ilrntramilsE 
■NhSsSHI 
MOORE’S RURAL Ji'EW-YORKERs AN At 
Par Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
For Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
TO MARY 
THOUGHTS ON MENTAL CULTURE. 
Thy dwelling is lonely, 
For two bright buds only 
There grew side by side ; 
And the Death Angel kissed them, 
With cold lips he press’d them, 
And fading they died. 
In thy heart now is sadness, 
Yet let there be gladness, 
And joy, too ; for know 
That in gardens bright ever, 
By life’s flowing river, 
Thy blighted buds grow. 
Nunda ; N. Y., June, 1855. 
The idea prevalent to a great extent among 
youDg and old that a little knowledge of the 
primary branches is all that common persons 
require, to go through life, as it is termed, is 
not only an egregious error, but one having 
a tendency to prevent intellectual exertion.—• 
Instead of disciplining the young mind for ac¬ 
tion ; instead of giving it wings to soar on¬ 
ward into the yet unexplored realms of science, 
they fain would cripple its innate powers, and 
bind every energy to the acquisition of means 
which shall be conducive to the gratification 
of the grosser feelings of the human soul.— 
The love of personal display, of those fan¬ 
tastic trappings which are used to decorate 
the human form, and the mighty influence ex¬ 
erted by riches, have conspired to draw from 
mental discipline that energy and attention 
which are justly her due. 
Not that a love of the beautiful in dress or 
equipage is reprehensible, for this love is a 
primary element of the soul, as also is the de¬ 
sire for gain, and the love of honor ; but these 
instead of being the sole end and aim of exis¬ 
tence, the one idea to call forth every thought 
and endeavor into its service, should constitute 
the means for the attainment of something 
higher, the stepping-stones to the discipline, 
refinement, and elevation of the mind ; with 
multitudes they seem to be the principal ob¬ 
jects of pursuit, as though man's existence 
was ephemeral, and the future offered no in¬ 
ducements for improvement, none for the en¬ 
largement of the mental capacity. “Is it neces¬ 
sary that my child should study this, or that, 
in order to become capable of doing business, 
to be honorable, or to maintain a respectable 
position in society?” “ Cannot this be dis¬ 
pensed with, or that be omitted in his educa¬ 
tion, and he still appear as well, be as much 
respected, and be as well qualified to grasp 
the “ almighty dollars ?” 
The question seems to be, how little is ne¬ 
cessary, not how much will his capacity ena¬ 
ble him to learn; how much will his 
highest good require, or how much is he ca¬ 
pable of using for the elevation of himself and 
of his race. Why thus chill the young mind 
in its first efforts to grasp the precious gems 
of science which float within its reach, by 
such expressions of doubt, in regard to the 
propriety and expediency of learning so much, 
of improving those God-like powers whose 
development is the primary object of life.— 
Why rudely snap the tendrils of the young 
mind, as they are putting forth to grasp im¬ 
mortal truth! Why not the rather cheer 
OMNIPRESENCE OE THE DEITY, 
In early life we were taught or at least im¬ 
bibed the idea and adopted it as our belief, 
that God, though omnipresent, is after all a 
local beiDg; and that a place which the im¬ 
agination beautified with more than eastern 
splendor far beyond the clouds and beyond 
the sky, was blessed with his immediate pres¬ 
ence. It was exceedingly difficult if not im¬ 
possible for us to conceive of a BeiDg, who 
was round about us by night and day, and 
yet whose voice was never heard. Hence, 
doubtless, arose the habit which we acquired 
of giving heaven a locality, and God a royal 
throne and in his hand a universal sceptre, 
swayed with the purest justice. 
As years multiplied upon us, and we had 
learned by sweet experience, what it was to 
pass from “ death unto life”—this early child- 
belief clung to us, and findiag a lodgement in 
the heart, influenced us more or less in many 
thoughts and actions. The child, in the sim¬ 
plicity of his heart, will tell you that God is 
“ up in the sky,” and with the stars for win¬ 
dows, looks down upon us ; and the grown up 
man, even while in accordance with his rea¬ 
son and judgment, finds it difficult to believe 
that God is as essentially present with his 
saints on earth as with those in heaven. 
As Christians, we must realize more fully 
the depth of meaning in the truth that God is 
everywhere ; that there is no sp ot in all the 
wide universe so secret but what that All-see¬ 
ing eye can penetrate it; that our very hearts 
are laid wide open to the scrutinizing gaze of 
Him “ with whom we have to do,” and that 
our very thoughts are known to Him long be¬ 
fore they are tableted upon our own memory 
—all this must come home to our hearts with 
more than ordinary power, or we may stum¬ 
ble in our narrow pathway and fail of the 
our life business to 
gua & Niagara Falls — the latter being the 
New York & Erie gauge. The rails of two 
of the roads are so laid that one of each track 
forms the third, and this saves the necessity of 
multiplying rails. The lower floor is the pas¬ 
sage way for pedestrians and carriages. 
Neither the cost of the bridge nor the mag¬ 
nitude of the undertaking is a matter of surprise 
or wonder. There are very many mechanical 
structures, even in this country, already com¬ 
pleted, which cost immensely more money; 
and the tubular bridge at Montreal, now in 
process of erection, will exceed it in this re¬ 
spect more than twenty times told : but it is 
the boldness and the originality of the adven¬ 
ture, and its complete success, in the face not 
only of natural obstacles, but also of the dis¬ 
couraging prophesies of the most celebrated 
scientific men, which render it remarkable. 
The distinguished English engineer, Ste¬ 
phenson, pronounced adversely to its security, 
and the publie generally regarded it at tbe 
I best a very doubtful experiment. But that 
; experiment has proved eminently successful, 
■ and thousands of passengers, and immense 
! quantities of freight, pass over it daily, and in 
security. As we gaze upon the structure, or 
the accurate representation above given, the 
exclamation of Daniel Webster in one of his 
celebrated speeches, (only putting the bridge 
in tbe place of Massachusetts,) springs to our 
j lip3 — “The Suspension Bridge — there she 
stands!” 
1’he accompanviug admirable representa- frailness. E\crything in nature, which sur- 
tion of the Niagara Suspension Bridge, is the rounds it, is in such majestic proportion, that 
only true one which has yet been published, the bridge itself seems a mere network of 
There have been a large number of fancy threads and lines, buoyed up by its own in¬ 
sketches of the structure and its concomitants herent lightness, and the elasticity of the sur- 
circulated abroad, most of them bringing the rounding air. And yet, when we descend to 
falls into full view, and many locating them a mathematical calculation of its size and 
in close proximity ; whereas they are in fact materials, its strength and capacities, quite 
two miles above, and entirely hidden from every another idea takes possession of the mind, and 
true picture can be we merge its grace and beauty into its utility. 
point of view w-here a 
taken. The above was engraved by Leadlf.y, 
Miller & Mix, from a Daguerreotype by 
Aldridge ; all of whom are residents of this 
city. The point of view is on the American, 
or right bank of the river, looking down the 
stream. Under the bank above the bridge, 
may be seen the little steamer, “ Maid of the 
Mist,” which plies between that place and the 
Falls; while further down the stream, and 
close beside the grand structure, may be seen 
the building which contains the wheels of a 
hydraulic power used in driving a mill. This 
mill is built of stone, and situated upon the 
upper bank, to which an immense and extend¬ 
ed line of shafts is led up the precipitous ac¬ 
clivity from the water-works below. 
Far above the water, stretching over the 
fearful chasm, and apparently suspended by 
gossamer threads whose graceful curves de¬ 
scribe lines of true sublimity as well as beauty, 
appears the last great triumph of human 
erenius and engineering skill. The distant ob- 
very object which it is 
secure. 
We shall be far less liable to fall into temp¬ 
tation, less liable to do “ the things we ought 
not to do, and leave undone the things we 
ought to do,” and wickedness will appear the 
more wicked in us, if we feel that God is 
standing by our side, and in quiet whispers of 
the conscience reproves us for our sin, and 
threatens in case we repent not, to banish us 
from his presence forever. 
The Psalmist had a vivid conception „ of 
Jehovah’s omnipresence, when he exclaimed, 
“ whither shall I go from thy spirit, or whith¬ 
er shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend 
up into heaven, Thou art there ; if I make my 
bed in hell, behold! Thou art there. If I 
take the wings of the morning and dwell in 
the utmost parts of the sea, even there shall 
Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall 
hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall 
even the night shall be light abou t 
Reports are also expected from several oth¬ 
er individuals, and mauv educational topics of 
general interest will come up for discussion. 
Further particulars will appear in the July 
No. of Teacher. 
Bv order of the Executive Committee. 
John H. Fanning, 
Cor. Sec. of State Association. 
New York, June 6th, 1855. 
tated for him in the object of his creation.— , 
This is no fancy sketch. It is sober reality. 
And is it not desirable ? Should it not en¬ 
list your warmest sympathy, your most earnest 
endeavor? Remember that your childreu , 
must figure in these future scenes, and will 
you bless, not only them, but through their 
influence, those which shall arise in the long 
line of coming ages; by your exertious in their 
behalf: or will you suffer them to be clogs ot 
leadeu weight, fastened to the chariot wheels 
of human progression ? The issue is with 
you. Your duty to yourself, your children, 
your country, and to your God, requires at 
your hands a faithful disharge of its obliga- 
I tions in this direction. *’• w. 
North Chili, 1855. 
Far Moore's Rural Nevr-York3r. 
MISCELLANEOUS ENIGMA. 
I am composed of 50 letters. 
My 45, 15, 86, S, 46, 37, 50, 6 is a kind of 
serpent. 
My 5, 23, 33, 15, 46 is a village in Africa. 
My 46, 3, 43, 25, 34, 48, 10, 23 is an aromatic 
plant. 
My 9, 31, 17, 7, 25, 46 is a fragrant plant. 
My 4, 47, 32, 16 is a Turkish Judge. 
My 13, 3, 34, 6, 31, 10, 28 is a kind of cloth. 
My 12, 38, 26, 49, 33, 23, 14 is a kind of cherry. 
My 1, 20, 10 is a Turkish commander. 
My 2, 47, 43, 25, 46, 18, 13 is a kind of spear. 
My 11, 15, 21 is a domestic animal. 
My 46, 8, 4, 14, 1 2, 23 is a Roman officer. 
My 24, 46, 31, 43, 49 is a pupil. 
My 32, 12, 20, 44 is the chief magistrate of 
Venice. 
My 40, 3, 4, 26, 39 is a vessel of state. 
My 35, 30, 47 , 20, 12, 19 is a serpent. 
My 22, 12, 4, 6 is a kind of Rhenish wine. 
My 41, 42, 29, 48, 46, 31 is an instrument of 
music. 
My whole was a curiosity seen at the New 
York Crystal Palace. -t. g. c. 
Genoa, N. Y., 1S55. 
gff ’ Answer next week. 
PRUSSIA GOING BACKWARDS, 
cover me, 
me, yea! the darkness hideth not from Thee, 
but the night shineth as the day.” While 
God is everywhere present, He is more espe¬ 
cially present with those who know and do 
his will. Without this presence the Christian 
could no more live, than a tree without the 
genial warmth of the summer sun. “ Thy 
presence,” says the Psalmist, “ is life,” and he 
prays most fervently that God will not cast 
him away from his presence. It is the pres¬ 
ence of his Heavenly Father that cheers and 
The science of teaching which has heretofore 
occupied six hours each week, is to be re¬ 
stricted to two hours, and the course of study 
is to embrace only the things to be taught in 
the primary schools. The time thus saved is 
to be devoted to the catechism. The reason 
for all this is that the teachers have indulged 
in too much freedom of opinion, and it is 
charged that the schoolmasters were at the 
bottom of those revolutionary movements 
which for the last few years have given the 
government so much trouble. 
The teachers hereforth are to learn only 
what they are exacted to teach, and it is 
rightly enough judged tl at this will kill the 
spirit'of learning and free inquiry amongst 
them. Without general scholarship the 
teacher will become the fit tool of despotism. 
Thus, after all, Prussia has capped the cli¬ 
max of that praise which all Christendom has 
bestowed so freely upon her public schools 
and her teachers. Its co-existence with des¬ 
potism has long been an objection, iu tbe 
American mind at least, to her system of ed¬ 
ucation. This effort of despotism to crush it 
has wiped off only the dark spot on it. ljearn- 
ing aid liberty are once more shown to be 
inseparable, and the schoolmaster has been 
MEETING 0E THE STATE TEACHERS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The undersigned is enabled, at this time, to 
make a partial announcement of the Address¬ 
es and Reports expected at the approaching 
Annual Meeting of the Teachers’ Association 
of the State of New York, which is to be 
held at Utica, on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of 
August next: 
1. Opening address, by the President, R. 
D. Jones, Esq., of Rochester, Wednesday, Au¬ 
gust 1st. 
2. Address, by M. B. Anderson, D. lb, 
President of the University ot Rochester.— 
Subject: “ Common Schools, and their Rela¬ 
tions to the Higher Seminaries of Learning.” 
3. Address, by J. lb Philbrick, Esq., Su¬ 
perintendent of Public Instruction ot Con¬ 
necticut. 
4. Rev. Theodore S. Cuyler, of New \ oi k, 
will address the Association on the eveuing 
of the third day. The subject will be hereaf¬ 
ter announced. 
5. Prof. Charles Davies, of Fishkill, will 
read a paper on “ Standards, Unities, Meas¬ 
ures, and Methods of Comparing Quantities 
A pleasant, good-natured boy, one who is 
uniformly seen with a smile upon his face and 
the light of a cheerful spirit in his eye, draws 
to him the hearts of all ; while one of oppo¬ 
site traits of character is invariably detested. 
iDg sands of At’ric’s coast. Let the conscious¬ 
ness of God’s continued presence go with us 
from day to day, rest upon us iu our daily 
round of labor, and we cannot fail to “ be 
dilligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving 
the Lord.” a- a. e. 
Rochester, June 1855. 
Answer to Arithmetical Notation in No. 2S5: 
1.000000001 
90.090 
0.0045 
100,000.00001 
A man must master his learning, and not be 
mastered by it. The learning of Mather fas¬ 
tened upon his mind like the withering ami 
strangling ivy; that of Southey is sustained 
by him as graceful as the tendrils ot a vine,! 
and adorns him with fruit as with clusters ot | 
grapes.— Goethe. 
100091.094510001 
One hundred and ninety one thousand and 
ninety-four million five hundred and ten 
thousand and one thousand millionths. 
Answer to Geographical Enigma in No. 285: 
Smith's Illustrated Astronomy. 
We may live by forms, but there is no dy 
ing by forms. 
Faith has a quiet breast. 
