568 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
cause la sucira-sRuatlon they are the only ele¬ 
vated objects. To lessen the risk, which may 
here be somewhat serious, advantage should be 
taken of whatever undulations ol surlace may 
exist, to keep upon the lowest ground. No doubt 
the prostrate poBttton would In these circum¬ 
stances afford greater security than the erect. 
It happens not uufrequenlly that animals are 
killed by lightning under a tree to which they 
have betaken themselves tor shelter. In these 
cases the tree Is struck partly on account of Its 
Isolation, and partly on account of the pres¬ 
ence of the animals beneath it. 
Usually there are several, and often many of 
them assemble together, huddled probably by ter¬ 
ror Into contact one with another. The air, heat¬ 
ed by their bodies, rises above them laden with 
moisture, derived mainly from their breath. 
Who has not noticed the cloud of vapor that in 
the early morning and In certain states of the 
weather hangs over a flock of sheep or a herd of 
klne? The column of moist air ascending through 
the branches of the trees toward the cloud 
offers, In oousequence of the compartlvely high 
conductivity of water, a favorable passage for 
the electricity. A herd of cattle under an isolated 
tree Is thus exposed to a double risk; also It Is 
evident that these animals are in the open coun¬ 
try less secure from Injury than human beings, 
who cannot affect the atmosphere In a like 
degree.— chamber's journal. 
GOOD CONVERSATION. 
The Christian gentleman studies and practices 
such rules of the Bible, the best hand-book In the 
world on the art of conversation, as the follow¬ 
ing; “Let. your speech ha always with grace, 
seasoned with salt, that you may know how you 
ought to answer every man.” “ Let no corrupt 
communication proceed out of your moutU, but 
that which Is good to the use of edifying.” 
“ Speak evil of no man." “ rutting away lying, 
speak every man truth to his neighbor.” “A 
word fitly spoken 13 like apples of gold In pictures 
of silver.” 
He despises gossip and hates slander, lie 
would no sooner talk about your private affairs 
with others thau he would steal your purse or 
peep through your key-hole; and he considers 
slander the most heinous of crimes. 
Hl 3 conversation Is marked by Its purity. He 
tells no story and utters no word that he would 
blush to have understood by the most chaste and 
rettnel woman. 
He deems It ungentlemanly, as well as wicked, 
to emphasize his conversation with profane oaths. 
He respects the feelings of others too much to 
speak lightly of Him whom the Christian loves 
better thau the dearest earthly friend. 
He speaks his native language In Its purity. 
He avoids slang. It matters little how well a 
mammy bo dressed, how elegant his manners or 
accomplished he may be la the classics and for- 1 
elgn languages, if he does not speak his mother 
tongue ID Its purity, he cannot be received as a 
perfect gentleman. False syntax, mixed Idioms, 
the prostitution of sublime words to mean uses, 
slang phrases, betray want of culture and vul¬ 
garity In spite of all disguises. They frequently 
indicate a want of moral character. He who pre¬ 
fers a smattering of French to the mastery of hla 
o wn language, must care more for show than for 
true worth. He who corrupts In the using the 
magnificent language which has been entrusted 
to him as a rich legacy for posterity, is not lit, It 
would seem, for places of high trust. The vocab¬ 
ulary and phrases of a man afford a fair estimate 
of his culture and character. Words are the bal¬ 
ances by which we are weighed. “By thy 
words," says Jesus Christ, “shalt thou be Justi¬ 
fied, and by thy words shalt thou be con¬ 
demned.” 
The conversation of the Christian gentleman Is 
truthful. He never utters a falsehood for any 
purpose. He would not lift to escape from any 
difficulty or to secure any reward. Moreover, he 
avoids exaggeration and careless errors. Speak¬ 
ing always with authority, his declarations may 
ever be relied upon with safety. 
Ho never descends to angry disputation. He is 
not one of those who are forever argulDg. He is 
not an egotist who disputes on politics or religion 
to show that “ e’en though vanquished he could 
argue still." He has opinions and Is able at a 
fitting time to give his reasons; but ho never de¬ 
scends into the arena to make a show of his con¬ 
troversial powers. He is free also from dogma¬ 
tism, which mars the character of so many men 
of talent, never attempting to force h:s opinions 
upon any who will not gladly accept them. 
Neither is he a pedant who talks Incessantly that 
he may overpower you with a sense of his musty 
learning. Nor has he a hobby which he Is forever 
trying to make you ride behind him to the death. 
Nor does he insult your self-respect by descend¬ 
ing to common place bandying of words and com¬ 
pliments, chatting nonsense, as If such food only 
were suited to your effeminate soul. 
His talk Is at once entertaining and Instructive. 
With no assumption of airs, he teaches you as 
though he taught you not. lie Interests himself 
in those things which Interest you. He discovers 
your best thoughts and gives to them a beautiful 
expression. He gl ves you the facts for which you 
h ive been In search. Ho tells you the news you 
delight to hear. He excites those emotions of 
your heart that please you, and then shares your 
enjoyment. If perchanco he strikes a tender 
chord that reminds you of your grter, he heals the 
wound with genuine sympathy. He strengthens 
your good resolutions with new motives that you 
had not discovered. Avoiding base ridicule and 
biting sarcasm, he cheers you with his genial hu¬ 
mor and baulshes gloom with his sparkling wit. 
Master of the art of conversation, he does not. 
suffer the time to run to waste In awkward si¬ 
lence or valu words. He chooses the themes and 
talks with a purpose. He Is as good a listener as 
he Is a talker. He listens with such attentive in¬ 
terest that he makes the most reticent speak. In 
being a good listener, in knowlngjwhen to keep 
silent and how to draw out from others their best 
thoughts, consists half or more than half the art 
of successful conversation. 
Such a Christian gentleman Is welcome where- 
everhegoes; lor, at the head of the table or In 
the center of the drawing-room, be Is the life of 
the company and the joy of the social circle.— 
Sunday Afternoon. 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
Words : Their TT«r and Abuse. Hr Prof. Wjl- 
i.!A>r Ma tttie ws, L.L.D. Published!!'?' Griggs A 
111 . 
Those who Imagine this to be a dry dissertation 
on philology need road but a half dozen pages to 
convince themselves that, the author bassucceeded 
In wrl ting a really f a sclnatlng book. Even those for 
whom the subject bus no special attraction can¬ 
not fall to become very much Interested in Prof. 
Matthews’work; and we cordially commendltto 
all who desire to learn how to express themselves 
with accuracy and elegance. We give a few ex¬ 
tracts from this hook, hoping thereby to awaken 
an Interest among our readers In the subject of 
words, and to induce ihem. If possible, to study 
the significance and correct use of these “ expres¬ 
sions of Ideas.” If one-butt the time and money 
now expended in giving young people a smatter¬ 
ing of modern foreign languages were devoted to 
training them to a thorough knowledge of their 
native tongue, one would not so often he amazed 
and disgusted at the Ignorance of the correct 
use of even simple words and phrases displayed 
by many who pride themselves on being “edu¬ 
cated.” 
We proceed to notice some of the common im¬ 
proprieties of speecU. Many of them are of re¬ 
cent origin, others are old offenders that have 
oeen tried and condemned at the bar ofjcrltlclsm 
again and again 
But, for tnat, or ir. Example: “I have no 
doubt but he will come to-night.” “ I should not 
wonder but, that was the case.” 
Agriculturalist, for agriculturist, is an Impro¬ 
priety of the grossest sort.. Nine-tenths of our 
wrl'ers on agriculture use the former expression. 
They might as well say gaologlcallst. Instead of 
geologist, or cbemlcalLst, Instead of chemist. 
Illy la a barbarism, quite common la these 
days, especially with newly-fledged poets. There i 
Is no such word as lily In the language, and It is 
very silly to use it. The noun, adjective, and ad¬ 
verb, are 111. 
Plenty, for plentiful. Stump politicians tell us 
that the adoption of a certain measure “will 
make money plenty in every man’s pocket.” 
I have got, for I have. Hardly any other word 
In the language is so abused as tbo word get. A 
man says, “ 1 have got a coldhe means Biinply, 
“I have a cold.” 
Differ with, is often used, in public debate* in¬ 
stead of differ irom. Example: ”1 differ with 
the learned gentleman, entirely,”—which la In¬ 
tended to mean, that the speaker holds views 
different from those of the gentleman; not that 
ho agrees with the gentleman In differing Horn 
the views of a third person. Different to is often 
spoken arid written lu England, and occasionally 
la this country, Instead of different from. An 
example of this occurs In Queen Victoria's book, 
edited by Mr. Helps. 
Corporeal, for corporal. Is a gross vulgarism, 
the uso of which at this duy shouldaimostsubject 
an educated man to the kind of punishment which 
the latter adjective designates. Corporeal means, 
basing a body corporal, or belonging to a body. 
Wearies, for Is wearied. Example: “The 
reader soon wearies of such stuff.” 
Anyhow Is au exceedingly vulgar phrase. 
Lie, lay. Gross blunders are committed In tho 
use of these words; e. g., “He laid down on the 
grass," lustead of “he laid himself down,” or, 
“ he lay down.” The verb to lie (to be In a hori¬ 
zontal position) Is lay In the pretence.' The book 
does not lay on the table; It lies there. Some 
years ago an old lady consulted an eccentric Bos¬ 
ton physician, and, In describing her disease, 
said: “The trouble, Doctor, Is that I can neither 
lay nor set.” Then, Madam," was the reply, “ I 
would respectfully suggest the propriety of roost- 
lug.” 
“ Like I did,” Is a gross Western and Southern 
vulgarism for “ as I did.” 
Less, for fewer. “ Nut less than fifty persons.” 
Less relates to quantity; fewer, to number. 
Balance, for remainder. “ I’ll take the balance 
of the goods.” 
Revolt,for are revolting to. “Such doctrines 
revolt us.” 
Likewise, for also. Also classes together things 
or qualities, whilst likewise couples actions or 
states of being. “He did It likewise,” means he 
did In like manner. 
Avocation, for vocation, or calling. A man’s 
avonatlous are those pursuits or amusements 
which engage his attention whoa he Is “ called 
away trom ” his regular business or profession,— 
as music, fishing, boating. 
Crushed out, for crushed. “The rebellion has 
been crushed out.” Why out, rather than In? If 
you tread on a worm, you simply crush him,— 
that is all. 
Of, for from. Example: “Received of John 
Smith lltty dollars." Usage, perhaps, sanctions 
this. 
Had ought, had better, had rather. All these 
expressions are absurdities, uot less gross than 
biso, cot her, balm, ihelrn. No doubt there Is 
plenty of good authority for bad better and had 
rather; but how can future action bo expressed 
by a verb that signifies past and completed pos¬ 
session ? 
At, for by. E, g., “ Sales at auction.” The word 
auction signifies a manner of sale; and this signi¬ 
fication seems to require the preposition by. 
Party, for a man or woman. This error, so 
common In England, Is becomlug more and more 
prevalent here. An English witness once testified 
that he saw “ashort party” (meaning person) 
*< go over the bridge.” Another Englishman, who 
had looked at a portrait of St. Paul In a gallery at 
Florence, being a3ked his opinion of the picture. 
Slid that, he thought, “the party was very well 
executed.” It Is hardly necessary to say that It 
takes several persons to make a party. 
Deceiving, for trying to deceive. E. g., a per¬ 
son says to another. “You aro deceiving me,” 
when he means exactly the opposite, namely, 
“You aro trying to deceive me, but you cannot 
succeed, for your trickery Is transparent.” 
The masses, for the people generally. “The 
masses must be educated.” The masses of what? 
In our midst. This vulgarism Is continually 
heard in prayer-meetings, and from the lips of 
Doctors of Divinity, though Its Incorrectness has 
been exposed again and again. 'The possession 
or appurtenance. "The midst” or a company 
or society Is nota thing belonging or appurtenant 
to the company, or to the Individuals composing 
It. It Is a mere term of relation of an adverbial, 
not of a substantive character, and Is an Intensi¬ 
fied form of expression for among. Would any 
one say, “In our middle ?” 
Excessively, tor exceedingly. Ladle3 often com¬ 
plain that the weather Is “excessively hot,” 
thereby implying that they do not object to the 
heat, hut only to the excess of heat. They mean 
simply that the weather Is very hot. 
Either Is applicable only to two objects; and 
the same remark is true ot neither and both. 
“Either of the three " is wrong; so Is this—"Ten 
burglars broke Into the house, but neither or 
them could bo recognized." Either is sometimes 
improperly used for each; e. g., “ Ou either side 
of the the river was the tree ot life.”—Rev. xxl. 2. 
Seldom or never Is a common vulgarism. Say, 
“ seldom, It ever.” 
Conduct. In conversation, this verb Is frequent¬ 
ly used without the personal pronoun; as, ” he 
conducts well,” for “ho conducts himself well.” 
Least, for less. “ Of two evils, choose the least.” 
A confirmr d invalid. Can weakness be strong? 
If not, how can a man be a confirmed, or strength¬ 
ened, Invalid? 
Previous, for previously. “Previous to my 
leaving America.” 
Appreciates,ror rises In value. "Gold appre¬ 
ciated yesterday.” 
Proven for proved, and plead Tor pleaded, are 
clearly vulgarisms. 
Bound, for ready or determined. “ I am bound 
to do It." We may say properly that a ship la 
“ bound to Liverpoolthe term Is strictly a nau¬ 
tical one. 
Buoh for so. E. g., “I never saw such a high 
spire.” This means, “ I never saw a high spire of 
such a form,” or “ of such architecture;” whereas 
the speaker. In all probability, moans only that he 
never saw so high a spire. 
How for that. •* I have heard how some critics 
have been pacified with claret and a supper.” 
Equally as well, tor equally well, E. g., “It 
wlU do equally as well." 
Looks beautifully. No cultivated person would 
say, “ she Is beautifully,” or “ she seems beauti¬ 
fully," yet these phrases are no more Improper 
than “she looks beautifully.” We quality what 
a person does by an adverb; what a person Is, or 
soems to ho, by an adjective; o. g., “ she looks 
coldly on him;” “she looks cold." 
Leave, as an Intransitive verb. £. g., “ He left 
yesterday.” Many persons who use this phrase 
are mislead by what they deem the analogous ex¬ 
pressions, to write, to read. These verbs express 
an occupation, aa truly aa to run, to walk, to 
stand. In answer to the question, “ What Is A. B. 
doing?” it is sufficient to say, “He Is reading.” 
Here a complete Idea Is conveyed,which Is not true 
of the phrase, “ He left yesterday." 
Fir*t Principle* of Agriculture. By Hesut 
T inunsa. E. C. B, New YorK; Macmillan a to. 
This Is a concise, clear, practical hand-book of 
the science ot Agriculture; just such a book us 
should be in tho hands of alt farmers. It ex¬ 
plains those subjects that It is usually taken for 
granted every one Interested lu the Subject 
knows all about, but who, If compelled to give a 
succinct accouut ot ibe formation of soils, lor In¬ 
stance, would display a wealth of Ignorance, out 
of proportion even to the assumed knowledge of 
the subject. Technical terms aro avoided as 
much as possible. A few of the topics treated 
will give us an ldga of the contents ot the book. 
The Soil, Composition of Crops, Farm Manures, 
Natural and ;Artlficlal Manures, Rotation of 
Crops, Food of Farm Stock, etc. It Is the best 
elementary book on the subject we have seen. 
- 4 -*-*- 
MAGAZINE NOTES. 
The September Atlantic opens with a poem by 
Whittier, The vision of Ecliard, which Is sup¬ 
plemented by three poems of minor bards, and 
The Silent Melody, by O. W. Holmes. J. W. 
Kearney contributes American Finances from 
1789 to 1S85, and Mr. Sedgwick explains Primitive 
Communism. Francis J. Llppltx has an able ar¬ 
ticle on Pope’s Virginia campaign, and Porter’s 
Pari la It, which shows very clearly that Porter 
sustained a soldier’s part and acted with more 
judgment than was displayed by tho command¬ 
ing general. Count Shouvaloff Is the subject of 
au admiring article by Axel Gustafson, and Mr. 
Perry criticises some French novels. The Eu¬ 
ropeans is continued, and tho commencement of 
a new serial, A House or Entertainment, by II. E. 
Scuddcr is very promising. Richard Grant White 
has hla fourth article on Americanisms, and the 
Contributor’s Club is as full of color as Jacob’s 
coat. 
Harper's Maoazink for September, with the 
two Serlel stories by Black and Hardy; three 
brilliant short stories by Mrs. E. W. Latimer, 
Rebecca Harding Davis and Rose Terry Cooke; a 
dramatic sketch ot thrilling Interest by T. B 
Aldrich, with three admirable Illustrations by 
Abbey; a humorous sketch by Charles D. Desh- 
ler, entitled Ab’m: A Glimpse of Modern Dixie, 
illustrated by Pyle; an illustrated poem, o r 
pathetic interest, The Foreclosure of the Mort¬ 
gage, by Mrs. E. T. Corbett ; other poems by 
Ruth Dana and Harriet Prescott Spofford; several 
Illustrated articles, covering a variety ot sub¬ 
jects; timely articles of great and Immediate In¬ 
terest to all readers, and tbe five admirably sus¬ 
tained editorial departments—is an exceedingly 
rlcb. beautiful and entertaining number. 
Scribner for September opens w lth an engrav¬ 
ing by Cole ot Mr. W. M. Chase’s painting, Ready 
for the Ride, recently exhibited In New York. 
The leading Illustrated paper Is entitled Hunting 
the Mule-Deer In Colorado, by Mr. J. Harrison 
Mills, who appears In the treblo capacity of 
writer, wood-draughtsman and engraver. There 
are also drawings by George Inness, Jr., W. M. 
Cary and Frederick Dlelman. 
Dr. William J. Morton follows up his paper In 
the August number, entitled To South Africa for 
Diamonds I with a second and concluding install¬ 
ment of personal experience at "the dlggins,” 
chiefly about t,uo Cape diamond, diamond buying 
and steallog, Incidents and life In Kimberley, the 
morning markets, etc. Among tbe illustrations 
aro views of tho Dudley and Stewart diamonds in 
their settings. Maurice Thompson, of archery 
fame, has a paper on Glimpses of Western Farm 
Life, and Introducing a novel first experiment In 
Illustration, viz.: an engraving of a sketch In 
clay for a medallion of American farm life, 
modelled for the article toy Mr. C. L. Warner, tho 
sculptor. Following appropriately Is a discussion 
by Stephen D. Dlllaye ot The Transportation Ques¬ 
tion. In advocacy of a uutro w-gauge “ pure freight’’ 
highway, organlz a and controlled by the gov¬ 
ernment. The manufacture of A Spool ot Thread, 
la described by Charles H. Clark. Mrs. Burnett’s 
new story, Haworth’s, will begin In November. 
littkll's living Aoe.— The number of Httell’s 
Living Age tor the weeks ending August 3d and 
10th have the following valuable contents; Gior¬ 
dano Bruno and Galileo GalUel, Quarterly Re¬ 
view ; Among tnc Burmese, Fraser; What the Sun 
is Made of, toy J. Norman Lockyer, Nineteenth 
Century; A Doubting Heart, a serial story by the 
author ot Castle Day, published from advance 
sheets; Cheap Literature for village Children, 
Macmillan; American .Visions In Turkey, Frazer; 
The Story of a Letter, by Julia Kavanagh, Argosy; 
Tho Constitution ot Norway, Fraser; Stray 
Thoughts on Scenery, Cornhlll; The Bishops at 
Lambeth. Saturday Review; Our Kentish Par¬ 
ish, Blackwood; llow Three Princesses Pur¬ 
chased a Palace, Pall Mall Gazette; Admiral Sir 
George Black, Nature; The Will of Peter the 
Great, Academy ; and the us ual choice poetry 
etc. 
For fifty two such numbers, of sixty-four large, 
p jges each (or more than 3000 pages a year), the 
subscription price ($8) is low;or for $10.50 any one 
ot the American $4 monthlies or weeklies la sent 
With The Living Age for a year, both postpaid. 
Littell & Gay, Boston, aro the publishers. 
Those who enjoyed the expression of Auna C. 
Garlln’s views on church-lairs, lu Sunday ArrER- 
noon, a month or two since, can learn much that, 
is Interesting trom her about. Mothers’Meeting 
in tho September number of the above-mentioned 
magazine. What this bright, suggestive writer 
has to say ought to be read by ad women who 
are Interested in church work. For tho rest the 
magazine coutulnB Chrysanthem, a tale by Lizzie 
M. Champney, la which spiritualism la treated 
of. The Testimony of the Spirit, by Geo. Fisher; 
Dandelion Ghosts, by Ellzubeth Akers Allen; 
Religion la College, by C. F. Timing; Phlian- 
t.hropliy at Pltoii Point, by L. K. Black; Embalm¬ 
ed, by Susan Coolldgc; Chips irom a North¬ 
western Leg, ill., by Campbell Wheaton; Re¬ 
ligious Rights of Christian States, by Charles H. 
Richards; Aunt Ilulfiahs’ Scholars, by Edw. E. 
Hale; Quietness, by Julia Dorr; Martha Pitkin 
and Ursula Wolcott, by Henry Goddard; Judith 
and Judah, by .Josephine 11. Baker; A Water 
Lilly, by M. Y. Butts; Alter a Puck, by M. Louisa 
Pool; Good Conversation, by C. S. Walker, and 
the Editor’s Table, where tho Nobility or Labor, 
A Burning Question, Another Heresy, A Happy 
Sunday, and Notes on CurVeut Events aro dis¬ 
cussed. 
An exceedingly tine steel engraving ot Henry 
M. Stanley, of African fame, adorns the title pago 
of the Eclectic Magazine for September and tho 
short biographical sketch which follows, adds to 
the Interest one feels In this Intrepid explorer. 
This number of the Eclectic embraces a wide 
range of subjects and some of tho Lest foreign 
periodicals have been laid under contribution. 
The result is a most entertaining and instructive 
number. We give table of contents. 
Life and Times of Jas. Madison, The Mystery of 
Edwin Drood, Lady Caroline Lamb, Freemasonry: 
Its History and Alina, Lower Life m tho Tropics, 
Johnson without Boswell, What the Sun Is made 
of, Stray Thoughts on Scenery, An instalment of 
Macleod of Dare, Postlug and FostrOfQceH ot 
China, The Earth’s Place lu Nature, Through the 
Dark Continent, Italia and Literary Notices, 
Science and art—this latter department Is a 
most useful one, and reflects great credit on the 
editor. 
Appleton's opens with an Illustrated art Iclo on 
tbe New York Post-oflleo, by L. P. Richardson, 
which Is followed by In Paraguay, by J. J. Platt. 
Wl.l. Wallace Harney sings about The Old Home, 
and Barton Grey tells In tuneful numbers Whati 
may Happen at Your Gate. Mr. Win. Mlnturnjj 
writes pleasantly of Ed. Manet. There are three 
pleasaut stories In this number, two of them con-| 
linucd. .For the price, tUrce dollars per year 
Appleton’s furnishes very choice reading. 
LirrtNCorr's Magazine for September contains 1 
articles toy Ellen W. Oluey, Louise Chandler 
Moulton, RebeCca llurdlng Davis and Mary Dean 
beside Interesting contributions In prose and U 
verso from writers who are not sowell known 
Is it. necessary to add, after enumerating such t 
galaxy of .brilliant authors, that this number oi 
the magazine Is delightfully Interesting ? 
