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but also the skin and the fur or wool of animals, a vegetable-feeder, far the greater part of his food (all the starch of grain and bread, the sugar, oil, &c.), after being added to the blood, is decomposed, and breathed out from the lungs in the form of carbonic acid and water. That is just what it would become if set on fire and burn

owe their origin to plants, just as their flesh does. They furnish utensils, tools, and buildiny materials, in great variety; and even the materials which the mineral kingdom yields for man's service (such as iron) are unavailable without vegetables, to supply fuel for working and shapinged, as when we burn oil or tallow in our lamps and candles, or wood in our fire-places; and in the process, in animals no less than in our lamps and fire-places, the heat which was absorbed from the sun, when the vegetable matter was

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out when this matter is decomposed into carbonic acid and water again. And this is what keeps up the natural heat of animals. We are warmed by plants in the food we consume, as well as by the fuel we burn.

They supply all the fuel in the world; and this is one special service of that vegetable matter which, in the solid form of wood, does not naturally serve for food. Burned in our fire-produced from carbonic acid and water, is given places, one part of a plant may be used to cook the food furnished by another part, or to protect us against cold; or burned under a steam-boiler it may grind our corn, or carry us swiftly from place to place. Even the coal dug from the bowels of the earth is vegetable matter, the remains of forests and herbage which flourished for ages before man existed, and long ago laid up for his present use. We may proceed one step farther, and explain where the heat of fuel comes from; for even a child may understand it. Plants make vegetable matter only in the direct light of the sun. With every particle of carbonic acid that is decomposed, and vegetable matter that is made, a portion of the sun's heat and light is absorbed and laid up in it. And whenever this vegetable matter is decomposed, as in burning it, this heat and light (how much of each, depends upon the mode of burning) are given out.

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"In learning, as we have done, How Plants Grow, and Why they Grow, have we not learned more of the lesson of the text placed at the beginning of this book, and of the verses that follow? Wherefore if God se clothe the grass of the field, shall he not much more clothe you? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.' And we now perceive that causing plants to grow is the very way in which He bountifully supplies these needs, and feeds, clothes, warms, and shelters the myriads of beings He has made, and especially Man, whom He made to have dominion

over them all."

"So all our lighting as well as warming, which we do not receive directly from the sun, we receive from plants, in which sunlight has been stored up for our use. And equally so, whether we burn olive-oil or pine-oil of the present day, or candles made from old peat, or coal-gas, or lard, tallow, or wax,· the latter a vegetable mat-in ter which has been somewhat changed by animals. And, finally,

"The natural warmth of the bodies of animals comes from the food they eat, and so is supplied by plants. A healthy animal, no longer growing, receives into his system a daily supply of food without any corresponding increase in weight, or often without any increase at all. This is because he decomposes as much as he receives. If

CHARLES B. CHACE. We understand that this gentleman, recently of Brown University, has been appointed Principal of the High School Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are constantly losing our best teachers, and shall continue to lose them just so long as our committees refuse to give them adequate compensation. The diminution of salaries in several places recently has, naturally enough, taken some of the most efficient teachers from New England and transplanted them to the Middle, Western, and Southern States. More are going.

OUR BOOK TABLE.

NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA. Vol. III. 768 pages. Bea Browning. D. Appleton & Co., New York. D. Kimball & Co., Agents for Rhode Island.

This volume appears to us more full and complete than its predecessors, and certainly does not

fall below them in the richness of its contents.

It has a very large number of articles in biography, but many of them are necessarily short. In science and art it is quite sufficient. In all matters pertaining to the practical this volume will commend itself to the mass of men in every

walk in life.

This work when finished will form a complete library for every man. It is popular in its character, and at the same time full and exact in every department of science, art and literature.

It is especially valuable for sehools, and we hope it will be taken for our school libraries, in the city and the country villages. Price $3 per volume, payable on delivery.

JEWETT'S SPIER'S FRENCH AND ENGLISH DICTIONARY.-School Edition. Mason Brothers, New York.

The lovers of the French language, especially the teachers of that language, will thank Prof. Jewett for the book now before us. It is full for a school edition, and the type and general mechanical arrangement exhibit great perspicuity. We are much pleased with one feature, namely: its system of pronunciation. It is impossible to represent French pronunciation with Engfish sounds of letters. The work gives the pronunciation with the French sounds of the letters. It contains 716 pages. Price $1.50.

We present our thanks to Hon. James F. Simmons for the eighth volume of the Exploration and Surveys for a Railroad Route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

THE LECTURES OF LOLA MONTEZ, including her Autobiography. Rudd & Carleton. N. Y For Lola Montez we have nothing to say. "It is easier to preach than to practice." But she

Two MILLIONS.-By William Allen Butler. D. has written a very readable book, in a style simAppleton & Co. N. Y. 1858.

The author of Nothing to Wear has certainly shown his ability to write that beautiful poem by the skill and ability displayed in the present one. The plot of the story is somewhat elaborate, but natural and reasonable. The style is easy, chaste and in many parts quite ornate. The meter is well adapted to the story. The moral will be appreciated, certainly by those for whom it is intended. We liked the poem much better on the second reading than the first. It improves by acquaintance. We understand the sale is already very large. The paper, print and style of binding are exquisitely beautiful. only wants "illustrations by Hoppin."

It

We have received a beautiful lithograph of CYRUS W. FIELD, the energetic and efficient Superintendent of the Atlantic Telegraph. It is engraved by Grozillier, that inimitable artist, and published by J. E. Tilton & Co., 161 Washington street, Boston. Price 75 cents.

ple, beautiful and enchanting. It abounds in incident, the materials for which her varied life readily furnished.

Although it has somewhat of nonsense and silly flippery, yet for the most part it is filled with good, wholesome advice, which the ladies would do well to follow. We can recommend to their especial attention the lecture on Beauty.

The print and paper, like all the publications of this enterprising house, are remarkably pleas ing and tasteful.

WE understand that EATON'S ARITHMETIC hus been introduced into the schools of Boston, See advertisement.

ON THE AUTHORIZED VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. By Richard Chevenix Trench, Redfield, New York, 1858.

This is a scholarly work, giving the arguments for a new translation of the New Testament, together with the difficulties and objections to such

a revision. It is a masterly treatise of a scholar and will amply repay any one interested in Sabbath School teaching, or Bible study in any form, for a careful perusal.

SERMONS OF THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, OF London. Fourth Series. Sheldon, Blakeman, & Co., New York. 1858.

No man of modern times has acquired such popularity as a preacher as Mr. Spurgeon. No man has attraced such crowds to hear the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever difference of opinion may exist with regard to his style of preaching, or however people may differ from him with respect to various doctrinal points, still his sermons will find multitudes of readers who will surely be interested in their perusal. We wish the number of the readers of this volume might be increased tenfold.

FIVE LITTLE STORIES FOR CHILDREN.-1. Hill

DAVIES' UNIVERSITY ALGEBRA. - By Charles
Davies, LL. D. A. S. Barnes & Co., New
York. 1858.

The publishers bave sent us a copy of this work, just published, which we have not yet examined. We have been much pleased with Prof. Davies' Elementary and Bourdon, and have long wished an intermediate work, which in many cases might be used instead of the Elementary, and would better fit the pupil for the higher work. From a hasty examination of the book we have the impression that it will be found a valuable work. The typography and perspicuity of arrangement are excellent.

THE ICHNOLITE, or Amherst College Magazine,
July, 1858.

If the contents of this college quarterly be an index of the maturity of thought attained by the students of the institution which publish it, the instruction must be creditable alike to the col

side Farm; 2. Johnny M'Kay; 3. Joe Carton; lege and to New England.
4. The Golden Mushroom; 5. The Story of
our Darling Nellie. Published by Henry Hoyt,
9 Cornhill, Boston.

These beautiful little books for the young are Just published and are beautiful indeed. Nothing can exceed the simplicity and beauty of the history of Johnny M'Kay, the little Irish boy. The story we have numbered 5 is for very little children, who require coarse print and plain, short words. The others will not fail to interest children as old as most of us are.

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THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY for September comes to us with a rich table of contents. We are glad to learn that the enterprising publishers are soon to issue the "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table " in a volume.

WE would call especial attention to the publisher's advertisement of CHAPMAN'S AMERICAN DRAWING Book. It is the best work of the kind with which we are acquainted. Those wish ing systematic instruction upon this important &c. branch of study would do well to send for this work, either complete or in parts.

-By

the author of John Halifax, Gentleman, Rudd & Carleton, New York. 1858. We are obliged to notice this book before reading it, but our friends (who have more leisure than we) say it is a good book, charmingly interesting, and well worthy a perusal by all. Moreover their judgment is better than ours, for the book was written for them and not for us. We are content, therefore, to recommend it on their opinion.

ERRATUM.-Page 206, sixth line from bottom,

ONE HUNDRED SONGS OF SCOTLAND. Words and Tunes. Oliver Ditson & Co., Boston. 1858.

A collection of fine old Scotch airs, comprising many of the most popular tunes of our modern songs, accompanied with the words originally set to them by Scotch authors.

SEVERAL books have been received notices of

second column, "homblende," read "hornblende." which will appear next month.

The R. J. Schoolmaster.

VOL. IV.

OCTOBER, 1858.

For the Schoolmaster.
Charlotte Corday.

CHARLOTTE CORDAY D'ARMANS, or, as La

NO. 8.

At the time when the faction of the Mountain was triumphant in the convention, and the banished Girondists fled for safety from

martine styles her, "The angel of assassina- Paris, Charlotte was living with an aged aunt

in Caen.

Hither came large numbers of the tion," is one of those strange characters which history presents to us in the paradox of heav- vanquished party. Their eloquent appeals in enly beauty and virtue, united with the dark-behalf of suffering France only kindled still est image of crime. Charlotte Corday, the more a soul that had long beat in sympathy with their views. Slowly her thoughts seembeautiful enthusiast, the murderer of Marat, ed to group themselves around one great idea, the self-immolated victim upon the altar of a resolve to do something for her country. liberty. Through the troubled vistas of naThose who saw her sitting by the fountain in tional discord, in the sanguinary glare of slaughter, her face beams upon us fair and the garden, or reading her favorite authors, little dreamed of the deed she was nerving pure as a celestial spirit, yet calm and passionless as a minister of vengeance. her hand to accomplish. Over and over In the study of history, it is not only need-again she read the works of Jean Rousseau, or ful that we seek the causes that underlie great of the Abbé Raynal, but most frequently the lives of Plutarch. In this exquisite masterevents, but that we also search out the causes that led to the formation of certain characters, painter she found her ideals converted into and fitted them for their work and for their living realities, her heroes into men.

destiny.

All this time the fires of civil war were

All souls are moulded by their surround-raging in the capitol, and a worse tyranny ings, and poverty, misfortune, and sorrow, had bequeathed to Charlotte a pride above her station, a dignity above her years, and a melancholy which inclined her to much visionary dreaming. Long seclusion from the world, and solitary study, had turned her mind back upon itself and made the ideal seem true and tangible, the real false and visionary.

than that of the Roman Marius was exercised by that bloody triumvirate Robespierre, Danton, and Marat. In this last Charlotte Corday thought she perceived the source of those horrors that distracted France. She conceived the bold idea of going to Paris, and once there, te act upon her plan, kill Marat, and abide the consequences. Thus

and honor while we view her as an assassin, even though the victim be the loathsome Marat. In pitying charity we strive to forget the dagger while we remember her patriotism. The object of the crime of Charlotte Corday was the salvation of France. Vain hope! For the monster Marat was hydra-headed, and the death of the "People's Friend " seemed to render his partizans all Marats. Her hand made the wound deeper, and inaugReign of Terror.”

urated the "

she went forth like Judith, "adorned with a marvelous beauty" to deliver her country. Did no whisperings of home loves draw her footsteps backward from the threshold of the awful future? Once, and once only, she turned aside from her self-imposed task to cast a regretful eye over the scenes of youth. It was when she visited for the last time her father's estate in Argentan, the home of her childhood, the nucleus of many endearing associations. Locking her secret in her own "There are crimes of which men are no breast, she had come to crave the blessing of her parent upon her departure, knowing she judges." Much of this visionary fanaticism looked upon his face for the last time, al- was the result of a wrong education. She though he believed she sought safety in Eng-lived too much within herself. She saw men land. It was here that old memories, her and things in a soft moonlight glory, like the mother's grave, her father's age and spotless"dim religious light " of her early convent name, seemed to draw her with strong cords cloister rather than the strong healthy light back into the paths of obscurity and peace, of every-day life. She breathed the air of and her whole woman's nature protested saintly buried ages, rather than the pure atagainst the sacrifice. It was but a moment mosphere of work-day labor. and the old enthusiasm returned, and smiling at her own weakness, she turned her face towards that great Beyond so fraught with dangerous fortune, and ignoble death. Her father blessed her with tears, laying his hand upon her head in benediction, and from that time Charlotte consecrated all earthly love, all selfish feeling to the cause of France and human freedom. Henceforth she ceased to be an individual; she lived in, and for an idea, a dream of liberty; she became a part of history. She went forth from her home to join the high march of martyrs to the tribunal to the Conciergerie to the scaffold.

We hang with rapture over the heroic story of Joan of Arc; we shed a tear at the sorrows of Marie Antoinette; we follow with admiration the sublime course of Madame Roland; but we pause in a thoughtful silence at the grave of Charlotte Corday. Our lips are mute to censure while we admire her lofty and noble character; our souls cannot yield her love

Why, it may be asked, was this young girl allowed by Providence to sacrifice herself for naught? We may not question the motive of Deity. But the eye of reason can discern her failings through her enthusiasm and devotion. Charlotte unwittingly made herself equal with God. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." It may be that Divine Justice intended to punish that daring which arrogated to itself the prerogative of the Almighty, and to warn others lest they made Reason and Religion secondary to an ideal enthusi

asm.

M. C. P.

HIGH WATER.-The highest waterfall in the world is in the Sandwich Islands, and is stated to be between four and five thousand feet high. The stream on which the fall occurs, runs among the peaks of one of the highest mountains, so high that the water actually never reaches the bottom, so great is the distance, and it ascends to the clouds again.

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