i 
A Manual op Scientific and Practical Aomcut.TtTRH, 
for the School and the Karra. By .1 L. Campbell, A. 
M., Professor of Physical Science. Washington College, 
Va, With numerous illustrations. Philadelphia: Lind¬ 
say & BLAKI3TON [12 mo.—pp. 442.] 
Tuts we judge, from an hour’s examination, to be one 
of the best boohs published on the subject. It is elemen¬ 
tary in its character, and designed for use in schools and 
academies, though oqually well adapted for the private 
student and the farmer. It is well arranged, clear in its 
statements, and finely illustrated. Any youug mao who 
obtains this book and makes it his study the present 
winter, will gel a good idea of the formation of soils, the 
constituents of plants, the general principles of vegetable 
physiology, and lay a solid foundation for future progress, 
lie will then begin to appreciate the dignity of the farm¬ 
er’s calling, the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, 
and strive to know more of nature and its mysterious 
laws. This book is not calculated, as too many are, to 
discourage the learner, in his first attempts at gaining 
knowledge, os it leads him on step by stop, gently smooth¬ 
ing the rugged path, and making progress not only endu¬ 
rable, but pleasant. Fov sale by 0. 41. Dkwky. 
[Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker.) 
A FEW WORDS ABOUT COMPOSITIONS, 
A GARDEN IN THE CITY. 
“ I do wish I knew what to write about," 
exclaims the school-boy who has been thinking 
over all the subjects he ever heard of, from Edu¬ 
cation, Temperance, etc., to the Seasons and 
Riding Down Hill. None of them suit him; hut 
a composition he must have by next Friday after¬ 
noon, when all studies are laid aside to hear the 
general exercises. 
Every individual who has attended the District 
School, well remembers the.aversion he felt, and 
the. trouble be encountered in attempting to per¬ 
form this exercise, both because he could with 
difficulty find a suitable subject, and, when it was 
selected, he was perplexed to know how to com¬ 
mence, or how to proceed. This same drudgery 
is still insisted upon in our schools, and no 
scholar can bo blamed for disliking such a task. 
All readily admit the importance of it. Even the 
scholar, after many unsuccessful attempts, will 
frequently launch oil' upon Composition Writing 
itself, and, lamenting his own inability, extol the 
value of the task he hates, and bis teacher fur 
requiring it of him, such a prevailing sentiment is 
there that this is an important branch of educa¬ 
tion. And this is true; but why it is so, or how 
to derive the most benefit from it, comparatively 
few understand as they ought. 
A right conception of the end to bo obtained, is 
necessary to a knowledge of the use of the proper 
means to be adopted for it. What is the object of 
this exercise? One important use is, to enable 
the Ptuderit to express his thoughts with case, pro¬ 
priety and force; The difference is very striking 
between the production of one who has been 
accustomed to write, and one who has not. It is 
sufficient for the present purpose, to mention only 
one other object, viz.: to awaken and develop 
thought. The present method of conducting this 
exercise, is just ns consistent as a parent would 
adopt who should command his son to perform a 
certain work, of which ho knew nothing, without 
giving him any directions concerning it The 
teacher, with a countenance full of meaning, 
makes the declaration to the school, that, on such 
a day, compositions must bo read by all the older 
portion of the scholars. When the day arrives, 
part duly prepared, read a collection of discon¬ 
nected, unmeaning sentences, some evade the 
duty by reading half a dozen lines, and the rest 
have nothing at all, so that the next week or two 
is spent in compelling these delinquents to write. 
This is the manner in which the system works, 
and, before the term is out, the teacher, in all 
probability, will have alienated the affections of 
many of his scholars by attempting to enforce a 
requirement that is so disagreeable. 
Now, wc will throw out a few suggestions which 
must commend themselves to all who are inter¬ 
ested in this subject, and who understand the 
difficulty of obtaining compositions from a pro¬ 
miscuous collection of students, such us compose 
most of our country schools. It is evident that 
dazzling the eye with their glory and chastening 
the heart with their purity,— nor will luscious 
fruits tempt the appetite to sensuous gratification. 
“A plain, unvarnished talc” is ours, recounting 
aspirations in which wo have indulged, rather than 
the difficulties encountered and the victories It 
has been our good fortune to achieve. 
Ever since our solitaiy summer In tho harvest- 
field, a few years agone, we have possessed a 
strong desire to live a farmer's, life, and tho 
perusal of our standard authority—the Rural 
Nbw-Tobker— lias not lessened this love pf tho 
beautiful, as exhibited in tliC guided! gatligringa of 
Ceres, or the ruddy richness of FoMoNA. Tim 
fates, however, have willed otherwise, A city life 
is a necessity to the occupation of the “head of 
our family,” and where father is, there the hoy 
must be also, Hence, walls of brick obstruct my 
vision, and we are. separated from our nearest 
neighbor by just whispering distance. When 
property is purchased where the surroundings are 
the habitations of fifty thousand mortals, and the 
hum of Industry and busy tramp of the populace 
have usurped the sweet sounds of Nature, ample 
room is given perpendicularly—as to spreading 
yourself horizontally, tho thing is impossible. 
The object of ambition was never lost sight of, 
however, find, "in the course of human events,” 
the fickle goddess bestowed forty by sixty feet 
which we could “tickle with the hoe” as much 
as desire might prompt,—our reward would come 
just as soon as it “smiled with a harvest.” 
When Spring pnt, on the melting mood a small 
lake stood where we, in waking dreams, ot'oourse, 
had viewed, with tho intensity of youthful ardor, 
a “vine and fig-treo” all our own. Filling-up 
came first in order, and materials procured where 
an excavation was being made preparatory to 
tho erection of a block of buildings. Unfortu¬ 
nately, the soil obtained was taken some, feet below 
tho surface, and was not of that nature which 
would commend itself for cultivating purposes,— 
its principal features, poverty, and a coherence 
which, while it would do honor to a man in a 
him for examination. Several days elapsed with¬ 
out any reply, when Mr. Irving, constructing his 
silence into a tacit rejection, sent a note request¬ 
ing that tho numbers might bo returned. Tho 
reply, which it brought out, was as follows: 
My Pear Sir:— 1 entreat you to believe that I fuel truly 
obliged liv your kind intentions towards me, and that I 
entertain tho moat unfeigned respect for your most taste¬ 
ful talents. My house i-> completely filled with work¬ 
people at ties time, and I Imye only an otlltin to transact 
business in; and yesterday I wan wholly occupied, or I 
should lmve done myself tho pleasure of siloing you. 
If it would not suit me to engage in the puhlIe.at.ion of 
your present work, it is only because 1 do not sen that 
scope to the nature of It which would nuublft mu to make 
those satisfactory accounts, between us, without which I 
really foci no satisfaction iu engaging—hut I will do all I 
can to promote their circulation, and shall he most ready 
to attend to any future plan of yours. 
With much regard. 1 remain, dear sir, 
• Your Ciithihl servant, 
John Murray. 
The “lack of scope in the nature of the work”— 
pounds, shillings and pence, we suppose—pre¬ 
vented a consummation of business arrangements, 
and utterly disheartened Mr. (rvinci. “Had tho 
question of re-publication rested entirely with 
me,” ho writes, “this might have detorred mo 
from any further prosecution of the matter.” Hut 
the fear of a spurious edition urged him on, and 
ho though of seeking the assistance of the Edin¬ 
burgh publishing house of Mr. Archibald Con¬ 
stable. Before doing so, howevor, ho deter¬ 
mined to submit the work to Sir Walter Sugtt, 
and accordingly sent his printed numbers by 
coach, at the same time addressing a letter by 
mail, stating that a reverse had taken placo 
in his affairs which made the successful exercise 
of It is pen all-important, and begging Mr. H. to 
look over the literary articles, and, if he thought 
they would bear European re-publication, to 
ascertain whether Mr. Constable would be in¬ 
clined to be the publisher. Sir Walter proved 
a sincere friend. The first mail brought a reply, 
in which all the assistance wished for was readily 
proffered, offering, iu addition, the situation of 
editor upon a weekly journuL then coming into 
existence, with a salary of five hundred pounds 
yearly. Writing again, Scott took the liberty of 
expressing an opinion of the merits of Mr. 
IuviNO*a literary labors totally at variance with 
those entertained by tho eminent publisher, re¬ 
marking, “I am just come here, (Edinburgh,) and 
have glanced over the Sketch Hook. It is posi¬ 
tively beautiful, and increases my desire to crimp 
you, if it bo possible.” London, however, was 
destined to he tho place of issue, and after many 
trials and vexatious failures, Sir Walter Scott, 
wln ti, as Trvino says, “J was sticking in the mire, 
put his shouldor to the wheel,” and induced Mur¬ 
ray to undertake its publication, and that gentle¬ 
man afterwards treated the author with that fair 
) 
open and liberal spirit which had obtained for him 
tho well - merited appellation of the Prince of 
Booksellers. 'Thus began Mr. Irving’s literary 
career in Europe, and while it would gratify us to 
follow him step by step, wo have, in the Rural of 
December loth, rendered such a course unneces¬ 
sary. Suffice it to say, the briefless barrister 
returned to his native country the greatest of 
American Authors. 
Mount Vernon and its AssoctATtosa—nistorir.il, Bio¬ 
graphical, and Pictorial. By HEX sun ,1. Lossino. Illus¬ 
trated by Numerous Engravings, chiefly from Original 
Drawings hy tho Author, engraved by Bossing A B.iit- 
RiTf. New York; W A Tovrintend A Co. 
Tuts is a roost charming and inaiructio? volume. 
Though ultnictivo externally, it U far more so in internals 
—for while the style of the work Is Unique and beautiful, 
its contents aru of great interest to all Interested in the 
home, family and private history of “ tho father Of his 
country”—ho who \»n« justly characterised as. “ first in 
War, first in Peace, and first in tho Hearts of his Country¬ 
men.” The work is appropriate for every section aud all 
seasons, but wo eommend it especially*os a Holiday or 
New Year’s (lift, its illustrations—Including portraits of 
Washington, and iho various mem tuns of his family; 
relatives, Ac., views of ML Vernon, its statuary, ftlrui- 
ture. etc.,—are a most attractive and lot®resting feature 
of the volume. For sale by R. K. Ham,, 
Women Artists in am. Anus and Countries. By Mrs. 
Kuw, author of “Tho Women of tho Revolution,” 
etc. New York: Harper & Brothers. 
In a handsome volume of nearly four hundred pages, 
Mrs. Er.i.ur has made a brief review of Art in all ages, 
and, while it has not been her object to present elaborate 
Criticisms upon the productions of female genius, the aim 
of tho work, —to show what woman has done, with the 
general conditions favorable or unfavorable to her efforts, 
and to give such impression* of tho character of each 
prominent artist as may bo derived from a faithful record 
of her personal experience,—has beeu completely devel¬ 
oped. For sale by Stkklk, Avuitr & Co. 
London Quarterly Review. Ro-Printed by Leonard 
Scott A Co., New York. 
Tim Foreign Reviews furnish a goodly portion of tho 
standard literature of the day, and prominent among 
those is the London Quarterly. Tho number now before 
ns embraces nine articles, as follows:—Illustrated llaud- 
Ilook of Nature; Now Zealand—Its Progress and Resources; 
Geography and Biography id tho Old Testament; Order 
of Nature; Tennyson's Poems; Stirkes; Farm Weeds; Tho 
Orchard House; Parliamentary Reform, Ac. This single 
issue contains mental pabulum for tho Architect, Ilisto- 
riau, Biblidst, Philosopher, Agriculturist, Horticulturist 
add Political Economist. Truly, a rich arrav. Dkwkt, 
Agent. 
and duly feels the importance of it. On account 
of its being an occasional exercise, ho must enter 
into the spirit of it, if lie would be fully successful. 
Again, he must expect to devote considerable time 
and attention to h. 
If be makes it interesting and 
profitable to his scholars, he must prepare biinself 
Specially for it; for, from the nature of the study, 
the resources of his own mind must furnish much 
of the material upon which his pupils work. An 
excellent plan is, to form the whole school into 
classes, according to their attainments, and have 
them exercise in writing regularly — say once a 
week —in whatever way he may think best He 
may give the younger scholars simple aud familiar 
objects to describe; the more advanced cannot do 
anything with more profit than to form and re-cast 
sentences, with reference to their perspicuity, 
energy, neatness, etc., and also to the choice of 
Tiik Pii.ot: A Tale of the Sea. By J. Fknimork Cooper. 
illustrated from Drawings by Da.RI.ky. [12 mo. pp. 
486] New York: W. A. Townsend A Co. Rochester— 
E. It. Haul, 5 AtheDmum Bulldiug. 
[We have also just received tho following five volumes 
of the splendid series of Cooper’s Novels, published aud 
sold as above:] 
The Wkpt of Wirh-ton-WTsh: A Tale. [pp. 474.]’ 
Tub Herdsman; or, The Abbaye Des Vignerons. A Tale 
[pp. 496. J 
This Prague: A Tale. [pp. 479 ] 
Lionel Lincoln; or, The Leaguer of Boston, [pp. 464 .] 
The Ska Lions; op, the Lost Sealers, [pp. 490.] 
Life of Andrew Jackson. Id Three Volumes By 
James I'ikton. author of '• Life or Aaron Burr” 11 Hu¬ 
morous Poetry of the English Language," etc. Vo). J 
[pp. 63d.] New York: Mason Brothers—1860. Rocb- 
instead of writs.” Constituted as he was, tho 
legal profession would have been productive only 
of unhappiness, and this fate tho kindness of his 
brothers enabled him to evade. The rambling pro¬ 
pensity, so apparent in Mr. Irving’s youthful days, 
strengthened with bis years. Europe held forth 
the charms of storied and poetical association, and 
these he eagerly desired to enjoy. “There,” he 
writes, “were to be seen the masterpieces of art, 
the refinements of highly-cultivated society, the 
quaint peculiarities of ancient and local custom. 
My native country was full of youthful promise. 
Europe was rich iu the accumulated treasures of 
age. Her very rivers told the history of times 
gone by, and every mouldering stum- was a chron¬ 
icle. I longed to wander over the scenes of per¬ 
sonal achievement—to tread, as it were, in the 
footsteps of antiquity—to loiter about the ruined 
| castle—to meditate on the falling tower—to es- 
1 cape, in short, from the common-place realities of 
the present, and lose myself among the shadowy 
grandeurs of the past.” 
Crossing the ocean we find him wandering 
through different countries and witnessing the 
shifting scenes of life. While in England, Mr 
Irving composed the great majority of papers, 
(all but two, we believe,) which make up “The 
Sketch Book.” These were published piece-meal 
in the United States, and were copied, with many 
kind encomiums, by the London Literary Gazette. 
Hearing that a London bookseller intended pub¬ 
lishing them in a collective form, Mr. Irving 
determined to bring them forward himself, that 
they might, at least, have the benefit of Ilia super¬ 
intendence and revision. The printed numbers 
were accordingly taken to the eminent publisher, 
Mr. John Murray, (who had presented to tho 
public the works of Lord Byron,) and left with 
iu the United State*, 
, and British Provinces of North 
America. By Wm. J. Rukkn, Chief Clerk of tho Smith¬ 
sonian institution, [pp. 657.] Philadelphia: J. B. 
Lippi ucott A Co. 
The History of tun Uxitbd States of America, from 
the Discovery of the t'nutinent to tho close of the First 
Session ot tho Thirty-Fifth Congress. By J. H. Batten 
A M. [pp. 806.] Now York: D. Appleton A Co.— 
1800. Rochester—K. R. Hall. 
Mount Vernon and its Associations— Historical Bio- 
graphieal,and Pictorial. By Bl.n.son ,r. Lousing. Illus¬ 
trated by Numerous Engravings, ohietly from Original 
Drawings by the Author, eugraved by LossiNt; A Bar- 
riti. New York; W. A. Townsend A Co. Rochester— 
B, R. Hall. 
A Manual op Scientific and Practical Agriculture 
for ibi» School and too Parra. By J. L. Camfbei i 4 
M., Professor of Physical Science,'Washington College’ 
Va. With numerous illustrations, [pp. 442.] Phila.: 
Lindsay A Blakiston. Rochester — Dr wry. 
Ungava: A Tale of Esquimaurc-Laud. By fiomutr 41t- 
OHABL Ballantynh. With Illustrations by tho Author 
[16 mo.—pp. 406.1 Boston: Phillips, Sampson A Co’ 
Rochester —D. II. Dewjcy. 
Barley Wood; or, Building on the Rock. By Mrs. J. 41. 
Parker, author of‘-The Boy Missionary." ete. [nn 
320-j New York: Daniel Dana, Jr. Rochester— 
Self-Endurance and Contentment. — Ag a 
gladiator trained tho body, so must tho mind be 
trained to self-sacrifice,, to endure all tilings, to 
meet aqd overcome difficulty and danger. We 
must take the rough and thorny road as well us 
the Hmooth and pleasant; and a portion, ut least, 
of our daily duty must be hard and disagreeable; 
for the miud cannot be kept strong and healthy in 
perpetual sunshine only, and the most dangerous 
of states is that of constantly recurring pleasure, 
ease, and prosperity. Most persons will find dif¬ 
ficulties enough without seeking them; let them 
not repine, but take them aa part of that educa¬ 
tional discipline necessary to lit the mind to 
urrive at bis highest good. 
PTNE-AUFI.B SQUASH. 
Having already exceeded, the space we intended 
— or have any right to use,—we will close for the 
present by seudiug Rural editors a drawing of 
tho Pine-Apple Squash, together with the speci¬ 
men from which the draft was taken. This squash 
wo consider tho earliest and the best of the Summer 
varieties, its keeping qualities arc excellent, while 
for gratifying the puluto it will (in our estimation,) 
compare favorably with the much-talked-of Hub- 
bard. More anon. Harry Gaylord. 
Rochester, N. Y., 1859. 
than merely stringing sentences together. The 
subject matter must first bo attended to; the form 
of expression is a secondary consideration. The 
teacher will find it advantageous to make these 
divisions lor the pupil at first, until he forms the 
habit of distinguishing the various relations of 
the parts of any subject, when he will soon learn 
to lay out his own plan. The benefit the teacher 
himself will derive from these exercises, will am¬ 
ply repay him for all his labor. c. e. b. 
Rochester. N. Y., 1859. 
Reading. —Keep your view of men aud things 
extensive, and depend upon it, that a mixed 
knowledge is not a superficial one. As far as it 
goes, the views thut it gives are true; but lie who 
reads deeply in one class of writers only, gets 
views which are almost sure to be perverted, and 
which are not only narrow, but false. Aiijust 
your proposed amount of reading to your time 
and inclination; this is perfectly free to every 
man; but whether that amount be large or small, 
let it be varied in its kind, and widely varied. If 
I have a confident opinion on any oue thing con¬ 
nected with the government of the human mind, 
it is this.— Dr. Arnold. 
Genius. — Literally, it is no man’s business 
whether he has genius or not; work he must, 
whatever be is, but quietly and steadily; and the 
natural and enforced results of such work will bo 
always the things that God meant him to do, and 
will be his best. No agonies and heartrendings 
will enable him to do better. If he bo a great 
man, they will bo great things; if a small man, 
small things; but always, if thus peacefully done, 
good and right; always, if restlessly and ambi¬ 
tiously done, false, hollow and despicable. 
J. Challeu & Son. Rochester—D akkow A Bro. 
Alcohol: Its Place and Power. Bv James Mini 
From the Nineteenth Glasgow Kfliiton. [pp. 17 ’ 
Philadelphia: JJudsay A Blakiaton. Rochester—D 
Dewey. 
Tue Use and Abuse of Tohaooo. By Joii.n Lizai 
From the Eighth Edinburgh Edition, [pp. 138 .] Phi 
delphia: Lindsajr A Blakiston. Rochester — Dewey, 
Discretion in speech i3 more valuable than 
eloquence; and to speak agreeably, than to speak 
good words, or in good order. To use many cir¬ 
cumstances before one comes to the matter is 
troublesome, and to use none is blunt. 
