CHttfatiamal 
®hc ftUviewn' 
Tub Life of Geobge Stephenson, and of his Son, 
Robert Stephenson; Comprising also a History of 
the Invention anrt Introduction of the Railway Loco¬ 
motive. By Samuel Smiles. Illustrated, [Svo.—pn. 
501.] New York: Uarper & Brothers. 
This is one of the most interesting books that has ap¬ 
peared on onr table,—one that we have perused carefully 
and with profit. It is a book, indeed, to which one will 
turn the second and the third time, and which we would 
be glad to see in the hands of moat of the young men of 
onr country. It is an account of a magnificent mechani¬ 
cal triumph: the biography of a fattier and son who 
were two of the most eminent engineers that Great 
Britain has produced; it is the history of the railway 
and the locomotive engine from their first inception to a 
period when they had become the chief means for rapid 
conveyance of freight, and passengers on laud for the 
civilized world. To George Stephenson more than any 
other single man is tbc world indebted for the railway 
and locomotive engine, and this life, while it briefly de¬ 
scribes the efforts ana failures of other inventors, re¬ 
counts his triumphs and the successive steps by which 
he rose from poverty aud ignorance to wealth, influence 
an I lasting tame. The numerous fine illustrations great¬ 
ly add to the > ulue and interest or the work. For sale by 
Dewet. 
We should like to see the old-fashioned spelling 
schools once more in vogue in every school district. 
Good spellers, now-a-daya, are so rare that they are 
iudeed exceptional. They are not abundant among 
eollcgiates,— more’s the pity!—aud in the interme¬ 
diate grades ot students they are but here and there 
seen. In nine-tenths of the letters received by any 
large publishing or other establishment having letter 
communication with a large number of the people, 
errors in orthography are remarkably frequent. 
This is a sad comment on our study of the prima¬ 
ries. It calls for some new educational effort,— 
some system that shall awaken new interest in the 
particular branch alluded to. The best we know of 
is the old one whose revival we uow advocate. Not 
that it teaches all in connection with orthography 
which the young ought to know, but, that it adds 
a peculiar zest to the study. With the many helps 
which scholars of to-day possess over those of a 
generation ago, they should be far ahead in this 
branch, as iu all others. That they arc nor, is due 
to the comparatively dry manner in which orthog¬ 
raphy is at present taught. 
A dictionary is not, on the whole, a very fascinat¬ 
ing work for continued perusal; no more is a speller 
and definer of smaller dimensions. Where one mind 
becomes deeply interested in the analysis of words 
aud their mcauiug, and learns to render them with 
correctness, a score pronounce spelling and defining 
a bore, and are satisfied with the proper grouping 
of the letters in their own name. There must be 
some fresh attraction udded to the learning to make 
them ready learners. A spelling school, of a winter 
evening, with the excitement of “choosingsides” 
and a final measurement of syllabic lances iu “ spell¬ 
ing down,” or even an hour devoted to the same, of 
au occasional afternoon, when recitations flag and a 
lively impetus Is wanted, will tell to capital advant¬ 
age, Try it, you pedagogues in the rural districts, 
and having proved our words true, turn to your 
fellow teachers in the towns, who believe that to 
perpetuate such an ancient custom would savor of 
okl-fogyism, and say to them with the emphasis of 
your experience,—“Go thou and do likewise!” 
BY TENNYSON. 
Sweet and low, sweet and low, 
Wind of the western sea, 
Low, low, breathe and blow, 
Wind of the western seal 
Over the rolling waters go; 
Come from the dying moon and blow, 
Blow him again to me ; 
While my little one. while my pretty one, sleeps, 
Bleep and rest, sleep and rest; 
Father will come to thee soon. 
Rest, rest, on mother’s breast; 
Father will come to thee soon. 
Father will come to his babe in the nest: 
Silver sails all out of the west 
Under the silver moon: 
Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. 
A- 
Written for Moore’s Ratal New-Yorker. 
HOW KITTY LOST HER BONNET, 
The Child Wire: ,v Tale of the Two Worlds. By Capt. 
Maynk Reid, Author of “The Scalp Hunters." [12- 
mo.—pp. 102.] New York: Sheldon >te Co. 
We have seen it stated that this is really the author’s 
autobiography, lint thinly veiled. Maynk Reid has been 
his own hero so many times, in imagination, that if his 
personality be indeed identical with that of the chief 
character here it is hardly a new thing. He has produced 
a good many strikingly drawn portraitures; and of this 
last we have only to say that it is drawn as a very con¬ 
ceited man, steeped in self-love, viewing his own person 
in the best lights, and possessed of a tolerably expert 
pencil, would bo most apt to limn himself. The book is 
in bad taste, and is of that order of literature which it 
benefits no one to read. Sold by Daef.ow, 
Kittt was very fond of tearing stories, and when 
she was out West, visiting her Aunt Bktuania, she 
asked her every day for a story. And this was one 
that was told her: 
There was a little girl who lived in a pleasant 
farm-house, not many miles from where Kitty did, 
when she was at home. Her name was JRoxy, and 
their nearest neighbor was a kind old lady whom 
she always called Aunt Katy, who took a great in¬ 
terest in Roxy aud used to talk to her a great deal. 
One day when Roxy was over to see her, she 
gave her a large piece of lawn to make her doll a 
new dress; but when Roxr took it home her 
mother said it was too Dice for that, and so she took 
it and made Roxy a nice sun bonnet to wear to 
school. 
Roxy was like other little girls, rather careless; 
and one day she climbed up on a stone wall to pick 
some black raspberries that grew on a high bush, 
and pushed her bonnet off her head to see better, 
and it fell to the ground. After picking the berries 
she ran along on the top of the wall, forgetting that 
her bonnet lay on the ground, and finally ran home 
across the lot. 
Pretty soon Mr. Smith’s old dog Towser came 
along and picked up her bonnet, and ran home with 
it in his mouth. Roxy missed her bonnet directly, 
bub forgot where she had worn it last, and looked 
for it a long time. The next day Mary Smith 
brought it home, but it had been completely ruined 
by old Towser. Mary said she saw him have it 
running around, but thought it was a big bone until 
he dropped it. 
Roxy felt very bad because her bonnet was 
spoiled, and through her own carelessness, too; 
and she resolved to be a little more thoughtful in 
future, and not leave things around in such n dis¬ 
orderly way. b. c. d. 
The Amazon. By Franz Djnoelstedt, Translated 
from the German by J. M. Hart. ll2mo.—pn. 315.1 
New York: G. P. Putnam & Sou, 
Messrs Putnam & Son, having promised the reading 
pnbiic. a series of the very best popular works of French 
and German authors, here present the first volume of the 
series. It is a most charming picture of German society. 
Until reading it we had not supposed a work emauating 
from der Faderlami could be so refreshingly lively. 
Dinoblstedt wields a graceful pen, and has apparently 
lost nothing in translation. The story, which turns on a 
game or cross marriages, sparkles throughout with vi¬ 
vacity aud fanciful humor, and is artistically drawn. 
For sale by Dewey. 
Now that these rather remarkable individuals are 
again brought into public notice, by a statement 
that they are soon to be disunited, their portraits, 
with a brief allusion to their history, will not be 
inopportune. Their history is pretty generally 
known, although for a number of years past they 
have been living in retirement. About forty years 
ago they were brought from their native land by 
Captain Bunker, at present a resident of New York, 
and were exhibited to the public in Europe and 
America. They finally settled down in North Caro¬ 
lina, having purchased a valuable tract of land in 
that State, where they lived comfortably with their 
wives; for their peculiar physical condition did not 
prevent them from entering into a matrimonial alli¬ 
ance with two young ladies, who, being sisters, con¬ 
sented to make the brothers happy at the nup.ial 
altar, and each of them is now the father of nine 
children. 
The physieaL phenomenon associated with the 
twins’ existence has long becu of much interest to 
the scientific world. It will be remembered that 
they are united by a thoroughly normal and vitalized 
integumeut, some ten or twelve inches iu circum¬ 
ference, situated near the vital organs, and in close 
proximity to the heart and lungs, and this connec¬ 
tion is so intimate that the one seems to partake 
physically of the individuality of the other, consti¬ 
tuting a dual physical existence of the moat ex¬ 
traordinary character. Many years ago It was pro¬ 
posed to cut them asunder by a surgical operation, 
but though one of the brothers was disposed to 
submit to this apparently dangerous experiment, 
the other objected to any such interference with 
the singular hut very positive arraugements of 
nature. They are now about sixty years old, and 
are both willing, it is said, to undergo the experi¬ 
ment of separation. It will he performed in Paris. 
PEVEBn, OF TUB Peak. A Romance. By Sir Walter 
Scott, Bart. [12mo.—pp. 263.] New York; D. Apple- 
ton & Co. 
St, Ron an s Well. A Romance. By Sir Walter 
Scott. Bart. [12mo.-pp. 177.] New York: D. Apple- 
ton & Co, 
Quentin Der. ward. A Romance. By Sir Walter 
Scott, Bart.. [12mo.-pp. 190.] New York; D. Apple- 
ton & Co. 
The .Abbott. A Romance. By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. 
[12tno.—pp. 184.] New York: I). Appleton & Co. 
Four more of the cheap Scotch Plaid Edition of 
Scott’s novels are here given. We have heretofore 
commended the edition, and hardly need do so again. 
For sale by Scrantom & Wetmore. 
Written for Moore's Rural New-Yorker 
ENTOMOLOGY. 
The Philosophy of Domestic Life. By W. H, Byford 
M I)., of Chicago, III. [16mo.-pp. 174.] Boston: Lee 
& Shepard. 
There may he nothing especially original in this dis¬ 
sertation. but those truths which are presented are well 
methodized, and should attract general attention. The 
principles that ought to govern domestic relations are 
becoming too much mere dead letters, and we greet with 
a warm welcome any efforts to render them again popu¬ 
lar and useful. Dr. HTruKU fine evidently thought much 
upon the topics of which he treats, and writes earnestly 
aud well. Sold by St rantom & Wetmore, 
Next to the study of Botany, there is no branch 
of Natural History so fascinating as that which re¬ 
lates to insects; and a collection of specimens is 
quite as pleasing and instructive as a collection of 
dried (lowers. We heartily recommend this pursuit 
to all young people who reside in the country, and 
therefore have ample opportunity for observing and 
studying the many curious habits aud transforma¬ 
tions of the “busy people” aud “ painted populace” 
of the fields and woods. 
People generally know very little oi this science, 
pot being familiar even with the transformations 
flies, bees, beetles, &c., undergo; iudeed, the butter¬ 
fly is the only insect that is generally known and 
noticed. 
In January or February is a good time for collecting 
theaureliasof various moths which, as caterpillars, 
have lived upon the foliage of treesand plants. With 
a trowel, digging around the tree trunks, you will be 
likely to bring up the muromy-like creatures, which 
should he put in a box of wood or pasteboard, partly 
filled with vegetable eartb, aud covered with moss; 
aud these, once a fortnight, iu winter, and oftener, in 
summer, should be thoroughly moistened with water. 
Amelie Petit. 
hard and tough mass: with a larger proportion of 
glue it replaces the well-known cement of gypsum 
and gum Arabic. To increase the tenacity of this 
glue still more, It may be mixed when thick with a 
solution of caoutchouc in sulphide of earbou, or 
with genuine bird lime. If to the glycerine prepa¬ 
ration of the glue an alcoholic solution of gum 
ammoniac bo added, aud the result applied by 
means of a brush to linen cloth, it makeB a sticking 
plaster, much superior to the ordinary kind. 
The Corner Stall. A New York Story. By J. McNair 
Wright, Author of "Golden Heart,,” “Golden Life,” 
“Golden Work." “Golden Fruit,” etc. [lfirno.—pp. 
257.] Boston: Henry Hoyt. 
Thomas Twtog, who kept a corner stall in the great 
city, learned to read, read the Bible, became convinced 
that its beautiful truths were for him not less than others, 
and was made the humble instrument of accomplishing 
many excellent works 
pressed with German rationalism; and Frenck- 
Switzerland, equally open to the influence of France, 
has become deeply tainted with French infidelity. 
The English and Americans are making their im¬ 
pression ; and as the majority of these are pleusure- 
seekers, and have only a transient residence, you 
can imagine that they do not leave a very deep im¬ 
pression of the real earnestness of their character.” 
Dr. Decaisne, in the course of investigations on 
the influence of tobacco on the circulation, has 
been struck with the large number of boys, aged 
from 9 to 15, who smoke, and has been led to in¬ 
quire into the connection of this habit with, impair¬ 
ment of the general health. He has observed 38 
boys, aged from 9 to 15, who smoked more or less. 
Of these, distinct symptoms were present in 27. Iu 
22 there were various disorders of the circulation— 
bruit dr sonjjlci in the nock, palpitatiou, disorders of 
digestion, slowness of intellect, and a more or less 
marked taste for strong drinks. In three the pulse 
was intermittent. 
In eight there was found on examination more or 
less marked diminution of the rod corpuscles; in 
twelve there was rather frequent epistaxis; ten had 
disturbed sleep ; and four had slight ulcerations of 
the mucous membrane of the mouth, which disap¬ 
peared on ceasing from the use of tobacco for some 
days. In children who were very well nourished, 
the disorder was, in general, less marked. As to 
the ages, eight of iko boys were from uinc to 
twelve years old ; nineteen, from twelve to fifteen. 
The duration of the habit of smoking was, iu eleven, 
from six months to a year, and In sixteen more than 
two years. The ordinary treatment of anaemia in 
general produced no effect as long as the smoking 
was continued; but, when this was desisted from, 
health was soon perfectly restored, if there was no 
organic disease .—BrttUh Medical Journal . 
Thig volume telle how. Mr. 
IIott must he doing much good in the issue of such 
profitable reading for old and young. 
The writer adds: — “We have discovered that, 
besides the seventeen-year broods, the appearance 
of one of which was recorded as long ago as 1033, 
there arc also thirteen-year broods; and that, though 
both sometimes occur in the same States, yet in 
general terms the seventeen-year broods may be 
said to belong to the Northern, and the thirteen- 
year broods to the Southern States. It so happened 
that one oi' the largest seventeen-year broods, to¬ 
gether with one of the largest thirtccn-year broods, 
appeared simultaneously in the summer of 1868. 
Such an event, so far as regards these two particu¬ 
lar broods, has not taken place since the year 1647, 
nor will it take place again till the year 2089.” 
It is thought that there is no specific difference 
perceptible between the seventeen-year and thir¬ 
teen-year broods, except as to the time or period of 
maturing; but, as a matter of convenience, the 
thirteen-year brood is named cicada trcdcceni , and 
the seventeen-year cicada seplcmdecem. “Two dis¬ 
tinct forms occur in both broods—a large one and a 
small one—the former by far more numerous than 
the latter.” 
The season of their appeart 
according to latitude—being 
Appleton’s Juvenile Manual for 1809. A Christmas 
and New Year’s Gift tor Young People. With Numer¬ 
ous Illustrations. [12mo. — pp. 382.] New York: D. 
Appleton & Co. 
In all the elegance of gilt and beautiftil typography the 
yonBg folks are here provided with entertainin'..' and in¬ 
structive reading. There are about seventy selections,— 
short stories, anecdotes, etc,, embodying generally some 
facts in Natural History or Geography, — aud nearly half 
as many excellent illustrations, many of them full-page. 
Sold by Scrantom & Wetmore. 
An important change in the system of educating 
children has been inaugurated in Germany. There 
school authorities have determined to have no after¬ 
noon classes. They have ascertained that three or 
four hours’ clear-headed morning study, without 
any mental tasks in the afternoon, leads to better 
results than the old system. It would be well if the 
hours of study were shortened iu our schools. Too 
much study not only dwarfs the intellect, but dam¬ 
ages the physical health. Let the first half of the 
day he devoted to the acquiring of hook-knowledge, 
and the last half to the gaining of bodily strength 
and vigor. 
And, in order to do this, the lessons must not be 
so long and hard as to encroach upon the afternoon. 
An hour or so after supper ought to be sufficient to 
devote to study—leaving the rest of the evening lor 
some pleasant game or conversation—and, in the 
case of young or weak children, for sleep. Sensible 
as these views are, it is almost impossible to make 
teachers conform to them. 
One word more. If German children should thus 
Dot be overworked, much more is it true of Ameri¬ 
can children. The stimulation of the brain and 
nervous energy in this count ry is something terrible. 
And we must encourage the physical in order to 
counteract this result of our social and political 
education, by every rational means in our power. 
THE OLD MAN. 
Bow low the head—do reverence to the old man, 
once like you. The vicissitudes of life have silvered 
his hair and changed the round, merry face to the 
worn visage before you. Once the heart beat with 
aspiration, crushed by disappointmeut, aa your3, 
perhaps, is destined to be. Once that form stalked 
promptly through the gay scenes of pleasure, the 
beau ideal of grace; uow tlio baud of time, that 
withers the flowers of yesterday, has bent that 
figure aud destroyed that noble carriage. Once at 
your age, he possessed the thousaud thoughts that 
pass through your brain, now wishing to accom¬ 
plish deeds equal to a nook iu fame; anon imagin¬ 
ing life u dream that the sooner he awoke from the 
better. But, he has lived the dream very near 
through; the time to awaken is very near at hand; 
his eye never kiudles at old deeds of daring, and the 
hand takes a firmer grasp of the staff. Bow low 
the bend, hoy, as you would in your old age bq 
reverenced. 
Ellsworth's Single and Double Entry Book-Keep¬ 
ing and Business Manual. For Schools, Academies, 
Business Colleges, or Private Instruction. By U. W. 
Ellsworth, Principal of the Ellsworth Business Col¬ 
lege, and Author of the EJlsworthian System of Popular 
Penmanship, &c. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 
Wk like the general arrangement of this new candidate 
for favor among those pursuing business studios. It is 
concise, yet comprehensive and clear, so tar as we are en¬ 
abled to judge. Sold by Scrantom & Wetmore. 
The Pearl Series. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie. Bos¬ 
ton: A. F. Graves. 
Six handsome little volumes for girls comprise this 
series, neatly done up in a paper box. The Pearls pre¬ 
sented are Forgiveness, Contentment, Faith, Meekness, 
I eacc and Diligence,—the most lovely ornaments any 
person cau wear. A perusal of these stories may incite 
the young to win and wear them. 8old by Scrantom A 
Wetmore. 
15 a few days earlier,in 
the Southern thau in the Northern States; but they 
generally emerge from the ground the latter part of 
May, and remain till the oarly part of July, though 
some may occasionally he seen as late as the first of 
August. The males are said lo precede the females 
several days, when emerging to view in the spring 
or early summer, aud disappear in the same order. 
DRINK AND WORK 
I Emma Gray.— Emma Gray, on her way to school, 
passed a little boy whose hand was through the rail¬ 
ing ol' a gentleman's front garden, trying to pick 
up a beautiful flower. “Ob, little boy,” said Emma 
kindly, “are you not taking that without leave?” 
“ Nobody sees me, ” answered the little boy. 
“Somebody secs you from the blue sky,” answered 
Emma. “God says we must not take what does 
not belong to us without leave, and you will grieve 
Him if you do so.” The little boy looked up into 
her face AS she spoke. “Shall I?” said ho; “ then 
I won’t.” He drew back his hand and went away. 
One way of doing good is to prevent others from 
doing wrong. A gentle word of reproof or per¬ 
suasion would save many a one from sin. 
“ I drink to make me work,” said one. Tc? 
which au old man replied:—“That’s true; drink, 
and it will make you work ! Harken to me a mo¬ 
ment, and I’ll tell you something that may do you 
good. I was once a prosperous farmer. I had a 
loving wife aud two fine lads as ever the sun shone 
on. We had a comfortable home, and lived happily 
together. But we used to drink to make 11 s work. 
Those two lads I have now laid In drunkards’ 
graves. My wile died broken-hearted, and now she 
lies by htr two sons I am seventy years of age. 
Had rt not becu for drink, I might now have been 
an independent gentleman ; bnt 1 used to drink to 
make me work, and mark it, it makes nte work 
now. At seventy years of age I am obligeu to work 
for my daily bread. Drink! drink! aud it will 
make you work!”' 
Hillsboro’ Fakms, By 8ophla Dickinson Cobb, fl2- 
rno.—pp. 123.] Boston : Lee & Shepard, 
An agreeable story, making no pretense to more. It 
does not claim any special moral or mission, but is made 
up ot such groupings of life and nature as are quiet and 
little noticed, yet pure and healthful in tone. For recre¬ 
ative reading, in hours when one does not wish to put 
forth any mental effort, it is just the thing. Sold by 
Darrow. 
ABOUT MEMORIZING 
“ Which is correct—learning by heart, or learning 
by art?" The former is the usual expression, but it 
is by no means clear that it conveys the intended 
meaning. He who expresses words, or sentences, 
or aught else upon Ms brain by rote, as it is called, 
uses some acquired or instinctive trick of memory 
lor the purpose. School-boys, actors, singers and 
their likes, have various artifices for committing 
matters to memory, and their learning is tty art; 
the heart has nothing So do with it. If learning 
by heart means anything at all, it certainly signh 
flea the principle the very opposite of that it is 
used to designate, — the profound acquirement of 
knowledge, the understanding of facts and experi¬ 
ences, without regard to the symbols by which they 
are presented to the mind. 
A writer in a German journal commends an 
article recently introduced into trade, under tie 
" “ vegetable glue," as the best substance 
together pasteboard, cloth and 
common glue, 
ing aud 
If cold water bo poured 
•lue, and allowed to stand for ten or 
The Little Gypsy, By Elie Salvage. Illustrated hv 
Lorenzo Fuolich. Translated from the French bv L 
JM. Luyster. Boston; Roberts Brothers. 
A beautiful story is here put forth in beautiful garb, 
and will prove not the leust of the Christmas delights for 
mauy little folks, else we mistake the good judgment of 
those who select holiday gilts for the young. Sold by 
S. A. Ellis & Co. 
name of 
known for pasting 
leather. Externally, it resembles <- 
but has the great advantage of readily softeni 
dissolving iu cold water, 
over this 
twelve hours, -when the surplus water is removed a 
thick, white pulp is left, of extreme teuacity, which 
may be applied by means of a brush, and which may 
be kept a long time by the addition of a few drops 
of oil of lavender, kreosote or carbolic acid. 
Mixed with glycerine (20 drops to the fluid ounce) 
it makes a capital table mucilage, having the very 
great advantage over gam Arabic or British gum, 
(tho ordinary materials of mucilage bottles,) iu not 
striking through unsized paper and making it trans¬ 
lucent. If a few drops of nitric acid he added to the 
preparation, or should the paste be made with viue- 
fi .11 instead of water, tt answers an excellent purpose 
for fastening wood to metal. Calcined gypsum 
mixed with this mucilage to a kncadablc mass, 
takes Irom one to two hours to solidify into a very 
The Spoken Word. —Boys and girls, what is it 
you can never catch, though you chase after it as on 
the wings of the wind? You can never catch the 
word that has once gone out of your lips. Once 
spoken, it is out of your reach; do your best, you 
can never recall it. Therefore, take care what 
you say. Never speak an unkind word, an impure 
word, a lying word, or a profane word. 
The Hunter and Trapper. By Halsey Thrasher an 
Expeiienced Hunter. Illustrated. New York: Orange 
In this little work of 91 pages are given practical sug¬ 
gestions in regard to hunting and trapping many of the 
animuls found in our woods and waters. One chapter 
tells how to cure and dress various kinds of skins. 
Fossils.— The minutest fossil horse yet discovered 
was lately found by Proi. O, C. Marsh of Yale Col¬ 
lege in the tertiary deposits of Nebraska. Although 
full gro wn, as the ossification of the various hones 
prove, it is only about two feet high. This makes 
seventeen species of fossil horse now known to have 
lived in North America, although until quite recent¬ 
ly it was generally believed that there were none 
indigenous to the continent. 
Short Articles. —The tendency of the popular 
taste is more and more toward short articles, short 
sentences and short words in journalistic writing. 
Ibis change is visible both at home aud abroad. In 
Britain, France, Germany and Italy, this is as per¬ 
ceptible ar, it has lately become in the United States, 
where we have been fulling into the brevity system 
lor two or three years past, and nearly all the cheaper 
popular papers have adopted it. 
The Heritage of Peace ; Or, Christ Our Life. By T S 
I». 1051 ^ 
Our personal relations to the Saviour are here sc 
forth, in seven chapters, logically arranged. Side note; 
are given, making the book a useful little Biblical study 
Sold by Dewey. 
A youth who starts out in life with an earnest 
determination to be honest, upright, faithful to ail 
trusts, punctual, attentive, and, above all, God-fear¬ 
ing, has a promise of abundant success. Though 
he be without money, or wealthy friends, he will be 
sure to gain all that he most desires. 
