MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY JOURNAL. 
^ -;- 
s (Btotatinnal Ifpartrarat. 
I BY L. WETHF.RELL. 
i THANKSGIVING DAY. 
) The custom of appointing annually a day 
^ of public thanksgiving, by the civil powers, 
f originated in New-England. The puritan 
? pilgrims, having quit the observance of the 
( festivals of the established church, prior to 
^ leaving father-land, adopted their home cus- 
( tom, immediately after they landed at 
^ Plymouth, of appointing days of public fast- 
< ing as well as of thanksgiving. 
I In times of great mortality, danger from 
( savages, severe drought, scarcity of provision 
' and the like, days were set apart for fasting, 
) humiliation and prayer. On occasions of 
great joy, such as a conquest over the Pe- 
) quots, the end of the Indian wars, bountiful 
) harvests, and other signal blessings, days of 
thanksgiving were appointed and like the 
I fasts were most devouted and religiously 
observed—not less so than the Christian 
Sabbath. The deep religious feeling of our 
' fore-fathers, beset as they were by perils of 
various sorts, caused them frequently to set 
apart special days when they might publicly 
acknowledge their dependence on the God 
of Israel. The practice of these early set¬ 
tlers gave rise among their decendants to 
the regular appointment and observance at 
the opening of spring, of a day of humilia¬ 
tion and fasting, and in the autumn, after 
the gathering of the harvest, a day of pub- 
hc thanksgiving. 
In 1637, seventeen years after 
“ A band of exiles moored their bark 
On the wild New-England shore.” 
a law ordains that “ it be in the power of 
the Governor and assistants to command 
daies of humiliation by fasting, and also for 
Thanksgiving, as occasion shall be offered.” 
These appointments were something more 
than advisory then, though nothing more 
now. The non-observance of these festivals 
of civil appointment, then, subjected the. 
offender to the same penalties as the viola¬ 
tion of the law requiring the observance of 
the Sabbath. “In 1650, the penalty for 
non-attendance on public worship, whether 
on the Sabbath, or the days of Fast, and 
Thanksgiving, was a fine of ten shillings, or 
in lieu, a public whip>ping." “In 1682, all 
persons wore pix»hibitcd from attending ser¬ 
vile labor, or any sports, on these appointed 
days, under similar penalities.” Connecti¬ 
cut was not a whit behind Massachusetts, 
It is said, in the rigid enforcement of these 
religious observances; the penalty for non- 
observance was the same in 1650, as in the 
Massachusetts Colony—to wit,, fine, or a 
public whipping. In 1791, a law of total 
abstinence from labor on such days under 
penalty of a fine not less than one, nor more 
than two dollars. Similar penalties were 
enforced in New Hampshire, prior to 1792. 
“In the autumn of 1810, Governor De 
Witt Clinton of our own State, issued a 
proclamation recommending that Thursday, 
the 13th of November, be observed as a 
day of thanksgiving and prayer. I mention 
the circumstance,” says the writer, “because 
Gov. Jay, during his administration, issued 
a like proclamation, and attempted to adopt 
the custom, which had prevailed in the 
New-England States ever since the landing 
of the Pilgrims, of setting apart one day in 
the year as a day of public thanksgiving.— 
But, after issuing one proclamation, Mr. Jay 
found it necessary to abandon the attempt, 
it being represented, by his opponents, as a 
contrivance to enlist the religious prejudices 
of the community in his favor. The 
proclamation of Gov. Clinton was well re¬ 
ceived, and the precedent furnished by him, 
h?is since been followed by all his successors. 
This I think, affords evidence that less ap¬ 
prehension of danger of a. connection be¬ 
tween Church and State, or religion and 
politics existed in the public mind in 1817, 
. than in' 1795.” 
Every New-Yorker is again reminded of 
Gov. De - Witt Clinton’s excellent prece¬ 
dent by his worthy successor, Gov. Hamil¬ 
ton Fish, who has by proclamation, desig¬ 
nated and recommended Thursday, the 
twelfth Day of December, to be observed 
by the people of this State as a day of Pub¬ 
lic Thanksgiving to'Almighty God. A day 
of public thanksgiving has been appointed 
and observed, or is to be observed in the 
following States: in South CaStdiii/i, Thurs¬ 
day, Oct. 24tli; North Carolina, and city of 
Savannah, Ga., Nov. 14th; Massachusetts 
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island’ 
Michigan, Kentucky, Maryland, Florida, In-- 
diana, Ohio—and also in the District of 
Columbia, Nov. 28th; Vermont, Dec. 5th. 
Pennsylvania, Alabama and New York, to¬ 
day; and in Maine, Dec. 19th, is appointed. 
A writer in the last number of the Edin¬ 
burgh Review, in an article on the United 
States, speaking of the causes that tend to 
consolidate, preserve and perpetuate the 
Union, says: “On the one hand, are the 
great natural ties of blood and language 
—similar political institutions — the same 
proud memories of the past—the same high 
anticipations of the future—one Washing¬ 
ton— one ThanJesgiving Day —one star 
banner—one Mississippi.” 
—“One Thanksgiving Day!” Yes — 
and would that it were the same day; over 
our beloved country. Then we should have 
a union of purpose, and with it, what is bet¬ 
ter, a unity of the great national heart giv¬ 
ing thanks, adoration and praise, as are most 
justly due, to the Author and Giver of all 
—“ Whose mercy endurcth forever.” 
Never have we as a people had greater 
reason for the proper observance of a day 
for public thanksgiving to Almighty God, 
for his innumerable bounties, than the year 
that is noAj rapidly drawing to a close.— 
Civil liberty at home—peace with all the 
nations of the earth — the right to worship 
God as reason dictates, and conscience ap- 
pro^'es—and other kindred blessings, call 
upon us for gratitude and thanksgiving and 
praise. So also do the blessings of family 
ties, and those of kindred and friends.— 
This is peculiarly a family festival. It brings 
together at the old paternal mansion sons 
and daughters, grand-sons and grand¬ 
daughters, and other kindred and friends 
arc sometimes admitted within the circles of 
the home mansion. ' Too often, alas, are the 
joys of these festive meetings and happy 
greetings, saddened by the reflection that 
all are not here who were assembled on the 
last festival. An affectionate mother, per¬ 
chance, has been called away from her 
family and home on earth to a mansion 
above—or, a kind father, grand-father, or 
some dear, and beloved child—or the com¬ 
panion of youth and the solace of age has 
ripened for the future life. These memories 
with the blanching changes that old Father 
Time is making on the auburn locks and 
rosy cheeks, serve to oLneten tho festivities 
of these otherwise too joyous seasons for 
earth. May all the hearts that have been 
saddened by any of these or similar causes, 
be gladdened with that faith whose keen 
and steady eye pierces the veil that hides 
the unseen world from our natural vision, 
and there behold the departed enjoying 
what is not known on earth—unalloyed 
peace and happiness. May this be the best 
thanksgiving that the readers of the Rural 
have yet enjoyed, and so may each continue 
to be the best, until you are ripened for that 
state which knows no sorrow nor pain— 
where all rejoice with thanksgiving forever. 
NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
The World’s Progress: A Dictionary of Dates, 
with Tabular Views of General History. Edited 
by G. P. Putnam, Member of the Arner. Erhnot. 
Soc.; of N. Y’. Hist. Soc.; Hon. Mem. Conn. 
Hist. Soc., etc. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1850. 
This is a convenient, portable volume, 
containing Tabular Views of Universal His¬ 
tory in contemporary columns. These views 
begin with the creation of the world—the 
Antediluvian period, as it is called, and pre¬ 
sent a biief and concise summary of im¬ 
portant historic knowledge down to the 
present year. Next after the tabular views 
the author presents a very valuable “ Dic¬ 
tionary of Dates.” The subjects in this part 
of the book are alphabetically arranged.— 
For example, the word Administrations 
is given, in connection with which the author 
gives the names of the Presidents, Vice 
Presidents, Secretaries of State—of the 
Treasury—of War—Post Masters General 
—Attorneys General, and Speakers of the 
House of Representatives, from General 
Washington, or the first administration, 
down to the late Gen. Taylor. This part 
of the work contains a great amount of 
important and useful information suited to 
the wants of all classes. Of the reraainincr 
three divisions of the work, the first is 
devoted to “ Literary Chronologyj’’- the 
second treats of “ Heathen Deities,'^ <fec., 
and the last is a Biographical Index.”— 
The book contains a valuable Historical 
Chart on the plan of Dr. Priestley. 
We commend this valuable book to 
readers and students of history'-, as well as 
teachers and others who desire a work of 
the kind for reference. For sale at Wm. 
Alling’s, Exchange st. 
Itkirtifir. 
THE IRISH CALIFORNIA OF 1848- 
About a year and a half ago Lord Ash¬ 
ley and O’Gorman Mahon startled the 
House of Commons, by an announcement 
that a method had been discovered by which 
Irish peat could be made to yield a variety 
of products of the most vrluable kind, which 
Avould realize in the market a profit of up¬ 
ward of 100 per cent. Much excitement 
was created by it at the time, and it was 
boasted that Ireland had at length found a 
means of wealth that would raise her forth¬ 
with to the height of prosperityL A few 
explanations, however, showed that Lord 
Ashley, in speaking on an Irish subject, had 
fallen into the common infection of Irish 
precipitancy, and that although the products 
he mentioned could undoubtlybe obtained, 
there was no satisfactory evidence as to the 
real cost of the process and its consequent 
profit. He had, it is true, produced a can¬ 
dle made from the peat, and had lighted it 
on the table of the House, but without some 
illumination in the way of actual figures, 
this step could have only the effect of a 
pretty trick. 
Since that time, however, the party by 
whom the patent was taken up (Mr. Owen 
a private gentleman of property and of 
unquestionable integrity,) has caused experi¬ 
ments to be carried on upon a definite scale, 
and results have at length been arrived at, 
it is said, of the most satisfatory kind, by 
which not only the candles and other pro¬ 
ducts can be exhibited, but their cost, as it 
would appear, can be definitely estimated. 
The following statement of the annual ex¬ 
penditure and produce of the trial works for 
one year has just been placed in my hands: 
EXPENDITURE. 
36.500 tons of peat, at 2s. ^ ton,.£3,650 
455 tons of sulphuric acid, at £7,.3,185 
Wear and tear of apparatus, &.C.,. 700 
Wages, labor, 2,000 
Cost of sending to market and other inciden¬ 
tal charges,. 2,182 
Profit,.11,908 
Total,.£23,625 
PRODUCE. 
365 tons of sulphate of ammonia at £12 
^^Pton,. £4,385 
255 tons of acetate of lime, at £14.3,575 
19,000 gollons of napththo, at 5s.4,750 
109.500 pounds of parafiTine, at 1st. 5,475 
73,000 gallons volatile oil, at Is.3,656 
36,000 gallons fixed oil, at Is. 1,800 
Total...!.£23,625 
These results have not yet been made 
public in any way in London, but if they 
should be fully borne out they will create a 
great sensation, since nearly one-seventh of 
the whole surface of Ireland consists of bog. 
The commercial value of the various articles 
liaa boon etoted -considerably below the ex¬ 
isting market quotations, and the charcoal 
which would also be obtained in the process 
has been entirely omitted from the estimate, 
as Avell as the subsequent value of the land 
that would be reclaimed by the removal of 
the peat. The statement shows, neverthe¬ 
less, a profit of more than 100 per cent.— 
The paraffine is a fatty, inodorous matter, 
and it is from this that the candles are made. 
I have one of them burning before me at 
this moment, and its appearance and flame 
are the same as wax. The lights however, 
seems rather less white than that from 
spermaceti. The largest candle manufac¬ 
turers in London have fixed the price they 
are willing to give for the paraffine at Is. 
per pound.— Cor. of N. Y. Com. Adv. 
The Planet Saturn. —The Boston Trav¬ 
eler, of Saturday, says:—“We understand 
that last night, the existence of a third ring 
around the Planet Saturn, which has been 
for some time suspected, was observed by 
the astronomers at the Observatory at Cam¬ 
bridge. It is interior to the two others, and 
its distance from the body of Saturn, there¬ 
fore, must be small. It was well observed 
through the great equatorial, with powers 
varying from 150 to 900—the evening for 
astronomical observations being remarkably 
fine, perhaps the finest since the establish¬ 
ment of the Observatory, altho’ singularly 
enough, the sky was so hazy, that to the na¬ 
ked eye, only the brighter stars were visible. 
It will be remembered that the eighth 
satellite of this planet was also discovered 
by Mr. Bond, at the Cambridge Observa¬ 
tory, about two years since.” 
The Model op the First Steamboat 
(built by John Fitch,) was discovered a few 
days ago, in the garret of the late residence 
of Col. Kilbourne,.a brother-in-law of John< 
Fitch, near the town of Columbus, Ohio.— 
It has been in the possession of Col. K. 
more than 30 years. It is thus described 
in a letter to the Cincinnati Commercial: • 
“ It is about two feet long, and set upon 
wheels. The boiler is about a foot long and 
eight inches in diameter, -vyith a flue thrp’ 
it, not quite in the centre, into which the 
fire appears to have been placed. The cyl¬ 
inder stands perpendicular, and the frame¬ 
work that supports it is not unlike that now 
used by some of the low-pressure boats on 
Lake Erie. There is a paddle wheel on 
each side, and, in fact, everything appears 
to be complete, with the exception of a con¬ 
denser and force-pump. The boiler is even 
supplied with a safety-valve; part of it has 
been broken off.” 
Bfliitiiriil Biiitori], 
THE GUINEA FGWL. 
The Guinea fowl or Pintado, is a native 
of Central Afi-ica, but is also found wild in 
the West Indies. They have been long do¬ 
mesticated in Europe and America, and 
there are now several varieties originating 
from the three distinct species known to the 
ancients. 
This bird is about twenty-two inches long, 
but standing high on its legs, it appears 
larger than it really is. Its pliynage is 
singularly marked—being beautifully , span¬ 
gled with white on a black, or brown ground 
—the spots being regulary round, from the 
size of a small pea to minute dots. The 
head and face—with their marked peculiar¬ 
ities,—scarlet wattles, naked skin, distinct 
eyebrows, and bright glancing eyes, make 
them an object both of curiosity and beauty, 
for which they are more frequently kept 
than for profit. 
They are prolific layers, and their eggs, 
though small, are good; but they are diffi¬ 
cult to rear, and will not thrive unless they 
are free to range the fields at will. They 
are also very pugnacious, so much so that 
keeping them with other fowls is objection¬ 
able on this account. One peculiarity of 
the Guinea fowl, is, that it is difficult to dis¬ 
tinguish the male and female birds—the 
chief difference being in the color of the 
wattles, which are of a red hue in the cock, 
and tinged with blue in the hen. The call- 
note is also diffe ,ent. They pair singly like 
the partridge or^'^pigeon, and not like the 
turkey or common hen. 
They show but very little disposition to 
set—and hence are best reared by other 
fowls, and the Bantam hen raahes the best 
foster mother. The incubation lasts about 
a month, and \vhen first hatched they ap¬ 
pear very active and hardy, as though but 
little attention would be necessary. They 
are very beautiful, striped Zebra-like, with 
orange legs and bills, and no ond-*would 
guess from their appearance, to what spe¬ 
cies they actually belonged. 
Their food and management should be 
the same as that of young turkies—but 
they require at first, to be fed frequently, as 
they grow with extraordinary rapidity, and 
any lack of nourishment is attended with 
certain and speedy death. 
Their note is harsh and disagreeable, and 
their flesh dry, but of good flavor. They 
have a strong attachment to-their familiar 
haunts, and will seldom thrive when -remov¬ 
ed to strange places, without particular at¬ 
tention. 
— We just came across a paragraph in 
an exchange, stating that a Jerseyman has 
become rich from the sale of the eggs of 
the Guinea hen, in the New York'market, 
and now has a flock of from 800 to 1000. 
The Oryx. —The oryx, or Gemsbok, is a 
native of South Africa, and is one of the 
numerous antelope tribe. It is supposed 
“ to have given rise to the fable of the uni¬ 
corn, from its long, straight horns, when 
■seen, en profile so exactly covering one an¬ 
other as gives it the appearance of having 
but one.” It is described as possessing the 
erect mane, long, sweeping black tail, and 
general appearance of the horse, with the 
head and hoofs of an antelope. Its form is 
very robust, and its bearing uncommonly 
noble. In height and color it resembles the 
ass, and its head is adorned with beautiful 
black bands. When full grown, the male 
is almost four feet in height at the shoulders. 
Though living in the most barren of regions, 
the oryx grows very fat; and hot as its 
haunts are, it is positively asserted that it 
never tastes water. It is a swift and endu¬ 
ring animal, and gives the best mounted 
hunter a long chase. From its ability to do 
without water, it can lead the hunters to re¬ 
gions which it be very unsafe for 
them to penetrate deeply into. The flesh 
is excellent Boston Rambler. 
The Sea Lion. —This animal is regard¬ 
ed as belonging to the seal family, and is 
the largest among them—being from eleven 
to eighteen feet long. It is so fat, that 
when the skin is taken off, the blubber lies a 
a foot thick all around the body. It feeds 
on grass, being different in this respect from 
the ordinary seal wdiich lives principally on 
animal food.— Anson’s Voyages. * 
>mti)in]_ iEiabing. 
BEAR ON, BEAR BRAVELY ON 
O, NEVER from thy tempted heart, 
Let thine integrity depart; 
When disappointment fills thy cup, 
Undaunted, nobly drink it up ; 
Truth will prevail, and Justice show 
Her tardy honor.s, sure though slow, 
Bear on, bear bravely on 1 
Bear on 1 our life is not a dream. 
Though often such its mazes seem ; 
We were not born to li\es of ease, 
Ourselves alone to aid and please. 
To each a daily task is given, 
A labor which shall fit for Heaven ; 
When duty calls, let love grow warm, 
Amid the sunshine and the storm. 
With Faith life’s trials boldly breast, 
And come a conqueror to thy rest. 
Bear on, bear bravely on ! 
“IT IS HARD PARTING." 
It is, ill common language, hard parting. 
However joyous or certain may be Immor¬ 
tality ; however undesirable, in any instance, 
may be the prolongation of this earthly ex¬ 
istence; however certified w'e are of the 
salvable condition of our friends,—still it is 
hard parting. Not the immediate prospect 
of Heaven, not the presence of the Angel 
of Bliss, can prevent the bitterness of emo¬ 
tion. We weep from sympathy, and we 
w'eep from sorrow; and sympathy makes 
the sorrow of many one. In a moment, as 
by an electric communication, all hearts 
coalesce. 
It is hard parting: the cessation, the giv¬ 
ing over, the farewell, the last view; the 
absence, the being gone; nothing for the 
eye to look upon, or the hand to feel, or the 
tongue to speak to; the withdrawal of the 
spirit, the burial of the body; the silence, 
and the lonesomeness. 
It is hard parting:—but it is not all part¬ 
ing,— there is a going, too, there is an ele¬ 
vation of spirit as well as depression of the 
flesh. The parting tabes us along with it. 
It raises us from the liraitable to the Illim¬ 
itable. It gives to Faith its province, and 
to Hope its destiny. Beyond this vale of 
tears, our friends await us in the eternal 
Bloom I 
It is hard parting:—but there is remain¬ 
ing, too. All does not go. There are 
blessed memories and sweet relics still in 
our hands, still sleeping on our bosoms, still 
sitting by the fireside, still coming in at the 
door. Beauty, Holiness', Love, are never 
sick; for them is no funeral bell. That 
face visits us in our reveries when we wish 
to be all alone with it; an Ascended face, 
it shines on our despondency, and smiles on 
our love; it peoples the solitude with a sa¬ 
cred invisibility; it introduces us to the 
realm of the departed, to converse with 
spirits — to commune with saints. The 
medium between us and the dead is a pu¬ 
rifying one. It cleanses the character; we 
see nothing bad in what is gone; there is no 
remembrance any more of sin; we are 
ravished by virtues perhaps too late recog¬ 
nized ; we adore where we once hardly tol¬ 
erated ;—a departed friend is always an im¬ 
age of pure crystal. 
And the body, the transient tabernacle, 
the clayey tenement, has a wonderful mis¬ 
sion. It hasteRs to repair the rent in our 
hearts, by its look of angelic peace; as, in 
the forest, a prostrate tree hides its decay 
in a vesture of green moss, so the body en¬ 
dures the pain and the waste of sickness 
with an expression of health and repose.— 
From “ Richard Edney.” 
THOUGHTS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL, 
Acknowledgement and true worship of 
the Lord, is to obey and do His command¬ 
ments. 
It is»one thing to know, another to ac- 
knovdedge, and another to have faith. 
Charity is the affection of good, and faith 
the affection of truth. 
Affirmation of trutli and good is the first 
common principle of the Church. 
There can be no thought or idea without 
affection, for their very soul and life are 
thus derived. 
Affection or love is what constitutes the 
life of every person, for whatever the affec¬ 
tion is, such is the whole man. 
True charity consists in the performance 
of every duty of life, from the love of jus¬ 
tice with judgment. 
That man does not live of and from him¬ 
self is an eternal truth; but yet, unless it 
appeared as if he lived from himself, it 
would be impossible for him to live at all. 
Charity and good works are two distinct 
things, like williiiig what is good and doing 
what is good. 
Power of Faith. —They that come not 
to God by Christ, have no faith. What! is 
man such q, fool as to believe things, and 
yet not look after .them; to believe great 
things, and yet not concern himself with 
them? Who would knowingly go over a 
pearl, and yet not count it worth stooping 
for ? Believe thou art what thou art; be¬ 
lieve hell is what it is; believe death and 
judgment are coming, as they are; believe 
that the Father and Son are, as by the 
Holy Ghost in the word they arc described 
— and sit still in thy sins if thou cansL— 
Thou canst not sit still. Faith is forcible.— 
Johti Bunyan. 
