Page images
PDF
EPUB

there is not, however, the smallest foundation in fact, since copper is never used for the purpose. Repeated experiments have been made to discover, by an unerring test, whether the leaves of green tea contain any impregnation of copper, but in no case has any trace of this metal been

detected.

The Chinese do not use their tea until it is about a year old, considering that it is too actively narcotic when new. Tea is yet older when it is brought into consumption in Eng land, as in addition to the length of time occupied in its collection and transport to this country, the East India Company are obliged by their charter to have always a supply sufficient for one year's consumption in their London warehouses; and this regulation which enhan. ces the price to the consumer, is said to have been made by way of guarding in some measure

against the inconveniences that would attend any interruption to a trade entirely dependent upon the caprice of an arbitrary government.

The people of China partake of tea at all their meals, and frequently at other times of the day. They drink the infusion prepared in the same it either sugar or milk. The working classes manner as we employ, but they do not mix with in that country are obliged to content themselves with a very weak infusion. Mr. Anderson, in his narrative of Lord Macartney's Embassy, relates that the natives in attendance never failed to beg the tea leaves remaining after the Europeans had breakfasted, and with these, after submitting them again to boiling water, they made a beverage, which they acknowledged was better than any they could ordinarily obtain.Penny Magazine.

[graphic]

CAPTURE OF ELEPHANTS.

Ir is remarkable that in every mode of cap. turing the wild elephant, man avails himself of the docility of individuals of the same species, which he has already subdued. Birds may be taught to assist in ensnaring other birds; but this is simply an effect of habit. The elephant, on the contrary, has an evident desire to join its master in subduing its own race; and in this treachery to its kind, exercises so much ingenuity, courage, and perseverance, that we can not find a parallel instance of complete subjection to the will of him to whom it was given to "have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

From some peculiar circumstances which have not been accurately explained, large male ele. phants are sometimes found apart from the herd. Sir S. Raffles says, speaking of the elephants that he met with in his journey through the southern Presidencies to Passumah, "The natives fancy that there are two kinds of elephants, the gaja berkam-pong, those which always go in herds, and which are seldom mischievous, and the gaja salunggal, or single elephants, which are much

larger and ferocious, going about either single or only two or three in company. It is probable the latter kind are only the full grown males." They probably, in many cases, separate them. seives from their companions in search of fresh pastures. But, as they are sometimes found in a state of considerable irritation, doing much mischief wherever they pass, it has been thought that these have been driven away by the strong. er males, and that they are suffering all the ago. nies of unavailing jealousy. Being the finest elephants, and therefore the best adapted for sale, the hunters soon mark them for their own. They follow them cautiously by day and by night, with two, and sometimes four trained females, called Koomkies. If it be dark, they can hear the animal striking his food, to clean it, against his fore legs, and they then approach tolerably close; if light, they advance more cautiously. The females gradually move towards him, apparently unconscious of his presence, grazing with great complacency, as if they were, like him, inhabitants of the wild forest. It is soon perceived by them whether he is likely to be entrapped by their arts. The drivers remain concealed at a little distance, while the koomkies press round the unhappy goondah or saun, (for

short as is required to transmit it from Washington to Baltimore; or at least, the difference would not be perceptible. It is easy to see that such a telegraph would be of great importance It a hostile fleet should make in case of war.

The lat

If he abanso this sort of elephant is called.) don himself himself to the caresses of his new companions, his capture is almost certain. The hanters cautiously creep under him, and during the intoxication of his pleasure, fasten his legs with a strong rope. It is said that the wily fe- its appearance off Portland, the fact could be males will not only divert his attention from made known at New Orleans, or at any intertheir mahouts, but absolutely assist them in fast-mediate station, in three minutes. Moreover ening the cords. Mr. Howitt made a spirited this telegraph can be worked with the same fadrawing of this curious scene, from the descrip-cility and effect by night as by day-in stormy weather as in sunshine-which is not the case tions of Captain Williamson. with the telegraphs heretofore in use. ter also are worked but slowly, and at every station the process must be repeated. Not so with Morse's telegraph. Supposing the communication to be complete, a single touch of the wire would send the intelligence around the globe. At least this is probable, for Professor Morse's experiments show that although the power of the magnet diminishes for the first ten miles, there is no perceptible diminution afterwards, within the limits to which the experiment has been extended [beyond the 10th mile] viz. 33 miles. From the 10th to the 33d mile inclusive, the weight sustained by the magnet was a constant quantity. And the presumption is, that the same law holds good for any greater distance. The scientific facts on which Professor Morse's invention rests, are thus stated by a committee of congress.

The hind legs of the captive being secured in a similar manner, the hunters leave him to himself, and retire to a short distance. In some cases he is fastened at once to a large tree, if the situation in which he is first entrapped allows this. But under other circumstances, in the first instance his legs are only tied together. When the females quit him he discovers his ig. nominious condition, and attempts to retreat to the covert of the forest. But he moves with difficulty, in consequence of the ropes which have been lashed round his limbs. There are long cables trailing behind him, and the mahouts, watching an opportunity, secure these to a tree of sufficient strength. He now becomes furious, throwing himself down, and thrusting his tusks into the earth. If he break the cables, and escape into the forest, the hunters dare not pursue him; but if he is adequately bound, he soon becomes exhausted with his own rage. He is then left to the further operation of hunger, till he is sufficiently subdued to be conducted, under the escort of his treacherous friends, to an appointed station, to which, after a few month's discipline, he becomes reconciled.

[From the N. Y. Journal of Commerce.] MORSE'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELE. GRAPH.

THE complete success which has attended the working of this telegraph, now in operation between Washington and Baltimore, has attracted public attention to it, even in this bustling city, and led to many inquiries to the method by which such wonderful results are achieved. It was fortunate both for the inventor and the invention, that the communication was completed between Washington and Baltimore prior to the meeting of the Democratic National Convention, (the proceedings of which were awaited with so much interest,) because an opportunity was thereby afforded to test the practicability and usefulness of the invention, in the most effectual manner. By means of this telegraph, every new movement of the convention was made known at Washington almost simultaneously with its occurrence; while with the same rapidity, the proceedings of congress were made known at Baltimore. The Washington Spectator of Wed. nesday said:

"The locomotive, with the mail, came thundering along last night with the intelligence up to 5 o'clock, which had been received here by the lightning express two hours and a half previously."

In fact, by the electro-magnetic telegraph, railroad speed is rendered comparatively snaillike. Were this telegraph extended from Portland to New Orleans, intelligence could be transmitted the whole distance in a space of time as

First. That a current of electricity will pass to any distance along a conductor connecting the two poles of a voltaic battery or generator of electricity, and produce visible effects at any desired points on that conductor.

Second. That magnetism is produced in a piece of soft iron (around which the conductor, in its progress, is made to pass) when the electric cur. rent is permitted to flow, and that the magnetism ceases when the current of electricity is prevented from Lowing. This current of elec tricity is produced and destroyed by breaking and closing the galvanic circuit at the pleasure of the operator of the telegraph, who in this manner directs and controls the operation of a simple and compact piece of mechanism, styled the register, which at the will of the operator at the point of communication, is made to record, at the point of reception, legible characters, on a roll of paper put in motion at the same time with the writing instrument.

These characters, consisting of dots and hori zontal lines, the inventor has arranged into a conventional alphabet, as follows:

[merged small][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]

NUMERALS.

[ocr errors]

VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS,

PUBLISHED BY THOMAS COWPERTHWAIT & CO. PHILA. And for sale by the Booksellers generally throughout the United States.

[blocks in formation]

In a series; adapted to the progressively developing capacities of youth.

MITCHELL'S PRIMARY GEOGRAPHY.

From Prof. Booth, of the High School, Phila. Phila., Nov. 30, 1842.

Containing 120 Engravings, and 14 colored Maps, de. Fard it as superior to Turner's Chemistry, on which it signed as a first book of Geography for children.

MITCHELL'S SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. Accompanied with an Atlas, containing 18 Maps, engraved from original drawings, and executed in a clear and distinct manner.

MITCHELL'S 'ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY. Consisting of a part of the High School Geography, and accompanied with an Atlas, containing 19 Maps, expressly designed for this work, and illustrated by 25 Engravings, representing some of the most interesting events of Scriptural and Ancient History.

MITCHELL'S ATLAS OF OUTLINE MAPS, (An Accompaniment to the School Atlas,) Possessing all the advantages to be derived from mapdrawing, with a great saving of time.

MITCHELL'S GEOGRAPHICAL READER, Designed as a reading-book for classes using the School Geopraphy, or pupils farther advanced. MITCHELL'S KEY

TO THE STUDY OF THE MAPS; comprising his Atlas, in a series of lessons for beginners in Geopraphy.

MITCHELL'S HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY, With an Atlas, will contain about 600 pages, and comprise a complete system of Mathematical, Physical, Political, Statistical and Descriptive Modern Geography; together with a Compendium of Ancient Geography; il lustrated by Engravings, executed by the first artists of the country. The Atlas to accompany the above will contain not less than thirty Maps, constructed particu larly for the work, and designed to correspond with, and illustrate it, in the most precise manner. This work is progressing, and will be issued at the earliest day consistent with the importance of the undertaking. Numerous recommendations from the highest authority, in favor of the above series, are in the possession of the publishers; but as they prefer that any works published by them should stand upon their merits alone, they deem it unnecessary to insert them here.

JOHNSTON'S TURNER'S CHEMISTRY.

A Manual of Chemistry, on the basis of Dr. TURNER'S Elements of Chemistry, containing, in a condensed form, all the most important facts and principles of the Science, designed as a Text Book in Colleges and other Seminaries of learning. By JoHN JOHNSTON, A. M., Professor of Natural Science in the Wesleyan University. RECOMMENDATIONS.

From J. W. Bailey, Prof. of Chemistry at West Point. West Point, N. Y., May 1843. My Dear Sir, I have too long delayed thanking you for the copy of your Manual of Chemistry, which you kindly sent me. I have looked through the book with considerable attention, and it appears to me that you have succeeded in making a judicious selection and arrangement of the most important facts and theories of Chemical Science. There is much usually included in text books, which is only useful to refer to, but which cannot advantageously form a part of the usual course of instruction: and I think you have done well in omitting such matter. I think your Manual well adapted to the course of chemical instruction usually given in this country, and without hesitation would recommend it for the use of students.

Believe me sincerely your friend, [Signed,] J. W. BAILEY. Prof. J. Johnston, Wes. Univ'y.

I find, upon a careful examination of Johnston's Manual of Chemistry, that it is extremely well adapted to the object for which it is designed. As a text book, I reis based, being more condensed and practical, and yet sufficiently expanded, and equally presenting the late rapid advancement of the science. Respectfully yours, [Signed,]

JAS. C. BOOTH. Messrs. Thomas Cowperthwait & Co., Phil'a.

FROST'S UNITED STATES,

History of the United States, for the use of Schools and Academies, by JOHN FROST; illustrated with forty Engravings.

FROST'S HISTORY OF THE U. STATES, For the use of Common Schools, condensed from the author's larger History of the United States.

FROST'S AMERICAN SPEAKER, Embellished with engraved Portraits of distinguished American Orators, on steel.

Dr. GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, (Pinnock's improved edition ;) From the invasion of Julius Cæsar to the year 1838; illustrated with thirty Engravings.

Dr. GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF GREECE, (Pinnock's improved edition ;) With Questions for examination at the end of each section; thirty Engravings.

Dr. GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF ROME, (Pinnock's improved edition ;) With Questions for examination at the end of each section; thirty Engravings.

GOLDSMITH'S NATURAL HISTORY, Abridged for the use of Schools, by Mrs. PILKINGTON; revised and corrected by a Teacher of Philaldelphia, with Questions, and upwards of 100 Engravings. The CHILD'S HISTORY of the UNITED STATES, By CHARLES A. GOODRICH; designed as a first book of History for Schools; illustrated with numerous Engravings and anecdotes.

BRIDGE'S ALGEBRA,]

A Treatise on the Elements of Algebra, by the Rev. P. BRIDGE, B. D., F. R. S., Professor of Mathematics, &c. GUY'S ASTRONOMY and KEITH on the GLOBES. Guy's Elements of Astronomy, and an abridgement of Keith's New Treatise on the use of the Globes, 1 vol.

BROOKS'S ROSS'S LATIN GRAMMAR, Comprising all the rules and observations necessary to an accurate knowledge of the Latin Classics; having the sign of quantity affixed to certain syllables; with an Revised, Alphabetical Vocabulary; by JAMES ROSS. corrected and improved, by N. C. BROOKS, Principal of the High School, Baltimore. A new edition, 1844. RUDDIMAN'S RUDIMENTS of the LATIN TONGUE, A new and improved edition, with Notes, by WM. MANN, A. M.

CLARK'S CESAR.

The Notes and Intrepretations translated and improved by THOMAS CLARK. Carefully corrected by comparison with a standard London edition, and containing various emendations in the Notes; by WM MANN, A.M.

T

V

W

X

The machine which produces these characters, (called the register,) is moved by a weight like a clock, the slip of paper being wound about a cylinder, and carried under the style by the ope ration of the machinery. To the style or pen which makes the marks, is attached a piece of iron, resting just above a mass of soft iron, which last is instantly rendered a magnet by the transmission of the electric current. This current is transmitted by means of protected wires, supported at suitable distances and at a proper elevation, by posts or spars. Suppose the operator to be at Washington, and that he wishes to transmit intelligence to Baltimore. He has before him the two extremities of the wires, and the means of sending along a current of the electric fluid. The instant he brings them to gether, the soft iron mass in Baltimore becomes a magnet-the iron above it is drawn towards it; and the style to which it is attached, is pressed upon the paper; and this, being carried forward by the machinery which is at the same instant by another magnet set in motion, receives the impression. As soon as the two wires are sepa. rated, the soft iron is no longer a magnet-the iron above is no longer attracted, and the pen no longer rests upon the paper. By bringing the wires in contact and instantly separating them, a dot is made; by keeping them in contact for a little time, a dash; and by the combination of these two, all the words in the language and all the numerals, may be written and read.

А В С.

BY ELIZA COOK.

Oh, thou Alpha Beta row,
Fun and freedom's earliest foe,
Shall I e'er forget the primer,
Thumb'd beside some Mrs. Trimmer,
While mighty problem held me fast,
To know if Z was first or last?
And all Pandora had for me
Was emptied forth in A B C.
Teazing things of toil and trouble,
Fount of many a rolling bubble,
How I strived with pouting pain,
To get thee quartered on my brain.
But when the giant feat was done,
How nobly wide the field I'd won!
Wit, reason, wisdom, all might be
Enjoyed through simple A B ̊C.

Steps that lead to topmast height,
Of worldly fame and human might,
Ye win the orator's renown,
The poet's joy, the scholar's gown :
Philosophers must bend and say
'Twas ye who ope'd their glorious way:
Sage, statesman, critic, where is he
Who's not obliged to A B C.

Ye really ought to be exempt,

From slighting taunt and cool contempt:
But drinking deep from learning's cup,
We scorn the hand that filled it up.
Be courteous, pedants,-stay and thank
Your servants of the Roman rank,
For F. R. S. and L. L. D.
Can only spring from A B C.

evidence.

OFFICIAL.

The certificate heretofore issued to Thomas E. Burdick, of the county of Fulton, was, on the 30th of April last, duly annalled, for causes By means of this telegraph, 12 to 20 charac-made known to the Department, on satisfactory ters i. e. (in effect,) letters of the alphabet, can be transmitted in a minute; or as fast as a printer could set up the types. So if the communication were complete from Washington to New Orleans, the president's message, if not unrea sonably long, might be read entire in the latter city in 24 hours after it was delivered, and por

tions of it in a much less time.

The Superintendent desires it to be expressly understood that the number of State certificates of qualifications granted by him, in pursuance of law, will be restricted to five in each county annually, to be specially recommended for this purpose by the County Superintendent, in his annual report; specifying particularly the supe. rior qualifications of the candidates recommended, and the length of time he or she may have been engaged in teaching a common school, and that no certificate will be granted, except under A poetical friend of ours (says the Boston special circumstances, to any teacher who has Transcript) has a paper-folder, with the follow-taught for a less period than three years. ing line from Gray, marked on it:

A LITERARY CURIOSITY.

"The ploughman homeward plods his weary way."

On looking at the quotation, it occurred to him that it might be expressed in various ways, without destroying the rhyme or altering the sense. In a short time, he produced the following eleven We doubt whether another different readings.

line can be found, the words of which will ad- I
mit of so many transpositions, and still retain
the original meaning:

The weary ploughman plods his homeward way.
The weary ploughman homeward plods his way.
The ploughman, weary, plods his homeward way.
The ploughman, weary, homeward pleds his way.
Weary the ploughman plods his homeward way.
Weary the ploughman homeward plods his way.
Homeward the ploughman plods his weary way.
Homeward the weary ploughman plods his way.
Homeward the ploughman, weary, plods his way.
The homeward ploughman weary plods his way.
The homeward ploughman plods his weary way.

S. YOUNG, Supt. of Com. Schools.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

37" 31

For one copy, in all cases, (per annum,)... 50 cts.
"twelve copies, each,·
"one hundred copies, each,
Payable in advance, in all cases.

N. B.-Postmasters will forward silver without. charge. The legal postage on this sheet is one cent to any office within this State.

[All subscriptions to commence with the volume.]

ISAAC C. SHELDON and FREDERICK H. BACON are appointed travelling agents for this Journal. The friends of the Journal are respectfully requested to favor their efforts to extend its circu, lation.

« PreviousContinue »