illustrating t,hc power of prayer; such as, we are 
aaaurod, are well authenticated. The subjects of a few 
of the chapters of this book will best indicate its con¬ 
tents:—Special Answers to Prayer; Prayer for Revi¬ 
vals Answered; Remarkable Conversions ; Praying 
Wives; Conversion of Children; Prayernmong Soldiers; 
The Revival In Ireland, Ac-, &c. ‘Many of the facts 
related in this book arc remarkable—almost miracn- 
lons. It will be read with interest., and will ho a valua¬ 
ble addition to a religious library. For sale by Sthklb 
& Avhry. Price $1.95. 
Hillard's Semns or Sis Ukadiirs for the use of 
Schools. By Qbohok S. Hillard. Boston: Brewer 
& Tiluston. 
Wb have examined these Readers with some care, 
and yet not sufficiently to speak of their relative merits 
compared with other senders extant- This question of 
text hooka for schools la at boat but a “ vexed ques¬ 
tion,’’ and one which wo shall not attempt to solve 
We simply give our impressions of the worka before 
us after a cursory look through them. The first is a 
primary reader in whioh are the alphabet, a table of 
numbers, and words in their simplest form combined to 
make simple sentences. Bach lesson Is illustrated with 
a finely executed engraving. 
The second primary reader is designed to exercise the 
pupil in enunciation. The lessons arc a degree more 
difficult than in the first, and are designed to introduce 
or prepare the pupil for the third. Many of these les 
sons are Illustrated; these illustrations are mainly do¬ 
mestic, and hackneyed- Wc do not think this reader 
as meritorious in Its place aa the first. 
The third In the series is called the Fourth Render, 
and is designed for children from nine to twelve years 
of age. It contains lessons in articulation, proauncla 
tion, accent and emphasis, inflection, &c. The selec¬ 
tions are vory good indeed, relating more to events than 
things—pleaaant stories that will Intercast tho young 
reader, but not the kind of lessons beat calculated to 
arouse a spirit or inquiry. We notice very few indeed 
that will induce the pupil to ask questions after reading 
them- The moral tone of the selections Is good. 
The fourth in the series is called the Intermediate 
Reader— designed, the author says, for pupils ten to 
thirteen years of age. The remarks made relating to 
the character of the selections in the third of the series 
will apply here The difficult words in each losson are 
defined at the close. 
The flflb reader is for still more advanced pupils. It 
retains, however, tho essential characteristics peculiar 
to t-lie two last Thoro is variety or exercise and liter¬ 
ary selections of merit. But there is lacking what we 
deem essential in a reading lesson—something that 
shall set fit c mind in motion. 
'Ihe sixth reader contains an introductory treatise on 
Elocution, by Prof, Mark Ballet. And this book 
seems designed and adapted Tor tho wants of advanced 
students who are required to declaim periodically. Its 
selections are better adapted, as a rule, to this «aa than 
any other. As a work on Elocution, it fills its place 
better, in our opinion, than any other one of the aeries. 
As I walked over the hills one day, 
I listened and heard a mother sheep Bay, 
“ In all the green world there is nothing so sweet, 
As my little lammie with his nimble feet* 
With his eye so bright, 
And his wool so white, 
OhI he is my darling, my heart’s delight. 
The robin, he 
That sings in the tree, 
Dearly may dore on his darlings four 
Bnt I love my own little lambkin more ” 
And the mother sheep and her little one, 
Side by side lay down in the sun, 
And they went to sleep on the hillside warm. 
But my little darling’s asleep on my arm. 
I went to the kitchen, and what did I aee, 
But the old grey cat with her kittens three; 
I heard her whispering soft—said she 
“ My kittens with tails so cunningly curled, 
Are the prettiest things that can be in the ‘world. 
The bird on the tree, 
Or the old ewe, she 
May love her babies exceedingly; 
Bot I love ray kiltens there, 
Under the rocking chair. 
I love my kittens with all my might; 
I love them at morning, noon and night, 
Which is the prettiest I cannot tell, 
Which of the three— 
For the life of mo— 
I love my kitties all so well. 
Now I’ll take up my kitties, the kitties I love, 
So we’ll lie down together 'neath the warm stove.” 
Let the kitties sleep under the stove so warm, 
While my little darling lias here on my arm. 
I went to the yard, and I saw the old hen 
Go clucking about with her chickens ten. 
She clucked and she scratched and bristled away, 
And what do yon think I heard her say? 
I heard her say, ■* The 9nn never did shine 
On anything like to those chickens of mine. 
You may hunt the full moon, and stare if yon please, 
But yon never will find ten such chickens as these. 
The cat loves her kittens, the'ewe loves her lamb. 
But they do not know what a proud mother I am; 
For lambs, nor for kittens. I wont part with these, 
Though the sheep and the cats should go down on 
their knees. 
No! not not though 
The kittens should crow, 
Or the lammie on two yellow legs could go, 
M7 dear downy darlings! my sweet little things! 
Come nestle now, cosily, under my wings." 
So the hen said, 
And the chickens all sped 
As fast as they could to their nice feather bed. 
,nd there let them sleep in their feathers so warm, 
A r hile my little chick nestles here on bit arm 
Chambers' Enotolop^ria: Dictionary of Universal 
Knowledge for tho People On tho basis of tho latest, 
edition of the German Conversations Lexicon. Illus¬ 
trated wlih Maps and Numerous Wood Engravings. 
Published in Parts, price 20 cents each; to be com¬ 
prised in six or seven volumes, similar In appearance 
to the volumes of “Chamber’s Information for the 
Pcoplo.” Philadelphia: J. B. Lippinentt & Co. 
Tuts publication has reached its Goth number, and 
tho last issue is marked with all the enterprise and 
good taste exhibited at the beginning The greater our 
opportunity for Judgiug of tho merits of this Encyclo¬ 
paedia the more are we impressed with Us value to the 
general reader, tho business man, or the student. Form¬ 
ing, as it does, a library In itself, and treating npbn all 
the important topics of the timoe in a scholarly manner, 
It must prove of groat practical value to any of onr 
young men, and he who is its possessor is truly fortu¬ 
nate. Jambs Ratoliffb is tho Ageut for Rochester 
and vicinity. 
Tub Atlabtio von Febrttabt.— We hare just laid 
this periodical down, hnvingread through some articles 
and glanced throngh others. There is food enough in 
It for a month’s reflection. The first article la a eoncro- 
tion on “ Genius." As a whole it is a remarkable arti¬ 
cle; and whether the reader may regard It as orthodox 
or not, it is well worth reading—is worth the cost of the 
number. “ My Brother and I," is a poem giving us two 
vivid pictures of Life as It Is. “ A Half-Life and Half a 
Lire" is a story of development which will excite in¬ 
terest and sympathy with the heroine. No. 2, of * ‘ House 
andllomo Papers" le a good one, affording a lesson 
which we have marked for onr readers to look at. A 
chapter on “ Bryant" and his poems will be apprecia¬ 
ted by those who appreciate him. There is also a 
careful article on “The relation of Art to Nature," 
which will commend itself to those interested in Ait 
matters.' 
on the lady's fair hand. But this is a subject 
which will be of interest to you if you pursue it. 
The falcon is simply a hawk—a bird of doubt¬ 
ful reputation in this country. Every good 
woman and young lady who cherishes poultry, 
regards this famous falcon with aversion. So 
the people have changed since the early days! 
It is oru of the tokens of progress, perhaps. 
But he sure to learn more of the uses made 
of this bird by the men and women of the 
early time. 
Here is a bird, boys and girls, about which 
you should learn something; for it is associated 
with the amusements of the people in the days 
of Chivalry. Our space will not permit us to 
give, this week, all we might say concerning 
the uses made of this bird—how it was trained 
to sit on the hand of a proud lady, with a hood 
on its head, until the bird the lady would have 
caught appeared in sight—and how, when the 
hood was removed, it would pursue with swift 
flight its victim, and return with it to its perch 
SrKcrMEN Pages of tub American Conflict by 
Horacb Greeley,— We have received from a Hartford 
firm a part of a work with the above tit-lo— to be com¬ 
pleted sometime. We have a great aversion to recom¬ 
mending anything incomplete. There is no donbt as 
to Mr. Gilbelkt's ability to render snefl a work v&liui- 
able, if he lends his sendees as well as his name to it. 
Rut when w< see it complete we shall be better able to 
speak of its merits. 
ciaea for everyday in the year. Selected, arranged, 
and specially adapted by Rev. Nelson I1ka». [pp. 
•SB,] New York: Harper & Bros. 
T11 e book before us is one which will be welcomed 
by all who have long desired just auck a guide for their 
daily religious dr'", flush a help to Christian 
meditation and . , u-.11 ' . >.n i :l, jt n^iC-v ,1 
the p’wait it late *'j c Christian ornmu unity in generai, 
rlifrb diere is s; , to b*< “more noire and Outward 
show, but less of the calm, thoughtful and devont piety 
of other days." 
The work contains a verse for each day of the year, 
with appropriate expositions and reflections selected 
from many of the ni09t distinguished writers of the 
early church, aa well as that of more modern times. It 
is this feature which gives to the book its chief value 
Here we find "the beautiful and fervid teachings of 
Chrysostom, the golden mouthed the deep and devout 
utterances of Augustine, the cqnilly revered Latin 
Father, the richness or Tav’.or, the earnestness of Bax 
tor, the tender appeals of Flavel, the sweetness and 
unction of Leighton, and tho silvery eloquence of B it -s 
—ail presenting the highest truths sons to crilhhten 
the nndorsttiEding, warm the heart, and direct the prac¬ 
tice of a holy life." We heartily recommend this col¬ 
lection as supplying, better than any book of a similar 
character, a want long felt by Christiana of all denom 
lnovio.ii. SO'-., t)V >t yv ■. -. , v M tv, me* t-LGU. 
yet the mines are more fruitfut than ever. The 
lead mines yield nearly a hundred thousand tuns 
a year, and the silver extracted from the lead 
ore in one year (18-52) amounted to 088,123 
ounces. Small quantities of gold have been 
found from ins to time: -"me irirw 1 "car 
nM«l»M»’-l fire thousand nuur<<s, worth about 
? 100,' • v\ Earthy minerals—barytes, lime, salt, 
and the valuable clays—produce annually about 
eight and a half millions of dollars; and the 
annual value of all the mineral products is about 
$225,000,000. 
Instead of giving all sorts of rules about 
turning out the toes, and straightening up the 
body, and holding the shoulders back, all of 
which are impracticable to rnanv because soon 
wardness and discomfort which procures a wit¬ 
ling omission, all that is necessary to secure the 
object is to hold up the head and move on, let¬ 
ting the head and shoulders take care of them¬ 
selves. Walk with the chin but slightly above 
a horizontal line, or with your eye directed to 
things a little higher than your own head. In 
this way you walk properly, pleasurably, and 
without any feeling of restraint or awkward¬ 
ness. If any of you wish to be aided in secu¬ 
ring this habitual carriage of body, accustom 
yourselves to carry your hands behind you, one 
hand grasping the oppo-ite wrist. 
Englishmen are admired the world over for 
their full chests, broad shoulders, sturdy frames, 
and manly bearing. This position of body is a 
favorite with them—in the simple i-roinenad- 
in the garden or gallery, in attending ladies 
along a crowded street, in standing on the street 
or in public worship. Many persons spend a 
large part of their waking existence in the sit¬ 
ting position. A single rule, well attended to 
in this connection, would be of incalculable 
value to multitudes—use chairs with the old- 
fashioued straight backs, a little inclining back¬ 
wards, and sit with the lower portion of the 
body dose against the back of the chair at the 
seat. Any one who tries it will observe in a 
moment a grateful support to the whole spine; 
and we see no reason why children should uot 
be taught, from tho beginning to write, and sew. 
aud knit in a position requiring the lower por¬ 
tion of the body and the shoulders to touch the 
back of the chair at the time. A very common 
position in sitting, especially among men, is 
with the shoulders against the chair back, with 
a space of several inches between the chair 
back and the lower portion of the spine, giving 
the body the shape of a half hoop; it is the in¬ 
stantaneous, instinctive, and almost universal 
position assumed by any consumptive ou sitting 
down, unless counteracted by an effort of the 
will: hence parents should regard such a posi¬ 
tion in their children with apprehension, and 
should rectify it at once. 
ABOUT THE SONG 
We have given above a song for children. 
We suppose—at least we hope—that all the 
little readers of the Rural think about what 
they read. We should greatly like to know 
what you think about the sods. It ought to 
teac h you something. If it does not, it is of no 
use at all in the paper. And we want to t^ll 
you that it is better that you should read but 
one article, and understand and iearn something 
from it, than/that you -book! read the whole 
paper through, and learn nothing. Now, what 
is there in the <ong worth knowing* It is a 
1 very simple wing. Perhaps sonic of our Young 
readers wiii .ail a too silly for them—will say 
that “there's nothing in that but baby-talk.® 
But they are mistaken. If you read it care¬ 
fully, you will learn that the mother sheep, the 
robin, the old grey cat, and the old hen, each 
think their children the most precious ones in 
the wide world. You could not get them to 
exchange with each other—not they! God has 
' given each creature this affection for its own 
offspring. You, farmer boys, know that the 
[ old cow “Lop-hom” will have nothing to do 
with any other calf than her own. A dozen 
calves belonging to other cows may be turned 
| into the yard with her, and yet she will have 
nothing to do with them — she willhook ” 
them if they come near her, and will loo for 
her own calf. An ti yet there may be many 
among the dozen, just as good, and perhaps bet¬ 
ter. It is wise that God has given the cow, and 
all other mothers, this maternal^ Instinct—thia 
affection for their own offspring. If it were 
not so, the mother sheep might .like a pig just 
as well as her own lamb; the goose .would run 
off with the old hen's chickens; the.hen might 
claim the young turkeys; the cow might like 
the old mare's colt better than her calf, and 
your mother might think more of somebody’s 
else child. 
So you can set what disorder, mis-matlng and 
unhappiness it would create—and how ’good a 
thing it i» that we think more of our own rela¬ 
tives than we do of other people. And while 
it is right we should love all the beings God 
has created, it is natural we should love our 
own family relations more—that we should be 
1 content with those to whom we are attached by 
kindred ties. It is right you should love your 
I mother— its she loves you — above all other 
[ mothers. And loving her, you should obey her 
—should always be ready to serve her. And 
| the more faithfully you serve her, and, seek to 
lighten her burthens, the better you will love 
her, and the more joyful and happy will your 
life become. Those we do most for we love 
best. Those for whom we suffer most, as a 
rule, receive our warmest affections. Care for 
others begets love for them; and this is one 
reason why your mother loves you better than 
any other child. 
We hope you will leant something more from 
the song. Talk to your parents about it. 
Flowers for the Parlor and Garden. By Edw. 
Seraiuk Ramil Boston; J. E Tiltou A Co. 
Tuts is tut admirable work. Just such a work was 
needed—is needed l>y every one, almost, who delights 
in window gardening. And a great ninny persons 
would take delight in it, who do not, U : .d they know 
how to take care of plants which they admire in other 
people’s parlors. And they will learn, if they can pur¬ 
chase, at. a reasonable price, specific directions. From 
what we have seen of it, we think we can safely say 
that, this work is I,he specific they need. The mechani¬ 
cal execution t»f the book is very fine indeed; paper 
excellent, engravings ditto, letter press chain and lit 
excellent taste. But the chief recommendation is 
that the matter is practical, detailed, specific, so as to 
meet the. wants of till who love flowers and would cul¬ 
tivate them in windows or gardens. 5Vo are aware that 
this is high praise; but litis work approaches more 
nearly what we have long been aware was needed than 
any wo have seen We are delighted with it. 
Palmosi; Or, the Numerals of Scripture a Proof of 
Inspiration. A Fret* Inquiry. By M. Mahan, D.D., 
St. Mark’s In the Bowery, Professor of Ecclesiastical 
History in Die General Theological 8 am inary. ipp. 
New York: D. Appleton As Co. 1863. 
In title work Prof. Mahan enters upon a field or 
discussion which is new to most Bihlic.i! students, at 
least to those of the present lime. lie, very modestly, 
professes to have examined but. “one little corner of 
the vart Held," but the reader will be ready to acknowl¬ 
edge that I10 lias done enough to prove that the topics 
dismissed have an absorbing interest. The object of 
the book Is to show, by a consideration of the unntor- 
als ami the chronology of Scripture, that there is in the 
Sacred Word “a supernatural elemout, a supernatural 
life pervading its organism. ’’ The author is well qu»l 
idled for the task which he ha* undertaken, Itaviug in¬ 
vestigated deeply mid comet to a good understanding of 
the subjects on which he writes, aud he lots produced a 
work which will interest all who will give it a careful 
perusal. For sale by Stkk.lk & Avery. 
HOW THE EARTH Y IELD S RICHES. 
An official statement of the mineral wealth 
of Great Britain has just appeared in London, 
and from it wo gather the following interesting 
statistics of what tho earth yields for the enrich¬ 
ment of the British people. There are over 
3,088 collieries in operation, employing over a 
quarter of a million of persons—Including seven 
thousand women. The largest quantity of coal 
produced in any one year was 85,635,214 tuns. 
Tliis was in 1861. The average export of coal 
from England is about 7,000,000 tuns a year. Of 
iron seven and a half millions of tuns were 
smelted hist year, but 36,270 tuns besides \\ ere 
exported. Tho value of tho pig iron produced 
last year was nearly £10,000,000, or $50,000,- 
000. There are 230 copper mines in the kingdom, 
of which 201 are in Cornwall and Devonshire, 
ami they produced in the year 1862 over 224,000 
tuns of ore—but this gave only 14,8-13 tuns of 
tluo copper after refining. 
The tin mines yielded more in 1862 than in 
previous years, the .aggregate product having 
been 11,127 tuns of ore, worth, after refining, 
$6,000,000; but there is a prospect that the Cor¬ 
nish minus will yield still more largely this year. 
Tin has been obtained for more than two thou¬ 
sand years in Cornwall and Devonshire, and 
. tq posed. Litigation kills clients sometimes, 
but seldom lawyers, for they average 55. Phy¬ 
sicians prove their usefulness by prolonging 
their own lives to the same period. Clergymen, 
who, it is to be presumed, enjoy a' greater men¬ 
tal serenity than others, last till 65. 
Seafaring life and its adjuncts seem, instead of 
dangerous, to be actually conducive of longevity. 
44 e have already seen that tho shipwright lives 
till 56. The sailor averages 43, the caulker 64, 
tho sailmaker 52, the stevedore 57, the ferryman 
65, and the pilot 64. 
A dispensation of Providence that “ Maine 
Law” men may consider incomprehensible is, 
that brewers and distillers live to the ripo old 
age of 64, 
Last and longest-lived come paupers, 07, and 
•‘gentlemen,” 68. The only two classes that do 
nothing for themselves, and live ou their neigh¬ 
bors, outlast nil the rest. Why should they 
wear out, when they are always idle? 
Camp Fires of the Revolution, Or, the War ol 
penuetteo, illustrated bv thrilling events and s 
hy ttm old Continental Soldiers By IIkni 
4V atsom. Philadelphia, Lindsay & B lakes ton 
This is a book which Mill bo rood with inter 
youth* mid all olhrm who aro fond of war si 
These stories purport to be talks among tho so 
about tho cauip fires concerning the minor Inc 
that made up tho great events during tho strupq 
Independence. Whether actual incidents ore ua 
Health ok the Body should be Pre¬ 
served.— Good men should be attentive to their 
health, and keep the body as much as possible 
the tit medium of the mind. A man may be a 
good performer, but what can he do with a dis¬ 
ordered instrument? The inhabitant may have 
good eyes, but how can he see accurately through 
a soiled window ? Keep, therefore, the glass clean 
and the organ in tune. Wc do not wish you to 
be fanciful—to live In the shop of an apothecary 
— or to have a medical student A wavs in atten¬ 
dance. But be soberly aud prudently attentive 
to the body. Rise early. Take proper exorcise. 
Observe and avoid whatever disagrees with your 
system. Never overburden nature. Be moder¬ 
ate in your eating and drinking—the board slays 
more than the sword.— Jay. 
At the sea shore, they say. “ How hot they 
must be in the city.” In the city, when the 
wind is east, they say, “ How cokl they must be 
at the sea shore.” The ftmeied misery of others 
constitutes a source of happiness. 
