1856.] Relaxations of Great Men. 365 



The plant was obtained in 1851 from some Japanese sailors, who 

 were wrecked on a coral island in the Pacific, and saved by some 

 American seamen. The crew of the wrecked vessel had supported 

 themselves for a number of days solely on these peas. One of the 

 American sailors obtained some of them, and took them to Oregon or 

 California, from whence they were carried to Ohio, from which State 

 they have since been disseminated through the Patent Office over the 

 Union. Should any of the readers of this paper wish to make a trial 

 of the above pea, I will forward them a few (gratis), as far as they will 

 go, and should I not be able to supply all this Spring, I will try to 

 supply the others next Fall. A letter containing a prepaid envelope 

 superscribed with the applicant's post-office address, will insure a return 

 of peas. Wilson Dennis. 



Applebachsville, Bucks Co., Pa. \^Rural Farmer, 



glHa^atiiJits 0f 6rot gin. 



It is interesting to note the amusements of learned and great men 

 of present and past times. Their predilections, their private tastes, 

 their amusements, their domestic habits, their relaxations — in a word, 

 all that satisfies them, amuses them — are capable of furnishing useful 

 lessons to our race; for a man's manners and habits help us to a 

 knowledge of him, and are the best evidence of his real character. 



Many great men have delighted in passing their hours of relaxation 

 in the company of children. This betokens a pure and loving nature. 

 Kichter says the man is to be shunned who does not love the society 

 of children. Henry IV. was passionately fond of them, and delighted 

 in their gambols and little caprices. One day, wdien crawling round 

 his room on all fours, on his hands and knees, with the Dauphin on his 

 back, and the other children about him, urging the king to gallop in 

 imitation of a horse, an ambassador suddenly entered and surprised the 

 royal family in the midst of their fun. Henry, without rising to his 

 feet, asked, 



"Have you children, Mr. Ambassador?" 



<'Yes, sir." 



"In that case, I proceed with, the sport," replied the king. 



The Duke of Wellington was extremely fond of children, and was a 

 general favorite with them. He enjoyed their gambols, took part in 



