wjiich the water wai paaeod to tho^e on the putoide. I had with many othe^ drauk frpn^tbe a^ire r*W*?'r before I disoo,vqr<ad this oewly constructed well ^#o milea further on, we <*M?ed the dr^l>e<l ofletream. iia'iriai^lii on (either side 1fraa fringed with Palmetto and Palffl trfcea, whiah Wat the <lrtt "appearance of T#g?tatWi? 'to : W* f *iii * * 2 *vr k may II. r ii'neriiMiMiiai i ii' i lantntfaiab**** We are now at a low to know how these immense herds of cattle subsist, in the dry season, but I suppose there are green villages and fresh water farther in the country, and similar to those near Vara Cruz. From this point, the cor 'try gradually ascends, and presents the same barren aspect, until the eye seemed lost in the distance. Far to the west, magic Lakes sprung into existence, whose margins wcro overhung with forest trees, with their surfaces dotted with innumerable Islands. While thousands of horses and cattle were seen slaking their thirst in their crystal waters or irrazinc qu ictly along their velvet shores. When the fancy had been wearied feasting upon these, others still farther in the distance arose at its biding, whose farther shores were lined with guilded cities and towering castles, whilst lofty battlements and spires minele their giddy heights with the clouds. This was tlio most beautiful illusion ever prescuted to our view. And the pleasure of beholding it was rather marred, by our suffering thirst, which, it great, ly served to aggravate. This scene is a fanciful illusion, termed a mirage, and can only be witnessed in tropical regions. It is produced by the reflection of the sun, the dryness of the atmosphere and transparency of the light of tho firmament. I confess that I never was worse deceived, and would have been willing, like many others, to follow up the illusion iu search of water. But thanks to our C aptain, he hailed to me in time to save me a long jaunt for nothing. Towards noon we descended into a flat coun- ! try bordering on the sencoast, which had every appearance of former inundation, but now was baked as hard as a kiln of dried brick. As far as the vision could scan the distance, was presented a grove of towering Palmettoes. In this magn ificient forest we bivouaced for the night. 'J.lie mules and Artillery horsed, escorted by the cavalry have been sent five miles off to water. In the mean time details from the Brigadier have been sent out to d ig for water which they obtained near the sea shore, and about five feet below the surface. It was anything else but good water when reached, but I thought it the most delicious article lever drank. Tliis evening we sat down to a sumptuous repast?Excellent coffee, fried pork, and boiled pork and crackers, to which was added by way of luxury boiled cabbnge. The latter dish was the occasion of n terrible havoc amongst the tops of the juvenile Palinettoes, as wo reclined around our evening fires in true soldier-like style rehearsing the events of the proceeding day, we could not refraiu calling to mind the merry evenings we had formerly spent at Charleston and Mobile, almost under the ahadowa of these very Palmettoes. (to i?e continued.) Making a Needle I wonder if any littlo girl who may read this, ever thought how many people arc all the time at work in making the things wllipli ?li? Sfforo flao moo Wl.nl J ?' more common, and, you may think more simple than a needle? Yet, if you do not know it, I can tell you that it takes a great many persons to make a needle, and a great deal of time, too; Let us take a peep into the needle manufactory. In going over the premises, wo must pass hither and thither, and walk into the next street and back again, and tako a drive to a mill, in order to see the whole process. We find one chamber of the 6hop is hung around with coils of bright wire of all thicknesses, from the stout kind used for codfish hooks, to that of the finest cambric needles. In a room below, bits of wire, the length of two needles, are cut by a vast pair of shears fixed in the wall. A bundle has been cutofi';lbe bits need straightening for they just came off from the coils. The bundle is thrown into a red hot furnace, and then taken out and rolled back ward and forward on a table till tbo wires are straight. This process is called "rubbing straight." We now see a mill for grinding nee dies. We go down into the basement and find a needle pointer seated on his bench. lie takes up two dozen or so of the wires and rolls them between his turab and fingers with their ends on the grindstone, first one end and then the other. We have now the wires straght, and pointed at both ends. Next is a machine which flattens and gutters the bead of ten thousand needles an hour. | Observe the little gutters at the head of your needle. Next comes the punching of the eye. and the boy who does it punches eight tiousand an hour, and be does it so fast your eyes can hardly keep pace with him. The splitting follows, which is running a fine wire through a dozen, perhaps, of these twin needles. A woman, with a liltta nnvil hpfnrA files betwen tho heads, and separates them. They fire now complete needles, bnt rough and rusty, and what is worse, they easily bend. A poor needle, you will say. But the hardening comes next. They are heated in a furnace, and when red-hot are throwif* into a pan of cold water. Next they must be tempered, and this is done by rolling them backward and forward on a metalio plate. The polishing still remains to be done. On a very coarse cloth, needles are spread to the number of forty or fifty thou-; sand. Emery dust is strewed over them, ii is tprmKiea, ana son soap is dasned ;o spoonful# over the oldlb;'the cloth is then rolled op with several etbera of the same kl^J, thrown Into a washrpot, to roll to and fro for tWfllro hours or more. They ootne oat dirty ?noiigbt'hut after a rinsing in clean hot;water, and a tossing in mwdnst, M !bok M bry,^aa ^n^pd-are reajiy ,to Re ported find, .put pp.,for adfc. B?t *be sorting aiwl doing up in-paper* you can, ? ? . ...... . , /; THE MUSICIAN'S MARRIAGE. After Having passed tho summer in visiting tlie principal towns in Gennnny, the celebrated painlist, Liszt, arrived at prague in O tobcr 184P. The day after ho came, his apartment vras entered by a stranger?an old man whose appearance indicated misery and suffering. The great musician recieved him with a cordiality which he would not, perhaps, have shown to a nobleman. Encouraged by his kindness, the visitor 6aid: "I came to you, sir, as a brother. Excuse mo if I take this title, notwithstanding tho distance that divides us, but formerly I could boast some skid in playing llie piano, and by giving instruction I gained a comfortable livelihood. Now, I am old, feeble, burdened with a large family, and destitute of pupils. I live at Nuremberg, but came to Prague to recover the remnant of a small property which belonged to my ancestors Although nominally successful, the expense' of a long litigation has more than swallowed up the trifling sum I recovered. To-raorrow, I set out for home?penniless." "And you have coino to me : You have done well and I thank you for this proof of your esteem. To assist a brother professors is to me more than a duty?it is a pleasure. Artists should have their purse in common: and if fortune ncglects some, in order to treat others better than they deserve, it nnlv m o L- /> a It itiai-a ~ .??nvu ?v iiiuiv iicbcooilljr (u |jjcacrvc equilibrium by fraternal kindness. Thatjis my system; so don't speak of gratitude, for I feel that I only discharge a debt. As lie uttered these generous words, | Liszt opened his writing case, and Btarted when be saw tliat his usual depository for bis money contained but three ducats. He summoned his servant. "Where is the money ?" he asked. "There, sir," replied the man, pointing to the open drawer. ' There. Why; there is scarcely anything !" "I know it, sir, if you please to remember, I told you yesterday that the cash was nearly exhausted." "You see, my dear brother," said Liazf, mi..* r..? ?? - T ? ' oiuiimg, mat 1UI LUC UIUIIICIII, 1 HIU LIU nuiler than you. But that does not trouble me. I have credit, and I can make money start from the keys of my piano. However, as you are in haste to leave Praguo and return home, you shall not bo delayed by my present want of funds." So saying, ho opened another drawer, and taking out a splendid medalion, gave it to the old man. "There," Baid he, "that will do. It was a present made me by the Emperor of Austria?hi9 own portait, Bat in diamonds. The painting is nothing remarkable, but the stones aro fine. Take them and dispose of them, and what ever they bring shall be yours." The old musician tried in vain to decline so rich a gift. Liszt would not hear to a refusal, and the poor man at length withI /IroIV iniTnlr|1\A -.v.. it.?x/R.iig iuu uin/itwi U1 Heaven on Ins generous benefactor. lie then repaired to the shop of the principal jeweller in the city, in order to sell the diamonds. Seeing a miserable-dressed man anxious to dispose of the magnificient jewels with whose value he appeared unacquainted, the master of the shop very naturally suspected his honesty; and,while appearing to examine the diamonds with close attention, be whispered a few words in the ear of one of his assistants. The latter went out. speedily returned, accompanied by several soldiers of police, who arrested the unhappy artist, in spite of bib protestation of innocence. "You must first come to prison," they said ; " afterwards, you can give an explanetion to the magistrate.'' The prisoner wrote a few lines to his benefactor, imploring his assistance. Liszt nameneu 10 uie jeweller. "Sir," said he, "you have caused the arrest of an innocent rasn. Come with me immediately, and let ua have him released. He is the lawfal owner of the jewels in question, for I gave them to him.w "But, sir," said the merchant, "who are you /" "My name is Liszt. "I don't know any rich man of that name." "That may be; yet l am ^lerably well known." "Are you aware, sir, that these diamonds are worth tlx thousand florins?-that is* & say about five thousand guineas, or twelve thousand francs I" ^So much the better for bim on whom I have beetowed them." r * "But, in order to make imob ft present yon must be ?ery wealthy." "My actual fortune consists of threquests." i. . jjJJoil i j -' Then yon art a rosgioum." - T WT "By no mean*; and yet, by ju?t moving .m . I . v'l 'A!* U j.u4iihto . . * my nnm, icairQbtaiD to much money m ' s>'~ '( VJS .C.'.IV vh- O ; s "> * *; m ! ?!Yoa ?mm*W ; "ify?u?ho?e, HI dtedoM to you the WiclWjp^ ^''r| . - * T .< '?** o i * ^t$/? w. Liszt had seen a piano in the parlor behind the shop. lie opened it and run his fingers over tho keys; then, seized by sudden inspiration, he improvised one of those soul-touching symphonies peculiar to himself. As he sounded the first chords, a beautiful young lady ei.tjred the room. While the I mplndv pnnliniixil k1u? rnmnino.l I and immovable; then ns the last noto died away, Bhe cried, with irresistable enthusiasm. "Bravo, Liszt! tits wondrous !" "Do9t thou know him, then my daughter?" asked the jeweller. "This is the first I have had iho pleasure of seeing or hearing him," replied she; "but I know that none save Liszt, could draw such sound from the piano." Expressed with grace and modesty, by a young person of remarkable beauty, this admiration could not fail to bo more than flattering to the artist. However, after making his best acknowledgements, Liszt withdrew, in order to release the prisoner, and accompanied by the jeweller. "Grieved at hi? mistake, the worthy merchant sought to repair it by inviting the two mnsio.ians to suunor. Thfl honors of the table were done by his amiable daughter, who appeared no less touched at the gen erosity of Liszt than astonished at his talent. That night, the musicians of the city serenaded their illustrious brother. The next day, the nobler and most distinguished inhabitants of prague presented themselves at the door. They entreated him togive6ome concerts, leaving it to himself to fix any sum he pleased as a remuneration. The jeweller percieved that,talent even in a pecuniary light, may be more valuable than the most precious diamonds. Liszt continued to go to his house, and, to the merchant's great joy, hc?percieved that his daughter was the cause ofbis visits. lie began to love the company of the musician, and the fair girl his only child certainly did uothate it. One morninnr. the iewcller. cominrr to the point with German frankness said to Liszt. "IIow do you like my daughter?" "Sho is an angel !" "What do you think of marriage?" *'I think so well of it, that I have the greatest possible inclination to try it." 'What would you say to a forluue of three million francs ?" "I would willingly accept it." Well, we understand ench other. My daughter pleases; you please my dauguter. Iler fortuno is ready, ba my son-in-law." "With all my heart." The marriage was celebrated the follow ing week. And this, according to the chronicles of Prague, is a true account of the marriage of the great and good paintist, Liszt. ^ ? Short Sight; or, Myopia. 4.<vni pciOVHO rtIO Hpl IU stoop while engaged in study. To avoid a practice so injurious to the figure and health, they should use a high desk when reading or writing, and if glasses are indispensable, such only should be used as are just sufficient to enable the parlies to pursuo their occupations nt the ordinary reading distance of about fourteen inches. Small type, etching, microscopical pursuits, and objects requiring close inspection, should be avoided; the individual should overcome his natural tendency to a cramped hand, and write boldly and freely, and be the pursuit what it may in which he is engaged, possible distance should be maintained between his eyes and the object. Jn all cases of myopia, and especially in early life, or when the affection is just commencing, it is highly important that any tendency to an over-supply to tho eyes should be counteracted by a proper amount oi Doauy exercise, and every opportunity should be embraced for exercising the eyes on distant objects. Near-sight is comparatively rare in persons engaged in agricultural pursuits and is almost, if not quite unknown among those civilized nations whose eyes are constantly practiced in nomadic warfare, or in the chase. Near sight may be acquired in carly'youth by the habit common to infants of approaching their eyes very close to any object on which their attention may happen to be engaged. Observe a^froup of children learning to write and to dh?w?almost all will be seen with their faces sideways and their tongues in the corner of their mouths, nearly touching with their cheelcn the paper or slate on which they are laboriously* accomplishing their task. Many an infant has been rendered short-sighted, and may have acquired squints, from constantly playing with small toys; for as the vineal axes converge when objects are held near the eyes, frequent repetition of this may end in:" strabismus; and I may here remark, that striot attention should be paid to the position of an infant's sleepingoot, and to the attitude in which il ia placed in the nurses arms. The eyes of infants ever seek the light, and many an unsightly cast has been entailed upon a child by its being always placed with one and tbe same side to a candle or a window. The light in tbe nursery should not.t>e too much on one side of tbe oandle, nor should a candle or a lamp be fo placed ih the evening, that ?1ia the child nre destroyed upon looking at ifc I Tiber* J* some judgment itr putting clriT dreri's books In good bold type, in 6tpo*r*g> '> ing them to observe distant object#, And in- ; viting thorn to describe what., thoy see in Japdsoapos. JTear-aightdd cbfldren are often ' fortii of books, and ]pve to pofe oVer some favorite story in aq^fetccirfler for boars togather. They sbtaldb*itched,andootnm tN+ . . # -? , ' I'HJ.I it inclies from tlio pnge, and the samo when' in tlio school room. Such children aro obliged to lean forward during music lessons in a very unseemly manner to distinguish the notes; to obviate this, a sliding bookstand should be attached to tlie piano, and should be drawn forward when the child is practicing. As, however, some musical instruments will not admitof such an arrancra ment, spectacles of a low powor may bo worn at that time, and then only, and the lessons should not exceed half an hour without a pause of some minutes for the eyes to rest. Insufficiency of light in rooms whero children receive instruction, or whero they are taught mechanical work, is a cause of near-sight, and occasionally of even mora serious mischief. Care should therefore bo taken that parochial and infunt school rooms (which to my knowledge are frequently on the basement lloor) should b? properly and sufficiently lighted. Married Life in Francs. Chiefly on tho authority of travellers who have described French life as th^v it, and who lmvc not always seeu it from the most moral and domestic point of view, largo numbers have come to believe France abuut one of the most immoral countries in Europe, unless Italy be excepted. Paris is probably about as loose a capital as any need wish to see. Yet vice and virtne are not mixed up, even in Paris, as Dr. Sanger has shown them to bo in every street in New York; nor does vice walk the streets as unblushingly. But all great cities are great 6ores in some points of view, as Jefferson has truly said ; and French cities are more systematically depraved probably than many others. But he who sees tho corruption of French city life, and judges thereby of the whole Fiench nation, greatly misjudges the bulk of the people. And nothing seems to bo better established that the small farmers and the country people generally, who from tho great masses, are very much like that class of people all tho world through, and about equal to the average in point of moralitv. marrvinnr and <ri? - t # ^ ' -? o ?? " ing in marriage like the rest, of the world. Population does not increase quite so fast in France as in England, nor in England, of course, as in the United States. But France furnishes at least the most authentic and accurate statistics, exhibiting. the eflects of every different mode of life upon the national prosperity. In this respect it is far before every other country on the globe. Out of thirty six millions of inhabitants in France, fifteen and a half millions are married or in a state of widowhood. Tbi? certainly does not look as if marriage was there becoming an obsolete institution. Eight and a half millions are bachelor? or spinsters, leaving only twelve millions for children?so, at least, the figures show. Thus, the proportion of the married would seem much larger than might liave been fijnpctwi hill tlio nnmlmr nf -I I """""" amyU" larly small. Dr. Farre thinks, however, that the typo of the French race is improving,^jfrom the diminution of bad types, such as idiots aod luunties, who do not marry. The general opinion has been that, in the point of etitture, at least, Frenchmen were rather deteriorating. In Fiance, marriage is mucl* more the result of prudential calculation* and considerations than with us, or even with the English. All is done by negotiation. ? The heart has little to do with'the matter; fancy nothing ; and prudonce everything. The marriage is not valid unless the man is eighteen and the woman fit"t?jen. Even then, unless the head of tho family give his or hor consent, the ceremony can be set aside. In all this, France is in one extreme, and we quite as excessively in the other. Prudence and principles hava too little to do with our marriages, and a momentary fancy too much. Marriage is more favorable to long lifu celibacy, as tlie5? French statistics prove, unless it be verr early rrarriages. The mortality of malesmarrying before twenty ?9 almost five timesas great, it is said, as of thoso remaining single. This, however, must bo an erfbr. From twenty upwards, marriage seetns'ta about double the chance of seeing si sty, j To about thirty, the chance of life fqif married females is rather better than that of married. But from this up the tenia ..turns decidedly the other way; and the Chance of seeing sixty is very far better for the married thnn the unranrried ferante. For those marrying under twenty, bowerer, the chances of mortality are rather greater than of those who wait till above that time, when the bodily system is well matured. Even to twenty-five, nino married women die to eight unmarried. " At all ages widows are more mortal tbfn wives, and widowers than married meiu Grief haa, of course, much to do with thin. T4te absence of that mutuat care which each exerctoos ror the comrort of tbe other ia^ko concerned. So that, great Us are the'iiarea of diarried life, great aa are often pen sea and privations, tbeae are all as-nothing to the evils of having no one but a#jf to live for. In fact, to live without, a purpose and without an aim, beyond the mere personal good seems the most fatal of All Ibirtg* to human life. Without some objedl beyond themselves, men Aud women-soon die. ; T(io married life calls Info exercise /Sith hope more than single life. There j^enterprise and risk, and reliance upon with a fear sometimes for^ dally bfu#ilVO<l a hope if) ohildren, and in the j^ood ti^e comm^ all connected with BXtrtj&!??, and ?ll of which have a valt*?ii)?pjjfito human > charaoter, and wbw^ tMnipy enough, all strengthen health and' todMifc* thb leneth of life. Married taen onlist as. o^Thow Oura woui \jp | xjfi&j.; ./M