oue of marked ability and success. In 1859 
lie took part in the suppression of the “ John 
Brown Rebellion ’’ at Harper’s Ferry. Jn 
1861, when Virginia seceded from the Union, 
Col. Lee, in accordance with convictions of 
duty which were the outgrowth of seed 
planted in his early education by his father, 
resigned his commission in the United Stales 
Army and drew his sword in defense of his 
native State, under her authority, and against 
the Government of the United States. The 
history of his efforts in her defense, and in 
the common cause of the South against the 
North, is fresh in the memory of our readers, 
and need not here he reviewed. 
April 9th, 1865, he sheathed his sword 
(Gen. Grant did not ask him to surrender 
it) and gave his parole of honor to hear arms 
no longer against the United States Govern¬ 
ment, and to live the life of a peaceable cit¬ 
izen of the Union. This pledge he has kept 
with honorable, admirable and marked 
faithfulness. September 28, 1865, lie was 
called to the Presidency of Washington 
College. As an educator, his career since 
that time lias been entirely in accordance 
with his previous distinguished career— 
Ut littrarg calerlb 
NEW PUBLICATIONS, 
isis. He marries the “ Kilmony” of his heart, a 
sweet-faced, high-bred English girt. The artist, 
Heatiierleigb, who befriended titra, is a jolly, 
easy-going character, whom you cannot help 
loving a great deal; the model girl, Polly, is a 
delightfully fresh and original creature, who 
has a drunken mother, whom sho gets rid of be¬ 
fore she marries HUA.THKRr.EfOH. The chavac- ! 
tors are all real and natural, so that you have a 
healthy affection or distaste for them, ns they de¬ 
serve. We most heartily commend “ Kilincuy” 
to our readers. 
Wonders of Acoustics, or the Phenomena of 
Sound. From the French or ltonor.pnn Kadan, 
the English revised by ROBERT Ball, M. A. 
(New York; Charles Scribner & Co.)—This book, 
belonging to the “ Library of Wonders " series, 
treats ol a subject very little understood, a 
standing puzzle to the architect, also to the mu¬ 
sician, who, content to display or observe cer¬ 
tain phenomena of sound, dues not trouble him¬ 
self usually about tlio science that directs his 
art. It is written with ability, presenting, in 
familiar style, nearly all that is known up to the 
present time of the science of which it treats. 
There aro some points in which the work might 
have been improved. A certain iiidellniteness 
in describing the musical notes might have been 
avoided sometimes by using musical characters; 
or by adopting the nomenclature of German 
theorists. The musical Illustrations are poorly 
typed, generally, and u-half page on page 201 is 
Inserted bottom upward. The presswork is also 
so bad in places that some of the illustrations 
fail entirely to shew the very thing thoy are in¬ 
tended to demonstrate. These are blemishes to 
ho regretted; but enough remains of t ho curious 
and useful to make the book attractive and de¬ 
sirable. 
Every .Won lilt Own Cattle Doctor ; by 
Francis Crater. (New York: Scribner, Wol¬ 
ford & Co.) — This is ft very liberally illustrated 
and carefully prepared volume. It has been re¬ 
written to the present, date by Georoe Arma- 
tage, M. R. C. V.S. It Is un English work, but 
its re-publication In this country by the publish¬ 
ers named above, is timely, and it deserves a 
place In the library of every breeder of cattle. 
For there Is no one who owns animals who ought 
not to know all that he can learn, from what¬ 
ever source, concerning the nature arid needs of 
the creatures dependent upon him, and from 
which he expects to profit. We. regard this 
volume a valuable accession to our library of 
industrial books. 
The hi ft of Arthur Tappan, (New York ; 
Hurd & Houghton,) Is a volume which will in¬ 
terest a great many men and women who have 
beeu familiar with American history and politi¬ 
cal agitators, agitations and resulting events the 
past forty years. It will bo remembered that he 
was a strenuous opponent of the American 
Colonization Society, and an aidant Abolition¬ 
ist, in tUc Jays When violence resulted to men 
advocating tlio abolition of slavery. His life 
was a very event ful one, and the story thereof 
will be found interesting to those who may de¬ 
sire to study American character, albeit they 
may not sympathize with his principles and acts 
wholly. 
The Heport of the .tl/t/itfnii State Hoard 
of Agriculture for I860 is issued. It is a hand¬ 
some volume of 500 pages, printed ou good pa¬ 
per. There Is one fault wo have to tlml with it 
and which detracts very materially from its 
Its index la incomplete and made with- 
Stich is tlio testimony of those who knew 
him heat. Greatly beloved, honored and re¬ 
vered, his death lias caused great sorrow 
among those with whom lie cast his lot. 
lie was buried beneath the Chapel of Wash¬ 
ington College amid demonstrations of grief 
on the part of his fellow-citizens, which at¬ 
test, the hold he had upon their hearts. 
The Faculty of Washington College 
adopted, in addition to a Memorial tribute 
to his life and services, the following reso¬ 
lutions : 
Resolved, That In the midst, of the deep cal¬ 
amity which has befallen us in the death of our 
beloved President, we, t he Faculty of Washing¬ 
ton College, experience a profound pleasure ami 
pride in recognizing the fact that, tlio mime of 
General Lee, though it belongs lo the whole 
country, is, in art especial view, the heritage of 
Washington College; and that It Is our duty, as 
it isour privilege, to provide suitable memorials, 
so that the preiilotis possession shall ho acknowl¬ 
edged, and itis numo held In gratetul remem¬ 
brance in this college for nil future time. 
JitMlml, That a Committ<X* he appointed to 
confer with a like Committee of the Hoard of 
Trustees, and report mean urea and plans for the 
erect ion of a suitable monument to General Lee, 
Jn the room in which his remains arc to be in¬ 
terred ; and, further, toconsldcrnml recommend 
such other monuments and memorials as may 
be decimal appropriate in (bo College. 
Resolved, That these Committees be requested 
jointly to make arrangements for the delivery 
of neology on the life and character of General 
Loo, in the College Cupel, on Hit; 19th day Of 
January, 1H71. being the next anniversary of his 
birthday ; ami we further express the wish that, 
this anniversary, like the birthday of Washing¬ 
ton, shall bo hereafter always celebrated In this 
College. 
Resolved, That tliese Committees bo requested 
also to confer and report to their respective 
bodies upon the subject, of so amending the 
present charter of Washington College, that the 
name of the Institution may heroatter express 
jn fit. conjunction the Immortal names of Wash¬ 
ington and Lee, whoso lives wore so similar in 
their perfect renown, and with both of whom, 
equally by singular good fortune, tt is enacted 
to be associated in lt.s future history. 
Resolved, That. In further testimony of our 
deep sorrow in this allliotion, wc will wear the 
badge of mourning during the remainder of the 
session. 
Resolved, That a cony of this minute be com¬ 
municated to the widow and family of the de¬ 
ceased. 
GEN. ROBERT E. LEE, LATE PRESIDENT OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE, LEXINGTON, VA, 
our table. Tt. is an admirable publication, and 
will be fouud exceedingly useful to Draughts¬ 
men, Civil Engineers, Surveyors, Architects, 
Engravers, Designers, Sign Painters, Schools, etc. 
The Choice or Curts, (New York: Hurd & 
Houghton,) is a romance designed “ to give, In a 
harmonious whole, the story of the groat pre- 
Hotnerlo tragedy which shook the shores of the 
Aegean.” It is the story of Paris and Helen, 
and is not wanting in interest, although an ohl 
one ro-lold ami modernized. 
of the different, orders of Architecture, a his¬ 
torical notice of Sculpture, Painting, (of differ- 
en schools,) and engraving. Following are bio¬ 
graphical notices of eminent artists in these 
several departments of Art.. No further review 
Is needed in order to give the reader an idea of 
the character of the work. 
A Set of Alphabets, (New York: Geo. E. 
Woodward,) of all the various hands in modern 
use, with examples in each style, designed as a 
text-hook, by Frederick. S. Copley, Is upon 
GEN. ROBERT E. LEE 
a portrait of General 
We give herewith 
Robert E. Lee, President of Washington I 
College, Lexington, Va., who died at liisresi- | 
dencc, October 12, 1870, at 9% A. M. Gen. 
Lee was born January 19, 1807, at Stratford 
House, Westmoreland Co., Va. He was tl'e 
son of Gen. Henry Lee, known in Revolu¬ 
tionary history as “ Light Horse. Harry.” 
The father of Robert' E. Lee died when the 
latter was eleven years old. Robert entered 
West Point as a cadet in 1825, and graduated 
at tlie bead of bis class. Ho was commis¬ 
sioned Lieutenant of Engineers in 1829. At 
the outbreak of the Mexican war, he was 
Captain in the Topographical Corps. In that 
war lie distinguished himself as a soldier, 
winning numerous brevets and high tribute 
to Ids sagacity, skill, genius, courage and 
chivalry. After the close of the war he, 
then Col. Lee, continued to serve in the En¬ 
gineer Department of the United States 
Army until 1852, when lie was appointed 
Superintendent of the West Point Military 
Academy, lie held this position until 1855. 
His administration as Superintendent was 
imtltonal 
EDUCATIONAL NOTES 
4)ucHtioiia fov Scholars. 
I have asked a few questions, at two 
Teachers’ Institutes, and having received no 
answer, I wish to ask the same through the 
Rural New-Yorker: 
1. Why does the needle of the compass 
point North ? 
2. What are the northern lights, or aurora 
borealis ? 
5. What is the cause of the attraction of 
gravitation? 
4. What is the cause of light and heat in 
the sun ? 
5. By what power do the heavenly bodies 
move ? 
In asking these questions of one of the In¬ 
stitutes, I observed that they were as easily 
answered as any others, if they only knew 
the answers. There is a cause for all, and 
that cause"may be known, or is known. Let 
James Jenkins, Carthage , 
value, 
out any regard to its future value for reference. 
It is iu this respect a disgrace to Michigan, as 
the reports of the New York Statu Society are 
to this State. These volumes, which should he 
preserved for future reference, are, notwith¬ 
standing their great cost to the people, rendered 
almost valueless by tho stupidity or Indolence 
of those who have their publication in charge. 
Otherwise this report is a credit to the State lit¬ 
erature of Michigan. 
School-House Architecture (New York: Geo. 
E. Woodward,) is a volume containing seventeen 
designs in various styles, with full descriptive 
drawings iu plan, elevation, section and dobiil, 
with specifications, by Samuel F. Evkleth, 
Architect. The execution of the designs and 
the mechanical appearance of the book com¬ 
mand our admiration and commendation. We 
have had some inquiries for Information which 
this book furnishes in better shape for use than 
we have space to give it. Wo commend it to all 
such correspondents, and to others who are pro¬ 
posing to build school buildings. 
Companions of my Solitude , by ARTHUR 
Helps, (Boston: Roberts Brothers,) is very far 
from being an uii interesting book, because it 
shows just what mental fruit a man may bear, 
anywhere, with the commonest things about 
him, if helearus to follow the lead of Sugges¬ 
tion and wander with her iu search of diversion 
and aliment. We have marked some passages 
in this book (for our readers’ enjoyment when 
we can find space. 
A School History of the United States, from 
the discovery of America to the year 1H7U. By 
David B. Scott. (New York: Harper A Broth¬ 
ers.) -This is simply a corapend of the leading 
events in our history, with questions on the mar¬ 
gin, designed as u class book. 
The Crlnces of Art ,- by Mrs. S. It. URBINO, 
(Boston: Lee & Shepard,) has an Introductory 
article on The Fine Arts, Including definitions 
me hear it, 
Missouri. 
What Him.It I Read? 
What shall we read? Will some one 
please advise a young lady, through tho 
Rural New-Yorker, what course of read¬ 
ing to pursue that will he interesting and 
profitable, and help her to become more 
intelligent and well informed. History, bio¬ 
graphy, travels, and even poetry have been 
too much neglected for lighter trash; and 
now that I would acquire a different and 
purer taste, 1 would, rather than trust myself, 
look to some kind unknown for assistance, 
please. —m.__ 
Let our readers who are teachers or stu¬ 
dents contribute to or ask questions for an¬ 
swer here. 
WALKING TOIJjBy.rs. - fU’or Description, see Ivu'c 
