ually developed and extended all previous parative comfort we can derive from the views, and especially systematized the doc- thought that future times may be better to trine of Rückert, in regard to the ash of our names than the present has been to plants and the constitution of soils-and ourselves! how in our day the works of Mulder in Holland, of Liebig in Germany, of Dumas and Boussingault in France, and of Johnston at home, are everywhere diffusing this knowledge-and by later discoveries and researches widening and correcting it. But why should any one wish to deprive his fellow-laborer of his present reward? Berzelius and Mitscherlich, Liebig and Dumas, Boussingault and Sprengel, have each in their own walks labored long for the extension of human knowledge; why not permit each while he lives to enjoy the respect he has merited? Why should any one chemist-undervaluing all others-attempt to monopolize to himself the entire respect of all? In the public esteem there is space enough for all good men. The respect given to Berzelius, or Sprengel, or Johnston, is not deducted from that which alike, and in a few years, more or less, the reputation of each will scarcely even be a matter of history. Why should the harmony and peace of life be sacrificed for any thing so ephemeral? But our space forbids us to enter upon this topic. Neither can we spare a single paragraph to those important and warmly conducted controversies,* which still divide chemists and physiologists in regard to some of the principles we have attempted to popularize in the present article. One reflection, however, occurs to us which is not unworthy the attention of these opposing is due to Liebig or Dumas. All will die parties. Chemistry is an eminently progressive science. The new knowledge of last year has already become old, and has been succeeded by further acquisitions and experimental results. Facts, as they are successively discovered and confirmed, be- Of the men of our time, who will ever come parts of our positive and permanent attain the living eminence of Paracelsus— knowledge. They are, therefore, recorded of their writings, which can hope to surand remembered, while the names of their vive a tithe of the time of those of Avicendiscoverers are first omitted and then for-na? And yet in what estimation do we gotten. Few men are fortunate enough to throw so sudden and broad a gleam across the dark parts of nature, as necessarily to connect their names with the history of natural science. The mass, even of zealous investigators, must be content to die and be forgotten. Their reward is to be found in the respect of their contemporaries among whom they have lived and labored for the common good-and without this respect and sympathy, how small the com other pam 1. Beleuchtung der Organischen Chemie des Herrn Doctor J. Liebig, &c. Von Dr. F. X. Hlubek. Grütz, 1842. now hold either these men or their works? Is it worth a good man's while to heave a single sigh for all the fame they now enjoy? Present happiness is above all fame-and he will both be happiest himself, and will least interfere with the happiness of others, who while he commends himself to the public esteem, by laboring for the common good, is ready to allow their due share of merit to others also, who devote their time and talents to the same end *The reader who wishes to study the contro- In conclusion, if this new knowledge be versy in regard to Liebig's peculiar views, may so very important to agriculture-how imhave recourse to the following among phlets. We have not adverted to any of these portant is it also that it should be diffused views in the text, because we wished to avoid all among the agricultural classes-that what occasion of controversy. is so likely to benefit all should be brought within the reach, and, if possible, be made the property of all! How important, likewise, that encouragement should be given for the further development of this kind of knowledge-for clearing up many dark and misty spots which still present themselves, and for cultivating with assiduity those new fields of research which are daily opening up in connection with scientific agricul 2. Ueber, Liebig's Theorie der Pflanzenernahr ung. Cassel, 1842. 3. Offenes Sendschreiben an Herrn Dr. Justus Liebig. Von M. J. Schleiden, &c. Leipzig, 1842. 4. Dr. Justus Liebig's Verhältniss zur Pflanzenphysiologie. Von Dr. Hugo Mohl. Tabin gen, 1843. It is to be regretted that one so talented as Liebig, and so deservedly eminent as an organic chemist, should have done so little justice either to himself or to others, when he ventured upon the field of physiology. ture. The agricultural community, especially in the north of our island, appear to be in some degree alive to all this. Their de EL DORADO.-No popular illusion ever occa sioned such a waste of human life as the expedichivalric and unfortunate Raleigh is closely connected with it; and as the locality of the fable was shifted to Guiana, he either undertook himself or caused four expeditions to be undertaken, which had for their object to achieve the discovery of the capital of El Dorado, called Manoa, and paid the failure with his life. After generations of fable, Humboldt, partly by personal investigation, partly by deep reasoning, proved that such Mr. Van Heuvel has lately attempted to restore an inland lake could not exist. Nevertheless, a it, and a map of Guiana which accompanies his work on El Dorado exhibits again the Laguna de Parima. Sir R. Schomburgk demonstrated from his map (which covers a hundred square feet, cal observations during his exploring tours in and which was constructed upon his astronomiGuiana from 1835 to 1843) that such a lake could not exist, and that M. de Humboldt, with his general sagacity, had likewise in this regard arrived at correct conclusions. He dwelt afterthe geography of Guiana, referred to its fertility, wards upon some of the most striking points in and regretted that he did not consider the climate favorable to a European constitution; and he wished that it should go forth as his opinion that an inhabitant from the northern parts of Europe was not able to labor in the open air under the tropics. His assertion is borne out by all attempts which have been made hitherto to settle European laborers in Guiana, St. Lucia, Guatamala, Jamaica, &c. tions in search of El Dorado. The name of our sire for knowledge is proved by the number of small periodicals exclusively devoted to agricultural subjects, which have lately arisen in different parts of Scotland, and by the kind of matter with which these periodicals are filled. The Committee for Agricultural Education, formed a year ago for the purpose of promoting the introduction of agricultural education into all our elementary schools, in the rural districts, has already effected much, and we hope will speedily see its object fully at tained. But the boldest and most successful movement in behalf of Scottish agriculture in our day, has been the establishment of the Agricultural Chemistry Association of Scotland. In founding this institution, tenants and proprietors have both concurred. Indeed, we believe it originated with the tenantry themselves-a circumstance at once honorable to Scottish farmers, and illustrative of the amount of knowledge they already possessed. For a man must already know a good deal not only of the general nature, but of the special bearings of chemical science, before he can understand how it can be made of actual pecuniary value to the practical farmer. The objects of this Association are to diffuse knowledge by lectures and other-Britain and the other European powers, contains Guiana, comprising the possessions of Great wise among the agricultural body-to pro- 690,000 square miles, and is bounded by the tect the farmer by means of chemical Amazon and the Orinoco. By means of that reanalyses from the frauds of the dealers and markable canal, the Casiquiare, which connects the Orinoco with the Rio Negro and the Amazon, manufacturers of manure-to guide his it may be circumnavigated. With the assistance practice and use of manures by the analysis of short portages over land, starting in a canoe of soils, limestones, and vegetable products from Demerara, the mouth of the Rio Plata, and to make original researches with Cuzco, Lima, Santa Fé de Bogota, may be reached the view of enlarging our actual knowledge. by inland navigation. The highest mountains in Guiana are, the Maravacca, which is about These objects are worthy of the character 11,000 feet, and Roraima, about 8000 feet above of the Scottish agricultural body, and are the sea. The largest river in British Guiana is in accordance with the requirements of our the Essequibo; its length is computed at 650 time. The example set by Scotland has miles, and it drains an area of 42,800 square already been imitated in other countries. We heartily wish success, therefore, to this new institution, and we trust it will meet with that support which the national importance of its objects deserves. METEOROLOGY.-Throughout France, as in various parts of England, severe storms have raged within the last fortnight, and heavy floods and much destruction have been the consequence. Among the curious effects, we may notice, that a lightning flash from heaven struck a small church in the street called "d'Enfer."-Lit. Gaz. miles. Lit. Gaz. Luther's original letter to the Archbishop of LUTHER. At Stockholm has been discovered POTATO PAPER.-A manufacturer of Vire, after six years' labor, has succeeded in producing excellent paper and pasteboard from a substance separated from the potato.-Lit. Gaz. FRENCH SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION.-The gunbrig Boulonnaise has arrived at Brest, after an absence of above three years, during which period, she has made a hydrographic survey of immense extent within the tropics, including more than 250 leagues of the river Amazon and its principal tributaries.-Lit. Gaz. TITUS. ADVANCE the eagles, Caius Placidus, My soul's forbidden luxury, I abjure thee! er! That in the secret chambers of my soul What shall she check and pause here in her Till not a single stone of yon proud city circle, Her centre of dominion? By the gods, And yet it moves me, Romans! it confounds With cool and verdant gardens interspers'd; In the profound of heaven! It stands before us Remain; and even the vestiges of ruin JAVAN. I feel it now, the sad, the coming hour; Her tale of splendor now is told and done; And all is o'er, her grandeur and her guilt. MIRIAM. Ah me! how strange! Are spent, the voice of music broken off. And not the populous city, the besieged -Ha! 'tis the thunder of the Living God! Our walls are dust before it-Wake-oh wake- Why shouldst thou wake? thy foe is in the Yea, thy judicial slumber weighs thee down, And they must feel our wrath, the wrath of Defenceless, unresisting. Even so that the rapt stranger shall admire Where that proud city stood, which was Jerusalem. Now, Mercy, to the winds! I cast thee off Hark! now in impious rivalry Man thunders. In the centre of our streets THE BRIDEGROOM TO HIS BRIDE. Four years ago, dear love! And we were strangers; in a distant land Long had it been my lonely lot to rove; And I had never touched that gentle hand, Or looked into the lustre of those eyes, Or heard that voice of lovely melodies, Winning its way unto the listener's heart, And gladdening it, as a fresh stream doth part The grass and flowers, and beautifies its road With fresher hues, by its sweet tides bestowed. Then I had never heard that name of thine, Which on this blessed day hath merged in mine' Three years ago, mine own, And we had met-'twas but acquaintanceship; There was no tremor in the courteous tone Which, greeting thee, flowed freely to my lip At each new interview. Thy beauty seemed Indeed the very vision I had dreamed Of woman's loveliest form; but that it shrined So bright a gem, so true and pure a mind, I did not early learn; for thou art one Whose gentle, kindly actions ever shun The glare of day. I knew not then the power That seems thy richest gift at this blest hour. Another year went by, And we were friends!-" dear friends" we called each other We said our bosoms throbbed in sympathy, That we were like a sister and a brother." Ah! but do brothers' hearts thrill through each chord, At a dear sister's smile or gracious word? Do sisters blush, and strive the blush to hide, When a fond brother lingers at their side? Do friends, and nothing more, shrink from sur mise, And dread to meet the keen world's scrutinies, And tremble with a vague and groundless shame, And start when each doth hear the other's name? One little year ago, And we were lovers-lovers pledged and vowedThe unsealed fountains of our hearts might flow; Our summer happiness had scarce a cloud. We smiled to think upon the dubious past, How could so long our self-delusion last? We laughed at our own fears, whose dim array One spoken word of Love had put away. In love's full blessed confidence we talked, We heeded not who watched us as we walked; And day by day hath that affection grown, Until this happy morn that makes us one. WHEN moonlight softly slumbers I love to hear the numbers For then the new-born pleasure Oft as the soft note lingers Of some remembered song, O'er silver cords were stealing Ye brilliant orbs of glory, Ye countless eyes of night, That read the wondrous story Withheld from mortal sight, Oh! do souls departed say, Their blissful wings extend To seek the lonely-heartedThe once beloved friend? Methinks the breeze that flutters And she above all other, Like moonlight seems to glide; E'en as in life she glided Till call'd away to God. And can such sweet communion Ah, no! the soul remembers THE CRY OF THE PEOPLE. BY CHARLES MACKAY. OH, it is bitter-hard to roam the earth, To see the beauty in the fields and floods, And know that we, by a hard fate withholden, 'Tis hard to know that the increase of wealth And at each turn condemn'd to rest, and ponder If living be the only aim of life— Mere living, purchased by perpetual strife. We ask not much. We have no dread of toil; Too happy we, if labor could provide us,— Even though we doubled all our sweat and moil,Raiment and food, and shelt'ring roofs to hide us From the damp air and from the winter's cold ;— If we could see our wives contented round us, And to our arms our little children fold, Nor fear that next day's hunger should confound us. With joys like these, and one sweet day of rest, We would complain no more, but labor, bless'd. Rich men have kindly urged us to endure, And they will send us clergymen to bless us; And lords who play at cricket with the poor, Think they have cured all evils that oppress us. And then we think endurance is a crime; That those who wait for justice never gain it ; And that the multitudes are most sublime When, rising arm'd, they combat to obtain it; And dabbling in thick gore, as if 'twere dew, Seek not alone their rights, but vengeance too. But these are evil thoughts; for well we know, That shall assure us of a brighter morrow. |