of proverbs from many languages, concerning the fickleness and inconstancy of woman, such as could only have been collected by a man with whom the course of true love has been a succession of rapids and cascades. For the benefit of all who may desire to subscribe to this paper, we subjoin its brief prospectus The OLD BACHELOR is published semi-occasionally, alternately, every other time, or, whenever it is most convenient, at 00 Celibate Street, under BACHELORS' HALL. TERMS-CASH. For Sale by all Sensible Booksellers.. Though we cannot approve the sentiments of the editor, whom some faithless "Cousin Amy" has no doubt recently made desperate-there is a very capital sketch he publishes, which may profitably be quoted in part, devoted to the tearful side of courtship and marriage. The poor wretch says weeping again. But, so strongly has the feeling set in against the new son-in-law, that it is only by a speech full of the deepest pathos, that he least thought of murdering, or, indeed, even ascan persuade the company that he has not the saulting his wife. At last, the mother, bride, and bridesmaids retire to say, "Good-bye," and have a good cry all together up stairs. Then the blessing and the weeping begin again with renewed vigor. The bridesmaids cry till their noses are quite red, and their hair is as straight as if they had been bathing. And when the time comes for the "happy pair" to leave, in order to catch the train for Baltimore, then the mother, father, sisters, brothers, bride, bridegroom, bridesmaids, and every soul in the house, all cry, even down to the old cook, "who knowed her ever since she were a babby in long clothes"-as if the young couple were about being "transported for life" in the literal rather than the figurative sense of the term. 66 We are gratified to know that a new work by the author of the " Virginia Comedians," styled Ellie; or the Human Comedy"—is soon to appear from the press of Morris of this City. Mr. Meteorologically speaking, it would be highly John Esten Cooke, whose incognito has now been interesting could we arrive at a knowledge of the thrown aside, has had a rapid rise into favour exact amount of "doo" prevailing during court- with the reading public and bids fair to assume ship. Nobody can feel more truly wretched than a high stand among the novelists of the age. on the happiest day of his life. A wedding is even more melancholy than a funeral. The bride His former work, which made so decided a sensaweeps for everything and nothing. At first she's tion last summer, was not reviewed in the Mesheart-broken because she's about to leave her Ma senger possibly because during the Editor's aband Pa; then because she hopes and trusts George sence in Europe, Mr. Cooke was himself in will always love her; and, when no other excuse charge of the magazine, but the omission shall be is left, she bursts into tears because she is afraid he will not bring the ring with him. Mamma, repaired in our next number when we propose to too, is determined to cry for the least thing. Her pressnt a review of it from the pen of an esteemdear, dear girl is going away, and she is certain ed and able contributor. something dreadful is about to happen. At church the water is laid on at eye-service; indeed, the whole party look so wretched, no one would ima 66 We may here mention that the gifted author of Alone," of whom we are proud as a daughter gine that there was a "happy pair" among of Virginia, has also a new work in press, entithen. When Papa gives away his darling child, tled The Hidden Path," which is looked for he does it with as many sobs as if he were hand- The following paper has been sent us for pub REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE of the UNION The ladies of this Association offer their thanks up a little; and the bridesmaids, in particular, for the liberal donations received during the past feel quite resigned to their fate. As if they had month. They also desire to express their acgrown hungry by crying, or the tears had whetted their appetite, they drown their cares for a while knowledgments to Mr. Ed. Gaskill and Messrs. T. in the white soup tureen. * - Then the fath- K. & P. Collins of Philadelphia, for the printing er gets up, and, after a short and pathetic eulo- of 1,000 pamphlets, and to an editor of Richmond gum upon the virtues of that "sweet girl," for the printing of 500 circulars. whom he loves as his own flesh and blood," The ladies are making arrangements to visit all thumps the table, and tells the company that the principal localities of Richmond to collect doanyone who would not treat her properly would| nations. Their exertions are continued with unbe a scoundrel." Upon this, every one present turns round to look and frown at the wretched abated ardor, and there is every prospect that villain of a bridegroom, and then they all fall their efforts will be crowned with great success, are glad to think that its moral effect can not be other than salutary upon all who might be tempted by the possession of superior endowments to emulate her shining and miserable career. THE SUMMER LAND. New York: D. Appleton & Co. [From A. Morris, 97 Main Street. A series of very lively and graceful sketches from the pen of a Southern gentleman illustrative of Life in the Southern States. The work is neither so remarkable for its style or its interest as for giving promise of much bet ter things in future, and we think that whatever opinion the reader may form of its merits, he will be apt to par chase the next volume the author gives to the public. There are passages in The Summer Land to which we might demur as by no means accurate portraitures of Southern character and society, but we have no disposi tion to be exacting in the case of a young author whe has so much to compensate for natural and trivial faults. Much brilliant and effective criticism has been expended upon these volumes, and the editorial labours of Mr. Madden have been judged of, favorably or otherwise, according to the preconceived estimate of the Countess of Blessington which the critic had formed. To those who in former days had the run of Seamore Place and Gore House and fell under the fascination of "Blessington's eyes," we can very well understand how Mr. Madden should seem a very stupid old gentleman, but to all other people, such as have never heard the voice of the charmer and who regard the modern Aspasia at as safe a distance as the ancient one, we think he will appear to have discharged his delicate office with singular proprie ty and good taste. For ourselves we have rarely read a more delightful or more melancholy book. The moral of it is patent. A woman of great beauty and accom-1 plishments and gifted with no ordinary share of intellect, but feeling the conventions of society irksome and there. little heroine with a husband, but the story of the Re fore disregarding them altogether, comes out in the world of Loudon and for years maintains a shining sway over the wits and statesmen and sarans of that metropolis. Adulations are heaped upon her, the incense of adoring crowds is wafted upon every air that kisses her brow, she is at once that woman of the whole kingdom who is most worshipped by the other sex and hated by her own. Yet in the midst of all this grandeur the woman is su premely unhappy, the goddess is bored by the idolatries. Like Mariana in the moated grange, she is aweary, aweary. The rest of the story is short and sufficiently sad. Extravagance of life brings pecuniary ruin; bankruptcy at hone is followed by apoplexy abroad and an epitaph from the pen of one of her poetical admirers tells to all who visit St. Germain that Marguerite, Countess of Blessington, there moulders into dust. A more fitting useful a variety of publications. They may all be obplace of burial could hardly have been selected. The tained of James Woodhouse and A. Morris of this city. spot which is associated with the sins and splendour of la Valliére, and with the humiliation and disgrace of the frivolous James 11., the spot where Louis Quatorze was born and from which he removed, because from its inagnificent terrace he could see the towers of St. Denis, the mausoleum of the Kings of France, becomes yet more eloquent of the hollowness of earthly glory from containtaining the dust of the Countess of Blessington. The Messrs. Appleton have published during the last month many most agreeable and valuable works. Kenneth and the Two Guardians are the titles of two new novels from the busy pen of Miss Yonge. In the former there is a provoking incompleteness in not providing the pretty Of the literary labours of the Countess, Mr. Madden takes, as it seems to us, a just notice. They were the merest inanities that ever sprang from the hot-bed of fashionable life-they blossomed, exhaled a little puff of perfume that resembled very much the fragrance of a Parisian odeur bottle, and expired. And yet it is painful to see with how persistent a devotion to her metier of author she labored at these works and how unsuccess | fully she endeavored to make their proceeds equal to the lavish expenditures of Gore House. The only literary remains of Lady Blessington that have the semblance of feeling and reflection are those "Night Thoughts" which tell of the vanity of her existence-these are the crystals which remain in the crucible of mental suffering, distiliations from the alembic of hidden sorrow. Few works will have a wider circulation than this memoir of the most celebrated woman of her time, and we treat from Russia under Marshal Ney is most effectively and pathetically narrated. In both the author's EpiscoPalian proclivities are constantly manifested. My Bro ther's Keeper, by the author of "Dollars and Cents," is another work of fiction which will be gladly welcomed by the novel reading public. Of more grave and elaborate contributions to literature, the first volume of Lam artine's History of Turkey and the learned Dr. Huse's History of the Christian Church have been issued by these enterprising publishers in excellent style. Nor have they failed to offer volumes of scientific and practical value in Gillespie's Land Surveying, a full and admirable exposition both of the theory and practice, and in The American Cook Book which should find a place on the shelves of every lady's kitchen. Certainly no other book establishment has offered in the same time so THE CHAIN BEARER; or the Littlepage Manuscripts, LIONEL LINCOLN. Same author and Publishers. [From Two additional volumes of the excellent edition of Cooper's novels published by Stringer & Townsend of New York which we cordially commend to the public. We beg to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. J. W. Randolph of four recent publications of Henry G. Bolin sent by Messrs. Bangs, Bros. & Co. of New York. The Memoirs of Philip De Commines belongs to a series of valuable French Memoirs-a new enterprise of the unt ring London Publisher. The Lectures on Modern History by Professor Smith of the University of Cambridge constitutes a valuable addition to the Standard Library, while the Classical Library is enriched by a new trans lation of Demosthenes on the Crown. Cervantes' Ezen• plary Novels come out in another Extra Volume. We have too frequently commended the publications of Mr. Bohn to render any farther notice of them necessary. PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM-JNO. R. THOMPSON, EDITOR. VOL. XXI. RICHMOND, JULY, 1855. THE THEORY OF LIFE, &c.* NO. 7. eral is some principle of activity added by the will of Omnipotence to organized structure, and that, in man, who is endowed with It has been well observed by a philosoph- an intelligent faculty in addition to this vital ic Poet that "the proper study of mankind principle possessed by other animals, there is man;" not of the customs and history of is superadded to life and structure an immathe race only, but of the nature, physical terial soul. "We perceive," says the learand moral of the individual man. The lat- ned Abernethy, "an exact correspondence ter subject of human study and knowledge between those opinions which result from concerns the nature of man, as he is gene- physiological researches, and those which so rally asserted to be a compound creature, naturally arise from the suggestions of reacomposed of matter and mind or spirit, as a son that some have considered them as intucreature supposed to be constituted by an itive. For most reflecting persons in all addition to his physical organization, of ra- ages have believed, and indeed it seems nattional and immortal spirit. The laws of his ural to believe, what modern physiology physical organization, form the necessary also appears to teach, that in the human body study of the anatomist and physiologist. there exists an assemblage of organs, formed The other forms the study of the mental phi- of common inert matter, such as we see losopher, and is an useful and appropriate after death, a principle of life and action, and subject of study for every reflecting man. a sentient and rational faculty, all intimateIn order rightfully to direct and adequately ly connected, yet each apparently distinct to stimulate us to the improvement of the from the other." We would here remark mind, we should endeavor to have just and a striking coincidence between what this elevated views of its dignity, its worth, and great man asserts as the true teachings of its destiny. modern physiology, and the account of the One school of Philosophers- should we origin and nature of man, as given by the not say Philosophists-men of unquestion- inspired penman! God made man of the able learning in the laws of the physical or- dust of the earth;" here is inert matter ganization of man, have from early ages joined to material structure. "And breathed maintained, and are continually reviving, a in his nostrils the breath of life;" here is tenet which affirms, that the spirit or think- the principle of life, added to the structure. ing principle of man, is the result of mate-" And man became a living soul;" here is rial organization, is absolutely dependent on the third principle or component part of the it, and ceases on its destruction. creature man; the master-piece of creative Another school, including a majority of wisdom in our sphere, exactly coincident by no means the least learned physiologists with the three principles of Physiology, vizas well as moral philosophers, maintains, that inert matter, organized living structure, and the mind of man is the result of a spiritual the immaterial sentient spirit. principle, endowed with powers of percep tion and thought, added by its Creator, to man's material structure, which survives its dissolution. They maintain, that life in gen *Lectures on Anatomy, &c. By Jolin Abernethy, F. R. S. London. 1820. pp. 254. Lectures on Physiology, Zoology, and the Natural Histry of Man. By William Lawrence, F. R. S. 1842, Vestiges of Creation. New Edition. 1853, VOL. XXI-50 "So intimate, continues Dr. Abernethy, is the connection between these, as to impose on us the opinion of their identity. The body springs and bounds as though its inert fabric. were alive, yet we have good reasons for believing that life is distinct from organization. The An inquiry into the probability and rationality of Hunter's Theory of Life. By John Abernethy, F. R. S &c., 1814." Page 77. mind and the actions of life affect each other. Isoning, imagination, which so far transcend Failure or disturbance of the actions of life any analogous appearance in animals, that prevent or disturb our feelings, and enfee-we almost feel a repugnance to refer them ble, perplex, or distract our intellectual ope- to the same principle."* What principle. rations. The mind equally affects the ac- let us ask Dr. Lawrence? The answer tions of life, and thus influences the whole shall be in his own words, "the cerebral body. Terror seems to palsy all its parts, functions. Thus he teaches in terms, too whilst contrary emotions cause the limbs to plain to be misunderstood, the portentous struggle, and become contracted from ener- doctrine, that the principle of life, whether gy. Now though these facts may counte-sentient or intelligent, is in all organized be nance the idea of the identity of mind and ings the same; that, whether we look to life, yet we have good reasons for believing man, the highest of the animal creation, with that they are perfectly distinct, whilst, all his faculties of invention, memory, imatherefore, on the one hand, I feel inter-gination, or to an oyster or a cabbage, the ested in oppugning those philosophical opin- vital properties are all derived from their or ions which tend to confound life with organ-ganic structure, and that the difference of this ization; I would, on the other, equally op-structure constitutes the only difference in pose those which confound perception and their faculties and powers. "Where," says intelligence with mere vitality." Inquiry- this materialist, "shall we find proofs of mind p. 77–79. "Thus my mind rests at peace independent of bodily structure, of that mind, on the subject of life; and I am visionary which like the corporeal frame, is infantile enough to believe, that if these opinions in the child, manly in the adult, sick and should become so established as to be gene- debilitated in disease, enfeebled in the derally admitted by philosophers, that if they cline of life, doting in decrepitude, and anonce saw reason to believe that life was nihilated by death? Where is the mind of something of an invisible and active nature a child just born? Do we not see it built up superadded to organization, they would then before our eyes by the action of the five see equal reason to believe that mind might senses, and of gradually developed interna! be superadded to life, as life is to structure. faculties ?" It is here assumed, that the They would then indeed still farther perceive mind is built up by the action of the exterhow mind and matter might reciprocally nal senses, by which it is meant, that no operate on each other by means of an inter-mind exists at first, but is formed by the senvening substance. Thus even would physi-ses. Whether is it more probable, or hardological researches enforce the belief which er to believe this, or that an immaterial mind I may say is natural to man; that, in addi- is an original part of the human being; and tion to his bodily frame, he possesses a sen- not that it is built up by, but that it derives sitive, intelligent, and independent mind; its ideas through, the external senses, let an opinion which tends in an eminent degree any one decide. But what proof is afforded to produce virtuous, honorable, and useful of the non-existence of an immaterial sou! actions." [Inquiry, p. 94-95.] distinct from the material body, from the In these opinions, the learned and virtu- fact of the mental and corporeal faculties beous Abernethy was opposed by Dr. Lawrence, ginning to act together, of their growing toa learned Physiologist. Dr. Lawrence bold-gether to maturity, of their being often ly announced as his creed, "that matter strengthened and enfeebled together, and thinks;" that medullary substance is ca- generally decaying together in the decline of pable of sensation and thought;""that the life? cerebral functions which are more numerous That the closest union subsists betweer and diversified in the higher orders of the the soul and body, and that the soul, during mammalia, receive their last development in man; where they produce all the phenome- this union, carries on its functions and opena of intellect, all those wonderful processes rates through the instrumentality of the bod of thought, known under the names of mem * Lectures on Physiology, Zoology, and the Natur ory, reflection, association, judgment, rea- History of Man. By William Lawrence, F. R. S. p. 114 ily structure, is a fact too clear to be doubt-[ry." Now this very action of thought upon ed; however ignorant we are, and must the brain, clearly shows that the brain does ever be, of the precise nature of this union, not produce it; while the mutual influence and of the mode by which the one acts by which they possess over each other, as clearthe assistance of the other. Now if we were ly shows that there is a strong connection only acquainted with instances in which body between them. But it is carefully to be reacts upon mind, there would still, as far as membered, that connection is not identity. this view is concerned, be no reason for con- But, says the materialist, the faculties of cluding that the mental faculties are derived the mind decay with the organic structure; from the bodily organs, but only that their they are enfeebled together in old age, and exercise depends on those organs. But how perish together in death. But how does he stands the fact? It is matter of every day's know the truth of the last affirmation? Inexperience, that intense reflection, excessive stances are familiar to every one, in which grief or joy, the excitement of vehement an- the exercise of some or all of the mental ger and other passions, affect the bodily functions are suspended even in this life, frame in various manners and degrees, pro- but not destroyed. Thus in a Swoon or mote or impede the circulation of the blood, sleep, more especially in catalepsy, a total assist or obstruct the digestive organs, pro-suspension of some or all the faculties takes voke the action of particular glands, produce place for a time, yet the exercise of them is relaxation or tension in the nerves, and ma- as active as ever. Thus too of atony or terially change the general state of the paralysis of some particular organ, as of health. A sudden affection of the mind of-vision or hearing, the use of such faculty of ten produces a temporary suspension of all the mind is suspended,-let the organ be the active powers of the body, and has even restored to its natural state of health, and been known to deprive it altogether of life. the exercise of it immediately returns. But The following statement well illustrates the we deny, that the faculties of the mind and powerful effect of the mind upon the bodily body decay always together. Generally, no organs. "A letter is brought to a man, con- doubt, a decaying body brings on, not a detaining some afflicting intelligence. He casts caying mind, but an enfeebled exercise of his eyes upon its contents, and drops down the mind, enfeebled because of the state of without sense or motion. What is the cause the instrument of its action. Exceptions, of this sudden affection? It may be said however, continually occur to this law, of so that the vessels have collapsed, that the strong a character, as wholly to defeat the brain is consequently disordered, and that inference the materialist would draw from it. the loss of sense is the natural consequence. In many instances, the mind decays before But let us take one step backward, and en- the body; the latter is strong and vigorous. quire, what is the cause of the disorder it- while the former loses more or less of the self, the effects of which are thus visible. exercise of its faculties. In many other caIt is produced by a sheet of white paper dis-ses, the mind remains clear and vigorous, in tinguished by a few black marks. But no the most decayed and failing state of the one would be absurd enough to suppose, that body, and on the very verge of its dissoluit was the effect of the paper alone, or of tion. The lines of an old Poet are founded the characters inscribed upon it, unless those on actual observation and experience : "The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, characters conveyed some meaning to the understanding. It is thought then which so suddenly agitates and disturbs the brain, and makes its vessels to collapse. From this Many Physiologists of the school of matecircumstance alone we discover the amazing rialism, have endeavored to show, that the influence of thought upon the external or- brain in man is larger in proportion to the gans; of that thought which we can neither bulk of the body, than in any of the brute hear, nor see, nor touch, which yet produces creation; and that the mental powers of anian affection of the brain fully equal to a mals-among which they class man-as far low, a pressure, or any otherb sensible inju- as we can see, are proportional to their or |