fe;l iiyf 
Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
OUR GRAMMAR CLUB. 
rollers—a conjecture which at once solves the mys¬ 
tery that has greatly puzzled travelers in regard 
to the difficulty of transporting and handling such 
immense masses of rock, and enables us to under¬ 
stand why they were called “rolling stones” by 
Ezra. 
POOL OF HEZEKIAn. 
This pool is situated between Patriarch street 
and the Latin Patriarch’s residence, and though 
entirely surrounded with houses, as shown in the 
engraving, can at all times be seen by ascending 
to the top of the Coptic Convent, or any of the 
shops bordering upon it. Its average breadth is 
about one hundred and twenty-six feet, and its 
present length two hundred and fifty-two feet; but 
was formerly longer. Its depth below the average 
surface may be eight or ten feet, perhaps more; 
but it is considerably deeper at the southern than 
at the northern extremity. It derives its supply 
entirely from the Mamilla pool, and usually has 
from two to six feet of water; though it sometimes 
becomes entirely exhausted late in autumn. The 
water is drawn up to a considerable height at great 
expense of labor by two stout Fellahin, and sent 
across the street over a large stone arch to supply 
a bathing establishment—which being lower than 
the pool, might easily be supplied with a small 
leaden pipe acting as a syphon. But such a device 
as this, emanating from Christians, the Simon-pure 
Moslem spurns. 
It is usually found quite difficult to induce 
scholars to write “ compositions. ” This I have 
remedied during the last, and thus far the present 
winter, by organizing a “Club” described as fol¬ 
lows :—Last winter we occupied a short time each 
Friday P. M. as a “committee of the whole,” myself 
acting as Chairman, and one of the pupils as Sec¬ 
retary. One of our number was then chosen, 
viva voce, according to parliamentary rules, to 
address us upon any proper subject, for each morn¬ 
ing of the week. The election was made as formal 
and dignified as possible, so as to command respect 
and enlist support, and the result was astonishing. 
No attendant of the school wished to be excused, but 
instead, pupils hardly able to write, were anxious 
to perform the duties. The address had to be 
written and corrected by the teacher, and read each 
morning at commencing of exercises, and if teach¬ 
ers want their pupils on hand at “ tap of the drum,” 
let them awaken an interest of this kind. 
This winter we have organized a little differ¬ 
ently—forming, for the same object, what we have 
named “The Students’ Grammar Club.” The 
teacher acts as Chairman, and we have a Clerk who 
records the result of each election, &c. Great 
interest is felt, and improvement in spelling, writ¬ 
ing, reading, composing, &c., are the result, with 
something of a knowledge also of the manner of 
conducting public meetings properly. We recom¬ 
mend it for trial. W. II. Gardner. 
Sublette, Ill., 185S. 
Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
THE STUDY OF LATIN, AGAIN. 
Messrs. Editors :—In the Rural of the 15th 
inst., there is an article written by a correspondent 
signing himself “S., of Washington,” in which he 
expresses an unfavorable opinion of the study of 
the Latin language. He says, “ In comparison 
with the acquisition of any modern language, it is 
far inferior, both in its construction and adapta¬ 
bility to the intellect of our day, and its incom¬ 
pleteness and paucity of expression.” I do not 
write this because I wish to provoke a discussion, 
but because I do not like to hear the language of 
Virgil, Cicero and Sallust, characterized as use¬ 
less and unworthy of any attention. Let me ask 
“ S.” from what the English, French and Italian 
languages are partly derived? It is generally ad¬ 
mitted by men of education that a knowledge of the 
Latin language will render great assistance in the 
acquisition of many modern tongues, even the 
English. 
He says, “ its tendency—owing to its disgusting 
mythology, its low moral tone—is to demoralize the 
Christian to the inferior standard of the Pagan.”— 
“Its disgusting mythology,”—disgusting because 
men on account of their glorious achievements, 
were rewarded by being rendered immortal, and in 
some cases with places among the gods, according 
to Latin authors. Docs “ S.” take into considera¬ 
tion that our Savior had not been revealed to the 
ancient Latins ? They worshiped the “ DU Penates ” 
which had been worshiped by their ancestors, and 
which had been transmitted from father to son. 
They had no evidence of the falsity of their reli¬ 
gion, and on that account had no reason to doubt 
it. “ Low moral tone !” Ask any one versed in 
ancient or modern literature, if they can produce a 
more beautiful poem than “ Virgil's YEneid , ” de¬ 
scriptive of the capture of Troy, and the subsequent 
adventures of JEneas. His description of Tartarus 
is more than equal to Milton’s “ Hell!” As to ora¬ 
tory, the world has never listened to finer eloquence 
than that of Cicero. In the oration in which he 
thunders his contempt against Cataline, what 
more eloquent and convincing can be produced 
from the pages of ancient or modern literature ?— 
He says :—“ Its effect is to reduce the Christian to 
the Pagan !” If the scholar has not enough 
strength of moral character to discriminate between 
truth and error, when he enters upon classical 
studies, then he is entirely unfit for them, not they 
unfit for him! “ S.” recommends the French and 
Italian languages. These two nations have long 
been remarkable for their utter want of moral 
character, and yet he recommends their study. A 
person, in order to obtain a correct knowledge of 
the language he is studying, inust be conversant 
with the literature of the country, and as a conse¬ 
quence will become inculcated with some of the doc¬ 
trines which he reads. As a specimen of Italian liter¬ 
ature, read Guervazzis “ Beatrice Cenci.” It is one 
of the most disgusting works ever issued by arespec- 
table press. If he turns his attention to French Phi¬ 
losophy, he will no doubt read the works of V oltaire 
and Rosseau, and unless he takes good care he will 
become an advocate of their doctrines,—perhaps 
some of their Atheist doctrines. “ S. ” says truly 
that Latin is of no use to farmers, but this is no 
evidence that it is useless to the rest of the world. 
Batavia, N. Y., 1850. W. 
BOOKS AND THEIR INFLUENCE. 
How many homes are destitute and void of 
those treasures—homes, too, where are displayed 
all the little gewgaws and trinkets to attract the 
eye. Often have we entered the parlor of those in 
middling circumstances, where every stand, side- 
table, or shelf had upon it some weak-minded per¬ 
son’s taste displayed, but in the way of books, not 
one was to be seen. Parents, many of them hav¬ 
ing large families, are likewise bereft of these 
valuable companions, save, in many instances, the 
family Bible, and the torn and scribbled school¬ 
books of their children. Did they only know that 
by selecting a few or a well-chosen assortment of 
books, and from time to time making additions, a 
handsome library might be formed, which should 
be within the reach of all, and that many a wild, 
roving boy might be kept from the streets, and 
with the pernicious influences 
best soil for growing them, and price per tun?—II. J. 
W., Clarence, N. Y., 1858. 
We do not know any one now advertising Osier 
Cuttings for sale, but we presume plenty can be 
had. The Willow delights in a moist, mucky soil, 
but experience has proved that it cannot be grown 
successfully in stagnant water. It requires depth 
of soil, richness and moisture — a well-drained 
swamp, therefore, is just the thing, and even if 
overflowed in the winter and spring, and occa¬ 
sionally in summer during heavy storms, it maybe 
used advantageously. Heavy, retentive upland 
soils when deeply worked are suitable for the Wil¬ 
low. Some years ago we saw on the grounds of 
C. N. Bement, near Albany, a fine lot growing on 
soil that appeared dry enough for corn. The deep 
prairies of the West seem prepared by nature for 
the especial growth of the Willow. Some varie¬ 
ties will bear more water than others, as the Long¬ 
leaved triandrous Willow will flourish on a soil so 
soft that plowing is impracticable, and requiring 
no other care than keeping down the weeds, but 
on the same soil the Purple Willow would scarcely 
grow. 
The ground for the Willow should be well plow¬ 
ed and dragged, and, if the soil is not naturally 
rich, a good dressing of manure should be plowed 
under. There appears to be a good deal of differ¬ 
ence of opinion as to the distance at which to plant 
cuttings. Eighteen inches in the row, and the 
rows three feet apart, is recommended by some, 
while others prefer them three feet each way. The 
cutting should be from seven to twelve inches in 
length, according to the stiffness of the soil. If 
the soil is heavy, seven inches in length will be 
long enough. After planting, the ground must be 
kept cultivated, until the Willow gets such a start 
as to shade the ground, and prevent the growth of 
weeds. 
Willows may be cut as soon as the leaves fall 
in autumn, or any time during the winter. As 
soon as cut they should be bound up in small 
bundles, with the lower ends even, when they may 
be stood up on end, and allowed to remain until 
spring. As soon as the weather becomes warm in 
the spring, the bundles must be stood in water an 
inch or so, and allowed to remain in this position 
until the buds start, when they will peel easily. 
This will be the latter part of May or early in 
June, depending somewhat on the situation and 
season. Peeling has always been done by hand, 
and it is a slow operation, as an expert hand cannot 
peel one hundred pounds a day. A machine for 
peeling has been invented which is advertised to 
peel from one to two tuns a day. Two tuns per 
acre is considered a fair crop. After peeling they 
are thrown into water, then dried, so that they will 
not mildew, when they are tied in bundles, and are 
ready for market. 
The last time we inquired particularly about the 
price of Willows in the New York market, they 
were worth $100 per tun. A gentleman, who has 
grown a good many Willows, informed us that 
the cost of cutting and peeling a tun is about $30. 
from mingling 
which invariably must surround him. 
Books, to an inspiring mind, have a charm, a 
fascination that never tires; they take hold of 
thought and enchain you within their precincts, 
and by cultivating this taste it moulds and softens 
their very nature, as well as adding information at 
the same time. 
Strange as it may appear, we form an opinion 
at once of a family where we see no books around 
—it is to us like a garden where are no flowers—a 
space filled and choked up with weeds; therefore, 
we say to those who are lacking and deficient of 
these invaluable f rnaments, by all means and with¬ 
out delay make your selections, for home without 
them is beamless, a day without a sun.— N. Y. 
Mercury. 
A POPULAR ERROR. 
Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
WISDOM. 
Decreasing the Hours of Study. — The Teach¬ 
er’s Association of Middlesex county, Mass., have 
adopted resolutions expressing the opinion that 
children in the primary schools should not be con¬ 
fined in their seats more than three hours per day, 
and if the convenience of their parents requires 
that they should be under their teachers’ tuition a 
longer time each day, the additional hours should 
be devoted to exercises calculated to promote the 
moral, the social and physical welfare of the pupils. 
They also suggest that as pupils advance in years, 
it is proper to increase the hours of study. The 
only objection to this is, that children would not be 
kept at school sufficiently long to suit the con¬ 
venience of parents, but the difficulty can be obvi¬ 
ated by having some arrangements connected with 
the schools, whereby children can be kept under 
supervision, and at the same time obtain proper 
exercise. There can be no doubt that the seeds of 
disease are implanted in many constitutions by pre¬ 
mature and prolonged confinement in schools, and 
the action of the Middlesex Board is one which 
deserves consideration. 
Young Ruralist on the Potato Question. —Fa¬ 
ther has given me permission to write you a few 
lines, about planting potatoes in drills, with one 
eye in a piece, as recommended in one of the Rurals 
published last spring. He planted one bushel 
and three quarts of Whig Potatoes, (cut up 
one eye in a piece,) ten inches apart, in drills three 
and a half feet apart. The crop from this seed was 
thirty bushels of very large, smooth potatoes, 
nearly all of a size. 
Of the same kind of seed, in the same field, he 
planted in hills four feet apart, about two bushels 
and a half, cut once in two, and got about fifteen 
bushels of inferior potatoes.—E. D. V.,— Belle 
Valley, Minn., 1858. 
Boys —Form the habit while young of employ¬ 
ing all your time usefully. Never be unemploy¬ 
ed. The land is full of idlers striving to live 
without labor. It is not to be supposed that you 
are never to take recreation; this is useful—it is 
necessary; but if it come after hard study or pro¬ 
longed labor, it will probably be healthful and 
moderate. An honorable mind, in the desire of 
mere relaxation, will not go forth in forms of mis¬ 
chievous exertion. It is not to be supposed that a 
boy is to be a man, much less an old man; but, in 
the midst of his mirth and hilarity, he may be 
innocent and amiable. 
POOL OF HEZEKIAH. 
by great numbers of rude natural pillars. Numer¬ 
ous crosses on the wall indicated that though un¬ 
known to Christendom of the present day, the 
devout Pilgrim or Crusader had been there. The 
extra-cyclopean stones in the south-east aud south¬ 
west corners of the Temple wall were doubtless 
taken from this quarry, and carried to their pre¬ 
sent position, down the gently inclined plane on 
Immediately adjacent, on the north, was unques¬ 
tionably situated the “Armory of Solomon,” or 
“ the house of the Forest of Lebanon,” aud just in 
the rear, in the direction of the Tower of Ilippicus, 
was the “ house of the High Priest.” This spot 
ivas subsequently occupied by the Crusaders, who, 
if we may form a judgment from present indica¬ 
tions, crowned it with a magnificent church, in one 
A Gem of Wisdom. —Few things are impractica¬ 
ble in themselves, and it is for want of application 
rather than means that men fail of success. 
Reason and Revelation.— He that takes away 
reason to make way for revelation, puts out the 
light of both, and is as if he would persuade a man 
to put out his eyes the better to receive the i emote 
light of an invisible star by telescope.— Loclce. 
Wholesome sentiment is rain, which makes the 
fields of daily life fresh and odorous. 
