LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; By O. L. HOLLEY, New York, Coolidge & Brother, 1850. We have perused this volume with the highest interest and gratification. Before we sat down to read it, we had entertained the impression that all had been said and written, with reference to the life of this great patriot, statesman and philosopher, that could be gleaned from the archives of the past, or the recollections of the present. But we fouud ourselves mistaken. Mr. HOLLEY has presented his subject in an entirely new and interesting light. He has brought be fore us the boy Franklin as he was in the tallow chandler's shop of his father, and traced, step by step, the gradual and systematic formation of his character, and the means by which he attained a manhood of distinction, greatness and comprehensive utility. The narrative possesses all the grace and interest of fiction, and we know of no work we would sooner put into the hands of the rising generation, for the inculcation of virtuous principles, industrious habits, and sound ideas of political economy. No school library should be without it, and we especially commend it to parents and heads of families. DOMESTIC HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; By Mrs. E. F. ELLET, New York, Baker & Scribner, 1850. This is an exceedingly valuable contribution to our Revolutionary Annals; and the author is especially entitled to the thanks of her fair country-women for rescuing their active participation in the scenes of those perilous and eventful times from the effacing hand of time. Many of the incidents recorded in this interesting volume are now for the first time, brought before the public eye, and have been derived from the most authentic and reliable channels. The entire work is well worthy of perusal. It is a noble and truthful record of the domestic history of the Revolution, so far as the materials could be obtained from which such a record might be faithfully compiled. Mrs. ELLET is a very pleasing writer; the subject in her hands possesses all the interest and attraction of romance; and we trust she may be encouraged by the public appreciation of this work to continue her researches in this interesting field of labor. The book is one admirably adapted to the purposes of our District Libraries; and we cordially and cheerfully recommend it to the favorable regard of parents, teachers and school officers. POLITENESS.-Be polite. A clergyman once said it was beneath the dignity of a Christian to be a gentleman. His practice was consistent with his principle. Rude in feelings and uncultivated in manners, he trampled on all the civilities of life, and rendered himself almost universally obnoxious. Though every man cannot be acquainted with the rules of highly refined society, no one is excusable for being harsh and rude, and uncivil. He who has a heart glowing with kindness and good-will towards his fellow-men, and who is guided in the exercise of these feelings by good common-sense, is the truly polite man. Politeness does not consist in wearing a white silk glove, and in gracefully lifting your hat as you meet an acquaintance-it does not consist in artificial smiles and flattering speech, but in sincere and honest desires to promote the happiness of those around you-in the readiness to sacrifice your own ease and comfort to the enjoyments of others. The poor Negro women who found Mungo Park perishing under the palm trees of Africa, and who led him to their hut, and supplied him with food, and lulled him to sleep with their simple songs, were genuinely polite. They addressed him in the languageof kindness and sympathy, they led him tenderly to their home, and did all in their power to revive his drooping spirits True politeness is a virtue of the understanding and of the heart. It is not like the whited sepulchre, or like Sodom's far-famed fruit. There are no rules for the exercise of this virtue more correct and definite than Brown University at Providence. The 125,000 dollars necessary to complete the new organizatition, in accordance with the plan of President Wayland, has been subscribed, all but one thous and dollars. The following are the sources of instruction, to which others may be added as a demand for them shall arise, which are to be given: 1. A course of instruction in the Latin Language and Literature. 2. In the Greek Language and Literature. 3. In the Modern Languages. 4. In Mathematics. 5. In Natural Philosophy. 6. In Civil Engineering. 7. In Chemistry and Physiology. 8. In the English Language and Literature, and Rhetoric and Oratory. 9. In Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. 10. In History and Political Economy. 11. In Didactics, or the Theory and Practice of Teaching. 12. In the application of Chemistry to the Arts. 13. In the Theory and Practice of Agriculture. 14. A Law School shall be established as soon as the funds of the Institution shall render it practicable. The above are to be so arranged as to enable a student to direct his attention to any single course, for one term or a year, or any portion of time deemed best. Candidates for degrees may pursue the studies necessary to obtain these degrees a longer or shorter time, according as they may be able to prepare themselves for the required examination. The regular degrees to be conferred are Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy, and Master of Arts. The first is designed for those who propose entering the different professions, and yet do not wish to pursue a full course of literary education. The degree of Bachelor of Philosophy is to be conferred on those who have become proficient in two modern languages, the mathematics of two years in English literature and three other courses of one year each. Some modifications of these requisites for this degree may be inade at the option of the student. The degree of Master of Arts is to be conferred only upon those who have gone through a liberal course of study: a course which may be accomplished in a few years, and yet be advantageously pursued for a greater length of time. No Masters' degree are hereafter to be conferred in course, as heretofore, upon any individual who has been out of College three years. There are to be two terms in the collegiate yearthe first commencing on the first Friday of September, those laid down in the New Testament. There is no book of politeness comparable with the Bible. Let us examine and continuing for twenty weeks, after which there is some of these directions. "Love your enemies; bless to be a vacation of four weeks. The second term is them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; to commence on the fourth Friday of February, and and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. See that you love one another with a pure continue twenty weeks, after which there is to be a heart fervently. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor. vacation of eight weeks. By love serve one another,-Abbott, RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK. THE PILLARS of HERCULES; or, a Narrative of Travels in Spain and Morocco in 1848. By DAVID URQUHART, Esq., M.P. 2 vols. 12mo, Paper, $1 40; Muslin, $1 70. NEANDER'S LIFE of CHRIST, in its Historical Connection and its Historical Developments. Translated from the Fourth German Edition, by Professors M'CLINTOCK and BLUMENTHAL, of Dickinson College. 8vo, Sheep extra, $2 25; Muslin, $200. CHALMERS' LIFE and WRITINGS. By his Son-in-Law, Rev. WILLIAM HANNA, LL.D. 3 vols. 12mo, Paper, 75 cents per Vol.; Muslin, $1 00 per Vol. SOUTHEY'S LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE. Edited by his Son, Rev. CHARLES CUTHBERT SOUTHEY, A.M. To be completed in Six Parts, 8vo, Paper, 25 cents each. LIFE and LETTERS of THOMAS CAMPBELL. Edited by WILLIAM BEATTIE, M.D. With an Introductory Letter, by WASHINGTON IRVING, Esq. Portrait. 2 vols. 12mo, Muslin, $2 50. THE CONQUEST of CANADA. By WARBURTON. 2 vols. 12mo, Paper, $1 40; Muslin, $1 70. PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE of the REPUBLIC. By A. DE LAMARTINE. 12mo, Paper, 37 cents ; Muslin, 50 cents. DR. JOHNSON: his RELIGIOUS LIFE and DEATH By the Author of "Dr. Hookwell." 12mo, Muslin, $100. HISTORY of DARIUS the GREAT. By JACOB ABBOTT. With an Illuminated Title-Page, and numerous Engravings. 16mo, Muslin, 60 cents; Muslin, gilt edges, 75 cents. CARLYLE'S LATTER-DAY PAMPHLETS, comprising "The Present Time," "Model Prisons," "Downing Street," "The New Downing Street," "Stump-Orator," "Parliaments," "Hudson's Statue," "Jesuitism." 12mo, Muslin, 50 cents. College and School Books. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE in its Elements and Forms. With a History of its Origin and Development, with a full Grammar. By WILLIAM C. FOWLER, late Professor of Rhetoric in Amherst College. 8vo, Muslin. (Nearly ready.) A GREEK and ENGLISH LEXICON of the NEW TESTAMENT. A new Edition, revised, and in great part rewritten. By EDWARD ROBINSON, D.D., LL.D. Royal 8vo, Sheep, $4 75. (Nearly ready.) ELEMENTS of NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. By ALONZO GRAY, A.M. With 360 Illustrations. 12mo, Muslin, 70 cents; Sheep, 75 cents. MORSE'S PICTORIAL SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. With Engravings and Maps. 4to, 50 cents. A DICTIONARY of the ENGLISH LANGUAGE. BY NOAH WEBSTER, LL.D. A new Edition, revised and enlarged, by C. A. GOODRICH, D.D. 8vo, Sheep, $3 50. A SECOND BOOK in GREEK, containing Syntax, with Reading Lessons in Prose; Prosody and the Dialects, with Reading Lessons in Verse; forming a sufficient Greek Read er. By JOHN M'CLINTOCK, D.D. 12mo, Muslin, 75 cents. (For Dr. M'Clintock's other works, see the Publishers' new Illustrated Catalogue.) LIDDELL and SCOTT'S new GREEK and ENGLISH LEXICON. Based on the German Work of PASSOW With Additions, &c., by HENRY DRISLER, A.M. Royal 8vo, Sheep extra, $5 00. RIDDLE and ARNOLD'S ENGLISH-LATIN LEXICON. Founded on the German-Latin Dictionary of Dr. C E. GEORGES. First American Edition, revised, and containing a copious Dictionary of Proper Names, by CHARLES ANTHON, LL.D. Royal 8vo, Sheep extra, $3 00. A LATIN-ENGLISH LEXICON, from the new German Work of Dr. FREUND. With important Additions, by AIDS to ENGLISH COMPOSITION. BY RICH- Professor ANDREWS. Royal 8vo. (Nearly ready.) ARD G. 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(See the Publishers' Illustrated Catalogue.) ANTHON'S LATIN and GREEK TEXTBOOKS, embracing a full Course. (See the Publishers' Illustrated Catalogue.) LOOMIS'S MATHEMATICAL SERIES. (See the Publishers' new Illustrated Catalogue.) HACKLEY'S ALGEBRA and GEOMETRY. (See the Publishers' new Illustrated Catalogue.) DRAPER'S CHEMISTRY and NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. (See the Publishers' Illustrated Catalogue.) UPHAM'S WORKS on MENTAL PHILOSOPHY. (See the Publishers' new Illustrated Catalogue.) RENWICK'S CHEMISTRY, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, &c. (See the Publishers' Illustrated Catalogue.) For other valuable Works on Education, &c., see the Publishers' new Illustrated Catalogue. THE DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. VOL. XI.] The Choice.. ALBANY, DECEMBER, 1850. "Tis not to mortals given While passing through the throng way of life And had we power to choose This then is wisdom's part To bear with patience ills we cannot shun, Yet, since you ask, my friend, It matters less the place Where life's brief visionary days are spent, Still would I wish a home For rich the joys which cluster round that spot; For there are friends most true, Hearts bound by tender and endearing ties; [NO. IX. The gifted sons of song- Above all books be mine Through life's short shadowy way, Miscellany. A TOUR THROUGH EUROPE. X. H. To begin at the begining, the pre-requisites to the journey are money and a passport-the latter not one whit less indespensible than the former. The amount of funds required depends, of course, almost entirely on the style you adopt. If you play passably on the fiddle, or have mastered the artistic intricacies of the hand organ, you may sally forth, like Goldsmith, and earn more or less pleasantly, your food and lodging. You may travel on foot, I say, like Pythagoras and Horace and Goldsmith, or you may take the diligence, or better still, you may take your own coach, like Milord Auglais, and travel post. This last method, is, of course, the most expensive, though at the same time, infinitely the most comfortable. The rich Englishman brings his heavy family carriage, by steamer, to Calais or Boulogne, and proceeds thence with relays of horses,-established by government along all the public roads-or by means of the railroad or steamboat as best suits his fancy. A courier pre ceeds him, arranging all bargains with the post-masters, hotel-keepers, steamboat captains, and so forth, Yet should the friends of home, though dear, be few and generally contriving to extort from them a re And those selected from the good and wise. The vain licentious throng Who love the revels of unhallowed mirth, These my retreat would shun For more congenial haunts. Yet, when the care In convers sweet to spend ward for his patronage. This reward is given after all, by the Englishman, himself. Then he contrives to gain a per-centage on every purchase which he makes for his master, the per-centage, of course being char. ged, under some form or other, in the bill. I would not accuse the couriers of dishonesty; it is the custom of the country, generally understood by all parties. It is difficult to estimate the expense of this method of travelling, as may naturally be inferred from the above. Those expenses depend also on the number of horses required. The average price is fr Sifty to seventy-five cents for each animal. In mountainous countries, as in Switzerland, you are compelled to use extra horses, or else, as among the Appenines, an occasional team of oxen. In the ordinary mode of travelling by diligence and railroad and steamboat, I think that ninety dollars a month, should cover every necessary expense. I presume the traveller to be a gentleman unattended by lady companions. If he can indulge in that heaven sent luxury of an intellectual female friend, let him do so, by all means. One day, I'll never forget it when looking at a rich picture in the Medicis gallery, I heard, all at once behind me a sweet voice which there was no mistaking for anything but American It was criticising the same painting and positively I discovered more delicate beauties during the next three minutes, than the preceeding half hour's study had been able to detect. The lady soon passed on, leaning npon the arm of her friend. I followed a long while with my eys the blessed pair, and when they disappeared, I declare I never felt so desolate, so emphatically 'blue' in all my life. I had thoughts of returning instamtly to Leghorn and embarking in the first American ship that offered itself. first. Haub inexpertus loquor. There is no vanity more thoroughly contemptible than that of 'showing off, before fellow-travellers, and when ten dollars produce all the requisites that fifteen otherwise laid out, can do, what supreme folly to forego the gain. Foot travelling in Switzerland costs about nine or ten shillings a day. As to the matter of carrying the funds nothing can surpass in simplicity and safety, the plan of the circular letters of credit, now generally adopted on the continent. Your American bankers give you credit on some great house in the port at which you land, or in London or Paris. This house gives you a letter, addressed to bankers in all the considerable towns on your proposed route, upoh whom you may draw just such amounts as suit your own convenience. Thus, with the letter of credit in your money belt, 'payable to order" and only a few franks in your pocket, you feel as independent as a lazzarone. When the silly pandit has done searching your pockets, you may fillip his nose, knock his hat down over his eyes, and whistle 'Yankee Doodle.' A passport, as I said before, is as indispensable as gold. An acquaintance of mine was about to start from Venice for Trieste, and requested me to secure But if you will travel on ninety dollars a month, his place on board the steamer. I strolled down to you must travel alone, or with a like minded male the office, and after the clerk had registered the name companion. Let me tell you, too, how you may trav- and destination I threw upon the counter the requisel still more cheaply, and with much more intellectu-ite amount of gold pieces. He took them up, and al profit. Remain among the French long enough to immediately asked me for 'the passport.' acquire fluency in their language-French, is like music, understood and used every where-and in travelling seek exclusively the company of foreigners, natives of the country. Above all things, avoid the English. 'My friend will be here in a half-hour,' answered I. He coolly returned the money, closed the little glass window upon me; and probably erased the gentleman's name-whence we may deduce that the passport should always be retained about the person. I was travelling in a hired carriage, from Bologna to Padua, in company with a Danish officer and his lady, when having crossed the Po, there the frontier of the Austrian dominions, we drove into the customhouse, and descended to undergo the customary inspection. We were busily engaged in spreading open the trunks and hat-boxes and portmanteaux, lying in confusion upon the low, broad table, till a gendarme ap Many hotel keepers on the continent have two distinct prices; one for the generous and 'gullible' Englishman, and the other-from a fifth to a third less-for the inhabitant of the country or the travelling Frenchman. The native of the country, too, conducts you to hotels or private boarding houses, fully as comfortable and not one half so extravagant as the favorites of the guide book. Besides, you are all this time learning his language and method of thought, and gathering a thousand facts, that other-pearing at a side door, beckoned me to enter the priwise would never have been suggested, You'll have many a dull hour in this voluntary isolation from fellow-counrymen, but its advantages are too great to be neglected. A young man should travel thus for about seventy dollars a month, and that, too, without the sacrifice of a single comfort. When the country is interesting and the weather fine, take a seat on top of the diligence-in the banquette. It is the cheapest and infinitely the best. Engage it some days in advance. In Italy, there is no banquette on the coach, and generally all places cost alike. The front apartments are given to the first comers. In steamers of the Mediterranean, or European rivers generally, the second class of passengers is in all essentials as well provided for as the vate office. I followed him, and found myself before a very high desk, behind which sat two quite sternlooking functionaries. "Your passport has no Austrian signature upon it,' said the short man in a very snuffy voice. 'I'm sorry, but we can't take the responsibility of allowing you to pass.' Well, that is a fact! said I to myself, and my heart dropped down to my boots at the thought. ,Ma che! What's to be done? I've paid my fare to Padua, anq, if you refuse me passage, I must lose that money and the society of my friends and must return to Ferrara, to waste the coming week in waiting for your Ambassador's signature.' 'Can't help it. Why didn't you get it at Floremce?' 'Why, the blundering valet told me that as I passed through the Roman states before entering your's there sailors; play 'shuffles' with perfect desperation, eat was no necessity for it.' 'Can't help it.' 'Neither can I. But you don't mean to say that I must return to Ferrara, do you?' Here my Danish friend entered and opened upon the other dignitary. After receiving several repeated and point blank refusals, we finally succeeded together, in 'bluffling' them out of their determination. They consulted a moment and then the man with a snuffy voice, after registering most carefully the peculiarities of my person and passport, enveloped the latter with a long epistle to the authorities of the next town; and sealing it in a half dozen places with the broad seal of the government, he gave the package to the driver instead of myself, with instructions to deliver it to the gendarme of the Rovigo custom house. As we drove along, my friends innocently strove to amuse me with accounts of travellers who had suffered detentions of various length and character. An English family, a short time before, had been under guard at Ferrara for three entire weeks, because its passport lacked the import and autograph. The officers of Rovigo, however are 'gentlemen and scholars,' Upon hearing my explanation, they endorsed readily my papers; simply adding 'that on arrival in Venice, the bearer should present himself before the police.' The bearer' left the Venitian police to present itself to him if it thought proper, and escaped all farther molestation. From all which we may deduce that a passport is as valuable as gold, and brass sometimes more valuable than either. The best method of securing a passport is to write to the representative of your district at Washington, or to some friend there, giving in the letter a description of your person. The Secretary of State furnishes the passport gratis. Take just as few clothes as you can possibly do with. If you propose to fit youiself in Paris, don't patronise the Palais Royal. Or if you do, don't offer them more than two thirds of the price asked, for fear they'll take it on the instant. You might as well travel with a baby as with one of the ordinary. American trunks. The extra charge will ruin you. Get a leather one, of the greatest possible lightness conssstent with strength. In the diligence and rail-roads, they ask freight prices for all weight above thirty pounds. use. A good pocket compass is frequently of very great Indeed, it is almost indispensible in studying the topography of a town, as you invariably do in these countries, from the cathedral tower. Now, prepared to start, your first step is the choice of a packet. For the outward passage, the ordinary sail packets are universaly preferred to the steamer; for the homeward trip by all means take one of the latter. The opposition on the Liverpool route has reduced the rate in the regular old lines to eighty-five dollars. The Black Star line, in which are found some of the swiftest ships that run the Atlantic, affords a first class passage for sixty-five or seventy dollrrs. A transient vessel will carry you at even less price. The same remarks apply to the London lines. Finally, if you are a physician, you may secure a first class berth for nothing, particularly if the vessel carry steerage passengers. The Havre companies have hitherto maintained their price inexorably at one hundred dollars. The new steamers, however, will reduce that somewhat extravagant demand. Before embarking, provide yourself with a score or two of oranges and a half a drum of figs. When sea sickness puts his grim phiz in at the cabin door, just dodge him and rush upon deck. Pull ropes with the just as soon and as voraciously as you possibly can, whether you retain your food or not. Bluff off the billious old villain, and then make yourself useful in caring for the ladies. I may hereafter prepare some hints on a preparae tery course of reading which a traveller might pursu before commencing a European tour. Yours, L'A BEAR GULF AND HOWE'S CAVE. On Tuesday morning, 13th Aug. 1850, accompanied by Col. Goodrich, of the 87th Regiment N. Y. S. M., I started from the village of Davenport, Delaware County, for the purpose of visiting a cavern, located in Schoharie County, and commonly known as Howe's Cave, from Lester Howe, its discoverer. Our route, for the first ten miles, was to be through the valley of the Charlotte, a branch of the Susquehannah. After proceeding about two miles, a sudden turn of the road brought to view the ACADEMY of the Rev. S. D. Ferguson, situated in the midst of an extended flat, which affords every desirable advantage for corporeal instruction. As we neared the Academy, the young ladies and gentlemen were seen scattered here and there, engaged in athletic sports, and seemed to enjoy themselves right heartily. This institution has over one hundred pupils, and appears to be in a most flourishing condition. It is spoken of for many miles round, as being conducted in a most efficient manner. I was deprived of the pleasure, subsequently, of visiting the class rooms, (the school having been dismissed for the day when I called) ye from what I saw, I concluded that should any student fail to derive benefit by his attendance, the censure would attach to himself alone. Leaving Fergusonville, we continued to ascend the valley; and, crossing the line into Otsego County, we soon reached S. Worcester. An hour more, and we were in the busy, thriving village of SUMMIT, FOUR CORNERS, in Schoharie Co. It is situated near the crown of the ridge of hills separating the valley of the Charlotte from that of the Cobleskill. There are cross roads at this place, whence the adjunct-Four Corners. While waiting here for dinner, the Col. introduced me to I. W. Baird, Esq., one of the oldest and most substantial residents of this place. By him, we were very cordially received, and hearing that we were adventurous spirits in pursuit of the wonderful, he advised us to visit a stupendous gulf in the vicinity, giving assurence that we would be well paid for our delay, and, as an ear |