I 
I 
Hinnnryi^rr 
mmmm* 
THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COUNTRY 
(bItC Jtaiii finer 
The following is the substance ot the infor¬ 
mation derived from Professor Baird of the 
Smithsonian Institute, with regard to Russian 
America: 
Mean* <tf Information. —The Professor has had 
two explorers in that field between one and two 
who returned last autumn, bringing a 
OKIO-IET AND SEALS OF THE STATES, 
Ljteh.vK” Lift of .Tajik* K. Pacldino. By his Son, 
W. K Paulding. 1 Vol., 400 pages. 
Ax appreciative book, and such os a sou should 
write of a father; largely made up of extracts from 
PaULDIxVs writings, with such thread of narrative 
as gift? irood view of his life 3 * a Literary mao, as a 
friend and parent, Paulding was one of the pioneers 
of American lit erature, helping it out of that feeble¬ 
ness during which an English essayist asked “Who 
reads an American boob f” to Its present higher cul¬ 
ture and power, which lea is English publishers to 
give then- readers thousands of the works of oar 
authors. The correspondence of Mr. Pauldisg with 
Irving, II alleck, Kemble. Yas Bcrsx and others 
is of special interest, while the ;varie4 powers and 
jrracefttl case of his fugitive articles help to give vivid 
glimpses of a generation now well nigh gone. The 
book is well worth reading. Soil by Dxsaow & Co. 
NUMBER FIVE 
NORTH CAROLINA. 
In 1586 the first English attempt was made to 
colonize North America. Under a patent issued 
to Sir Francis Drake, a company of emigrant* 
was lauded on the Roanoke iu 1587, but 1 cere 
newer found or heard of t Emigrants from Vir¬ 
ginia settled In 1650; others came from Massa¬ 
chusetts in 1661. Iu 106!) a Constitution framed 
by the philosopher John Locke, was intro¬ 
duced, but found better in theory than practice, 
and soon abandoned, in 1720, the two Caroli¬ 
na* were divided. 
The present Constitution of North Caroliua 
was adopted in 1770. 
For sixty miles tVom the sea it is generally a 
dead level, with rich land on the rivers, and pine 
plains elsewhere. 
On the central mountains aud beyond, soil 
good, and products like those of the North, with 
healthy climate. The tar and turpentine of the 
pine woods is valuable, iron ore abounds, aud 
gold Uns been found. Square miles, 50,000; 
populatiou iu 1860, 002,622. 
years, 
complete collection of specimens of natural his¬ 
tory from the entire region extending from the 
British possessions to the shores of the Polar 
Sea. The climate and temperature of the coast 
from Prince of Wales Island to Behriag Straits, 
during the winter months, is about theisame as 
at the city of Washington. There is little snow 
and much rain. During the summer mouths 
heavy logs prevail. 
Titnber .—The whole country, well up to the 
northern coast, is heavily timbered—chiefly hard 
pine forests, the small trees extending down to 
the very shores. Some of the island* are heavily 
timbered with pine forests aud dense under I 
growth; others of them are destitute ot timber, 
but covered with grass of luxuriant growth. 
The Soil,—On the west coast the soil produces 
excellent barley and roots, such as radishes and 
turnips, and esculents, snch as lettuce, cabbage, 
&c. 
Animal *.—Furred animals, such as sea otter, 
river otter, sable, furred seal, mink, black, sil¬ 
ver and red foxes are touud in great numbers; 
red deer on the south aud reindeer on the north. 
fish. —Herring, salmon, halibut and codfish 
abound in exhaustless numbers. In Behring 
Straits and to Ihe northward great whales are 
very numerous. 
Mliterals. —Surface washings of gold have beeu 
discovered on the head waters of streams on the 
The Market Assistant. A brief description or ev¬ 
en* article of human rood sold in the public markets 
of New York, Boston. Philadelphia, ccc ; including 
the various domestic and wild animals, poultry, 
game, fish, vegetables, fruits, with curious incident* 
and anecdotes. Bv Thomas F. Db Voe, author of 
•‘Market Hook." &c.. &c. New York: Hurd & 
Houghton. 
A book of ova- four hundred pages by a successful 
and sagacious man who knows what he ray*, for he 
keeps a stall in Jefferson Market. It is full of valua¬ 
ble direction^, aud suggestions as to economy and 
quality of food or all kinds, and the best purchases 
for daily use. Its clear and interesting style, and its 
spicy ’ curiouB incidents” show that Mr. Dk Yob can 
handle the pen as well as the cleaver. The last chap¬ 
ter on cookery Is specially well worth reading. For 
sale by Dewbt._ 
Poems. By Amanda T. Jones. 
Sixtv pages of “Atlantis,"—a poetic rendering ot 
an old Greek Story of the wars of the gods, graceful¬ 
ly told, but far removed from the thoughts and life of 
to-day; as much more of poems on topic* connected 
with the late rebellion; words tender and brave in 
memory of the fallen, rejoicings for peace, and high 
hopes that justice may make it real, and a third part 
of miscellaneous topics, make up this first volume 
offered to the people by a young woman who dedi¬ 
cates her work “To the Member* of the Nameless 
Club.”—a choice company of literati in Buffalo. Deli¬ 
cately sweet descriptions of natural scenery, ease of 
rhythm and language almost to exuberance, arc here. 
It is a tasteful volume. For sale at Dewey's. 
THE RESIDENCE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
We herewith give the portrait of Brigham 
Young, the Mormon ruler, aud a view ot the 
place where his harem of thirty wives, with fifty 
children, find such poor substitute for home , as 
is possible iu their pitiable condition. 
Young is a native of Vermont, six feet high, 
portly, weighs two hundred pounds, Is sixty-five 
years old, with features yet smooth, step agile 
and elastic, and auburn hair and whiskers un- 
Hc uses no tea, coffee, spirits 
Mormons. The great sway of this remarkable 
man over “the Saints” is one of the singular 
proofs of the power of strong character reso¬ 
lutely bent on a 3 'mgle end. 
tinged with gray, 
or tobacco. Is a man of firm will, power over 
men, rare business talent, just iu dealings, great 
knowledge of human nature, and said to be per¬ 
sonally popular. No common man could have 
the influence he wields. 
Iu the heart, of Salt Lake City, within some 
acres enclosed by « stone wall, are the Zion 
House aud the Bee-House, and a School-House, 
where some thirty of his children are taught. 
These are bright and promising scholars, but in 
the ward schools of the city, the average intelli- 
geuce is low. Tuition costs from $4 to 810 a 
quarter, and there are no free schools in Utah. 
Brigham's ample and well-shaded grounds 
contain an abundance of fruits and flowers, re¬ 
sults of that industry so universal among the 
The Seal is emblematic of the products and 
industry of the State, aud has the “ cornucopia" 
or horn of plenty of Greek mythology, iu its 
center. 
SOUTH CAROLINA 
Was first settled at Port Royal about 1670, 
but in 1080 was tbe first permaneut beginning 
at Oyster Point, where Charleston now stands. 
Charles II. had granted Lord Clarendon 
aud others all the zone of North America from 
uorth latitude 01° to 36 Q , and thus troubles 
as to jurisdiction arose, and in 1719 a royal gov¬ 
ernment. Rico was cultivated in 1095. Cotton 
came after. The share of this State in the early 
revolution is well known. 
Its present government was organized in 1790, 
and has since been amended. 
A level plain, with rich soil and marshes, 
stretches 100 miles from the sea. Barren sand 
hills, clad sparsely with pine trees, reach 60 
miles beyoud, and wv-st of these a varied region 
of hills and dales productive and pleasant, rich 
in undeveloped wealth. Square miles, 30,000; 
iu 1860, population, 703,308. 
The American Naturalist. A popular Magazine 
of Illustrated Natural History. 
A handsome monthly of 56 pages, issued by the 
“Essex Institute,” Salem, Mass., with a list of emi¬ 
nent naturalists for contributors.— Gray of Harvard 
University. Baird of Smithsonian Institute, Winch- 
ell of Michigan University, and a score or more 
equally competent. Botany. Zoology. Geology, &c., 
have due share of attention In its somewhat varied 
scope. The illustrations are good, the articles clear 
yet scientific. “The Moss Animals,” “The Fertil¬ 
ization of Flowering Plants,” “Insects and their 
Allies,” are among the contributions in this second 
number of tills new and promising work. Its price' 
is $3.00 yearly. | 
“Oun Mutual Friend.” Diamond Edition. Illus¬ 
trated by S. Evtingk, Jr. Boston; Ticknor & 
Fields. 
One of the last and best of Dickens' stories; a 
beautiful volume, portable In size and shape, small 
yet very legible type, and with illustrations in which 
one sees the very persons told of in the story—Mr. 
Wegg, Mr. Venus. Mr. & Mrs. Boffin, Podsnappcry, 
&c .—Just like life. One of a uniform edition of his 
works, the tasteful finish of which shows that the 
“ Diamond Editious” of these noted publishers will 
be as acceptable as have been, and are, their “ blue 
and gold” books. 
BRIGHAM YOUNG. 
manner in which 1 have been aided, through the 
kindness of MaJ.-Gen. Schofield, will be seen 
by the newspapers iu a few days. 
The Freedmen had a commemoration of 
“Father Lincoln’s " death to-day over on the 
hill some two miles east of the city, at their 
hospital. Through the kindness of Gen. Brown, 
I was introduced to Rev. Mr. Manlt, the Super¬ 
intendent of Schools, and to.fe over from head¬ 
quarters, with an ambulance l|ad of young ladies 
who arc here as school teachris in the Freedmen 
Schools. They are from Northern States, and 
are each and all a credit to the land of their 
birth. The old Rural readers may not be as 
glad as I was to know that their old friend 
“Minnie Mintwood” was of the number. I 
am sure they won’t blame me if my heart warm¬ 
ed to her even before I knew that she aud I had | 
met so often iu the pages of the Rural. When 
I knew that the talented and Interesting young 
lady before me was the Mias Minnie of old 
times, and that we now met under such peculiar 
circumstances, I hope nobody will wonder that 
I could not help feeling unusual regard for her. 
Wliile we were waiting in a room of the hospi¬ 
tal for the crowd to assemble, she introduced me 
to a Mrs. Van Lew% who resided here with her 
daughter during all the war, and was unflinch¬ 
ing for Union. While listening to her very in¬ 
teresting recitals of her many trials, 1 handed 
tuy note-book to Miss Minnie, who sat between 
us, who wrote, amon; 
CHECKED PERSPIRATION — DANGERS, 
“Forewarned, forearmed,” is a good old 
motto. As warm weather comes on, and spring 
work in the field begins;—yes, and work iu the 
kitchen too, with the hot stove on one side aud 
the open window, with its draught of chill air, 
on the other—remember the motto, and practice 
it in this vital matter. 
I 11 the glow of active exercise the life-forces 
are in full play and positive action, little affected 
but when that exercise ceases 
sitiou is thus described:—An old man lies upon 
his back with his feet in the air; a little boy 
mounts and stands upon them. An oval tub is 
passed to the boy, which he places under his 
icet and upon the man's; another is given to 
him, which is added to the first, and so on until 
the little fellow’s head touches the proscenium 
from the top of the tottering pile, which is all 
the time supported by the strong and.muscular 
chap below. 
The little fellow makes his salaam to the audi¬ 
ence from his dizzy height, cooly fans himself 
fla he surveys the situation, and appears as un¬ 
concerned as if reposing on terra lirma. Sud¬ 
denly one of the performers utters an excla¬ 
mation In Japanese which la responded to by 
another. The old man, the foundation of the 
| pile, takes up the chorus, the little fuUow at 
by winds or chill 
those forces retire, to rest and recuperate, and 
the skin and external organs are not posi¬ 
tive, but negative, and receptive of all atmos¬ 
pheric variations. The ruddy boy, the strong 
man, the healthy woman, are thoughtless of 
danger, and a few moments' exposure to a chill 
draught smites a blow, and creates derangement 
and weakening of the vital forces, more serious 
than years of toll would produce. 
Meeting an old man once, among the hills of 
New Engl&ud, who had never knowu a day’s 
sickness, and could do a day’s work at seventy, 
we asked how lie had kept so well. He said: 
“I had a good constitution—that was a good 
start. I was taken decent care of as a boy; and 
since then I have worked hard, but beeu careful 
not to overdo. I have been temperate and regu¬ 
lar, and I always took care never to yd chilled. 
If I bad to stand still ten minutes or less, 1 put 
on my coat and faced the wind. This has helped 
me greatly.” Wise old man! 
Dr. Hall says:—“If, while perspiring, or 
while something warmer than usual, from exer¬ 
cise or a heated room, there is a sudden expos¬ 
ure in stillness to a still, bold air, or to a raw, 
damp atmosphere, or lo a draft, whether at an 
open window or door or street-corner, an inevi¬ 
table result is a violent and Instantaneous closing 
of the pores of the skin, by which waste and im¬ 
pure matters, which were making their way out 
The famed “Palmetto” and the cotton field 
are on the Seal. 
GEORGIA, 
Georgia was first settled in 1733 by General 
Oglethorpe, its first Governor. Its coast is 
lined with a range of Islands, aud for some miles 
inland is mostly a salt marsh. The Islands yield 
the famed sea island cotton. 
In low lands along the rivers rice is raised, as 
in South Carolina. The pine barrens extend 
back some 70 miles, and beyond is a rolling and 
productive region, with valuable forests, crops 
of cotton, corn and tobacco, aud excellent fruits. 
Gold has been found among the bills. Square 
miles, 58,000; in 1860, population 1,057,286. 
“ The Black .Sheep." A Novel. By Edmund Yates. 
The author is a young man, rising iu literary repute 
in England; not an imitator, but fresh and original, 
a good observer and striking narrator. Here ib a 
story of some two hundred closely printed pages— 
somewhat “ sensational," yet with a depth and pow¬ 
er, and a higher moral tone and truer purpose than 
belongs to the trash of that class. It Is English in 
persons and places, English in Its tone and Ideal, and 
its vivid and truthful pictures of Ufo, which ara not 
like Dickens, yet call him to mind. For sale by 
Steele & Avery. 
other things, “ Miss 
Eliza Van Lew, authoress, has a book in press, 
titled “ Inside View of Rebel Capitol.” If the 
daughter be any way like her mother, the work 
must be interesting. If Miss Minnie will ex¬ 
pand her diary into a book, say a “ Teacher’s 
Experience among Freedmen’s Schools,” it 
ought to be a great success. At any rate, if she 
see" this, she may put me down for one copy, 
and any amount of bloviating , though that would 
be unnecessary. 
There were a very good number assembled; 
some hundreds, most orderly, and as well be¬ 
haved as any similar collection of white people 
I ever saw North. They had singing and speak¬ 
ing, but as I was compelled to leave early I did 
not see the proceedings through. Mr. Manly 
promised to give me some statistics, but I could 
not wait for them. There are some 3,000 chil¬ 
dren in the schools here, and about 18,000 in the 
State, and constantly increasing. 
Sambo having the power to vote is making a 
wonderful change in his status. It’s no louger 
Sambo, but “ Mr. Brown," and a cordial nod 
from his white neighbor, especially if of the un¬ 
reconstructed persuasion. 
But, after all, 1 have nearly used up my space 
and told you nothing. Perhaps it is as well to 
end with the information that I no longer live 
at “West Friendship, Howard Co., Md.,” and 
do not expect to live there again. 
Petersburg. Y& , April lo, 1867. t. c. p. 
Record of Horticulture. Edited by A. 8. Fuller. 
New York: G. E. & F. W. Woodward. 
A neat book of 100 pages, the scope and intent of 
which is beet told in the preface, “We propose to 
publish, each year, a volume in which we shall en¬ 
deavor to Hhow the actual state of Horticulture, the 
principal Horticultural events of the year preceding, 
and any new development* In regard to more common 
fruits and flowers.” For this useful purpose they ask 
the aid of all Horticulturists, to make future “ Rec¬ 
ords” even better than this, if possible. 
A GOOD WORD FOR FLORIDA 
The Seal has masonic emblems, as well as 
glimpses of scenery aud occupations. 
“Christie's Faith." By the author at' “Mattie— 
A Stray,” &o, [500 pp.j New York: Harper & 
Brothers. 
A story of toil and struggle, of vicissitude, and 
conquest, of the victory of faith and love iu the lives 
of a family in London; the Scene extending to other 
towns and to the continent. The moral pure, the 
whole tone healthful, the style natural, simple, and 
rising to graphic power when occasion demands ; a 
record, very like real life, of what true hearts and 
firm wills can endeavor and perform. Sold by Steele 
& Avert. 
STRIKE THE KNOT 
“Strike the knot!” said a gentleman one 
day to his son, who, tired and weary, was lean¬ 
ing on his ax over a log which he had in vain 
been trying to cleave. Then, looking at the log, 
the gentleman saw, how the boy bad hacked and 
chipped all round the knot without hitting it. 
Taking the ax, he struck a few sharp blows on 
the knot, and split the log without difficulty. 
Smiling, he returned the ux to his son, saying : 
“Always strike the knot! ” 
That was good advice. It is good for you, my 
children, as "it was for the boy to whom it was 
first given. It is a capital maxim to follow when 
you are in trouble. Have you a hard sum to do 
at school? Have you got to face a difficulty? 
Are you leaving home to live for the first time 
among strangers ‘? Strike the knot! Look your 
trouble la the eye, as the bold lion hunter looks 
in the face of a lion. Never shrink from a pain¬ 
ful duty, bat step right up to it and do it. Yes, 
strike the knot! Strike the knot, boys and girls, 
aud you will always conquer your difficulties. 
The United States Bankrupt Law of 1867. With 
Notes of American and English decisions on the 
Principles and Practice of the Law of Bankruptcy, 
for thTTulb of the Lawyer and Merchant. By Ed¬ 
win James of New York, one of the framers of the 
recent English Bankrupt Act. [300pp.] New York; 
Harper &~Brotiiere. 
To is thoroughly prepared treatise and valuable col¬ 
lection of facts on au important matter, by a compe¬ 
tent and able lawyer, must be of value. 
Suggestions for Household Libraries of Essential 
and Standard Works. (Exclusive of Scientific and 
Religious Works.) A Pamphlet. New Y'ork: G. 
P. Putnam & Son. 
This is a valuable aid to book buyers, especially 
those fsr removed from cities; as it gives accurate 
information of the forms and prices of standard 
works, with hints as to the most desirable editions. 
For sale at Dewey's. 
SOUTHERN EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE 
Mr Dhar Rural :—I did not intend to write 
you any more letters at preseut, for this South¬ 
ern mission takes a heap of time, aud a heap 
more of writing. I have beeu aided very much 
by Geu. Grant and P. M. Gen. Randall, w ho 
have taken gTeat interest in this movement. In¬ 
deed, the highest officials are willing to aid it to 
the full extent of their power. The military 
thus fur have aided me with right hearty good¬ 
will. I think I shall be able to have one ot the 
most perfect systems of commuuication between 
the Department of Agriculture and the people of 
the late rebel States, that can well lie desired. I 
mean to have the States all agriculturally “re¬ 
constructed” before they are so politically. The 
Queer Nomenclature of Daughters. —A 
gentleman has told the Buffalo Advertiser that 
on a recent trip from San Francisco he had 
some fellow passengers by the name of Brown. 
This family came originally from California, but 
had resided at different times In Nebraska and 
Nevada. Besides the old gentleman and his 
wife there were three daughters named respect¬ 
ively Nebraska Brow*n, California Brown, and 
Nevada Brown. Mrs. Brown vyouid frequently 
say to her eldest daughter:—“ Come here, Ne¬ 
braska, and bring California and Nevada with 
you"—at which the other passengers chose to 
be amused. 
The Peoples' Magazine.—A re-issue—from Pott 
& Ameev, No.'s 5 and 13 Cooper Union, New York— 
of .an English work from the “ Society for the Diffu¬ 
sion of Christian Knowledge.” Sixty pages of Sto¬ 
ries, History, Poetry, Science, Education for the 
People, &c. Original matter well written, useful, 
well illustrates!, and of value: yet offered monthlriat 
A Royal Betrothal.— The betrothal of King 
Louis II. of Bavaria, to the Archduchess Sophia, 
sister of the Empress of Austria, is to take place 
on the 15th of May. 
Keep good principles, and they will keep you, 
