An Anticipated Delate.
At the end of lfa» fifieemh, and early in
'the sixteenth century, Strefier, the celebrated
astronomer, was professor of mathematics
at Tubingen. This, eminent man rendered
great services to astronomy, and was one of
the first who pointed out the way of remedy
ing the errors in the Julian calendar, accor
•ding to which time was then (computed.—
'But neither his abilities nor his knowledge
could protect him against the spirit of his
age. In 1524 he published the result of
some abstruse calculations, in which he had
been long engaged and by which he bad
ascertained the remarkable fact that in that
same year the world would again be des
troyed by a deluge. This announcement
made by 'a man of such eminence, and made
ton, with the utmost confidence, caused a
lively.and universal alarm. News oflthe
approaching event was rapidly circulated,
and Burope was filled with consternation.—
To avoid the first shock, those who bad
houses by the sea, or on rivers, abandoned
them; while others perceiving that such
measures could only be temporary adopted
more active precautions. It was suggested
that, as a preliminary step, the emperor
Charles V should appoint inspectors to survey
the country, and mark those places which,
being least exposed to the coming flood,
would be most likely to afford a shelter,—
That ibis should be done, was the wish of
the imperial general, who was'lhen stationed
at Florence, and by whose desire a work
was written recommending it.
But the minds or men were too distracted
for so deliberate a plan ; and besides, as the
height of the flood was uncertain, it was im
possible to say whether it would nob reach
the top of the most elevated mountains. In
the midst of these and similar schemes, the
fatal day tdrew near, and nothing had yet
been contrived on a scale large enough to
meet the evil. To enumerate the different
proposals which were made and rejected,
would fill a long chapter. One proposal is,
however, worth noticing, because.it was car
ned into effect with great zeal, and is, more
over, very characteristic of the age. An
ecclesiastic of the name of Auriol, who was
then professor of canon law at the Universi
ty of Toulouse, resolved in his own mind
various expedients by which this universal
disaster nijight be mitigated. At length it
occured to'him that it was practicable to imi
tate the course which on a similar emergen
cy, Noah had adapted with eminent success.
Scarcely was the idea conceived, when it
was pul into execution. The inhabitants of
Toulouse lent their aid ; and an ark was
built, in the hope that some part, at least, of
ths human species might be preserved, to
continue their race, and re-people the earth,
after the waters should have subsided, and
the (and again become dry.— Buckles His
tory of Civilization.
A Singular Affair. —The Altoona
Tribune gives the particulars of a singular
affair of recent occurrence. A lady arrived
at that place by the Mail Train, on her way,
as she staled, to Philadelphia. Before arri
ving there, she concluded to stop off the train
and pay avisiA-’ra’Se-.lidaysburg. With this
off the train and went into
the wailing room of the Ticket office, to get
a ticket for the Branch Train. While in the
room she changed her mind and concluded
to go on to the city, and laid down her pock
el-book, said to contain $5OO, on a window
in the room, while she arranged some pan
of her wardrobe, and went off and left it.—
She did not discover her loss until she had
neared Duncannon station, where she slopped
off and telegraphed back to the Agent at Al
toona, but nothing could be found of the
pocket-book. Subsequeo ly she returned,
but no trace of the money or pocket-book
could be founds She went over to Holli
daysburg and spent a day or two, returned
again on Friday evening, but still there was
no clue to the missing treasure. The tele
graph was put in working to apprize her
friends, whom she stated lived in Mansfield,
Ohio, of her misfortune and distress, but they
could not be reached, no one there knowing
anything about the persons whose names aha
gave. As she evinced a desire to return
home, she was accordingly put on the Ex
press Train on Sunday morning last, and
sent to Pittsburg. The case as Col. Boley
remarked was “singularly strange.” This
may be the same “confidence” woman who
made an-attempt to victimize, some citizens
of our town not long ago, and who has
since “operated" successfully 'in various
other localities.
Printing by Caloric. —This paper is
printed on a single medium Adams press,
driven by a 12 inch Ericsson caloric engine.
This first side was printed at a speed avera
ging seven hundred and fifty impressions per
hour. The engine consumed, during the
whole length of time it was fired up (five and
a half hours,) fourteen pounds of anthracite
coal, costing three and a half cents, at the
rale five dollars per two thousand pounds.
There is a saving of at least sixty-six per
cent, in the quantity and cost of fuel for a
caloric over that of a steam engine. By the
use of these engines all danger from explo
sion is avoided—no water being used—and
there is no occasion for an engineer, as they
require to be fed with fuel in the man
ner of an ordinary stove; among other ad
vantages, besides the cheapness of cost in
running them, is that of heating the room in
cold weather (bv taking up cold and ejecting
heated air,) and that of causing no additional
rales, of insurance.— Schenectady {N. Y.)
Advertiser, i
“They Say.” —There is a decision in the
last volume of Gray's Reports, which is at
once sound morals and good law. A woman,
sued for slander, was defended on the ground
that she only repeated, and without malice,
.what was currently reported. The Court
held that to repeat a story, which is false
and slanderous, no matter how widely it may
have been circulated, is at the peril of the
tale bearer. Slander cannot always be traced
to its origin. Its power of mischief is de
rived from repetition, even if a disbelief of
the story accompanies its relation. Indeed
this half doubtful way of imparting slander
is often the surest method resorted to by the
slanderer to give currency to his tale.
THE AGITATOR.
91. H. Cobb, Editor & Proprietor.
f/ELLSBOROUGH, FA.
1559.
• # * All Business,and otherCommanicationsmust
beaddressedto I lie Editorto insure attention.
S. M. Pettsnqill & Co., 119 Nassau St., New York, and 10
State St., Boston, are the Agents for the Agitator, and the
most influential and largest circulating Newspapers in the
United States and the Canadas, They are authorized to con*
tract for us at our lowest rates.
We cannot publish anonymous communications.
Subscribers for tbe Tribune Almanac, as also
all others wishing to procure that valuable Annual,
will find it at the Book Store. Trice 1 shilling.
Farmers will do well to read the advertisement of
Mr. A. Bixby, He sells reasonably and keeps (bo
best quality of Plaster. Try it—extensively.
Merchants and business men will had a very ex*
cellent as well as convenient thing, in the shape of
a folio Counting House Diary for 1859, at the coun
ter of Smith & Richards. We have seen nothing
neater and more appropriate for the Counting Room.
{HP By reference (o this week’s new Advertise
ments it will be seen that Mr.Thoa. Harden has be
come sole proprietor of the Store lately occupied by
Messrs. Baileys &, garden. The latter gentleman
is one of our most active bnsiness men and deserves
well of the public.
The Carrier, Master Rankin, desires to return
bis grateful acknowledgments fur the liberality of
onr village patrons on New- Year day. He does not
quite know to which his good fortune is attributable
—the genial rhymes he vended, or his own good-hu.
mored face. We snspect be is indebted to both.
It is pleasant to be remembered kindly by those
who do not see ns every day io the year. Those
meeting one daily cannot forget one if they would.
It is nice and comfortable to be remembered on the
first day of tbe year—season of mirth, hilarity and
too often of excess—for then is the compliment of
greater value because of the more than ordinary
dominion of Self,
So, when we found a mysterious box on tile table
as we returned (rom dinner on Saturday, a glow of
pleasure pervaded our soul and body and measurably
quickened our pulses. We opened it with tender
ness unwonted, making no doubt that it contained
a cubic foot of johnnycake nicely embalmed in the
compliments of tbe season from some considerate
lady, or other. Snugly was that box put together.
Well, if not a johnnycake—what? Now, the box
was neither cumbrous nor heavy. The box was
from a gentleman and contained nothing so com
mon-place as johnnycake, but apple damplings, with
the dumplings left out. In short, we are obliged to
our friend A. C. Cole, Esq., for a box of excellent
apples, of regal size and unequaled flavor. They
do credit to the orchard no less than to the generos.
ity of onr friend. Long may he wave!
We direct the attention of School Directors and
all others interested in the education of youth, to
the very liberal proposition of our enterprising Book,
sellers, Messrs. Smith &. Richards. In our judg.
ment, that Grammar is best which leads the pnpil
most directly aod naturally to a knowledge of the
science of tbe language. We are no admirer ot a
treatise or text-book which must be studied with
Webster's Unabridged at one’s elbow, or not at all.
Some grammars are rendered cumbrous with lech,
nical terms —terms, too, which, once mastered, are
of no practical use. What we want is a simple, dt.
rect and common sense mode of initialing the stn.
dent into the mysteries of the science of the lan.
guage which he is to speak and write during a file
time.
We have examined Brown’s Grammar, not critic
ally. but as a student first, and later as a teacher.
Il is a common sense treatise by a common sense
man, and remarkably free of useless technicalities.
Brown's Grammar of Grammars is to the English
student as indispensable as is Webster's Unabridged.
The Common School edition, however, is that more
particularly referred to in this place. It is a stand*
ard work and is appealed to as authority oflener than
any other. Bui our readers will find the proposition
in our advertising columns.
Castle-Building.
The Pyramids and the wondrous Temples of Ind
were twice-builded. The life of each true man is
twice-lived. Every joy is twice*cnjoyed, every pain
twice-endured. The pyramids were first ideally ex
istent, now actually. So with the temples,
Man is a builder of Castles.in-the-Air, If he
project a more extravagant creation than be may be
able to “embody forth,” the wise laugh at him—
call him visionary and a /001. The wise have nut
achieved all knowledge. They have not mastered
the Dinne economy. The arrow of Jonathan yet
falls beyond them. 1
We have great respect, mingled with veneration,
for the builder of Chateaux d * Espagne, When he
builds philosophically, though the fabric crumble in
to chaos, he is better for (he seemingly fruitless la
bor. He has accomplished something which the
practical world calls nothing , because it had no vis
ible embodiment. With the Builder the structure,
from foundation to dome, remains forever. Il is
visible to Hut; it suffers no decay from time and
elemental war, for it rears its proud head without
the bounds of Time and Circumstances. His idea
actually took shape, but for him only. The world
has been enriched, unconsciously, bat not (be less
enriched. '
Be patient with the Castle-Builder. Be charita
ble —he Is aiding to work out the problem of life.
Souls cannot be idle ; they constantly seek out new
paths to happiness, not all practicable, perhaps, just
at the time, but which time and change will render
practicable. What matters it though bis creations
fail of visible embodiment; what mailers it though
he cannot render his castles habitable; he is work*
ing for the world through himself. Be patient.
Every departure from established customs is con.
eidcred freakish and visionary. The man who un
dertakes to better the world must not look for sym
pathy and co-operation in the morning. The mm.
es of men are castle-builders in their own quiet and
unobtrusive way; but they look not upon the de
clared castle-builder with favor. To them he is a
schemer, a visionary, an idler. The world jeered at
Columbus when be described in glowing words the
castle which lilted its towers and turrets against
the horizon that touched the Western Sea. Court
iers jeered, savans scouted, the rabble booted and
hissed. But tbe vision remained to the visionary,
the New World existed then as it does now—a re
ality.
And therefore we repeat that casllc-huilding can
never work harm to the world, or to the builder,
though he may never set foot within the strncture.
The joy he pictures may never crown the hour to
wbieb he looks forward; the good be craves may.
never enter into his life in visible form; hat Antici
pation has extracted the honey, and with it the sting
of Disappointment. You cannot invade the domain
of the philosophic castle-builder; you cannot embit
ter him; yon ©annul discourage him. Qe dwells in
THE TIOGA COUNTY AGITATOR.
a creative world, as real to him as is this visible
earth to others. He beholds life as a diorama—now
shimmering in the glare of noon, now dusky with
twilight shadows. Thus has he a two-fold existence.
Man cannot comprehend an impossibility—we
mean the impossible to him. True, he cannot com
prehend the Possible to Creative Wisdom; bat who
will say that the line bounding the Possible to man,
does not likewise bound the Impossible to him and
the cleariy Possible to Omnipotence 1 Every well,
defined conception falls on the hither side of that
line of demarkation, as the imperfect, by its imper
fection, clearly establishes itself on the thither side.
Here, then, we have the criterion by which the cas
tic-builder must determine the practical worth of his
conceptions.
It ia something to create a world and to people it
with shadows which appear not to the eyes of oth
ers. It ia well enoogh to fashion a world whose
dwellers walk in millennial sunshine, “ whose ways
are pleasaotnesi qnd all whose paths are peace.”
There lives no man or woman whom the often con.
temptation at such creations may not belter. Such
a state may not distinguish either this age, or that
which is to succeed it; but this age glides more
nearly that desired condition than the age behind it.
Its successor will yet more nearly approximate to it.
And thus a Millennial Period already dawns in the
East of the Possible.
All day-dreams seem stupendous fallacies to those]
who bear and behold not. The world puts little Con-'
Gdcnce in that which appeals not directly to some
one of the senses. Thus, it has no living faith io I
Omniscience, but a nominal only. Its worship be.
gins to put on the guise of idolatry. Mot so with
the castle builder: he dwells among intangible cre
ations and recognizes the existence of things incom
putable which elude the sensuous perceptions. So
is be made familiar with principles and with forces.
Success to the castle-builder! Life is broader,
its current less broken by rapids to him than to the
sternly practical, lie lives more, if fewer years
lie between bis cradle and bis grave than lengthen
the spans of the more phlegmatic. He is more tru
ly practical than be who believes in the existence of
nothing that cannot b« made commerce of. He ia
mere truly practical because more intelligently so
licitous for the uplifting of Min. Speed tha Castle.
Builder 1
Plainly, it will not do to glorify a bid thing—not
even ironically. Somebody will take your glorifi
cation in terrible earnest and presume upon U to the
damage ol community.
Last week we descanted upoCLgJotiet.nf tnany
kinds, muscle among others. We even placed the
acknowledged musclemen of this age and country,
Heenan and Morrissey, in the galaxy of Honorable
men. *Pon honor, we did not mean to exalt those
unmitigated rowdies thereby ; and no one can re>
gret more than do we ibe manifest bad influence of
our ironical glorification of Muscle. We propose
to do ample penance for that error of judgment.
We grieve to record it. It is not pleasant to deal
sternly with the wrong actions of men; and under
present circumstances does the task become partic
ularly disagreeable. We shall no*, explain the na
ture of these circumslaaces further than to say, that
it is not our practice to provoke a contention; which
we may not be able to see fought through. We
prefer to tight oar own battles.
Last Thursday night was a night of shame and
disgrace to Wellsboro. The decency of the village
was insulted and its good name seriously jeopardied.
We shall not trouble our readers with the details ot
the most riotous proceeding that has blotted the an
nals ol Wellsboro during our five years* sojourn*
For legal proceedings will make these painfully no
torious soon enough. We champion no man nor do
we direct an attack against particular persons; but
of the proceeding referred to we must speak plainly.
When the young men of Charleston choose to en
gage a room in a public or private house in Wells
boro, for a ball or for a parly, we presume to say
that they have an unqualified right so to do. If it
seem desirable to them to make the parly exclusive,
to occupy the room themsehes and to admit none
of the village people, we presume to say that they
have a right to do that. If the men of Wellsboro 1
choose to go by one, two. or ono hundred, with the
declared purpose to force themselves upon the com
pany and so break up the party, they have just the
same right to do so that they would have to forcibly
intrude themselves upon a social gathering In the
private dwelling-douse of any man—just the same |
and no more. Did we occupy a room in a public !
house, that room would be our castle, to be | entered
with rudeness by no man nor by one hundred men !
except at his or their peril. The bar-room!of a ho.'
tel is free (o all who behave with decorum., But no
man may presume to take a step beyond the apart
ments allotted to public use, without permtasiba of
some kind. The keeper of a hotel is entitled to all
the consideration of a private citizen. No man, or
body of men may destroy his property, break his
locks or disturb his guests with impunity; none but
drunken men and professional rowdies areguilty of
such outrage. It is the vocation of reckless men
and thoughtless boys.
It matters not who struck the first blow. < The in.
tendon to break up the party at Hart’s Hotel was
patent among the Wellsboro boys days before the
riot took place. The Charleston boys were adver
tised of that intention, as we are informed. In our
judgment, the latter might have resisted entry into
the room they had faired and paid for, even to the
killing of the forcible intruder, in law; for that
room became their cattle when they took possession
and placed a watchman at the door. Morally, the
life of the meanest individual is of more worth than
the technical possession of any room for the purpose
of social enjoyment; but men do not stop to debate
moral questions in such straits. In law and in com
mon sense, the Char'eston boys seem to be in the
right
-No bones were broken, no lives lost. One man of
the besieged had a cast-iron boot-jack broken over
his head and one of the assailants received a cut in
the head from a hammer. It is a happy thing that
no lives were lost.
These, good people of Wellsboro, are some of the
first and bitter fruits of FREE RDM. The work
goes bravely on. Six months of unrestrained traf.
ficjidded to the twelve months already had. must
breed a revolution in public purpose as well as in
public sentiment. It is a nauseous remedy, to be
sure; so are til remedies nauseous. Nauseous dis
eases require like medication ; when health returns
the patient begins life with renewed vigor. So will,
it be with this beautiful village : When the slouch
of its demoralization becomes unbearable the good
people will send the Rum Fiend into exile. Speed
the day 1
To those who have done us the honor to ask our
aid in reforming the Borough Government at the
approaching election we reply : We believe that
the re-election of some of the present officers will
conduce measurably to the ultimate reformation of
Wellsboro. We did not elect those men. Ye who
descended to a coalition with the enemies of good
order must bury your own dead and father ynorown
sots. We have no vote or voice in the matter, be
cause we will not act with men who: lodge Self
above Principle. They must sweeten their triumph
with the disastrous result. Drink freely, friends.
for such yon have nndesignedly proved. Obeying
our inmost convictions of the true policy to be par
sued, we must vote for some of those whom we op
posed a year ago, or vote not at all. Mo one is ad
vi|ed by this.
For the Agitator.
Oo Monday the STth of Dec,, the house of Mr.
Josiah Griffin in Charleston was consumed by fire
at about 2 J o’clock p. m., together with the furni
ture, clothes &c., of the family. At the time the
fire occurred Mr. 6. was absent one mile from the
house. His brotber Smith Griffin was at the house
engaged in making what is known as the “Arabian
Balsam,” and for the purpose was melting rosin and
mixing it with turpentine over the cook stove, A
little of the mixture dropped npon the stove and
gashing up like powder, the fire was at once com.
monicated to the contents of the kettle which was
instantly in a blaze. He seized the kettle and start
ed for the door in hopes to get it out before any se
rious damage was done. He had got but two or
three feet before the fire had caught bis clothes and
be found himself compelled to drop the kettle in or
der to save himself. As he did so the burning mix
ture spread over the floor, and the room was instant
ly in a furious blaze. To render the fire atilt more
unmanageable, it at once communicated to some 10
pounds of rosin, one gallon of alcohol, and a quan
tity of turpentine which had been left a few feet
from the stove. Mrs. G. who was passing through
the room at the time the mixture took fire, rushed to
the window and before she could effect her escape
through it tier clothes were on fire. She and Smith
Griffin by rolling in the snow succeeded in extin
guishing the fire ,in their clothes, but not until both
were badly burned. A little daughter—an only
child of Mr. Griffin, was at the time playing in the
chamber. Before help could reach her the bouse
was all in a blaze, and the child was consumed in
the fire. ,
Smith Griffin bad in the bonus about 9100—bis
all—in paper money, which was burned. Josiah
Griffin had about $4O in bills burned.
It is a most distressing calamity, and one which
entitles the afflicted family to the sympathy of the
public, and we hope that substantial evidences of
such sympathy will be liberally given. Nothing 1
was saved except what clothes they had on, and Mrs.
G’s were so burned as to be of little use. COM.
marriage nnder Difficulties—A
Romance.
More than three years, since, one Oliver
Wolcott, getting tired of his wife, sold her
for a valuable consideration to a man who
liked her better and could live with her more
and amicably than the first husband was able
to. The parties being provided with a legal
document, drawn up in technical phraseol
ogy, and not being deeply read in Blackstone
or Chilly, seem to have considered the first
marriage dissolved, and proceeded to act as
if the second had been legally consummated.
Here the officers of the law stepped in, and
consigned the sinning parties, except the
greatest sinner of all, to the State prison..
Mrs. Wolcott was pardoned out by the Leg
islature last spring, and Mr. Case served his
time and came out by expiration of time this
full. Mrs. Wolcott obtained a divorce.from
Oliver by the aid of Esq. Chapman and the
next act in the drama is the regular reunion
of the lovers, by a regular clergyman, in
the holy bonds of matrimony. Considering 1
that a child was born of this union in our
Hartford jail, and that while in Stale prison
both parlies were sustained and comforted by
the mutual pledge of fidelity to each other,
and an unflinching determination to be reu
nited whenever the very serious obstacles
could be removed, we (hink the marriage
chronicled below worthy of note and credita
ble to both parties. The course of Lucy’s
love ran State prison and a terrible
persecution from n desolate husband, which
made her long (or the protection of the prison
walls. But Lucy has triumphed, and we
give the happy couple our congratulation.
Wolcott is beaten out of sight. Lucy sends
us a loaf of cake and the following notice;
Married, in Canton, November 28ih, by the
Rev, Mr. Fisk, Mr. Salmon D. Case, of
Simsbury, and Miss Lucy French, of Canton,
—Hartford Coxirant.
Get the Best Detector. —Petersons’
Counlerfeit Detector and Bank Note List for
January has been received by us, and is cor
rected by Drexel & Co., the well known
Bankers and Brokers, and it is the best and
most reliable Detector of Counterfeits or
Altered Noler published in this country. The
number issued this day full describes Fifty
two New Counterfeits, and contains a fac
simile of a Bogus Bank Note that is being
altered to suit various banks all over the
country, and which is being pul into exten
sive circulation. It also contains several
other pages of very valuable information of
everything appertaining to Bank notes. It
has been considerably enlarged this month,
having now forty-eight pages in, and con
tains also fac-similesof several hundred Gold
and Silver coins, besides. We have no hesi
tation in pronouncing it the most complete,
reliable and best publication of the kind in
the Uniteu States, as it is not used to subserve
the interest of any banking house, as most of
the so-called Detectors ars. It should be in
the hands of every storekeeper in the whole
country, and we would advise all persons
who handle money to send two dollars in a
letler, for a year’s subscription, to the pub
lishers, and thus subscribe for the semi
monthly issue of it at once; or one dollar
for the monthly issue. It is published by
T. B PETERSON & BROTHERS, No.
306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, to whom
all letters should be addressed. A copy of
“Petersons’ Complete Coin Book,” the most
perfect and complete one in the world will be
given gratis to all subscribers for 1859.
Extraordinary Case of Physical
Derangement. — A day or two ago a man
died who had been for some months an in
mate of one of our hospitals, and whose dis
ease had exhibited such peculiar and un
known symptoms as to baffle the greatest
skill of the best physicians. Duder the cir
cumstances it was deemed advisable to make
a post mortem examination, when it was
found that in the diaphragm was a large
hole, and that the intestines hud been forced
up, and had pressed the heart from i's nat
ural position over to the right side of his
body, where it had performed its functions
for several years; the man himself having
been prevented from his daily labor only for
the last few months. How the patient could
have survived such a length of time with
such a subverted system is marvelous, and
is the first ins'ance of the kind, we under
stand, that has come to the knowledge of tbs
medical profession. Poor fellow whatever
may have been his defects, none could say
his heart was not in the right place.—Cin
cinnati Enquirer.
gqmmtmtcatfoiig. j
Zero.
Id consequence oT the technical meaning
of tha term “zero, a great deal of metaphys-;
ical discussion has arisen, as to the propriety
of employing it in mathematics; and in IreaU
ing the subject under consideration I hold
that it is not within the, province of the esi
sayist to attempt to clear such a technical
terra as zero, of its ambiguity and vagueness
to the general reader, or even to the common
school teacher, for the theme itself presuppof
sea the reader to be well versed in mathemat
ical lore, and to understand the relations and
properties of quantities, analytically, as well
as numerically. ] J
Many eminent mathematicians respectful!
ly differ as to the true signification of zero'.
Robinson for one commits a gra»e| error,
when he says, io substance, that “zero is an;-
aiytically, absolutely nothing” [n his Uni
versity edition where he treats of thesummaj
tion of a descending geometrical series he
says, “Hence we may require the 1 sum of
any descending series, as 1„£, J, J, fire.,, lb
infinity, provided we delernane the last ierni.
Now we perceive the magnitude of the terms
decrease as the series advances; the bund
relh term would be extremely small, the
thousandth term very much less, and (the in
finite term nothing ; not 100 -small to be no
led, as some tell us, but absolutely nothing
Now a—a is certainly absolutely nothing,
but according to the theory of Mr. Robinson
a divided by u> is equivalent to absolutely
nothing, or in common language, a bfiDusjt}
is equal to the symbol of infinity; conse
quently aTI zeroes are equal, and all are equal
to absolutely nothing, \ j j
I have known the literati —men of un
doubted abilities, liberal education and long
experience in the science and art of leaching,
fa>l to make the intelligent pjupil see lhat the
infinite term of a decreasing geometrical se
ries was absolutely nothing. I have seen
these collegiates attempt to illustrate by dia
gram the theory of absolulejzero byjdescrjb
ing two lines converging asj they were pro
longed ; this as a matter of course woqld
awaken suspicion in ihe pupil’s mind that- if
prolonged indefinitely they! would probably
meet, consequently, indefinite intersection and
absolutely nothing are equivalent. i
Now zero in common language,
no thing; in Arithmetic, itjis called nought,
or cypher, and means no mimber; lin Alge
bra it stands for no quantity, or fori a quan '
tity less than any assignable quantity. : 1 f
we take the fraction a divided by a:, and sup
pose x to.remain constant whilst- a]continu
ally diminishes, the value of (he fraction will
also diminish, and that, proportionally to the
decrease of a, but when a becomes less thjan
any assignable quaoiity, the value of
fraction will become less than any assignable
quantity or o . On the contrary, suppose a
to remain constant .whilst x continually in
creases, the value of ihe fraction will become
smaller and smaller ; when x becomes vgry
great in comparison to a,| the value of the
fraction will become very small ;; finally',
when x becomes greater thkn any assignable
quantity, or w, the value of the fraction yfijl
become less than any assignable quantity,
or o . Hence we jsee that Mr. Rpbinsop’s
last terrn of a decreasing geometrical secies
is not absolutely nothing ajs he supposes, but
an infinitely small quantity, or infinitesimal.
I J. VV|
I > 1
The Dfew Tear.
Yes, another year is passing—going—gone.
Already are we performing the funeral cere
monies of eventful 1858 which is just mak
ing its final exit, and henceforth it is only to
be known among the things “that were, but
are not.”. At this season it is usually, ay,
almost universally the custom to give our
selves over to feasting apd mirth. At khe
commencement of a New Year, the young
folks (or a goodly'-portioin of them) have a
general jubilee, by drowning all care at pub
lic balls; to many the festive dance—khe
tripping of the light fantastic toe, is the sole
and proper way (or spending “Nbw Yepr”
as they call it. Oldsc ones visit friends,
form social gatherings, laugh, crack jokes
and tell stories, fare sumptuously upon roast
tuikeysand mince pies ; had finally the.ad
vent of a new year, in oujr country; is cele
brated like unto the ancient Roman carnival ;
everybody gorges himself to his utmost ca
pacity, and every meank ,is resorted lo,i,by
which all care and thought 'either of the past,
present or future may be drowned. I j ,
. Such is the public opinion of 10-'day, that
the mode of “holding” New Yearjis far.jhe
most popular which offers the best induce
ment for driving away jail thought of sur
rounding things. _Now, while I am strongly
opposed to the sniveller—to one who is con
tinually witnessing the “war of elements, !lhe
wreck of matter and the crush of worlds,”
still is it not well at timet to leave the com
mon duties of life—to leave our mouldy pur
suits for a moment, and briefly indulge a lew
thoughts ns regards our “being,[end and
aim ?” More acting tha a thinking is a trait
peculiar to us Americans. | VVe haye 100 few
holidays, and those are |sed for! puipiises
which ill-befit them. In ihy judgment,’! no
day so strongly commepjls itself! to usjfor
sober and honest lhought||&s the thirty-first
day of December. This Should be a day!for
carefully turning over the leaves of the past,
and ascertaining how odfpaccount | stands in
the book of remembrance!! This is one of
the most solemn, yet lovely days of the year
—-it is a day which caj(| forth al thousand
recollections—a host of jihcidenlsfromths
bosom of the past, and sj&ningly the year is
lived over again. || 1
With this day anolhey
Since we celebrated the fs
hundred and fifty eight, r
our lime on earth has
man’s allotted three scd
from us forever. A yi
How short! Long , wh
erence to our limited litas of sojournment
here; Short, when we-mink how little has
been accomplished much remains to
be performed. i | | J
And it seems to be j( s§ the proper lime—
when the dying year islfackering in its pock
et for every reflecting.! man to ask himself
a few home questions—miestions Which.'con
cero every one of us which 1
would have them something likethTihiT'
ing: “Id the year passed have I don,,
thing worthy of a man? Have I
passing moments to the best poasiblead„
tage 1 Have I improved myself morally *
cially, and intellectually 1 Have I ptn f
every effort in the cause of a common u
inanity ? Have 1, in short, conducted 0,2)
in such a manner as to receive the approve
of that still small voice which chides os
wrong and encourages us when right? ?!
if we have come short of our mark, no,-
the time to resolve anew to do
worthy of an earnest, intelligent and reS
ing man. If we have failed in the p ls u
us once more gird on our armor sue*
to-morrow enter life’s battle thinking
naught but final-success. But good
tions are of no value without earnest,
action, for every one knows that a mm a?
“resolve and re-resolve still live and
same.’’
For tho Agitator.
The man of to-day has every thing t oet
courage him. Ours is truly an age of jj,
provement. Old Silurian forms are
ing crumbled. What was new a half ctjj,
ry ago, is entirely behind the age in vijj
we live. True, some lament that they v*.
not born in an age of chivalry where ibsh
deeds of daring might have shone onthcjii
ly on the historic pages of their
Others mourn that they had not lived
days of our own revolution where they
have displayed their patriotism by manlyn
sistiug the foe of our early fathers. Ba;
we are not blinded bv the reflection of 1 *
gone days—if we will look about us and as
our country as it is, and intelligently see 1 *
relation we sustain to our country and thj
the relation that that sustains to future cirj,
zation, humanity and progress, w« willfe
hold more to call forth the energies of [>
true worker than during the much boasted
days of ancient chivalry.
Young man, look around you. Do Toa
not behold fronn ocean to ocean a land liltj
with churches and school houses? faam
that the native* forests have vanished before
the axe of the hardy pioneer. You see cilia
and towns springing up on every hand; oat
nation’s commerce whitens every sea; labor,
saving and space-annihilaling machines haw
broken down mountain barriers and brought
all sections of the country together, and ill
of these things have been brought abouthy
labor—nothing but labor.
Considering these things then in their true
light, will you-not consecrate yourself asev
to the god of toil, either, or both physically
and mentally. If you would succeed j®
must not be afraid of a little sunshine on
little storm. Enter the arena of life likst
man, determined to fight manfully andli
struggle on, with a resolution and a willnt
isfiied with nothing but a final crowningti
your early hopes. Suppose you do meel nd
disappointments—suppose you meet with i*.
verses, they should only cause vou to sing
gleon the more devotedly, remembering ere,
“That labor, all labor, is noble and holy,
Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God."
Middlebury, Dec. 30, IBSS. Fairts.
Over one quarter of the schools in fin
Couniy have already been visited, and lb
far in most of them a marked improvena
is observable. The drawling and sinjja|
method of reading has given way to a ma
more natural and easy one. The
method of leaching has been superseded:!
that of the “why,” or the mechanical by i
rational. But the greatest improvement*
all is the ability of the teacher togothroip
with a thorough review of the class in of
of the studies without using the book,
the ability of the pupils to give a comas
synopsis of all they have been over. Fff
of the schools last winter were able '-as
this, but many of them are now. The lets
er seems to know what I mean wheals
for a review of the class.
} Tor the' Agitato?.
The schools are generally well susp*
with teachers, but the reduction of was 0 ® 5
the rejection of those unqualifiod havess*
what (binned the ranks. There areeas?
however to supply all the schools. 1-*
who are teaching without certificates.
havp as thorough an examination as a'*
and if found unqualified will haven*
their time. The excuse “I did not
teaching,” is not a good one, and if k
lowed, there would not be a half dozen i*
ers in the County forward for examine
the regular time. N. L. RevnoiW'
Co.
Skating Incident. —Forty P^ ice
visited t(ie Back Bay to put a siof 10
in ihat Ibcahty on the Sabbath. The ' ce w 3)
cleared in a moment, with a single esMP 11 ®
One unterrified individual refused toy*"'
set: at naught all devices to secure him-
skated like the wind, and favored the he P ! -
officials with an eccentric series of iat!
brilliant evolutions. Like the
flea, of familiar memory, he was not w
you thought he was. Finally, after ref**"
unsuccessful attempts to accomplish !he ,r r'
pose, a line was formed, and “terribleJL
army with banners,” the “blue and F
dignitaries marched down upon the
skater. Hqjyas trapped ; thirty were .
than a malcn (or one—but just at >h e
securing him, after executing wie of ha
rapid and bewildering exploits, he V
through the advancing line, and WJS
Loud applause greeted the disconnh
the police. —Boston Transcript.
lft
A Man Scdetenly Struck ,
saw in the city on, Saturday morDII, J j[ 3 iS
Mr. Muchmoore, a young farmer J)
Co., who is the victim of a suooeo
markable loss of speech. It seems l 3 ~
a week ago, while in the full e n J°J
health, with no ailment whatever,
ly lost all power of speech. H® . j„iK
utler a word. He has not stin* ,e
least with a disease of the throat, no ( j
at the time, nor is he since, lr ° u ff ;,j)
any sickness whatever, lades <
single affliction, be is enjoying P* rle .
The last day or two he has been *
eionaily to utter a slight whisper * it
be understood. He is in hopes vc >
the forerunner of the restoration 0
It is a most singular case , " r
Dajily Cincinnati Times,
year expired!—
/vent ofj Eighteen
i important pari of
fmnspireci—one of
and ten has gone
! How long!—
considered in ref-
For the Amaa.
Common Schools-