The Pr.iKcm.Es op Biology. By Herbert Spen- 
cei:, author of “The Principles of Psychology.” 
“Illiistrftt tons of Progress.” “Essays: Moral, Po¬ 
litical and Esthetic,” “Education." etc. Volume 
I. [i2mo.—pp. 475,] New York: D. Appleton & Co. 
This volume, as its title implies, relates, generally, 
to the Science of Life. Necessarily it commences 
with an examination of these elements in nature, 
whose proper combination evolve and sustain life. 
These are considered as to their individual character¬ 
istics and powers; as to their adaptability to com¬ 
mingle one with another, producing new forma of 
organic matter, and thus severalty aiding In giving 
that variety to the mineral and vegetable world which 
we observe in their productions. Not having read 
the volume, otherwise than by a glance at. a paragraph 
here and there, we arc not prepared to say how the 
deductions and conclusions arrived at by the author 
harmonize with the opinion generally prevalent on 
these subjects. Our impression is that the diverg¬ 
ence, from the commonly received opinion on the 
points mentioned, ts considerable. This the reader 
can decide for himself. The book is presented in 
<rood style, and may be had of Steele & Avert. 
Written for Moore’s Kural New-Yorker. 
OUR HONORED DEAD. 
ABOUT BEGINNINGS. 
Dm you ever see an engine try to start a train 
of cars? How It puffed and groaned and wheez¬ 
ed, just as if the iron horse had hardly strength 
enough to move such a ponderous load! But 
when he gets fairly under way ho goes ou mer¬ 
rily for miles and miles, a* if he loved to do it, 
giving now and then a detlant suort, as much as 
to say, “ Who says I can’t draw a heavy load ? " 
But if he once fairly stops, then there is all the 
old trouble to start again. 
Did you ever take a bath in a cold morning ? 
The water looks so clear and chilly that you 
have a good mind to let It. alone just this once, 
and wash when the weather is milder. The first 
touch stings like ice; you shudder and start 
back as If you were freezing. But you don’t 
freeze, and as soon as you begin to rub yourself 
with a coarse towel, you are all in a glow. Your 
checks are red uud your eyes are bright, aud you 
are much warmer than when you stood shiver- 
lug, thinking, “ I can’t do it.” 
Does it seem very early sometimes when the 
breakfast bell rings hi the morning? You like 
breakfast, every one of you, but you dou’t al¬ 
ways like it at the right time. You are very 
warm and very sleepy, and the bed seems a much 
more desirable place thftu it did last night, when 
you were so unwilling to go to it. Just now you 
arc on the most intimate terms with the blank¬ 
ets, and you can’t bear tUe idea of parting. You 
cannot see to dress, for your eyes are closed, and 
It seems very hard to get thooi open. But in a 
few minutes they are wide open aud shining, 
the new winter suit is bnttoned, the tangled hair 
is smooth aud the second bell sounds like the 
voice of a playmate, “Come on, boys, we are 
The nation owes a tribute to the soldiers who 
fell for the preservation of this Government, 
which it can never repay. The sacrifices which 
the brave men made for Union and Liberty can 
never receive an adequate compensation. They 
went forth to the battle, and left home and all 
the fond associations which cluster around 
them in their own peaceful dwellings, aud many 
never returned to visit friends and kindred. 
They had a truly patriotic spirit, and knew that 
duke d decorum eU pro gatria mod ; still their 
lives were as precious to them as ours are to us 
who are living. They left friends as dear—they 
left .homes as bright, aud associations as pleas¬ 
ant as ours; and all this they did for the sake of 
our Nation’s integrity aud freedom. Who dare 
accuse them of false patriotism ? Who will say 
that they were prompted by self-aggrandizement 
and by selfish motives? If any one would ac¬ 
cuse them of mercenary incentives, let him look 
at the sacrifices undergone; let him view their 
struggles and see their privations, and then 
who will censure them as acting for their own 
interests ? Some sleep in their graves, far away 
from home, washed by southern streams. Some 
fell in Forts, where they weru defending the flag 
of their country, and they are no less honored, 
for it was a bloody reach for liberty. Still 
others went down on the ocean, while they were 
fighting and nobly maintaining the honorof our 
national ensign. 
Thus wo see their heroism never faltered, and 
when danger threatened them they fought the 
fiercer. Many hearthstones are made vacant by 
the death of some brave member who fell bat¬ 
tling for the right. But now they are at rest, 
and nothing will disturb them evermore; the 
constellated stars shall keep vigil over their 
graves. D. H. Pingrey. 
Harrisburg, Pa., 18G6. 
The Adventures of Reuben Daviogeu; Seventeen 
years and four months captive among the Dyaks of 
Borneo. By .Tames Greenwood. [V2mo—pp. 3U.j 
Illustrated. New York; Harper & Brothers. 
This is a book that will prove fascinating to young 
men and boys who have a desire to indulge in 
wild adventure on the occau amoDg desert islands 
and savage tribes of men. It is of the Robinson 
Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, and Mastermau 
Ready stamp. The imagination takes hold with 
eagerness of the account of one who, from the mo¬ 
ment he leaves his native land, seems to be for years 
the mere sport of fashion, experiences the changes 
incident to solitary life on an uninhabited island, 
captivity among pirates, being prime minister to a 
Borneoese Chief, and pearl fishing. Sold by Steele 
A Avery. 
LIKTJT.-GfPiiSr. WUNTFI-KILD SCOTT, 
WrNFfELD Scott, for over hall' a century an 
officer of the United States Army, and for many 
years its General-in-Chief, departed this life at 
West Point, on the 39th ultimo, aged eighty 
years. Three days previous to bis death, Gen. 
Scott was out, and he retained his conscious¬ 
ness up to the moment of bis decease. Ou the 
announcement of his death, tokens of grief wore 
manifested throughout the country, and Presi¬ 
dent Johnson issued the following order: 
ExEctmvE Man-ion, May 20, 18»W. 
The President with profound sorrow announces to 
the people of the United States the death of Wiulleld 
Scott, tint late Lieutenant General of the Army. On 
the day which muy bo appointed for hi* (iinrral, the 
several Executive Departments of Government will 
be closed. The heads of the War and Navy Depart¬ 
ments will respectively give orders for the payment 
of appropriate honors to t he memory of the deceased. 
(Signed) Andrew" Johnson. 
Winfield Scott waa born at Petersburg, Va., 
.June 13th, 1780. He was educated at William 
and Mary College, and Studied law, but after u 
brief practice of that profession, entered the 
army In 1808, as a Captain of Artillery. In 
July, 1813, on the declaration of war with Great 
Brltaiu, be was advanced to the rank of Lieut. 
Colonel, and ordered to the Canada frontier. 
He arrived at Lewiston while the battle of 
Queenstown Heights was In progress, and cross¬ 
ing the river, took part iu the engagement with 
conspicuous gallantry; but was finally takcu 
prisoner with his command, lie was soon ex 
changed and joined the army under General 
Dearborn, us Adjutant-General, with the rank 
of Colonel. In the continued naval and land 
attack upon Fort George, May 27, 1813, lie com¬ 
manded the advance, which drove the enemy 
from the Fort, where he was severely hurt by an 
explosion of a magazine. In the autumn of 
1813, he commanded in the advance of Wilkin¬ 
son's unsuccessful expedition against Montreal. 
In the spring of 1814, he was made a Brigadier- 
General, and established a camp of instruction 
at Buffalo, where he introduced the French sys¬ 
tem of tactics, and disciplined bis forces with 
great skill and success. 
Ou July 3d, 1814, Scott, In conjunction with 
General Ripley, crossed the Niagara River, took 
Fort Erie, and the next day advanced upon 
Chippewa, where, on the 5th, he fought and 
defeated the British after an obstinate struggle. 
Twenty days later he fought the battle of Lundy's 
Lane, in which he had two horses killed under 
him, aud was twice severely wounded, llis con¬ 
duct in these battles, which added largely to the 
reputation of our arms, was eminently distin¬ 
guished by skill and valor, and gained for him 
great and general admiration. Before opera¬ 
tions wore resumed ou the Cauadiau frontier, 
the treaty of peace was concluded. Gen. 8cott 
was offered the post of Secretary of War, which 
he declined, and was promoted to be Major- 
General. lie Boon after visited Europe, where 
he was received with distinction, especially in 
France. In 1832, at the timeoi the Nullification 
troubles in South Carolina, he was sent to com¬ 
mand the United States forces at Charleston, 
where he displayed great prudence, tact and 
discretion. He was again employed as a pacifi¬ 
cator ou the Canadian frontier during the insur¬ 
rection in Lower Canada in 1837, and again on 
the north-eastern boundary ip 1839. On both 
these occasions he exerted great energy and dis¬ 
played good judgment in successful efforts to 
preserve the peace of the country. On the death 
of Gen. Macomb in 1841, he became General- 
in-Chief of the Army ot the United States. The 
war with Mexico began in May, 1843, and March 
9th of the following year, ScoTT lauded with 
12,000 men at Vera Cruz, and alter a short siege, 
captured the eity and the castle of San Juan 
d’Ulloa, and on April 8th the army began its 
march into the Interior, and on the 18th encoun¬ 
tered General Santa Anna strongly posted at 
Cerro Gordo with an army twice as numerous as 
the American. The Mexicans were defeated with 
% 
great loss, and Jalapa, l A rote and Puebla were 
rapidly captured. At Puebla the army remained 
for several months, waiting for re-inforcement*. 
On the 7th of August, Scott, with 10,000 men, 
moved on the City of Mexico and entered the 
valley which surrounds the city on the 10th. 
Santa Anna had assembled an army of 32,000 
men for the defense of,'the Capital, but wusde- 
feated with heavy loss iu the battles of Contre^ 
ras, Cliurubusco and Chapulfcepec. Mexico was 
taken September 14th, which virtually ended 
the war. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was 
signed March 3d, 1818, aud Mexico was soon 
afterward* evacuated by the American armies. 
Iu 1853 General Scott was the unsuccessful 
nominee of the Whig party for the Presidency, 
receiving 1,386,580 votes to 1,001 374 for the 
Democratic candidate, General Pif.rce. He re¬ 
ceived the electoral voles of Vermont, Massa¬ 
chusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1855 the 
Brevet rank of Lieutenant-General was conferred 
upon him, and in 1859 fie was ordered to the ex¬ 
treme north-west, when serious differences as 
to the boundary line of the United States and 
British America had arisen, and where, with fils 
usual judgment, lie effected a satisfactory set¬ 
tlement. On the outbreak of the Rebellion ia 
1881, Scott embraced with zeal aud energy the 
side of the Union and the Government. He 
urged upon President Buehnnau the wisest pre¬ 
cautions for the defence of our military posts, 
which were totally neglected by that function- 
ary. On the inauguration of Lincoln, he took 
charge of the defence of the capital, the organi¬ 
zation of the army of the Union and its estab¬ 
lishment upon the etrntegclie points of the 
country. Notwithstanding his great ago aud 
Infirm health, he showed astonishing energy and 
rendered services to the causo of the Republic, 
in its hour of deadliest peril, which will forever 
endear Ills name to a grateful people, 
On November 1st, 1801, he retired from active 
service, retaining by special act of Congress his 
full pay and allowances ; and on November 9th 
sailed from New York for Europe, hoping there 
to recover his broken health. He had scarcely 
arrived in Paris, however, before the rumor* of 
war with Great Britain, occasioned by the Trent 
affair, caused him to hurry borne In case his ser¬ 
vices or counsels might be needed. Ho has since 
lived in retirement, occupied chiefly in prepar¬ 
ing his autobiography, which was published In 
two volumes a year or two ago. He recently 
returned from a visit to the South, where ho 
spent the winter for the benefit of Ins health. 
General ScoTT was in person of large size, of 
dignified and stately presence, and with much of 
the manners and appearance of the old school of 
Virginia gentlemen of the times ol Washington, 
Marshall, Monroe and Jefferson. He had some 
faults of temper and of disposition, of no great, 
importance iu themselves, which interfered 
sadly with his popularity, aud doubtless were 
the main cause of his failure to attain the high¬ 
est reward which the people could bestow upon 
him for his long and faithful services. But 
there is no stain that we have ever heard upon 
his character, and in his public life he presents 
from first to last a brilliant and unblemished 
record. The conquest of Mexico proved his 
great abilities as a military commander, and his 
conduct during the late rebellion was a shining 
manifestation of the patriotism that glowed as 
fervently in the bosom of the infirm veteran of 
eighty as when in the flush of strength and man¬ 
hood he led the charge on the British lines at 
Chippewa aud Lundy’s Lane. 
Principles of Education, drawn from Nature and 
Revelation, andnppllcd to Female Education In the 
Upper Classes. By tho Author of “ Amy Herbert ” 
and other Tales: “My Frst History of Rome;" 
“ Night Lessons from Scrip tore;” “ History of the 
Early Chinch.” Ac , &c. Two volumes in one. 
[12mo.—pp. 17U j Now York: D. Apploton & Co. 
This is a work In which all educators, and especial¬ 
ly those engaged in promoting female education, will 
feel a deep interest. To such wo commend it as 
worthy of careful examination. In the preface the 
author modestly Rays : — “ Whether what has been 
aaid is true or false, wise or umvise, the world must 
judge: bnt the one sole desire of the writer has been 
to base the principles of education upon the teaching 
of God in Nature and Revelation." The volume is 
issued in the best stylo of the house whence it ema¬ 
nates. Sold by Steele & Avery. 
THE FRANKLIN FUND 
In a recent number of the Boston Journal is 
an accouut of the accumulation of the one 
thousand pounds sterling set apart iu the will 
of Benjamin Franklin, to be loaned out to 
young married mechanics under twenty-five 
years of age, to the amount of sixty pounds 
each. These loans were to be repaid In yearly 
instalments of ten pounds each with interest. 
The first loan was made in May, 1791. In lsll 
the fund had Increased to nine thousand dollars, 
wheu a Treasurer was appointed. After a series 
of years this functionary resigned the charge, 
when a Committee was appointed to examine 
and report on the condition of the Franklin 
Fund. This they did on the 17fh of February 
last, when If appeared that the bequest of a 
thousand pounds had risen to the sum of $110,. 
100.58. It was anticipated by the donor that in 
one hundred years the thousand pounds would 
have increased to one hundred and thirty-one 
thousand pounds. In this event the hundred 
thousand was to be devoted to public improve¬ 
ments in and about Boston, and the remaining 
thirty-one thousand pounds, he provides, shall 
be let out again on a similar plan and, as he 
estimated at the end of the second hundred 
years that the sura would be four millions and 
sixty-one thousand pounds sterling, he donates 
three millions to the State and the balance to 
the inhabitants of the town of Boston, thus 
terminating the fund. 
Mysteries of Bei: Kekhno Explained. Contain¬ 
ing the Result of thirty-five years Experience, aud 
directlonsi for using the Movable Comb and Box 
Hive, together with the most approved methods of 
propagating the Italian Bee. By M. Qcivinv. [12 
mo—pp. 348,] Illustrated. Now York: Orange 
Judd A CO. 
This is a newly written and Illustrated edition of 
Mr. Quixbt’s former work. T/ud ha* proved of val¬ 
ue to thousands of bee keepers, and rftw, with its 
riper experience and added knowledge, cannot fall of 
giving better satisfaction. Thirty-five year* experi¬ 
ence 1—what beginner In bee keeping will not bring 
this to his aid ? We notice tho author has no patent 
hive to Introduce, and expresses his opinion freely 
on the merits aud demerits of tho various ones seek¬ 
ing popular favor. 
COULDN’T! CAUSE HE SUNG SO! 
Leaning idly over a fence a few days since, 
we noticed a little four year old “ lord of crea¬ 
tion” amusing himself In the grass by watch¬ 
ing tho frolicsome flight of birds which were 
around him. At length a beautiful bobo-llnk 
perched himself upon a drooping bough of au 
apple tree which extended to within a few yards 
of the spot where the urchin sat, and maintained 
his position apparently nnconscloua of the close 
proximity to one whom birds usually consider 
a dangerous neighbor. 
The boy seemed astonished at his Impudence, 
aud after steadily regarding him for a minute 
or two, obeying the instincts of his baser nature, 
he picked up a stone lying at his feet and was 
preparing himself for a good aim. The little 
arm was reached backward without alarming 
the bird, the Bob was within au ace of damage, 
when lo! his throat swelled, and forth came 
Nature’s plea. “ A link—a link-al-i-n-k, bob 
o-link, bob-o-link! a-tio-weet! I know it—I 
know It! a-llnk! dou’t throw it! * throw it, 
throw it,” etc., etc.; and he didn’t. Slowly 
the little arm subsided to its natural position 
and the despised stone dropped. The minstrel 
charmed the murderer t Wo heard the song¬ 
ster through and watched his unharmed flight 
os did the boy with a sorrowful countenance. 
Anxious to hear an expression of the little fel¬ 
low’s feelings we approached him and luquired: 
“Why didn’t you stone him, my boy? you 
might have kilod him and carried him home." 
The poor little fellow looked up doubtingly 
as though he suspected our meauing, and with 
an expression half shame and half sorrow, he 
replied: “ Couldn't cause he sung so." Who will 
say that our nature is wholly depraved, after 
that ; or oven that music hath no charms to 
soothe the savage breast? Melody awakened 
humanity and humanity—mercy! The bird was 
saved aud God was glorified by the deed. Dear 
little boys don’t stone the birds. 
Letters or Life By Mrs. L, II. Siooi rkey. [12mo. 
—pp. 411.J New5ork: D. Appleton & C’o. 
The admirers of the voluminous writings of Mrs. 
Sigourney should all possess this autobiographical 
souvenir of one of the most gifted and useful of 
American women. A* a memento of the lamented 
authoress it will be cherished by thousands familiar 
with her writings, and by those and other thousands 
its simple life history will bo read with interest and 
instruction. It is one of those works which needa no 
commendation, its simple announcement being suf¬ 
ficient to secure wide attention and perusal. For 
eale by Steele & Avery. 
CONDENSED HISTORY OF STEAM 
Indian Corn, its Value. Culture and Uses. By 
Edward Enfield. [12uio— pp, 80S.] New York: 
Appleton & Co. 
This work is a clever compilation of facts, opinions 
and theories, gathered from practical men, Agricul¬ 
tural journals and books, and relating to the culture 
and use of the great cereal or our country. While it 
is no disparagement to Us merit to say that it offers 
nothing new to the readers on the subject it embra 
ces, its value as a manual and work of reference la 
sufficient to recommend it to every corn-grower and 
etock-raiscr. 
Augut 280 years B. U., Hero, of Alexandria, 
formed a toy which exhibited some of the pow¬ 
ers of steam, and was moved by its power. 
A. D. 540, Antheminus, an architect, arranged 
several caldroDS of water, each covered with the 
wide bottom of a leathern tube, which rose to a 
narrow top, with pipes extended to the rafters 
of the adjoining building. A fire was kindled 
beneath the caldron, and the house was shaken 
with the efforts of the steam ascending the 
tubes. This Is the first notice of the power of 
steam recorded. 
In 1543, June 17, Brasco de Garay tried a 
steamboat of 200 tons, with tolerable success, at 
Barcelona, Spain. It consisted of a caldron of 
boiling water, and a movable wheel on each 
side of the ship. It was laid aside as impracti¬ 
cable. A present, however, was made to Garay. 
In 1650, the first railroad was constructed at 
Newcastle on the Tyne. 
The first idea of a steam engine in England 
was in the Marquis of Worcester’s “ History of 
Invention,” A. D. 1G63. 
In 170L, Newermen made the first Bteam en¬ 
gine in England. 
In 1718 patents were granted to Savary for the 
first application of the steam engine. 
In 1794 James Watt made the first perfect 
The Farm, The House. The Barn-Yard and The 
Garden. By D. II. Jacques. [12mo—pp. 170 each, j 
New York: G. E. & F. W. Woodward. 
These are a series of manuals, comprising four 
volumes, on the subjects above mentioned. They are 
well written, profusely illustrated, and handsomely 
bound. The four volumes embrace most, of the sub¬ 
jects pertaining to fanning, and form quite a com¬ 
plete farm library. The work on Architecture will 
famish valuable hints to those intending to cons tract 
any kind of farm buildings, which alone might be 
worth many limes the cost of the entire series. 
The Galaxy.— This new “ Fortnightly Illustrated 
Magazine of Entertaining Reading" improves as it 
progresses. The third number announces the pro¬ 
prietors, who are none other than Messrs. W. C. & 
F. P. Church, publishers of the Army and Navy 
Journal—young men of ability, and “to tho manor 
born ’’ in periodical literature. It has been enlarged 
to 96 pages, and the publishers say The Galaxy will 
be an original American Magazine of the highest 
class—that arrangements have been made for regular 
contributions from the best known and most meritori¬ 
ous writers in the country’—and that the articles will 
he signed by the names of their authors, who will be 
alloweda wide freedom in theexpressiou cif opinions. 
The number before us is attractive in its brown and 
gilt externals, and its varied aLd excellent contents 
may well be styled “ Entertaining Reading," Pub¬ 
lished at 89 Park Row, New York— $5 per annum, or 
at the rate of 25 cents a number for any period. 
HOW TO GET UP REFRESHED 
BITS OF WISDOM 
steam engine in England. 
In 1706 Jonathan Hulls first set forth the idea 
of steam navigation. 
In 1778 Thomas lkvyne first proposed the ap¬ 
plication iu America. 
In 1781 Marqnis Joutfrey constructed a steam¬ 
boat on the Saone. 
In 1785 two Americans published a work on it. 
In 1789 William Smyiugton made a voyage in 
one, on the Forth .rad Clyde canal. 
In 1802 this experiment was repeated. 
In 1732 Ramsey propelled a boat by steam at 
New York. 
Iu 1789 John Fitch, ol Connecticut, navigated 
a boat by a steam engine on the Delaware. 
In 1794 Robert Fulton first began to apply his 
attention to steam; 
In 1783 Oliver Evans, a native of Philadelphia, 
constructed a *tcum engine to travel on a turn¬ 
pike road. 
The first steam vessel that ever crossed the 
Atlantic was the Savannah, in the month of 
June, 1810, from Charleston to Liverpool.— 
Hunt's Merchants' Magazine. 
Every person who toils daily upon a farm in 
warm weather, should be careful to practice a 
system of ablution at the close of each day’s 
labor. Sometimes he may be eo exhausted as 
to render this anything bnt, an Inviting per¬ 
formance; yet by its omission he loses much 
of the refreshment which the hours of repose 
are designed to impart. Cleanliness of person 
is essential to souud aud refreshing slumber, 
hence the labor of keeping one’s person clean is 
amply repaid by the elasticity which follow's 
from nightly ublutious, before retiring to rest. 
These are especially requisite during the haying 
aud harvesting season when profuse perspiration 
is a certaiu concomitant of hard and protracted 
labor. Keep Clean aud sleep soundly,—go to 
bed unwashed and rise in the morning uure- 
freshed, with a feeling of lassitude which the 
exertions of the day will hardly he able to 
remove. 
A man may have a great deal of manner and 
no manners. 
As a general rule, age makes the good better, 
and the bad worse. 
He who has ceased to eDjoy the superiority of 
his friend, has ceased to love him. 
HOT water Ratisfieth uo thirst, angry words 
mend no broken cups and saucers. 
Don’t have too many friends. He who can’t 
count his friends can’t count upon them. 
Kf.ep carefully out of a quarrelsome person’s 
way, and still more carefully out of his ways. 
People perform the greater part of the voyage 
of life before taking on their ballast;‘hence so 
many shipwrecks. 
A brave man in battle dies with his feet to 
the foe. A man who kicks his enemy lives w’ith 
his foot to the foe. 
A New Work by Gail Hamilton is in the press of 
her publishers, Messrs. Tickxor & Fields, Boston. 
It is specially adapted to summer reading, and 
bears the taking title of “Summer Rest." Most of 
tbe articles in this volume are now printed for the 
first time, and will be found erjual to any of the 
author's most brilliant essays. Halicarnassus ap¬ 
pears again on the carpet; and his exploits in the 
way of gardening and other domestic matters are 
made very amusing. 
