MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER! AN AGRICULTURAL AND TAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
(^huaLonal. 
LEARN TO THINK. 
Tins should be one of the first lessons in¬ 
stilled into the mind of young scholars. No 
teacher should ho content with having a 
lesson learned so it may be repeated in the 
language of the author. Students should 
bo required to give definitions, rules and ex¬ 
planations in their own language. 1 his will 
alvvavs enable teachers to know whether tho j 
lesson is or is not understood. Learn stu- j 
dents to think, to reason, and form their , 
opinion upon every lesson or subject inti o- ; 
ducod to tho class. It is too often the prac- J 
tico of scholars to take tho opinion of a 
teacher as correct, without any reason be¬ 
ing given, or any explanations to satisfy 
them of its correctness. 
Tho object of education is to prepare men 
to think and act for themselves, to rely upon 
their own knowledge and judgment, in tho 
place of confiding in those of others. Any 
system of education—any teacher s practice 
which is not designed and well calculated to 
effect this object, fully and thoroughly 
effect it, comes short of being a perfect, or 
oven deserving system. Our scholars need 
a reform in this particular—a reform that 
can best bo effected by tho employment of 
teachers who are not only competent to 
teach, but have tho ability to think, and 
learn others to tnink also. 
Such is the character of tho institutions 
under which we live, that the ability to think 
becomes a requisite of good citizenship.— 
Freemen, citizens of a free and enlightened 
government, it is a necessity that they bo 
qualified to judge correctly of the great 
measures of national, constitutional, and 
governmental policy. They should bo ac¬ 
customed to investigate, compare, analyze 
and judge for themselves. It will give them 
more independence, more of a habit of self- 
reliance, more power, energy, and ability to 
become useful. 
In tho midst of our daily avocation, the 
thoughts should bo turned upon useful and 
NOT SUPERSTITIOUS * . 
Not at all superstitious, r is tho cry. “ Oh ! <L> (_y ' * B * 
I’m not superstitious! ” and yet who likes to 
take an unsolicited look over tho left shoul- For the Rural New-Yorker, 
der, at tho moon ? How few do we find wil- PRACTICAL SKEPTICISM. 
ling to begin any enterprise on Friday, that - 
poor unluky child of the calendar, full of Even a casual observer will perceive that 
mists and omens. ,,11 there is much of practical skepticism in so- 
ciet ? . Or, what .9 the same thing, that 
“ there will be a quarrel just as sartain as there ai’e many who have not tho feast 
you live, before twelve hours, with some- doubt of tho existence of God, and of the 
body ,”—a shrewd prediction ! “ And,” says heavenly origin of Christianity, yet who 
another, « when the dog howls under my geem neverto tbink that their faith has any 
window, and tho lamp goes out three times, ., ,, „ 
and I hoar a pistol in the middle of the thing to do with their daily walk and con- 
night, and I dream that my best teeth fall vorsation. With them, the faith and too 
out, or that I see an empty coffin, some- life are wido asunder, and are as distinctly 
body’s got to die.” Alas ! for that un- se p ara f e d as oil and water, though they may 
fortunate somebody !_ His shroud is ma- bo in contact . They are like the man, who, 
king: his grave digging; his last nanow . . „ 
home sounds under the “ rat-tap-plan ” of though enthusiastic m his meetings for wor- 
the hammer—if it is stormy, for is it not ship, was not very upright m his business 
true that all signs fail in dry weather ? transactions, and when asked how he recon- 
The fact is just this. I he stoutest heart cded his profession and conduct, answered, 
has its moments of credulous belief. Ask thing and religion an- 
any aged man of your acquaintance if he “ , , , , ° ,, . 
ever dreamed a dream or saw a sight that other; that when ho had business to attend 
foreboded coming trouble, and ho will tell to, he attended to that alone, and when ho 
you yes. Ask an old lady—heaven bless had religion to attend to, he gave himself 
the venerable name — if she ever wound 
yarn over tho cellar stairs at midnight, or 
went to lied backward, after taking a good¬ 
ly dose of salt, repeating some foolish sort 
of rhvme about true loves, hearts, darts. 
wholly up to it. An answer, which, when 
rightly interpreted, amounts to this, that in 
his business transactions ho forgot his reli¬ 
gion, and in his religious matters, ho never 
eyes, complexion, etc., etc. Nine out of ten di'eamed that they had any thing to do with 
will say yes—though to bo sure they had no b j g business. Selfishness was tho guido in 
faith in it; not a whit, not a particle; they , ... . 7 . . 
only tried it just-well, just because. uctuul >*• “ d , » ?>■»/<*»“ •>> «»- 
Now with regard to dreams, wo have had ship. God and Clmstianity were to be ac- 
all sorts—we had like to say all sizes. We knowledged in formal acts of devotion, but 
havo buried our best frionds, and wopt over j. Q be denied in the relations botween man 
them with a grief as hearty as a real be¬ 
reavement might call forth ; and wo have 
waked up half laughing, half crying over 
tho delusion—yet happy to find our house¬ 
hold unbroken. We havo heard Tray’s om¬ 
inous howl, when he was baying the poor in¬ 
nocent moon, wdthout oven taking the pre¬ 
caution of turning our left shoe over three 
times. — and, most astonishing to relate, 
and brother. As though Christianity was 
a mere covering to hide an ulcered conduct, 
instead of being a present, living, diffusive 
power in the soul, inspiring him on all occa¬ 
sions with an unfaltering devotion to right, 
and a heavenly spirit that enables him to re¬ 
fuse everv wrong, however much it may 
MANDAN CHIEF IN FUEL DRESS. 
____ tion, if it maybe called so, lor we have nev- 
important matters, and may be so employed ontrravins shows that Fashion guished warriors,who have performed many er yet found any living mortal that was.- many or uio auaua u, -----J “ 
readily, if early accustomed to such disci- J*”’ in IheWestern Wilds, L,doits, wear this head dross. Very cele- Olive Brunch. _an nnpract,cable concern tha ,t w 11 do 
plino. No matter what the occupation, in among the Mandans, an Indian tribe across brated and eminent w.uiiois, wren ‘g 1 } SYMPATHIES OF MIND WITH THE BODY. V01 " " e topieaci am a a ou 5 ul 1 
ref nr- atvrLnUnvil the Mississippi. Wo copv from Graham’s decorated, wear signals ot their heroic SYMrAiJU-us or ^ is appropriate for Sunday, for ministers, and 
a 10 rang > . ‘ Magazine tho following description of the deeds in their hair. Thus Mato-Tope rep- All are aware of the wonderful influence for funeral occasions, but that it is not pos- 
pursuits, it furnishes all needed time te em- q{ ^ mugtrat f on : resented in the engraving, had fastened, fay the condition of the body upon giWe fco reduce to practic0 in the street, the 
ploy tho mind upon any of the questions ■> r _- rkablo tba t the men, among transversely in his hair, a wooden knife the faculties arid affections of the soul. The , . 
nobody wo knew of died after it. W o have promiso to liis solt-intcrest. 
broken looking-glasses, and they have ser- jj. j g ncd an uncommon thing for men to 
ved for a twelvemonth after to make “na- h . obli ations to God and the Sa- 
ture hideous, by dividing tho human face . a . • * x 
divine into squares and triangles, and patch- viour, when those obligation come m con tact 
ing the eyes over tho nose, and tho mouth with their passions and selfishness, and to 
upon the forehead, without doing farther do the very things, which the religion they 
injury. And yet for all that, we shall not p ro f es8 denounces as sins. It seems as tho’ 
say that we are entirely free from supersti- bo virtually admitted, that in 
f 5+If mow Hi cn tnr wo nftv- J 
an tho range of mochan.cal or agneunura, the “j™— Seis in'their hair. Thus Ma,o-Tape, rep- 
pursuits, it furnishes all needed time to em I su iU c t 0 f our illustration • resented in tho engraving, liad fastened, 
ploy the mind upon any of the questions - ■> remarkablo tbat ft6 me „, among transversely in his hair, a wooden knife 
many of the affairs of life, Christianity is 
an impracticable concern, that it will do 
very well to preach and talk about, that it 
is appropriate for Sunday, for ministers, and 
ploy tho mind upon any of the questions ' . 
• , * • • i ,i i It is ienmi 
which agitate society, it is said the poet ^ be j n dian tr 
Burns composed many of his finest pieces tb o women, 
whiloatwork. Manual labor, so far from be- ularly, great ; 
ing prejudicial to thought, furnishes health, dress. M hen 
strength and vigor, enabling the body to JJ^^Ua's^ir 
second tho efforts of tho mind to great and 1 d 
strength and vigor, enabling the bod) to \ tU a semicirc i 0 0 f feathers of birds of slain by thoir manly beauty important undertaking has been ruined by resiste d and the right loved and 
second the efforts of tho mind to great and U ev ij ke ra dii or sunbeams, or a bunch of A warrior, in adorning, takes more time d b it of undigested pickle—many a well- ^ .E ' 
lasting labors of honor, usefulness and re- the feathers of the raven. Sometimes they for his toilet than the most elegant Parisian laid scheme has failed in execution from a pursued. There are politicians wlio call 
ilAwn a w _ thpn Uarn i0 tfonfc have a thick bunch of owl’s feathers, or belle. Thoir faces are often painted in va- drop of green bile—many a terrible and themselves Christian men, who desire to be 
. • i i small rosettes made of broad raven’s feath- rious colors, according to tho taste or caprice merciless edict has gone forth in conso- es t e emed as such, yet who think it necos- 
upon any and all important pnne,pies and These feathers are frequent- of tho Indian dandy. They have a singn- que nco of an irritated gastric nerve. The . attaini ^ t0 bribe and cor . 
questions —learn to think lor yourselves. . determined according to tho bands to lar mode of displaying their influence over character of men’s minds has often suffered J ° 1 ’ . , , , ., 
It is tho privilege, it is the duty of freemen. ^hichtC belong Sometimes they wear a tho hearts of tho young women of thoir f rom temporary derangements of the body; rapt those who maybe gamed by briber, 
C. cap with horns, (as in the portrait,) consist- tribe, endeavoring to gam credit by a varie- and thus, health may make the same man a and corruption, to pursue measures, how- 
-——--- ini- 0 f stripes of white ermine, with pieces of tv of triumphs ; they mark tho number of be ro in tho field, whom dyspepsia may ron- ever questionable, to command success, 
-- lUO lUOilil^l o V/A a -- »/ 
nown. Wo repeat, then, learn to think, have a thick bunch of owl’s featheis, oi 
upon any and all important principles and ThSefealhers^frequeni- 
questions—learn to think for yourselves. t determined according to tho bands to 
It is the privilege, it is tho duty of freemen. w hich they belong. Sometimes they wear a 
A GOOD EDUCATION. 
red cloth hanging down the back, to which is conquered beauties by bundles ot pealed der imbecilo in the cabinet. 
b '“1 , . r i i . _i _of fLn fine Tliose t.witrs i-,.. t Llo o,,Li 
Parents generally are desirous of secur- 
attached an upright row of black and white oak twigs, painted at tho tips. _ Those twig 
eagle feathers, beginning at the head, and are always carried by the Indian dandy i 
looking only to tho cravings of selfishness, 
. , Dr : J - ^ “1 ““1 rather than to individual and public moral- 
m felicitous manner. Tho following are some 
ing for their children what they call a Aching the whole length. Only distin-1 his courting excursions. of his remarks: _ > and i ntc g llt; y- An business, tneie are 
“ good education.” This is a commendable ° ____—- ■ . l a tely saw a gentloman of brilliant those who profess to mako tho Bible thoir 
Windfall.—T he origin of this term is who - -h as possib.e, without regard to the 
fiaw-ir nonuiiu nun A o-nnrl «diw»at.mn sa d to lie the following : Hetty Martin ana sun iunu«r ^ it. w _ _ j —nnmnir which mav bo done to those with 
ity and integrity. In business, there aro 
manifestation of pai'ental affection. It still 
would bo more so, however, if the motives 
urging them to provide a good education for 
their childron were somewhat more elevated 
ORIGIN OF WORDS AND PHRASES. 
Windfall. —Tho origin of this term is 
than they usually aro. A good education said to be the following : TWtv Martin” would yet, from sudden derangement of the wrong which may bo dono to those with 
is too generally sought after, merely or Some of the nobility of England, by tho j digestive organs, bo so completely and whom they may deal, thus practically for- 
chiefly as a stepping-stone to wealth or tenure of their estates,were forbidden fell- Roland for an Oliver. Although no q U i ck iy prostrated in intellectual power, as o-ettin^ that a dishonest gain is an act of in¬ 
rank, or respectability in the world. There ing any of tho trees upon them, tho timber phrase is in more common uso, yet few aro nQt tQ bo ablo to wr ; to three linos on the ? .- * to ano ther person, and a moral in- 
are considerations rendering a good educa- being reserved for the use ot the royal navy, acquainted with its origin, i ho expression mos t common subject. On a lato occasion. J . ,, , , v lu,.E prmfinnnd 
tion dcsirablo, of a much higher and more Such trees as fell without cutting were the signifies the giving of an equivalent. Ko- when he had more i y to communicate an of- J ul 7 to themscl ' es » wiiicn, continue , 
commendable nature than this. Need we property of tho occupant. A tornado, land and Oliver were two knights famous ^ c j a ^ transaction that required not more must paralize their integrity and senso ot 
namo them ? For the present we will leave therefore, was a perfect god-send, in every in romance. Tho wonderful achievement than half a dozen lines in the plainest lan- duty. Then again, there aro individuals 
them to be presented by the conscience and sense of tho term, to those who had occu- 0 f the one can only bo equalled by those of ho could not put pen to paper, tho’ w h 0 talk very earnestly of their church and 
good sense of our readers, while we proceed pancy of extensive forests ; and the windfall the other. ^ Hence the phrase Roland for t h 0 attempt was made fifty times in tho 0 f their faith of thoir love for God and tho 
to say that which we intended to say. was sometimes of very great value. an Oliver.” course of two days. At length ho was . , ’ , b miitml over 
It is this. Parents in desiring a good od- Robiung Peter to pay Paul.— In tho Mind your P’s and Q’s.—The origin of forced to throw himself into a post-chaise, lour, an > 1 . 
ucation for their children, _ too commonly time 0 f Edward VI., much of tho lands of this phrase, is said to have been a call of at- and perform a long journey to deliver orally their tomper; who are angry at the least 
indulge a very narrow and inadequate con- gt p eter ^ at Westminster, were seized by tention, in tho old English ale houses, pints what might havo been dono in one minute provocation; who are fretful and peevish, 
coption of what constitutes areally valuable his majesty’s ministers and courtiers, but in an d quarts being scored down to tho uncon- by the pen. In half an hour after this ride if thoir will, however unjust, is resisted by 
or good education, and also of what mfiu- de r to reconcile the people to that robbery, c i 0 us or reckless beer-bibber. was performed, ho sat down and wrote an and who follow the rulo of blow for 
ences a child must be brought under in or- ^ allovved a portion of tho lands to be 
der to securo it. Do not too many regard a J iated towards the repairs of St. 
a good school, a teacher well versed m the Pau p s c h U rch; hence the phrase “robbing 
usual branches and apt to teach, with ap- p ter tQ Paul.” 
proved text-books, about all that is necos- 1 J ' 
sary in order to secure the good education He’s Caught a Tartar. In some battle 
which they contemplate for their children ? between the Russians and the Tartars, ^*'0 
Is it not too generally and too much forgot- are a wild sort of people, in the north ot 
ten, that every conversation which they hear Asia, a private soldier called out, “ Captain, 
St. Hobson’s Choice. -The expression Hob- wh i e h would not havo done dis- blow, railing for railing. Nor is it less tho 
ing son ’ s Choice, is proverbial both in England ^ of a p yron . foot, that there are many who present to 
and America. Ino story of its origin is a <( rp bo au thor of this essay has himself community and to thoir families an evil ex- 
tlo f °U WS: tt t. , , . A T been so enervated by a fit of what is called amp i 0 j n tbo ir conduct, somotimos indulge 
f le Thomas Hobson was a celebrated carrier ... t; a8 t0 be utterly incapable of 1 _ .. , ° 
ho , at Cambridge, England, who, to his employ- br oakin- tho seal of a letter for twenty-four in profanity, now and then dip into been 
,° inent in that capacity, added the profession hours -"though, to all appearance, in good tiousness, aro wanting m affection and m an 
11115 of supplying the students with horses. In bga p b a j. th 0 ’timo. Equally astonishing earnest love of principle, and yet who ob- 
from the lips of their parents, and every halloo there ! I ve caught a Tartar. doing this, he made it an unalterable rule and unaccountable is tho degree of timidity, serV e tho externals of religion and would 
action of their lives, which manifest either “ Fetch him along then !’ 5 said the Cap- that evory horse should havo an equal por- tcrr0I% incapacity, or whatever other magic instant i Y oppose tho idea of thoir being un- 
a low or a lofty character, either worthy or tain. tion of time in which to rest, as well as ia- p j. j g w hich annihilates, for a time, the J 11 , , -.i- TIwwa 
unwoi’thy principles, are a part of the edu- “Ay, but he wrm’t let me.” said the man ; bor • and ho always refused to lot a horse w ] 10 le energy of tho mind, and renders tho belioveis 0 1 )• > 
cation, good or bad, of their children ? Is and the fact was, theTartar had caught him. out of his turn. Hence tho saying, “ Hob- vb .ti m of dyspepsia afraid of his own shadow and instances of a similar character, may 
it not too generally forgotten that every So when a man thinks to take another in, gon’s choice; this or none. — Jlrvines 0 r of things more unsubstantial if possi- bo found in tho eventful scones of human 
word and every deed of the companions and an d gets bit himself, they say, “He’s caught Cyclopedia. ble, than shadows.” _ life, working for tho cause of evil and to the 
associates of our children has something to a Tartar.” - " Again ho says:—“It is under tho influ- . . ’ of the s av i our ’s rulo and reign in tho 
do in making their education either good or Bankrupt . —Few words have so remark- “Memma,” said a child, “my Sunday e nceof such paroxysms as these I am thor- of the world Such people virtually 
bad? Is it not too generally forgotten that ,, o familiar word hankrunt. school teacher tolls me that this world is ftm dilv convinced, that nine-tenths of those attans ot tnewo • II J 
bad? Is it not too generally forgotten that ab i oa hi 3 tory as the familiar word bankrupt, school teacher tolls mo that this world is oug hly convinced, that nine-tenths of those a ™s ot tne wor > I 1 - J 
the tomper, the taste, the habits of their pa- ThQ mon ^. dangers of Italy had. it is said, only a place in which God lets us live a lit- mo i a ncholy instances of suicide, which shock affirm, that Christianity has nothing to do 
rents, and indeed of all with whom they bonc h eB 0 r stalls "in tho bourse or exchange tie while, that we may prepare for a better tbo oars 0 f the public, take placo.” with tho subject of politics, with tho con- 
come in contact, have a powerful influence - n f ormer times 5 an d at these they conduct- world; but mother, I do not see any pro- Wo have no doubt of it. Wo have soon duc j. Q f business, with tho control of tho 
in making tho education of children either ed their ovdinary business. When any of paring. I see you preparing to go into tho mon 0 f t h 0 strongest minds—strongest, wo sioil8 and w ith the character of a man’s 
good or bad, according as these are ot a thom fell back in the world , and became in- country, and Aunt Eliza preparing to come me an, but for thoir disease—as utterly over- £ 5 Th ^ th make Christiani- 
happy or unhappy character? Detour so i venfc his bench was broken, and the name hero; hut I don’t see any one preparing to como by a paroxysm of indigestion, as Dr. eXcl P ' J M 
childron see their parents, and all whom ^ broken bench banco rotto, was given to goto Heaven. If every body wants to go j. gay8 ho has been; and wo have seen them ty an unpractical thing, by rotusing to re- 
their parents receivo to their intimacy, bim whon th ^ word was adopted into there, why don’t they try to get ready ? on the very brink, too, of self-dostruction. ceive it as a faith not only, but as a life , 
living for high, noblo, heaven approved jjf'hgh it was nearer tho Italian than it now That child was a pretty close questioner. How little do mankind know of the rccipro- an d by rejecting it as a system to be beliov- 
ends and objects such appearing plain y . Bering “bankeront,” instead of bankrupt. --- cal influence ot mind and matter! Pres- ed not onlv but to bo obeyed as a teacher 
living for high, noble, heaven approved En „i; s h it was nearor tho Italian than it now That child was a pretty close questioner. How little do mankind know of the rccipro- and by rejecting it as a system to be beliov- 
ends and objects- such appearing plain \ j g hewing “bankeront,” instead of bankrupt. --- cal influence ot mind and matter! Pres- ed no fc only, but to bo obeyed as a teacher 
ruling pnro3 a o'nif^inrL7 will Ihel Hin Betty Martin.—M any of our most Public men of high' h J“ ri “ n Mvoc °± of tho right, us a guard against wrong, and 
he receiving what constitutes’the most popular vulgarisms have their origin m some '°" 8 tQ a mav’see t o“r sL and hew To conceal a fault by a lio has boon said as a guide to tho choorful discharge of 
essentia! part of what may truly bo called a whimsical perversion of language or of fact, hat tho cro.d may see to be substituting a hole for a stain. every duty. m. 
good education.— Arthur’s Home Gazette. St. Martin is one of the worthies of tho Ro- their roar. 
of tho right, as a guard against wrong, and 
