it now possesses. Mountains of flinty rock in Silesia | coctions of tobacco have been deemed most effectual in have been found by Ebrenberl to be wholly composed of destroying them; although, when a foothold is once obthe shells of animalcule; and in this country masses of tained, on account of their rapid multiplication, exterremains of the infusoriæ have been found several hun-mination is difficult. dred yards in extent. Unlike the shells of the molusca and testacea, which are lime, the shells of these invisible animals are found to be unchanged by fire, and composed of pure silicia. All bodies of long stagnant water such as those where peat is found, or bog earth deposited, abounds with infusoriæ, and Professor Bailey of West Point has found at the bottom of peat earth and in it, immense quantities of these minute remains. It is a curious fact that animals invisible in themselves to the eye, should be able in the course of centuries to form mountains, change the face of continents, and exert an influence by no means trifling on the labors and productive industry of man. Annual. This term is applied to plants which arrive at maturity in a single year, and then perish. The stem of annuals is generally of rapid growth, porous, and abounding in the juices necessary to the perfection of the seeds in a single season. The herbage of some plants is annual, while the roots are perennial, or remain from year to year. Maize is an example of a proper annual; the grasses, of perennial roots with annual herbage. Aphis. Apiary. The place or building in which bees are kept is called an apiary, and where these industrious insects are kept for profit, or for observation, much care is sometimes taken in this department of domestic management. There is no question that the keeping of bees may be made a source of considerable profit at very little expense, as their food costs nothing, and a residence is provided by the very hive in which they are placed. Moveable apiaries are common in eastern countries; and a long boat, with a hundred swarms of bees on board, accompanied by the owner, may be seen floating down the Danube, the Po, or the Nile, anchoring where materials for honey appear to be abundant, and moving onward when the district is exhausted of its sweets. Among farmers, too little attention is usually paid to the apiary; the hives being left exposed to the storms and cold of winter, and the intense heat of the summer, without protection. Bees, like other domesticated creatures, well repay care and attention. Azote. Azote is a gas, the most important portion of air, and is sometimes called nitrogen, because one of the most esThis is the name of a family of insects that prey ex-sential properties of its base is that in conjunction with tensively on plants, and are endowed with such astonishing powers of reproduction that, though insignificant as individuals, they are formidable in their numbers, and in most years occasion more or less loss to the agriculturist. The congregations of aphides consist in spring of apterous and living less individuals, and of nymphæ with undeveloped wings. They have no mouths, but are provided with beak-like suckers, which they insert into plants, and feed on the juices. Almost every cultivated plant or tree has its peculiar family of aphis; and those trees or shrubs that are wild, or found only in the depths of the forest, cannot claim exemption. What is called the apple tree louse, is an aphis; and on lifting the scale-like covering, the depredator and its instrument of suction may be discovered. Another species infests the tender shoots of grafts, and the thrifty shoots of the apple and other fruit trees, and if allowed to multiply unmolested, produces great injury. The American blight, as it is called in England, or the aphis hanata of the entomologist, is a destructive species, when permitted to make a lodgement on the apple tree, but fortunately, the cotton covering in which it is enveloped renders it easy to discover, and thus timely puts the fruit grower upon his guard. In passing thro' the Tonnawanda swamp on the way from Lockport to Batavia, in 1838, the Alder, glauca, that lined the road was literally loaded in places with a species of aphis, the long cottony filaments of which, erect in the air, seemed to be waved at will, and simultaneously, giving a most singular aspect to the branches on which colonies were planted. The turnip is greatly infested with the aphis, as is the rose, fennel, parsley, and many other plants cultivated for use or ornament. The aphis, while fixed by its sucker to the branch or the leaf, elaborates a sweet honey-like fluid, clear as water, and this is projected at will from two tubes in the hinder part of the body. We have seen in the sunshine, these drops falling like the spray of a waterfall, from a fruit tree on the leaves of which millions of the aphis were feeding. It is for this substance that colonies of the aphis are so frequefftly visited by the ant, which drinks the sweet fluid as it is thrown out by the aphis. Soap-suds and a strong de oxygen it composes nitric acid. Though fatal to animal life it abounds in animal substances, and forms ammonia with their hydrogen when burnt. The great difference between animal and vegetable substance is, the first contains azote and the last does not. Owing to its feeble affinity for other substances the number of compounds that azote enters into is swall, and its influence on agriculture, with the exception of its effects when it is combined with animal matter is, of course, proportionably Total Shares of stock held by this association as collateral security viz: 126 shares in the capital stock of the Staten Island Bank, valued at $100 each share, Amount of debts due to the Association on the first Monday of January 1839 Balance due from the North River Bank in the city of New York being amount of cash deposited in said bank to the credit of this Association Bonds and mortgages given by stockholders for their original subscription of stock on which no interest is yet due N. B. Of the above mortgages $5,000 are on land in the state of New Jersey and the residue on lands in the state of New York. Amount of discounted bills and notes, exclusive of interest, not yet due, supposed collectable, $122,500 00 33,000 00 155,500 00 The association has not sustained any losses or declared any dividend. Average amount in each month during the time the bank has been in operation, (viz: from the 17th day of October last) of the debts due to the association, For the month of October For the month of November For the month of December Average amount in each month of debts due from the Association for the same period: For the month of October For the month of November For the month of December Average amount in each month of specie possessed by this Association during the same period : For the month of October, For the month of November For the month of December Amount of bills and notes issued by this Association and put into circulation as money, and outstanding against it on the first day of each of the preceding three months. For the month of October For the month of November For the month of December Average amount in each month due to this Association from all the shareholders in the Association during the three preceding months was as follows: 17,465 38 31,074 91 43,205 10 23,196 47 23,132 70 20,143 62 321 21 495 03 805 70 none 230.00 17,516 00 1,044 89 221 76 908 29 15,673 43 3,310 36 13,624 41 THE RICHMOND COUNTY MIRROR: A WEEKLY PAPER PRINTED ON STATEN ISLAND, DEVOTED TO SCIENCE, LITERATURE, & NEWS. THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. NEW BRIGHTON, MARCH 23, 1839. VOLUME III.-NUMBER VIII. Pray for nie, mother, pray that no blight And most fervently did the mother's prayer go up in the Roland Cranstoun's step had ever been in lordly halls, bnt his father had died, leaving him but a younger son's portion and a haughty spirit for an inheritance. The army was open to him, and soon the name of "Captain Cranstoun" was read in the public papers of the day, and that his regiment was ordered abroad. Roland turned to greet her, and inwardly wondered that the fragile girl before him should ever have dreamed of tempting the dangers of the sea. A feeling of pity for a moment took possession of his heart, for as yet he "No, I am free; but my thoughts were homeward | male-should take this interest in his fate? But he was bound, Sedley." not long suffered to indulge his meditations. A bright "So would mine be," replied his friend, "but that weapon flashed before him, and he found himself attackthis foolish girl chose to leave home and kindred to fol-ed by three ruffians. Determined to sell his life as dearlow a soldier's fortunes," and the look of fondness that ly as possible, he drew his sword, and for a few minutes he cast upon the young being beside him showed how he kept them at bay. But he had received a severe wound felt her devoted love. "Come, I must introduce you to on the shoulder, and was fast losing strength from the Mrs. Sedley." effusion of blood; a sudden faintness stole over him, and he sunk to the ground; but ere the bared knife of the taller ruffian had reached his heart, a shout recalle his scattered senses, and Sedley and a band of his ga lant soldiers burst upon them. One of the ruffians was killed, but the others escaped. The body was recognized as that of a peasant, who was supposed to hold communication with a well known brigand band.— Cranstoun's wound was not dangerous, but it was of such a nature as to prevent his using his arm for many months, and he soon obtained leave of absence; though inwardly murmuring that all his proud hopes of distinguishing himself in the approaching strife, were crumbled to the dust. The laurel wreath he coveted was not to grace his brow. knew not woman's strength in the hour of her need. "Do you know who that young girl is, Roland," she asked one day, just as they came in view of their destined haven; "I have noticed her earnest gaze, more "What though these broad lands are mine, brother, than once, fixed upon you. There is something singuare not our hearts the same as in the days of our boy-larly beautiful about her face." hood? Is not one home large enough for us both ?— "I have seen those brilliant eyes before, I am sure, Stay with your kindred, Roland, stay to witness my hap-but where, I cannot think. There, she has vanished piness, and my sweet Anna shall be to you a sister." again. They say yon dark browed subaltern is her faRoland Cranstoun wrung his brother's hand with ther, and that has frequently forbidden her appearing strong feeling, and there was a slight quiver of his proud on deck. Her face haunts me like some bright vision of lip as he answered; "I know your generous spirit, Hen- my childhood." ry; I know what I sacrifice, but you must have the means of supporting the dignity of our ancient house, and I could not brook dependence. Do not tempt me brother, I must go forth unshrinkingly." The mother felt he had chosen the wiser part, and strengthened him with counsel and prayer. It was his last evening in his home; and each loved haunt had been visited again and again. Each old tenant had been up to the Abbey with a tear in his eye, and a kind word for master Roland; and with much emotion had he wrung each toil-worn hand. The evening wore away, and with a kiss upon the check of his new sister, and a smothered "God bless you," as he returned his brother's embrace, he broke from the family circle, and when all preparations were made for his departure, early the next morning sought his mother's chamber for her parting blessing. a The morning dawned fair and bright, but there was " vacant seat at board and hearth:" and the inmates of Cranstoun Abbey felt as if one gleam of sunshine had departed from their dwelling: "Speed on, speed on, thou gallant bark, Thy flag is waving free, And let the ocean caves give forth A fitting minstrelsy." And Roland Cranstoun was pacing the deck of the gallant ship with a thoughtful brow and a proud step, as the merry shores of England receded from view. "Whither are those sighs wafted, Cranstoun, my good fellow?" asked a brother officer, upon whose arm leaned a young and beautiful female. Is there any maiden fair "Weeping in lonely bower?" Her name is Florence Ridgley, so I have heard them call her," said Sedley, joining them, "but her father, Cranstoun, do you know him?" and a shade of anxiety passed over the face of the speaker. แ "No, I know no one of the name of Ridgley; why do you ask?" แ Only to bid you be on your guard; I fear he means you some evil." "Me!" but ere he could give expression to his astonishment, the glad shout of the seamen and soldiers, as they neared the shore, called off their attention, and the conversation dropped. "Spain! sunny Spain! Oh, there is breathing beau- "There is danger when the soft winds sigh, The warning comes from one of earth." Home-home! was his thought; and all preparations being made, he was to start on the morrow. He was sitting with his friends beneath the sweet moonlight, which was resting on the mouldering ruins of what was once a palace, belonging to some proud grandee, whose very name had died on time's records. "Would that I too could see the faces of mine own," softly whispered Mrs. Sedley, through her tears. “Mother! sisters! you will see them all, and tell them that their Flora's heart is often with them." "But still, my Flora would follow me to share my dan"Does she now regers and privations," said Sedley. pent? The soldier's bride must give up much, but the soldier's heart feels deeply her devotion." "Strange!" exclaimed Cranstoun. "That I have some enemy I cannot doubt; but from whom come these mysterious warnings? I will stay and unravel this plot." 66 "Do not stay, Roland," said Sedley, earnestly, nor seek England either. Distrust not this second warning; I will endeavor to find some clue to this labyrinth. You must leave to-morrow, but your destination must be a secret, and a chosen band shall guard you beyond the reach of danger. I suspect Ridgley has something to do with these dark doings; for I have seen such a look of scowling hate upon his dark face as his eye has been bent upon you, as has curdled my very blood." "But why should he seek my destruction? I know not the man, except as one who holds himself aloof from all companionship with his fellows. Why should he thus pursue me!" and his haughty brow darkened as he looked at his disabled arm. "Could I but wield my ❘ of exceeding beauty. A heavy step was heard outside that fortune should have singled me out as the hero of a romance like this-I would give my good sword to know what the end will be. good sword," he added fiercely, "I would soon call him to a dread account." "Mrs. Sedley laid her hand upon his arm, imploringly, “Roland, Roland, beware! there may be more listeners beneath these sweet skies than you wot of now. Hush, for pity's sake, and let us leave this spot." "Yes," said her husband, "for you know mine are only conjectures. We can bring forward no proof of this man's villany. Let us be wending our way to our own dwelling, and there we can form our plans." And they left the old ruin with the sweet moonbeam resting peacefully on the desolate ruins of walls where mirth and music once had been. Their forms were almost hid by the embowering trees, when a dark figure came forth from behind a ruined arch, and gazed after them with a ficnd-like smile upon his face. "Ah! go forth, Ronald Cranstoun, with your lofty brow and stately bearing. Go forth with your sage advisers to escape me--ha! ha! my coils are round thee, and I will compass sea and land for revenge. When your heart's blood is red upon my blade, then, only then will I rest satisfied." And he shook the bared weapon tauntingly in the direction they had taken. Suddenly a young girl sprang forth and knelt low at his feet. The shadows of sixteen summers scarcely could have touched her fair brow, and there she knelt "With head upraised and look intent, but no sound broke the deep silence. of the door-it opened, and the dark-browed figure of Roland saw the whole, and knew it was Ridgley's The stars looked down in their quiet beauty, and the "Tell me your name, sweet lady. It is strange that The gondola glided on, and those dark spirits formed their plans for the morrow. Silence was in the streets of Venice as Ridgley entered his temporary dwelling. A young fair girl had laid her weary head upon her arm by the open window, with only her own clustering ringlets for a screen from ""Tis my vocation to soothe the sick and sorrowful," the night air. The step roused her from her slumbers, answered she, in tones of music. and springing up she stood erect before him. Surely I have heard that voice before, and met a face strangely like thine. But my poor head is weak "Lelia!" and the tones of the voice were stern and yet, and I cannot recollect. Surely it was not always low, "what do you here, girl?" "Father," and the thrillingly sweet accents came like music on the ear. "Father, by the memory of my sainted mother, abjure this dark deed. Are we not forbidden to take vengeance?" Sister Theresa." A knock at the door interrupted them, and before she could reply, it was burst hastily open, and the glad greeting of Horace Sedley fell like a tone from home on the yearning heart of the sufferer. brow. "Tush, girl, have I not told you that blood alone can "Sedley, my dear friend, where do you come from?" exclaimed Roland, as he warmly wrung his hand-"I thought you still in sunny Spain.". "No, my old uncle has departed this life, leaving me heir to his wealth and titles-a good long rent roll is also mine. I immediately sold out, and shall expect you to receive Sir Horace Sedley and lady with a deal of form and ceremony." "What is Flora with you?" "Yes, nothing would do but the silly girl must see Italy, though she has since confessed that she had a presentiment you were in some danger." The maiden sprang to her feet. "Beware, father, or you will find your child has something of your own spirit. Taunt me again with my deep love, and I will say one word that shall give you to a dungeon and chains. I love you not, father; and but that I promised my gentle mother, on her death bed, to watch your dark course, I would go forth a wanderer through the world. I tell you again that I will warn Roland Cranstoun--and the "And so I have been, Horace, from more than one knife shall reach the heart of your daughter ere it because-Ridgley has been here--and though this gentle stained with his life blood," and with a light step she maiden warded off the blow, and from her lips I can gabounded away. ther nothing, yet I am confident he has attempted to re"Fool! idiot that I was, to trust her," muttered the move me by poison." man as he slowly followed. Cranstoun was in Venice, and two months went by without bringing any solution of the mystery; the third found him laid low with fever. In his delirious dreams he fancied that the mysterious warnings were again on his ear, and was conscious that a gentle hand smoothed his pillow, and held the cordial to his parched lip. A long and heavy sleep fell upon him; when he awoke he saw one in the garb of a sister of mercy by his bedside he was too exhausted for speech; but she held a cooling draught, and put her finger to her lip in token of silence. In a half dreaming state he again sank back, but not until he was conscious of having looked upon a face "Ah! I was just going to say that Ridgley deserted but a few weeks after you left. Can he be taken, his fate is certain." 'Father, for naught have I to thank you, save for sending me to the convent where I early learned lessons of Christian love and duty. For the education there received, I do thank you; for it has fitted me to fulfil higher duties than fall to one of my station. But, father, you have reviled and tormented me. You have turned the sweet waters of affection to bitterness. I have borne all in silence, but father, henceforth our destinies are sundered forever. I will not give my hand to the match, I will die sooner; no force shall compel me. Father, farewell for ever." And she turned to go forth a wanderer from the home of him who should have shielded Mrs. Sedley was anxiously expecting her husband's return, when her servant ushered into the apartment a muffled figure. She started up. Sister Theresa laid her cold hand on Sedley's arm- "Lady, fear nothing," said a low, sweet tone which "Guard well your friend-my duty calls me away, there thrilled to her heart. "Lady, I claim your protection," is danger around him—and as he values life let him not and while she held one hand pressed to her side, with leave this room till I bid." And gathering her veil the other she flung up the veil, and discovered the feaabout her, she glided from the apartment. tures of Florence Ridgley.-Mrs. Sedley uttered an exSedley started-" Why, Cranstoun, that is surely the clamation of wonder. same voice that I heard in the old ruin." Lady, I am alone iu the wide world, and throw myself on your protection. My strength is fast failing me; I am wounded, and by my father's hand." Conviction flashed upon Roland's mind. Yes, he was sure he had heard those sweet tones before, and met that sweet pale face. "Sedley-yon beautiful being is cer- She sank upon a couch as pale as death, and Mrs. tainly a guardian angel by my side. Is it not strange | Sedley saw with horror that her hand and her dress were stained with the dark current that was oozing from her side. In terror she despatched a servant for her husband and medical attendance, and then applied what means she had within her reach to stauch the wound.It was not deep, and after dressing it, the English physician, who had attended Cranstoun, enjoined strict quietness; and having administered an opiate, left them. Two days went by, and Roland was impatient to breathe the fresh air of heaven. Sister Theresa came not, and the third, in spite of Sedley's remonstrances, he determined to accompany him in his carriage to the Villa, which he had hired during his stay. His foot was already on the step when the report of a pistol fell on his ear, and a ball whizzed past him. Involuntarily he started back--it saved his life, for in another moment William, his faithful English servant, had caught another from the hand of the assassin, and fired it; the man fell with a groan-disclosing the dark features of Ridgley. He was conveyed into the very room where he had attempted to poison Roland. A priest was soon sent for, at his own request, to shrive the dying man, and Cranstoun bent over him. He raised himself up. "The sands are running low, my son," said the holy man, crossing himself. "Is there aught upon thy conscience?" He replied not, but turning to Roland with a look of undying hate, he hoarsely cried-"Do you remember the smuggler's cave by the sea shore, near the village of A—, in merry England, Roland Cranstoun ?-Aye, do you remember when a youth, you wandered to the lone spot one summer afternoon. One met you, and warned you to depart; but you, with your fearless darivg, would go on. The man laid a strong hand on you to turn you back, and your fierce spirit was roused, and with the bitter words of dog and smuggler,' you struck him a blow in the face. The remembrance of that hour has never been washed away, and in it was sworn a deep oath of vengeance. Look at the subaltern Ridgley, and read in his countenance the name of Matteo Levesci; a name at which you have often quailed in days gone by. "I have followed your footsteps, and vengeance would have been mine, but that, dolt that I was, I trusted a child with the secret. She warned you well-my malison be on her for it. I hate you with a bitter hatred "and clenching his teeth he sank back. - It all came back to Roland Cranstoun's memory.The sunny spot and the dark cave that had beguiled him from his home in the days of his boyhood, to see what treasure it contained, and the bounding step, and the bright beautiful smile in the fairy-like child who often stole away with him by the sea-shore when the smuggler's bark was afar; and the moment of passion in which that blow had been struck, and the disappearance of Martin Walters soon after. It all came back to him like some half forgotten dream. Now he knew where he had heard the voice, and met the eye of the young girl whose kindly warning had so often saved his life; and he turned shuddering away from the dark page of human passions which Walters' life presented. Ridsley waved them all from him, and desired to be alone with his priest. When the old man came forth from the chamber, it was to say that the soul had gone to its final account. Gently as possible was the news of his death communicated to his suffering child. A feeling of pity and of horror at his impious end was all the emotion it could excite. His own hand had torn asunder the strong ties of filial love. I cannot so soon part from you. Immure yourself in a convent for life-No! you shall go back with me to England, and be to me a sister." "But kind lady," and her tones were "Musical, but sadly sweet, Such as when winds and harp strings meet." "I have none to welcome me there. I am poor and alone. Few years may go by ere I shall be as one forgotten, while you, and those with whose destiny mine has been so fearfully interwoven, will be in halls of gladness and of mirth, surrounded by all you love." "Never! Lelia, never," exclaimed Cranstoun, who now stood before the astonished girl-"never-I love you, Lelia-nay, turn not away; and it must be as my bride that you again go forth into the world that has so sorely tried your youth." rue. Several other ideas have occurred to me upon the same subject, to which as I do not mean to be very prolix, I invite the reader's attention, nor do I deem it necessary to make any apology to the fraternity, as I know that, skilful as they are in discerning reasons on either side, they will find arguments in my favor a plenty-if they wish to do so. The nominal purpose of a Court of Justice is to seek the truth; but I question whether the truth is ever in other places more attacked, sneered at, brow-beaten, ridiculed and put out of countenance. It is the truth which every one in his turn finds it his interest to conceal. It is truth that every one is afraid of. Even the party most unequivocally in the right, is anxious to exclude the truth from the other side, lest it may seem to contradict his own; and all the lawyers, and even the "But I am not of your faith or country, for my moth-judge, seem as much on the watch to stop the witness's er was an Italian, and I am poor in wealth and name." "My kindred shall be thine, Lelia. They owe you a deep debt; it shall be repaid in affection; and though our creeds may differ, our hearts worship the same Be ing." Still she hesitated, and flush after flush was mantling her cheek and brow. She, the smuggler's daughter, to be the bride of the high-born Cranstoun, and to carry naught of dowry to him. There was woman's strong love and stronger pride striving for mastery. Lady Sedley took her hand—“ You are young, Lelia, to quit the bright world, and pass years of lonely vigils and penances. Think deeply—a happy home, and affections spells may yet be yours." mouth, every two minutes, as they have been to make him open it. To me, one of the most ridiculous things in the world is a witness upon the stand-trying-poor fellow-to give in his testimony. He is, we will suppose, not in the slightest degree interested in either of the parties, and doubtless wishes them both tied together by the neck, and dropped off the stern of one of the North river steamboats. He comes into court, not voluntarily, but dragged if he resists, by two or three scowling ministers of the law, who, from the mere fact of his | being presumed to know something about the pending suit, think themselves entitled to treat him as if he had been brought up for robbing a hen-roost. He is forced from his business or his amusements for the purpose of The maiden's face was bowed down, but not before a speaking the truth, and he inwardly resolves to tell the single word had pledged her faith to her lover. whole story as soon as possible, and get rid of tfie thing. 'Why, you all look in sober guise," exclaimed the He thinks he knows the worst. He thinks the loss of gay voice of Sedley, about half an huur after as he en-time, and the awkwardness of speaking for the first time tered the room. "But cheer up, Cranstoun, for there is blythe news from fair England. My old uncle, with the eccentric generosity that characterized him, has left you the pretty estate of Mossville, with sixty thousand pounds to support its dignity, in consideration of the affection he bore you in your childhood-so runs the will, a copy of which has just reached me. I give you joy, Cranstoun, for I have still more than I well know what to do with. So my pretty little Lelia will have almost a fairy house, for Moss-side is a little paradise.” Home, home-the "old Abbaye" is in sight, the gates are thrown open, and Roland Cranstoun is again in the midst of his kindred. The mother blesses her son, the brother grasps his hand, and they turn with deeper blessings upon the head of the beautiful being beside him, whom they greet as his bride. She had saved their Roland from death, she had watched him in sickness in a foreign land, and their hearts yearned towards the stranger. Never was such a joyous peal rung out, or did the old walls resound to such shouts of merriment as shook them that eve, for there were warm hearts to welcome back the wanderer; but there was a deeper well-spring of happiness in his soul a few months after, when his young wife had been converted to his creed, and knelt a humble worshipper at the same shrine of prayer with himself. 'No, no, my sweet Lelia, as that is your true name, would act, supposing "Owen's Moral World" to be in his life in public, are the extent of his sufferings.Unsuspecting victim! He no sooner mounts the stand, than he finds himself at once the centre of a circle of enemies, and holding a position not greatly unlike that of a prisoner in an Indian war-dance. He tries to tell his story. Witness.-I was going down Maiden lane- 2d Lawyer.--Don't interrupt the witness. 4th Lawyer (Fiercely and indignantly) we want the fact. Judge-Let the witness tell his story. Witness. I was going down Maiden Lane, where I live 4th Lawyer.-(Sarcastically) Very well, sir. Judge-Gentlemen, I beg you will sit down. One of the Aldermen.—Officer, keep order. Officer.-(in a tone of thunder, and with a scowl of more than oriental despotism upon the spectators, who aint making any noise that they know of)—Silence! Witness--I was going down Maiden lane, where I reside, as I said before 1st Lamyer.-You don't come here to repeat what you said before, sir. 2d Lawyer.-I beg 3d Lawyer.-(Starting to his feet) I demand4th Lawyer.-I appeal to his honor, the judge, to protect me from the impertinence of this witness. First, second, third and fourth Lawyer and Judge, together.-The witness must Officer.-(Looking at the audience again, and in a voice of thunder).—Silence! He commenced by telling you, gentlemen, that he lived in Maiden-lane, that he was going home on the day Judge.-Gentlemen, it seems to me that the best way when this ridiculous and unnatural assault is said to to come at the truth, is to let the witness go on, and I have taken place, that he saw a crowd, that he approachwill call him to order if he wanders from his duty.-ed, that he Mr. Swipes, my client, the defendant in this Witness! Witness.-Your honor. Judge. Tell the plain fact of this assault-tell the jury what you know about it-remember, you are here to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth-raise your voice-turn your face to the Jury. What do you know of this affair? length produced, it did not have such an aspect so disguised that its own mother might not have known it? The Mirror. FRANCIS L. HAGADORN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y. MARCH 23, 1839. MILITARY EDUCATION. It has often suggested itself to us as worthy the serious consideration of our legislative bodies, that means be adopted to ensure a military education to all classes of the youth of this country. The effects to ensue from a polity engrafted with such a feature would be multifarious, potent, and beneficial to individuals, as well as to the body politic. action, come up to the plaintiff, Mr. Wilkins, and give him, Wilkins, the said plaintiff, a blow with a bludgeon. But, gentlemen, when I come to sift this plausible story, you heard him equivocate and contradict himself. What sort of a hat had Mr. Swipes on!' 'A black one.'Of what breadth was the rim !' About an inch.' He thought, doubtless, that he was to have everything his The poor wretch commences again. The first, sec- own way, till I brought upon the stand to confrout him, ond and third and fourth lawyers continuing to skirmish the hatter, who made and sold the hat, and who proves around him like a parcel of wild Arabs fighting for the to you that the rim was broad. You cannot morally clothes of some unhappy prisoner. So far from getting doubt that the hat worn on that day, by Swipes, was a a chance to say the truth, the poor man cannot get a broad-brimmed hat; all the witnesses for the defendant chance to say anything. At length, bewildered out of swear it, and even Mr. Boggs himself, when closely his recollection-frightened, insulted and indignant- questioned, acknowledged that it might have been a To incorporate within the youthful mind a certain rehowever really desirous of telling the truth, he stumbles | broad-brimmed hat. Next, gentlemen, the pantaloons. gularity-to give to its functions a steady, onward pace, upon some inconsistency; some trifling, or not trifling What color were Mr. Swipes' pantaleons? 'Black,' to preserve its energies by any means which shall guard paradox-accounted for at once, and to every one's en- | said Mr. Boggs. Gentlemen, I have produced these against their dissipation, and to enable its powers to contire satisfaction, by the idea that he has forgotten. But pantaloons in court. They have been identified beyond centre at will upon a given point, are objects that must then comes the cross examination. Then the scientific the possibility of doubt. What was the result? You feed the solicitude of every guardian. That these obartillery of a cool, able lawyer, sharpened by thirty years saw yourselves, gentlemen. The pantaloons were pep-jects are attainable must be acknowledged by all who of similar practices, is brought to bear upon one trem- per and salt." recognize the practicability of tutoring the mind in aught, bling and already nervous stranger; perhaps ignorant, A cry of admiration throughout the court-room. The or who are willing to acknowledge that the acquireperhaps a boy. Then comes the laugh of judge and jury, officer cries 'order.' The poor witness unfortunately oc- ments of the present day are superior to those of antithe murmur of astonishment from the crowd that a per-cupies a conspicuous seat, and all eyes are fixed upon quity, and that inasmuch as the performances of to-day son could be found degraded and base enough to say surpass those of yesterday, so may those of to-morrrow that "the defendant wore a little rimmed-hat," when he outshine those of to-day. acknowledged subsequently off his guard, that the hat had "a tolerably large rim." Then the poor fellow, sore, all over, and not quite sure that he will not hinuself be sent to the states prison, at ten years hard labor, for perjury, before the week has rolled away, although he is the only person in the court who does not, in a great- | er or less degree, merit that punishment, is dismissed to a bench, a few yards off, where he is obliged to remain to hear the lawyers, in their addresses to the jury, tear his character to pieces with fine turns of rhetoric, and yet finer gesteculations. If we acknowledge that the powers and functions of the mind, as they now control the material formation, are daily adding to their possessions, and making steady and constant encroachments and acquirements, we cannot of course set bounds to their prowess or hope at present to define their limits. Thus it would appear less preposterous to pile theory upon theory and add volume to volume, than to rear a parapet of incredulity, and resist from thence every encroachment which the irresistible power of Truth is daily making upon the former prerogatives of ignorance and vice. him with the most virtuous indignation. He is calculat- ought to have been ashamed of himself. Was Mr. Judge. Witness, you must not interrupt the counsel. You have had you turn on the stand. You then had the opportunity to say whatever you pleased. If you are again guilty of so great an indecorum, I shall be obliged to commit you. 'What, gentlemen of the jury," says the first lawyer, summing up in tones of the deepest contempt, "what does the next witness, this Mr. Broggs, say!" Gentle-ion upon this case? Yes, he had said the scoundrel men, he comes forward under the most peculiar circumstances. A dark mystery shrouds his motives, which I shall not endeavor to altogether dissolve. But he comes forward, and he takes his place upon that witness's stand, with the open, the avowed, the undisguised, the unafected, the determined resolution to fix upon my client, the injured Mr. Swipes, this foul and unnatural assault and battery. You saw him, gentlemen, when I cross-examed him, tremble under my eye-you saw him hesitate. and turn pale at my vice." (The first lawyer very probaby, has a voice that would intimidate a bear.) "You heard him stammer and take back his words, and say he did not recollect.' Is this, gentlemen of the jury, an honest witness? The language of truth is plain and simple--it requires no previous calculations. If I ask you if you saw the sun set to-day, you answer yes, or no-you do not hesitate, you do not tremble. You do not say, 'yes, I did,' and in the very next breath, no, I did not.' You do not at first tell me, 'I walked ten miles yesterday,' and afterwards say, 'yesterday I was all day ill in bed.' (Here one of the jurers puts his nose by that of another, and utters something in approbation of this argument, and the other one nods his head and looks at the speaker as much as to say, "there is no use in trying to elude the sagacity of this keen-sighted lawyer. The witness had much better have told the truth," "Now, gentlemen, what does this witness say? Witness stands stupid, Officer. "Sit down!" (in a tone of indignant command. Witness sits down. Officer scowls at him as if he would snap his head off.) I shall not follow the learned gentleman further. I I only appeal to every wituess that has ever been brought into a court of justice, whether he has not found it often the most difficult place in the world to tell the truth in, and whether, when the truth was at length told, there ever were so many attempts made to mystify it? Whether so much of what every one present knew in his heart to be the truth, could any where else be so deliberately rejected, and whether, when this poor, belabored, mutilated, unhappy truth, so much demanded, was at soldiers, and not in any way to be opposed to the theory of educating all indiscriminately as soldiers. Could any means be devised-consonant with the popular will—to promote a general acquirement of the discipline and the wholesome subordination of military life, another generation might exult in the proud consciousness of a nation of twenty millions of free souls-every man of them not only willing, but actually capable of bearing arms and sustaining the discipline, dignity and soldierly punctilio of the ancient phalanx. What earthly power should dare confront a well-appointed multitude, thus doubly armed with intelligence and might, and never gathering up its energies but to launch them forth upon rightful ground? To such a force, the armed machines of Europe would soon become as inferior in manual discipline as they must ever be in theoretical tactics or strategy.The mention of the American name would carry dismay into the heart of every opposing force, and not only form a nucleus around which should cluster the sturdy arms and stout hearts of a million warriors, but constitute a shrine whereon to offer up the best affections. A |