THE STAR OF THE NORTH,
W. Wearer, Proprietor.]
VOLUME 7.
J—J— ■—
THE STAR OF THE NORTH
1* PUBLISHED EVKRY THURSDAY MORNING BY
. W. WRAVISH, .
OFFICE-Up slain, in the new brick build
"•ff, on the south side of Main Steert,
third square below Market.
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, POETRY.
XT The following verses came to our ta
ble tome lime since, but were lost in the
mass of matter until accident brought them
•o light. They were furnished for our pa
per by a lady correspondent of Mifiiin.—
{ED. or THE STAR.]
ACTUM!*.
"When the chill winds of autumn are blowing;
And stripping the trees ot their green—
When thick the.bright flowers are strewing
How soft and enchanting the scene.
When bright was the sky to the morning,
And clomls gathered ronnd in the day—
"While the blast whistles by as a warning
That Summer hi haet'ning away.
I think as I see the leaves lying,
How soon shall I be by their side,
By the cold hand of death snatched away
And swept to its wilderness wide.
Toe spring of my youth will be over,
And soon be regiembered no more,
And soon shall I surely discover
My bark on Eternity's shore.
O when the dread day is appearing,
May I be prepared to remove,
Where trees of Paradise rising,
Eternally blossom above.
EDUCATIONAL.
* CO-OPEHATIUN
or PARENTS, DIRECTORS AND TEACHERS, IN THE
WORK or EDUCATION.
An Essay before the Columbia County Teachers'
Association.
BT JOHN G. FREEZE.
It is only lately, that the world has learned
the true value of associated labor. Until
within a "few years, comparatively, every in- !
dividual man was left to struggle as best he
might, through difficulties and trials, to till
independent vantage ground. The best years ,
of his lifa were spent wholly in acquiring, :
and when the lime and means for enjoyment >
came, the powers were blunted by age, the
taste was vitiated, the desire had passed
away, and the body and the mind were boib
going to decay. Within the last half cen- !
lury, however, associated labor, associated '
capital, and associated intellect have rhanged i
the whole face of nature, and rendered easy I
of acquisition, th%t, whose attainment was'
before, among the impossibilities. In all .
parts of our country we see the magnificent j
results of this new principle. We behold it
at work in almost every department of the
social compact. We have life, health, and
pioperty insurance companies—rail-road, ca
nal, Telegraph and Express companies— we
have building, mining and manufacturing
associations—we have societies lor sending
the gospel to the Heathen, and for forward
ing lettera to the newly organized territories
of Nebraska and Kansas. In fact it is almost
impossible to mention a single business of
life, Into the successful conduct of which, as
sociated, work, wit or wealth has not entered.
I need not stop to inquire how many of the
stupendous works of the day would have
been undertaken, or could have been com
pleted, had they relied upon mere individu
al exertion and resource. We all know that
the great level of the world it association
thai the co-operation of many mind* to one
end, render* failure almost impossible—that
whether the object be mental, moral, social
or political improvement) the success is pro
portional, not so much to the merit of the
cause, as to the amount of outside pressure.
The common schools of the State are them
selves a species-of association for education
al purposes, and derive very much of their
efficacy from their connection and Umform
ty. The fact that evary District ispait of one
great whole, that the eyes of the county ere
upon it, and those of the State upon the coun
ty, must of necessity, be a stimulant to exer
tion. Every man, woman and child in the
Slate, it a member of this ail-importsnt as
sooistion. Ought it not then, upon the prin
ciple of associated labor, wealth and talent,
be the most powerful engine in the Com
monweahh f It ought to be, and it is—lt it
the fulcrum of Archimedes with which to
move the world. It is all-pervading in its in
fluence —it embraces all ranks in its boundless
catholicity—it treads with equal step the pal
eco of the rich and the cottage of the poor,
and leaJt in either hand the sou of the poor
men and the heir of the rich, to the sane dis
tinction and eminence. We cannot now con
ceive, that this great eduoational society, the
State of Pennsylvania, shall ever cease its
glorious work, or prove recreant to its high
and solemn duty.
Considering the end in view, we have no
knowledge ef any scheme equal to it iu ev
erlasting importance. It underlies the very
frame-work of society—the true religion ol
Christ depends npon it for it spread and pro
pagation—the happiness of daily life,—the
enjoyment of an idle honr—the successful
workol the buey day,—the holy calm of an
evening at home—in fine the eternal and
temporal well being of all mankind depend,
mainly, npon the auccass of the great educa
tional association*.
When however we consider the State at
large, u the society, we aee plainly that it ia
not perfect in its machinery, end much more
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1855.
might Le done toward furthering the good
cause, ii the members of "the society took
that interest ID its doings, which they ought
to take. It is proposed now to adopt some
plan which will render the system more ef
ficient. We are of the opinion that to do
this, Ibe best method is, to make each coun
ty a aociety, perfect in itself. To bring all
its members actually into one family, let
them feel their responsibility and know their
position. Thus (he central department is
strengthened, and the life blood circulates to
every extremity. Whatever is then carried
in from the branches, is exchanged, modifi
ed, and purified. Mistakes are rectified, im
provements are still further improved, and
no system commands respect, by reason of
ilt antiquity alone.
But in order to perfect even so small a
thfflg as a county, every District must go in- j
to the work. There must be an-associatioti
of labor, of money, and of talent. We say
there mutt be an association. There most be at
the least a spiritual, there ought to be * bod
ily co operation, among all the persons in
the district—all are interested—to the amount
and extent of their interest, let them engage
in this business. We have seen the great
power and efficiency of association in other
matters—we know the success it brings to
every enterprise; now why should it not, in
the conduct of a public school, be equally
beneficial. No man can doubt for a moment,
the salutary effeet of a thorough co-operation
of Parents, Pirectore, and Teachers, in the
gieat work of educating the young. It is a
terrible and fatal mistake, to suppose that all
ihia should he loft to those, exclusively, who
are elected or hired for that purpose.
Let the citizen be assured that he has by
no meatis performed all his duty, when he
has assisted in choosing a board of Directors;
no matter how well qualified they may be
for the position, nor how active and efficient
in the discharge of its requirements. Nor
shoukf the Director sit Jown and fold his
hands, after lie has hired a Teacher and set
him to work ; for however well he may nn
derstaml his business, however substantially
may be his attainmeats, he still needs to have
his hands strengthened and his spirit soothed,
by the sympathy and support of those who
have confided so important a matter to his
care. Important did I say—aye vastly im-.
portant, and yet how few persons act as■
though they had a conception of their re- :
sponsihility, or a care of the result. Not
among parents only, do we find this general
listlessness, but Directors and Teachers re
quire also, being officially more immediate
ly interested, of their duties and responsibil
ities to be frequently reminded, for to no set
of men, nre more lastingly important objects
committed. Jjfr
,1 say iligrcf.ire._and Lsay it after several
years ol experience botti as a teacher, di
rector and citizen, thai wilMul i*t borough
co-operation on the part of all three orders,
no great and permanent good can be accom
plished. The duties to be performed by each
are so entirely distinct, so impossible of sub- I
■litulion, and so absolutely necessary ; so |
(bat, as neither one can lake the place ot the 1
other, so no one csn perform the other's ,
functions. It may be well in this connection
to point out briefly the relative position of 1
these three parlies, and the responsibilities
and duties of each.
Assuredly the first thing to be done by the
.-parent ia to sond his child to school. For al
though the directors may have provided a
school, and engaged a teacher, yet neither
the one nor the other profileth any thing, if
the pupil ia absent. It ia his duty therefore
10 see, not only (bat the ehild goes to school,
but to take care also that he ia not kept at
home, two or three days in the week ; there
by losing his lessons, distracting arid orip
pling the class, and disarranging his studies.
Nothing is so fatal to a scholar's successful
mastery of his studies, as irregular attendance.
Fatal not only to the boy himself, but most
baleful and depressing in Us influence, upon
the whole school. The ambition and com
petition of scholars is one of the surest in
centives to learning, but the boy whose tri
weekly attendance proves to him the hope
lessness of overtaking the regular, will make
no effor' to that end. If then there are a
dozen boys who come day about, or as the
case may be, what a perfectly diad weight
must thou be upon the school I How greatly
thed should (he citizens belonging to each
School District, endeavor, by constant and
active co-operation, to keep every boy in
his place. At the same time also, they are
rendering the most efficient aid to the teach
er, and giving the director* tbs right band of
fellowship and strength.
But the parent should In every way incol-
I csle respect ami reverence for, and obedi
ence to tbo teacher, moral influence
of the teacher must in a great measure oome
from the parent; and without that, no mail
can conduct a school with even partial suc
cess. The king can do no wrong, as a po
litical maxim ia now about exploded ; but
for the good ot the sobools, we hope i.evdl
to see the day, that it will be publicly pro
claimed by parents, that the school master is
not right. If the authority nl (lie teacher is
backed by that of the parent, no boy will at
tempt to resist it, but where there is a divi
ded sovereignly, there is rebellion. The prop
er check upon the teacher it the Board of Di
rectors, and any complaint must be made to
them. , , ,
The parent shou.'d also visit the school
he should go there a* one having a kindly
intarest in the success of tne system—he
should show to children that he ia interested
in tbeir studies, that he i# pleased with their
improvement—that he sympathises in tbeir
troubles, and rejoices In their triumphs.—
Chil(fr ; £q should know that on all hands,
; rents are watching them—they should have
!an abiding sense of their influence, they
should feel that the parent's approval nerves
the teacher's arm, and sustains his rightful
supremacy. But above all, parents shonld
pay their taxei. That is a co-operation sadly
needed in many parts of our county. Daily
complaints are made on this head. Ineffi
cient schools are always the lot of lazy tax
pavers. No war can be carried on without
money, and*the war against ignorance, more
especially needs a full purse.
There seems to be a constant antagonism
between Parents and Directors. For some
unaccountable cause there is but little cordi
ality between them. It is time however that
this leeling was entirely subdued, Both be
ing phizens and tax-payers in the District, oil
course both ought to be and are, deeply in
terested in the success of the Dislriot School.
Such being the case shall there be a want
of co-operation between the Parents and Di
rectors—both citizens, both tax-payers, both
fathers of families. Absurd as tbo fact is,
it is yet so—destructive at it is to the best
interests of the Schools, there is no disposi
tion in many places to combine and conquer.
I presume not to say who is in the fault, but
the parties respectively, in mtny places, have
so conducted themselves, that they canuol
work together.
The powers and duties of Directors are
plainly defined by the law, and upon that
part of the subject, in this brief address, it
cannot be expected that I should say any
thing. I will confine myaelf to a short con
sideration of some duties outside of the let
ter of the law, but within its spirit; although l
i: will be seen that as iu those of the psrepts,
I can suggest, but dare not etop to argue.
The first thing is, to put themselves on the
same platform with the parents—or rather
perhaps to bring the parenta upon the plut
form—on which the Directors necessarilly
stand. They will then work together with
judgment and with effect. They should see
that the School Houses are warm and con
venient—and (hat they are properly located
in the district. This is a point upon which
the citizens ought to be consulted, especially
in country places. They ought to know and
feel that every thing has been done that
could be, to enable the children to get to
School. I might insist upon this point at
great length, for 1 have heard much com
plaint, and some of it just, in regard to the
location of School Houses—but surely a pro
position so plain, needs no illustration, fn
this matter, however, co-operation is greatly
needed between Directors aqd Parents.
In choosing a School tax collector, and a
District treasurer, care should be taken by
the Directors to select the bet men in the
district—men who love, respect and
confidence of the people—to whom they will
willingly pay their taxes, and in whose hands
they will feel sure that the public money ia
safe—of course they will take the bonds re
quired by law in both cases;—but they should
remember that it is a great matter to have
popular, as well as efficient public servants.
Directors should endeavor to procure teach
, ers whose character and qualifications were
| such as to gaib them the confidence of the
! entire community. It is proper to suppose
that they wilt do so, but sometimes Directors
are bit with an economical spirit, and In or
der to save five dollars, they throw away
twenty. It you wish to procure talent, qual
ification and experience, you most pay for
them.
But we dare not linger any lor.ggr over
this part of*our subject. We have often felt
sensibly, aa a Director, the lack of sympathy
between ns and those for. whom we were
| striving ; and as a teacher also, when strug
i glingday after day inonr toilsome avocation,
< have we fell cut ofT almost entirely from all
i human brotherhood. Patents, Directors, at id
Teachers have heretpfoiTslood too much in
the shape of g triable, and of a consequence
the"children stood aloof How could
lite expedled, Hint with such fatal divisions,
the cause could flourish. It has beer, our
object in this short essay, not only to con
vince these parties that they ought to be to
gether, but also bow they can get together.
The Teacher should make himself ac
quainted, not only with the Scholar, but also
with the family. It should be his objSct to
awaken that dormant interest in the school,
that every man possesses. He should know
that he (eels an anxiety to sae his pupils
succeed in their studies—that he rejoice* in
their rapid progress, and regrets tbeir fail
ures—he should govern his school kindly but
firmly—he ought to hare the support of the
Directors—and they should give him their
countenance promptly—and then he wants
(be confidence of the citizens—he should be
mild and cheerful in the school room, and it
would be well if his pupils could pay him
the full complimeut, of which Goldsmith's
immortal master got bat half
Full oft we laughed with counterfeited glee,
At all his jokes, for many a joke had be—
And perhaps it would not sometimes be oat
of the way that
Full well the busy whisper circling found
Conveyed the dismal tidings when be frown'd,
though if he once gain the love and confi
dence of his scholars, he need not often
frown—love tsallpowerful, even in a sonool
room. .
But no pian desires more, or needs more,
the co-operation and sympathy of Director*
and Parents, than the Teacher—no man's
task has hitherto been so thankless—no man's
labor, if well performed, been more arduous
—no one looked forward to leas spiritual re
ward. He toiled on, solitary and alone in
hi* avocation, for even schoolmasters were
not a party, and if he succeeded, it was by
his own unaided effort. It is to be hoped
that now, for him s better day is dawning—
Truth and Right——God and our Country*
(hit Parents and Directors are waking" up to
a sense of their duty, sustaining him and
encouraging the scholar.
If With our divided and distracted coun
cils, so much good has been accomplished,
how magnificent must be the iesulta, when
the three powers aot in concert and harmo
ny. Up to the present time, we have been
weakanjng the system instead of giving it
strength. Concord and concert will devel
op it* better characteristics, and we oan get
at tbem in no other way. If parties can
once be made to feel their responsibilities
to, and dependence upon one another, the
work is dor.e—the great business of co-oper
atton in the matter of education ia secured.
How quietly, steadily and powerfully will
this grand system work its way to universal
acceptance. How beneficial will be its in
fluence, how wide-spread its benevolenoe.
But wa dare not trespass longer—we have
only indicated a few of the many points up
on which instant and cordial co-operation is
needed— and we have only presumed to
mention the vast good which, would result
from associated labor—it it a consummation
devoutly to be wished, and we believe it is
surely though elowiy coming—every man
can hasten it—we have some influence—let
us exert it in favor of ibis noble end.
EDUCATION.
An Essay read to the Teachers' Association at
Milhiile, December Bth, 1855,
BT MISS EL VILA WRIGHT.
Learning is one of the most valuable treaa
uraa we can possess. It is a treasure that
will never fade nor grow old; but the longer
we possess i: the more beauties it will dis
play and the more interesting it will appear
to our view. If we have wealth it may soon
vanish into nothing: if we have friends they
may soon become estranged ; and all that we
can possess of worldly goods are fleeting as
the wind, but if we have a cultivated mtnd
it oan never be taken from ns. Look for in
stance at ibe man of wealth ! He has passed
his youthful days in devising plans to amass
wealth, and at last he has attained the desired
end. He has great possession; he can look
out on his right hand and on his left, and far
as the eye can reach it is ait his own. He
says within himself what need have I to la
bor or to exert my mind to find out any new
idea? I have all that heart can wish—all
these vast possessions are mine. I have
houses and lands, —I have friends who arft
ready to cheer every gloomy hour ol my
[ life by their kind caresses. I have thus far
been favored by fortune, and all seems to bid
fair for my prosperity. And thus he folds his
arms in idleness, and so he passes perhaps
a few years in ease and affluence.
Btiuake another look, and see how vari
ous are the changes of life. The wheel of
fortune that has so far been so mysteriously
turning in his favor may suddenly take an
other turn, and with it may sweep away bis
possessions and leave him penniless. Where
are thqn all his former friends? Soon he
finds their friendship begins to diminish, and
one by one they drop off from his society, i
until 100 late he learns that friendship is not
to be bought with gold. What then wonld [
he not give if be were wise and learned—if
he had but spent bit youthful days in storing
his mind with knowledge. Bat it is too late to
learn. Old age is upon him, and he must
I pass" the remainder of bis life in solitude and
unnoticed.
But let us take another look and see the
opposite side of the picture. How different
it is with the man who is striving to gain
knowledge! How differently is he employ-!
ed. You may see him at an hour when all
around him are sunk in slnmber, pondering
over some difficult problem whiob for days
i perhaps he has feared he could never aolve.
| And thus he exerts all hit faculties until at
last some new idea strikes his brain—by de
grees the difficulty seems to diminish, and
he finds the task accomplished. He has the
gratification of a triumph which he feels will
benefit mankind. Thus he goes on and on,
still step by step, until he attains to a high
degree ; and the more he learns the more
arabitiobs he ia to learo. He is npt, like the
rich man, content with what he has attained,
but bit busy mind it continually in search of
more knowledge. He oan aee a beauty in
I every tree or plant—in rivcy blade of grass.
Ha can look np to the starry heaven*, and
there count the stars and oall them by their
names. At he contemplates the magnifi
cent works t>[ the Deity hit mind is filled
with awe, and as his searching eye minutely
scans the sublime scenery sees that in
every object there ia some mystery to un
ravel. Then like the bee that (lite from
flower to flower and sips their honey, hit
eye wonders over the vast creation and drinks
in rich draughts of knowledge.
And thus while one folds bis arms-id in
dolence and content* himself to grovel on in
ignorance, another ia gaining knowledge
from every object around him. He marks
the clouds at they roll themselves together,
and he views the storm gathering in the
heavens. He sees how the vivid lightning
fleshes around hira, and how the mighty oak,
monarch of the forest, ia suddenly cent from
hit strong hold by the rushing wind, and from
all these he gather* knowledge, while an in
different observer scarcely sees what ia going
oil. He see* the wisdom of the Deity dis
played in every object and from every thibg
he sees there is knowledge to be gained.—
Then, at the blushing rose-had at first dis
plays but half its sweetness, and as the flow
er expand* wa see in every leaf that open*
to our view some new beauty that has hith
erto escaped out observations; so the more
knowledge we posses the more beaatiea it
will display, and the more new charms it
will exhibit to oar view.
> Correspondence of the N. Y. Daily Times.
I CALIFORNIA'.
NEWS AND OOSSIP OF SAN FRANCISCO.
"How is business?" is generally the first
' inquiry made on arrival of the California
steamer at your wharvei. The only reply I
| shall make on this oocasion is, "pretty well,
I thank you," and leave the details to the
"Price Currents" and market quotations in
( your "exchanges." For me to go into a re
view of the market, would be but a twice
( told tale—so let the price currents have it all
to themselves Ibis time.
THE FALL OF SEBA6TOPOI. IN SEN FRANCISCO.
The great talk abuut towtt is the fall of Se-
I bastopol, which altbongh as stale to you as
I buckwheats an hour old, is nevertheless new
to -us. The Frenchman* went iti stroug on
claret and absyntlie on the reception of the
news, and moet of tbem dined conrivally,
got "tight" gloriously, and wound up oblivi
ously. The Englishmen drank freely ol "'arf
and-'arl," stuttered excessively, nod those
who did not get cheap lodgings "in the station
house," went home in an assortment of con
veyances, from a shutter to a hand-cart. An
English Or French man-of-war in port, 1 for
got which, fired a salute. They did that once
before, just about a year ago, ce!ebrating.the
same victory which hadn't come off, and was
as we began to hope indefinitely postponed;
t but better late than never. They earned it
let them have the glory.*
THE WKATHXR.
We have had heavenly weather the pan
1 month, and those that have had nothing else
r to do, loafed a round the corners, and sunned
■ themselves. T# weeks of this balmy weath
' er is enough to make an Eastern man quar
-1 rel with his grandmother and flee to Califor
nia. We had two days' norther last week
1 which kicked up e little muss in 'he harbor,
1 and give ship chandlery "an upward move-,
ment;" but there was no great damage done
—a clam-boat or two sunk, and a clipper hay
acow foundered, with all on board, consisting
1 of about for bushels of rats.
STEAMBOAT OPPOSITION.
The opposition in sleambonting continues,
and competition runs high, while the fares
run low, ard the boats for glory. Passage
to Sacramento nothing, and found, if lost over
board. 1 believe the captains have persons
permanently employed to fall overboard, in
order to give them an opportunity of becom
-1 iug the newspaper heroics, rushing to the res
cue—regardless of personal danger—gallant
conduct—passenger dragged on boaid by the
captain, who always trusts in the Lord and
1 keeps his watch dry, (by leaving in his stnte
-1 room)—it tells—captain voted a splendid fel
low—purse made up—speech—captain de
clines to receive the money—finally does
so, and hands it over to the "Quien
Sabe Baby Asylum." The excitement be
comes intense, and the fat man on the upper
deck, blowing the big horn, nearly blows his
brains out, and winds up by pitching head
foremost into it—a very appropriate illustra
tion of the whole proceedings.
NEW GOLD DISCOVERIES.
A new gold fever has broka out They
have found a mountain of ore—the richest
scratching* ever yet heard of,at Table Mount
ain. If the stories are half (rue, end there
seems to be some ground for theth, there is
plenty ol it. Tbey get oat a thousand or two
before breakfast, to give (hem an appetite.
What do you think of a ponnd of gold to a
bucket of earth, eh? Mines of California
giving out (are they? We like to aee them
giving out—the lucre, in such quantities. It
is well authenticated that tons of gold have
been and are being takeffout of Table Mount
ain. *
A reining company in Columbia have found
a vein ol "blue mass," the papers say They
probably mean the material for making it,
for, if we remember right, blue mass is a
composition of mercury, &e. Ifthe blue mass
is found already prepared so acoonwnodaiipg
ly, we may expect soon to dig out sugar-coat
ed pills by the bushel.
In El Dorado county they have found the
"honey dew," and gathered it from the leaves
in the moruitfg. Going down town the morn
ing alter reading the account, we aaw save*
at boxes in front of Horn's cighr and tobacco
rirarebouse, labeled "Honey Dew." Wheth
er it was the new ctnp from El Dorado ooun
ty we did not ascertain.
INTERESTING ABOUT THE CHINESE.
The Chinamen are all going home—say
tbey are treated so badly they can't eland it.
They are robbed and mcrdsred, and nothing
is thought of it. It is impossible te "com
mit" s man for any wrong or damage done
a foreigner, arid especially a Chinaman
The old native California:;! dou't fare any bet
ter.
THE SQLFATTNTTS.
Victor Castro, who owns n large tract of
land in "Contra Costa," was a rich man be
fore gold was discovered. He had five thou
sand head of cat'le and fifteen hundred hor
ses. The squatters about him had driven off
hie cattle, and'stolen every horse bnt two,
that are not worth stealing. He ha* canght
the thieve* several times, taken them before
a justide, proved the theft, and the men were
released and he hid to fork over three or four
hundred dollars costs. He caught a man
stealing cows, arrested bim, pot him into (he
hand* of the sheriff, who insisted on taking
the oowa prisoner* also. The man escaped
from the sheriff with the cowe. Fast eowe
those, or slow sheriff. Castro ie now redo
oed almost to beggary. The people about
him are squatters-—the sheriff ia a squatter—
the judge i* a squatter—and if justice is any
where on that part of the country, she woold
be found squatting on a five hundred acre
lot.
' PITFALLS IN MUI FRANCISCO.
The streets ere in a wretohsd condition, the
* JBH i -
hole* in tbe plank* presenting fine openings
for young men, out late vilb bricks in their
hat*. Down about the wharves the pile* are
completely "honey combed" by the worm*,
t and are letting down* tepidly. The City
Treneury is a* empty as u champagne bottle
at a party—her assets all mortgaged—inodnte
abso/bed—and things generally going to the
devil. Consequently sh'C can't repair the
street*, and the question is "who will?" It
is dangerous to go down about the water
front streets at night, ff your humble corrss
correspondent is missed, you my safely con
clude he is gone dewn through.
A WORD ABOtIT CORRESPONDENTS.
Speaking pf correspondents, the Alia Cali
fornia has tbe best one writing from your City,
! I ever knew—and I can't say I knew her—
I say her, because she alluded to a small in
stitution caljed a baby, as something she
takes a "friendly interest in," although some
people here think she writes rather strong
mindedly for a woman, nd hint that .the
"lady correspondent" wears boots and breech
es—pants, I mean—an opinion ala Bunaby.
She may wear both and be a woman still—
I mean still a woman. Whether the is a mas
culine, or he is a feminine, is tbe great noes
lion. 1
Say woman! Come, naW, Mr. 8., Miss
B-, Mrs. 8., whichever you be, enlighten us.
We hope, however, that yon are one of those
fascinating specimens of humanity denomi
nsied a female.
The desertions from the Independence, at
the dry dock, Mare Island, continues—lots
ol trouble and a continual row with the peo
ple about those who are accused of assisting
and harboring the seamen who desert. A
p°ol harbor is what Jack is generally looking
THE GADSDEN PURCHASE.
I noticed in a back number ol the Times
some editorial speculations as to the mineral
wesllh of the Gadsden purchase. It is well
known here that there is mote mineral wealth
in the purchase than wonld by up all Mexico
at ten times the ratio the Gadsden tract cost.
In some future letter, I will give you some
items. I have myself a piece of copper ore,
picked up from the surface where the veins
were visible above the ground that netted
eighty per cent. Several companies are form
ing to work various veins, within reach of
the coast. The copper above alluded to con
tains gold in greater or less quantities.
MUSIC IN THE DRAMA.
In the way of theatricals, things are flour
ishing. The Union has drawn good houses.
On Wednesday evening the Ravels appear at
the American, and will of course draw like
blister plasters, notwithstanding they have
put prices up to 2. Sigr.ora Drusilla Garba
-10 gave her first concert Saturday evening.
There was a fair bouse, but not a paying one.
She gave perfect satisfaction, and will un
doubtedly become popular. The Gougheu
heims are playing to good bouses at the Me
tropolitan, and making money. Their audi
ences are not, however, composed df the
elite of the city, oil account of the disposition
these young ladies evincC to give the great
est scope to the slroiig points in their pieces
—a "double entendre" being nourished aa a
ban Louche. They have decidedly mistaken
the people here, and when, for the applause
of the vulgar-minded they atoop to indelica
cy, they err. Their reputation for being a
little "rowdy," is not gaining them frienda
among a class of people who prefer staying
at borne to going to the tbektte to hear lan
guage and expressions that csnilot bttt call
blushes to their cheeks, and however much
disposed, cannot affect unconsciousness, tt
is impossible when the house echoes the in
terna! racket kicked up,in the gallery when
"Joey" cornea it rather stronger than the oc
casion requires or the author intended.—
"Joey" Wants talking to like k botch uncle.
The Power of tbe Will to control Insanity.
We have oometimes heard it questioned
whether any person is perfectly sane ht all
tithes and on all subjects. Certain it it that
many are literally "mad" when they become
angry, and more when they are in io/e. —
Itfuch learning maddens the few, and the
waht of regular mental employment deranges
multitudes. Strong drink destroys the bal
ance of the victims, of some for a time, of
others permanently. Riohes eud poverty,
joy and sorrow, politio* and plexsure, reli
gion and profanity, have all their victims.—
Every extreme of life has produced its candi
date* for the insane hospital, while a far great
er portion run at large, pass through tbe world
aa aane, which they are on most subjects and
at ordinary times, though really insane fa
one or two topics, and nnder certain circum
stances. One hardly can tell where to draw
the line, or if indeed it can be drawn; that is,
11 any one may be pronounced always per
fectly reasonable.
In crowded cities and amid the netroua
bustle of clashing interests, passions nnd in
tellectual excitements, all melt ahi (bore or
less diverted from the equilibrium of a Clear,
correct judgment; and at certain times it be
comes a part of the daily struggle *nd duty
of life in each man to Wrestle against incipi
ent or temporary disorder of mental action In
or other. Many do (his unoon
sciouslj, others consciously, but seorstly. It
would be well for mankind if it were more
openly recognized as a part of the wisdom
and duty ol ail men to be on their guard
against the beginnings of many peculiarities,
the neglect of wbieh may plunge then* inio
unsoundness of mutt, more or less extensive
and permanent.
A few yv ra *go, an admirable little trea
tise waa published in London, on the power
of men to control insanity by an effort of the
will. It suggested the idea that the essence
: CI virtue is to have all the powers of thought
[Two Dollars per Apnum,
NUMBER 48.
and affection under the oontrol of 4 strong
and vigorous will, and that will-subjected su
premely to a tense of doty. This alone is
troe sanity.
The habitual indulgence of any train of
thought—i. the concentration of the mind
upon it—invariably ptoduos'fr a certain in
creased circulation of blood In some portion
of the brain, if not IH ihe whole. Sir Aatley
Cooper waa onoe trepanning the skull of a
man who had met with an accident. A let
ter was suddenly brought In - from his wife,
and as he read it the increased pulsation was
so perceptible tbat the excitement bad to be
slopped. Such excitement, often renewed,
mast sad does prodh'ce a habit of Increased
action And flow of blood In those parts, in
other words, more or lest inflammation of
the brain, sometimes temporary, sometimes
chrome. Let this only go od tor years, a lit
tle sirooger each lime, and, finaHj, there
must be a settled disordered action of some
portion of that great nervous centre—the me
dium through which the mind acts. And
thus, it length, wherever certain association*
are called up (hey instantly excite into activ
ity that chronic and deranged action to wniob
there is a tendency.
Persons who~Qn ordinary eubjeola are re
markably accurate in their obaetvatione, and
sound in judgment, will, on saute point and
at certain limes, manifest a strange and subt
le erroneousness of preception or of judg
ment, a fatuity iff purpose perfectly unac
countable.
The chief remedy lies within a man's own '
self. He must, at the outsat, be made aware
of ihe danger of inflammation of the brain,
or any portion of it, through excessive men
tui action, or concentration of tj}e mind on
some one subject. Let every man look thia
danger fully in the face, for it is one to whioh
are all liable, and then consider how he oan
best and most assuredly guard against and
overcome it in his own case. A little watch
fulness and experience will show any reso
lute man who feels himself even on the verge
of insanity, various methods of lessening ce
rebral excitement occasioned by the recur
rence of any subject or "class, of subjects;
metnods that eannot be applied by anything
but his own firm will.
Besides the consciousness of danger from
over excitement of the brain, let there be al
so a remembrance that nearly or *ll art more
or less injured by it at some period of their
live*, and on some subjects to which their
thoughts are most addicted. Let eaob then
struggle against it, conscions tbat where lin
uuderstood by the individual himself, In its
early stages, there wilt be hardly a tingle
failnre of success.
The chief difficulty, however, la to set be
fore the mind itself a motive sufficiently
strong to ihduce this constant self-cdntrol,
since the disease consists chiefly in X fasci
nation of Ihe imagination by the object* to be
guarded against. For this purpose, a su
preme sense of duty to a man's owe self, to
bis family, to his Maker, oan alona suffice.
Indeed, the lack of thia supremb sense of re
sponsibility controlling all the powers, must
bo regarded as always an, incipient derange
ment, t. an abnormal condition of mind
leading to all olher/ollies, and itself the chief
insanity of all.—ledger.
NICARAGUA.
This unfortunate Republic, which is now
brought prominently before the world by the
operations of filibusters, is one of the lar
gest of the Central American States. On
the west it is washed by Ihe Paoifio Ocean,
and partly on the east by the waters of the
Carribean sea, the Mosqnlto Territory form*
ing a large share of its eastern boundary
Honduras borders it on the north, and Costa
Rioa upori the south. Its area is about 49,-
000 square miles, and tbe population is esti
mated a' 24T.000. The females are taid lo
greatly exceed the males in number. Not
more than twenty thousand of the people are
whites, the rest being Negroes, Indians, and
mixed races. Most of the population live in
towns, many of them going several mile*
daily to labor in the fields. The plantations
are scattered pretty equally over the country,
and are reached by paths so obscure a* to
almost escape the notice Of traveller*, who
are thus liable to fall into the error of sup
posing that the country la almost uninhabit
ed. The dwellings of the people are usually
01 canes, thatched with palm, although the
better classes construct their residences of
adobes, and by Ihe help of fruit and shade
trees planted in the courtyard, render many
of them exceedingly pleasant A range of
mountains extends slong Ihe west ooaat ot
the State at the distance of a few miles from
sea, but attaining no great elevation until
they approach the confines of Costa Rica,
when they reach the height of Ave to eleven
.thousand feet. In the central part of the
State ia an immense level tractj known ae
the plain of Nicaragua, comprising in its
area the lake of thai nome.
Numerous volcanoes exist along Ibe Pa
cific coast. There ark 4 considerable num
ber of rivers, but ndnb ot tbem, except the
San Juan,, are navigable in a comraeroisl
sense. Veins of coppkt and ailvar ore of
exceeding richness are found in many parts,
but they remain, almost all of them, either
unexplored of only superficially worked.—
Gold also is said to exist. The climate ia
healthy, though vafioue. In the interior and
mountainous parts the temperature is more
dry and cool than on the coast, where it ia
hot and approaching to humid. The greater
portion of tbe State consists of plains and
gentle slopes formed of a rich black loam,
of whioh but a small portion is made avail
able. The productions are indigo. Sugar,
coffe, etmon of superior quality, o oft, tloe,
wheat, &0., besides oranges, lemons, and
fruits of various kinds. The great bane of
the conchy has Been its civil Wsrt, and it
was on* of these whioh enabled Walker to
achieve bis almost bloodless conquest. From
ihe above description it will be seen that
Nicaragua possesses til die natural resources
requisite for a flourishing State, needing on
ly an energetic population to develop them
and make them tributary to the Wante of the
world —Boston Jmtrml.