MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
v i ♦ Y remark first, that I do not consider it advisable 
©mamnai. for very young writers to be encouraged, much 
less required, to undertake the preparation of 
r „ r .. , „ . „ „ , , set articles. If it sometimes happens to the 
[Written for Moores Rural New-Yorker* j 1 1 
A WORD ON COMPOSITION practised writer that, after having determined 
__' to prepare a paper on a certain subject for 
The little girl, who, on being asked by her which he thinks he has plenty of materials at 
teacher at school, whether her exercise in com- command, he finds, on taking an inventory of 
position was ready, answered hopefully that she his stock in trade, that it falls quite short of 
“ had got her subject composed,” unconscious- what he flattered himself he possessed, how 
ly indicated one of the many perplexities that much more frequently must this be theexpcri- 
enter into the general experience of beginners cnee of the beginner? lie sits down to his 
in authorship. The wide range of themes task with one or two good, common-sense, per- 
open to the choice of the young writer, to the haps original and brilliant ideas.’ They fill his 
discussion of no one of which he feels that he mind; and he, complacently imagining that 
can bring any peculiar fitness or adequate what seems so grand and expansive in his brain 
preparation, is the cause that so frequently his must make a magnificent appearance in manu- 
instructor or friends are applied to in hope script, proceeds with the directness characteris- 
[Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker.] 
A WORD ON COMPOSITION. 
their clearer perception of his aptitudes may 
enable them to select from the embarassing va¬ 
tic of inexperience, to commit them to writing, 
and is mortified to see, after all, how little space 
riely, a subject on which he can dilate with they occupy. ITe was conscious of having 
some degree of success. “ What shall I write said the very best things he was able on this 
about?” “Do give me a subject for coinposi- particular theme; but, measured by words and 
tion!” are repeated till the person solicited, lines, it looks too insignificant to offer; besides, 
wearied by such importunity, suggests a topic Do remembers to have heard the teacher re- 
eitber at random or something in his opinion prove John or Thomas for the brevity of his 
suited to the ability of the applicant; which, last production; so, throwing aside as worth- 
ten to one, is promptly rejected on the plea that l ess what, only a brief half hour before, pos¬ 
it is too hackneyed, or that he knows noth- sessed such consequence in his sight, he betakes 
ing to say on it, and the demand renewed with himself to a tiresome relation of his last Sat- 
increased vigor. Whatever proposals are U1 ’day afternoon rambles, signs, folds, and duly 
drawn forth by these continued clamors, are delivers it. In this way, girls fall into a habit 
likely to share the fate of their predecessor, 
and the unhappy, despairing, self pitying vie- 
of sentimentalizing in faint, delicate, scarcely- 
legible characters, while boys go hunting and 
HIRAM POWERS THE SCULPTOR. 
Tnrc above remarkable portrait of a remark- maker’s establishment offered him a situation, 
tim of what in his dark hour he fancies a tyr- fishing tediously on foolscap. able nnin > is presented to our readers with a Here he remained for some time, acting as a 
aunical demand, is at last left to his own re- What I would propose then, especially for j 11 ^ feeling of national pride. Hiram Powers collector of debts, and, at a later period, en- 
sources, and to acton the conclusion, which lie the unskilled, and for, at least, occasional trial onc kbe Inos ^ distinguised of our many gaged in the mechanical part of the business, 
has never reasoned himself into, and does not by those who have acquired some facility in c o UD trymen, who, within a few years, have vin- It was not altogether disagreeable. The pro- 
knowingly accept, that no one, however good writing, is the substitution of detached thoughts ^' cate( I America from the sneers and snobbish- cesses of manufacture were pleasing to his in- 
his intention, can help him so well as himself. in place of the commonly distasteful, ill-sus- n0;, ‘ s tbe ob * world. The question, Who genuity: the symmetry of machinery, the nice 
The requirement on the part of the teacher tained, exhausting effort at continuous com- ie,lc * s an American book? has been answered adjustment of wheels and pinions, and the 
that each pupil of sufficient age and attain- position. Better compress your thought into b ' V so man y Europeans who are as familiar regular measure of time, had their influence in 
ments shall prepare at stated intervals a iitera- one line, if possible, and make that worth read- 0,11 au ^hors as their own, that the subject forming that rhythm of life so essential to the 
ry exercise, to be submitted to him for criti- ing (no danger of its being too rich—indiges- mx< E no further vindication. But in the fine true artist. But he could not be content as an 
cism, constitutes one of the greatest drawbacks tible—the intellectual stomach of the age is artsi! ^ eucr Americans have heretofore been artizau; he aspired to something higher.— 
to the pleasure of attending school; indeed, a pretty strong, and able to bear almost any- com P e titors. ihe field of painting and sculp- About this time he became acquainted with a 
good share of the unpleasant occurrences be- thing, provided there be good sense at the bot- ^ ure bas rema ' ne( l mostly in the undisputed Prussian, who was engaged on a bust of Gen. 
tween teachers and taught, arises out of this tom of it,) than dissipate it through a hundred, occu P a t*°n o( the old world; and the assertion Jackson. This acquaintance was the occasion 
very regulation. In vain you reason with the compelling your readers to seek through “ two bas _ beon confidently made, that Republican- of giving the first marked development to the 
scholar that it is not for your benefit you wish bushels of chaff” your “one grain of wheat.” ' bin * s blta ' to a cultivation of the fine arts.— future artist. Powers sought and obtained 
him to write; that the profit will be'all his This plan could scarcely fail to draw from the this declaration has proved to be as unfounded some instruction in modeling, and soon pro¬ 
own; he knew that well enough before; but if young writer the cleverest ideas in his posses- as tbe f° rmcr concerning authorship, and duced plaster busts of much merit. One of 
he attempt to reduce his feelings to words, he sion, and, if properly managed and persevered Americans now stand forth as successful rivals these possessed more than ordinary excellence, 
as the former concerning authorship, and 
Americans now stand forth as successful rivals 
will perhaps tell you that since he is willing to in, do much toward correcting a tendency to °* wor ^ bl evcr Y °f art. 
duced plaster busts of much merit. One of 
these possessed more than ordinary excellence, 
and has been regarded by himseif as possess- 
forego the advantage of this practice, rather the dull, spiritless level of stereotyped not hing- Powers, the American sculptor, was born ing a likeness and finish which will compare 
than endure its attendant agonies, it looks to ness, from which, when one has established a a t Woodstock, Vt., July 29, 1805, and is now favorably with his best productions, 
him somewhat unkind in you to be so strenuous footing there, it is more difficult to rouse him > n RE fiftieth year. He was the youngest of a He subsequently connected himself with the 
aboui it. In very many instances, he feels real- than to tame the wildness of the most extrava- family of nine ebi| ( drey, and received his eduea- Western Museum at Cincinnati, where he re" 
ly injured by the enforcement of such a rule; gant. A proper idea of the right of quality tion at a district school in his native town.— rnaiued seven years, superintending the artistic 
and I have known cases where, after a brief to take precedence of quantity, is thus pre- His father being a farmer in humble eireum- department From thence he went to Wash- 
trial, with the most unflattering results, the sented to the learner’s mind, and he is easily stances, and finding it difficult to rear his fami- ington, where he was employed some time tak- 
teacher thought advisable to abandon it. 1 led to recognize the greater merit of writing a ly in such a locality, removed to Ohio, where ing busts of distinguished men at the capital 
cannot, therefore, be extravagant in saying little well, than muck indifferently. Being ac- he soon after died. Young Powers, being and finally sailed for Europe, and landed at 
that no school duty is performed more reluc- customed too, to feel that only his best is de- thus thrown upon, his own resources, set out Florence in 1837, ever since which time he has 
tantly on the part of the scholar, or to the less manded of him, ambition to sustain himself— for Cincinnati, feeling that the character of remained abroad. He has cone on from tri- 
satisfaction of the teacher, than the one of to make each succeeding effort equal or sur- his future life depended upon his own efforts, umph to triumph, turning out from his studio 
which I am speaking. Reluctantly, I say, but pass what went before, will lead him to dwell Ignorant of the world, unacquainted with him- some of the most transcendent specimens of the 
not because the former has no ambition to im- much on elevated themes in seeking where- self and poor in friends, he reached the city, plastic art known in modern times. Anion<>■ 
prove in the art of expression on paper, far with to satisfy the expectation he has raised, where he found employment in a reading-room them may be reckoned ihe statue of Eve the 
from it; the frequent and earnest exclamations The disposition of the inexperienced writer to connected with one of the hotels. His stay Greek Slave, the Fisher Boy, and the bust of 
of “ How I do wish I could write a good com- look beyond himself for something wherefrom here was not long. He became a clerk in a Proserpine. One of the most attractive fea- 
position!” are sufficient proof that indifference he can derive support, many times leads him produce store, from which situation he was cast tures of the Crystal Palace in New York has 
is not the hindrance, and that the ungracious to attach undue importance to certain studies, out by the failure of the principal. A clock- been the group of statuary by Hiram Powers 
manner in which pupils so often acquit them- valuable indeed, but in his imagination caleu- 
selves of this task, as if they believed they lated to supply every requisite to success in the 
were conferring quite an obligation on their art of composition. Thus, scholars often be- 
teacher, and he ought to feel grateful to them take themselves to the study of Rhetoric and 
for it, is only a trick they play in endeavoring those so-called Aids to Composition, persuad- 
to console and excuse themselves for the pover- ing themselves that they shall therein find a 
ty of their performance. The great difficulty highway to excellence in literary creation,— 
seems to be, not so much destitution of ideas, shall, by familiarizing themselves with the rules 
as inability to set them in proper order—not so and forms prescribed by Blair, Parker, &c., 
much a lack of something to say, as a feeling be transformed from dull to brilliant writers- 
of awkwardness and clumsiness in attempting But it is beyond the power of instruction to 
to say it—not so much a want of willingness supply the place of practice, and the literary 
BUFFALO HUNTING. 
MASON AND DIXON’S LINE. 
,udy of Rhetoric and ^ member of Governor Stephens northern “Wiiat is meant by Mason and Dixon’s 
Composition persuad- Tv ,? Xp party ’ writ T ^ lh , 0 h( ‘ a< ! liue? ” aske<1 a bright, blue-eyed girl of twelve 
’. , . of Yellow Stone river, says ot the “sightsand years ot age, when sitting at her father’s table, 
i shall therein find a incidents” thus far: a few days ago. The answer was, “It is a 
i literary creationOn Sunday, alter a march of some ten miles, phrase usually employed to describe the boun- 
mselves with the rules the buffaloes were reached. They were before dary between the free and slave States.” “But 
Blair Parker &c. il !’^ ?V eacb S T tbe train. Eor miles why do they describe it in that way?” was her 
l to brilliant writers' w^cstSd^ l^sonm^'hhV^’five'll Tlie “ r may be worth giving to 
0 'Ncic e&umated i>y some as &s live liu.ii- some of our readers. “ In the seventeenth 
*er of instruction to died thousand—two hundred thousand is con- century, James 11, of England, then the Duke 
tice, and the literary ridered a very low estimate. Drawing up our ot York, gave certain lands to Lord Baltimore 
to do what is required, as not knowing how to aspirant must rise from his table many times in ,ra > lls at our mmsd halt at noon, a large herd and to William Penn, and a difficulty soou 
- 1 - -- 1 -_•-- -- 1 -- -1 were about half a mile ahead. sprang up as t0 the proper owner of these 
go to work to effect it. For, converse with a disappointment and disgust, before he succeeds 
7 :: . "T‘.“ .— , c s The hunters, six ill number, were itnmedi- lands on the Delaware Again and amiin wns 
youth ot twelve or fifteen years on any topic in in weaving his cherished thoughts into an easy, ately despatched, well mounted on spare horses the affair carried into th/cuurts tiff in the 
which he feels interested, and which has occu- graceful production. And, aside from the reserved for that special purpose, and the whole year 1760, when George the Ill came to the 
pied his thoughts somewhat, and, though he will danger that a too close attention to models in- train 1)a< J an opportunity to witness a buffalo crown, the Lord Chancellor of England made 
not deliver you a fine impromptu essay on it, duce a forced, cramped style of writing, and dashed in among the herd, a decision; but new difficulties sprang up in 
he may surprise you by saying several excel- , .Hi, lately crush out what natural talent for Spiting thLLwlesLrthe'herd.suM rnfSy 
lent things; ask him to write an article on that this art the student may possess, it is essential despatched them. In less than an hour the who hat/jusi returned from thfcw of (Rmd 
same theme—immediately he sits down to that he be warned against expecting to find in wagons were sent but a short distance from the Hope, .where they had been to observe the 
comply with your request, a sudden dumbness formulas anything more than the skeleton of route to receive the choicest pieces of the buf- transit of Venus. They succeeded in estab- 
seizes him, and he finally presents you a page authorship—be early taught that the soul of j lishing the line between Delaware and Mary- 
or two of weak, common-place, rambling re- it must reside in his own brain or nowhere, and w€r e kept some dTsLmfaheadto keep oil Urn In^Dkon’s iZ ’’ ^atckman^lt /rf ^ 
flections, such as it is an affliction to the teach- that from this source his pen must be fed or buffaloes—it was the only way the safe passage ‘ ' aitunun y jtejtccior. 
er to read, unrelieved by a single one of those remain forever dry. So, too, it will be useless of the train could be ensured through the sea *- 
fine things he so lately communicated to you for him to consult long columns of themes in bc T T e P ack rnuk!S and spare animals Jullibn’s Start in the World. —Jullienwas 
by word of mouth. search of one for which he mav fanev for the Allowing on in the train, too numerous to be recognized neither as conductor, composer, or 
\ , , „ , ... fceaicl1101 on ® r<3r T ,. ™ y y tDe se p am t e |y fed, were hard to control, and de- artist The only position he held was that of 
1 do not need to be told how much easier is moment he detects in himself a special fitness spite every precaution and care, one horse and leader of a cotillon band which furnished 
the critical, the fault-finding, than the remedial or inclination; he has only to look within, ob- lour mules were lost, they getting mingled with daucing music for balls and private parties, at 
—how much more difficult the work of con- serve what thoughts are uppermost there, and a b “ r . ( ^ Doffuloes. Every effort was made to so much a night. His first pecuniary success 
struction than that of destruction—nor how far if he fail to discourse satisfactorily on a subject rtckl ' m tb( '' a Rours spent, in thei! attempted arose from his wife, who made up and sold 
short of the expectations of its originator the to which his mind reverts habitually, and of its iecovxr ^‘ 1C e JI " a ’' en lie ^ UsC et,B * exi) uisite bouquets in a little by-street in 
. , i ^ w i • . *iii vii. r -♦ » —■ «- London, where they lived. These bouquets 
most promising system proves when reduced to own choice, he will be still less fortunate in his How T0 D0 (i 00D ._ fIe w h 0 waits to do a soon become the rage, and the narrow street 
practice; but, because there is evidently some- treatment of one selected with no such refer- great deal of good at once, will rarely do any- daily blocked up by the carriages of the 
a uociHKJii; imi new uimcuiues sprang up in 
drawing the boundary lines. The commission¬ 
ers finally employed Messrs. Mason and Dixon, 
who hud just returned from the Cape of Good 
Hope, .where they had been to observe Ihe 
transit of Venus. They succeeded in estab¬ 
lishing the line between Delaware and Mury- 
Jullien’s Start in the World.—J ullien was 
practice; but* because there is evidently some- 
pairing. 
[Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker.] 
THE MOONLIGHT BURIAL, 
’Tis a sweet summer’s eve I O’er all the West 
A parting sunset sheds its amber glow— 
While in its softened light the landscape sleeps, 
Hushed to a Sabbath stillness and repose, 
llut in this hour of (juiet loveliness, 
Hrief and unlocked for tidings greet (he earl 
The words speed on, with quick electric thrill, 
I* rom friend to friend—and many a loving heart 
With sudden grief is burdened 1 
One, whose name 
Is lingering sadly now on many a lip, 
Hath passed from the companionship of earth, 
And gone to dwell with angels 1 
Months have rolled 
Since Ci.aiia stood among us—weary months, 
Of wasting, slow decline. Now her pale clay 
A.sketh a place beside its kindred dust, 
Till the glad morn sliull come 1 
That fostering care 
Which led those orphan feet so tenderly, 
Along lile s early p»alh, she needs no*ruore! 
Love s work is done, and lo, the Yecompense T 
Their hands have rendered back a polished gem 
Meet for the Saviour’s crown 1 
We may not look 
On the dear shrouded sleeper at our side, 
Or mark the death-change on the marble cheek, 
^ et mem ry well recalls each lineament 
Of the sweet face beneath yon coffin lid I 
The dark, sad, dreaming eyes earnest with thought, 
Bend their mild gaze upon us, as of yore. 
The raven hair is smoothly folded back 
From that expansive brow serene and pure, 
W bile an encircling sphere of innocence 
And guileless truth surroundeth with aspell, 
Till our own wayward soul seems hushed us in 
The presence of “an angel unawares.” 
How oft, in bygone hours, we fain had sat 
A learner at her feet—as that sweet voice, 
Ne er missing from the quiet place of prayer, 
Breathed its low tones of suppliance and praise_ 
Our weaker faith rebuked by that meek trust 
In a Keuskmkk’s righteousness. 
And now, 
“ Thanks be to Him who gave the victory,” 
For all those blessed words of hope and joy, 
M' hich from that couch of sulF’ring have come back, 
A priceless legacy I 
The closing eye 
With the death-shadows was already dim_ 
But “she saw Jemis 1” The cold, purpling lips 
Gave faint response unto aifeclion’s voice, 
But_that loved Name still roused tLe slcmb’iingear, 
For He whom she had chosen, when ihe light 
Of girlhood lay upon her gentle brow, 
Hath not forsaken in the conflict-hour I 
The sun of life goes down, but death’s dark valo 
Streams with celestial radiance! and tiiey 
M ho gather near in strange and wond’ring awe, 
Seem privileged, almost, lo gaze within 
The golden poitals 1 Hark I the rustling wings t 
O’er that low couch do sister spirits bend, 
SealiDg that pale immortal for the skies I 
The twilight fulls 
With deepened shadow, as that funeral train 
Winds slowly onward to the burial-place! 
Now they are grouped amid those grassy mounds, 
M itli bared and reverent brow—while once again 
'The voice of her beloved Pastor lifts 
Its faltering tones ! He, who in other years 
Had led that dear one to ihe Saviour’s feet, 
A wandering lamb, hath cause to linger now 
With grateful praise—the sheltering fold is won I 
Tears freely gush, but they are tears of joy, 
Of glad thanksgiving o’er the early dead. 
The early crowned! 
Now on the still night air 
Uplifts the solemn dirge 1 while answeHng strains 
Seem floating down fiom yon blue vault above, 
Like the far echoes of immortal tong I 
1 ale dust is at our feet, yet she, perchance, 
Bendeth on radiant wing above us still [know 
Yearning, ’mid Heaven’s new bliss, that each may 
What grace doth ransom here I 
And who that stood, 
In the calm moonlight on that burial-tod, 
Can e’er forget the lesson ? Brief the days 
Since Clara’s eye had marked yon vesper star, 
And Dian’s slender crescent. Now its beams 
Were falling with a pale and silvery ray, 
Upon her grave 1 
What tender memories [lasts,” 
Shall blend, henceforth, “ while thought or being 
With that sweet eventide when loving friends, 
By the soft starlight, laid that coffined clay 
In its long resting place ! It was indeed 
A holy hour I Life hath not many such 
Scattered along its pathway I Marianna. 
West Bloomfield, Aug., 1S54. 
LOOKING BACK. 
When Lot and liis wife were running from 
cursed Sodom to the mountains, to save their 
lives, it is said that his wife looked back from 
behind mm, and she became a pillar of salt.— 
And yet neither her practice, nor the judgment 
of God that fell upon her for the same, would 
cause Lot to look upon her. 1 have some¬ 
times wondered at Lot in this particular. His 
wife looked behind her, and died immediately; 
but let what would become of her, Lot would 
not so much as look behind him to see her.— 
We do not read that he did so much as once 
look where she was, or what was become of 
her. His heart was indeed upon his journey, 
and well it might he. There was a mountain 
before him, and fire and brimstone behind him. 
His life lay at stake, and he had lost it if he 
had but looked behind him. Do thou so run, 
and in thy race remember Lot’s wile, and re¬ 
member her doom; and remember for what 
that doom did overtake her; and remember 
that God made her for an example for all lazy 
runners, to the end of the world ; and take 
heed that thou faff not after the same example. 
— liunyan. 
both teacher and scholar, I venture to offer a 
few suggestions to either party, trusting they 
South Livonia, N. Y., ]8. r >4. 
thing needed to be done by way of relief to ence. a. thing. True greatness consists in beino-great aristocracy, who could not think of going to 
both teacher and scholar, I venture to offer a South Livonia, N. Y., 1854, in little things. How are Railroads built? opera or soiree without one of Madame Julli- 
few suc’cestions to either nartv trustinir tlicv m . , _ , Ry one shovelled of dirt alter another. Drops t.us guinea bouquets. In a few years M. and 
, . . I he current theology of Russia—that which made the ocean. If we would do much good Madame Jullien had amassed a handsome sum 
may prove, at worst, harmless, and glad it they 1S taught m their sermons, text-books for the in the world, we must be willing to do good in of 'noney, and then the husband opened a sa- 
Bha.ll be found to possess any positive merit— clergy, and tracts popularly circulated, and little things, setting a good example all the loon fl,r £ ivi % r shilling concerts, at which pol- 
Without dwelling on the importance of early the people—is the theology of the ear- time. kas, quadrilles and waltzes were played to au- 
training to literary execution, for it is freely ^O 808 ^ 111 , tb e dreg- - - diences unable to appreciate music of a higher 
j ... . i .I . , , ones, Athanasius, Lyrel, etc. rrom this the- Any one may do a casual act of good na- order. From this humble beginning. Jullien 
admitted by all, not excepting such as regard 0 fogy no departure is allowed, in any manner ture, but a continuation of them shows it to has arisen to the present high position he oc- 
themselves the severest sufferers by it, I would whatsoever. be a part of the temperament. cupies in the musical world. 
Sabbath Recreations —It is an interesting 
fact in religious history, that King James put 
fortli a declaration in favor of sports on the 
Sabbath—declaring that after public service, 
the people should not be hindered from such 
lawful recreations as dancing, archery, leaping 
or vaulting, &c. This declaration was ordered 
to be read in all the parish churches. Many 
ministers refused to read it; others rend it, and 
then argued the sinfulness of the sports. 
