if they do catch us by the heel when we unmannerly, unnecessary, and low-bred? trip, let them take care of their sweet These are the men who revile and blaspheme selves, for we shall kick most confoundedly, against religion, and if a word is said in despite of prudence and the gout. Alas! "what a falling off" does this article exhibit! we began with Brutus and magnanimity, we end with ourselves and egotism! against their own ideas, cry out Intolerance! Intolerance! claiming the right to shock and wound the feelings of others, yet loudly protesting against retaliation! Which party is in reality the more intolerant? * * * The celebrated ballad of "Auld Robin Gray," was written by Lady Ann Bernard, not long ago in London. No sensible man ever became an infidel from conviction; one pretends to disbelieve from vanity, because he thinks it distinguishes him as an original thinker; another from weakness, because he has not suf- sister to the Earl of Balcarras. She died ficient intellect to resist the skeptic's arguments, shallow as they are; a third because he cannot crawl into notice by any other way; a fourth, because Voltaire, Hume, Gibbon, "et id genus omne," were skeptics, and he blusters about with their arguments, strutting and exclaiming, "what a dust we The Philadelphians have been visited by raise!" as the fly on the coach-wheel ex- a ghost, which took quarters in the steeple ultingly said. We have heard of a book- of a church, and bawled most lustily for binder who became a most sagacious infi- help. Ghosts do not know every thing after del from binding an odd volume of Voltaire, all, otherwise this perturbed spirit would and of a set of types that were led into divers sage doubts, merely from being used in the printing of Gibbon's "Decline and Fall," &c. After these types were distributed, the printer's devil heard them earnestly chattering and debating on the subject, and by a few deep arguments brought them over to his own opinion, and so decided were they, that upon their owner's attempt to use them in printing "Pilgrim's Progress," they flatly refused to act against their principles by working with such inconsistency. TIME'S SPECTACLES. Juvenal. never have visited Philadelphia, where lives a profound conjurer, (Robert Walsh, jun.) who, if he had been so disposed, could in a trice have laid this spectre in the Red Sea. - Our beautiful coutrywoman Mrs. Patterson, late of Baltimore, is married to the Marquis of Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. We are glad of it, he is a nobleman in the true sense of the word, and she is well worthy of such a husband. - Our secretary of legation to Colombia, (Mr. Watts) and Signor Miranda of Bogota, To conclude seriously, men of common have been exchanging compliments by ordinary sense, who call themselves infidels, horse-whipping each other; ere this they are hypocrites; others, who assume the have probably exchanged some of that metal, same character, are simply fools. The latter which, though dull and heavy itself, causes should be pitied, the former spurned. surprising activity for a moment in the huThere are many hypocrites in religion, but man body. - Judge Childs and General there are quite as many in infidelity, and Jour of Mississippi, lately fought a duelthe latter become such from a most con- the Judge was winged; "cedant arma temptible motive, i. e. the wish to obtain toge," would not apply in this case. A notoriety, which they can obtain by no German Baron has discovered a method for other means. These are the men that go effectually reforming common drunkards; about from house to house, shouting into this is a greater discovery than that of every ear that they acknowledge no God- perpetual motion. The most effectual these are the men, who, upon a first intro- remedy would be to chop off the patients' duction to a stranger, impudently trumpet heads. Another modern discovery is, that their disbelief to him without being ques- gin-sling is a remedy for bleeding of the tioned on the subject; and what but a de- lungs. We apprehend a sudden increase sire to become notorious, could prompt of this complaint amongst people generally, them to such behaviour, alike disgusting, and steamers in particular. sion there is a generous and manly emula- Troy, his brains got out of order, much to tion which "noble ends by noble means the regret of a flock of sheep. Now a fool obtains," and which is so free from envy and has no brains to become disordered-ergo, selfishness, that rivals in other professions should blush for the insincerity, the coldness, and the ill-will which they indulge towards one another. IDLE HOURS. A chain of unequal links. ST. JEROME supposes the Adonis of the Grecian mythology to be the same as the Tammuz or hidden one' mentioned in Ezekiel, viii. 4, for whom the prophet saw the women weeping in the temple. * * * How merciless Shakspeare is towards the Ajax was no fool ! * * The godlike, the lauded, the magnanimous Brutus, he who rose "Refulgent from the stroke of Cæsar's fate," has never appeared to us in any other light than that of a base, ungrateful and sanguinary monster. Grant that his vaunted love of Rome induced him to consent to the death of his noble benefactor and confiding friend, what need was there for the beloved Brutus to strike the last blow, after Casca and Cassius and Cinna had already plunged their daggers into Cæsar's breast. If no man in all Rome could have been found old Greek heroes! He makes Ajax a foolish sufficiently audacious to strike the blow, bully, and Achilles a downright liar. The except Brutus, then it might have been an valour of the son of Thetis is no great matter act of high magnanimity in him to sacrifice even in the strain of old Homer, and in slay his private feeling to the public weal; at ing the pride of Troy, his only merit consist- least there would have been a better exed in wearying his antagonist, till he could cuse for his unexampled ingratitude. As take advantage of his fatigue to strike him things were, it was an act of unnecessary, down; for being vulnerable only in the heel, wanton, and outrageous cruelty; prompted there was no great chivalry in his courage, by vanity and ambition, with which patriparticularly as the κορυθαίολος Hector was otism had just as much concern as it had not the man to cut at the heel. But Shak- with Cataline's conspiracy. And this is the speare absolutely libels the godlike Achilles; man whom history has loudly proclaimed a he makes him guilty of subornation of per- demi-god, and for whom fame has culled jury. He goes round the field with his myr- the choicest flowers in her garden! This is midons, finds Hector unarmed, commands On, myrmidons, and cry you all amain, Now if Shakspeare had not put this fib in the patriot whom we are taught to admire - this is the model we are advised to imitate! When will the world learn to see things and actions in their true light! As Doctor Johnson is dead, we may venture a dull pun on this subject, which is pardonable on account of its truth; if every man were a Brutus, all men would be brutes. For the love of mercy, let no one suppose that we lay claim to originality in a pun which, for aught we know, may be as old as a miser's in-door coat; we use it, as we use the old pen with which we are now scribbling, because our knife is too dull to make it better, so our wit is too dull to make a better pun, and we have not as yet bought a hone, whereon we might sharpen either knife or wit. We are thus particularly Old Homer's Ajax, too, was a plain, bluff modest, because some of our exquisitely soldier, but he was no fool-he knew how to loving friends are on the watch to catch use his tongue to some purpose, as the scold- us tripping, that they may apply a little ing he gives to Idomeneus (Book 23,) satis- wholesome correction to our wayward and factorily proves. Besides, after the sack of wilful behaviour; but we give fair warning, if they do catch us by the heel when we unmannerly, unnecessary, and low-bred? trip, let them take care of their sweet These are the men who revile and blaspheme selves, for we shall kick most confoundedly, against religion, and if a word is said in despite of prudence and the gout. Alas! against their own ideas, cry out Intole"what a falling off" does this article exhi- rance! Intolerance! claiming the right to bit! we began with Brutus and magnanimity, we end with ourselves and egotism! shock and wound the feelings of others, yet loudly protesting against retaliation! Which party is in reality the more intolerant? * * * No sensible man ever became an infidel from conviction; one pretends to disbelieve from vanity, because he thinks it disThe celebrated ballad of "Auld Robin tinguishes him as an original thinker; anoth- Gray," was written by Lady Ann Bernard, er from weakness, because he has not suf- sister to the Earl of Balcarras. She died ficient intellect to resist the skeptic's argu- not long ago in London. TIME'S SPECTACLES. "Quidquid agunt homines." Juvenal. The Philadelphians have been visited by a ghost, which took quarters in the steeple of a church, and bawled most lustily for help. Ghosts do not know every thing after ments, shallow as they are; a third because he cannot crawl into notice by any other way; a fourth, because Voltaire, Hume, Gibbon, "et id genus omne," were skeptics, and he blusters about with their arguments, strutting and exclaiming, "what a dust we raise!" as the fly on the coach-wheel exultingly said. We have heard of a bookbinder who became a most sagacious infidel from binding an odd volume of Voltaire, all, otherwise this perturbed spirit would and of a set of types that were led into di- never have visited Philadelphia, where lives vers sage doubts, merely from being used a profound conjurer, (Robert Walsh, jun.) in the printing of Gibbon's "Decline and who, if he had been so disposed, could in a Fall," &c. After these types were distribu- trice have laid this spectre in the Red Sea. ted, the printer's devil heard them earnestly - Our beautiful coutrywoman Mrs. Patchattering and debating on the subject, and terson, late of Baltimore, is married to by a few deep arguments brought them over the Marquis of Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant to his own opinion, and so decided were of Ireland. We are glad of it, he is a noblethey, that upon their owner's attempt to use man in the true sense of the word, and she them in printing "Pilgrim's Progress," they is well worthy of such a husband. Our flatly refused to act against their principles secretary of legation to Colombia, (Mr. by working with such inconsistency. Watts) and Signor Miranda of Bogota, To conclude seriously, men of common have been exchanging compliments by ordinary sense, who call themselves infidels, horse-whipping each other; ere this they are hypocrites; others, who assume the have probably exchanged some of that metal, same character, are simply fools. The latter which, though dull and heavy itself, causes should be pitied, the former spurned. surprising activity for a moment in the huThere are many hypocrites in religion, but man body. - Judge Childs and General there are quite as many in infidelity, and Jour of Mississippi, lately fought a duelthe latter become such from a most con- the Judge was winged; "cedant arma temptible motive, i. e. the wish to obtain toge," would not apply in this case. A notoriety, which they can obtain by no German Baron has discovered a method for other means. These are the men that go effectually reforming common drunkards; about from house to house, shouting into this is a greater discovery than that of every ear that they acknowledge no God- perpetual motion. The most effectual these are the men, who, upon a first intro- remedy would be to chop off the patients' duction to a stranger, impudently trumpet heads. Another modern discovery is, that their disbelief to him without being ques- gin-sling is a remedy for bleeding of the tioned on the subject; and what but a de- lungs. We apprehend a sudden increase sire to become notorious, could prompt of this complaint amongst people generally, them to such behaviour, alike disgusting, and steamers in particular. A CARD. the baggage of Napoleon, which fell into the hands of the English at the battle of Waterloo, and a number of medals were subsequently made from it at Birmingham. The other Medal, which is seven inches in circumference, has also on the one side a Napoleon head surrounded by a rich wreath. The four racoons who lately arrived in this hospitable city, per "Young Lion of the West," beg leave to return their acknowledgments for the many politenesses and attentions which they have received during their visit. They cannot but regret, however, that they have not been invited to Between the wreath and the circumferhonour any of the public places of amuse-ence is this inscription:-Died 5th May. ment with their presence, inasmuch as it Buried in Rupert's Valley, St. Helena, will debar them from recounting to their 9th May, 1821. On the reverse is a chrofriends and acquaintances, the state of the nological table of his life, in thirty-six lines; fine arts, &c. in this city. One of their the letters are minute but perfectly distinct number too had prepared a complimentary speech to be delivered at the public dinner which they expected would be given to them. Notwithstanding this disappointment, the speech is as good as ever, and will be sold reasonably to any gentleman who wishes to spout on any public occasion. A CARD. The two eagles who came in the same boat, concur in the above sentiments, Their speech would have been very patriotic, as there would have been much of the American Eagle in it. A CARD. The Bear's past time has been quite a bore ever since he left the woods, and there and regular. This is the finest specimen of engraving that we have ever seen. A CARD ON A CARD. As it is possible that evil disposed persons (of whom there is no lack in this good world) may represent the card in our last No. addressed to Thickskull Pill-box, M. D. as possibly allusive to a gentleman who has for many years been our family physician, and who enjoys the full confidence of every family in which he has practised for twenty years past, we will put the matter at rest, by stating that he is the last person living to whom the raillery of the article in question could apply. This explanation may be unnecessary caution on our part, since the pro fore he begs leave to dissent from the opi- fessional and personal worth of this gentleman nion of his fellow travellers. NAPOLEON MEDALS. are well known and highly appreciated by an extensive circle of friends, but as every A friend who has lately returned from man has his foes, this statement will prevent Europe, has shown us two medals of admi- any possibility of misrepresentation on the rable workmanship, which he obtained at part of any persons disposed to such a pracBirmingham. The die of one was made by tice. order of Napoleon, when he contemplated Literary. A volume of poems has just the invasion of Great Britain. On one side is a fine head of the Emperor, the upper part surrounded by laurel, leaving the whole forehead visible-the inscription Napoleon Emp. et Roi. On the reverse is Hercules, emblematical of Napoleon strangling a seamonster, which represents Great Britainthe inscription, Descente en Angleterre. In the form of the sea-monster the engraver has followed to exactness the verse of Horace. "Desinat in piscem mulier formosa superne." The attitude of the Hercules displays strong muscular exertion, and the form is bold and manly. The die of this medal was found amongst issued from the press, entitled "Leisure Hours at Sea," by a midshipman in the U. S. Navy. We shall notice its contents next week. Mina, a dramatic sketch, with other poems, by S. L. Fairfield, has lately been published at Baltimore. We shall examine this also in due time. We learn that Mr. Cardell, who has laboured so faithfully and so well in the cause of education, is the author of "The Moral Monitor," a book designed for schools. Mr. C. is already advantageously known to literary men as the author of an ingenious and philosophical essay on Grammar; a subject, by the way, in which nearly every man who has studied Murray, considers in fancy, and are not necessary to an explihimself an adept, but nevertheless, a sub- cation of the theory, we shall omit them. ject that is not quite so easy of compre hension as people generally suppose it to be. It is one thing to commit a set of definitions and rules to memory, and it is quite another to understand them; and to apply them practically, particularly when there are a thousand cases in the relations and depen dence of words to one another on which Murray is most lamentably silent. We are really glad to see a new book make its appearance; for during the fall there seems to have been as great a stagnation in the Literary as in the Cotton mar ket. For the New-York Literary Gazette. Accept, my dear mother, this mark of affection, The varied Aurora is more remarkable in its appearance, and occasionally exhibits the most brilliant and rapidly diversified forms. The following are some of its very interesting properties: It is usually of a reddish colour, inclining to yellow, and it frequently sends out coruscations of pale light, which seem to rise from the horizon in pyr amidal undulating forms, shooting with great velocity towards the zenith. This kind of meteor, which is less frequent as we go towards the Equator, is almost constant during the long winter nights in the Polar Regions. In the Shetland Isles they afford the inhabitants great relief, amid the gloomy darkness of their long and dreary nights. They commonly appear at twilight, near the horizon, of a dun colour, approaching to yellow, and continue in that state for several hours: they afterwards break into streams of stronger light, spread into columns, then slowly alter into innumerable shapes, and vary their colours from all the yellow tints to an obscure russet; frequently covering the whole atmosphere, exhibiting the most romantic forms and the most When you smile on this gift, will you think of the giver, beautiful appearance. According to Musch Whose affection for you with her life shall remain? O! suffer no pang of regret to distress you, Should fate with its usual mysterious hand, Or, should I before you, be laid 'neath the willow, ELODIA. MISCELLANEOUS. THE AURORA BOREALIS. THE Aurora Borealis is a luminous appearance, generally observed in high northern latitudes, and commonly to the north of the observer, whence it has got the name of Northern Lights; it is known also among the vulgar, by the name of " the streamers," or the "merry dancers." The Aurora Borealis may be divided into two kinds, the tranquil and the varying. The tranquil shines with a mild and steady light, similar to the different stages of moonlight, either as it appears near the time of enbroek, in that region of the air which is directly towards the north, or which stretches from the north towards the east or west, there at first appears a cloud in the horizon, which rarely rises to the height of 40 degrees. This cloud is sometimes contiguous to the horizon, sometimes detached from it, in which last case the intermediate sky appears of a bright blue colour. The cloud occupies a portion of the heavens, extending in length to 100 degrees, and sometimes still farther. It is generally white and shining, but sometimes black and thick. Its upper edge is parallel to the horizon, bordered by a long train of light, which rises higher in some places than in others. It appears also bent in the form of a bow, or like the segment of a sphere which has its centre considerably beneath the horizon; and sometimes a large white or luminous band is visible, skirting the upper edge of the black cloud. The dark part of the cloud becomes white and luminous when the Aurora has shone for some time, and after it has sent forth several bright and fiery rays. Then from the superior edge of the cloud, rays is new moon, or as it gradually increases when sue in the form of jets, which are sometimes the moon becomes more enlightened; sometimes it is more vivid than the light of the moon when full; and it often preserves for a considerable time, the form in which it first appeared, with little or no variation. Muschenbroek has paid much attention to this kind of meteor, and has given it several names, according to the form which it assumes; but as these names are founded only many, sometimes few in number,-sometimes close together, sometimes removed several degrees asunder. These jets diffuse a very brilliant light, as if a luminous or fiery liquor were driven with impetuosity from a syringe. The jet increases in brightness, and has less bulk when it first issues from the cloud; but it dilates and grows dimmer as it goes farther off. There |