prospects of our country. We select the following paragraph as another illustration of the remark, which we have frequently made, namely, that the intelligent portion of the community, in every part of our country, are beginning to demand a more energetic system of public instruction with a voice that must be regarded in the public councils. The government under which we live is literally a popular government, and upon the discernment of the people depends many of our important measures. Projects of internal improvement, involving intricate questions of science, are daily presented for our consideration. The increase of the reading community demands for our public journals distinguished talent and laborious research, for these heralds of intelligence are now sought for by almost our whole population. We believe, therefore, the time is arrived, having been accelerated by a rapid increase of means, when our public schools should be placed upon a more liberal and elevated foundation; when high qualifications should be required in the instructers; when more discrimination should be used in the selection of school books; when a new zeal and higher interest should be felt upon the part of those who have the oversight of schools. We are not desirous that all our young men should be educated as statesmen or philosophers. But no man is capable of acting in the selection of a ruler, unless he is acquainted with the principles of the government that is to be administered. The general propositions of natural and moral philosophy are of importance to every citizen in his daily intercourse with his fellow men. Anatomy taught by Analysis; a Lecture, introductory to the Course delivered in the Philadelphia Anatomical Rooms, Fifth Session, 1825-6. By JOHN D. GODMAN, M. D. Philadelphia. 1826. 8vo. pp. 23. Professional Reputation; an Oration, delivered before the Philadelphia Medical Society, pursuant to appointment, February 8, 1826. By JOHN D. GODMAN, M. D. Philadelphia. 1826. 8vo. pp. 24. THESE performances both bear ample testimony, not only to the scientific zeal and honest ambition of their author, but to the proper views and honourable spirit with which he is pursuing his professional career. Lectures upon anatomy, according to his method, although not probably capable of being made a substitute for the public course usually delivered at medical institutions, might very advantageously be attended by students, in connexion with such a course, and at the same time. It would be a decisive benefit to every institution of this sort, were such lectures accessible to its attendants. In the Oration on Professional Reputation, Dr Godman points out the principles which should guide, and the motives which should influence the medical man in his professional life, particularly on his entrance upon it. We take it, the orator is describing the course which he has laid out in his own case, and the principles and motives by which he wishes to be governed. We can only say, that they are such as do him credit, and that no student, who will follow his advice, can ever have cause to repent his choice of a director. INTELLIGENCE. Gymnastic Exercises in Harvard University. The introduction of gymnastic exercises at the University at Cambridge, has taken place, through the gratuitous exertions of two of the gentlemen connected with the institution.* Their conviction of the great benefits to be derived from these exercises, induced them to request permission to make the experiment with a few of the students; and for that purpose the use of one of the unoccupied halls was granted them, in which a few machines were erected. So successful was the undertaking, and all the students became so desirous of engaging in these exercises, that it was soon found necessary to increase the number of machines, and to have them placed in the open air; and to make such arrangements as should enable all to participate, and at the same time insure a systematic course af instruction. The plan adopted has been attended with the most satisfactory results, and is as follows. Each class was authorized to choose four of its members to act as monitors; thus a class of sixteen was formed, to which theoretical and practical instruction is given every evening during the hour immediately after prayers, and the monitors are in this way prepared to instruct their classmates. The monitors having been so far instructed in the preliminary exercises as to be able to assist in the general instruction, the classes were divided each into four sections, and a monitor assigned to each section. The hour immediately preceding dinner was appropriated to the instruction and exercise of all the students, which is done in the following manner. At the hour appointed, cach class forms in line, and the monitors take their stations in front of their sections; the monitors are then desired to perform one set of exercises, which the sections imitate, the instructers pointing out wherein the exercise is incorrect, and aiding by their advice and example. The exercises of one kind having been continued a sufficient length of time, the word is given to change, and the sections or classes are distributed to the different machines, care being taken that no one continues to exercise any particular set of muscles beyond ten or fifteen minutes, when the word is again given to change, and those who were exercising the muscles of the upper extremities change places with those who had been exercising the muscles of the lower extremities, and so on. In this way all the muscles are brought into <action, and developed. The exercises close with trotting and running in line, at first for fifteen or twenty minutes; the time being gradually lengthened as the power of continuing this exercise increases from day to day, attention being paid to the state of respiration, &c. Although the system has been in operation but a few weeks, many of the students have derived great benefit from it; some, whose health had been impaired, have experienced much relief, while others express a sense of great increase of bodily strength, and a corresponding ability for mental exertion, * Dr Follen and Dr Webster. The machines which have been constructed, are the parallel bars, upon which a great variety of exercises are performed, most of which are preparatory to the more difficult exercises; jumping stands, poles, &c.; vaulting bars, balancing bars, climbing stands, poles, and ropes; machines for strengthening the muscles of the arms and legs; for acquiring the power of supporting the weight of the body in various positions, &c. A dynamometer has been constructed, by which the strength of every part of the body can be ascertained, and its increase. The strength of each student is determined at stated periods, and recorded by the monitors in books kept for that purpose, by a reference to which the gradual augmentation of physical power is satisfactorily shown, and an inducement offered for the continuance of these exercises. The monitors are instructed every evening, and thus kept in advance of their sections. Poetry of Mrs Hemans. "The League of the Alps" and other poems by Mrs Felicia Hemans, are preparing for publication, under the superintendence of Professor Norton of Cambridge. We cannot recommend this work better than by the following extract from the Prospectus : "Mrs Hemans is eminently a female writer. In becoming an authoress she has not sacrificed, in any degree, that claim to deference, to which her sex is entitled. On the contrary, she gives to her poetry the charm of female loveliness. It is such as could be written only by a woman of a highly cultivated mind. On the descendants of "the Pilgrims,"and where in this country are the descendants of the Pilgrims not to be found?-she has a peculiar claim of gratitude, from the noble verses which she has consecrated to their memory. "The editor of this publication has gladly undertaken it, from a wish to put into the hands of a greater number of readers, poetry so beautiful, and so adapted to excite high moral sentiment. He has however a further object,-a desire to transmit to the authoress some expression of the respect and admiration in which she is held in this country. He has therefore proposed to publish the work by subscription. The whole profit will be transmitted to her." Statistics of South Corolina. Robert Mills, Esq. of South Carolina, has prepared for the press a work, entitled "Statistics of the State of South Carolina, including a View of its Natural, Physical, Civil, and Military History, general and particular." The work is to be published in the autumn, and is intended to serve as an appendix to Mills's Atlas of the State. Bishop Hobart's Discourse. John Miller, we perceive, has in press, in London, the Discourse delivered in Trinity Church, New York, October, 1825, by Bishop Hobart, on "The United States of America, compared with some European countries, particularly England." Slavery in Great Britain. There have lately been meetings in different places in Great Britain, to petition parliament for the gradual abolition of slavery. All Christian people and governments seem bound to keep this object constantly in view. The Emperor Nicholas. There is much speculation among the politicians of Europe, as to the course which the emperor Nicholas will probably pursue, especially towards Greece. He is not very ambitious, nor much of a military character. He will probably follow the policy of his late brother Alexander; and will be advised by his ministers. Vesuvius. A fresco painting lately discovered at Pompeii, represents Vesuvius in a state of eruption. It would seem from this painting, that the mountain was formerly higher than at present. Columbus. There is now printing at Madrid, the "Voyage of C. Columbus," from his own papers, by Bishop Las Casas; and W. Irving is said to be preparing a translation, following pari passu the original work. Manuscripts relating to South America. It is supposed that there are several valuable manuscrips in libraries in Spain, relating to Mexico and South America, never yet published. They would probably afford useful information respecting the condition of Mexico when first visited by the Spaniards in 1520. New Play. Mr Payne, a native of Boston, has lately written a new Play, called "The French Libertine." The British critics are severe in their remarks upon it. British Works in Press. The following works were announced as in the press in England, on the first of March. "Historical Discourses in the Book of Genesis," by the Rev. F. Close. "Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Ireland." "New Theory of the Earth." "Biblical Researches, and Travels in Russia, Tour in the Crimea, and the Passage of the Caucasus, State of Jews in these places, and also of Mahometans and Pagans," by the Rev. Dr Henderson. The writer of this volume is a learned and judicious man, and the work is said to be interesting. "Brambletye House, or Cavaliers and Roundheads, a Historical Novel, referring to the time of Cromwell and Charles II." by the Author of "Rejected Addresses." The dispute between Mr Roscoe and the Rev. Mr Bowles continues, respecting the merits of Pope, as a poet. The latter has recently published a reply to Mr Roscoe. NEW PUBLICATIONS. EDUCATION. Reflections on the proposed plan for establishing a College in Philadelphia, in which English Literature, the Sciences, and the Liberal Arts shall be taught; and for admission into which, no Prerequisite of having learned the Latin and Greek shall be necessary. By M. Carey. Second edition, improved. Philadelphia. H. C. Carey & I. Lea. 1826. 8vo. pp. 22. A plan has been suggested for establishing in Philadelphia a Seminary, in which it is proposed to teach, "Grammar and Belles Lettres-Arithmetic-MathematicsGeography-History-Chronology-Natural Philosophy, including Mechanics and Astronomy-Chemistry, and Mineralogy. The principles of Perspective-Mechanical and Architectural Drawing; also the French and Spanish and German Languages." The projectors of the institution at first proposed to exclude the "dead languages;' but afterwards, in order to "obviate objections," they so modified their plan as to suffer them to be taught to those who might wish to acquire them. At a meeting of citizens, called for the purpose, the plan, an outline of which is given above, was adopted, and a board of trustees were chosen, to appoint professors and establish the regulations of the institution. The project has, however, met with some opposition from the friends and advocates of "classical learning," as containing a reflection upon its value in a course of disciplinary education. We think the friends of the proposed institution have made rather an unfortunate misnomer in calling it a college;" and thereby have excited a prejudice against the plan, which would not otherwise have arisen. It must be remembered, that the advocates of classical learning, we mean both those who contend for it as an acquisition, and those who support its claims on the safer ground of utility as a wholesome discipline to the expanding mind, have generally received their education in the colleges, where a large proportion of time is devoted to that subject. And they can no more conceive of a college without "Latin and Greek," than a world without a sun. Without entering at all upon the comparative value of the "dead languages," and the branches proposed to be taught in this institution, as parts of a course of education, we believe no one would have thought of opposing a High School, devoted exclusively to the sciences, modern languages, and the practical arts, especially when there are so many institutions, both private and public, devoted almost exclusively to the ancient languages. And if the institution about to be established at Philadelphia, had been called by any name by which similar institutions in other parts of the country are designated, as a High School, or an Institute, or a Lyceum, or any thing but a College, we are persuaded, that it would not have suffered persecution; and certainly it could not have been hailed with such enthusiasm by its friends as a modern invention, which is "to spread like wild-fire" through every part of the Union. An Oration, delivered at the dedication of Thaxter's Academy, in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, November 29th, 1825. Also, a Hymn, composed for the occasion. By Leavitt Thaxter. New Bedford. 8vo. pp. 11. The subject of this Oration, is, of course, the importance of education. Without containing any very new or original ideas, it may have been useful in exciting interest in the subject; and particularly in drawing attention to the new Academy at Edgartown. The following is the concluding and best paragraph in the pamphlet: "Though labouring under many disadvantages from our isolated situation; yet we have wealth, mental, intellectual wealth, which is not surpassed by any town in the Union. And shall we permit this invaluable gift of Heaven, this richest gem, to lie unwrought and unpolished, as mere stepping-stones on which others may climb to affluence and to honour? No, my friends; let us diligently and faithfully improve the talents committed to our trust. To this end, let us promote the diffusion of Knowledge, Wisdom, and Virtue, by giving to our Youth such an education as will qualify them for honour and usefulness in whatever station they may be called to act; then shall "our sons be as plants grown up in their youth, and our daughters as cornerstones polished after the similitude of a palace;" then shall our memories be embalmed with the blessings of posterity, when our bodies shall have mouldered in the silent grave. Eighth Annual Report of the Controllers of the Public Schools of the First School District of the State of Pennsylvania; with their Accounts. Philadelphia. 1826. 8vo. pp. 15. We wish it were more common to put such interesting and valuable public documents as this in a pamphlet form, for preservation. We shall take occasion soon to notice it, as its merits and importance deserve, in connexion with the general provisions for public instruction in the State of Pensylvania. GEOGRAPHY. A Geographical Description of the United States, with the contiguous Countries, including Mexico and the West Indies; intended as an accompaniment to Melish's Map of these Countries. By John Melish. A new edition, greatly improved. New York. A. T. Goodrich. History of the War of the America. By Charles Botta. HISTORY. Independence of the United States of |