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army.

This equare is surrounded by an iron

With

shaped like an outspread fan, the wrist for the entrance, is populous with the ships of all nations, and the city, with its 200,000 inhabitants, is a depot of wealth and luxury. an enormous, extent of public buildings, cathedrals, antique and venerable churches and convents, with the palaces of nobles and private gentlemen of wealth, all render this capital of Cuba probably the richest place for its number of square rods in the world."

"The Sabbath at Havana breaks upon the citizens amid the ringing of bells from the different convents and churches, the firing of cannon from the forts and vessels, the noise of trumpets, and the roll of the drums. Sunday is no day of physical rest here. The stores are open as usual, the same cries are heard in the streets, and the lottery tickets are vended as ever at each corner. The individual who devotes himself to this business, rends the air with his cries of temptation to the passing throng, each one of whom he earnestly assures is certain to realize enormous pecuniary returns by the smallest investment in tickets, or portions of tickets, which he holds in sheets, while he brandishes a huge pair of scissors, ready to cut in any desired proportion. The day proves no check to the omnipresent 'organ-grinders,' the monkey shows, and other characteristic scenes. How unlike a New England Sabbath is all this! how discordant to the feelings of one who has been brought up amid our Puritanic customs of the sacred day! And yet the people of Havana seem to be impressed with no small degree of reverence for the Catholic faith. The rough montero from the country, with his long line of loaded mules, respectfully raises his panama with one hand, while he makes the sign of the cross with the other, as he passes the church. The calisero or postilion, who dashes by with his master in the volante, does not forget, in his hurry, to bend to the pommel of his saddle: and even the little negro slave children may be observed to fold their arms across their breast, and remain reverentially silent until they have passed its doors.

"The city abounds in beautifully arranged squares, ornamented by that king of the tropical forest, the Royal Palm, with here and there a few orange trees, surrounded by a luxuriant hedge of limes. The largest and most beautiful of these squares is the PLAZA DE ARMAS, fronting which is the Governor's Palace, and about which are the massive stone barracks of the Spanish

on either side with gaudy flowers, and shadowed by oranges and palms, while a grateful air of coolness is diffused around by the playing of a copious fountain into a large stone basin, surmounted by a marble statue of Ferdinand. Public squares, parks and gardens, are the lungs of great cities, and their value increases as their population becomes dense. Heap etory upon story of costly marble, multiply magazines and palaces, yet neglect to provide in their midst some glimpse of nature, some opening for the light and air of heaven, and the costliest and most sumptuous of cities would prove but a dreary dwelling-place. The eye wearies in time of the glories of art, but of the gifts of nature never; and in public squares and gardens both may be happily combined.

"The Plaza de Armas of Havana is a living evidence of this, and is the nightly resort of all who can find time to be there, while the governor's military band performs always from seven to nine o'clock. The creoles call it 'the poor man's opera,' it being free to all; every class resorts hither; and even the ladies, leaving their volantes, sometimes walk with husband or brother within the precincts of the Plaza. We are told that 'the man who has not music in his soul is fit for treason, stratagem, and spoils.' It is undoubtedly from motives of policy that the Havanese authorities provide this entertainment for the people. How ungrateful it would be to overthrow a governor whose band performa such delightful polkas, overtures, and marches; and yet it requires some circumspection for the bandmaster to select airs for a creole audience. It would certainly never do to give them 'Yankee Doodle;' their sympathies with the 'Norte Americanos' are sufficiently lively without any such additional stimulus: and it is well for the authorities to have a care, for the power of national airs is almost incredible.

"No object in Havana will strike the visitor with more interest than the cathedral, situated in the Calle de Ignacio. Its towers and pillared front of defaced and moss-grown stone call back associations of centuries gone by. This cathedral, like all the Catholic churches, is elaborately ornamented with many fine old paintings of large size and immense value. The entire dome is also decorated with paintings in fresco. The chief object of interest, however, and which will not fail to attract the attention, is a tablet of marble inlaid in the wall at the right of the

altar, having upon its face the image of Christopher Columbus, and forming the entrance to the

tomb where rest the ashes of this discoverer of a western world. Here, too, are the iron chains with which an ungrateful sovereign once loaded him. How great the contrast presented to the mind between those chains and the reverence bestowed upon this tomb!"

PENMANSHIP.--There is something new under the sun--a system of manual gymnastic exercise. Fulton perfected the steamboat: somebody gave the world the railroad and locomotive engine: Morse actualized the electric telegraph. We have now to announce an invention more im

portant in its results, perhaps, than either of them. Prof. MACLAURIN, an old and well-known teacher of penmanship in this city, has invented and brought to perfection a system by which every person, young or old, may in a few hours' practice, learn to write a free, bold, beautiful and rapid hand-writing-rapid beyond belief. We have seen a writing-book of the largest size commonly used in schools, written through from beginning to end, in a perfectly uniform and beautiful hand, like copperplate engraving, in two hours, by a little girl ten years old, after a brief course of instruction. It is a miracle of science and art.

The system is a method of training the muscles, by a series of easy, progressive and very rapid gymnastic exercises to form the elements and combinations of writing. There is a set of his instruction books, with directions, by the aid of which any person may teach himself, and be qualified to teach others; and the cost of the whole system, for SELF-instruction, with pens and writing-books complete (sent by mail, post-paid), is only One Dollar. We have examined the system and its results; we have conversed with the inventor, and seen the testimonials of the best teachers and most eminent educationists of this city, and have no question that this system will supersede every other, and make rapid and beautiful writers as plentiful as they now are

rare.

Charles B. Norton, 71 Chambers street, is the publisher of the books of instruction. The genius of the system is the art of writing rapidly from the first, and at the same time well, an art never before taught either in the schools or by writing masters. Let every person send and get the books and practise on the plan a single hour, and he will see the beauty of the system. Nothing can be better adapted for our common schools. And we hope soon to see it universally adopted, instead of the old stiff way of teaching and writing.

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GWYNNE'S REACTION PUMP.-Most persons consider a pump a very ordinary affair. And so it is when we speak of a common pump. But here is something more than ordinary. It is a curiosity. It is remarkable for its extreme simplicity and wonderful power. Its motion is, rotary, and the water is thrown by its own centrifugal force. We have taken much pleasure recently in witnessing the operation of a pump, of small size, at Mr. Gwynne's works in Brooklyn, which delivered eight tons of water in the space of one minute. One of the largest size would throw a stream of water larger than a man's body, with prodigious force. Such a pump would have saved the Arctic. It has been estimated that such a pump, with a steam force of seventy horse power attached to it, would have pumped out the Arctic, if she had been full of water, in twelve

minutes. So that if that noble ship had carried such a pump, and used on it the steam of onetwentieth of her thousand horse power, she might have crossed the Atlantic with the fatal hole in her bows! All steam-boats and steamships ought to carry such a pump. A small portion of the steam might be instantly turned upon it in case of collision, and thus not only the vessel, but many valuable lives may be saved. We annex an extract from Mr. Gwynne's letter to steamboat companies and agents:

"Failing to obtain your attention to the peculiar capabilities of the "Gwynne Pumping Engine" by advertising and other business modes; and in view of the great loss of life and property by the wreck of the San Francisco, the Humboldt, the City of Glasgow, the Franklin, and the Arctic, on board of which my Apparatus

would have been of essential service, and no doubt would have saved all the ships, except, perhaps, the Franklin-I take this method of laying before you a statement of what my Apparatus can effect, and what I am prepared to do to insure its immediate adoption on all ocean steamships and steamboats carrying passengers.

One of moderate size and cost, say,

2 feet wide, 4 feet long, weight 1 ton, cost $750, will pump 50 barrels per minute;

4 feet wide, 6 feet long, weight 3 tons, cost $1500, will pump 200 barrels per minute;

lated, I will forfeit and pay to any charitable institution, the price agreed for the engine; if it performs as agreed, the party ordering to receive and pay for it. I will give ample security to keep them in repair for twenty years, the owner paying me an annual sum equal to five per cent. on its first cost. I will leave it optional to the proprietors of the ocean steamship first ordering two Pumping Engines of 500 barrels per minute capacity to pay for them or not after the Pumps are in operation on their ship. I am induced to make this offer for two reasons-a desire to save human life, and to realize a large profit from my invention. Those who know me intimately will understand which inducement weighs most with me.

That this apparatus is not of yesterday will be apparent from the testimony in the pamphlet issued by me; and as evidence of my ability to perform what I undertake, I have permission to refer to Peter Cooper, Esq., New York; Mark Healy, Esq., Boston; James Horner, Esq., New York; John G. Stevens, Esq., Rest. Engineer Delaware and Raritan Canal; Messrs. J. S. Bunce & Co., Mechanical Engineers; and to other gentlemen, scientific and practical, whose names will be given on application at Messrs. GWYNNE & Co.'s Office, 13 Greenwich street."

The accompanying cut is a view of the rotary pump. We refer also to the advertising page for another view. Our third engraving is also a view of the Pump Works in Brooklyn.

877

THE MOST MAGNIFICENT STEAMER IN THE WORLD. -We have twice before referred to the large and splendid steamer, METROPOLIS, which has been more than a year in building, and which is designed for the Fall River Line. She is now far advanced towards completion, and when finished, she will be the "Queen of the Sound," and the "Pride of our waters." We have taken great pleasure in surveying her beautiful proportions, her spacious saloons, and her princely accommodations for the comfort of a thousand people. The company have spared neither time, paine, nor expense, to make her the most perfect vessel that ever floated. Her frame is put together with amazing strength, cased inside with a net-work of wrought iron bars crossing each other, and extending up to the state-room floor, and so woven and riveted together as to render it next to impossibility that her sides should ever be broken through by collision. Every thing about her appears to be on the grandest scale. Her engine is a curiosity, the cylinder being the largest ever cast, and the ponderous walking-beam exciting the astonishment of every beholder. The wheels are fortytwo feet in diameter, and all the other parts proportionately large. It makes one feel proud of his country to see such a boat. When this gorgeous water-palace is completed, it will be worth a half a dozen trips through the Sound to see what art and skill can do.

SABBATH MORNING READING ON THE OLD TESTAMENT. By Rev. JOHN CсMMING, D. D.-This volume is confined to the book of Genesis. The author attempts no learned criticism, no fine writing, no elaborate comments. It is simply a plain, straight-forward exposition or elucidation of such passages of Scripture as are not generally familiar or accessible. The book is written for Scripture readers, city missionaries, plain firesides, and men of business. It is an exceedingly profitable work. Difficulties are explained. What seems contradictory is reconciled, and a new charm seems thrown around Scripture reading. Here are some of the most interesting topics suggested by the incidents in the book of Genesis. The book ought to find a place in every family-John P. Jewett & Co.

VOICES OF THE DAY. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D.-This book is another excellent volume of this gifted author. It is designed as a companion to "The Voices of the Night." It relates chiefly to the future. Its design is to comfort and cheer and sustain the people of God. It is in some respects a remarkable volume. Its conceptions are grand,

and the gorgeous imagery lifts the soul from earth. These voices, like sweet chimes, sound as if they came from belfries far across the deep waters. The sublime descriptions here given are well fitted to animate and strengthen every true believer.-John P. Jewett & Co.

VOICES OF THE DEAD. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D.This volume is in some respects peculiar. It consists chiefly of the voices of the sainted dead, speaking to us from distant ages. They are like reverberating echoes coming back from eternity with all the clearness and freshness with which those utterances first broke upon the ear of men. The eleventh chapter of the Hebrews con. tains the names of most of the subjects. The study of their biographies is a study of profit. Their acts and sufferings, and words of consolation, are still precious in the Church of Christ. This is a choice book-one of the best of the author's works. It ought to be read by Christians of every name. John P. Jewett & Co.

VOICES OF THE NIGHT. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D.This volume is intended as a sort of whispering-gallery

in which may be heard the manifold and mingled voices of "The night now far spent." The plan of the book is peculiarly grand. "What of the night?" is the leading question. The morning cometh. Earth is not our rest. There is a rest in heaven. Earth is only the traveller's night. Great events and sights to-morrow. The Star appeareth. A glorious never-ending day is just at hand. Such is the leading idea of this admirable book. Let it be carefully read, and our views will be greatly enlarged. -John P. Jewett & Co.

ARMENIA. By the Hon. ROBERT CURZON.-This admirable book is full of the most reliable information. The author spent a year at Erzeroum, and on the frontiers of Russia, Turkey, and Persia, and was eye-witness to some of the most important facts. Previous to hisvisit, a border war had been carried on, almost from time immemorial, between the Koordish tribes on the confines of those countries. Merchants were afraid to trust their merchandise to pass that way. Turkey and Persia united with England and Russia, and effectually put a stop to these disorders. The Koordish chiefs were banished, and peace restored. The account is one of thrilling interest, especially to the Christian reader, whose heart is alive to the cause of missions there. Armenia, the cradle of the human family, has been the theatre of many conflicts. This work gives most vivid sketches of scenes, persons, places, and events, written in such a clear and engaging style that the reader cannot fail to be deeply interested.- Harper & Brothers.

MAP OF EUROPE.-A very neat little map of the battle fields of Europe has just been published by J. H. Colton, 172 William street. It contains the Black Sea and the Crimea, the Gulf of Finland, and all the important places to which the eyes of the world are now directed.

THE MINING MAGAZINE-This monthly periodical, about the size of Harper's Magazine, is published by W. J. Tenney, No. 98 Broadway. It is a choice work, well conducted, full of solid matter, consisting of the most interesting articles on geological and mining operations. To those engaged in the search of the precious metals, it is invaluable. There is no other work that contains so many current facts concerning the mining interests of our rich country of gold, silver, copper, iron, and coal. The twelve numbers in a year constitute a volume of reference that will be highly prized in future years. The price is five dollars per annum, and well worth the money.

THE COMFORTER. By Rev. J. CUMMING, D.D.-The object of this book is to set forth the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Christians. It is a most important subject, and forcibly explained. It is a book that is greatly needed. The Spirit has more to do than merely to lead sinners to repentance. That Spirit guides and sustains them all through their earthly pilgrimage. Without that Spirit they would never see heaven. Let then the Christian study this excellent book, and see and feel his dependence on God for eternal life.-Lindsay & Blackiston.

THE FINGER OF GOD. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D. D.-This is a very singular title for a book, yet when we come to examine the table of contents, we see it is peculiar y pertinent and expressive. It is in fact only a part of the title. In itself it does not tell us of the subject. But when we read, the Finger of God in Creation, in the spread of Christianity, in removing obstructions, in sunshine and shadow, in preparing for revelation, and in bringing good out of evil, we see the symmetry and beauty of the work. It is a very attractive book, written in the forcible style of the gifted author, and ought to be in the hands of every Christian.-Lindsay & Blackiston.

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D.This is a very ingenious book. It illustrates and amplifies and sets forth the great atonement in all the richness and grandeur of the theme. No Christian can read it without deeper emotions of repentance, a brighter faith, and a livelier hope. The author here brings to view, in a very forcible manner, some of the most affecting truths in the great plan of redemption. And they are so presented as to take hold of the deepest feelings of the soul. It is just the book that is calculated to increase spirituality amor g Christians.-Lindsay & Blackiston, Philadelphia.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THEM. By Q.-This is in some respects a remarkable book-a sort of literary curiosity. The style is as singular as the title. Some modern characters are described with acuteness. The curtain often rises on the reader's vision, and scenes of life, wit, and fun are presented for his amusement and profit. Those who are fond of descriptions of characters cannot but be interested in the work.-Redfield.

STORIES FROM THE HISTORY OF ITALY.-An admirable little work for youth. The stories are brief and well told, and of the most interesting character. It contains much in a small space. The sketches of persons, places, cathedrals, and cities, are drawn to the life. The book is well illustrated with cuts.--Carlton & Phillips.

SKETCHES OF MISSION LIFE among the Indians of Oregon is the title of a neat little book just published by Carlton & Phillips. The missionary had been nine years in that territory, and has gathered up many curious facts. The book is well calculated to awaken the sympathies of the Christian reader.

THE NEWSBOY.-This is a volume of more than five hundred pages, made up of scenes which are daily unfolding in the great moving panorama of New York. Let the reader open anywhere, and he will find something to interest and affect him. It is in some respects quite a curiosity. It exhibits human nature in some of its earliest phases. It is well calculated to awaken a deeper interest in that class of struggling poor that have hitherto been too much neglected.-J. C. Derby.

IDA MAY. A story of things actual and possible. By MARY LANGDON. -The characters of this neat and well printed volume are well drawn and well sustained. The style is good and often powerful and striking. It was written during a residence at the South, but it is marked by a spirit of candor and a love of right. It has been called the rival of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." It certainly does great credit to the ingenuity of the gifted authoress. The book will certainly have great success.--Phillips, Sampson & Co.

MARTIN MERRIVALE. BY PAUL CREYTON.-A lively story, written in a strain of lively wit and sparkling vivacity. It is published in numbers, and embellished with a variety of neat engravings, and when bound into a volume makes a very attractive work-Phillips, Sampson & Co.

STORIES OF SCHOOL BOYS.-A handsome little volume with this title has just been issued by Carlton & Phillips. It is written in a neat colloquial style, and well calculated to interest the young. Many a salutary lesson is here taught which boys would do well to remember.

STORIES OF MEXICO and FRANK FARLEY are interesting little books, just published by Carlton & Phillips. They are well illustrated with cuts, and well calculated to interest, instruct, and please the young.

THE METHODIST ALMANAC for 1855, is a rich affair. Its elegant engravings and reading matter are alone worth twice the price of it.