S&6 HcUefosi! 
BEUCE AND THE SPIDER 
Ctclop.spta or Biblical, Theoloo ic ai. a\d Eccle¬ 
siastical LiTEV.ATfHK : Prepared by Rev. John 
M cCi.rNTocK, D. D , and James Ktboso. S. T. D., 
Vol. 1, A, B. Xi-w York: Harper A Brothers. 
This solid book of MO pages, with ita Qt illustra¬ 
tions Is but the beginning of a work that may com¬ 
prise some dozen such volumes Ti is to be not only 
a work of reference and description on the Bible, but 
on Historical, Doctrinal and Practical Theology, and 
no work ever published so thoroughly covers this 
broad ground. These able men, with their company 
of able contributors, have been busy for years, and 
this is but the first fruits of their diligence. Darhow 
& KBMrstfAM, sole agents. 
Some six hundred years ago, when England 
and Scotland were, separate kingdoms and often 
at Avar, Robert Bruce was rightful heir, by 
inheritance, of the Scottish throne, but, Edward 
I, oi England claimed it as heir also, and put 
Bruce to sore trouble for a while, as lie bad 
greut armies and much wealth and povver. 
Bruce, after some hard detents, was forced to 
iiud shelter in the hut of a poor but faithful 
friend; lying on his humble bed and thinking of 
his difficulties, lie saw a spider swinging from a 
beam overhead, and thus trying to roach its web 
which stretched across to another beam, and 
fasten a thread to it. 
With singular interest he watched its perse¬ 
verance under difficulties, and the thought Hash¬ 
ed into his mind, “I may learn a lesson.” Six 
I times he saw the spider try and fail, and the 
thought came “ I, too, have tried six times, and 
failed.” Every motion of the spider was now 
closely scanned. It made another effort, with 
added care, swinging to and fro to gain the need¬ 
ed impulse, and at l<ud snceceiled, touched the wcb % 
and made fart it* thread. 
The King resolved to try again, rose from hia 
bed, after a sound sleep, with strong heurt, ral¬ 
lied his friend 
The College, The Market, and the Court: Or, 
Woman’s relation to Education, Labor and Law. 
By Mrs. Caroline H. Dat.l. Boston: Lee & 
Shepard. 
PrvE hundred fair pages, by an accomplished wo¬ 
man, of high character, earnest yet genial spirit, and 
most faithful in research. “The Christian Demand 
and Public Opinion," “ Death or Dishonor," “ The 
Opening of the Oates," "English and American 
Law," are titles of some chapters, and give a glimpse 
of the erudite information, us well as the purpose of 
this book. In these days of thought and inquiry 
touching the subjects it treats of, it will be of special 
value and interest, and the style and spirit of the 
work will command respect. Its price is $».5U. free 
of postage. 
Oh 1 oft I’ve chased that sportive stream In summer’s sun - ny hours ; And watched each sil - very 
meadows far a - wav! 
And still I love to stand and gaze 
Along its winding shore; 
Ami dream of happy, happy days, 
That will return no more! 
But life, like thee, flows on, sweet rill; 
And t, like thee, must haste 
Each day to do my Father’s will, 
But* turn one hour to waste. 
[From the Normal Singer, published by Mason Brothers, 
■ing flowers, Or plucked the bordering flowers 
de gleam, Or plucked the border 
Com.ki i e Life : Its Theory and Practice. By Stephen 
Oi.i.n, I). I). Bench and Bar: Their Wit, Asperity 
mid Amenities. By L. J. Bigelow. New York;: 
Harper & Brothers. 
Da. Oun is an able and veteran educator, and his 
views must be of value. The “ Bench and Bar” will 
furnish choice entertainment of a special kind, and 
is dedicated to Koscoe Conklino. Sold by Steele & 
Avery. 
Is, drove Edward from the king¬ 
dom, was crowned himself with fit ceremony, 
and left a goodly name when Uis kingly course 
was run. 
What think you, hoys and girls; will you 
try again? 
THE BONES OF BULL RUN 
plans, and keen device for mastery in politics, 
as well as trade, mirrored forth on their ample 
pages; Journals of Science, Agriculture and Re¬ 
ligion ; Magazines, not only from “Gotham” 
and “the hub,” hut from over the Atlantic. 
Sheets from San Francisco almost big enough 
to spread across the Continent and overshadow 
that prodigous bird, the American Eagle, and 
country journals, from, the Penobscot to the Sa¬ 
bine, as well as fair sheets from our Canadian 
neighbors. These country papers, are some of 
them excellent , and when they are they thrive; 
for, if you make a newspaper worth having peo¬ 
ple will have it. Some editor’s havn’t found 
this out, and eo lazily grumble, whereat people 
turn up their honest noses and depart. We’ve 
^Various logics 
HARRY’S SERMON 
A Painter’s Camp. B}- Philip G. Hambrton. In 
Three Part*. England. Scotland, Franco. Boston: 
Roberts Brothers 
A cuAWHtxij and instructive book,—scenes and per¬ 
sons, as seen by an artist's eye, and felt by an artist’s 
soul, fall of all harmony and sweet humanity. Read 
and learn from this useful book. Sold by Darhow & 
Kkmpshall. 
“Eddie,” said Hurry, “let’s play at goiug to 
church; and I’ll he the minister, and preach you 
a Bcnnou.” 
“ Well,” said Eddie, “ and I’ll he the people.” 
So they went up stairs together. Harry set an 
old lire screen up in front of him, by way of a 
pulpit, and thus began : 
“ My text is a very short and easy one— 1 Bo 
kind.’ There are some little texts in the Bible 
on purpose lor little children; and this is one of 
them. These are the heads of my sermon : 
“Firstly—Be kind to fattier, and don’t make 
a noise when he has a headache, I don’t believe 
you know what a headache is, hut 1 do. I had 
otic once, and I didu’t want to hear any one 
speak a word. 
“Secondly — Be kind to mother, and don’t 
make her tell you to do a thing more than once. 
It is very tiresome to say, It is time for you to 
go to bed, half a dozen times over. 
“Thirdly—Be kind to baby.” 
"You have left out ‘Be kind to Harry,’” 
broke in Eddie, forgetting that he was the 
people.” 
“Yes,” said Harry, “ I don’t mean to mention 
my own name in my sermons. I was saying—he 
kind to my little Minnie; and let her have your 
red soldier to play with, when site wants It. 
“ Fourthly—Be kind to Jane, and don’t scream 
and kick when she washes and dresses you.” 
Here Eddie looked a little ashamed and said: 
“ But she pulled my hair with the comb.” 
“ People mustn’t talk in church,” said Harry. 
“ Fifthly—Be kind to kittle, and do what will 
make her purr, and don’t do what will make her 
scratch and squall.” 
“Isn’t the sermon nearly done?” asked Ed¬ 
die; “ I want to sing,” and without waiting for 
Harry to tinish his discourse, or to give out. a 
hymn, he began to sing; and so Harry hud to 
stop; hut. it was a very good sermon after all. 
OUR EXCHANGE LIST, 
It’s a rainy day; welcome to the thirsty earth 
and welcomed by all,—even if it docs spoil some 
hay. Rain gives the farmer a little rest, al¬ 
though nobody need rust, on a good farm, ii it 
does rain. But, rain or shine, hot or cold, the 
Rural must go right on, and Its weekly issue 
must come ont. If our good readers pity us a 
little, we beg them to reserve the larger share of 
their condolence for the workers on these dally 
papers in a stone’s throw ®f us; for the con¬ 
stant and prompt work, the remorseless demand 
of each day, the vigilance not only from “ curly 
dawn to latest eve” but far into the sileut night, 
which they must he ever ready for. But we 
don’t ask pity. 
This is a working world, and work is no curse 
but a blessing, unless it be too severe. Those 
nerves and muscles, these vital currents con¬ 
stant in their flow, these pulsing brains, these 
thoughts that will stir, were not made for inertia 
hut for action, and it la a rich privilege to he 
able to do something for the common weal, to 
carry our share of the world’s burthen, to carve 
Shakings and Etchings from the Naval Academy. 
By Park Benjamin, Midshipman. Boston: Lee & 
Shepard. 
A portfolio of some fifty sketches, illustrative of 
life in the Naval school, designed and engraved with 
signal skill, and great humor. Sold by Dabrow & 
Kemphhall. 
Holmes’ Patriotic Sonos. By S. N. Holmes of 
Syracuse, Dedicated to “ the fallen heroes” of our 
late war. 
A pamlhlet “for coming campaigns," embracing 
wit, patriotism and genius, and the words adapted to 
the best popular music. 
Serpents in the Dove’s Nest. By Rev. J. Todd, D, 
D. Boston: Lee & Shepard, 
A pamphlet of two chapters; “Fashionable Mur¬ 
der," and "The Cloud with a Dark Lining;" treats 
on the too prevalent crimes of Infanticide and crim¬ 
inal abortion. Sold by Harrow & Kempshall. 
GREAT SIGHTS OF THE WORLD 
Little Brother, and Other Stories. By Fitz I Icon 
Ludlow. Stories and Sketches. By our best 
authors. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 
The first, a charming book, not only for young 
folks, but for older folks who can feel young. The 
second, a collection of choice matter from best sources. 
share of the world’s work and do It. “Shirks 
and cheats, get out of the way. No counterfeit 
coin wanted here,” is the word of mother Nature. 
But we wander, for here lie our exchanges 
untouched, and our work is to sec them all. 
On the table beside our desk are forty newspa- 
pers,—not. “ forty save one,” like the stripes of 
the old punishment, hut with from one to a 
score to carry. What a curious mingling of 
varied thought, what a kaleidoscope of current 
events, what a daily revelation of the world’s 
trade and piety, and science, and policy, aud 
benevolence and meanness 1 Reconstructed and 
unreconstructed, radical and conservative, or¬ 
thodox and heterodox, all together, peaceful aa 
the lion and the lamb in their millenial slum¬ 
bers,—more so than some of their readers, it 
may be. • 
Here’s the Corpus Christi Advertiser, its bame 
giving one a glimpse of life in the South-west, 
and going hack to old Spain for its Catholic be¬ 
ginning. Here are four columns of foe similes 
of brands on cattle, “advertised at four dollars 
a year.” Triangles, crosses, pot-hooks, initials, 
and things indescribable, such as herdsmen huru 
onto the flanks of their cattle on Texan prairies. 
We seem to hear the bellowing of herds and 
clash of horns, and to get a sniff of pure air trom 
the broad plains. 
Here is a New Orleans journal, one side 
French, the other English. How vital that old 
blood of “la belle France” must be, to keep its 
musical language, its graceful manners, its suave 
courtliness so long in this Anglo-Saxon land. 
Next comes a handsome sheet from Portland, 
Me., bringing a cool breeze from the White 
Mountains, and a faint perfume of the great pine 
woods. Its broad columns have news and ad¬ 
vertisements, and radical politics in abundance. 
There must have beeu vitality in the very ashes 
of that city, for it has risen into a richer life 
than ever. Surely the next sheet is from Ala¬ 
bama, with its positive motto, “ Our Rights we 
will Maintain,” aud its first word calling some 
radical convention “a trumped up farce.” The 
largest liberty surely. But no matter —in the 
THE LOWER ORDERS IN FRANCE. 
Thackeray’s Lectures. New York: Harper & 
Brothers. 
In this fine book of 500 paces, are the famed lec¬ 
tures of this great author on, “The English Humor¬ 
ists," and “The Four Georges.” They need no 
commendation. Sold by Steele & Avery*. 
“At first sight the French people — the lower 
orders — arc a real mystery; an inconceivable 
medley of weakness and of courage, of goodness 
and ill-will, of delicacy and rudeness, of gener¬ 
osity and egotism, of seriousness aud frivolity. 
It may be said that they possess two natures; 
one endowed with good sense, which is gener¬ 
ous, feeling and contrite; the other unreflecting, 
Which raves and drinks, curses and swears. On 
oue side they arc frivolous, vain, weak, scornful, 
skeptical, credulous, headstrong. In their fri¬ 
volity they jeer at everything —ut what Is frivo¬ 
lous and what Is serious, at what is profane and 
wliut is sacred. Their weakness under tempta¬ 
tion is lamentable; they have no restraint over 
themselves. But, above all, their credulity is 
unbounded. This is their weak, their had side; 
the sonrec of oue portion of our evils. But 1 
hasten to say that if there is evil in the French 
people, there is also good, much good. They 
are witty, frank, logical, generous, amiable and 
above all, they have hearts. This is undeniable; 
aud we should never despair of a man who has a 
heart; for there Is always something in him to 
fall hack upon. When all else is lost to this 
people their heart survives, for it is the last 
thing which dies within them.” 
Amy Denbuook. Published by J. O’Kane, 126 Nas¬ 
sau St., New York. 
This “life drama” is a story of a woman’s inner 
and outer life, and is above the ordinary range of sto- 
r j e9i _ w ith more and better thought aud more fitly 
expressed. 
Barnaby Rudge, and Sketches by “Boz.” New 
York: Uurd & Houghton. 
Here are (WO pages of fair print, fitly Illustrated,— 
a well known story, and the humorous “ sketches ” 
by Dickens, for only £1.50. Sold by Dewey. 
Last Chronicle of Burset. New York: Harper & 
Brothers. 
A story by Anthony Trollope, whose name is 
warranty of interest aud ability. Its 400 broad pages 
have fit illustrations. Sold by Steele & Avery. 
THE CHAMELEON AND PORCUPINE 
Romance of the Green Seal. By Mrs C. A. W ar- 
field. Who Was He? By Mrs. M. V. Victor. 
New York: Beadle & Co. 
Two pamphlet Btories from these publishers who 
give so much in compact form for the public wants. 
A REVENUE LESSON FROM ENGLAND 
The British revenue is nearly $350,000,000 in 
gold, and is drawn from a few sources—customs, 
$120,000,000; excise, $100,000,000, (spirits and 
malt liquors;) stamps,$50,000,000; property and 
income tax, $30,000,000; post-office, nearly $25,- 
000,000, and a few miscellaneous items make up 
the remaluder. 
Nicholas Nickleby. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 
Another of Dickens’ stories, too well known and 
excellent to need comment, in the diamond edition 
of that firm. Illustrated, $1.75; plain, $1.50. Sold 
at all our book stores. 
A COTTON RIVAL.-RAMIE 
The constant effort is to dimin¬ 
ish the number of these items of taxation, and 
to have no tax or duty of which any oue can rea¬ 
sonably complain. The necessaries of life are 
scarcely taxed at all directly. Food, clothing, 
reading, are untuxed. Rents are a little increased 
Some of the Southern journals mention a 
possible rival to the cotton plant in one of Jap¬ 
anese origin, called Ramie, and grown to some 
extent in Mexico. A few roots were sent to a 
gentleman in Louisiana last spring, who is test¬ 
ing them with a view of comparing their product 
with that of the Southern staple. The Ramie in 
said to resemble, In structure and growth, the 
common nettle; is hardier than cotton; can he 
cultivated at much less expense; will produce 
three crops in a season in a climate as geuial as 
that of the Gulf States; docs not require re¬ 
planting oftencr than once in six or seven years; 
is more productive and of stronger fiber than 
the cotton plant, is cultivated as readily as 
the sugar cane, und is exempt from the many 
casualties incident to the cultivation of the 
plant it is expected to rival. Experiment may 
demonstrate what is here assumed, but we con¬ 
fess to little faith in this cotton substitute come 
whence it may, Should the experiment, how¬ 
ever, prove a success, the advantages likely to 
flow from Its introduction, can scarcely be over¬ 
estimated. 
The Bankrupt Law. New York: Harper & Bros. 
Tans late and important "Act to establish a uniform 
System of Bankruptcy," with the orders and forms, 
is published Lu a pamphlet of 80 pages. It must be 
of signal value. Sold by Steele & Avery. 
Cutaous Myths of the Middle Ages. By S. B, 
Gould, Boston: Roberts Brothers. 
A collection or quaint old stories illustrative of 
Sold by Steele & Avery. 
life in bygone days 
Louisa of Prussia and her Times. New York: 
Appleton & Co. 
One of Louisa Muhlbach’s historical novels, al 
ways of value and interest. Sold by Adams & Ellis, 
Oub Sunlight.— Mrs. Hemans, in her last 
days, when among the mountain scenery of 
Wicklow during a storm, was struck by an ef¬ 
fect in the hills, produced by a rainbow diving 
down into a gloomy pass, which It seemed really 
to flood with its glowing colors. “ I could not 
help thinking,” said the dying poetess, “ that, it 
was like our religion, piercing and carrying 
brightness into the depths of sorrow aud the 
tomb." All the rest of the scene around that 
one illuminated spot was wrapped in the pro¬ 
found est darkness. 
The Newspaper. — De Tocqueville, in his 
work on America, says: — “A newspaper can 
drop the same thought into a thousands minds 
at the same moment. A newspaper is an adviser 
who does not require to be sought. Newspa¬ 
pers, therefore, become more necessary in pro¬ 
portion as men become more equal individuals 
and more to be feared. To suppose that they 
only served to protect freedom would he to 
diminish their Importance; they maintain civili¬ 
zation.” 
Jessica’s First Prayer. Boston; Henry Hoyt. 
An attractive volume, the first of the Sunday School 
Series of juvenile religious works. 
Raymond’s Heroine. Nora and Archibald Lee. 
Mr. Wynyard’b Ward. 1'arec of “Harper’s Select 
Novels,"— from Steele & Avery. 
Martin Chuzzlewit. One of Dickens’ stories 
in the clear type of Hard & Houghton’s. Globe edi¬ 
tion. Sold by Adams & Ellis. 
A young man, with a pair of fast horses, soon 
gallops through a fortune. 
