Whole No. 2642. THE IIIITRBI,, A BEAU. I am sure I don't know Why I was created! Not a sign of a beau Seems for me nominated ! [ hsr tried every means I could make up or think of, lad never could e'en get a smile from or wink of A beau ! There'* my big sister Bet Has no trouble whatever, She seems quite a pet, And goes alone never. While I must tag on to her company'* sleeve, or i'jr moping at home, and do nothing but grieve for A beau! It is all very nice When you're married, to jingle A lot of advice About staying single; Bat if that is the way I must say, " I can't see it,*' j [f ma always thought so, why didn't you be it— You know t MU.UK. (That's a poser, as the lawyers say. We sympathize f ;'th Millie,' and trust that she may yet make some a,re young man wretchedly jealous.] [viitD by A. SMITH, County Superintendent. For the Educational Column. SELF-CONTROL. It liai become a trite remark, that he who would successfully govern others must first govern himself. Xenophon describes (he schools of Persia, in which Cyrus re ceirctl his education, as places in which the boy* 'learned both to commend and to obey,' nJ attributes to that fact the noble char acter of Cyrus, his ability to sway men, ind his willingness to be influenced by en treaty. In a country and under a govern ment like ours, there is no occasion to ar p nie in favor of reasonable, persuasive, nior ji control, instead of arbitrary, unreasoning luthority. This may servo the purposes and befit the character of tyranny, but it is totally uncongenial with the spirit and modes of Freedom. Americans should be governed in the temper of humanity and by the methods of simplest Justice. Not because they are better than other people, but because the spirit of the government is free; its authority is based on the intelli gent consent of its subjects; its object is, the protection, prosperity and happiness of all who dwell within the circle of its extent; it asks not the abject obedience of slaves, but the free, hearty support of citizens. To the thoughtful educator, and to the judicious parent, these considerations are at vast significance, indicating the direc tion or aim which ali discipline should liive, namely, to form in children, whether in the family or in the school, habits of in telligent, rigid self control The simple act of obedience to the request or command of the teacher or the parent, is well and altogether necessary; but the habit of self gweruincut, of self discipline, of requiring oneself to act according to one's convictions of duty, regardless of desire or difficulty— this is infinitely better, Both parents and teachers must insist, upon ready, cheerful obedience to their wishes; their own position siid dignity and sense of fitness do not re <|u;re such obedience nearly so much as it is necessary for the best discipline, the tru est nobleness and attractiveness of children. And still, the idea of obedience, unconnect ed with the moral force of riyht , is utterly i 'sufficient for the proper training of youth. If the saying of Aristippus be true, that ■*e ought to teach boys those things which •■-cy will use when they become men" — then most surely ought we to instill into the rtinds. and impress indelibly upon the very being of those whom we are to control and i:uide in the plastic period of life, this idea, namely, that the best authority is purely moruf— the \o\a of consaiancc ; that the truest heroism consists In obeying the be best* of Duty, whether favoring or crush iog our desires; that the most genuine ex cellence arises from the cheerful effort to and Jo right, compelling ourselves to perform the duty from which inclination * rinks, resolutely curbing the impatient •desire to do or say what must not be said or done. It may be urged that this is harsh and unsympathetic; that it ill befits the jocund nature of childhood to accustom it to rigid self-control. Perhaps it is not quite so ffee from sternness as the slipshod mode of government which unfortunately is so prev- ! *lent; but it is not necessarily unfeeling end Stted to check the healthful vivacity I children. Teachers need to be reason able as well as learned , and reason teaches a * that it is safe to use constraint not Jess than sympathy in moulding the youthful character. It is best to acoustom children to thinking of the natoro of their acts, and to deliberate choice of such modes of ac tion as commend themselves to their sense °f right. The child's instinet seldom errs. j American character is too often depen dent, not self-reliant; there is a strong tenden cy to rest upon the judgment of others. It Q eeds bracing, or rather it needs to be trained to self-dependence, to self-control. a he props which undprgird most men are rotten or meant to have tte n stand alone. So, many of the re straints now neoesaarily thrown around men jtre proofs that we are still undisciplined. *his ig a subject which teachers and pa rents would do well to ponder: the few hints here thrown out are but seeds; they require the favoring conditions of a tbought ~ mind and an honest heart, to grow into their juat profiortious. s. ■■— www turns mmnn, M. Teachers' Convention. MILROY, DEC. 26, 1861. According to previous announcement, the sixth annual meeting of the Mifflin county Teachers' Association assembled in the Presbyterian church, at Milroy, Dec. 26, 1861, at 6J o'clock p m. The Pres. being absent, the meeting was ealled to or der by the \ ice President, aad orened with prayer by Rev. John W. White. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. On motion, the Constitu tion and By-laws were read and the roll called by the Secretary. Prof. S. Z. Sharp was appointed critic for the day. The Pres. then made some remarks relative to the Association, and appointed John Moh ler and John Hawn as a committee to re ceive new members. An oration was de livered by Rev. S. 0. McCurdy: subject— 'J eachcrs and Associations. Music by teachers. The question, 'Which is more important: keeping youth from temptation, or teaching tlieiu to withstand it?' was dis cussed by Messrs. S. Z. Sharp, J. K. Hartz ler, W. K. Stroup, G. W. English, Rev. J. W. White, 11. C. Vanzant, and E. Pen nepacker. On motion, the discussion clo sed. A manuscript paper was then read by Miss Mary Stewart and D. 11. Zook. Mu sic by teachers. Business for the next session was announced by the executive committee. On motion, adjourned. SECOND DAY —MORNING SESSION. Met at the appointed hour, and was open ed with prayer by Rev. G. W. English. Roll called ; minutes of previous session read and approved; Miss Mary Stewart was appointed critic. The hours of meeting aud adjournment were then fixed by the Association. Ihe President appointed the following committees: On finance, W. C. tiardner, 11. (J. A anzant, Miss Lizzie B. Cunningham; on nominations, Prof. S Z. Sharp, Elias Pennepacker, Miss Mary Mil ler; on resolutions, W. K. Stroup, Rev. S. O. McCurdy, Miss Rachel Zook. Music by teachers. Prof Bates, Deputy State Superintendent, delivered a very in teresting lecture on Elocution. Recess. Prof Bates then delivered a lecture on Physical Culture, during which he gave a drill in gymnastic exercise. On motion, adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION. Met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the President. Prof. A. Smith entertained the audience with a lec ture on reading, after which Prof. Bates made some remarks, and gave a drill in light gymnastics. Recess The subject of gymnastics resumed, and discussed by Prof. M. J. Smith, John A. McKee, \V. I K. Stroun, Elias Penncpacker, Prof. S Z. Sharp, J. K. Ilartzler, llev. J. \V. White, and Rev. Mr. Thompson. Prof. Bates then exhibited gome apparatus for gyuinas tics, and showed the manner in which flicy should be used. The report of the critic was read and received. The chairman of the executive committee then reported the j order of business for the evening session, j On motion, adjourned. EVENING SESSION. Met at the appointed hour, and called to order by the President; opened with prayer by Elias Pennepacker. Minutes of pre vious meeting read and approved ; roll cal led, the members responding with senti ments. D. 11. Zook appointed critic for the evening. An essay was read by Miss Lizzie Cunningham—'By-gone Hours.' A lecture was then delivered by Prof. Bates —'The true Theory of Education on mo tion, i. vote of thanks was tendered to Prof. Bates for his excellent lecture, and also for his labors through the day. Prof. A. Smith then made some remarks with regard to holding a special examination for those who desired a professional certificate; on motion, it was decided that such examination would be held about the Ist April next. The question —Should pupils be required to I study out of school hours? was discussed I by Prof. A. Smith, E. Pennepacker, Prof, j S. Z. Sharp, W. K. Stroup, Rev. S. 0. McCurdy, and Prof. Bates. On motion, | the discussion closed. The report of the critic was heard. Business for the morn ing session was announced by the executive committee. On motion, adjourned. THIRD DAY —MORNING SESSION. Met at the appointed hour, was called to order by the President, and opened with prayer by Rev. S. 0. McCufdy; minutes of previous meeting read and approved, and roll called. The question—Should pupils : bo required to study out of school hours ? I was resumed, and discussed by H. C. Van zant, D. H. Zook, E. Pennepaoker, Prof. M, J. Smith, J. K. Hartsler, Prof. S. Z. Sharp, and E. Filson. On motion, the discussion closed. Prof. A. Smith then addressed the teachers concerning some er rors which he had noticed in his visitation of schools. On motion, by-law 2d, respect ing the number of members necessary to form a quorum, was stricken out. The committee on nominations reported the fol lowing nominees for the different offices: For President, D. H. Zook ; Vice Pres'ts, Jno. Mohler, J. W. Webb; Treasurer, Liz zie B. Cunningham ; Executive Commit tee, H. C. Vanzant, Miss Mary Stewart, .Vim. C. Gardner. The Association then | proceeded to an election, when all those nominated by the committee were unani mously elected. Experiences were then i related by E. Filson, E. Pennepacker, Prof. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1862. A. Smith, Miss R. Zook, J. K. Ilartzler, Prof. S. Z. Sharp, John Mohler, Geo. H. i Swigart, and Rev. Thompson. The com j mittee on resolutions reported the following, i which were unanimously adopted: : Resolved, That since the intelligence of the j people is one of the main pillars of the fab I no of our Union, we should use every exer tion in our power to uphold our common school system unimpaired, even in the midst of the fearful rebellion which is threatening the vitality of our nation. Resolved, That the excellent suggestions made to us by Prof. Bates and the County Superintendent in regard to teaching reading should be acted upon by the teachers of Mif flin county. Resolved, That the system of light gymnaa tics as practically shown to us by Prof. Bate? and also presented by him in the Pcnna! School Journal, highly commends itself to us as being a very practical and efficient means of supplying to a great extent the deficiency in physical culture which prevails in our com mon schools. Itesolved, That this Association heartily recommends the thorough use of Mental Arith metic as the basis of a sound mathematical education. Resolved, That it is with regret that we witness the indifference of many of our teach ers, who by their unnecessary absence have proven their want of interest in the cause of common schools, and who we fear will become clogs on the chariot wheels of education; and in the opinion of this Association they are unworthy the dignity of the profession. Resolved , lhat the Association hereby ten ders its thanks to the citizens of Milroy and vicinity for the unbouuded kindness and in tercst shown in their entertainment of its members, and their very good attention at its meetings ; also, to the officers of the Pres byterian congregation, for the use of their church. Resolved, lhat a copy of the proceedings of the Association be forwarded to the county papers for publication. W. K. STROUP, j S. 0. MOCURDV, - Com. RACHEL ZOOK, ] After some appropriate remarks in regard to 'Poachers' Associations, the Convention adjourned sine die. J. M. BELL, Pres. GEO. H. SWIGART, Sec'y. lATUML HIIIORY, Winter Birds. One of the prettiest objects a winter landscape affords is seen in the birds that, singly or in flocks, flit about our houses, fields, orchards, und gardens, sometimes lighting on trees or bushes, near the door, sometimes even fluttering against the win dows, as if envious to witness the ways of human domestic life, or desirous of shar ing the warmth und comfort within. No other than a human cry for shelter and protection teaches the benevolent, sympa thetic heart with a more piteous, appeal ing sound, than to hear one of these ' wee, helpless things,' come beating against the window-pane, to which the cheerful light within has attracted it, and from which any movement of welcome will send it frighten ed away. Winter birds oxcite our interest and cu riosity in many respects. First, their ex treme hardiness, so superior to that of other birds that they find summer in our season of frost and snow, is sufficient to call forth our wonder and admiration. To what their great power of resisting cold is due—by what means they are enabled to live in tem perature that would prove fatal to tenderer birds—whether on the approach of spring they seek a more northern latitude—what they find to eat when the ground is frozen and perhaps covered deep with snow — when they fold their wing 6 at the coming of the bleak, wintry night, when the leaf less trees can afford no shelter—the popu lar superstition that the appearanoe of flocks of snow-birds, so called, indicates a speedy fall of snow, while brown birds are held to be sure precursors of rain—these and oth er considerations tend to invest them with a peculiar and romantia interest. We are accustomed to think and speak of winter as a season made desolate by the absence of bright flowers, green leaves, sing ing birds, and babbling brooks; and to perhaps most of us the coming and going of the robin, the blue-bird, the oriole, the bobolink, and other summer birds, seem alone worthy of attention ; the habits and movements of the winter king, the chick-a dee, and the whole class of hardy, feather ed songsters passing nearly or quite unno ticed. Indead, we easily and naturally as sociate birds with summer; birds and win ter are scarcely thought of together. The difference betweene summer and winter birds with respect to their gentle ness and familiarity with man, almost war rants us in distinguishing the former as tame or, domestic, the latter as wild birds. Those hover about our dwellings, seem to | invite our acquaintance and sing for our satisfaction. They pick and eat our ber ! ries, help us destroy noxious insects, build their nests hardly outside our houses, almost taking materials out of our hands to put into them, and in various ways signify ' their desire for human companionship. — These, on the contrary, though they not altogether shun the abodes of men, mani -1 fest the most provoking shyness in all their j movements. They pay us only flying vis its, and any attempt at coaxing frightens ! them into instant departure. The singing I seems not intended for our cars. Unlike the full gushing melody of summer birds, that commands attention by its heartiness and continunance, theirs is scarcely more than a single note, uttered in a hurried way, almost escaping observation, but, when heard, conveying to the ear a simple, ex quisite wildness of tone, iu keeping with the froe, rude, untamed nature of the sin- S er -—Rural Aew Yorker. EiimMiEom The Euruption of Vesuvius. NAPLES, Dec. 10 From Naples little is seen exception those grand columns of smoke which rise gigantically into the air, and which, accor ding to as close a measurement as could be made, were calculated, that from the lower mouths at 10,000 feet, and that Irom the upper crater at 3,000 feet in height. Our streets are free from the dust of the moun tain, and though for some time after the sun rose it appeared to be in a state of eclipse, yet to witness all the wonders of the spectacle it is necessary to leave the capital and visit the sight of the disaster. From the confines of the city to Torre del Greco one passes between two lines of a curious population who have turned out to see the crowds who flock down to Torre del Greco. The wind blows off the moun tain due north and south, so that, until you just get under the column, you are not ex posed to the shower of dust which falls thickly and constantly, almost blinding one, and certainly not conducing to an easy respiration. On arriving at the devoted little town— which numbers, by the by, 22,000 souls— I found the place, except at the station, al most deserted. .Every house was abandon ed, and, as proving how rapid was the flight, melons and other articles still hung suspended outside the windows. At the station there was a vast crowd of persons, some of the last lingering inhabitants, with beds and other articles of furniture, anx ious to be off; others consisting of the Ber sagliera and Nationals, who remained to guard the place, for misfortune is no pro tection against the herds of thieves who just at present drive a thriving trade in the neighborhood. The first thing which strikes the eye is the blackened appearance of every object, the fine dust, which had fallen in heavy showers, lying four and a half inches in depth in the streets and on the tops of houses. Some of these were cracked hori zontally across the flat roofs, and others perpendicularly, but it is not until you turn off to the left, a little beyond the station, that the full amount of damage is to be witnessed. From this point, ascending the mountaiu, a number of houses are passed which have been most materially injured, from four to five hundred in all, and ren dered to a certain extent unsafe. At one house, in particular, a handsome building, too, the proprietor, who had returned for some articles which he had left behind, wasbreakingthe windows to get in, entrance by the doorway being impossible. I shall here insert the report which was sent to me yesterday morning by Giovanni Cozzo lino, the principal guide of the mountain, as it will explain precisely the site where the mouths which are now vomiting forth fire, smoke and lava have been formed. 'On the eight instant, at about a quar ter past 11 A. M., a great trembling of the ground was felt at Torre del Greco, which continued at intervals of from five to ten minutes. The population was in great alarm expecting an earthquake. At Kesina this tremulous motion was felt, though not so strongly, about mid-day.— Toward 3 o'clock in the afternoon a large opening was made in the ground above Torre del Greco, and a half mile lower than the crater of 1774, and the first cone was formed under the house of Francesco Crusi. This house was thrown into the air, as were four others in a Masseria close by. The lava has arrived (on thcmoningof the 9th) ! at about a quarter of an hour's walk above the Monastery of the Cappucini, (which j has been destroyed,) and is about a half a I mile in breadth. All the houses in Torre ; have fissures in them, and the population have fled to Naples. At the time that the now cones were formed the top of the moun tain was tranquil, but about 2 o'clock in the morning the grand crater at the summit burst out with tremondous noise, throwing stones and ashes to a great height. Every effort of this kind is accompanied by a sound as of thunder. One of the guides, [ called Genarino Sannino, while attempting to get a piece of the red hot lava in which to put a coin, was killed on the spot by a stone which fell upon his head.' The report is meagre, erroneous in some instances, and some of the details have been modified by what has since takon place. The roads and streets by which you ap proach f.he principal points of interest are in many places opened ; and at the place alluded to by the guide there arc not one only, but two considerable cones and sev eral smaller ones; indeed, in many places ! there are indications of the crust of the earth giving way to the subterranean fires. | The principal of these cones is an ellipse, and both sent out a body of lava, which : threatened Torre del Greco with rapid des- I truction. One of these happy elevations which so often change the course &f the current divided it into two streams, flowing down on either side. The opening of the main crater, too, at 2 o'clock A. M. of Mon day diminished the violence of the lower stream aDd probably saved the town. Last night the view which presented it self from my windows was very grand ; the black column rose majestically, and was then carried away by the wind far over the sea, while forked lightning, as it wore, and brilliant lights, such as those of Roman candies, played about the crater. This morning the volumes of smoke are rising and rolling one over another in grand evo lutions, while the eastern sun behind them gives hues which it is difficult to describe. Beyond the pall which hangs over the sea it is impossible to see anything except when an opening is made by a gust of wind, and then one sees a picture of Sorrento or Ca pri hung in the centre of a deep black cloud. I think much property will be destroyed, though not many lives, as all have escaped. YY hat is ruin, however, to many is prosper ity to others, and there are many here who are calculating on a good season at last— on the full hotels and much profit. December 11.—Y esuvius, though still active, has much diminished in violence — a fact to be regretted rather that otherwise, as the probability of earthquakes increases. Yesterday morning several violent shocks were felt, and still greater carnage inflicted on the town and neighborhood. lam just going over, but shall have no time to re port to-day. Another person has been killed by falling into the lava, which rose on Monday morning to the heightof twenty eight palms. A Secret Rebel Society in Indiana- FROM THK INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL By means which it is not necessary to disclose, it has been ascertained that a secret Bociety has been organized in this State with the purpose of opposing the war and defeating all attcmps to sustain it by taxation. This society has its oaths, pass words, signs, and lodges, as any other se cret society, and is undoubtedly an offshoot of tho " K. G. C." association, adapted to this latitude. It exists in this city, in Ter re liaute, in Ilockville, in Jlad.son, and several other places. Its meetings are se cret, and its lodge-rcoms are kept carefully concealed. Its members in this city, and several others, are positively known, though it is not known that there may not be oth ers connected with it than those who have been 1 spotted.' The existence of the so ciety has been known for some time, but it has only been within a short time that ap pliances could be brought to bear to pro cure a full exposure of the secrets. The meetings have been watched, and tho par ticipants marked, but thair purpose could only be conjectured. They have been tracked night after night through all their windings and concealments, till all that could be learned eutside has been made as familiar to the detectives as to the mem bers themselves. But, recently, detection has got inside , and we publish below the exposure it has made : " M. P. S." OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. 1. Opposition to the Administration. 2. Opposition to the War Tax. 3. Opposition to taking up arms against the Southern Confederacy. 4. To defend each other, to death, if necessary. MODE OF INITIATING A CANDIDATE. The following questions are propounded to the candidates: Question. Are you a democrat or Repub lican ? Answer. lam a democrat! (If he says he is a Republican, he takes an oath that he will no longer vote or act with that par ty.) Question. Are you in favor of support ing the war ? Answer. No Question. Are you opposed to the war tax ? Answer. I am. Question. Will you pledge yourself, at the risk of life and property, not to raise arms except to portect this organization ? Answer. I will. The oath is then administered, which is in substance as follows: Raising your right hand : not divulge any of the secrets, nor let be known any business or transaction that shall be done in this order; that I will op pose the present Administration; that I will not pay the wai tax, nor take up arms to fight against tha Southern Confederacy, and only in selfdef'ence, or this organiza tion, which I pledge myself to do at the risk of life and property; and when I re ceive the sign from a brother I will answer. After taking the oath, the candidate signs his name to the which is recor ded in a book. MODE OF- GETTING INTO A LODGE OR CAS TLE. Give three raps on the door, when the door is opened and you say l 'M. P. S. \ou then enter the Lodge or Castle and salute the presiding officer by drawing the right hand down from the mouth to the lower part of the chin. New Series—Yol. XYI, No. 11. TO RECOGNIZE A MEMBER ON THE STREET. The sign of recognition is given by rubbing the right eye with the fore finger of the right hand. Answered by rubbing the left eye with: the second finger of the left band. \ou then advance to shake hands. The i person giving the sign then says, if in tfin looming, ' llow is it this morning ?' If in the middle of the day or afternoon, 'How is it to day?' It in the evening, ' How is it to night ?' Answer,' All is up.' OFFICERS. President. Vice President,- Chaplain. SIGNALS FOR CALLING MEETINGS. This is usually done by one separate tap, attended by four other taps, ou some bell, on a court or engine house. These organizations now exist in Madi son, Evansviile, Indianapolis, Terre Ilaute, Rockville, Sullivan, Vinceunes, tie, Indiana, and Paris and Mattoon, Illi nois, which we know of. It is necessary to state that the initials pretendingly stand for < Mutual Protection,' bnt their true meaning can be seen from the exposition. A Random Dialogue. In the town of N- ,in New Hamp shire, lived old Farmer P. who was very deaf. On his farm, near the road, stood a, very large tree, and thirty feet from the ground on this tree was a large knot. As Farmer P. was passing by one day, he thought he would cut it down to make a mill post of. He had been to work some time, when be thought some stranger would come along and ask him the following ques tions, and he would make the following an swers : ' What is that tree for ?' asks the stran ger. ' A mill post,' replies the farmer. 1 How long are you going to cut it?' ' Up to that knot.' ' How much do you ask for it V ' Five dollars.' ' I won't give it.' ' Well if you don't somebody else will.' As old Farmer P. was working away ; sure enough a stranger did come along and the following dialogue ensued : 1 Good morning, sir,' said the stranger. 1 A mill post,' replied the farmer. 1 How far is it down to the corner ?' ' Up to that knot.' 'You don't understand me; how far ifi it down to that corner V • Five dollars.' ' You old scamp ! I have a good mind to give you a whipping !' • Well if you don't somebody else will.' The Trade of the Lakes. BUFFALO, Dec. 25, TBOI. The active business season of Buffala may be considered closed for this year, and yet it is pleasant to know that, amidst thet general derangement of trade and com merce caused by the rebellion, there is even one place which has not been unfav orably affected thereby. While the gen eral activity and business of this city has been above the average, the business accru ing from the Lakes has been unexampled* The quantity of grain received here dur ing the 253 days of navigation is immense, as the figures will attest, and is divided as follows : Flour, bar re 17< 2,135,308 Wheat, bushsls 26,633,237 Corn, " 20.986,450 Oats, " 1,801,240 Rye, " 356.370 Barley, " 282,350 60,109,647 Reducing Flour to Wheat wonld giTe 10,766,540 Making a total of 60,876,187 Add to this the flour and grain received during the year by railroad, and the grand total for 18(51 will be over SIXTY-TWO MIL LIONS of bushels ! No port in the world ever saw the equal to this. To elevate and discharge this grain we have seventeen elevators, with capacity of storage varying from 120,000 to 600,000 bushels, and an aggregate of 3,500,000 bushels; each of these can elevate from a vessel 4,000 bushels per hour. Three new ones, now in progress of erection, will give us next year storage room for 4,000,000 bushels. The estimated amount of flour and graia at all the Lake ports west of this State, for the season of 1861, is 113,000,000 bush els; of which there has been received at Buf falo 62,000,000 bushels, at Dunkirk 3,500,- 000, at Oswego 18 000,000, at Ogdenshurg 3,500,000, at Montreal 15,000,000; mak ing a grand total of one hundred and ttco miUion bushels sent forward from the gran aries of the west. Tbe quantity in store here is 1,500,000; Chicago, 3,500,000; Milwaukee, 1,500,000; all other Lake ports about 3,000,000. To tal now in store say 9,500,000 bushels.— Commercial Advertiser. How many deaths V asked the hos pital physician while going his rounds.—r ' Nine.'