67

much as many folks in New-England do, by their pasture land, and
the manufacture of butter, cheese, and such like; and as they were all
believers in the Christian religion, and somewhat superstitious, they
used to sing this hymn at the beginning of each year; The Lord
my pasture shall prepare.' That's it.
Every child nodded his head, and muttered Umph.'
Will you all recollect?'
'Now,' said Ephraim, you can all take your seats; and be sure to
understand your reading lesson next time.'

The bustle of the reading-class returning to their seats had not subsided, before the master's voice was again heard:

'Class in astromomy and geography! Re-cite.'

The astronomy and geography class formed with more dignity than the junior class which had preceded it. Mr. Mills seemed to look upon its members also with an increased degree of respect. After they were collected in order, Ephraim told them that geography was a great study; that he himself did n't know nothing of the world only what he got from this;' that his grandfather had studied a great deal of it, and once visited Lake Erie in person. He said he hoped we would all meet his expectations in this sublimest of all sciences. He would now proceed to ask some questions:

'William Dobbs, how is the state of Maine bounded?'

'On the north by the Gulf of Mexico, east by Arkansas, south by the Potomac, and west by Massachusetts.'

Very well, Sir. The next - Nicholas Rice: What is the principal river in Maine?'

'The Sabine.'

'Very well. The next
'St. Augustine.'

'That's right. The next

duce?'

are covered with water?' 'Europe and Asia.'

Joseph Mills: What is its capital?'

Henry Dobbin: What is its pro

Israel Booth: How many parts of the earth

'How many with land?'

'Africa and North America.'

'What is the shape of the world, Nicholas Rice?'

Partly round and partly flat.'

• Which part is flat?'

That part near the equator.'

Very well said, indeed: The next

Joseph Mills: What is an

equator?'

'An equator is a large brass ring put around the earth, which holds it together, while it turns upon its axles.

'Answered well. The next: What are the poles?'

'The poles are large irons run through the world, on which it turns round a thousand miles a minute.'

'Or rather,' said Ephraim, nine hundred and ninety miles a minute. The next: How many miles is the sun from the earth?' A hundred millions.'

It is supposed to be that,' said Ephraim, but we have no certain means of knowing. The next: Is the sun inhabited ?'

No, Sir- but the moon is.' 'Who inhabits the moon?'

The man in the moon.'

That is very well very well. We can all see the man in the moon,' said Ephraim, and therefore we know the moon is inhabited.' You all pass good examinations in astronomy. Let us put a few more questions in geography. Which is the largest city in the world?'

'China.'

Which is the largest river?'

The Mississippi.'

The largest island?'

'Long-Island.'

Very well. Now take your seats, and go on with your lessons.' This is a brief sketch of Ephraim Mills, and his class in its first recitation in what he called astronomy and geography. There was quite a pause after this searching examination. Nothing was heard but the murmur of boys conning their books. Ephraim retired to a chair, where he stretched back in a state of exhaustion, fanning himself, and brushing the big flies from his flaming face.

In the other departments of his school, Ephraim exhibited the same kind and degree of talent as in the instances just mentioned. Yet he was a school-master, and taught Stokeville school, and received therefor the sum of nine dollars per month, and 'boarded round!'

I am not going to inflict upon the reader the history of Ephraim's entire administration as 'Knight of the Ferule.' The history of one day is the history of another. In his capacity there was neither variation nor shadow of turning.' All Stokeville was pleased with him, because they were ignorant of him, and all the children were compelled to submit to his authority. It must be borne in mind that the Inspectors of Common Schools in Stokeville, at this period, were about as competent for their office as our school-master was for his. They were well matched; and take them altogether, the way in which education, literature, and the fine arts thrived, was truly astonishing. Every scholar, of course, was soon on the high road to distinction.

For the first five years of my boyhood, during the early days of Stokeville, such were my instructors. The good people thought that so long as they had a 'master,' and the school' went on, all was well. Whether he was capable or incapable, was of no sort of consequence. They thought it a duty to send children to school, but it mattered little whether they learned or not. Learning in fact was decidedly unpopular. The old people reasoned thus: 'They had never had but three months schooling, yet they were well off in the world, and as capable of carrying on business as some of their neighbors who had been to college.' This argument, strengthened by what they called 'practical illustration,' was of course invincible. How many Stokevilles, Stokeville schools, and Stokeville school-masters, there are in existence yet!

THE WIDOW MATCH.

IN but one thing the twain agree,
And mutual discord waive;

He Julia joins to wet with tears
Her former husband's grave!

THE BIRD O F ARABY.

THERE is a superstition among the Arabians, that a Bird called Manoh issues from the brain of every dead person, and haunts his sepulchre, uttering lamentable screams, and divulging to the ears of the initiated all the secrets and crimes of the deceased.'

Philadelphia.

Yet in the wakeful breast

Of living Man, a mightier than thou

Hath a stern voice impressed:

"T is CONSCIENCE, whispering, till the shadowed brow
Grows thoughtful in remorse, that shone in pride but now!

LITERARY NOTICES.

INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan. By JOHN L. STEPHENS, Author of 'Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petræa, and the Holy Land.' In two volumes. pp. 898. New-York: HARPER AND BROTHERS.

We take some credit to ourselves that the KNICKERBOCKER was among the first, if not the first of the American journals, to awaken a general interest among us in the wonderful antiquities of Central America; and we incline to believe that the impulse of travel, of which the volumes before us are the noble fruits, was derived originally from the original papers and drawings in this Magazine. But be this as it may: certain it is, that though the HARPERS have published many grand books in their day, yet we doubt whether any of their issues have ever come up, in all respects, to the interest and elegance of these superb octavos; we say 'in all respects;' having reference thereby to the novelty of the scenes and objects with which Mr. STEPHENS makes us acquainted, to the never-tiring charm of his narrative and descriptions, and to the really magnificent engravings, with nearly a hundred of which the volumes are illustrated and embellished. These engravings, it must be observed, are mostly from steel plates, executed by skilful artists, from drawings made on the spot by Mr. CATHERWOOD, who accompanied Mr. STEPHENS in his 'travel,' and who superintended the engraving through all its stages, so as to insure perfect accuracy: moreover the subjects are eminently curious as well as beautiful, being the mysterious remains of aboriginal architecture and sculpture which alone now indicate the sites of great cities once existing in Central America and Mexico; cities whose inhabitants must have been far advanced in mechanical skill at least, and which must have teemed with rich, ingenious, and industrious populations; but of whose origin, history, and fate, even of whose names, no record is preserved, and of which little is known, tradition itself being silent respecting them. Six of these ruined cities these desolate relics of a people long since passed away - were visited by Mr. STEPHENS; Copan, Quirigua, Tecpan-Guatimala, Palenque, Ocosingo, and Uxmal; the ruins of each were thoroughly explored, and faithful drawings were made of the singular edifices, bas-reliefs, statues, and hieroglyphics with which they abound, and the like of which has been discovered no where else, either in Europe, Africa, or Asia. They are equally remarkable for their elaborate beauty and their perfectly unique character.

But the engravings, or their subjects, or the descriptions of them given by Mr. STEPHENS, although a prominent feature of attraction in the work, do by no means constitute its only or its principle attraction. The countries visited by him in the extended journey of which these volumes are the rich result, abound with curious and highly interesting objects for the study of the moralist, the historian, the naturalist, and the statesman. Their social and political condition is almost as unique as their ruined cities, and at every page we have details most striking in novelty, variety, absurdity, pathos, terror or wonder. Then there is the personal adventure, the narrative of which is given with such inimitable graphic effect, such an air of unquestionable reality, and with such perfect and humorous bon-hommie, as few travellers exhibit in their writings, but which,

as they constitute the principal charm of Mr. STEPHENS's former volumes, will be looked for and most abundantly found in these. We know that public expectation has been greatly awakened in relation to this work; that people are prepared to find it wonder. fully curious, entertaining, and instructive: such was our own anticipation; and we cannot praise it more highly than by saying that the anticipation was realized and satisfied to its full extent. The time that will have elapsed between the issuing of these volumes and the publication of the present number, makes us fear to occupy our pages with any of the numerous passages which are every where pencilled in our sadly bedog's-eared copy; for such is the popularity of 'Incidents of Travel' bearing our author's brand, that a second edition would be likely to accompany our extracts from the first. We content ourselves with the modest preface:

The author is indebted to Mr. VAN BUREN, late President of the United States, for the opportunity of presenting to the public the following pages. He considers it proper to say, that his diplomatic appointment was for a specific purpose, not requiring a residence at the capital, and the object of his mission being fulfilled or failing, he was at liberty to travel. At the time of his arrival in Central America, that country was distracted by a sanguinary civil war, which resulted, during his sojourn there, in the entire prostration of the Federal Government. By the protection and facilities afforded by his official character, he was enabled to accomplish what otherwise would have been impossible. His work embraces a journey of nearly three thousand miles in the interior of Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, including visits to eight ruined cities, with full illustrations from drawings taken on the spot by Mr. Catherwood. Its publication has been delayed on account of the engravings; but on one consideration the author does not regret the delay. Late intelligence from Central America enables him to express the belief that the state of anarchy in which he has represented that beautiful country no longer exists; the dark clouds which hung over it have passed away, civil war has ceased, and Central America may be welcomed back among republics.'

BIOGRAPHY AND POETICAL REMAINS of the late MARGARET MILLER DAVIDEON. By WASHINGTON IRVING. In one volume. pp. 359. Philadelphia: LEA AND BLAN

CHARD.

OUR readers are familiar with the name of the young and gifted LUCRETia Davidson, whose wonderful poetical powers and gentle character were set forth in a volume which was noticed in an early number of this Magazine. The present work is a memoir of a younger sister, who possessed the same moral and physical constitution, and was, until she died, prone to the same feverish excitement of the mind and kindling of the imagination, which had acted so powerfully on the fragile form of the early-called LUCRETIA. We know of nothing more touching than the record of her brief career; her precocity of talent, her vivid imagination, and above all, the sweetness of her disposition, which shone through all her lingering and painful illness, and the intermingled ties between the fond parent and the affectionate child. A correspondent has laid before us some brief recollections of the family of LUCRETIA MARIA and MARGARET MILLER DAVIDSON, which we take the liberty of introducing in this connection. Alluding to the volume under notice, he observes: 'It is well that the writings of such an uncommon genius have fallen into the hands of an editor like Mr. IRVING. This publication, together with the memoir and remains of LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON, edited some time since by Professor Mouse, of the New-York University-which was reviewed in the London Quarterly Review, and pronounced to be an exhibition of early talent, to which no age or nation had produced a superior - deserve to go down to posterity in intimate association, and to receive a wide circulation. The latter work has not received in this country the attention which it merits. It ought to be republished in the inviting form of the later work, that these gifted and lovely sisters may together occupy the centretable of every lady, and ornament the library of every scholar, in the country. While light works of foreign literature, which have little or no moral purpose to recommend them, are circulated through the nation, it is due to the American character that such bright and pure gems of native genius as these 'Remains' should not be overlooked nor neglected. The writer of these pages has been intimately acquainted with the family to which these young women belonged, and it is always recollected with deep interest.