1808.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
105 
"OUR YOUIG FOLKS." 
AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE 
FOR 
BOYS AMD GIRLS, 
The January and February numbers of "OUR YOUXG POLKS " have been commended by tbe Press in tbe most enthusiastic terms. Its 
Stories, by MR. ALDRICH, MRS. STOWE, MRS. DIAZ, SOPHIE MAY, "AUNT FANNY ;" its Poems, by LUCY LARCOM, HARRIET PRESCOTT 
SPOPFORD, MISS BrULOCK, and C. A. BARRY ; MR. TROWBRIDGE'S graphic and instructive description of Glass-Making; MR. PAR- 
TO\'S interesting account of tbe Invention of tbe Compass ; and MRS. AGASSIZ'S attractive opening paper of her series about " The World 
wc Live on "— all these are recognized as giving to the Magazine in due proportion the two essential dualities of healthful entertainment 
and practical -value ; and as having such variety of character, such literary excellence, and so high a moral tone, as to make tJxc Magazine 
all that can reasonably be demanded. 
"The Story of a Bad Boy,'* by T. B. ALDRICH, has excited general attention, by its genuineness, its graphic delineations of boy character, 
and the sustained interest of the incidents. In tho February number of the Agriculturist, the opening chapter was given. 
As illustrating the great interest that has been manifested by the readers of this Story, and MR. TROWBRIDGE'S excellent articles, we 
copy from Our Letter Box in the March number of " OUR TOUXG F0LKS " the following extract. 
We print this little note just as it came to 119, because it 
Is a specimen of many which testify to the growing interest 
In our Magazine, and because it contains a question about 
one of our most valuable contributors. 
"Dear You kg Folks: 
"Papa made Jamie and me a Christmas present of 'Onr 
Young Folks' for 1803; and as we have the January and 
February numbers, wfi want to tell you hew delighted wc 
are with our Magazine. 
" I like to read Mr. Trowbridge's pieces on Glass-Making, 
because I have often wondered how glass was made, and I 
never could understand how they could use potash and 
sand in making it, as I have been told they did. 
"Jamie thinks Tom Bailey is going lobe the right 6ort 
of a boy after all, and I like to read about such a boy, too. 
Jamie is 12 and I am 14. 
"Jamie wants me to as); who Mr. Aldrich is, and if he is 
Tom Bailey ; and where Ilivermoutli is. We can't find It at 
all, and we have looked on our map all along the coast of 
Massachusetts." 
We thank our little friend for her kind words, and we are 
gratified to know that she is pleased with the stories she 
mentions. 
When Mr. Trowbridge comes to speak of Coal-Mining 
and Ship-Building, wc have no doubt that &ho and many 
besides will be as much interested as they have been in 
Glass-Making. Before preparing his papers on Coal-Min- 
ing, which arc soon to appear, he visited the coal regions 
of Pennsylvania, and saw the miners at their work. In 
describing the manner of carrying on this great business 
he will have much to tell about these miners, and the little 
"slate pickers," and the cats and rats in the mines, and 
other curious and interesting things. 
But about Mr. Aldrich and his story,— Well, Mr. Aldrlrh 
is widely known as a poet. Those wiio do not own the 
dainty blue-and-*old volume of his poems may yet remem- 
ber the graceful sweetness of his "Babie Bell," which so 
delighted children and grown-up people a few years since. 
He writes prose sketches, as well as poems, for the "Atlan- 
tic." "A Young Desperado," published in that Magazine 
for December, 1SG7, is probably not unknown to some of 
our readers. Mr. Aldrich Is also the Editor of "Every Sat- 
urday." 
In proposing to write a story for "Our Young Folks," 
he said lie wanted to give the history of a real, natural boy, 
such as all wide-awake, hearty boys arc, everywhere, and 
asked if he could have the liberty of doing so. He was as- 
sured that he could. 
"Well," said Mr. Aldrich, "such a story as I have in 
mind will be an honest one, but do you think it will do to 
publish?" " Why not? " he was asked. "Because the boy 
I am thinking of is not what is called a good boy. He Is 
full of mischief and fond of fun; and, what is worse, per- 
haps he will fight, If it is necessary for him to fight. On 
the other hand, lie is generous and honest, and won't do a 
mean tiling. And" said he, "I don't think such boys are 
fully appreciated." 
The Editors, bearing in mind the thousands of brave, gen- 
erous boys who constantly read this Magazine,— boys not 
impossibly faultless, but who hate meanness as thoroughly 
as they love fun,— replied, "It is just the story wc want." 
" Very well," said Mr. Aldrich, "you shall have it on this 
condition, that you call it 'The Story of a Bad Boy*; for I 
don't wish any one to read it under false impressions." 
So you sec, dear yonng folks, why Tom Bailey Is called a 
bad boy. 
Wc don't wonder that many of our friends have hunted 
over their maps in vjin for Iilvermouth. It would be hardly 
fair play on our part to tell the reader what town is really 
meant by IUvermouth. It may be Lynn, or Portsmouth, or 
tCewburyport, — our correspondent " Edgar " positively 
declares it is Salem,— bat wc are not going to settle the 
question. Every boy or girl who knows anything of our 
New England coast will see at a glance that Eivermouth Is 
a faithful picture of a real seaport town, and that must suf- 
fice for the present. 
The March number of " OUR YOUXG POLKS," in addition to the " Story of a Bad Boy," has a very interesting article by MR. TROW- 
BRIDGE on Glass-Cutting and Ornamenting ; The Physical History of Florida, by MRS. PROFESSOR AGASSIZ, showing how Florida was 
built by Coral Insects ; MR. PARTON'S account of Who First Used the Mariner's Compass ; an exceedingly valuable article, How to Tallc, 
by EDWARD EVERETT HALE, pointing out the errors of conversation into -which young persons are most likely to fall, and telling In his 
fascinating -way how all may learn to tallc well ; the ninth packet of the charming AVilliam Henry Letters, by MRS. A. M. DIAZ ; a spirited 
declamation, Hannibal at the Altar, by ELIJAH KELLOGG ; and other attractive and valuable articles, all copiously illustrated by the 
best artists. 
S^ TERMSj 82.00 a year, In advance ; 3 copies, $5 ; 5 copies $8 : 10 copies, $15 ; and $1.50 for each additional copy. 
t*?~ A copy of " OUR YOUNG FOLKS " for the first four months of 1839 -will be sent free to any one who wishes to examine tho Magazine, on 
application to tho Publishers, 
FIELDS, OSGOOD & CO., 
(Suocessors to Ticknor& Fields,) 
124 Tremont Street, Boston. 
