384 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
dfftttcatwttal. 
THE ART OF COMPOSITION. 
Eds. Rural :— Permit mo to give my 
views through the medium of your columns, 
to my fellow Teachers, on tho importance of 
instructing their pupils in the art of com¬ 
posing. To learn to think correctly, spell 
accurately, and wrjto distinctly, are the 
most important of all literary acquirements. 
They are called into constant requisition in 
tho everyday business of practical life; and 
in no way can those valuable acquisitions 
bo so well taught as by writing composi¬ 
tions, and tho success of tho scholar will 
depend much on tho judgment and skill of 
tho teacher, at tho* time of his beginning 
to write. 
It is a most arduous task for tho pupils 
at tho commencement; they know not what 
to write about; they generally think it must 
be something more than common-place 
things, or every day business, that all are 
acquainted with,—and what is still worse, 
they too often think they must connect to¬ 
gether a long string of words, even when 
they have no ideas to convey. This great 
error too often originates with tho teacher, 
who thinks it a credit to his school that his 
scholars can write long compositions. I 
have hoard of those who required their 
pupils (oven at their first beginning,) to 
scribble over throe pages of foolscap at 
each composition. A more absurd or inju¬ 
rious practico could not be adopted. It 
would bo equally as wise of them to give 
their learners to read for their first lesson, 
tho tenth chapter of Genesis. The habit of 
scribbling words to spin out a long yarn, 
cannot be too carofully avoided, for it is one 
that youths are very apt to acquire without 
the teacher s assistance, and ought to be 
strictly guarded against. It is a most valu¬ 
able acquisition, for old as well as young, 
to learn to cease talking when they have 
nothing more to say, and to stop writing 
when they have no more ideas to convey. 
The first and most important branch of 
composition writing, is to learn tho art of 
thinking accurately, and distinctly, on what¬ 
ever is to be written; for that purpose, I 
advise beginners to writo on any thing they 
aro familiar with and understand correctly, 
and endeavor to have them writo it accu¬ 
rately, but as short and conscise as possible, 
using no superfluous words, and thon by 
degrees bring them to writo on moro pro¬ 
found subjects. All compositions should 
bo carefully corrected, so as to lot tho 
scholars see their blunders. Errors in spell¬ 
ing ought to bo marked, but let the learners 
correct them by tho Dictionary. Gram¬ 
matical errors, and blunders in stylo, ought 
to be correctly written by the instructor, so 
that tho learners may see their defects, and 
after they are corrected, lot tho scholar re¬ 
write them accurately. 
It is generally a great inconvenience for 
timid youths to be required to read their 
own compositions in school. It is much 
bottor, in my opinion, to have the best 
readers in the school take truns in reading 
tho wholo of them — say one this time and 
another the next; (if tho school is com¬ 
posed of both sexes, have tho readers tho 
samo, so that each sex know not the authors 
of tho others compositions.) The readers 
ought to have them in time to look them 
ovor, so as to bo able to read them froely; 
and thus beginners avoid the inconvenience 
of having their performances made public, 
and those who read acquire the valuable 
art of roading various hand writings. 
Monroe County, N. Y., 1853. A TEACHER. 
The above romarks from our correspond¬ 
ent aro well worthy of consideration. An 
elegant, simple and perspicuous stylo of 
composition, is one of tho highest accom¬ 
plishments of tho scholar; and one too 
which can be acquired by all men of ordi¬ 
nary capacity and ordinary education. It 
can even bo self-acquired, although in that, 
as in all other branches, the aid of a com¬ 
petent instructor is highly desirable. Par¬ 
ker’s Composition, and Jamison’s Rhetoric, 
or any other kindred works on those sub¬ 
jects, carefully studied, and tho rules put in 
practico, will enable any one, with a tenth 
part of the time required in learning to play 
the piano, to write with facility and elegance. 
It requires practice, however, like the man¬ 
ipulations of a trade; for, however well un¬ 
derstood may bo tho thoory, that alone will 
nevor make a ready writer. As our cor¬ 
respondent truly Bays, tho art of composi¬ 
tion “ is called into requisition in the every 
day business of practical life.” Letters aro 
to bo penned, orders drawn, notes written 
and endorsed, receipts given, and a thou¬ 
sand other things done, requiring the use of 
tho quill. The next most unsightly thing to 
“ John Smith, X his mark,” is a badly writ¬ 
ten, badly spelled, ungrammatical, wrong 
punctuated, illiterate scrawl; and it should 
be banished from reputable society, to wit: 
the society of farmers, mechanics, and 
tradesmen. How many thousands of let¬ 
ters more would bo written between widely 
separated friends, by which the golden 
links of affection would bo doubly strength¬ 
ened, if tho friends were not ashamed of 
exhibiting to each othor their wretched 
compositions, or if it were not such a task 
to write ? The community aro losers in 
many othor respects by this deficiency.— 
The practical observations and valuable 
hints of hundreds of persons aro lost to tho 
world, simply because they feel their own 
incoinpctency to put their thoughts on 
paper. They know full well that the mat¬ 
ter would bo of great value to the public, 
but tho language in which thoy would clothe 
their thoughts might subject them, if not to 
ridiculo, at least to tho charge of being illit¬ 
erate. It is in their case like compelling a 
good-looking and intelligent man to stay 
away from church, simply becauso ho has 
nothing but a beggarly suit of clothes, unfit 
to be seen in tho house of God. If teach¬ 
ers will give moro attention to tho subject 
of composition writing, tho next generation 
will not bo so lamentably deficient in ono of 
tho most important results of a good educa¬ 
tion.— Eds. 
SPELLING. 
It is too late in tho day to talk of tho im¬ 
portance of correct spelling. Ho who does 
not know that, must indeed bo of tho un- 
teachablo sort. Tho question is rather, 
“ How shall it be speedily and thoroughly 
taught ?” There aro many methods in 
common use all of which should receive 
more or less attention, with such modifica¬ 
tions and changes as aro desirable to keep 
up the proper interest in the study. 
The Good Old Way. —This consists in 
giving out a lesson to bo studied and whon 
studied according to the directions, the re¬ 
citation is conducted by’’the oral method ; 
that is, tho toachor pronounces tho word 
and tho pupil spells it. This method must 
ever continue to be tho main reliance for 
teachers generally, as it is by far the most 
expeditious. More can bo accomplished in 
a given time by this method than by any 
other now employed. Tho teacher should 
be prompt in giving out the word and 
should rigidly insist on plain articulation, 
prompt utterance and a regular pronuncia¬ 
tion of syllables as tho pupil progresses.— 
Ho must also see that every pupil pays close 
attention and spells montally, every word 
given to the class. The accomplishment of 
this requires much vigilance and skill. 
The Sentential Method. —In practicing 
this method, the teachor repeats a sentence, 
and the pupils spell a word each in regular 
order till it is completed. One advantage 
is that words are spoiled in their appropri¬ 
ate connection and not as mere abstract 
syllables. Another is, that it secures the 
undivided attention of tho class, and each 
may be in readiness for his word. It is also 
valuable as a discipline to the memory.— 
JYew York Teacher. 
WHO ARE OUR COMMON SCHOOL TEACHERS. 
Are they educated men and women ?— 
Have they really mastered tho common 
branches ? Can they write well ? Do they 
understand business matters ? Have they 
good common senso ? Aro they kind heart¬ 
ed ? Do they love to teach ? Are they in 
offico not to get a living easy, but to do 
good ? Do they command respect ? Are 
they polite ? Aro they sons and daughters 
of intelligent, refined, educated parents ?— 
Yes, often. Not always. 
Have you secured your teacher for the 
winter ? A good teacher is worth a deal of 
trouble. If care is used in getting good 
ca ttle, let care bo used in getting good teach¬ 
ers. One winter’s school is easily lost by 
hiring a self-conceited fop, or a wilful ty¬ 
rant, or a soft dunce, even at a cheap rate. 
If you want a cheap teachor, why not get a 
cheap one ? But who is cheap ? Mr. Cost-lit¬ 
tle Worthless, or Mr. Paid-well Earn-it-all? 
Examiner. 
Education. —We recommend the follow- 
lowing pithy remarks, taken from Black¬ 
woods Magazine , on tho subject of Educa- 
lion to the consideration of all concerned:— 
Everybody should have his head, heart and 
hand educated. By tho proper education 
of his heart, ho will be taught to hate what 
is evil, foolish and wrong. And by proper 
education of tho hand, ho will bo enabled 
to supply his wants, to add to his comfort, 
and to assist thoso around him. Tho high¬ 
est objects of a good education aro to rover- 
ence and obey God and to love and servo 
mankind. Everything that helps us in ob¬ 
taining thoso objects is of great value, every 
thing that hinders us, is comparatively 
worthless. When wisdom reigns in the 
head, and love in the heart, the man is evor 
ready to do good; order and peace reign 
ai’ound him, and sin and sorrow are almost 
unknown.” 
StUntifit. 
Worthy of Imitation.— Not long since 
we wore conversing with a prominent teach¬ 
er, and sought to detain him a little longer 
than his business soemod to warrant. “I 
can not stop now,” said ho, “ I must bo at 
my schoolroom.” “Are you always thus 
prompt ?” wo enquired. “ Yos,” said he, 
“and that is the best way I know of to 
teach my pupils to bo always in time. I 
have not been a moment behind tho time 
of commencing my school in two years, and 
during the six years I have been a teacher, 
I have never lost 15 minutes, all told, from 
my schoolroom by being late.” As ho loft 
us, wo thought we had discovered one rea¬ 
son, at loast, why our friend was a success¬ 
ful teacher. 
For the Rural New-Yorker. 
THE MOON AND THE WEATHER. 
Under tho above title, Dr. Gardner, in 
his lectures, scouts tho idea that tho moon 
can exert any influence over aqueous mete¬ 
ors. He begins by referring to somo of the 
notions of the ancients upon tho subject of 
lunar pi’ognostics. The first proposition 
adduced by him is this :—“ Jf the horns of 
the lunar crescent on the third day aftvr the 
new moon, are sharply and clearly defined, 
the weather may be expected to be fair du¬ 
ring the ensuing month.” 
This prognostic, whon candidly examined, 
means simply this,—that if tho moon is seen 
through our atmosphere, clearly and dis¬ 
tinctly, and for a fair portion of the third 
evening (or during the whole of the eve¬ 
ning.) tho weather will probably bo fair for 
somo time, which time will be likely to con¬ 
tinue during tho major part of tho month. 
Every one must admit, as does even Dr. 
Gardner, that this is a prognostic in tho na¬ 
ture of a test of tho relative humidity of tho 
atmosphere. This being admitted, tho only 
question is, how long will the clear, fair state 
of tho atmosphere continue ? Not long, 
with certainty, in our climate; but wo must 
consider that this prognostic was promul¬ 
gated in a country where tho atmosphere is 
much drier and less liable to sudden chan¬ 
ges, than’that of moist, weeping England, or 
evon our own country. This fact is lost 
sight of by the Doctor, and ho hastily con¬ 
cludes that tho Greek requires tho samo 
nutriment that tho Russian does. He loses 
sight too, for tho time, of tho fact that the 
moon, by her gravity, causos atmospheric 
tides,— that thoso tides aro disturbances 
of the atmosphere, that there is no Hygrom¬ 
eter which furnishes so delicate a test as 
does tho moonlight at her earliest phases, 
of tho state of tho higher atmosphere. 
Tho question, as stated by Arago, is un¬ 
fair ; tho prognostic is not hold out as a 
positive ono, but simply as affording an in¬ 
dication or rather a suggestion for our as¬ 
sistance. The Doctor shows very conclu¬ 
sively that ho is no believer in lunar influen¬ 
ces as operating on the weather. Wo have 
already advanced tho proposition that tho 
rays of tho moon produce a depression of 
the temperature of the atmosphere. Dr. 
Gardner furnishes us with the following re¬ 
sults eonfyiled from tho observations of M. 
Schiibler, mado in 1S30 by comparing and 
reducing observations mado at Augsburgh, 
Munich, and Stutgard, during a period of 
28 years, Thoso days aro put down as 
rainy in which a fall of rain or snow was re¬ 
corded in tho journals, provided it affected 
the rain guago to an extent exceeding tho 
six-hundredth part of an inch. 
Within 20 yoars tho number of wet days 
from the first quarter, full moon, and to tho 
last quarter, was 1606—that boing the pe¬ 
riod of tho greatest moonlight; from the 
last quarter to the first quartor, there woro 
only 1450 rainy days, leaving an excess of 
rainy days amounting to 15G occurring in 
tho period of greatest moonlight. From 
1809 to 1812, there woro in tho periods of 
the greatest amount of moonlight, 2G9 rainy 
days while in tho periods of tho loast 
moonlight for tho samo time, there wore but 
242, leaving an excess of rainy days on tho 
side of tho full moon, of 27 days. From 
1813 to 1816, there were in full moon 
(adopting tho term for brevity) 314 rainy 
days, whilo in now moon thoro were but 281 
rainy days, leaving an excess of 33 rainy 
days in favor of full moon. 
From 1817 to 182Q there wore in full 
moon, 335 rainy days, while in new moon 
there were but 280, leaving an excess 
of 55 in favor of full moon. From 1821 
to 1824, thoro woro in full moon 34G rainy 
days, while in now moon, there were but 
232—leaving an excess of 14 days in favor of 
full moon. From 1825 to 1828, there 
were in full moon 342 rainy days, while in 
new moon, there wore but 323— leaving an 
oxcess of 19 in favor of new moon, showing 
an excess in every period, of a num¬ 
ber of days in favor of tho period of 
greatost moonlight. When wo consider 
that the moon gives a considerable quan¬ 
tity of light during tho half month of 
least moonlight, we can easily see that there 
probably should be a greater number of 
storms ascribed to her influence on tho at¬ 
mospheric phenomena. In the poriod of 20 
years, there occurred, during 4 days selectod 
from the two days on and succeeding tho first 
quartor, second octant, full moon, and tho 
third octant, taking means of two days at 
each phaso, 470 rainy days, whilo during tho 
last quartor, 4th octant now moon, and 1st 
octant, (moans taken as before) thoro woro 
but 414 rainy days—leaving for thoso re¬ 
stricted periods an oxcess of 56 rainy days. 
A similar result follows from comparing 
the observations during 28 years in tho samo 
manner. Thoso results were overlooked by 
ScniiULEK in his calculations, but thoy are 
easily deducible from his tables Dr. Gard¬ 
ner has also overlooked thoso results. In 
calculations mado (from tho data to which 
we have referred) by Dr. Gardner, wo find 
that out of every 10,000 rainy days, for ev¬ 
ery 30G which fell on tho day of new moon, 
there would bo 337 on the day on which the 
moon fulls. 
Pilgrim, in 1788, found that there were 
29 days of rain on tho full moon, whore 
there were 26 on tho now moon, and 25 on 
tho quarters. Tho Doctor concludes that 
there is existing, “ somo permanent corres¬ 
pondence botween the prevalence of rain 
and the phases of tho moon,” and admits, 
“that rain falls moro frequently about foui- 
days before full moon, and less frequently 
about four or fivo days before new moon, 
than at other parts of tho month; seems to 
bo a conclusion attended, to say tho least, 
with somo degree of probability.” 
Wo have ondoavored to show in this arti¬ 
cle, that the results noticed above aro uni¬ 
form in their occurrence, and not having 
time to oxamino the subject further at 
present, will defer tho prosecution of these 
inquiries to a future day. 
C. H. Strowger. 
Webster, N. Y., 1853. 
Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
THE SENSE OF VISION. 
How beautiful and noblo in its structure 
j3 the human form, the dwelling-place of 
tho soul. Emanating from tho Divine hand ? 
it partakes of that perfection which charac¬ 
terizes all tho works of Deity. Tho various 
organs of which it is composed aro adapted 
with precision to each other, and to the 
numerous ofiicos they aro destined to per¬ 
form. 
Tho most interesting organs of tho human 
body aro thoso through whoso medium tho 
soul, forming in its own narrow precincts a 
world within, is introduced to, and permitted 
to communicate with, tho world without.— 
This association with oxtornal objects is 
necessary to tho full development of tho 
faculties it may possess. Tho mind, being 
thus brought in contact with tho -world 
without, is not thereby furnished with now 
powers, but thoso it already possesses aro 
developed and strengthened, which, if it 
were not thus, would remain in a dormant 
state, rendering tho possessor unconscious 
of their prosenco. 
The communication is effected thro’ the 
medium of the senses, and their physiology 
is highly interesting to every student of na¬ 
ture, since they essentially contribute to all 
our enjoyments. If there bo any ono organ 
by which, abovo others, tho mind holds an 
intimate intercourse with external objects, 
it is tho organ of vision, the most refined 
and admirablo of all our senses. In at¬ 
tempting to investigate the obscure func¬ 
tions of this organ in tho animal economy, 
wo find it fraught with the deepost interest. 
It is characterized by that grandeur of 
conception and perfection in structure 
which revoal its Divino master-workman. 
It shows tho perfect design of its Creator, 
in its skillful, accui-ate adaptation to all the 
physical laws of light, having all its parts 
finished with tho mathematical exactness 
which the design to bo produced requires. 
Although no human art could design or ex¬ 
ecute an instrument so perfect, yet this or¬ 
gan, better than any othor, admits of com¬ 
parison with thoso of man’s invention, for it 
most resembles machinery, and is called a 
refined optical instrument. It is composod 
of lenses, having different degreos of con- 
voxity and concavity, for tho purpose of 
correcting tho aboration of the rays of light, 
and causing them to bo brought to a focus. 
Thus, objects brought within the range of 
vision aro painted upon tho retina, com¬ 
posed of a transparent membrano, behind 
which is situated a dark substance called 
tho pigment, for tho purpose of absorbing 
all tho scattering rays of light. Tho eye 
has also, from its structure, the power of 
adaptation to different distances, and to the 
varying intensity of light. Being turned 
by its muscles in different directions, vision 
is thus rendered perfect. By its aid wo aro 
enablod, not only to have oxtondod com¬ 
mand over tho objocts surrounding us, to 
traverso and explore tho most distant re¬ 
gions of tho globe, but it introduces us also 
to tho knowledge of bodies composing the 
solar system, and tho countless host of stars 
scattered throughout tho firmament. It 
extends our idoas of creation, unfolds to tho 
mind all the grandeur and sublimity of the 
phenomena of nature, and furnishes themes 
to all for profound intellectual investigation. 
Rochester, Oct., 1853. II. J. S. 
Greater progress has been mado in the 
sciences within the few past conturios than 
throughout all the previous ages of tho 
world. Inductive philosophy is tho true 
cause of modern progression ; a careful 
study of tho phenomena of Nature and a 
deduction thorofrom of just conclusions. 
For Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
AN AUTUMN THOUGHT-IN SICKNESS. 
I put aside the curtain white, 
On my pillow falls the pleasant light, 
The day is fair but the air is keen, 
No flowers gladden the frosted green; 
For they perished when the wood-leaves' fell— 
Their dying breath scented hill and dell; 
The purling stream in its lonely flow, 
Seems sighing their dirge with its murmur low. 
And the door-yard flowers—their reign is o’er— 
The frost has torn them from window and door, 
They were sheltered well, but ceased at last 
Sweet thoughts within our room to cast. 
Yet—blessings on them 1—we have flowers, 
Though like caged birds they scarce seem ours ; 
Thev are far away from their sunny home, 
Yet for love and care they brightly bloom. 
I will not grieve for the faded flowers— 
When Spring returns with his joyous hours 
As brightly fragrant will they appear, 
As those that die with the dying year. 
And I will not grieve if I must go 
From this wintry world of pain and wo, 
A spring shall come to me and mine 
And we’ll bloom for aye in the world divine. 
Alabama, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1853. S. E. B. 
THE HAND THAT SAVES US. 
Two paintci’s were employed to fresco 
tho walls of a magnificant cathedral; both 
stood on a rudo scaffolding constructed for 
tho purpose, somo forty feet from tho floor. 
Ono of them was so intent upon his work, 
that ho became wholly absorbed, and in ad¬ 
miration stood off from tho picture, gazing 
at it with intense delight. Forgetting where 
he was, he moved back slowly, surveying 
critically tho work of his pencil, until he 
had neared the odgo of tho plank upon 
which ho stood. At this critical moment 
his companion turned suddenly, and, almost 
frozen with horror, beheld his imminent 
peril; anothor instant, and tho enthusiast 
would bo preciptated upon tho pavement 
beneath. If ho spoke to him, it was certain 
death ; if ho hold his peace, death was equal¬ 
ly sure. Suddenly ho regained his pres¬ 
ence ot mind, and soizino a wet brush, flung 
it against tho wall, spattoring tho boautiful 
picture with unsightly blotches of coloring. 
The painter flew forward, and turned upon 
his friend with fierce upbraidings ; but star¬ 
tled at his ghastly faco, ho listened to hia 
recital of danger, looked shuddering over tho 
dread space below, and with tears of grati¬ 
tude blessed tho hand that saved him. Just 
so, we sometimes get absorbed upon tho 
pictures of the world, and, in contemplating 
them, step backwards, unconscious of our 
peril, when tho Almighty, in mercy, dashes 
out the beautiful images, and draws us at 
tho time wo aro complaining of his dealing, 
into his outstretched arms of compassion 
and love. 
THE DEAD. 
How seldom do wo think of tho dead !— 
Although wo sit around tho samo hearth 
where thoy once sat, and read from the same 
volume they so loved to peruse, yet wo do 
not think of them. Oh, how’ tho heart 
throbs with wild and uncontrollablo emo¬ 
tion as wo stand beside tho dying friend we 
dearly love 1 We wildly strive, but all in 
vain, to prolong tho precious life f wo follow 
in tho deepest anguish down the dark flow¬ 
ing river, tho spirit of loved ones passes on¬ 
ward alone, and wo are left to linger on tho 
shore of time. Wo think, as wo behold tho 
inanimate form consigned to tho cold, damp 
grave, and hear tho damp earth rattle over 
it, that wo will novel’ forget tho life-scenes 
of the departed—that their memory will al¬ 
ways remain fresh in our hearts, and almost 
wonder that the busy multitude can movo 
so briskly around us. But tho sun shines 
brightly as ovor on tho now made grave.— 
Nature looks as gay and smiling, and tho 
birds sing as merrily as before. 
Again we mingle with the busy, jostling 
throng, weeks and months roil on—we 
visit tho grave less frequently, and gradu¬ 
ally cease to think of tho lost ones, save 
when somo voice or incident of bygone 
days recalls them to our memory. Tho 
foolings of bitter anguish and bereavement 
are soon worn off by tho accumulating 
cares and pleasures of life. Thus we, in 
turn, must ere long pass away and bo for¬ 
gotten. Such is human life. 
THE BETTER CHOICE. 
“ I envy no quality of the mind or intel¬ 
lect in others, bo it genius, power, wit or 
fancy ; but if I could choose what would be 
most delightful, and I believe, most useful 
to mo, I should prefer a firm religious be¬ 
lief to every other blessing, for it makes me 
a disciplo of goodness, creates new hopes 
whon all earthly hopes vanish, and throw’s 
over tho decay, the destruction of existence 
tho most gorgeous of all lights; awakens 
life oven in death ; and corruption and de¬ 
cay call up boauty and divinity; makes an 
instrument of fortune, and scales tho ladder 
of ascent to Paradise; and far above all 
combinations of earthly hordes, calls up 
tho most delightful visions of palms and 
amaranths, tho gardens of tho blest, the se¬ 
curity of ovorlasting joys whore tho sensu¬ 
alist and tho skeptic view only gloom, de¬ 
cay, annihilation and despair.”— Sir Hum¬ 
phrey Davy. 
Bible-reading as a school exercise is re¬ 
pudiated by tho State Superintendent un¬ 
less voluntary on tho part of tho pupil and 
his guardian. Roman Catholicism heads 
the opposition, and Atheism brings up the 
rear. Tho former complains of tho Godless 
tendencies of our common schools, and, at 
the same time, seoks to shut out of them 
the light of rovalation. Tho latter donios 
the existence of Deity, and of course scoffs 
at Ilis sacred word. 
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