business what becomes of those who fol- the operations of the ship worm, to which low." Pride would seek to hide his hu- the soundest and hardest oak offers no immiliation Mischief and Malignity would pediment. As a defence against it, the unwait for a laugh or a sneer at the coming hapless traveller. But benevolence halts for a little while to utter a kind warning and to guard a fellow being against an unhappy calamity. A thousand times since has the clear voice of that kind-hearted child rung in my ear reminding me of my own duty to those around me, and urging me to repeat, where ever the repetition promises to be useful, "PLEASE DON'T STEP THERE!" -Watchman and Reflector. THE SHIP WORM. G. derwater portion of wood work in dockyards, has been studded with broad-headed nails. Like most mollusks, the teredo, though fixed when adult, is free in its young state, and consequently enabled to migrate and attach itself wherever mischief can be done by it. Thus ships are attacked, and no wood has yet been found capable of defying its efforts. Even teak and sissoo woods, hard as they are, dissolve before it with rapidity, and though the chemical process of kyanizing timber succes-fully defeats the ravages of time, it falls before the voracity of the teredo. By a remarkable instinct,the ship worm's tunnels are in the direction of the grain of the wood, whatever be its position, and thus succeed in its purpose with destructive rapidity. The tube which it lines its bore, is sometimes nearly two feet in length, it is not always straight, for if the creature meets an impediment sufficiently hard to defy its power, it takes a circuitous course and thus gets round the obstacle. In like manner it avoids any interference with its fellow ship THE ship worm, or teredo, is a bivalve shell fish, which, as if in revenge for the unceasing war waged by mankind against its near relative, the oyster, seems to have registered a vow to extinguish the vitality of as many human beings as lie within its power. That power, though exercised by an insignificant shell-fish, is a prodigious one, for ever since mankind turned attention to nautical affairs, and went to sea in ships, the teredo has unceasingly endeavored, un-worms, winding round them in such a way, fortunately with too much success, to sink their marine conveyances. Nor have vessels alone been the objects of its attacks, for many a goodly landing pier has it riddled into shreds, not to speak of bolder attempts, such as the endeavor to swamp Holland by destroying the piles of her embarkments. The ship worm is the only mollusk that has ever succeeded in frightening politicians, and more than once it has alarmed them effectively. A century and a quarter ago, indeed, all Europe believed that the United Provinces were doomed to destruction, and that the teredo was sent by the Deity to pull down the growing arrogance of the Hollanders.In our country, although we undergo no danger of being suddenly submerged, as our Dutch neighbors might be, we have suffered seriously in our dock yards and harbors by that at length a piece of wood atfacked by many teredos becomes transformed into a knot of calcareous tubes. The tube is not the true shell of this dreaded molusk. That body is to be sought for at its innermost ex tremity. It consists of two very small curved valves, united at their beaks, and beautifully sculptured on their surfacesThe pipe or tube is a lime-walled shaft, intended to keep a communication between the animals and the watery elements neces sary for its existance,and to protect the shaft body and long fleshy siphons of the crea ture. How the cavity in which it lives is excavated is still a matter of discussion a mong naturalists. There are many shellfish endowed with the instinct to burrow into wood or clay, or even hard stone; and it is not yet certain whether they do so by mechanical or chemical agencies, or by a combination of the auger and a solvent.- that air and the atmosphere are two differWestminster Review. For the Miscellany. AUGUST. BY ISAAC MILES CRAVATH. THE heated pulse and languid frame, The scorching sun that climbs the sky, And stirless atmosphere proclaim The sultry days of August nigh. The sparrow on the barn-roof grieves, Such music as in May arose The birds of spring have hush'd their notes, And weary sought the shades repose. Nor fails from heav'n the gentle rain To bathe ascending odors sweet,— The fainting flow'rs droop to the plain, And wither 'neath the solar heat. The quiv'ring light the stubble gems, The day declines, and all is still While Luna sheds her paler light, Up the bright orient mounts the sun, As fade the dew-drops from the rose. And thus the burning days roll round, NIGHT AIR. It is a prevalent idea that night air is not so healthy as the atmosphere when under the influence of light. This opinion must have originated from some cause, or else it must be set down among old wives' fables. No one ever had an opinion that the composition of air was changed during the night hours, but certainly it is well known, ent things. The atmosphere may become perfectly corrupt, and in many places it become so, but air is a fixed composition, therefore, when it becomes mixed with a superabundance of carbonic acid or any other gas, it is no longer air. The atmosphere-that ocean in which we continually bathe, and on which we continually feed, often becomes unfit for respiration by the extraneous matter floating in it, under the different names of miasma, inlection, &c.-It has been said, "the belief of night air being injurious, is an error, which has hindered the introduction of ventilation more than all others." This we do not believe, for it is well known that the effluvia of marshes is the most dangerous during night hours, and those who are exposed to the night air in any country, except upon the ocean, never enjoy such good health as those who are protected from its influence. The domestic animals, such as cows and horses, which are housed every night in summer, "do better," as the farmers say, than those which are exposed to the free ventilation of chilling damps, and the extraneous gasses which sluggishly float near the earth's surface at night, owing to the absence of the sun, which, during the day, carries them up like the dew, above the stratum in which we live and walk. No one ever supposed that the pure atmosphere had anything to do with causing the death of persons exposed at night within the tropics; nor does it produce the cough of the consumptive and asthmetic nor the languor and misery which the sick so frequently experience. These and other sufferings experienced more particularly at night, are caused by carbonic acid, absence of sun-light, rapid reduction of temperature, the air being saturated with moisture, &c., and not by that air without which we cannot live three minutes. It is absurd to suppose that fresh air supports our life and destroys cur health t one and the same time. The same thing cannot possess the utterly incompatible haracter of good and evil, of supporting life and destroying it. It is all nonsense to talk about pure air being hurtful to life and | EDITORIAL MISCELLANIA. health, at any season by night or day; but TROIT. THE great Temperance Celebration came while carbonic acid, absence of sun-light, TEMPERANCE FESTIVAL AT DErapid reduction of temperature, the atmosphere saturated with moisture, &c., at night, are the causes of sickness and suffering, it is no error to believe that the night atmos-off, as proposed, on Wednesday the seventh phere is oftentimes injurious to health. A of July. Great expectations had been formbelief in this need not prevent good ventila-ed, and though the weather was excessively tion, for if cotton cloth screens are in win- hot and sultry, the attendance was very dows during night hours, a free ventilation large; and composed of the most intelligent is obtained, and the air is somewhat rarified, classes of community. It was a noble sight before it enters the apartment; this meets to look over the vast throng as they were all the necessary conditions of freedom from seated in a beautiful grove on the estate of exposure, and a plentiful supply of as good Ex-Governor Woodbridge. The speeches air as can be obtained. Those who believe were excellent, and the attention of the peothat constant exposure to night air is not in-ple was intense, and the enthusiasm at When called upon to jurious, have never had the good fortune of times tremendous. trusting to that notable appendage, placed so prominently on man's front for a detector, viz: a good olfactory explorer.-Scientific American. BEAUTIFUL IDEA. Some one has said, "When a babe smiles in its sleep it is talking with angels" It may be so. It we could pass the portals that conduct to the dreams of a slumbering infant, we might behold scenes which would render the gorgeous visions and splendid imaginations of manhood most meagre in comparison. Peradventure we might hear the angels also, would we but pause and listen, but, alas, there are too many voices in our preoccupied hearts, and the multiplied sounds of the busy world drown those angel whisperings, so that we hear them notHeaven grant that these heavenly visitors to young innocence may ever linger near them and that when these children mingle with the world, as we are mingling, they may still talk with angels. PERFORM a good deed, speak a kind word, give a pleasant smile, and you will receive the same in return The happiness you bestow upon others is reflected back to your own bosom. say whether the degrading traffic in Alcohol should continue, an emphatic NO rolled in thunder tones all over the vast throng, and rang through the forest like the crack of doom. Its echoing thunder, waxing louder and louder, will roll over this whole State, and will speak with the united voice of seven thunders at the next election. We shall make no political thing of this matter. It will be THE THING. Let either of the great parties into which our State is divided, throw themselves into the course of this mighty onward wave, and endeavor to stem it, and they may rest assured that defeat will over whelm them. The Temperance men in each party will have but one question about the candidates presented to them, in the coming canvass.— Is he honestly in favor of the enactment of a law similar to the Maine Law? If this can be answered in the affirmative, in reference to opposing candidates, then no party lines will be crossed. But if either party, in utter violation of the great and growing sentiment of the country, and presuming on the influence and power of Alcohol to sustain them in the contest, shall nominate corrupt men men who will wink at the enormity of liquor-selling, then the lines of party will hold no true friend of Temperance. The doctrine, that we must go with the party, if it goes to destruction, is fading out of the creed of the real friend of his country, and come and intolerable burden, and a curse.will soon be found there no more. Michigan will follow the glorious example of Maine; and by so doing, will increase her wealth and influence, and will secure peace and happiness to thousands in her midst. Slaves to rum will go for it, and and shut up the way of death which is now open before them. Many who are now in the traffic of ardent spirits, will go for the Maine Law, and close up their own streams of death. I have been repeatedly assured, by one who has not yet become degraded by his business, but is susceptible of noble and generous impulses, that he will go for the Maine Law. And he will do it. Many will probably do likewise. RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. Ir is a matter of profound gratitude to God, that in this country, all religions are tolerate l—none enjoying peculiar privileges, or lording it over God's heritage. There is no established religion; but all religions are protected in the enjoyment of their rights and privileges. This we deem the crowning glory of our constitution and the corner stone of our religiou. Wherever a State religion has been recognized, the interests of real religion have suffered. The reason is apparent: all the offices of State must be filled by members of the established church: under these circumstances, men of corrupt minds will seek a place in the church, for the sake of place in State. They will follow Jesus, not because they regard the miracles which he did; but because, by so doing, they may obtain the loaves and be filled. The depraved and unscrupulous will therefore crowd the gates of that church whose members supply the offices which the State requires. As it now is, there is doubtless mo e pure religion in the United States, diffused among the various orders, than can be found in any country or nation containing the same amount of population. Here is our glory; and very important it is we should guard the gifts of heaven with a constant vigilance, and under no circumstances, barter the religious or civil liberty we enjoy as an inheritance from our fathers. It is not proper that any of those denominations which are seeking to elevate and bless mankind, should seek to hinder others who are engaged in the same cause, and perhaps with the same zeal and efficiency; and though they choose to labor in a somewhat different manner, and under differently shaped banners, and with different titles for their standard bearers. What matters it, what internal arrangements they may choose to make or appoint, so that they observe whatsoever thing are honest, and of good report-whatsoever things are pure and acceptable in the sight of God? What if they call their leaders, l'ope, Bishop, Presbyter, or something else, so that each is doing good to man, and preparing him for the unknown future? But if, instead of this, they are seeking their own aggrandizement, and not the things of Jesus Christ, whether their titles are high or humble, none can bid them God speed, consistent with a true regard for God's cause and the interests of true religion. God save us from a Methodist, Presbyterian, or Catholic dominancy; but give to them, and to all others, an increased purity and an efficient zeal. There is rooin for all-there is work for all; and when divested of an unholy predjudice, we can see all engaged in it, with a delighted heart. MUSINGS. If we must have an established religion, strong as our predilections may be for a particular branch of Zion, we could not choose We have marked the heavings of the the denomination that should be in the as- earthquake, and listened to the shriek of the cendant. No matter what name that deno-windy storm, and the howl of the roaring mination might bear, we believe it would be- tempest; and our hearts have quailed before these outbursts of nature, as shock after shock, and blast after blast have threatened the wreck of all things, and struck terror to the hearts of thousands. But the loudest and longest storm finally expends its fury and exhausts its strength, and a calm succeeds. The bright sun looks forth from his momentary hiding place, and smiles his joy that nature yet survives, and again looks forth in beauty. man. We have some valuable articles on hand, that will appear in our next number at least a part of them. Our correspondents must have patience with us, and we will in troduce them to our readers in good time. ny. THERE has been an addition of a new partner, in publishing this work, since the issue of the last number,-Mr. A. G. WOOD, Actuary of the Branch Office of the How soon is the brief hour of darkness Empire State Health Insurance Company, for the Western States, whose name appears forgotten, and the mind of man shows a deep This was expected, from the sympathy with surrounding nature, as it on the cover. first; but as Mr Wood was not in the ci puts on its gentler mood. How changed now, all the beatings of the human heart-when the July number went to press, we all the feelings and emotions of the inner could not announce it at that time, though A kind of warm gushing of man's we had assurances that he would enter into a copartnership for publishing the Miscellaholiest affections succeeds the genial warmth of nature, as all things present themselves in beauty around. And the sweet chirp of THE article from the pen of Mrs. E. that little songster of the wood affects the S. Seager, will be concluded next month.— heart, and even the vegetable kingdom pre- We could not withhold an article so replete sents a thousand charms to him whose heart with the practical, and so calculated to bless is attuned to harmony and to God. the women of our land, though it is somewaving grass and gently moving leaf-the what lengthy-too long to be inserted in one sweet scented flower and the humble herb-number. Let it have a careful perusal; its age of the field covered with silver dew-sentiment and style are worthy of it. The drops,—all charin the soul in the sweet hour cream of the article will appear next mouth, so that our readers will say, thou hast kept the best of the entertainment until the last of the feast. of summer sunshine. The Such is an hour of joy and of happiness. That man who has no heart to feel in such an hour, whatever may be his circumstances -whatever his wealth and honors, deserves It will be perceived that the article our pity, and can by no means be envied.-headed "Note the bright hours Only," is not Give us, then, "The soul's calm sunshine, And the heart-felt joy." new; at least it has appeared in several other periodicals of the day. It was furnished us by the author with this explanation. MEYER'S UNIVERSUM.-This is a work is We do not intend to make the Mis-sued in half-monthly parts, illustrated with cellany in any-wise a sectarian thing. In the hurry of the moment, there may at times an article appear calculated to give such an impression; bat it will be deprecated by the Editor, no less than by his readers. We are hardly yet starte on the new track. Here. after, there will be a division of labor; and more time will be given to the preparation of matter for the Miscellany. engravings from drawings of the first artists. Volume one, will be issued in parts, coutaining 48 plates: the literary department, by J. Meyer, New-York; Herman J. Meyer, 164 William st.-Price $3,00 per volume. This bids fair to be a very valuable book. To all subscribers for the first volume, a most su perb premium plate, engraved on steel, will be given, gratis. |