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There is one thing which I must tell, for I think it a great discovery. I would withhold it and get a patent for it, if I thought it would not cost me more to defend it in the law from infringement, than it would return in cash. So I have concluded to speak it out, and to claim the gratitude of mankind, and a statue by and by from posterity, for my genius and benevolence.

I have discovered the reason why so many persons fail of success in their various callings, and why so many fail to improve. It is well known everywhere among men, or at least it ought to be well known by this time, that the one only good and sufficient reason for all short-comings in regard to duty, and all failures to grow better every day, and in fact, as it regards even positive sins and errors, is not in the men themselves. The old saying of Cassius to Brutus:

"The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves, That we are underlings,"

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and found him in a severe fit of this virtue. He was as blue with it as ever a man was with the ague. He was really in a bad fix, and as I sat down to listen to what was said, I did most heartily sympathise with him. I heard what he had to say, and as I did not feel compelled to answer him, I had nothing to do but to remember his conversation. It was something like this: He was speaking in all the freedom of confidential friendship to a fellow lawyer. They had been talking, I learned, of the rapid increase of business and wealth, made by one of their fraternity whom it is not necessary to name, and they were calling him a lucky dog. Why," said S-, the lawyer alluded to, some men were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and no one can knock it out. Now this very K- we were speaking of, he began practice the same year that I did. I had a front office on the opposite side of the alley to his, which was a back one, and really I thought, and everybody else thought, I had the best chance. But my partner was an inveterate smoker, and he kept the office so full of smoke-strong pipe tobacco-that a great many men could not endure it, and of course clients would not come to see us. Why, the fumes of the tobacco were so offensive to me, that I had to go at smoking in self-defence, and contracted one of the vilest habits that man ever had, the most abominable filthy piece of business that can be done; where a man makes of his mouth a vile chimney, a mere funnel to burn a mean stinking weed that nothing but a worm will eat-ugh!" and he pettishly threw into the fire the smallest possible remnant of a cigar, and deliberately took a fresh one, and lighted it, and began puffing it with the energy of virtuous indignation.

is all wrong and contrary to fact, to truth, and to right. All men would be better and better every day, they would never do or think a wrong thing, much less would they ever fail in becoming rich, intelligent, and influential, if it were not for those around them. Other folks do the mischief and hinder all the good that men would do; and the dear fellow is all his days in the worst of all imaginable trouble, because he cannot act, and do, and accomplish just all and everything, at the time and in the manner he desires. If he could only have had his way, and could have carried on things to suit himself, how fine a specimen of a man he would have been, nobody-not even himself-can tell or even guess. He would have been a philanthropist, or a conscientious moralist, or a pattern of "Now, L—, my partner, was of course virtuous propriety, or a diligent and laborious lazy, and did not attend to his part of the laborer in every good enterprise, if other peo- business, and so we kept running behind ple had only kept themselves out of his path- K-in business, till by and by it became way, and had allowed him to do all that his fashionable to run to him, and then of course great and benevolent heart was prompting him it was no use. But the law as a profession, is to. I have made this discovery, and am now in itself some how or other, it would seem, speaking of it as a profound and invaluable really degrading. Why, I do believe it is abrevelation, for which I expect the thanks of solutely impossible for a lawyer to be an honall your readers. Allow me to give some ex- est man, much less a christian. He must amples. overstate, if not lie outright. He must conLast week I made a call in a lawyer's office, ceal the truth, and badger witnesses, and

flatter the judge and jury; in short he must practice such an amount of deception that its effect on his character is bad and damaging necessarily. Oh, if I had remained a farmer, as my father was, I might at least have been an honest, if not an influential, man. But the power of example and associations have been too much for me, and here I am, just good for nothing, and all because I was led astray."

So I went to the merchant's store, to the joiner's bench, to the shoemaker's stall, to the machinist's shop, to the farmer's broad acres, and I found not a man in the whole community but might have been a virtuous, successful, very good, pious man, and remarkably useful if he had only been in the place of his neighbor. If the lawyer had been a clergyman, you would not have caught him in any tricks of the pulpit; and if the clergyman had been I did pity the poor man from the bottom of a lawyer, you would not have found him atmy heart, but I dared not say anything. He tempting to pervert justice. Not a bit of it. The evidently "had the argument," as Mayor merchant having been a farmer would have Harper would say, and I concluded to be been as honest as an angel-and the farmer silent. In fact, I had thought exactly these being a merchant would have excelled honesty things in regard to my own case, and there- herself. The judge being a carpenter would be fore knew them to be all too true. I am the most faithful of workmen, and the caralmost certain that I should have equalled penter being a judge would excel RadamanWashington Irving as a writer, if I had only thus himself. So the world goes. Nobody been fortunately enough situated. But lately I does wrong of his own notion, but other peohave been led to suspect that personal par-ple force him to be a little wicked. Now this tiality may have had something to do with such is not all banter. It is sober earnest, and I an opinion. I kept my peace however, and think I ought to be rewarded for the discovery. heard the man go on with an account of all his disadvantages, till he was tired.

For the Schoolmaster.

Though

EXPERIENCE is very desirable. every man, woman and child, has necessarily a different experience, yet each may profit in some way by that of another, and in no occupation more than that of teacher.

The very next day I happened in among a half dozen clergymen, for the idler is always dropping in among all classes and professions, and if not exactly welcome, yet he is rarely ever turned out of doors. I listened again, and heard all their trials and temptations, of small salaries, and hard parishes or circuits, and sleepy hearers, dilatory payments, gos- By visiting other schools and reading perisiping parishioners, and busy-body neigh- odicals devoted to the expression of thoughts borhoods; and of how this one and that had and suggestions, we may gain that experience been puffed and crowed along, and had had without actually living so many years as would good societies, and all that. I heard how hard be required to gain it by one's own teaching. it was for those good men to get on without One day, conversing with a very successful the temptation to be obsequious here, or un- manufacturer of "fanning mills," he remarkcharitable there, how difficult to resist paying ed that much of his success depended on his a delicate compliment to one, or bestowing a availing himself of the experience of the best harsh epithet on another, how almost impossi-workmen, by prescribing his own work and ble it is to keep out of the current gossip of seeing that of others at fairs, and visiting the the town, and how strong is the temptation at all times to let the whole daily life degenerate into a mere form, and I thought "deliver me from the barren, rigid, formal, constrained life of the clergy. They do not improve and cannot be men, as others are." In fact as I looked at it I began to think that I was about as bad as they, and that without being at all a clergyman.

best shops.

In fact, no one doubts the propriety and usefulness of seeing models and gaining the experience of others on any branch of mechanical labor, but it is the intelligent and immortal mind with which teachers have to do, and how much more need have they to understand every mode of gaining access to it, of arousing it to healthful and vigorous action, and

impressing it with the right thought at the ting and sympathizing with the teacher, they right time.

can do much for its improvement and success, As a portion of a day's experience, it is most by manifesting at all proper times and in all plainly seen that truthfulness of expresions in proper places, an interest in its welfare, and a words or deeds is most essential to real suc- deep solicitude for its reputation; by speaking cess as a teacher. May we not learn a lesson well of the teacher and of all his judicious from the boys at play, and illustrate a noble plans; by palliating or excusing his faults spirit by the conduct of one whom we have or failings, (of which every teacher must be just now seen. Can we not heartily and hon-expected to have some) and by inducing their estly commend such an act as this? Ira in neighbors to visit the school and take an infollowing Stafford, accidentally hits his heel terest in its exercises; thus showing to their and trips him, whereupon Stafford in a rage children, in the most convincing manner, that commences a severe punishment for the sup- they feel that their present employment is an posed indignity; but Ira, instead of turning important one, and that the duties of school again and giving blow for blow, stands up are not to be regarded as of little consequence. and exclaims, "you have flogged me, Staffie, but you have not made me do wrong." Ought we not to say to such a boy you have done nobly? Live out that same spirit and you will be a true man. Even in these woods where human beings live we may see a manifestation of true manhood.

In this county there are ninety-four school districts; each can be made a real school of morality or of corruption; a field of wide extent is presented for the earnest teacher.

Plymouth, Wis., May 26, 1857.

W. O. B.

From the Ohio Journal of Education.
Duties of Parents to Schools

DUTIES OF CHILDREN AT SCHOOL.

1. Scholars should be constant in their attendance at school.

2. They should always endeavor to be at school in season.

3. They should have a strict regard to all the regulations of the school.

4. They should be studious, and improve all their time to the best possible advantage. 5. They should be honest in regard to their lessons.

6. They should be neat and orderly in their personal appearance and habits.

7. They should avoid the use of profane and improper language.

8. They should always speak and act the truth.

9. They should be kind and pleasant to 1. PARENTS should send their children to their companions, and to all with whom they school constantly and seasonably.

2. They should see that they are decently clothed, and cleanly in their persons.

3. They should encourage them to respect and obey the rules and requirements of the school.

4. They should encourage them to be orderly in their deportment, and studiously to regard right.

have intercourse.

10. Their deportment in the street and elsewhere should be orderly and becoming.

11. They should love God and keep his commandments.

Should every scholar in all our schools faithfully perform these duties, not one would require punishment, or even a reprimand during the present winter. How delightful a place would the school-room be, what a pleasant

5. They should encourage them to be studious by manifesting an interest in their les-employment would that of the teacher prove,

sons.

6. They should have a regard for the character of the books their children read, and see that they read understandingly.

7. They should cultivate in their children habits of true politeness and courtesy.

and with what alacrity would all the scholars resort to school and engage in their duties if all were aiming to discharge these duties to the best of their ability!

Be proficient in some one thing; then, as a

8. Besides visiting the school and coöpera-secondary object, gain general knowledge.

Exercise for Girls.

any one who saw them with the idea that the girls were at ease, and were out for enjoyment; whereas, the stiff and prim set-out which we are accustomed to see, rather gives one the idea that they said their lessons badly, and are doing penance for it, exposed to the public gaze.

DID any of my readers ever meet a girls' school taking their accustomed exercises! Is there not something excessively ludicrous in the idea of some thirty or forty girls walking primly and demurely to a certain point, then right about face and back again? The timid step, the regular methodic movement, which I SENSIBLE REPLY.-"To all whom it may have heard waggishly compared to the mode of concern." There is a world of plain common progress of an ordinary sixteen-legged catersense in the following, “if,” as Hamlet says, pillar; the sedate tone of voice, each one "our wisdom could but find it out." talking with becoming decorum with the one Madam," said a husband to his young with whom she walks abreast, perhaps cate-wife, in a little altercation, which will somechising one another on the meaning of the times spring up in the best of families," eccentricities of some French verb, or ascertain-when a man and his wife have quarrelled, ing the degree of proficiency each has attain- and each considers the other at fault, which of ed in "Magnall's Question"-how can this the two ought to be the first to advance tominister to health? But the medical attend-ward a reconciliation ?"

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THREE DEGREES OF CHARACTER.-An ex

cellent turn was made a few days since, at dinner table, by Judge Hoar, of Massachusetts, altogether too good to be lost. A gentleman remarked that who used to be given

ing to get on-then he sought honor, and now he is trying to get honest."-Detroit Adverti

ser.

ant of the school recommends exercise; and "The best-natured and wisest of the two," is not walking across the common and back said the wife, putting up her rosy mouth for exercise? Of course it is; what more a kiss, which was given with an unction. She would you have? Why, if that very worthy had conquered!” lady, the schoolmistress, would allow me to have the charge of her pupils on the next afternoon's walk, (I believe it is not orthodox to take a walk exery day in the week,) I think I could put them in the way of getting exercise by which they would be much more benefitted, much more pleased, and come home with rosier cheeks and more cager appetites to sharp practice, was getting more circumthan is now the case. Probably at the schools spect! "Yes," replied Hoar, "he has reachwhere these girls are, there are several teached the superlative of life-he began by seekers, and perhaps some of the teachers may have some little knowledge of botany; so I would suggest that the teacher should ask two or three of the girls to bring her some wild flowers from their next afternoon's walk, with the promise held out that she would afterwards tell them something about them; and I must further petition that the girls be no longer compelled to walk two by two, methodically, but be allowed to roam and ramble at large-of course taking care they do not get out of sight of the teachers. I admit that the effect of all the girls rambling along a country lane-some looking into the hedge bottom on this side, and others straggling to the other side of a AT the recent examination of one of the broad green lane—would not really have the schools in Cambridge, a very small boy was same fine effect which is produced by the for- asked to define the meaning of the word promal procession along the dusty pathway on gress." He hesitated but a moment, and then the common; but I think it would impress in a clear voice, answered, "Go-ahead !”

IN following the history of mankind, we observe that in proportion as nations cultivate their moral and intellectual powers, atrocious action diminish in number; the manners and pleasures become more refined, the legislation milder, the religion purified from superstition, and the arts address themselves to the finer emotions of the mind.—Spurzheim.

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SHE sat upon the rugged rocks

Through all that summer's day,
Her eyes were o'er the waters cast,
Her thoughts were far away:
Her right arm held a little child,
A child of beauty rare;
And as she from his lily brow

Would part his auburn hair,
She'd say, 66

My child, my Charlie dear,

The hour has nearly come,
The next white sail that's inward bound
Will bear thy father home."

The sun had sunk behind the hills
Upon his fiery car,

And on the twilight's rosy sea

Floated the evening star,
When a noble ship sailed slowly in.-
A sudden, quick'ning joy
Thrill'd that fond mother's longing heart
As, gazing on her boy,

She said, "My child, thy father soon
Thy form to his shall press,
Thou soon shall know a father's love,
And feel his fond caress."

She hastened, as drew nigh the ship
Whose tall masts cleft the air,

To scan the faces of its crew,-
Alas! he was not there!

A strange wild fear swept o'er her heart,
Vibrated through her breast,

That he whom she had thought so near,

Beneath the wave might rest: She besought the stalwart captain "Where may my husband be?" With tear-dimmed eyes he answered, "Lost out, far out at sea!"

She heard no more-not how he long
Had struggled with the main,
When the night-storm was on the deep,
And aid was but in vain ;
She only heard his mournful doom,

She heard that he was dead,

And as the last word reached her ears, Her reason all had fled:

She knew of no bright future now

Glistening o'er with charms: She turned away, and closer held Her Charlie in her arms.

And should you visit that sea-side, As twilight shadows play,

You'll see upon the moss-grown rocks
At closing of each day,

A woman with dishevelled hair,
And black eyes beaming wild,
Who oft will call from boyish sports

A lovely little child,

And say to him, "My Charlie dear,
The hour has nearly come,

The next white sail that's inward bound
Will bear thy father home."

THE ALGONQUIN LANGUAGE.-It is said that there are no oaths in the language of the Algonquin Indians. They cannot blaspheme cannot call upon God-not on account of any extraordinary morality, but because the structure of the language renders it impossible. There are no forms for using the name of the Deity in that way and the name itself is considered too sacred to be commonly used at all. Christian converts in their prayers, use the term signifying "My Father." The Algonquins have a peculiar way of speaking of deceased persons, without saying that they are dead, by putting the name in past tense. Thus Pontiac, when dead, is spoken of as Pontibun -"Pontiac passed away." The language is very euphonious, as is shown by the proper names- -Potomac, Monongahela, Ontario, &c.

THE LAW OF HUMAN MORTALITY.-According to Prof. McCoy, the rate of mortality increases from youth to old age, and in a higher ratio to geometrical progression. In early manhood the rate does not differ much from a slow arithmetical progression. There are no crises or climacters at which the chances for life are stationary or improving. There are no periods of slow and rare increase succeeding each other, but one steady invariable progress. The law, though not at the rate of mortality, is the same for city and county, for healthy and unhealthy places, for every air, country and locality. These conclusions are based on the vital statistics of several nations.

AN old lady objected to giving her son a collegiate education after learning that "profane history was one of the studies."

IN governing others, you must do what you can do, not what you would do.

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