enormous cost to government, the Major of the it; but lo! and behold! it has scarcely taken post line, then in command there, was in the habit of at Augusta Arsenal, before it is again cast out, as making a monthly detail of eighteen or twenty men it were, into an old out of the way house, where, from his Artillery soldiers to perform these duties. besides the discomfort of the thing, it was very Some fifteen years back when the Ordnance was difficult to keep up that proper discipline, which is amalgamated with the Artillery, and before this, so easy to maintain within the walls of a military and some of the other staff corps became such a post. Add to this the humiliation which its officers burden and expense to the Army, it was customary were called upon to suffer, in seeing their military to make periodical changes in the posts of Regi- pride thus sacrificed to the aggrandizement of one ments, in order to promote the health of the offi- who had left this very same regiment while it was cers and soldiers; and there was no difficulty about yet serving in the field, almost destitute of officers; funds to carry out this most desirable object. But for in 1837, as many as two and three companies now, a regiment which has served through three were under a single Lieutenant, and he a junior to Indian wars, the Cherokee, Creek and Seminole, our "magnanimous" youth. has been three times depopulated and re-reunited, and can not now number on parade half a dozen officers, or a dozen of the old soldiers who first followed its colors to the field in the recent Indian disturbances, many having died from the fevers of Florida, and many having left from weariness at being forced to dwell, year after year, under a tropical sun, with the utterly hopeless prospect of ever being again permitted to breathe a cool and bracing air; this regiment, which has been for nearly ten years in the South, can not be moved for want of funds. Yet we see, literally thrown away at a "secondary Arsenal," some ten thousand dollars a year, which would be more than sufficient to move half a dozen regiments of the present strength. In the British service, this system of change is rigidly observed, and when a regiment is sent to an unhealthy or undesirable locality, they are buoyed up with the certainty that the fostering hand of government will, at the end of a stated period, extend to them this benevolent and salutary justice. But look how different is the course pursued towards this particular company of Artillery in question. It was stationed in the interior of East Florida before the Seminole war; in 1835, while marching from Tampa Bay to Fort King under the lamented Major Dade, was totally destroyed, every officer and man; it was recruited and continued to serve in Florida, when in 1837, having been very much reduced, it was increased to the legal standard. In the summer of 1838, it marched to the Cherokee country, and after the removal of that tribe returned immediately to Florida. I have not referred to the regiment in question, nor to the "courteous" Lieutenant, with the view of giving any peculiar credit to the one, or detracting from the other, for they have but done their duty, and that is expected of every officer and soldier, however high his rank or low his station; or however "magnanimous" or degraded; but to exemplify some of the many abuses which have crept into our little Army, and to show how injuriously they operate upon the well being of the "Army proper," have I laid these things before your numerous readers. VERITAS. In 1840, being again reduced to less than a platoon, it was a third time filled up, and continued to serve at one of the most unhealthy posts in the territory, until every officer and man in it was completely prostrated by sickness, and to save it, it was found absolutely necessary to remove it to some more healthy station in the territory. After serving through the Everglade campaigns, it was in the spring of 1842, sent to New Orleans, but in the course of the same summer was ordered back to Florida, where it remained till the spring of 1843; and the Florida war being over, it was to be hoped that some respite would have been given to VOL. X-80 "WOMAN, THY PLACE IS BEHIND THE THRONE." LINES SUGGESTED. Go to the plains of Shinar, "great" Nineveh stands there, Go to the merchant city-mistress of the sea, name But mark the vessel's foaming track, Go ask the flying Xerxes, the recreant and the knave, And mindful, at their master's word, so late did bend the Alas! had woman's voice a place, They had not lain in death's embrace. Go ask the lordly Briton, glorying in his birth, known" Ask when his star of glory sank from its zenith height, And mantled in dark, gloomy clouds, refused its pristine light And list;-a voice floats o'er the main, And woman's name blends with the strain. And shall the "haughty whisker'd Russ" forget his peasant queen? And deep in Lethe's turbid tide, shall Scotia plunge her sheen? Ay, woman, modern lore now bids thee abdicate the throne, Yes, back-nor lift thine eyes to the "cloud capt tower" of fame : No herald from its battlement proclaims thy lowly name- To veil the face and bend the knee. THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Whilst the unavoidable neglect of an unsettled and perplexed Government, aided by time, fire and devastation, was consuming our colonial records here, copies of them were carefully preserved in the Public offices of England; and there is every reason to believe, that an inspection of those records there will dissipate the thickest clouds that hang over our colonial era. By the Liberality of the English Government, they are laid open to the accredited agents of the States, and copies of them allowed to be taken. Of this privilege, New-York, Georgia and North Carolina in part, have already availed themselves, and their labors have prepared the way and led to arrangements, which will greatly facilitate the investigations of any who may follow their example. New-York has sent out a special agent who has probably just returned, bringing with him documents that will create a wide sensation. Georgia, too, sent a special agent, and has now in the charge of her Historical Society, twenty-two M.S. volumes of important colonial documents. She has also a gentleman engaged in writing her history, and with a most praiseworthy liberality has expended some six thousand dollars in procuring the materials, though only for the short period of forty odd years! Our blessed mother was more than a hundred years old, when Georgia was born; and shall the first, not only in date of settlement, but in fame and in importance, be so far surpassed by the youngest of the "old thirteen ?" For the object proposed the provision of so great a State as Virginia, who has so much to expect from the undertaking and such Nothing so nearly touches the honor of a State just cause of pride in her past career, should be as the due preservation of her historic archives. ample and liberal; but it is highly probable that she Deplorable indeed would be the lot of that people, can procure every thing desirable at far less cost who felt no pride or exultation in its past! What than Georgia did. Let her appoint a competent just cause for the indulgence of these feelings Vir-agent and send him forth with ample means to exeginians have, they best know who are best ac- cute the work well, that it may be a monument for quainted with the remaining fragments of her his- future times. tory. These, too, most deplore the loss of her records and would risk and expend most for their restoration. But surely, there is no need of enlarg-rived any real benefit from it, though she knows preing upon the importance, or the charms of this fruitful subject, to your Honorable body, who yourselves in such great degree, stamp her character upon the State, and by your acts, as it were, manufacture her history. Should any chasm now occur in your proceedings, you would doubtless lose no time in repairing it. In former times, such breaches were made, and though they have remained so long an insuperable and distressing impediment to those who would explore the history of the Colony, it is believed that they may now be almost entirely closed, at comparatively little expense, by the efforts of your honorable body. In appealing to you in behalf of the History of our State, we need offer, we trust, no other justification than the importance and dignity of the subject, and the obvious relation it bears to your offices as the guardians of the State, and to your interest and duty in preserving and perpetuating her public character. The mode of accomplishing this great and most desirable object has been open for many years; but the recent success of some States has now removed every obstacle that might have once existed, and invites all others to make similar attempts. Though North Carolina made a move in this matter as far back as 1827, she has not yet de cisely the nature and value of the papers relating to herself. They were all registered and the list sent home to her, in accordance with a request made by her Governor, of Hon. Albert Gallatin, our minister at the Court of St. James. Their very titles alone constitute an octavo pamphlet of 120 printed pages. The faculty of the University of North Carolina have now organized themselves into an Historical Society, and may do something towards procuring copies of those documents, thus catalogued for her. South Carolina has her volumes of historical collections recently made by Mr. Carroll, but she too may be anxious to enjoy the stores in the offices of England. The two Carolinas might empower the agent appointed by Virginia to act for them; or if they prefer it, send out special agents of their own. May not the hope be indulged, that your honora ble body will so favorably regard the proposition 1844.] The Society of Alumni of the University.-Desultory Notes on Desultory Reading. 635 herein most respectfully submitted, as to lose no eminently gratifying. We do devoutly hope, that time in reaping the fruits now offered to us? Due the visitors and her Alumni will make her welfare diligence would soon place us in possession of the an object of their chief solicitude and exertion; rich treasures that now lie mouldering abroad; that her faculty may soon be complete and efficient, every delay but encourages the ravages of Time. and her halls filled to overflowing with gifted youths It is our object at this time only to broach this ambitious of virtue and knowledge. With her eninteresting subject, to which we shall recur in our dowment, the distinguished auspices under which next number. In the meantime, we invite a corres-she was founded, and the extent and splendor of pondence from all who feel any interest in the mat- her accommodations, her career should be conspiter, and earnestly commend the revival of the late cuous, and a source of pride to all her sons. Virginia Historical Society, that it may exert its salutary influence in behalf of the present and other useful undertakings. It is our purpose to lay some of the letters that may be addressed to us upon this subject, before our readers; and we would be particularly glad to have the views of some of the leading members of the Legislature, of course with out regard to party. 33. Minor THE SOCIETY OF ALUMNI OF THE UNIVER SITY OF VIRGINIA..B.M OF AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE SOCIETY ALUMNI OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. On the 4th of July, 1844. BY FRANKLIN MINOR. DESULTORY NOTES ON DESULTORY READING. Literary Remains of Willis Gaylord Clark; Guide to Laurel Hill Cemetery; Grave-Yards in Towns; "Melzinga," a poem, a specimen of fine writing; The Prince de Join. ville's Note on the State of the French Navy; Navy of the United States; The Pride of the Nation; The Estimated value of Science: Warming Dwellings by Hot Water; Effects Produced by Breathing Air Heated by Stoves, Illustrated; Jeaffreson on Diseases of the Eye. 66 The tomb is a great sanctifier of men's good It is not too late, we trust, to notice this excel-works; it obliterates the minor blemishes and aspelent address, whose perusal has in a great degree rities which belong, to a greater or less extent, to The works of an author are compensated us for the loss we sustained in not poor human nature. being able to mingle with our brethren, at their often enhanced by his death, especially if he die last meeting. We were with them in spirit, and young, while yet a promising but unblown bud; his works are read without jealousy, or envy, or rivalry, deeply regretted our inability to add another to their for who can experience an emotion of jealousy, or number. We look upon the Society of Alumni as envy, or rivalry, connected with the offspring, or yet destined to exert a happy influence not only outpourings of a soul that has gone from our midst. upon the fame and usefulness of their " Alma Ma-Those who have a bias towards the perusal of ter," but also upon the cause of Education in this and other States. This may require time, but they may even now begin to "sow in hope." Mr. Minor's address is far above the rank of such productions generally, and he was judicious in abandoning the vague declamation and unprofitable generalities of such occasions, and discussing some tangible question, useful in its application. His subject, "National and individual honor," was highly appropriate and illustrated with ability, force and beauty. The distinction between “ glory” and “ honor” is well drawn, and nations and individuals earnestly persuaded to seek glory only in the paths of honor. We thank him also for enforcing the great truth that Religion is the only basis of National happiness and prosperity. Literary Remains" will read with pleasure the Literary Remains of the Late Willis Gaylord Clark," alias, the pleasant Ollapod. Alas! Clark has gone! The gentle, the affectionate, the pureminded aspirant of earthly honors, and yet the pious, cheerful Christian. We knew him : and admired the sprightly simplicity of tone which characterized his well-stored intellect. There is a beauty, a charm about this collection of Clark's writings, enhancing their value, perhaps even above their intrinsic literary merit. It is derived from the vein of affection running through the whole of his works; and then there is something touching in the fact that a twin brother shows his strong love for the departed by bringing together the scattered pieces of prose and verse of one who died too young,-for the pleasure of others and his own solid fame. "Death, the pale messenger, has beckoned him silently away; and the spirit which kindled with so many elevated thoughts; which Though prevented from meeting our brethren explored the chambers of human affection, and around the family altar and sharing their worship, awakened so many warm sympathies, has ascended their joys and their labors, we rejoiced in the oppor- to mansions of eternal repose." He has obeyed tunity soon afterwards of bowing at the dear old the law of nature, and he has been fortunate to shrine. A tide of delightful reminiscences flowed have kindled affections to record his obedience and in, as we revisited the scenes of former labors, this law and leave none to note their entrance to weep aloud for his departure. How many obey pleasures and emulous struggles. The improve-the tomb, or point out the good they have done to ments about the University, the substantial enclo- their fellow men! We thank thee, Lewis, most sure, and above all the convenient Chappel were heartily and sincerely for publishing this volume. fools and chronicle small beer." The volume con- GUIDE TO LAUREL HILL CEMETERY.-A beauti- | product of an elderly lady of fortune, who has been ful volume of royal octavo size, containing 160 sorely afflicted by two very distressing maladies, pages, elegantly printed and illustrated by many from which she never can recover in all human excellent wood cuts and well-executed lithographs. probability. She evidently has the cacoethes scriBesides descriptions and views of many monu- bendi very badly, which has been superinduced by ments, and a history of Laurel Hill Cemetery, it a very lasting affection not easy to name or describe. contains a history of the group of statuary, by The character of the disease, however, so closely Thorn, of "old mortality," his pony and Walter resembles that known under the vulgar expression, Scott. There is also a selection of various arti-"troubled with the fools," that a sagacious person cles in prose and verse relating to the Cemetery. would find great difficulty in distinguishing them. We learn that the mortal remains of the following Whether the authoress has children or not we distinguished persons repose at Laurel Hill. GoD- do not know, but to judge from this literary effort FREY, the inventor of the Quadrant; General HUGH we should set her down as one fitted "to suckle MERCER of Fredericksburg, Va., who was killed in the battle of Princeton; CHARLES THOMPSON, the first, and long the confidential Secretary of the Continental Congress; COMMODORE HULL; COMMODORE MURRAY M. MORGAN, M. D. a surgeon in the Navy, distinguished by his public services and great private worth; JOSEPH S. LEWIS, the originator of the Fairmount water works; JULIUS R. FRIEDLANDER, Principal of the Pennsylvania institution of the Blind from its foundation; JOHN VAUGHAN, whom every body knew; and ADAM WALDIE the publisher of the well known "circulating Library." The list of lot holders includes at least a thousand names, among whom are many of the distinguished citizens of Philadelphia. ready we have the tombs of great men in politics, in the Army, Navy, science, philanthropy and usefulness; and not many years hence Laurel Hill will be a place of pilgrimage almost, to visit the sepulchres of the great and good of our land. It is a place to be proud of not only by Philadelphia, but by the whole country, and he who devised and put into execution its plan deserves the thanks of his fellow citizens. It is a lovely spot, and the time will come when Pere la Chaise will not compare favorably with Laurel Hill. The author of the "Guide" has afforded a beautiful illustration of what Laurel Hill is, and all those whose affections have a sad remembrance there will be grateful for the work. Al It is now pretty well settled that burial places in large towns are deleterious to the living. We find this subject mentioned by Edwin Chadwick in his "Report on the sanatory condition of the laboring population of Great Britain." He states, (see Medical Examiner of Philadelphia,) a remarkable circumstance: "A bird fancier who lived near Clare Market, London, in a situation particularly exposed to the combined effluvise from a slaughter house and tripe factory, found he could not rear his birds in this place. Birds fresh from the country would die in a week. He had previously lived in the same neighborhood in a room over a crowded burial ground in Portugal street; at times in the morning he had seen a mist rise from the ground, and the smell was offensive. That place was equally offensive to his birds. On removing to another situation not exposed to such emanations, he was again able to raise birds." This doleful change to ring: "Her rivers flow, her mountains rise, "That after all his pious care, They should pour forth such feeble ditties. But alas, alas, he cannot write- After this specimen it may be well to mention that the book was got up by subscription; no body has published it, and any publisher would have risked too much in such an undertaking, both in fame and fortune. We recommend the lady's friends to watch her carefully and not permit her mind to be exposed again naked to the public. Paper, ink and pen should be kept out of her reach, for with such powers and such a disposi tion to use them, it is impossible to foretel the deep distress she may bring upon the public, to say nothing of those who become her supporters, by subscription. She ought to be taught that the possession of wealth does not authorize a woman to exhibit her folly to the world of letters. She would do well in future to submit and defer to the opinion of her male literary friends all her own productions before she commits them to the printer. NOTE SUR L'ETAT DES FORCES NAVALES DE LA FRANCE.-A pamphet of 40 octavo pages attributed to the Prince de Joinville. The author assumes that in as much as England is the first naval power in the world, and as France is deficient in many essential points in her navy, the British navy should be a criterion for that of the French. He urges The inference is plain, and there are strong reathat a naval force moved entirely, or at least in sons which might be urged in favor of extra-urban part, by steam, is peculiarly adapted to the genius cemeteries, independent of the influences exerted of the French nation, whose commercial marine is too limited to furnish seamen in sufficient numbers by the gaseous matters escaping from grave-yards for the navy. into the atmosphere breathed by the living. But in steam ships of war, very few professional sailors comparatively are needed, and MELZINGA; A SOUVENIR BY C. A. D.-New- at a moment's notice, regiments of soldiers may be York, 1845. A small gilt edge volume in pale sul-embarked to manage the batteries and do the fightphur colored paper binding. This volume is the ing. He condemns the practice of building small 1 He urges too, that when one nation builds vessels of sixty guns called frigates, it is vain for another nation to build frigates of fifty guns to cope with them. England is preparing a large steam force, therefore France ought to build an equally powerful steam navy-may we not ask why the United States should not also make similar preparations. vessels under the name of larger; that is, a frigate | cost of building, equipping and sailing an Atlantic should mean a vessel say of 50 or 60 guns, and steam ship of 2000 tons was stated. The pay of never of 30 or 40, and so of other classes. the captain $120 per month, first mate $60, chief engineer $80, third engineer $40, carpenter $25, steward $25, cook $22, and surgeon $40 per month! Let all young men who aspire to the distinguished honors of surgery and medicine, reflect that their services are worth forty dollars per month, that is, just eighteen dollars more than a cook, fifteen more than a carpenter, and half as much as the superintendent of a steam engine. Is Our navy is being reduced; ships of the line this a sufficient sum to tempt a young man of eduhave been withdrawn from active service, and many cation and talent to engage in the study of such a if not all frigates are to be laid up, leaving sloops science as that of medicine and surgery? Is $480 of war as the emblems of our naval force abroad. a year a compensation to tempt a trustworthy surThis our pride may learn to bear, but continue the geon to leave the shore for a sea life? Would any plan for only a few years, and the navy will have man who can pay $125 for being carried across the few officers whose experience would give them Atlantic, be willing to trust his life, in case of confidence in the management of a frigate, or ship necessity, to any surgeon, (so called,) whose knowof the line. A man might be a most admirable ledge and skill would not be worth more than $480 seaman in a schooner, brig or sloop of war, whose a year? We hope the passengers would think their qualities would fail to bear him out in the manage-lives worth more than such a risk. ment of a large frigate, a ship of the line, or a The scheme estimates an annual net profit of squadron. I should dislike to trust myself at sea $102,042. Let us suggest to the company, that in the Pennsylvania, commanded by a man who had out of all this annual profit a salary of $100 a never sailed or served in a ship larger than a sloop month, with boarding or rations in addition, would of war. Mr. Editor, let some of your nautical be little enough for the services of a surgeon who correspondents take up the subject and answer me could be trusted to amputate a limb or set a fracthe question; Is it fair to suppose that officers who ture at sea. We adduce this as an example of the have obtained their professional education in small little value set upon science by the people of the vessels only, and who have never disciplined a crew United States, as well as the small liberality expeof over two hundred, are able to manage frigates and rienced by medical men at the hands of a money ships of the line, with crews of 500 and 1000 men, as making people. We think too much of money, well as if their professional career had given them and on this account the navy is to be permitted to experience in large ships? Do merchants ever go down to a dozen sloops of war and schooners. select to command large packet ships, men who It costs so much money to sail frigates and ships of have only sailed in pilot boats and schooners? What is this nation proud of? What does the nation hold to be above a money value? Is it any art, or science, or superiority, or excellence in any branch of human knowledge? Does the nation feel itself degraded by being under the necessity of sending to Europe for optical instruments, whether telescopes for our observatories, or microscopes for the close observance of organic matter? Is it any reflection upon us that the nautical almanac, essential to the navigator, is produced in England, and we are not yet scientific enough, or what is the same thing, there is not confidence enough among our navigators to trust to the science and printing of a nautical almanack from American hands? Is it any reflection upon our practical knowledge of working iron that English rail road iron is preferred to our own manufacture? Do we trust to American chronometers? Have we ever made a watch from the rough material? Do we encourage men to seek perfection or perfectibility in any sort, or any branch of human knowledge? Is there any proper reward for excellence in any human pursuit offered by this nation or its public opinion? What is the ambition of the nation, the people of the United States Money making facilities occupy a great deal of our thoughts, and hence it is that, inasmuch as perfection in any art requires long and arduous toil, and as time and labor must be paid for, in some manner, we shrink from the cost of perfection. the line. I repeat the question, what is this nation honestly proud of? Is it not cheap government, and its numerous, great politicians by profession? HOOD ON WARMING BUILDINGS BY HOT WATER. London, 1837.-The best and most economical means of securing a comfortable temperature in dwellings and public buildings of all kinds is a subject worthy the attention of the inhabitants of a region like that of our middle States. Indeed a great deal has been thought on the subject, and a great many experiments have been made. Many plans have been for a time approved and subsequently rejected or abandoned for improved methods. The various means of warming buildings for human comfort and protection may be briefly enumerated. The hearth and wood fire, wood stoves of various descriptions; grates for burning bituminous and anthracite coals; stoves for the same kind of fuel; hot-air furnaces or stoves, gas stoves; and the circulation of steam and hot water by means of iron pipes laid through the building to be heated. Wood fires are cheerful, but too expensive in cities and inappropriate to large apartments. They seem, however, not to exercise any injurious influence upon the atmosphere, and what is of very great importance, they contribute to ventilation. Similar remarks apply to bituminous coals burned in open grates. Anthracite fires in open grates, without the power of warming comfortably in all its extent a large apartment, dry the air to such a degree as to render it exceedingly oppressive to the respiration of many individuals. We were struck with the value set upon science, in reading, a few days since, a prospectus of a proposed American Steam Navigation Company. To provoke men to buy the stock, an estimate of the The effect of highly heated iron stoves on the |