whenever they can make it convenient to give us rious departments, classes, orders, families and a call. WHAT WE WISH OUR FRIENDS TO DO. Now, kind friends, that we have told you frankly and fully what we mean to do for you, allow us to tell you with equal frankness what we wish to have you do for us. If you like our journal, and are pleased with our plan, subscribe for it yourself, if you have not already subscribed, and then get your neighbors aad friends to subscribe for it. It cannot be sustained by its present subscription list, and we appeal to you to aid us in increasing it. If its receipts equal the expenses of its publication, during the coming winter, we shall be satisfied, in the hope of better things for the future. We are willing to give our time, and our best efforts, but we cannot pay the bills without your assistance. Will not each of you consider himself an agent, and send in a generous list of subscribers, with a comforting roll of Rhode Island bank bills?? Benevolence displayed in the Animal Kingdom. One of the first truths which arrests the attention of the student of nature, and especially of Natural History-after recovering from his astonishment at the almost endless variety of animal life developed upon our little world, is the wisdom, the incomprehensible omniscience of the Creator. The truth which the poet has penned with regard to the "undevout astronomer," he quickly utters in the fullness of his heart, of the unbelieving naturalist. With the evervarying forms of animal life before his mind's eye, he exclaims: "The undevout" naturalist "is mad." Nor less wonderful, when once opened to our view, though more concealed from the careless gaze of the unreflecting multitude, is the Divine Benevolence displayed in the complete animal creation. An early reflection upon nature's teachings of the animal kingdom is the vast multitude of animate beings resident upon our globe. genera, we are struck with the multitude and variety. We are able to form but a slight conception of the number of human beings upon the earth, but when we come to consider the four departments of animals as containing a quarter of a million of distinct living species, and try to form a conception of the number of inber of different varieties, we are almost as much dividual beings comprised under this huge numbewildered as if attempting to number the stars of heaven or the sands of the sea shore. The second thought that suggests itself is, that, among all this host of classes, orders, and genera, there is no confusion or disorder and no infringement of one division upon another. No two species occupy common ground. Each has its appropriate station, and occupies the sphere for which it was created, without encroaching upon the domain allotted to another, or experiencing or producing any collision of interests. Each species is also adapted by nature to a specific manner of life, as well as to inhabit a distinct location upon the earth's surface. Each has its own peculiar food, which can be obtained in the locality it is designed to occupy, which food does not intrench upon the requirements of other species, and for which its own peculiar physical organization is adapted. man is acknowledged to be the lord of the animal kingdom, and is found in all climates and upon every section of the earth's surface, yet he is adapted by physical differences in organization for the various climates and the various kinds of While food, and is withal restricted to certain modes of life and peculiarities of existence. The most astonishing wisdom is shown in the peculiar organization of each species and in the adaptation of this organization for the specific food which is provided for it. All this wisdom, as we shall see, is a dis play of the greatest benevolence, while it might have been exercised in the greatest malevolence. Nor could these peculiarities have been interchanged or even varied, without producing the greatest confusion, or even the destruction of the species. For example: all land animals are adapted by a peculiar and delicate organization to respire the air which surrounds the earth, abWe are apt to look upon the earth merely as the stracting from it the oxygen, by means of which abode of man. "Tis true we see various ani- the continual reactions are maintained in the matmals around us, but too often pass them by in ter composing the body, which reactions are esour thoughts as of no special importance-as essential to the continuation of life. But this merely designed for man's pleasure and conve- respiration of oxygen is just as essential to the nience. But when we regard them with studious life of the host of various species of the sea's care, with reference to their structure, adaptation inhabitants, and, that it may be supplied to and manner of life, and divide them into the va-them, one part of the binary compound in which This design is made known to us only by our reasoning from the effect to the cause, and from the results of the divine action estimating the design which prompted, so to speak, the great Creator to put forth that action. they live is also oxygen. This fact would avail them nothing, were their respiratory organs the same as those of land animals. But they are not left thus destitute of a proper adaptation. They are furnished with a very different and equally ingenious contrivance for withdrawing the oxy- Reasoning thus, from effect to cause, there gen from the water, and conveying it to the are everywhere manifest in the animal creation blood, and appropriating it to the purpose of con- most unmistakable proofs of benevolence. tinuing life. Again in the means of locomotion, The attribute of benevolence, or of its opposite, in which especially the different classes and or- malevolence, can be displayed only on sentient ders are most wonderfully adapted to their re-beings. That which makes them adapted to pective provinces, this wisdom and benevolence be thus the objects of this action, is their power is singularly exhibited. While the largest animals, such as could not without difficulty be so constructed as to move readily and safely upon the land, are adapted to an existence in the water, the different varieties of land animals are The question of the Creator's benevolence deprovided with different means of locomotion ac-pends, therefore, upon the construction of the becording to their size, organization, manner of ing with reference to these senses, and of the life and adaptation for food. of sensation; that is, the power of experiencing pleasure or pain by means of the various senses with which they have been endowed by their Creator. pleasure. adaptation of the external world, acting upon The winged varieties, for example, are strangely these senses, to produce the sensation of pleasure adapted for their aerial life. Not only are they or pain. We have, then,a criterion, by which facts provided with wings with which to cut their way will enable us to judge of the Creator's benevothrough the air, but their bodies are formed with lence. Is the physical structure of all animate particular reference to lightness, in order that existencies, throughout the entire scale of being, they may be as unencumbered as possible. For so arranged, and the outward world so adapted, this purpose the bones are very small, and, that as to produce sensation in those beings, of pleasthey may be of sufficient strength, are of a tubu-ure or of pain? We unhesitatingly answer of lar form. While the parent bird brings into life a whole brood of young at once, she is wisely and Take for example the sense of sight. The outsingularly created oviparous, that she may not ward world might have been so constructed that be burdened, in flying, with more than the trifling there would be presented to our eyes and to the weight of a single egg at a time. In its form eyes of the various orders of animals, the most also, the bird is adapted to flying, even to the frightful objects, producing disgust, fright, and very bill, which is pointed, not only to assist in terror in the mind. But instead, how admirably selecting its food, but that it may present as lit-adapted to promote pleasure! What a variety tle surface as possible to the air, through which | of pleasant shapes and colors are presented beit passes. fore the eyes of all, to whom God has given the power of sight! In whatever direction we turn our investigations, we see that scarcely the slightest modification or change could be effected, without injuring or destroying the species thus modified, and introducing more or less confusion and pain into the whole animal economy. In order to observe more particularly the Benevolence of the Creator, let us inquire: what appears to be the grand design in the creation of the innumerable host of living beings with which our earth is peopled? Or, take the sense of taste. Living bodies are nourished and sustained, and growth promoted by eating. But for this purpose, it is only necessary that the animal eat that which is adapted to nourishment and growth. It would by no means be necessary, for this purpose merely, that the food be pleasant to the taste. It might be the most loathsome and nauseating to the palate, producing, instead of a pleasurable sensation, the most disgusting sickness. But the Creator has most beneficentiy adapted the palate of each class of creatures to the food which he has provided for them. The sensation of hunger comes We do not here ask the question: what was God's great purpose in the creation of man, as a responsible, accountable being? but, what ap-in, when we have abstained from food, as if pears to be the design, merely with reference to earthly things and the present state of existence, of the creation of this great family of organized beings? to remind us of the wants of nature,-as if to suggest to us that the body must have nourishment,-then the pleasurable sensation of eating is doubly increased, but diminishes, when the hunger is appeased; as if to say to ns,-" that is sufficient, the wants of the stomach are satisfied." So of all the senses. While they serve important purposes of utility, they also in all the animals are the means of constant and continued pleasurable sensation. of God, especially in the animal kingdom; to endeavor to learn the design of the Creator in this vast creation; remembering his own ignorance and that God is omnipotent, to refrain from hastily judging and condemning the purposes of the Creator, and finally, in the language But the query may arise,-is there no pain in the of another, "to learn the important lesson, that, world? Do not these very senses often times pro-if ignorance is the cause of our early scepticism, duce pain? Do not many species of animals knowledge is the wing, wherewith to fly to hearlive on other species? Does not one animal de-en." stroy and devour another, himself soon to be de voured by a third, and so on? We answer yes-and yet, this does not reflect at all upon the benevolence of the Creator. Yon Silent Moon. Shines through the clouds with tender modest ray, The sense of taste, for example, is often the pro- | That silver moon with mellow light serene, before his sight the most frightful objects. Every post is a demon, every stick a serpent, and his best friends are pursuing him, as insatiable tormentors. Who would bring this as an evidence that sight is not a beneficent provision? The sense of touch is often the means of pain. The object of this is, to produce vigilance and and caution, and thus keep us back from danger. It has become a proverb that a "child once burned fears the fire." This liability of painful sen sations from the sense of touch is a most benev olent safe-guard, and very often essential to the preservation of life, both to man and to the low er orders of animals. The existence of the carnavia, which destroy animal life and live upon flesh, is a wise and benevolent provision. Some check is necessary to be placed upon various species of animals, otherwise they would over-run the world and become the means of destruction to other species; and it is found upon inspection that provision has been made for the destruction of those species especially, which propagate abundantly. The the carnaria are often directed by instinct to destroy those which are old and infirm, and they are furnished with the means of taking the life of their victims with the least possible pain. It is therefore evident that, the design of the Creator, wherever man can discern it, is benevolent, and although there may be some provisions which he cannot understand, there are none which can be proved to be malevolent. When dense and thick the clouds have gathered o'er, And seems to say: And all is dark to mourning souls below, Y. I. L. THE NOVEMBER NUMBER will be issued on Wednesday, the 25th instant. Each subsequent number will be furnished to our subscribers promptly, on the 15th of the month. Our journal is now sent to eighteen states and the Canadas; and we hope our friends, both at home and abroad, will assist in extending its circulation. A GOOD LIBRARY, well taken care of, is beyond all price. But, do not get a library which you cannot read, sooner than you would get a It becomes man, then, to study the works horse which you could not feed. Accuracy. IN looking over the pages of a somewhat popular school history recently, we found the following sentence: "In June occurred the Massacre of Wyoming,' well known as a delightful valley on the banks of the Susquehannah." The people of Northeastern Pennslylvania well know that the valley of Wyoming is a "delightful valley," but they will doubtless be astonished to learn that the "Massacre of Wyoming" is thus characterized. At a teachers' institute recently held in Massachusetts the following illustration was given of inaccuracy of description: A scholar, in describing with great earnestness the appearance of an encampment of soldiers, which he had seen, said of the tents-" Some of the tents were kindo' square, like the roof of a house, and some of them were kind o' round like a haystack." All we wish is to call the attention of our readers to the necessity of accuracy of description, and, indeed, accuracy in everything. Let every teacher be careful to teach, and practice, too, accuracy in whatever is undertaken. DID ROGER WILLIAMS LIVE FOR NOTHING? Will the Rhode Island Schoolmaster answer? Vide sequentem : A Connecticut schoolmaster asked a lad from Newport, "How many Gods are there?" The boy, after scratching his head some time, replied: "I don't know how many you have in Connecticut, but we have none in Rhode Island."-Illinois Teacher. OLD GRIMES.-The following humorous and eccentric effusion is nearly two centuries old, but the older it grows the better it is. It is said to have been written by one of the wags and wits attached to the Court of the Merry Monarch,' and was intended as a satire on a member of parliament named Grimes. It is one of those whimsical effusions that ripen with age, and grow more brilliant and popular as they grow old.-Illinois Teacher. The above are quotations from the Illinois Teacher, one of our exchanges, the reading of which we highly prize. The boy was certainly right, brother editor, in saying we have no gods in Rhode Island, for-as Roger Williams taught our fathers to do-we worship the one God, the great Jehovah, and, while others may have "gods many and lords many," we have "no gods." With regard to the remarks on "Old Grimes," we hope our good friends in Illinois will not be lieve them, although found in so respectable a journal as the Illinois Teacher, and accredited to the "Eds. Portfolio." It certainly must amuse the author of this facetious poem to see such grave speculations respecting its authorship. We beg leave to inform our western friends that the veritable author of "Old Grimes," is Mr. ALBERT G. GREENE, a well known citizen of our good city, and lately clerk of our municipal court. Since writing the above our eye has fallen upon the following in the Providence Journal: "The Illinois Teacher publishes Albert G. Greene's famous poem of "Old Grimes," and attributes it to one of the wits of the Court of Charles II. Mr. Greene has so long been accustomed to hear this piece attributed to almost anybody but himself, that he has probably concluded that it would be easier to write another than to defend the authorship of this." Our Contributors. WE would call attention to the leading article in the present number, from the pen of one of our special contributors, who prefers to write annonymously. Our readers will be happy to learn that our annonymous friend, "John White Oak, S. M." (J. W. O. alias John,) will continue to favor us with his articles on English Literature and other subjects. He is a welcome contributor, because he thinks before touching pen to paper. Manfred and B. W. M. are still with us. An article from the former is on our table for the next number. We would like to know if any one can inform us when "John Dudd" is expected to return from his present voyage? He has been out a long time. Has any one seen any of his "Fragments" recently? We should be glad to hear from him. The customary poem from Annie Elizabeth has not been received. The beautiful lines, from her pen, in the September number were good enough, however, to last two months. The services of several additional writers have been engaged, who will, from time to time, furnish articles and items of interest, and we hope all our former contributors will continue their favors, as heretofore. KNOWLEDGE is twofold; it consists not only in an affirmation of what is true, but in the negation of what is false. IF ANY of our subscribers are not furnished regularly, or have not received every number, we should be happy to have them inform us, and we will immediately forward missing numbers, or correct whatever errors may have been made. We make this remark, because we find such errors have existed, and we wish to correct them. We shall endeavor to supply every subscriber promptly, and according to the direction given us. Should any subscribers still receive the book, who may have ordered it stopped, or who do not wish to continue the subscription longer, we would request them to notify us, and those who are in arrears would confer a favor by at once remitting the amount due. We may, possibly, owing to the present condition of our books and accounts, send bills to a few persons who have already paid; should this be the case, we beg them to consider it unintentional and at once inform us that they are innocent of the charge of not paying the printer, and upon receipt of the information we will be very glad to erase their names from our black list. WE TAKE the liberty to send a copy of this number of the Schoolmaster to some who are not subscribers. We have no objection to their considering it a very respectful and polite invitation for them to subscribe, and should they do so, and send in their names with the dollar, we shall be most happy to forward them a receipt in the next number, and the journal for one year. INTELLIGENCE. Professor Agassiz. THE following correspondence, which we copy from the Courier, will be read with interest by all our readers. It is gratifying to find (says the Advertiser) that Professor Agassiz is so strongly bound to this the country of his adoption, that he is willing to forego the very flattering offer made to him in the name of the Emperor of France, to accept an honorable appointment in that country. Both letters are characteristic. That of the Minister of Instruction, breathing doubtless the spirit dictated by the Emperor, although complimentary, is almost imperative in its tone. Professor Agassiz's reply is modest and dignified. Translation: Letter of the Minister of Public Instruction and PARIS, August, 19, 1857. SIR:-A chair of Paleontology is vacant at the Museum of Natural History of Paris, by the death of M. d'Orbigny. You are French; you have enriched your native country with eminent works, and laborious researches; you are a Corresponding Member of the Institute. The Emperor would be happy to restore to France a distinguished man of science, a renowned Professor. I offer you, in his name, the vacant chair. Your country will deem herself happy in recoving one of her children, the most devoted to science. Be pleased to accept, Sir, the assurance of my sentiments of high esteem. ROULAND. M. Agassiz, Member of the Institute of France, Professor of Sciences, Boston, United States of America. GREAT IMPROVEMENTS have been made within a few years, in the manner of furnishing light, We after the sun ceases to accommodate us. wish to make our day longer than the solar day, and our fathers used only oil from the "monsters of the great deep." But what a change has been effected by the introduction of gas! Yet many cannot avail themselves of this, and To His Excellency the Minister of Public Inwe have found a fine substitute in Mr. Wolsten-struction and Religion, at Paris. Monseiur le holme's "Helion Light." Some of our friends prefer it to gas light. It certainly gives one of the purest lights we have ever seen. Our readers will find it advertised on the third page of the cover. If a man die shall he live again?" And once a year have the daisies answered it, and every day has the morning testified, and yet the world is murmuring still, “If a man die, shall he live again ?" Professor Agassiz's Reply. Ministre: After having passed the greater part The whole world considers the Jardin des existence for the natural sciences, I have therePlantes as the most important establishment in fore, experienced the liveliest joy in reading your You may glean knowledge by reading; but you letter, and in receiving by your offer the proof so must separate the chaff from the wheat by think-precious for me, that I am not forgotten in Europe. Unfortunately your proposition finds me ing. |