Renovation of Soils.
There is in the constituent particles
of a constant tendency to more
minute division, by continual tillage,
and the concurrent action of salts,
manures, and frost, this division may
become so extreme, that at length a
soil may be reduced to a fine powder
or dust; in which state it will be des
titute of substance, and cease to be
productive; the rain falling upon it "vill
"vill convert it into mere mire or mud;
and this being hardened by the heat
of the sun, the air will be excluded,
and the roots of plants will be wholly
unable to fulfil their functions. "All
these soils" (for instance, where 45
parts of 100 are clay) "are unproduc
tive, and become adhesive and clam
my when wet; the watter which stands
npon them is uniformly turbid and
whitish, and particularly so when it
is agitated by wind; theeflectof heat
is to contract and crack their surface,
to make it hard, and render it impen
etrable to the plough; nor can they
be made to any considerable extent
productive, but by the liberal appli
cation of coarse undecomposed ma
nures, and especially by ploughing in
crops of buckwheat when in flower."
I It is not my purpose to discuss the
' —cyiestion of renovating soils, for it
lias often been ably treated, but to
state the result of an experiment in
wheat culture, on a soil approxima
ting the above description, quoted
from the sterling work of Chaptal, on
Agricultural Chemistry. The soil
was rather a stiff clay, and having
been some thirty-five years in arable
condition, and for much of the for
mer part of this time very productive
of wheat, it had been, for want of a
knowledge of the benefits of the "ro
tation system, "sadly abused. In 1838
it was summer fallowed, having laid
the four years previous to sheep pas
ture, but the crop of wheat which fol
lowed was very ordinary, notyieldin- ;
ten bushels to the acre; which in' art
arose from the adhesive and - ia mmy ,
nature of the soil, causi*ft frost I
to have a very con.« :<lTa ''' e propor- j
tion of the plan* ™ , the Rlll ' ffice to
perish. Thi* lS we *' known to be a j
very com*" ,n occurrence, in our cli
mate heavy clay lands, if sow
; but this was not the fact in
>ie last particular, and the growth in
• the fall was beyond an average. Af
ter the crop was harvested, I obser
ved on all parts of the field, numer
ous cracks on the surface, to much
greater extent than is usual with simi
lar soils. I contemplated giving the
field a heavy manuring the following
season, and plant with corn; but sub
sequently changed my plan, having
resolved to adopt the course recom
mended as above, by Chaptal. I con
sequently applied about twenty-five
large cart loads of coarse, unfermen
ted manure, drawn from my sheep
barns, to the acre, which was spread
no faster than the ploughs would cov
er. The plants in the fall, assumed
so dark a green, that I was a little
apprehensive of the usual rank growth
before harvest, which almost'invaria
bly follows tho direct application of
manure to the wheat crop, as well as
large disproportions of straw to the
berry. But, doubtless owing to the
great poverty of the soil these results
did not follow. The field averaged
over twenty bushels to the acre,which
is about the average production of
well tilled fallow land, sown timely,
and in favorable seasons, in this im
mediate quarter. The coarse manure
had evidently affected a material modi
fication of the soil, a few cracks were
~~ distinguishable on tho surface, after
harvest, showing most clearly, that it
was more friable. It is a year ago
last spring since the grass seed was
sown upon it, and a more luxuriant
covering of clover, I have rarely seen
than the field now presents; which is
another proof of some renovation of
the soil, otherwise, very much of the
clover would have boen thrown out by
the frost of last spring. It is my
present impression, that if this field is
permitted to rest for two years longer
and then sowed with buckwheat, and
piowed under when in blow, prepara
tory to wheat, in consideration of
what has already been done, its ori
ginal fertility will be nearly restored,
and in some measure the adhesive
clammy texture of the soil destroyed.
But while on this subject, I beg leave
to enter a protest against applying
manure—except compast—directly to
the wheat crop; unless, as in the
above case, when the soil is rendered
quite unproductive, by long and "skin
ning" management, before agricultu-
periodicals taught us better. You
fcglj permit me to quote your remarks,
on this point, for I am
quite wire they cannot be kept too
"much before the people,"—from the
7th vol. of the Cultivator, taken from
a sterling article on "Wheat Culture."
"One of the greatest evils of direct
manuring for the wheat crop, arises
from/the liability of the -grain so ma
unund, to lodge, the rapid growth of
the stem renders it unable to support
its own weight, it is soft and flexible,
contains much less silex than those
t grown in a poorer soil; the wheat
| does not usually perfect its berry, and
times, from the thinnees of the |
PpuS or cuticle, it is more liable to
and rust. These things ren-
Kper it certainly v unless
» land is very poor and reduced, to
Htoply unfermented manure to wheat."
lb own experience, as well as that of
of otters, in times past,
truth
A MAGNIFICENT RAILWAY CARRIAGE,
—The directors of the Great Eastern Rail
way Company arc constructing a specimen
of railway carriage, which, for luxury and
beauty, can only be compared with Cleop
atra's galley. Talk of "purple sails, and
oars of silver, and pavillion of cloth of
gold !" the carriage which is being built
at Stratford for the use of the Prince and
Princess of Wales is quite as fine! "I
wish I were a princess," the little lady
plaintively says in the nursery; " then I
could have sugar candy for breakfast."—
So we almost wish that we were a prince;
then we should ride upon quilted satin,
with our feet inches deep in a velvet-pile
carpet, and hang our hats up upon frost
ed silver pegs! Let our readers only re
alize the splendor of the drawing-room on
wheels which is to travel to and fro be
tween Satidringham and London. First
of all, it is twenty-six feet long, in sepa
rate compartments, so that royalty can
Btretch its legs. Then it is seven feet
high, so that royalty's traveling cap, or
royalty's head inside it, will not knock
against the roof, or try unwilling conclu
sions as to relative hardness with the glass
of the carriage lamp. The interior of
this mansion-in-miniature is hung with
blue silk, brocaded and bordered with sil
ver, and studded with the same metal.—
The handles and furniture are all of sil
ver also, designed to exhibit everywhere
the tripple plume of the Prince of Wales.
Intermingled with the same emblems on
the inside panels, the Danish Cross ap-
I pears in all directions, and tho carpet
J woven ad hoc, reproduces the same ,r"a
--| ments. Even the outside is for
I it is to be painted in lake '"d gold, with
the royal arms and badge of the Or
der of the Carte* 111 tllose spaces where
I vulgar railp"' l carriages carry the descrip
tion of *' ,eir claM -
I THE SPEAKER OP THE HOUSE. —The
| election of Mr. Schuyler Colfax as Speaker
I of the House of Representatives is a mat
j ter of general congratulation. He was
! elected by a decisive majority, including
| every Union member, so that the triumph
is not a Republican triumph, but one of a
higher and broader nature. Mr. Colfax is
in every way qualified for an office so re
sponsible. He has been a Representative
of the Ninth Indiana Congressional dis
trict for eight years, and adds to thorough
knowledge of parlimentiary business the
indispensable qualities of strict integrity,
firmness, impartiality, and courtesy. His
decisions will be respected by friends and
opponents, and, so far as a Speaker can in
fluence the deliberations of a legislative
body, Mr. Colfax will facilitate the speedy
transaction of public business, and pro
tect the dignity and order of the House.
But, independently of this special fitness
for the high position which the Union
members have unanimously given him.
Mr. Colfax has, by a loyal and active
course, well earned the oouiidcncc of the
country. Born in Now York city in March.
1823, he became a printer when a boy, and
always studying and improving, removed
to Indiana in 1836, and there established
the South Bend Register, a journal which
he still controls. More than half of his
life has been spent in public service, and
few men have served so faithfully and
well.— Philadelphia Press.
JB*aT A laughable incident is related of a
jealous woman, at Lewistown, Maine, who
went into an auction room the other day,
and saw as she supposed, her husband
very familiarly sitting beside a young
lady. Stepping up softly, she seized a
head in each hand and pounded them to
gether a number of times in a great rage.
Her surprise may be imagined when she
found that the innocent stranger was not
her "worst half." She apologized and
passod on amid the laughter and gTcat
merriment of the crowd.
THE DRUNKARD'S DAUOHUER. —"Take
mc on your lap, papa. Now kiss me like
you used to do; stroke my head and call
me your little pet. Why don't you kiss
me ? Dont you love Lizzie now ? I love
you papa, O, ever go much, and when
mother cries when you are away, I put my
arms around her neck and say, 'Lizzie
loves you mamma,'and then she wipes
the big tears away and tells me, 'your papa
once told me that; but I am afraid he has
forgotten it, for he doesn't seem to like
home any more.'"
" And dear papa, sometimes her heart
beats so hard, I am afraid it will break.—
Will it, papa? What will Lizzie do then,
should mamma die ? And what will you
do ?"
" Hush my child."
' Do tell me, papa, for she coughed so
hard to-day; and she told me to be ever
kind to you if others did abuse you and
call you wicked names, for she said she
was sinking fast. What is that ? Ain't
that going to die, papa; Oh, do tell me!"
"Now don't you cry ; there is a kiss for
you; here, let me dry your face."
" Now let me down, papa. I will tell
mamma to come. I didn't mean to make
you sorry."
" 0, mother, my papa did kiss me like
he used to do, and hugged me too, an call
ed me his pretty dear; and (whispered)
mamma, on his knees he talked to God and
said he had been very wicked; but now
he will try and do his duty j But my pa
py isn't wicked, is he, mother?"
*©"• A writer to the Boston Transcript
says there is a person in that city whose
father was one of a family of three chil
dren, all of whom lived overeighty years of
age; his lather, being the youngest, lived
to the uncomfortable age of ninety .six.—
grandfather lived to ninety-six, and
Hkaadmother to ainety-sevea
The Last of the Moon Question.
We propose to give the readers of this re
port the following additional opinions upon
the moon question, and with this, close the
arguments, until something positively new
i( aduced:
E. C. HARRIS, writes as follows, from
Glcndale, Ohio:
" There is no part of the contents ofThe
Semi-Weekly Tribune which I read with
more interest than the proceedings of tho
Fanners' Club, and have been particular
ly interested in the discussions concerning
the moon influence upon plant and veget
able life. The affirmative and negative
on the question display their respective
characteristics; the former declaring their
belief in the moon theory simply because
it is so; the negative ridiculing the very
idea of such a thing. A blind faith is an
excess on one side, and a blank disbelief
on the other; but between those who so
| implicitly and these who so stoutly and
. sometimes flippantly deny an earnestscek- I
1 I er after truth has not found a very form
idable array of reasoning on either side.—
To assert a thing is true because I believe
i i it and my f-'her and grand-fathdrbelieve
' | it before me, is :.<>t truth, but traditi"';
j and also to pronounce a thing ab<"' r| l be
j cause I do not believe it, is pwssumptuons
■ j ignorance; for I know if much or as lit
■ i tie as I may, "ther'* arc more tilings in
■ j heaven and ear* l 'ban arc dreamt of in my
. philosophv '*
i "Ip«o is controversy certain facts have
. j l,<- n lost sight of which it would be well
to recall. The empirical notion entertain
ed by certain astronomers of the utterly
lifeless waste of the moon's surface has
been exploded. This idea of the moon's
negativeness obtained credence by deny
ing the existence of an atmosphere around
the moon, consequently denying also the
existenceof water anil organic life from our
statelite. This theory led to the denial
also ofheat in the lunar rays, from all which
flowed a multitude of errors.
" But Melvin and Knox have proved by
exact observations that there is beat in
moonshine, and Zantadeschi has measured I
its effects upon theinimoss; while an En
glish scholar has demonstrated that the
earth is colder in the first quarter of the
moon than it is in the second. Again,
moonshine exerts a wonderful influence on
plants. Light enables them to absord car
bon from tho carbonic acid of the atmos
phere, and this is their daily work. They
sleep at night, except when the moon
wakes tliem up, and sets them to work
again. So the farmer is right when he
sows his seed just before the full of tho
moon, for the plants come lip about the
time of the new moon, and pass their in
fancy under the dark nights. But when
the full moon comes, its light sets them to
work, and this progress continues night
and day, while the contrary course is inju
rious to the tender plant which requires
sleep. It is a common saying among sail
ors that the moon eats up the clouds, and
Whewell and Quctelet have proved the
truth of this observation by showing that
more rain falls in the dark of the moon
than in its second or third quarters.
" So much for the influence of the moon
upon vegetable and plant life. There are
too many well authenticated proofs of iUt
effects, to doubt its influence upon thehu
man system. Persons sleeping in the moon
shine have suffered malformation of the
face, and very recently in Ohio occurred a
striking instance of luuar influence. A
boy 14 years of age slept throughout a
moonlight night iu a corn-field. Some la
borers the next morning on their way to
work, seeing the boy apparently asleep,
aroused him; the boy opened his eyes, but
declared he could not see. He was remov
ed to an occular institution, and the sur
geon affirmed after an examination, that
the loss of sight resulted from sleeping
in the moonshine. The boy is to tally
blind, and few hopes are entertained of
his restoration to sight."—A". Y. Tribune.
THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER. —Religion,
more than any other attainment, perfects
the character of tho teacher. There is a
serene, holy and happy expression upon the
true Christian's face, that carries with it
an influence almost immeasurable This
influenec is perceivable and acknowledged
by every person in the circle of his ac
quaintance ; but how much more is it felt,
when concentrated within the narrow lim
its of the school. Iu the presence of mich
a teacher, the pupils feel that there is !
nothing trifling or frivolous in the great!
work of preparing themselves for life's mo
mentous duties. They are impressed by
the candid truthful and steady character
of their teacher, that life is earnest and
real and that it is of the greatest import
ance that they may fit themselves for its
sober duties.
True it is, that we have known good
teachers, who were not professing Chris
tians but the most successful ones have
been those who, in storing the head, have
not forgottso to train tho heart, and while
fitting their pupils for this, just "the twi
light of their existence," have not forgot
ten to prepare them for their eternal life,
the perfect day which we see now but dim
ly, but which we shall open to the inher
itors of the blessed Home with glories of
whieh we can not conceive.—M. D. T. in
flew Fork Teacher.
" I am afraid, dear wife, that while,
I am gone, absence will conquer love."—
"Oh, never fear, dearhushand, the longer
you stay away the better I shall like you."
. L
(Educatumat stjmrtmtnt
NAT|VE
BY MB3. T. J. PIBMO*.
MY Native Lend;—To every living heart
These words are full of music, aud their ton®
Awake* a spirit, who. with tearful smile
Sit® ever by its holiest altar stone.
She lifted up the curatin, whlchthe years
Have woven by their parti-color'd thread.
And pointeth to a landscape with fair forms
Of love, and joy, and beauty, overspread.
Our Childhood's Home—the valley, hill, and stream,
The path our infant feet was leanieM to trace:
The tree, the lowers, the r«we hush by the wall,
The grey stone door-step, and that holiest place.
The household hearth, where lirea the cbeerfhl fire,
Which warms and blends the hearts that mingle there
In kindred confidence ; where eve*y soul
Is true, and loving, whore all forms are fair
And every foe* so beautiful, so dear—
So eloquent of love, that old men weep,
Above the picture* which younememory traced
Upon the tender heart, so bright, and deep.
That days, which with their footsteps wear away,
All after Hffc's Imprwwms, only keep
That brilliant tablet free from mom and dnst.
And wear the 'graving more distinct and deep.
The radiantt Image, which k>ve'«hurning hand
Press'd on the heart in manhood's ardent «tays, 1
May be etfae'd, —but no heart ever lost
The earlier impress of a mother s £»«*«•
My own dear Native Land 1 «»y Ml* j
Are rugged, ami abrupt, sparsely drem'd
With gnarl'd and dark tree*,which stubborn forms |
Defy tho storm wi»/« of the North and West.
Although thy flr " not all broad and rich,
With i fruits, aud native wonlth.
Of raror'w'iCflflM; though thy fit-Ids require
Tl»r sturdy tillage of the hand of health.
fhough Icy winter'* winir of drifted mow
' Lies o'er thy bosom, more than half the year,
Yet still thou art my own dear native land,
And nil thy features beautifhl, and deer.
Heaven hath no breezes purer than thy winds,
Rearth hath no waters brighter than thy streams,
O'er more majestic hills, or lovelier valos"
The sunlight never wove its golden dreams.
There in no soil on which the human f«»ot
More firmly treadeth to the tearless beat
Of true and freehorn heart, wh<-reail the flowers
Of pure affection, blooms so fair and sweot.
I
And there's no land from whence with blighter wing, j
Or sweeter voice, tin* birds of memorv come,
To blend with all life's hymns of joy or Woe,
The thrilling music of the heart note Home.
To lay upon the exiles burning heart
Sweet coming wreaths that grew in young lifes bowers
And braid all loving and beloved fbrmg
In blessed dreams, with midnight's soothing hours.
My native land'—to every living heart
The«e word* am full of music: and their tone
Awakes the memories that with tearful smile,
Sit erer by its holiest altar stone.
Articulation,
Observing that tho practice and rule hits j
been rather to road loud than articulate, I I
have directed early attention to bo given
to the elemental powers of the letters, and
the practiceo'.' pronouncing lessons—cow-1
prising difficulties of Enunciation. Why j
should even tho youngest pupil remain ig- i
norant of the distinction between a vowel j
and a consonant, when the following easy ;
illustration will possess them ofthatknowl- i
edge, in a manner never to bo forgotten, j
Let the pupil open tho mouth wide and j
insert the forefinger while pronouncing A, j
E, I, O, U, and then attempt to pronounce
1? or P, and it will be palpably proven that
the one are only breathed sounds, and the
others articulated—or, as expressed in a
more simple form, open and close letters:
the one pronounced with the mouth open,
and the other by the use of tho lijis, tongue
and teeth—or tho one sounded by itself
and the other not without the use of an
other letter. For B, P, and other conso
nants close up the sound of A, as ab; but
after them tho vowel sound is prolonged.
Correct and precise enunciation should be
taught at an age when the organs ofspeech |
are flexible, tho hearing acute, and the '
mind more observant—being uncncumbor- j
cd by a multiplicity of idoas.
"After a child has learned to speak ill,
he mag be taught to speak well; but the
chances are against him. But why should
he have the trouble of breaking bad hab
its ?" — Report oj N. Y. Board of Educa
tion.
COMPOSITION FOR BLACK-BOARDS.—
Lampblack and flour of emery mixed with
spirit varnish. No more lampblack and
flour of emery should bo used than arc suf
ficient to give the required black and
abraiding surface; and tho varnish should !
contain only enough gum to hold the in
gredients together, aud confine the com
position to the board. The thinner the
mixture, the better.
The lampblack should first be ground
with a small quantity of alcohol, or spirit
varnish, to free it from the lumps.
The composition should be applied to the
smoothly planed surface of the board, with
a common painter's brush. Let it become
thoroughly dry and hard before it is used.
Rub it down with pumice-stone, ora piece
of smooth wood covered with the compo
sition.
The composition tnav also be used on the
walls.
Prayer is the eye of faith fixed on
Jesus, whether the outward manifestation
be by a sigh, a tear, or the upward glanc
ing of the eye. David was in a prayerful
frame when he thursted. panted after God.
j Christ expressed the same moral condition,
j when he spoke of the soul hungering and
thirsting after righteousness.
THE OBSTRUCTIONS IN CHARLESTON
IIARBOR.—It is the opinion of more than
one officer in the fleet off Charleston that
the obstructions in that harbor are insignifi
cant, if not harmless, and one of them has
sent north a specimen of them asobtained
by a pilot. They consist of beer-barrels
pitched, secured by a one-and-half inch
rope, with cotton bale rope network to ob
struct the propellers. In tho words of the
description, the obstructions, instead of be
ing "torpedoes and chains," are lager beer
kegs and clothes lines. The greatest ob
struction appears to have hitherto been in
the apprehensions of the commander, and '
not in the harbor.
THE ATONEMENT.—The atonement by <
the cross is not so much a member of the ,
body of the Christian doctrine as the life
blood that runs through the whole of it.
There is not an important truth but what
is presupposed by it, Included in it, or -< i
ses out of it; nor anjFpart of practical re- '
ligiou but what han upon it %
r 112 Jl,
Letter from the Emperor of France.
The Monxieur of Thursday, Nov. 12,
published the text of the letter addressed <
to the Sovereigns of Europe by the Em- I
peror of the French, proposinga general
congress to settle the affairs of Europe.—
The following is a full text:
Most High and Most Illustrious Sover
eign Princess and Free Towns which con
stitute the Most serone German Confeder- 1
ation—
In the presence of the events which are
every day rising and becoming urgent, I
deem it indespensable to express myself
without reserve to the Sovereigns to whom
the destiny of nations is confided.
Whenever severe shocks have shaken
the bases and displaced tlie limits of states
| solemn transactions have taken place to
! arrange the new elements, and to conse
; orate by revision the accomplished trans-
I formations. Such was tho object of the
' treaty of Westphalia, in the 17th centu
ry. and of the negotiations at Vienna, in
' 1815. It is on this latter foundation that
now reposes the political edifice of Eu
rope: and yet, as you are aware, itiserumb
lingaway on all sides.
If the situation of the different coun
tries be attentively considered, it is impos
sible not to admit that the treaties of Vienna
upon almost all points are destroyed, mod
ified, misunderstood,ormenaeed. Hence,
duties without rule, rights without title,
| and pretensions without restraint—a dan
! ger so much the more formidable because
| the improvements brought about by eivil
! ization, which has bound nations together
by the indentity of material interests,
would render war still more destructive.
This is a subject for serious reflection ;
let us not wait before deciding on our
course for sudden and irresistible events to
disturb our judgment and carry us away
; despite ourselves in opposite directions.
I therefore propose to you to rcgnlato
the present and secure thefuture inaCon
j gross.
Called to the throne by Providence and
; the will of the French people, but trained
; in the school of adversity, it is perhaps less
| permissible in mo than in any other toig
| nore the rights of the Sovereigns and the
j legitimate aspirations of tho nations.
Therefore lam ready, without any prc
j conceived system, to bring to an interna
tional council the spirit of moderation and
justice, the usual portion of those who
have endured so many various trials.
If I take the initiative insuch an over
ture, I do not yield to an impulse of vani
ty ; but as I am the Sovereign to whom
ambitious projects arc most attributed, I
have it at heart to prove by this frank
and loyal step that my solo object is to ar
rive without a shock at tho pacification of
Europe. If this proposiion bo favorably
received, I pray you to accept Paris as tho
place of meeting.
In case tho Princes, allies, and friends
of France should think proper to heighten
| by their presence the authority of the de
j liberations, I shall be proud to offer them
my cordial hospitality. Europe would see,
perhaps, some advantage in tho capital
from which the signal for subversion has
so often been given becoming the seat of
conferences destined to lay the bases of a
general pacification.
I take advantage of this opportunity to
renew to you the assurance of my sincere
attachment, and of the lively interest which
I take in the prosperity of the States of the
Confederation.
Whereupon, most high and illustrious
Sovoreign Princes and Free Towns which
constitute the most exalted German Con
federation, I pray God to have yon in His
holy keeping.
Written at Paris : on the 4th of Novem
ber, in the year of grace 1863.
NAPOLEON.
Countersigned. BROUYN DE LHCYS.
How TO SWEKP 4 A CARPET.—Take a
common wash-tub, or some vessel large
enough to admit a broom freely, and put
in clean cold water to the depth of a foot
or more. Then take a broom, (one part
ly worn, so as to be a little stiff, is the
best,) dip in six inches or so, and then
hold it over the tub, or go out of doors
and knock off all the drops of water.—
This can be dime most effectually by hold
ing it in one hand, and wrapping it with
the other on the broom corn above where
it is wet. Commence brushing lightly at
first, going over with it the second time,
or more, and if your carpet is very dusty
do not sweep more than a square yard or
two before dipping your broom into the
water again; this will rinse off all the
particles of dust adhering to the broom.
Rap off the drops of water, and continue
to do so till the whole is cleaned. Should
the water get very dirty before completing
the room, it can bo changed. One who
has never tried the experiment will prob
ably be surprised at the quantity of dirt
which will bo washed from the broom into
the water. \ carpet can be cleaned more
effectually in this way-than it Can pos
sibly be done with a dry 'broom, as tho
particles of dust adhere to the broom in
stead of rising to fall back on the carpet.
There is no danger of injuringeven a fan
cy carpet, if the drops of water are thor
oughly removed from the broom. Let no
one try who has not time and patience.
SSf The rebel ram Atlanta, which has
been on exhibition at Philadelphia for sev
eral days, will be closed to visitors next
.week. L
V _ J
How to Keep Children Healthy. A
The mortality among the children in
our cities, as well ns in the country, !B sad
to contemplate. Is there any reason for g.
this ? Are all these children sent into h
the world to be thus early cut down? Are
not nine out of ten of these early deaths
the result of ignorance ? What parents j
ever lost a child, except by accident, with- \
out thinking: "If 1 had treated it differ- c
ently, it would not have died ?" The 1
loss of our own three first-born has led us J
to thiuk much upon this topic, and three ,
almost nlwayß healthy living ones are evi- i
deuces thatour studies on the subject have '
not boon in vain. A few hints on the 1
subject may not be without use. Else. 1
where we have given sonic hints on the <
sleep of children. Next to securing plenty 1
of sound sleep, or rather before it, we 1
place the proper preparation of food. The '
kind of food they eat at not of hjf so -
much consequence as the manner of its |
preparation. (Jive a child a hard apple •
and let him swallow it in pieces from the 1
siio of a forge pea upward. The result
will be, that the lumps will be partly
worn off by the coats of the stomach, and
partly dissolved by the gastrin juice; but
the remaining portion of the lumps will
produce griping and irritation, if not di
arrhoea or dysentery. But first scrape or
mash the apple to a fine pulp, and it may
then be eaten with impunity, and with
benefit, if ripe or nearly so. Feed a child
on boiled potatoes cut tip, or on potatoes
coarsely mashed and l'ricd in fat, and you
will be pretty sure to find more or less of
lumps of potatoes remaining undigested.
Mow can it be othcrwiso than that theso j
lumps must have produced irritation in
the intestines ? Hut mash these same po
tutocs finely before feeding them, and then
the fine material will be digested and af
ford nutriment instead of giving uneasi
ness and pain " under the apron." The
same holds true of most meats. Cut up
fine—aa fine as shot almost—they will be
digested and produce nourishment; while
if fed in coarse pieces, they will lie in the
stomach, like a meat poultice on the out
side, the cause of uneasiness if not of par
tial inflammation. Feed raisens and nuts
to children, and unless .very strong and
vigorous, the chances are that they will in
duce immudiato sickness or a weakened
system, liable to be affected by the first
heat or cold. Chop these same raisens or
nuts finely, reduce them almost to pow
der, and they nmy be eaten in moderate
quantity with impunity. Theso remarks
apply to all kinds of lbod ; and in a meas
ure, to grown people as well its to children.
Many persons arc over nice or anxious as
to what their children eat, and often re
duce them to skeletons, or unfit them for
a vigorous resistance of colds and malaria
diseases, by fecdiug them on toast or rice,
weak gruel, etc. Give thein rather a fair
supply of hearty food, so jhwHy reduced
that it will be quickly digested in the stom
ach, and they will grow vigorous and be
able to withstand the changes of climate,
and the exposures to which they are ever
liable. Mothers, consider these things,
and sec if they are not true and in accor
. dunce with reason,— jLfncrican Ayrirul
tvrist.
Pennsylvania in the 38th Congress,
Edgar Cowan and Charles 11. liueka-
Icw are the United States Senators from
this State. Both are lawyers by profes
sion, of nearly the same age; to wit, a
little undcrfifty. The one might be called
a conservative Union man, and the other
Democratic with copperhead tendencies.
Both are undoubtedly men of ability and
integrity, and neither of them much of
outside managers in political affairs. In
the House the political complexion is just
equal, twelve of each; but the Union men
have largely the advantage in the ability
and experience of the delegation. Thad
deus Stevens, Win. I). Kelly, James T.
Halo and James K. Moorhead have all
been in long enough to be well known.—
M. Rnssel Thayer, of Philadelphia, and
Thomas Williams, of Allegheny, will un
doubtedly make their mark at Washing
ton. On the Democratic side, John L.
Dawson, of Fayette, will we presume, be
the leading member. We annex, iu the
form of a table, the leading facts in regard
to the members of the House of Repre
sentatives from this State:
Name District. Birthplace. Age. Politic*
T E Anraina, Bucks, Lancaster, 39 C. D,
Jo*. Bailey, P«rry, CI inter, 53 W. I).
J M Broom ell, Itolaware, Delaware. 48 U. i
A H Coffroth, .Sumermit, & merest, 3# G. I>.
J L Dawuon, Fayette, Uniontown, 51 C. D. '
C Dermwrtoa, Luzerne <
J II UaU, Centre, Bradford, 5M U.
P Johnston, Northampton, New Jersey 4tf C. D.
WraD Kelly, Philadelphia, PhUadvl'a, 50 U. -
J B Lazier, Greene, - D.
A M'ColHater, Blair, Itouphiu, 50 D. I
W II Miller, liatiphin, Perry, 45 D. .
J K Moorhead, Allegheny, Perry, 5? U. '
AMy tin, Clarion, Lancaster, 40 V. ]
L Myers, Philadelphia, Bucks, 37 U.
G ©"Neil, Philadelphia, PhiludePa., 43 U. 1
T Randall, Philadelphia, Phlladel'a., 38 D.
O W Schofield, Mercer, New Yurk, 47 U. *
T Steven", Lancaster, Vermont, 41 U. J
J D Stiluw, Lehigh, Luzerne, 41 D. ,
M Stroiwe, Schuylkill, Germany, 38 D. '
M A Thayer, Philadelphia, Virginia, 44 U. i
H W Tracy, Bradford, Luxerne, D.
Y William*, Allegheny, Oreensbnrg 57 \J. I
The above is the briefest compend we (
can make of our Washington magnates.
Bailey, of Perry, we have marked as a
war democrat—he is quite as likely to aet
with us as the democrats. One or two (
others may bo moderate—though wo fan- 1
ey they have nearly all strong copperhead (
tendencies Fully one-half of these dig- 112
tricts, iu 1868, gave Union majorities, 112
They may modify them slightly. t
Bef The number of tourists who have i
this year visited the Lake of the Four Can- j
t4jpss, in Switzerland, has been greater tliuo j
<*er before known,and 00,000 persons vis- i
Ad the Bhigi. c
From the Pittsbnrgh Evening Chronicle
A Letter From Lil»by Prison *
LIBB* PRISON, RICHMOND, VA., NOT. 23,1863.
MY DEAR WlFE: —Thinking that I will
soon have a good chance of sending yon at
letter by the "underground" now, I sit
down to write you a few linos and let youf
know the truth about the situation of my--
self and fellow officers. Recollect, I will
jusi speak about the officers, not the pro
vates, whoso situation is much woree thnrf
ours : There arc over 900 military and mv
val officers, and some few political prison
ers, confined iu what once was was a large" ,
tobacco warehouse. l!he building is di- /
vided into nine large rOtVns. Each room /
is one hundred feet lon« bj fifty wide.— /
One room is used for a hospital,
for a cook room, and one as a store room
and for officers leaving six rooms for the
nearly one thousand oceupants. We have*
to sleep on the floor, with but one thin'
blanket to each man. There are from tetf
to fifteen windows in each room, but not"
one of the windows has a single pane of
glass ; in fact they have not even a sash.
It does very well in summer, but now we'
find it to bo uncomfortably cold at night
with our thin covering, And to add to
our misery, the room is filled with vermin -1"
On a warm day we can see them crawl
ing on the floor and walls. Between the
cold and vermin you can well imagine what
kind of a night's sleep we have. I get up
every morning with an unfreshjing sleep,
and my bones sore and aching from tlieiTN—
contact with the hard floor.
The bnsementof the building is divide
off, into cells, or dungeons, more proper
speaking. The dungeons are used toco
fine officers who in the least break tl
prison rules, such as askingformore foo
looking out of the windows, talking tot
guard, attempting to escape, kti. An offii
who has been confined there three weel
when lie comes out'his shoes and clot
ing arc mouldy, and he lias altogether mi
' ihe appearance of a corpse than a livi
ijian. A part of the basement is used
a slavr p/-n, and every day we can hear 112.,,
cries of tho poor creatures as they ail I
brought thereto be whipped by theirworsi ll
than savage masters. A few days ago fivy
women were given one hundred lushes mtj %"■
for selling bread to our soldiers as tly f'M
wero being marched through the street/ ' 'I
the city on their way to Danville. AM fl
present tiino- there are 12,000 Uni J I
diers iu this city as prisoners. Th cm H
ofthe officers has been much betw H
! one would, expect with such treat™
rations as they give ns. 112 K
When first wo came here we wcrev.cri
treated worse than we arc now. Ourrcgi
ular ration is one pound of corn bread, half!
a pound of beef, and a small quantity oft
riee per day. We fare much better since!
we are allowed to get boxes from home.— I
I have written to our nuttier for another L
box, and expect it here in a day or two. ' 1
I have plenty of tea to last me for some
time longer. 1 traded the most of luy su
gar (iff' for money and with the money 1*
bought bread. The box that is coming
will have army bread and two hams in it,,
besides some other little articles.
Those officers who have any money can
send out by the Inspector, of the Prisoß,
and purchase bread and potatoes; but ev
erything is BO dear that it takes a great
deal of money togo but a short ways.—
To give you an idea of the price of eata
bles in the Richmond market, I enclose
yon a slip from one ofthe daily papers.—
Recollect it is the wholesale price that is
quoted in the papers. Tke retail prices
rule about one-third higher.
lar of United States money we can get
twelve dollars of rebel currency. From
the cast side of the prison we have a nice
view of the James river, ami of the beau
.tifulrolling country for miles south ofthe
city, liut such a view only makesonedc
sire for freedom the stronger. I have now
been n prisoner for four months, and dur
ing that time the sun has not shown on
me once. During August and September
we suffered very much from tho heat, but
it is from the cold we now suffer. At the
present time, November 21st, I see no
prospect of an exchange, but I still live in
hopes that it will take place before the
last of January. It may possibly take place
before, but I hardly expect it. When we
are exchanged there is no doubt but what
we will get a leave of absence for twenty
or thirty days.
There have been five or six flag-of-truce
boats up sii i I heard from yon. My
mess-mate gets one or two letters a week
from his parents. I have to buy all the pa
per and envelopes I use, for when I wrote
home for a box, I neglected to send for pa
per. Wc are only allowed to write twice a
month, we can receive as many as comes
to us. A sheet of fin per of this kind costs
fifty cento each. It has been raining hard
all day, and on a cloudy day the centre of
onr room is too dark to read in it. Ag I
write T am as near the window as I can
get. but it is still too dark to write easily.
We are not furnished with candles, and
the nights are so long and as tedious as
the days. As soon as it ia dark many of
the prisoners lay down to sleep, but some
will set- around in groups on the floor,
talking ofthe hardships and dangers they
have undergone; while again others curse
ED. STANTON, JEFF. DAVIS and their
bad luck all in one breath.
Twice a week we have religious servi
ces; on Mondays by the Catholic Bishop
of Richmond, and on Thursdays by one of
the Episcopal clergymen of the city.—
When the chaplains were here we had
them every day, but they were all, with
two exceptions, such barefaced hypocrites,
that the prisoners would not listen to them.
If ever I live to get out of this infernal
place, I will wreak vengeance oa the reb
els for all the hardships and indignities I
have endured. Many a rebel will come to,
his death by the hand* of the prisoners
here, when wo once get back to our regi
ments. This will be putin the Annapolis
office by assistant Surgeon HENRY of the
123 d Ohio.
t&F Yesterday afternoon the canal boat
Cora Campbell, loading hay at Bulkhead %
between piers No. 56 and &4, at the foot
of Charles street, on the north river, took
fire from a spark from a steam pipe. The
fire spread rapidly, and in a short time,
extended from vessel to vessel, until
reached pier No. 51, enveloping about
vessels iu one sheet of flames. The fire .
man worked well, but were unable to
more than stop the spreading of"the
vouring element. The vessel# thaif. / MM
oofire nearly j* <b-