ORIGINAL TALE.

LINA WOOD;

and setting up chairs and tables with true housewifely industry and neatness.

Mrs. Wood, an only daughter, married an engra

Or, “Where there is a Will there is a Way," ver by trade, a man with a consumptive turn and a

BY MISS LUCY A. RANDALL.

delicate constitution, who, being naturally ambitious, applied himself so closely to his art as to seriously injure his health, and in less than two years after his marriage he was obliged to leave town, in consequence of his fast declining health. Mrs. Wood's mother, a fine old woman with a mild face and silvery hair, with her usual kindness invited her dearly beloved children to share her happy little home with her. It was gladly accepted; but the disease of Mr. Wood was so deep-seated and had gained such ground by his neglect, that all efforts to uproot it were in vain, and before he had been a year in the house of his mother-in-law he died, leaving his wife and an infant daughter, the “little Lina" of our story, nearly penniless, for, as Grand

not help her children much. However, they did not 66 sit down and fold their hands" but arose from the death-bed of the dear departed one, with a resolution to maintain themselves honorably and creditably so long as health remained to them, which they had every reason to suppose would yet bless them for a long time.

"The clock has struck eight, Lina, and I think they have done breakfast at the Seminary; and now I wish you to go and get the clothes for me to wash, for the young ladies always like to have them by the middle of the week, and I want to get them done as soon as possible, so as to go out blackberrying with you as much as I can, for Grandma needs some more yarn, and besides I would like to get you a nice pair of India-rubber overshoes to walk in, all next winter, when you are going after the clothes." For a moment little Lina lingered over a worn old history, coverless and tattered; and then went to put it on a little bookshelf filled with other lit-ma had no property but her little cottage, she could tle books of very much the same stamp, which had been given her by the young ladies at the seminary to which her mother alluded. Lina was a bright, lively little girl and always did willingly whatever her mother wished to have her do, otherwise she would have been extremely reluctant to leave her book, as she was passionately fond of reading. She went to one corner of the little room and took down her pink sunbonnet and a little wicker basket for the clothes, and ran out to the tiny patch of ground in front of the house, which was dignified by the title of garden, and gathered a large bunch of fragrant pinks and blue larkspurs for Mrs. Davison, the principal of the Seminary, and set off with a face almost as bright as the blossoms she carried. The house was a very small one with only three but that did not much matter, as there were only Mrs. Wood, her aged mother and little Lina living in it, but it was as neat as a palace. Their parlor and kitchen, both in one room, was covered with a neat rag carpet (made by their own hands), and plain white curtains hung before the windows. By one of them sat Grandma, knitting in a little old chair which looked as though it might have come over in the May-Flower, but the dear old lady had renewed its seat by weaving in strips of list; a new way, some may think, but "Necessity is the mother of invention." A high, old fashioned clock stood opposite the door with its hands pointing to five min-itive want? I will tell you, reader. utes past eight o'clock, and a quaint small looking glass corresponded in fashion to the clock and chair. Three other chairs stood around, and a tortoise shell cat lay purring in the sunshine at the open door, for full and warm poured in the rays of the morning Two or three pigeons flew about among the vines and flowers in the garden, and now and then one saucy fellow would fly right into the room and pick the crumbs from the breakfast table, glancing the while with one of his bright eyes at Grandma and Mrs. Wood, and then flutter out again. Meanwhile Mrs. Wood moved around arranging the room

rooms,

sun.

The city being near them Mrs. Wood offered her services as washerwoman to a seminary therein, which were accepted, and by this means she supported her mother, little Lina and herself. Dear Grandma had now nearly lost her sight, but she would still knit, both for the family and to sell, for she was a quick and beautiful knitter; she was never idle, and fully sympathized in her daughter's habits of industry and horror of charity, and though not able to be of as much use as she could wish, she was yet a dear and indispensable member of the loving family. In this situation little Lina was a truly useful and beloved help to both Mother and Grandma; she would bring the articles of clothing from the seminary, and go blackberrying for money to get yarn for Grandma's knitting, and sell the stockings already knit, and do a thousand odd jobs about the house. Notwithstanding the many little duties she had, she could still find time to read. But how did she get her books, when the united earnings of the family only just sufficed to keep them above pos

One bright summer's day little Lina was up at the Seminary after the clothes, and was passing through the yard well laden with them, when an old stray leaf of a book presented itself to her view, as it lay upon the grass at her feet. She instantly took it up and began to read it. As she stood there unconscious of all but the book-leaf, in her interest in its contents, Mrs. Davison, the principal of the seminary, came to the door and quickly noticed her. She stepped to her side and stood there a moment unobserved by the child. At length she touched her gently and said:

Great was the joy which the little astronomy created throughout the humble dwelling! Grandma almost clapped her hands for joy, and Mother smiled gladly as she turned over the leaves, and thought of the pleasure and information that little Lina would derive from it, and as for the child herself she kissed first Grandma, then Mother, and then Pussy in her transports of joy! And now every evening, when Mother sewed and Grandma knit, Lina would read Each one was treas-aloud to them out of her little book, and the starry heavens looked more and more beautiful to her as she advanced further into the mazes of this science.

"Do you love to read," asked Mrs. Davison kindly. Lina bashfully hung her head as she answered in the affirmative. The lady went on to question her as to what she read, and how far she could read, and many other questions, and ended by giving her an old worn book. Nothing could now equal Lina's pleasure. The book was her daily companion, and she soon made herself mistress of its contents. Many other little old books were given her by Mrs. Davison and the young ladies. ured, and perused over and over again, as though it were so much gold, and so it was to the little child. But to return to our story.

One sunny summer evening, not long after this, When little Lina arrived at the seminary, the the whole family were agreeably surprised at a visit young ladies, always glad to see their bright-eyed from kind Mrs. Davison herself. She was made trupet, came around her as usual. Mrs. Davison kind-ly welcome, for they all loved her, because of the ly received the flowers and gave her in return a lit-good she had done little Lina in giving her so many tle astronomy, which she had found for her. Lina's books. Mrs. Davison pleased the child greatly by face brightened as she gazed at the pictures. her admiration of the little plot of flowers which was the care of Lina alone, and which indeed deserved praise well. After a little conversation she said,

"Oh! Mrs. Davison," said she, "does this pretty book tell about the moon, and the sun, and all the beautiful stars that I see every night?"

Yes, my child," said Mrs. Davison, "and if you will read it through carefully it will give you a great many new and valuable ideas."

"If I will read it carefully! Oh! Mrs. Davison, I shall so love it. I am sure I shall read it over and over again. I have longed often to know all about the stars and comets. How kind you are to me!"

means.

Mrs. Davison smiled musingly as the glad words of the child reached her ear; she was thinking that perhaps Lina would thrive at her seminary, and she almost loved the innocent amiable child who strove so earnestly to win an education with such limited "She is certainly tractable and mild," thought she, “and I know would gladly avail herself of such an opportunity of improving her mind; and then how pleasant it would be to her mother to think that her little child was daily gaining what is more than gold—a good education. Yes, I certainly will give the scheme serious thought."

"I have called, Mrs. Wood, for the purpose of offering to take Lina into my school as a free scholar; I think that if you could spare her she would improve greatly, as she seems to be an apt scholar and to love reading."

For a moment Mrs. Wood was silent! Oh what a

beautiful prospect opened to her mind's eye as she heard the words of Mrs. Davison. She was now to

have the earnest and sole wish of her spirit granted, and it was to have her darling child well educated. Then she thanked Mrs. Davison in tones which fully expressed the deep and fervent thankfulness of her soul. Grandma too expressed her gratitude with true eloquence, and as for little Lina, she could only, throw her arms around Mrs. Davison, and kiss her over and over again.

Lina entered the school, and, as her friend had She strove to expected, maintained herself well. improve the golden opportunity, and she did improve it, and in two years she held the well deserved station of the best scholar in the school. When she had gone through all the studies of Mrs. Davison's school and obtained an education which embraced both the solid and ornamental qualifications, her kind benefactress obtained for her the lucrative situation of teacher in a neighboring institution, her

She was roused from her meditations by the sweet voice of little Lina, who with her basket of clothes on her arm and the book snugly packed away in one corner of her basket, had come to bid her good bye. Mrs. Davison smilingly kissed her and bade her good bye, and away she sprang with her heart as light as a feather. As soon as she reached her hum-own being full. She succeeded so well that her ble door she joyously exclaimed,

rep

utation as a skillful and thorough teacher rapidly increased, and when Mrs. Davison, "full of years and honors," at length resigned her place of Principal of the celebrated Institute, it was filled by the "little Lina," now a beautiful and highly accomplished woman.

Three years after, if you had travelled in those parts, you could not have helped noticing a beautiful, and yet unobtrusive mansion, with rich and handsome grounds surrounding it, a little way out of the city. There it was that Mrs. Wood, her aged

mother, and Miss Caroline Wood, the Principal of knowledge. The communication of this knowledge, the far-famed Institution, resided.

he affirmed to be alike the debt of the State, and of every member of it, for the young, the poor, and the neglected, that they in their matured responsibility, might form, each in his place, a good part of the so

Thus by unfailing industry and passionate love of reading, assisted by a firm determination to learn, Lina, the daughter of the poor washerwoman, placed herself and her friends in a situation of almost per-cial edifice. All this he taught with deep conviction, fect happiness. The moral of my little story, dear reader, is that all situations, all obstacles and all troubles, may be overcome if you have but the firm and unwavering intention of so doing. "Where there is a will there is a way."

with earnest zeal, and with brotherly kindness, and Christian charity.

Some of Mr. Foster's admirable remarks on the philosophy of education, selected from his journal, may afford useful hints to those who educate themselves, or who are called to educate others. Milton believed that the divine spirit does

"Prefer

For the District School Journal. JOHN FOSTER. Among books of recent appearance, is the Life and Before all temples, the upright man and pure." Correspondence of John Foster. Mr. Foster has "It seems," said Foster, "to prefer for the subjects been before the world as the author of certain essays, of its operations, the class of minds that are previfor more than forty years. The essay on Decision of ously taught and influenced by education, and by Character, and others of a highly moral character, attention to knowledge." We must understand by have placed him in the rank most desirable to a wise influence of the spirit, some communication from and benevolent man. "Noah, a preacher of right- above, that purifies and exalts our nature. To make eousness," was the noble description of an ancient pa- the human soul fit for the reception of such influence, triarch. Foster, though preaching was his profes-is the great design of all education, let what will be sion, taught, under other forms, lessons of truth and said, or presumed to the contrary. We are fellowvirtue, which have had great influence in enlighten-workers with God when we furnish others, or ouring mankind in regard to their best interests, and selves, to good works; and this furnishing is intelliwhich deserve to be kept in remembrance. gent means, good principles; careful discrimination between wrong and right. Mr. Foster says,

Mr. Foster is memorable for the interest he took in the subject of popular education, before it had come extensively before the world. He was born in a very troubled condition of life, the son of a handloom weaver, in Yorkshire, England. His parents were dissenters of the Baptist connection, and the son was educated after their faith, though in after life he did not rigidly adhere to their tenets. He began early to assist his parents in their humble employment, but certain manifestations of talent observable in him, disposed his father, a sensible and pious man, to procure for him the education suitable for the ministers of his denomination. Mr. Foster preached in different parts of Ireland and England; | in the latter part of his life he was connected with a small congregation at Downend, near Bristol, where he died in 1843.

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Every day I am struck with the wretched appearance and coarse manners of the populace. (This was in England: but large towns in all countries, and the rural districts in many, exhibit multitudes in the same deplorable condition.) How most astonishing is it that the Creator should have placed so many millions of the creatures he has endowed with noble faculties, or the seeds of them, in situations where those faculties and the whole being are inevitably debased. Wonder what really could be done by a political institution managed by a Bonaparte in morals. I cannot, will not believe that such degeneracy is necessary.”

It is not necessary, though nothing can remedy it but a united public will, as energetic as Bonaparte's, as benevolent as Christ's, as enlightened as the wisest of his followers, as exact, intelligent, and thorough in practice, as the exercises of the best military disciplinarian. Discussions without conclusions, or conclusions without authority, can never produce efficient and sustained reform, and the permanent

Foster's Essay on Popular Ignorance, describing with great ability its manifestations, its evils, and their remedies, was published in 1821. Sir James Macintosh is said to have pronounced it one of the most original works of the age;-it certainly expressed a deep interest in the moral welfare of man-relief and improvement consequent to such reform. kind, and made many valuable suggestions for "the It was not only the sin and misery incident to the relief of man's estate." Foster believed in the de- uncultivated, but, moreover, the emptiness, frivolity, pravity of human nature, but he believed also that and unprofitableness of ignorance, that Foster sought for its evil tendencies, Providence had appointed to rectify. He observes with great feeling and elesufficient corrections. He taught that the individual, gance: "How much do I regret to see so generally and society, could only be turned from iniquity by abandoned to the weeds of vanity, that fertile and being turned from darkness to light. The words of vigorous space of life in which might be planted the the prophet, "my people perish for lack of know-oaks and fruit-trees of enlightened principle and virledge," served for the basis of his theory of preven-tuous habit, which growing up, would yield to old tion. The great distinctions of right and wrong, he age and enjoyment, a glory, and a refuge!” deemed it necessary to inculcate before all other

"How slight to a vigorous mind, how insipid to

due time he will proceed without any help at all. His awakened faculties, having received proper aliment, and a right direction, will never stagnate in voluntary and self-satisfied ignorance. In this matter we have a great deal to do, before we shall make young ladies recreate themselves with Homer or Milton, in preference to the Lady's Book, or the "Cheap Publications." ELIZA ROBBINS.

the heart of sensibility, is the usual tenor of pur- is offered to him be good seed in good ground, and in suits and discourse, among many of our acquaintance, among females, and the young especially. Insignificance, frivolity, inanity, are the words descriptive of general conversation. Is this the triumph of existence, the glory of being rational, the superiority of man to a butterfly? I am not pleading for brown solemnity-the habits of fourscore and a convent. No, I am pleading for the genuine enjoyment of life. I am pleading that life may have some zest and poignancy produced by a mind acting with vivacity upon subjects worthy of its energy. I am pleading that life may not be dissipated among trifles, till at last itself sickens into a tasteless trifle, with neither resources to be happy, nor ability to acquire any.

"Some ladies, to whose conversation I had been listening, were to take away an epic poem to read. "Why should you read an epic?" I said to myself, "you might as well save yourselves the trouble." How often have I been struck with observing that no effect at all is produced by the noblest works of genius on the habits of thought, sentiment, and talk of the generality of readers; their mental tone becomes no deeper, no mellower; they are not equal to a fiddle, that improves by being played upon. I should not expect one person in twenty to recollect one singularly sublime or noble part of the poem in question. So little emotion do any such awaken even in the moment of reading ;-if it inspired any, they would not forget it so soon.

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Spent part of an hour in company with a handsome young woman, and a friendly little cat. The young woman was ignorant and unsocial. I felt as if I could more easily make society of the cat.

"It is desirable when we communicate ourselves to others, to reach the vital region of the mind. But to many who do hear the sound of speaking, it is just the same as if nothing were said. The thoughts uttered are not taken hold of; they do not distinctly make themselves present to the hearts or imaginations of those to whom they are addressed.

"How many minds are there to whom scarcely any good can be done! They have no excitability. You are attempting to kindle a fire of stones. You must leave them as you find them. You waste your time if you do not employ it upon materials that you can modify."

The levity, apathy, impenetrability, Mr. Foster so well describes, are all effects of habit-of neglected or mistaken education. Insensibility to the influences of books is superinduced by poor books, and by unsuitable books given to the young. Poor, shallow books, like the constant presence of shallow, stupid people, create indifference to that which is more exciting to the intellect; and unsuitable books given to children, induce complete blindness in after life to the critical meaning of any book. Hence arises the immense importance of beginning right at the right time. Train a child's mind to intelligent apprehension of what is offered to him, and let what

PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
IF The Senate Bill in relation to the Free School

Law passed the House on the last night of the ses-
sion, by 67 ayes to 22 nays. The House bill, provi-
ding for raising by a general tax $800,000 upon the
State, had been previously lost in the Senate. We
regard this as extremely unfortunate legislation. The
action was based upon the petition of some 17,000 of
those who voted against the proposition last fall,
and in the face of 160,000 majority in its favor. This
unstable, changing policy, has the tendency to destroy
all confidence in Legislative action, and in the perma-
nency of all laws. There is one redeeming feature
about it, however; the whole question is to be again
submitted to the people.-Buffalo Com. Adv.

THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION.-The constitutional

session of the Legislature of this State closed at the Capitol on Wednesday of last week, or more properly on Thursday morning, after the passage of a vast many laws of a local and special character, with very few general laws, clearly conducive to the general good. The practice of delaying, and debating, and doubting the expediency of laws proposed by members having minds active and astute enough to perceive a measure that would benefit the people, until the very latest period of the session, and then rush into a rapid and indiscriminate enactment of the general and special laws as they lay upon the table, is certainly of questionable utility, if not absolutely wrong, and in violation of the oath of office which the Legislators assume when they enter upon those duties.

It is true, that this year, the two Houses were politically opposed. The Senate having a majoriry of Whigs, and the House a majority of Democrats, and this may have embarrassed the proceedings in some cases; but certainly there was no necessity for the failure of several important measures, which had been amply discussed, and for the adoption of which the public mind was fully ripe. And above all, there was no necessity, after the emphatic decision of the people in favor of Free Schools, at the last fall election, for the Senate bill re-submitting that naked question again to the people—and yet in answer to all the petitions to amend or repeal the present School law, we have nothing but this bald and offensive repetition of the vote of the last year; and then again adopted, as may be reasonably expected, if the voters of last year have any stability in them, then of course, the present apology for a Free School Law will be still the law of the State. Thus, when the youth of the State cry to