MISCELLANEOUS. LETTER FROM PARIS. his correspondents, thought fit to apply to the Abbé himself, and accordingly addressed him the following question, through the medium of his Journal.-Si es, ubi es? : Tuilleries. It is well known that, during the entire of Paris, 1825.-At a late sitting of the Royal Academy of Sciences, at the Institute, his journey from Elba to Paris, Buonaparte M. Arago communicated his remarks on a never ceased speaking of his truce, for halo, observed on the very day of sitting, twenty years, with the English, of the sucat 12 o'clock at noon. M. Arago seems to cour he expected from Austria, and of the sanction the theory of Mariotti, that these immediate return of Maria Theresa. Once, phenomena are produced by frozen water however, in possession of the supreme power, carried along by the clouds, and refract- not a word more was heard of all these fine ing the light of the sun. By means of promises. In allusion to this circumstance, an apparatus of his own invention, he is able a wag posted on the Pont Neuf the followto distinguish polarized light from that which ing Notice-Lost, in coming from the is not so, and that the light of these halos is island of Elba, a pocket-book, containing a a refracted and not a reflected light, as treaty of peace and a lady's passport. A must be supposed by those who refuse to handsome reward will be given to whoever allow the explanation given by M. Marotti. will bring the above to the palace of the M. Arago adds, that the observations made by him, and the conclusion to which they On the 5th of December, 1815, a law was lead, are very important, inasmuch as they passed at the Chamber of Deputies, ordering may furnish a means of determining the law the celebration of expiatory ceremonies in of the fall of temperature, in proportion to memory of the death of Louis XVI. Among the degree of elevation above the ground. the most enthusiastic supporters of this meaM. Pastié read a memoir on the geogra-sure was the Viscount Sosthenes de la Rochphy of plants. The principal object of the efoucauld, who distinguished himself upon the author of this memoir is to establish the opi- occasion by the animated warmth of his lannion, that, in order to learn the medicinal guage. On the evening of the same day, a properties of plants, it is much more neces-scene, which caused a hearty laugh, took sary to direct our attention to the nature of place at the Pavillon Marsan. Being comthe soil in which they grow than to the plimented by Monsieur (now Charles X.) on genus to which they belong, or even to the the rare talent he had displayed in the dechymical principles that enter into their bate of the morning, and that prince comparcomposition. For instance, he remarks, that all the plants which grow on high grounds, and in dry and cold places, are of a tonic and stimulant power, while those which grow in low and moist grounds possess quite the contrary properties. To these scientific details I add a few his torical anecdotes: The following trait deserves to be recorded, as an instance of the religious sentiments that animated the breasts of the Vendean troops. Two soldiers belonging to the cavalry having fallen into a dispute, agreed to decide their quarrel with the sword. The Marquis de Donnissan, passing by at the moment, remonstrated with them on their want of charity: "Jesus Christ," said he, "pardoned his executioners, and a soldier of the Christian army endeavours to kill his comrade." At these words the two soldiers threw aside their sabres, and rushed into each other's arms. ing him to the eloquent defender of the liberty of Greece, M. de Rochefoucauld replied, "That he could not flatter himself with being equal to Demosthenes in talent, but that he would not yield to that celebrated orator in devotion to his legitimate sovereign." This anachronism excited a general laugh at the expense of the Viscount, and was for several days the amusement of the salons at Paris. celebrated Quinault, who was the son of a The satirist Furetire, in speaking of the baker, observed-" It is the best dough that has ever been made, possessing only four he bolts, sifts, and kneads to the greatest ador five hundred words of one language, which vantage." NUMISMATICS.-A great number of pieces of ancient coin have been lately deposited in At the time of the Revolution of the 18th the Museum of Warsaw. These pieces Brumaire, the Abbé Sieyes disappeared were found in a village not far from Plockzfor some time from the political horizon. ko: they date from the beginning of the Some wags feigning to consider his absence 11th century, and belong to different couna public calamity, wrote to the Journal de tries, but principally to England. It is difParis, asking for information respecting the ficult to explain by what means such Endisappearance of the ex-director. The edi-glish coins were introduced into that country tor not being able to satisfy the inquiries of in times so remote. "At the end of her sleeves she had It sure would have made my heart glad, POLITICAL MAXIMS.-(From the French.) -It has been said in literature, that "Genius is long continued patience." It is true in politics. Time is a statesman's principal assistant. That is the most unhappy popuMEDAL OF LORD BYRON.-A bronze me. lation of a state whose wealth is not in pro- dal to the memory of Lord Byron has been portion to its intelligence. Ignorance, rich executed in London. It is about two inches or poor, is contented.-Nature has provided in diameter, and consists of a head of the for the continuance of the world, by impart-deceased bard, on one side; and on the other, ing a greater force to the parental than to of a laurel flourishing under a cloud, whence the filial instinct. Thus the chain of beings is perpetuated. So, in the body politic, think lightning issues. Some parts of this producof the rising generation rather than of that dallic art. The head is in high relief, and tion are very fine, and do honour to the mewhich is passed. Govern for the future; it the countenance nobly expressed, a little at is the secret of duration.-In governments, the expense of resemblance; for the nose is honest people endeavour to make themselves useful; clever people endeavour to make hardly of the order which actually belonged themselves necessary; and ambitious people the neck out of human proportion; thus if to the original. The hair is mannered, and endeavour to make themselves indispensable. A democrat when on foot, an aristocrat have a superb design in the portion left viyou cover the hinder half of the medal, you when in his carriage, such is a Parisian; sible, to which the whole is far inferior. The nay, such is a Frenchman;-nay, such is word BTPON is inscribed. The obverse man in every country. True policy says bears APOITONAIEI (imperishable.) nothing; it does. There ought to be two kinds; that of speech and that of action; the one serving to conceal the other. Politics is the art of governing men according to time, place, and circumstance. It can therefore have no absolute rules. It can never be learned from books. The book of a statesman is the human heart. Political economy is the best, if not the only politics for the nineteenth century. Ascertain what you produce, and what you consume; discover what are your wants, and what are your resources; reckon the amount of your "Money," says the fair author, "daily physical and your intellectual force; com- assumes more importance in England.— pare your importations and your exporta- Every thing in that country is becoming the tions; balance all these things; and the re-subject of sale or speculation. The coffers sult will furnish you with a complete system of both internal and external policy. On the first execution of the celebrated Miserere of Lully, before the court of Louis XIV. in the chapel at Versailles, the monarch being on his knees during the whole time, necessarily kept his court in the same position. At its conclusion the King asked the Count de Grammont his opinion of it. “Sire,” he replied," the music is very soft to the ears, but very hard to the knees." Anne of Austria, mother to Louis XIV. was one of the finest women of her time; the greatest of her personal beauties, however, was her hands. The Duke of Mantua, who frequented her court, made many extravagant verses in their praise, which gave rise to the following epigram by Scarron : "Elle avoit an bout de ses manches, En avoir été souffleté." Which has been rendered as follows: Although the following observations in Madame Belloc's "Lord Byron,” are of an exaggerated character, and although they certainly betray a jealousy of English opulence, there is, nevertheless, some truth in them; and it is well for a country as for an individual to receive a lesson from a neighbour, even when that lesson may not be dictated by the kindest motives, or conveyed in the most civil terms. · of the English run over, whilst their hearts harden. A woman of genius, and of a high and noble spirit, thus writes to me from London: We approach the epoch predicted by Burke, and which, notwithstanding all his prejudices, he could not contemplate without horror; that period at which England, incommanded by them. The base aristocracy stead of commanding her riches, is to be of wealth threatens to supersede all other aristocracies. It is the sole good that is regarded, felt, conprehended, desired;-for which we hope to live, and for which we dare to die.'" PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. JAMES G. BROOKS, Editor and Proprietor, No. 4 Wall-street, New-York. Subscriptions received by G. & C. Carvill, 127 Broadway-where communications may be left, or transmitted through the post-office to the editor. Terms-Four dollars per annum, payable in advance. J. SEYMOUR, printer, 49 John-street. one of your archest and sunniest smiles on the happy youth who sits beside you, "good heavens! can he ask such a question?" A LOVER'S THOUGHTS ON LOVE. The gallant St. Preux, to whom your words "Oh! there's nothing half so sweet in life as love's young dream."-Moore. ** O amour, amour, amour, amour! Pauvre Polichinelle, quelle diable de fantaise l'es-tu alle mettre dans la cervelle?-Moliere are addressed, flinging into his tones the I once thought so too, Amelia. But I was mistaken, and so are you, fair maiden. A for all his life, and yet not have the most disman may be in love for twenty years,-nay, deal with. Cupid is a very Proteus. The tant notion of the sort of person he has to cameleon never assumes so vast a variety thousand impostors abroad, no more like the of hues as he can do. Besides, there are a I QUESTION very much whether I shall be able to write with my usual good sense upon this most interesting and serious subject. Love is a passion, which, from the days of Sappho down to those of Miss L. E. Landon, has been celebrated above all others for exercising the most despotic sway over human actions and character. The being, perhaps, never lived who did not at one period or other of his existence experience the full force of its influence. It is the passion which supplies the materials of history, gives interest to the pages of romance, and breathes true son of Mars and Venus" than I to Hernew fervour into the inspirations of poetry. cules." They are pseudo-pretenders to the It is the passion by which a mortal may be name of Cupid, born of Nox and Erebus, or raised to the skies, or an angel pulled down of the apothecary Mercury and the fair to the earth. On one hand, we find it giving detect these false deities. huntress Diana. It is often very difficult to rise to all the miseries of separation, all the They puzzle wretchedness of inconstancy, and all the even a connoisseur; agonies of jealousy; on the other, we trace to it the source of the purest and highest pleasures of which the human mind is sus-But sooner or later the counterfeit is disceptible, and in comparison with which even covered. Much good blacking is sold for the happiness that results from the attain- Warren's,but you may depend upon it, unment of well-merited glory is of small ac- less that great man's signature is on the botcount. Such happiness is, in its very nature, tle, your boots will never have the true personal and selfish, and so all are the en-polish. Thus many a little urchin, abunjoyments of mortality, except those which dantly blind, and with a quiver sufficiently spring from love. It is to this very circum-full of arrows, will venture to attack you as stance that it owes its superiority, for, as you move through your own sphere of sociMadame De Stael has well remarked, "ilety; but be of good heart; you are in no n'est pas un moment ou d'avoir vecu pour danger. The true conqueror of conquerors un autre, ne fut plus doux que que d'avoir but rarely sends a shaft from his omnipotent existe pour soi.” bow. He who rides on the dolphin's or lion's "Methinks there be six Richmonds in the field: But gently, my good Pegasus, gently. back, and breaks in pieces the thunderbolts You are in the clouds already. A little less of Jove, is a proud but generous tyrant. It declamation, if you please, and somewhat is but seldom that he condescends to assert more common sense. Will you have the his power over the breast of man. But goodness to tell me, thrice excellent reader! when he does,—sauve qui peut. The burnwhat love is? "Good heavens!" I hear ing of Moscow was a mere joke to the flame you exclaim, with the silver softness of he kindles within; but of this more here"sweet eighteen," casting, at the same time after. FOR THE ten have I slept unsound, because my pro NEW-YORK LITERARY GAZETTE.perty accumulated so rapidly that I could not devise a channel in which to occupy my capital: then felt I the justness of happy Patie's words, "He that hath just enough can soundly sleep, The overcome only fashes folk to keep." My ambition being satisfied, I remitted my money to London, wound up my business, and returned again to dear Scotland. Arrived at my native village, I was introduced to the friends of my youth; we met as strangers, for in the weather-worn face of the man, the features of the boy could AFTER a residence of thirty years in Ameri-be but indistinctly traced; yet, all met me ca, I returned to my native village of return soon spread abroad, and their was not a prating old wife nor lisping, child, who did not speak of my youthful adventures and present riches, all of which were magnified beyond even a probability as a bosom friend,-some I knew, or thought with a fortune sufficiently large to satisfy my I knew, and many I guessed at. My paambition, and a constitution able to enjoy it-rents did not live to see this day; I had long thanks to my prudent habits! I had not before been advised of their dissolution, and returned many days till old General Poun-I was an only child: I had therefore few derbolt died. He was owner of a beautiful relations to meet. The circumstance of my estate, called Crossbasket, which had been in possession of his family for a long length of years, though never entailed; but he being the last of his race on the male side, and leaving an only daughter, who was married to a gentleman in London, of violent antipa-of truth. I need not name how I was pointthy to Scotland, there was not a doubt but ed at,-how my name furnished tea-table the mansion of the Pounderbolts, would be chat for all the village; which forced Mr. sold to stranger hands. In the beautiful Kingwell, the crier, to confess, that had I walks of Crossbasket, have I loitered away not arrived at the moment I did, the tongues my infantile hours, or fishing in its burn, have of the village gossips would have rusted I spent many a summer day, and many for want of a subject to discourse upon. I a moonlit night have I sat upon the "pil- need not tell how many young ladies blushed low rock" and listened to the sweet sounds as I cast my eyes upon them, or were quite of Calder's waterfall: then, have I often ungirled if I spoke to them; for be it rethought it murmured pleasing tales-it membered I was then unmarried: nor need seemed to speak a language to my soul, deep I say how fond every mother was to have me felt, though inexpressible, and fancy made it at her tea table who had a marriageable whisper many a story of my future weal-daughter to dispose of, nor how many that the days were coming when I could church-going matrons begged to me "to call this delightful place mine own. Then, take a seat in our pew on Sabbath;" not thought I, could I only be called "Laird o' even excepting Mrs. Pulpitwise, the minisCrossbasket, and see my name enrolled inter's wife; on these things I need not dwell, the annals of the parish," Francis Topic, for every person must imagine more than I Esq., of Crossbasket, like some of the fox-can possibly describe. hunting and rum-drinking nabobs in the The old General 'being dead, a burst of neighbourhood-I would not envy the king upon his throne. I had not a thought beyond this; than this, the loftiest flights of my imagination never pictured a greater felicity; power, fame, or wealth never had a moment of my castle-building hours. The idea of Laird of Crossbasket, constantly haunted my youthful dreams,--was the companion of many an after-thought, and a thousand times have I imagined it inspired me to speculations and adventures in my mercantile life, and to various operations, which in calmer moments, I wondered why I embarked in. Be the cause what it will, I made money faster and grew richer than I ever anticipated; it is a remark among merchants, that every thing some men touch turns to gold-I was such a man, and of joy flashed on my mind; and, I must swear, sometimes afraid to move or speak, or even |vitation to make me a visit, for it was the to breathe, fearful that I would lose the op- summer season. He came. Whoever has portunity of purchasing it, and a thousand been in similar circumstances, may guess forebodings daunted my mind that some in- the pleasure of our meeting: there is a sweet dividual would make an offer at private bliss in grasping the hand of friends of early sale, and thus all my hopes be blasted on youth, after almost an age of absence. this subject alone was I boy again. I did Many a happy hour did we spend together, not think the old man had so much blood. talking of old times, and laughing at the Shortly before the appointed day, I applied battles we had lost and won, with a thousand to the village attorney, whom I knew well other little things. To add to our pleasure, in my youth, and told him my intention, and one morning, two gentlemen arrived at instructed him to purchase it for me; I gave Crossbasket; in them I recognised two old no limits, and when he asked how much he friends. Mr. Glendining and Mr. Rowardshould bid, I only replied, "buy it for me;" son: the meeting was as happy as unexyet charged him, as he valued my business pected. I felt proud to entertain the friends and patronage, to be silent on the subject, nor even hint until the purchase was made for whom he was bidding. Lawyers want business and understand hints, so he was quiet and faithful to his commission, for he bought Crossbasket at a much cheaper rate than I ever anticipated. Now my heart swelled too high for the bosom which contained it. I was on the highest pinnacle of my ambition I had nothing farther in worldly affairs to wish for-I was satisfied. But not to detain my readers, if I have any, with too long a story, let me say it in a word. I had my house furnished, the grounds, the gardens, and every thing laid out and arranged to my heart's content, and in a few weeks found myself comfortably situated in the palace of my youthful aspiring, more comfortably and happily than ever man was before; at least I thought so and all philosophers assert, that one half, ay more, of the world's pleasures are ideal, and created in our own bosoms. No matter how or why, I care not to inquire, I was -I am the happiest Laird in the country. of my youth: I felt happy that they could see me in my fairy castle, for this was the only one I ever in my day-dreams built. After dinner we took a walk into the arbour, and talked of our adventures; and I learned that we all had been in America, though it was a circumstance unknown to any of us before. Now satisfied as to our present condition, we began to recount old stories, and the hours passed fleet as a dream. No business pressed the departure of my guests, so I told them, that having met after so long an absence, I should not part with them soon, and they were not anxious to deny my request. lawyer, and Mr. Pulpitwise the minister, In the evening Mr. Auldlochtan the came to pay their respects to me; my guests were not unknown to them: We were soon seated over our punch, and for a while the joke and song passed merrily; and Mr. of countenance, or abstinence from innocent Pulpitwise, who never thought that austerity pleasures was a part of the christian creed, enjoyed the time as much as any of us. Suddenly Mr. Pomposity proposed a change in the conversation, and said lower, did in the arbour, for I have left much un let us tell our histories and adventures as we told. "Damn our histories," said my friend, hate egotism, and from the bottom of my Mr. Glendining, who sat on my right. “I heart despise all egotists." "You are right," said his left-handed neighbour. The fame of my arrival and purchase soon spread about the country, and even reached London, for very soon after this, I received a letter from my old friend Edward Pomposity; he was quite my opposite-a great egotist, though a fine fellow, and I loved him well. Many a hard-fought battle were we engaged in, and many a black eye and bloody nose we gave and received on Saturday afternoons when the school was dismissed for the week, to obtain the mastery. We were in the same class; here also did we strive. Many a long hour have I stolen from my repose poring over my lessons, that I might excel him; he was equally industrious, and as he said himself, a better scholar than I; but he gave me this consolation, that he never knew one approach so near his excellency: this for him, was a great confession, for I never heard him acknowledge that any one, in any thing, ap-colouring to the adventures in which we proached near to him before; though in reality we had many smarter boys than he. I lost not a moment in answering my friend's letter, and giving him a warm in "That was not intended for me," said Mr. Pomposity; "but for you Mr. Pulpitwise:" but before the doctor of souls had time to reply, Mr. Glendining resumed. "I despise those who ever prate of themselves, those who are ever the heroes of their own story, with boastings of their deeds or misdeeds; we have all enough brains to give a have only been spectators. We have all seen the world as the phrase is; we have been abroad, crossed the stormy seas, sandy deserts, or untrodden forests-we must all |