62 PHILADELPHIA PORT FOLIO: A WEEKLY JOURNAL Then let me not with scorn asperse My first grey hair, on thee. Thou form'st an era in our span, When earth looks bright as Heaven! In His great power to put my trust, Shall change this breathing form to dust, To re-unite them once again, H. H. THE allegories of Pheodor Glinka are not less remarkable for the pure morality they inculcate, and the simple but sublime truths they illustrate, than for the elegance of their style, and the poetical fancy they display. From a volume of them, lately published at St. Petersburg, the following is selected, in the hope that it will prove neither an uninteresting nor unfavourable specimen of one of the most popular living authors of Russia. A BEAUTIFUL and noble maiden was once affianced to a youth of surpassing loveliness; when her father said to her, "It belioves, my child, that thy constancy be tried, that it be proved whether thou wilt remain faithful to thy betrothed, however thou mayst be assailed by temptation." He then commanded his servants to equip the young bride for a journey to a foreign and far distant land. This being done, they brought her a golden cup filled with the water of oblivion. No sooner had she emptied the chalice than a lethargic sleep benumbed her senses, while some irresistible power, like that which is the property of the magnet, carried her away in her state of insensibility-Scarcely was the farewell tear dry upon her cheek, ere the maiden awoke, and found herself beneath another heaven, and transported into an unknown region that seemed to her altogether another world. She found herself no longer free as before, but a prisoner confined within a curiously constructed moving cage, fashioned by the hand of some skilful artificer-deprived of her liberty, but still retaining her will. Here she was given in charge to the guardianship of five attendants, who were appointed to be at once her gaolers and her slaves, and to act as the sole interpreters between her and all that surrounded her. Yet might she not trust them without extreme caution, as they were naturally inclined both to deceive and to be de ceived. It was, however, the will of the maid- Yet how was the poor captive to know After a considerable interval, the captive her frequently in the shadows of midnight, when those her subtle seducers were lulled couch, and whispered to her, "Do not resign asleep, an invisible visiter hovered o'er her thyself to despondency." And this voice, though but heard for a moment, and as fleeting as all else that is most fair in this life, sufficed to remind her of the ineffable delight it once had been her lot to enjoy. blime in poetry, noble in art, appeared to her Whatever was most touching in music, suexistence, and affected her as powerfully as a to be some reminiscence of her former state of solitary stranger. The joy, however, that she memorial of his distant native land does the felt on such occasions was quickly succeeded by vexation, as often as involuntary compaclaimed, "I am often compelled to hate; while risons obtruded upon her. "Here," she exin the happy region I have quitted, there was but one universal law, and that was-to love. There love ever breathed with the genjal constantly freezes the affections. There the warmth of eternal spring; while here self-love thoughts and feelings of the heart were as palpable to sense as colours and sounds; here, on the contrary, we are obliged to make use of very imperfect expedients in order to express them-how many inanimate letters, requisite to convey a single feeling, a single how many ambiguous and obscure words are thought, however powerful be the one, or however luminous the other! I well remember, that in my former habitation there was neither yesterday, nor to-morrow, but existence was one continued day, uninterrupted by gloom or by night. Here how grudgingly is time bestowed, and on what mean uses is it employed! There whole ages seemed but as a minute, while spent in contemplating Him to whom I removed so far." was then so near, and from whom I am now She admired the pictures of nature, and loved to contemplate their sublime beauty in the rolling storm, when the waters of the deep ing forests bend beneath the steps of the giant foam against the granite rocks, and the creakpower that strides through the air. Yet was mother watching beside the cradle of her inevenings of spring, when nature, like a young her bosom filled with a holier joy in the mild fant, breathes new life and fragrance over the new-born year-when every flower is gemmed with dewy crystals that reflect the fulltimes she would exclaim, "Well does this brief orbed moon, or the radiant stars. At such moment of tranquillity remind me of that dwelt!" abode of ever-during peace, in which I once Thus did the captive bride abandon herself herself to a ray of light immured in a dark fog, to secret longings for her beloved: comparing she endeavoured to preserve her lustre unobserved. At length she succeeded in making nishment; and now that she discovered how herself acquainted with the place of her bavalueless are all its pretended treasures, she resisted the enticements of those who labourofficious services, or their winning allureed to seduce her, and no longer trusted their frail desires, she now opposed the commands ments. To their arts, or rather to her own of her parent and the shield of truth. From ed ineffectual; for nothing that is corrupted this moment their blandishments were rendergates of truth. It was then that for the first with falsehood is able to pass through the time she comprehended her own mysterious fate, and her lofty destination. But the term of her imprisonment was not yet completed: however powerfully she felt the recollections of her native region revive within her, she was so weakened by her captivity, that she fetters that yet retained her in durance. Still had not sufficient force to break asunder the and a slave. must she continue in bondage,-a prisoner But time hastened to work her release, and in which she was confined daily became weaker she perceived, with satisfaction, that the cage and weaker; while the enchantresses also desisted from their seductions; till at length she exclaimed in a voice of rapture, "The hour of my liberation is at hand!" And lo! that prison which once seemed so firm, now threatens every instant to fall to pieces-its bars yielded almost to a touch. Even the captive herself became as much changed as her abode: wings seemed to grow from her shoulders. "I feel," she cried, "that I shall not much longer be separated from my betrothed. Soon-very soon, shall I fly to meet him,-fly, as a liberated dove, to his embrace; to the happy region of my birth; there will my affection be repaid; there will my patience obtain its reward." EPITAPHS. The Tomb of a Greek Emperor in an English Church.-My next excursion was to Cornwall, which abounds in antiquities of all kinds. Here I visited all the Druidical remains, the logging stone of Castle Treryn, one of the most singular monuments of the earliest ages of the country, and which needs no inscription to declare its æra. I explored Mara-Zion, where many Phoenician miners lie buried, who left behind them lumps of molten tin, the Hebrew name of the place, and the Lands End, dedicated to their god Baal," as mementos of their coming. But the monument which most excited my curiosity was that in Lanulph church, erected to the memory of Theodore Paleologus. That a Greek, the immediate descendant of an emperor, and at that time the heir-apparent to the throne of Constantinople, which he would have filled, if the Turks had not seized it, should have taken refuge in England, and lie buried in a country church yard, was certainly an unlooked-for circumstance. On this, however, there is no doubt. The monument consists of a brass tablet fixed against the wall, of which the annexed is a copy: "Here lyeth the body of Theodoro Paleologvs, of Pesaro in Italye, descended from the Imperyal lyne of the last Christian Emperors of Greece; being the sonne of Camilio, the sonne of Prosper, the sonne of Theodoro, the sonne of Ionne, the sonne of Thomas Second, brother of Constantine Paleologvs, the 8th of that name, and last of the line that raygned in Constantinople vntil svbdved by the Tvrks, who married with Mary, the davghter of William Bales, of Hadlye, in Svffolke, gent.; and had issve 5 children: Theodoro, Iohn, Fernando, Maria and Dorothy, and departed this life at Clyfton, the 21 of Ianvary, 1636." -a The arms by which this monument is surmounted are those of the Greek emperors of the lower empire; which the Russians, who derived their religion, and probably their armorial bearings, from thein, also adopted,-spread eagle with two heads; the legs, however, instead of holding a ball and sceptre, are resting on two castles. But the most remarkable emblem is the crescent beneath. This has been generally supposed to be a Turkish symbol, but the Turks merely adopted it as they did many other things, which they found at Constantinople. The crescent was a symbol of Byzantium, and some of the coins have it on them, with the legend BYZANTINH ZOT, the salvation of Byzantium, from this cause: When Phlip of Macedon besieged the town, he prepared to storm it on a dark, inclement night; but the moon suddenly and unexpectedly shone out and discovered his approach, so that the inhabitants were prepared and repulsed him. In gratitude for this service, Diana, or the moon, became their patron, and her crescent their adopted emblem. When the seat of empire was transferred to this town, by Constantine, he preserved the crescent as The Lands End was called by the ancients, Belorium quasi, Baλ ogos, Beli mons, the mountain of Baal. the emblem of his family; and, when they The last dynasty that reigned in Constanti- THE DISENTHRALLED. The pulse of manhood's pride had grown There came a change-the cloud rolled off- He saw the gulf before, Grew terrible within; Along his pathway shone; His once forbidden name. That treadeth nations down- The disenthralled shall find, THE TARIFF. Essex Gazette. MESSRS. EDITORS. The following lines were suggested by the remark lately made by Mr. Webster, in a celebrated speech in the Senate, and which is thus reported. "It was the tariff! tariff! tariff! every thing began with it and ended with it. He believed if there was any word to rhyme with it, all their sonnets would be on the same subject." If you think them worthy of a place in the Museum, they are at your service. MERCUTIO. To distant lands, oh let me roam I can but get beyond the reach There yet remain two of the brothers, John and Fernando, of whose fate nothing is known. It is not impossible that some descendant of this royal line may yet start up in England and lay claim to the throne of Constantinople, which is likely, at no distant period, to become vacant, by the expulsion of the Turks from Europe; and, as we are a chivalrous nation, the refuge of the exiled, and the redress of the dethroned, we will take him by the hand, and, with the good-will of Russia, replace him on the throne of his fathers. The men of this family seem endued with no small personal beauty. The tomb of Theodore was opened about thirty years ago, and his body was found in an oak coffin, and in a very perfect state. He was of a large stature, much A valuable M.S. Bible had been presented by above the common size; his countenance was the Pope to Emanuel, King of Portugal, the oval, strongly marked, with an aquiline nose, transcript of which was made by Sismundi, and a very long and venerable white beard was and the vignettes by Julio Romano and it was expanded low upon his breast. This descrip-given by the king to be kept in the Convent of tion remarkably accords with the countenance of the first Constantine as seen on his coins.* * Descendants of the Imperial Family of Constantinople, are found in other countries of Europe, where they were scattered with the arts and sciences of the Greek Empire. Junot, Duke of Abrantes, married a lady of the family of Comneni, who, it is said, inherited some of the talent and vivacity of Anna Comnena, the daughter of Alexis. She had lately attracted public notice by the following circumstance: Is sure my peace to mar, if St. Jeronimo. This was, with other valuables, seized by Junot and carried off; it was demanded at the Convention of Cintra, and Junot was detained twenty-four hours in the Tagus, to oblige him to restore it, but he declared he had sent it to France. On the death of Junot, his wife was reduced to great distress, and she was compelled to part with this valuable Bible, which was purchased by Louis XVIII. for 60,000 francs, and restored to Portugal, where it now is, and the descendant of the Greek emperors is, I believe, living on the money it produced as her only support. The sapient merchant oft displays Exchange would be at par, if To check the growth of foreign trade And therefore hopes for war, if The sailor as he walks the deck, And he, too, d―s the tariff. "The tariff!" 'tis the doctors cry, Miss Tabby says, she has a friend The politicians make a rout, To good account his scar, if To credit what some sages say The Senate can contrive to suit, Our shrewd and pushing yankees bent The emp'ror would his wisdom show Without a heavy tariff." All States would gain-none more than we, Virginia Literary Museum. On life's tumultuous scenes, for ever flown; And, as my days decrease, Seek consolation in that Sacred Book Which leads to lasting peace: For oh! I covet not earth's vanities-its fading joys, Lord, when I lay me on that bed Whilst I in comfort sleep, the poor Still for the wretched let me feel; And sooth what thou must heal:- I would not a hard steward be If the rumour that Prince Leopold, of Coburg, is to be selected as the sovereign of Greece be correct, it would seem to afford strong evidence that the influence of Great Britain has obtained the ascendency in the councils of the allied powers, relating to that country. Although a German by birth, he is a Briton by adoption: and he has a strong tie to the latter nation, which cannot fail to bind him to its interests. Upon his marriage with the Princess Charlotte, of Wales, the government established an income in his favour, of fifty thousand pounds sterling a-year, during his life. This, it is to be presumed, will be continued, even though he should be placed at the head of another nation; and must be supposed to have its natural influence upon his mind and conduct. If so, it will follow, almost as a matter of course, that the policy of Great Britain will govern his conduct; and that will have the effect of placing Greece, in her regenerated state, in a great measure at least, under the protection of Great Britain. Under that influence, the situation of Greece is extremely interesting and important to Great Britain. That nation already holds Gibraltar, at the entrance into the Mediterranean; Malta, a most important station in the centre of that sea, the Ionian Islands at the mouth of the Adriatic, and commanding the passage to Venice and the surrounding regions; and when Greece becomes settled, and established under a new and independent government, its controul over the commerce of the Levant, and the Black Sea, will be highly important, and extensive. It is in fact determined to place the abovementioned Prince upon the Grecian throne, and the British government feel full confidence in his attachment to the interests of the country that has adopted him, and now intends to elevate him, we should think they would make every exertion to extend the limits of the new sovereignty as far as possible, in order to render the young nation as respectable and powerful as the nature of the case will admit. To extend and protect their interests, he must be rendered as formidable as may be; especially at sea. And perhaps no country in Europe furnishes better materials for a maritime power than Greece. With the assistance, and under the patronage of Great Britain, they will, in approved of as the best offered, by a committee of literary gentlemen of the city of Philadelphia, to be hereafter appointed. In the choice of a subject writers are left entirely to the exercise of their own judgments. Manuscripts will be received by the subscriber until the first of next November. Until the first of October, they may be directed either to him at Boston, or to the office of the Daily Chronicle, at Philadelphia; after that time, to the latter place only. Each competitor is requested to accompany his composition with a sealed letter identifying it, and containing his address, to remain unopened until the selection shall have been made. That letter only, which bears the same motto, or other distinguishing mark, with the successful piece, will then be examined; and the author will receive information that the sum of Five hundred Dollars will be deposited in one of the Philadelphia Banks, subject to his order, on the first of February following, when the Medal also will be ready for delivery. Postage to be paid on all communications sent by mail. W. PELBY. Philadelphia, Feb. 18, 1839. The delightful article on Childhood, is from the London New Monthly Magazine. As we grow older, we are more and more impressed with the importance of these little people. They are almost the only class of Society which is capable of much improvement. And although we must confess that they are less learned-and far less knowing than men and women, we do seriously profess our belief that they are a wiser set of people. The increase of knowledge, especially of the world, appears to obscure much of the clear light in which children walk. The friendships they form with such old people as are capable of them, may be entirely depended upon;-and very lately when looking at a little boy of five years, cold in his crib, with whom we had been friends ever since his birth, we felt that we had lost in him the opportunity of deriving as much pleasure and improvement as we could have given. Died, on the 17th instant, Guilliam Aertsen, son of Mr. Robert B. Aertsen. We are indebted for several of our articles this week, to a new English annual, called Emmanuel, edited by the Rev. Wm. Shepherd. Hood's Comic Annual is a very poor affair. The few articles we have copied from it, are all that it contains worth reading, and as we met with most of them before we saw the book itself, we were quite disappointed. When Barton's Poems first appeared, the review in the Edinburgh, and the extracts given from the work, made us very eager to see the whole, but we found that almost every thing worth reading had been selected by the Review. Finn and Johnson may easily make a better book of the kind. THE LITERARY PORT FOLIO. It is intended that this journal shall contain such a variety of matter as may make it acceptable to ladies as well as to gentlemen; to the young as well as to the old. While we shall take care that nothing be admitted which would render the work unfit for any of these classes, we shall endeavour to procure for it sufficient ability to en title it to the attention of all of them. To these ends we have secured an abundant supply of all foreign and domestic journals and new books-and we ask the assistance of all who are qualified to instruct or amuse the public. Upon this assistance we depend in a great de Its riches, honours, fame-its empty, babbling all probability, in a few years, carry on a great gree for our hopes of success, for however the abundant noise! Q. A HYMN OF CHARITY FOR THE RICH. proportion of the commercial business of the Mediterranean, and particularly that connected with the eastern portion of that sea, and the countries on its shores.-N. Y. Daily Adv. To Dramatic Writers in the United States.The Subscriber, wishing to aid in the encouragement of Dramatic Literature, hereby offers FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, and a GOLD MEDAL, of the value of One Hundred Dollars, for an Original Tragedy, in five acts, to be stores to which we have access, may enable us to supply matter highly interesting to our readers, we think it of even more importance to give them something peculiarly adapted to the present time and circumstances; something from home. Communications should be addressed to "E. Littell for the Literary Port Folio," and subscriptions will be thankfully received by E. Littell & Brother, corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets, Philadelphia. Subscriptions are also received by Thomas C. Clarke, S. W. corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets. Wanted-to solicit subscriptions for this work, a suitable person. Apply to E. Littell & Brother, No. 9. PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, Terms.-Published every Thursday by E. Littell & Brother, corner of Chestnut and Seventh Streets, Philadelphia. It will contain four handsome engravings every year. Price Two Dollars and a Half a year, payable in advance. Agents who procure and forward payment for four subscribers, shall receive the fifth copy for one year; and so in proportion for a larger number. BIOGRAPHY OF AN INFANT. [The following interesting sketch was prepared by Mrs. Sigourney, for the March Number of the Juvenile Miscellany. The facts are highly interesting of themselves, and derive additional interest from the highly gifted author, who, from her personal knowledge, vouches for their truth.] Ir is not often that the character and habits of an infant whose existence is comprised in a circle of less than two and a half years, furnish materials for the biographer. Yet I am persuaded that my readers will be interested in the statement here presented to them, on the truth of which they may implicitly rely. PORTER BRINSMADE was born at Hartford, (Conn.) February 28th, 1827. His mother was impressed with the belief that the mind is susceptible of culture at an earlier period than is generally imagined. Thus, at an age when infants are considered but liltle more than pleasing objects to the eye, or toys for a lei sure hour, he was the subject of instruction and discipline. From the age of four months, his attention was directed at fitting intervals to surrounding objects, until the names of the articles of furniture, of his own dress, and the parts of his body, had become familiar. At ten months he commenced learning the alphabet, by the aid of small blocks of wood, on which each letter were separately painted. This task was soon completed. Not that he was able at this infantine period to utter the correspondent sound, but when a letter was inquired for, he would produce it without mistake,-and if one was placed in an inverted position by any other hand, would immediately restore it to its proper attitude. By the assistance of prints pasted on cards, he was next taught the names of animals and birds, and a comprehensive system of Natural History was judiciously unfolded to his view. He was encouraged to make himself complete master of one print, ere he was permitted to take another. Thus a basis was laid for habits of application, and the idle curiosity restrained, with which children are wont to wander from picture to picture. His parents, in showing him a landscape, or historical painting, accustomed him to regard every object, however minute, with an accurate eye, and so retentive was his memory, that what had been thoroughly impressed, he seldom forgot. There were few toys from which he derived satisfaction, but seemed to find in pictures and books with the explanations which they elicited, his principal delight. His careful treatment of books was remarkable, and a little circumstance which occurred when he was quite young, undoubtedly contributed to produce it. He had torn the paper cover of a small volume. His mother remarked upon it with a serious countenance, and to the members of the family as they entered, mentioned what had been done in a tone of sadness. Presently his lip quivered, and the tear glistened in his eye. The lesson had been sufficiently strong, and it was necessary to comfort him. Afterwards, expensive volumes were fearlessly submitted to him, and the most splendid English annuals sustained no injury from his repeated examinations. Geography, as exhibited on maps, became a favourite study, and ere he had numbered his A short time after I found that he had made acquaintance with the rudiments of Geometry, and was continually increasing his knowledge of printed words, which, with their definitions, and combinations in simple phrases, were rapidly initiating him into his native language. It may possibly be imagined that he was made a mere book-worm, or might have been naturally deficient in animal spirits. On the contrary, nothing was taught him by compulsion, and no child could be more full of happiness. His sports, bis rambles in the garden, and the demonstrations of infantine pleasure were sweet to him. His mother was his companion, his playmate, and his instructress.-Deeming her child's mind of more value than any other feminine pursuit or enjoyment, she devoted her time to its cultivation,—and to her perseverance and the entire concurrence of his father, in the intellectual system, devised for him, his uncommon attainments may be imputed, more than to any peculiar gift of nature. Still, I am not prepared to say, that there was not something originally extraordinary in his capacity; at least I have never seen his docility, application and retentive power equalled in the early stages of existence. Portions of every day, suited in their length to his infancy were regularly devoted to the business of instruction. But these were often unconsciously extended in their limits, by his eager desire to learn something more, and the winning and repeated entreaty of "Pray, dear mother, teach Porter," was wont to secure him an additional indulgence of" line upon line, and precept upon precept." His love of knowledge was becoming a passion; still there seemed no undue prominence of one department of intellect, to the injury of another. Perception, understanding, and memory, advanced together, and seemed equally healthful. His reasoning powers began also to display themselves. An aunt, who at her marriage went to reside in a distant state, had wept much at taking leave of the family. He was then so very young, that her grief, if noticed at all, it might have been supposed was soon forgotten. Many months after, when a favourite uncle took his departure for England, Porter was told that he was going far from them, as his aunt had done. He replied, after a moment's reflection, "Aunt cried when she went away-Uncle did not cry," and com. forted himself with the conclusion, that the separation would therefore be less permanent; as if his mind was deducing with somewhat of mathematical precision, the duration of absence from the degrees of sorrow. He was destined for a learned education, a great part of which it was deemed preferable that he should receive under the parental roof, and his mother was preparing herself to be come an assistant to his father in teaching him different languages. So indefatigable were her attentions to him, that she never left him to the care of a servant; and thus correct habits and purity of feeling were preserved from contamination. Among the pleasing traits of character which revealed themselves in him, his love of home was conspicuous. Though fond of seeing new objects, yet home was the spot most desirable to him. During a journey to New York, after the completion of his second year, where museums, and every alluring curiosity were inspected by him with delightful attention, the prospect of returning to his home, to his own flowers, shells, and books, gave him inexpressible joy. He also manifested great ardour of affection for his parents. He could form no idea of happiness independent of their presence and parti 1830. cipation. Though exceedingly fond of seeing collections of animals, which his knowledge of natural history led him to regard with particular interest, he insisted that his father should take him from the first exhibition of the kind which he had ever witnessed, and where he was highly entertained by an elephant, os trich, and some monkeys, because he had discovered that his mother had withdrawn. The attachment usually felt by children for the tender guides of their infant hours, seemed, in his case, heightened by the consciousness that they were the dispensers of that knowledge, with whose love he was smitten. When heaven was represented to him as a delightful abode, and rendered still more alluring by the image of a beloved and departed relative, whom he was taught to consider as among its inhabitants, he would express his unwillingness to be removed there, unless "dear father and mother would go too." A grateful spirit seemed to mingle with his filial affection, and moved him to an expression of thanks for every little favour. When given only a piece of bread, if a few minutes happened to intervene between its reception and customary acknowledgment, he would inquire, as if troubled at the omission, "did Porter forget to thank mother?" He was often told that to his Father in heaven he was indebted for what he most loved, and with an affecting earnestness, and a graceful gesture of his little hand, would say "thank God." At the period of family devotion he was early taught a quiet and reverent deportinent, and after books became so interesting to him, preferred to look over when his father read the scriptures, and to have it spread before him when he knelt during the prayer. It might possibly have been feared that the mind by starting into such sudden expansion would have left the heart at a distance,-but the gems of gentleness and virtue kept pace with the growth of intellect. There was also preserved a fine and fortunate balance between the mind and body, for his physical education had been considered an important department of paternal care and responsibility. His erect form and expanded chest, revealed the rudiments of a good constitution, while his fair brow, bright black eyes, and playful smile, bespoke that union of health, beauty and cheerfulness, which never failed of attracting attention. There was less of light and boisterous mirth about him, than is common to children of his age. His features expressed rather a mild and rational happiness, than any exuberance of joy. This might have arisen partly from the circumstance of his having no young compa nion to encourage wild or extravagant sports; but principally that the pleasures of thought were so continually resorted to, as to modify and elevate the countenance. His whole appearance was that of a healthful, happy, and beautiful infant, in the possession of a degree of learning and intelligence, to which infancy has usually no pretensions. But it was forbidden us to witness the result of this interesting experiment upon mind; or to trace the full development of a bud whose unfolding was so wonderful. An acute dysentery, which prevailed in the neighbourhood, numbered him among its victims, and after a fortnight's painful languishing, he died on the 11th of August, 1829, at the age of two years and five months. I saw him after the breath had forsaken him. He was emaciated, but still lovely. Fresh roses and orange flowers were around his head and on his bosom, and a bud clasped in his snowy hand. He seemed like one who had suffered and fallen asleep, and there lingered a peaceful and patient spirit around his silent, wasted lip. His mother was seated by her dead son, pale, but resigned. Sho had never been separated from him since his birth, and she wished to continue near him till the grave should claim its own. The parents were strengthened as true Christians, to yield their only, their idolized one, to the will of his Father in Heaven. And the anguish of their af fliction was undoubtedly mitigated by the recollection that nothing in their power had been omitted to promote his improvement, and heighten his felicity, and that his dwelling was now to be where knowledge is no longer gained by slow and laborious effort, but where light is without cloud, and the pure soul freed from fetters of clay. This sketch which was commenced for the entertainment of youthful readers, seems to bear a moral for parents. Did they always estimate the extent of their influence over the infants entrusted to their care, and bestow the same zealous attention on their intellectual and moral culture which they lavish on their physical comfort, their importance in the scale of being would be sooner evident, and their capacity for wisdom and true happiness, earlier awakened and nourished. Especially would mothers to whose eye the fountains of the mind and heart are first unsealed, but enter the field of education while the dews of the morning are fresh, and amid their persevering toil look over to the God of Harvest, might they not hope to rear flowers such as angels wear, and fruits that ripen in Heaven's unwithering clime? L. H. S. Hartford, Jan. 1830. ENGLISH OPINIONS OF AMERICA. [From the Eclectic Review.] The American empire is certainly the most remarkable in its origin, character, and rapid development, that the world has ever witnessed. They are beginning, it has been remarked, with an area greater than that with which other empires close, and which, in point of territorial extent, is exceeded only by the empires of Russia, Great Britain, China, and Brazil. According to Humboldt, it comprises about 2,080,800 square miles, being ten times the extent of France, and a little larger than Europe to the westward of Russia. The present population of the United States, including the Indians, is very nearly twelve millions, several millions more than the subjects of the Ottoman empire in Europe, or of the Persian Shah in Asia; very nearly equal to the population of England, and exceeding that of either Prussia or Spain; one third more than that of Mexico, more than four times that of Colombia, and nearly three times that of Brazil. And yet, this empire is still in its infancy. England, in 1750, contained not more than six millions of inhabitants, or one half of her present numbers, having about doubled her population in seventy years; and now we are complaining of being over-peopled! The United States contained, in 1750, less than two millions of inhabitants. In 1790, these had increased to nearly four millions; in 1800, to five millions and one third; in 1810, to upwards of seven millions; in 1820, to 9,638,226; and in 1828, to 11,348,462. Thus, in eight-and-twenty years, the population has tripled; and, by the end of the present century, supposing it to increase at the same rate, it will amount to ninety millions, or about half of the supposed population of the Chinese empire! Nothing in the history of the world presents any parallel to this expansion of the human race. Burke, in his memorable speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, in March, 1775, used expressions which were no doubt regarded at the time as rhetoric: they now read like predictions. Such is the strength," he said, "with which population shoots in that part of the world, that, state the numbers as high as we will, while the dispute continues, the exaggeration ends. While we are discussing any given magnitude, they are grown to it. While we spend our time in deliberating on the mode of governing two millions, we shall find we have millions The causes of this rapid increase are not to planter or trader traverse the wide extent of * Burke's Speeches, vol. i. p. 279. the condition of the wandering savages around them." The rapid growth of the commerce of the American colonies, was adverted to by Burke, as not less remarkable and prodigious, than that of the population, being out of all proportion beyond the numbers of the people. In the year 1704, the total exports from this country to North America and the West Indies, amounted to £483,265. In 1773, they had increased to £4,791,734, which was only £1,717,000 short of the whole export trade of England in the abovementioned year. "What England had been growing to by a progressive course of improvement, brought in by varieties of people, by succession of civilizing conquests and civilizing settlements, in a series of 1700 years," (to use the words of the eloquent statesman) was doubled to her by America in the course of a single life. Speaking of the wealth drawn by the colonies from the fisheries, the orator described the enterprising spirit of the New Englanders as unequalled. "While we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating into the deepest frozen recesses of Hudson's Bay and Davis's Straits, while we are looking for them beneath the arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of polar cold; that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen serpent of the south. Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to them, than the accumulated winter of both the poles. We know that while some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude, and pursue the gigantic game along the coast of Brazil. No sea but what is vexed by their fisheries. No climate that is not witness to their toils. Neither the perseverance of Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the dexterous and firm sagacity of English enterprise, ever carried this most perilous mode of hard industry to the extent to which it has been pushed by this recent people; a people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood. When I contemplate these things, when I know that the colonies in general owe little or nothing to any care of ours, and that they are not squeezed into this happy form by the constraints of watchful and suspicious govern ment, but that, through a wise and salutary neglect, a generous nature has been suffered to take her own way to perfection; when I reflect upon these effects, when I see how profitable they have been to us, I feel all the pride of power sink, and all presumption in the wisdom of human contrivances melt and die away within me. My rigour relents: I pardon something to the spirit of liberty."* CAPT. HALL AND THE AMERICANS. |