form of a circle, preparing for what they call the laboring march, which I thought full enough for them after the dance. They marched around the room in a circle, the singers being in the centre, pouring forth a high and low keyed hymn, to which the rest kept time, as they went round, with a quick rise and fall of their hands. When this was over, and after a sufficient pause, they began a quicker march, which they went through after the same fashion as the last. They then formed themselves into the same triangular figures with which they commenced the services, and scated themselves, waiting for some one of their number to address those without the pale of the society, and, if possible, to make converts to their opinions. After about five minutes of deep silence, one of the society arose, came forward into the angular space between the males and females, and addressed those, whom curiosity had brought there to witness their mode of worship. He spoke with fervor and animation, and expatiated, with a fluency that would have shamed many public speakers, upon the happiness attending their mode of life and worship. They then all arose, and joined in a hymn much the same as the one with which they commenced their exercises. The words of the hymn or psalm, accompanying the slow laboring march, were these, as well as I could catch them, now and then,

So let us live in this world below,
And serving our God where'er we go,
That when we quit this frame of clay,
We may rise to glory's eternal day.'

Those of the quick march I could not catch, excepting now and then the words, beautiful, pure,' which flowed sweetly from the lips of some of the fair shaker girls. One or two of the girls, I thought very beautiful; one in particular, who was at the side of a black, as they marched 'double file,' around the room. Perhaps, however, it was owing to the contrast in their complexion. Perhaps, too, if she could speak Latin, she would have found an answer for me in Virgil: Me nimium puer crede colori.'

The dress of the Shakeresses was extremely simple and plain. Each female was dressed in a white gown, and a white handkerchief thrown over her neck and pinned formaly down over her bosom; and on their heads, each one had

a white muslin cap, that came down over their ears; leaving but a small part of the face visible. I wished them out of the way a hundred times. These caps were all tied with the same precision, as though their lives depended upon their exactness. I suppose if one end of the knot projected out a millionth part of the smallest fraction in existence, more than it did, it would have decided their fate. The countenances of some of the younger ones were very sweet. Those of the older wore an air of solemnity, I have rarely seen in women, and bordered on the severe. The first glance I had of them, reminded me strongly of an engraving of Cheney's, in the Token for 1828,-The Seaman's Widow. They had not the grace the engraver has contrived to throw into his work; but the same sweet sadness was in both. The complexion of the men was very sallow, as if they were much exposed to the sun. The high heeled shoes they wear, are of their own manufacture, I believe. Their gardens and buildings are remarkably neat ; and as I have lately visited them, while employed in their daily pursuits, I may hereafter give your readers some account of them in that capacity.

Lancaster.

J. H. W.

THE MAD MAIDEN'S SONG.

Flowers? bright flowers, why do ye bring
Those lovely things to me?
Think ye they'll soothe my maddened heart,
That's bursting to be free?

No, no,-take back the fading things,
Nor think to mend the broken strings
Of my lone heart, by bringing flowers
That perish with the passing hours.

They are for those who love the dance,
And love to sing and smile,

The fragile blossoms well may serve
Their glad hours to beguile :
But not for me:-take them away-
They do but mind me of the day
When I was free! ere my calm brow
Throbbed as it does so wildly now!

Away! I would not have a rose,
With all its sweet perfume:

But bring to me an Ivy leaf

That floats above the tomb,

That I may bind it in my hair :-
"Twill never fade, nor wither there:
Take back the flowers! a fadeless leaf
Accords far better with my grief.

Hartford, Con.

F.

ROBERT OWEN'S BOOK.

We have been repeatedly solicited to give our opinion, through the medium of the Ladies' Magazine, on the recent open and impudent attempt, made in this city by one of our own sex, to advocate the cause of infidelity and disorder. This we could not do satisfactorily, unless we had attended her lectures; which was not to be thought of. We consider every respectable female who appeared there, no matter what were her motives, as having degraded herself, by giving countenance, which her presence certainly did, to the applauses which were lavished on the sophistry of a shameless and impious woman.

We know many

These expressions may sound harsh. amiable people who think lightly of this matter, and consider the display of Miss Wright as no more than that of a mountebank. That her speeches will work all the effect she intended, is not probable; but that her sentiments will have no influence, is a delusion, which those who prize the

dear charities of domestic life, and the holy hopes of religion, as the anchors of happiness, must not cherish. They must not cherish it, because while they think thus, they will use no exertions to counteract the insidious poison. Some affect to say, that Miss Wright's opinions, or at least, those she advanced here, contained nothing contrary to reason or morality. However, she might artfully veil with the semblance of goodness, the most revolting features of her sentiments, is there a single person, capable of reflection, who heard her, would affirm that the tendency of her doctrines was in accordance with the Christian religion, or with any religion? Will her admirers and defenders deny that she is the personal friend, the coadjutor of Robert Owen? She styles herself his 'coadjutor,'-he calls her his 'sister,'-in the same faith he must mean. We have therefore sufficient proof to believe that their opinions respecting the social system,' coincide; for Miss Wright assisted in the attempt made at New Harmony, to found a settlement, intended as a practical illustration of this theory. What her opinions are, can no longer be doubted; if she is what she styles herself, his coadjutor,' for he has fully developed his creed.

Mr. R. Owen and the Rev. A. Campbell, it will be recollected, held a public conference last April, in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, the former denying the truth of all religions in general; and the latter affirming the truth of the Christian religion on logical principles. The result of the controversy was very unfavorable to the cause of Mr. OwWe will quote a paragraph from the able account of this logical tournay given by Mr. Flint, Editor of the Western Review, who was present during the whole disputation.

en.

'When the debate terminated, on the eighth day, it had become too dark in the evening to read, after Mr. Owen had made his last remarks. Mr. Campbell desired the whole congregation to be seated. Every one in a moment, sat down in profound stillness. 'You,' said he, 'who are willing to testify that you bore the gratuitous vilification of your religion, not from indifference or skepticism, but from the Christian precept to be patient and forbearing under indignity, you who prize the Christian religion, either from a belief in it, or a reverence for its influences, be pleased to rise.' Instantly, as by one electric movement, almost every per

son in the crowded assembly sprang erect. 'Gentlemen,' he continued, 'now please to be seated.' All again were seated, in almost breathless expectation. 'You,' said he, 'who are friendly to Mr. Owen's system, be good enough to rise.' It was almost with a shiver that we saw three or four rise from the mass to this unenviable notoriety. The people resumed their character, as sovereigns, for a moment. A loud and instant clapping and stamping, raised a suffocating dust to the roof of the church.'

Such was the manner in which that famous debate concluded; highly to the credit of the citizens of the West, who showed no disposition to exchange their hopes of immortal life, for the gratifications of a sensual skepticism. The whole debate was to be published; but Mr. Owen, probably, fearing that his arguments against religion would not have so much effect, if viewed in connexion with those of Mr. Campbell in its favor, has published the pith. of his own speeches and remarks in a volume of 226 pages. As this book has been prepared by Mr. Owen and published for him, none of his admirers, (or those of Miss Wright) can say that his sentiments have been garbled or his meaning perverted. The book has not yet made its appearance here; but we will quote a part of the able notice of it in the last Western Review. We do this, because we deem it of much consequence that our own sex should be aware of the influences which are now at work in our land to undermine that religion, which is the strength, the treasure, the peculiar blessing of woman. We do not see how a virtuous woman can be an infidel; indeed, can be indifferent to the cause of Christianity. Is there a mother, wife, sister, who feels indifferent to that religion which is the bond of social life, the pledge for the continuance of those endearing ties that constitute her earthly happiness? Can a woman be indifferent to the precepts and promises of that holy book, which purify and exalt human passions and human hopes? Mothers should not think it enough to watch over the minds of their daughters; they must be careful to instruct their sons. They must begin early, and lay the foundation of Christian principles, the habits of love and adoration for the Author of the Universe with the first ideas. The enemy that is striving to gain possession of this fair world, to convert it into a temple of atheism, is thus described by Mr. Flint, by no means a prejudiced judge.