journal undertook to vilify America. Next, out of there be. The article in the North American Review, must be regarded only as an open and manly avowal of a determination in the Editor of that work, to meet at once, and resist by all means which are both efficient and honourable, not only the Quarterly Review, but such other periodicals as may be disposed to follow its example, if any such This is precisely the course which the North American Review ought at this moment to take. This work is, beyond all question, at the head of the periodical literature in this country; whatever good may be derived from this supremacy, belongs of right to the work, but the Editor must remember that the responsibilities which attach to it, lie upon him. Among these responsibilities, who can regret that he includes that of protecting our national reputation? In this article, he may be considered as joining battle with one man; but this man, from his vast official influence, is a host, for he governs a host. Gifford's rancorous and inveterate hatred of this country, is as well known as his authority over the Quarterly Review, or the powerful and extended influence which that journal exerts. It is well that he is met, front to front, by the North American, and if common fame tells truth, we may be glad that its Editor is aided in this good work, by one abundantly able to make the better and the stronger side appear so. North American. REVIEW OF THE COURSE OF STUDY REQUIR ED FOR ADMISSION TO OUR COLLEGES. sense of the jeopardy in which he will stand, We cannot but think this article will be Perhaps the propriety of commencing with Latin in preference to Greek, might well be questioned. This plan is confessedly against the order of derivation of the two languages, and the reason, which formerly led to its adoption, has now in a great measure ceased to exist. I refer to the use of the Latin language as the common medium of communication among literary men. Besides, there is in the formation of a large proportion of the words in Greek, a regularity and simplicity, and, so to speak, reasonableness, which must wonderfully assist the youthful memory in its acquisition. Neither, it is thought, is the construction of its sentences so difficult and involved as in Latin. I might also mention the increased interest, which is excited in the Greek language from the present state of modern Greece; but as in the introduction of my remarks I intimated, that I should give you the fruit of experience, I shall say nothing further of a plan, that I have never seen executed. On the subject of grammars, I shall say but little. Buttmann's Grammar is considered a valuable addition to the Greek grammars before in use. The view given of the formation of the Greek verb is philosophical and satisfactory, and the syntax more clear and full, than the systems found in our other Grammars. It is suggested, however, that a Latin or Greek Grammar, constructed on the plan of Wanostrocht's French Grammar, would be an improvement on those now in use. It is allowed by instructers, that the best method, which can be adopted for the acquisition of the Grammar of a language, is to direct the attention to the application of its principles and rules, as they are exemplified in the text book. With this object in view, it has been thought desirable to confine the attention to particular parts of Grammar in succession, during several weeks or days. A text book, therefore, constructed with a view to aid this plan, has been a desideratum. I am happy to state, that in Greek this desideratum has been furnished by the publication of Jacobs' Greek Reader. Of this excellent elementary work, I shall take occasion to remark hereafter. Let me here, Mr Editor, remark briefly on the pronunciation of the Latin and Greek Languages. It is generally allowed, that our scholars are deficient in this particular, and very much so, compared with the scholars of Europe. And what is worse, many feel and say, that it is a subject of but little consequence. Here, it is believed, is the difficulty. Now to such persons I would repeat the old maxim, That which is worth doing, is worth doing well. I would remind them, that the habit of accuracy of careful and minute attention, is an advantage to be aimed at in the study of the dead languages; and that this habit may be much strengthened by observing the rules of pronunciation. Further, we sometimes wish to give authority to a sentiment, or point to an expression, by the quotation of a Latin or Greek sentence or phrase. How awkward to be ignorant of its correct pronunciation. Perhaps it may be said, that these advantages will not compensate for the labour which must be undergone. I answer, that according to the standard, which most of our Literary Institutions profess to follow, the task is by no means difficult. Auxiliary to this subject, I would here suggest an improvement in the mode of printing elementary books in Latin and Greek. It is known by those who have attended to this subject, that the correct pronunciation of a Latin or Greek word, depends principally upon a knowledge of the quantity of the penult. If long, it bears the accent; if short, the antepenult is accented. In all cases, therefore, in which the rules of prosody do not determine the length of the penult, let the usual long or short mark be placed over the syllable. Thus our scholars before reading the poets, might with little difficulty acquire habits of correct pronunciation. I remember well, Mr. Editor, that when a boy, I went from the study of Biglow's Latin Primer to the reading of Virgil's Bucolics, and that, with hard study and much help, I learnt ten lines for my first exercise. As to beauties of thought or expression, Virgil was in my view on a level with the Primer. In some of our schools, this plan has been improved upon, and several elementary works are read before Virgil is attempted. Still, sir, it is my opinion, that Virgil is read too early in our course of classical study. In learning our children to read their native language, we do not put into their hands the works of Thomson or Milton upon their learning with the translation 4. The associations, the primer or spelling book. A boy has unfavourable in a religious view, connectmuch to learn, even of his native tongue, ed with its being used as a school book. before he can read the works of a poet 5. It may be read at a later period with with pleasure or advantage. It is true, more advantage, when a knowledge of the that with the help of an ordo and notes language will enable the scholar to judge and a clavis and occasional assistance, a as to the accuracy of the translation in scholar may work his way through Virgil, common use. On this subject, I shall not and at the end, may find, that his knowl- enlarge. edge of the Latin language has increased. But some other book would have answered this purpose better, and sure the Mantuan Bard should yield other fruit than this. Besides, I have often heard the remark made, that the impressions and associations, which are made by the reading of Virgil in the manner which I have described, are such as to produce an indifference to his works ever after. It is as if the labour and fatigue, attendant on the attempts of the young artist to give form and proportion to the rough material, should become associated with the symmetry and beauty, which are found in the finished productions of his art. As to the Bucolics, commentators cannot agree respecting the meaning or design of many of them. The Georgics are allowed to be difficult in construction; and the Æneid, so far as art is concerned, is considered the most highly wrought epic poem in existence. And is it in the study of these productions, that the scholar is to learn the rudiments of the Latin Language? The necessity of remark upon the re maining Greek book, Collectanea Minora, is superseded by what has already been said on this subject in your review of Jacobs' Greek Reader. I have always considered the poetical parts of Minora, as injudiciously selected, constituting as it does, a part of the preparatory course of study. I agree with you also in the opinion, that the selections in Jacobs' Reader are wisely made-well suited by their arrangement, both to aid the feeble steps of the learner and to allure him to the fields of Grecian literature. Let me here, Mr Editor, express the satisfaction, which is felt in the view of every attempt to render our elementary course of study more thorough and adequate. A feeling of gratitude is also excited towards those, who, instead uf regaling themselves with the fruits of learning, are willing to labour for the benefit of others. This remark is equally true, whether our literary husbandmen be employed in rearing plants of native origin, or whether, selecting those of other lands, which are congenial to our climate and suited to our wants, they transplant them with due care and attention. Experienced instructers will, I believe, join with me in deciding also against the use of Cicero's orations, as a part of the preparatory course of study. But lest this article should be too long, I will concisely I will only add, that there is much room and definitely state my objections to this for improvement in our preparatory course, book. 1. The construction of the senten- as to the study of Geography, Book-keepces is too involved and difficult for a learning, &c. But these are subjects of comer. This difficulty seems intimately con- mon remark. nected with the oratorical style of the Latin Language. 2. The minds of the young are not sufficiently matured to understand his reasoning. This arises, partly from the subtilty of the argument itself, and partly from the necessity of having at once in the mind a comprehensive view of the whole subject, which youthful minds find it difficult to acquire. 3. My third objection to its being used as a part of the preparatory course is, that if the study of these orations were deferred to a later period, when the mind could understand and feel the force of the reasoning which they exhibit, it would be of advantage in other respects, than as affording a knowledge of the language. Sallust is the remaining Latin author. Some difficult expressions are to be found in his works, but I do not object to his holding a place among the authors to be studied preparatory to admission to College. The objection to the use of the New Testament as a text book in Greek, have been frequently stated. They may be summed up, as follows: 1. The Greek is not pure and classical. 2. In the Epistles particularly, the construction in many passages is difficult. 3. Our familiarity As objections have been made to several books now in use, before concluding my remarks, I will propose substitutes. Instead of Virgil and Cicero's Orations, I would require Cesar's Commentaries and the five books of Livy now used in our Colleges, making Virgil and Cicero a part of the College course of study. I would omit the study of the Greek Testament and of Minora, and substitute Jacobs' Greek Reader, with the hope, that in a second edition of this work, when the long promised Greek and English Lexicon shall have been given us, the Clavis now found in Jacobs may be removed, and its place filled with more copious extracts from Greek authors. Till then, I would propose the reading of Xenophon's Anabasis or Cyropædia. Perhaps the course of study here proposed by way of substitute, may not be the best that can be suggested. The object of of this communication will be answered, should the attention of literary men be directed to the subject. I am persuaded, Mr. Editor, that improvements in our Academical institutions, have not advanced with the progress of society in science and literature. B. C. POETRY. AN INDIAN AT THE BURYING-PLACE OF HIS FATHERS. It is the spot I came to seek, My fathers' ancient burial-place, Ere from these vales, ashamed and weak, It is the spot, I know it well- For here the upland bank sends out A ridge toward the river side; I know the shaggy hills about, The meadow smooth and wide; The plains, that, toward the southern sky, Fenced east and west by mountains lie. A white man, gazing on the scene, Would say a lovely spot was here, And praise the lawns so fresh and green Between the hills so sheer. I like it not-I would the plain The sheep are on the slopes around, And prancing steeds, in trappings gay, Methinks it were a nobler sight To see these vales in woods arrayed, Their summits in the golden light, Their trunks in grateful shade, And herds of deer, that bounding go O'er rills and prostrate trees below. And then to mark the lord of all, The forest hero, trained to wars, Quivered and plumed, and lithe and tall, And seamed with glorious scars, Walk forth, amid his reign, to dare The wolf, and grapple with the bear. This bank, in which the dead were laid, Was sacred when its soil was ours; Hither the artless Indian maid Brought wreaths of beads and flowers, And the gray chief and gifted seer Worshipped the God of thunders here. But now the wheat is green and high On clods that hid the warrior's breast, And scattered in the furrows lie The weapons of his rest, And there, in the loose sand, is thrown Of his large arm the mouldering bone. Ah little thought the strong and brave Who bore their lifeless chieftain forth, Or the young wife, that weeping gave Her first-born to the earth, That the pale race, who waste us now, They waste us-aye-like April snow But I behold a fearful sign, To which the white men's eyes are blind; Their race may vanish hence, like mine, And leave no trace behind, Save ruins o'er the region spread, And the white stones above the dead. Before these fields were shorn and tilled, Full to the brim our rivers flowed; My face no more; I go away That the poor Jewess lives a slave! Yet though the darkly-rolling wave The scorn which all have freely given As if it were my birth-right here, Are nought-my humble, fervent prayer The God of Israel shall hear;--we meet in Heaven. H. A TRADITION OF THE LAKE OF COMO. And loudly dashed the billows white And down upon the roaring waves There bloomed no rose upon her cheek, And sadly, when the storm was o'er, "He comes not! and he will not come! She weeps; but lo! a soft sweet note! 125 And through the deepened shades of night And one tall form she dimly sees, With snowy plume and mantle dark. "Be swift!"-'tis Carlo's well known voice! Red, brief, and sudden came a flash Full well she knew her sire's true aim, Then comes a brief, an awful pause, Is it a whiter wreath of foam, THE ROSE D'AMOUR. "O not the rose d'Amour for me,' Pg. A FAREWELL TO A FAVOURITE SPOT. Ye fair domains which nature loves to kiss, Where my whole soul by magic spells was bound, Wrapped in a short reality of bliss, While fancy flung her golden dreams around! Flushed with the flowery pride of Summer sheen, Your laughing verdure cheered my frequent view; Brown Autumn's breath now sears the withering scene, Tinged with each bright but melancholy hue. Joy of my life! I will not see thee droop; Nor count thy charms, decaying leaf by leaf;-Thy groves a desolate and dreary group, Thrilled by the moanings of thy wintry grief. But back I haste to crowds and hurried life; Back to the town and, all its tasteless joys; Where rude Ambition stalks, with ruthless strife, And silken Pleasure smileth and destroys. There must I act the cringing courtier's part, But 'mid the whirl of Dissipation's dance- The tinted robe that fringed the setting sunThe moonlight talk with friends I dearly love The lake that slumbered as the day was done. Have joys so pure irrevocably flown? Surpassed that bourne whence none can e'er And must my widowed heart forever moan One star yet o'er the dim horizon burns, Whose twinkling beams obtain their misty way; "Tis Hope-who whispers faintly of returns, ON BEING ASKED BY A LADY TO WRITE Know'st thou a calm sequestered vale, Waved aye the graceful willow? There by the rushy brink thy bard,* But now each fragrant flower is fled- Alarm not then the poet's fire, Nor break his gloomy slumbers; foreign countries, without permission of not parallel with the true bow, but in an NEW FRENCH POEM. Great expectations have been excited NEW SCOTTISH NOVEL. W. INFLUENCE OF SOUNDS ON DIFFERENT In the human ear the fibres of the circular tympanum radiate from its centre to its circumference, and are of equal length; but Sir Edward Home has found that in the Elephant, where the tympanum is oval, they are of different lengths, like the radii from the focus of an ellipse. He considers the equality of the radii, and he is of opinthat the human ear is adapted for sounds by on that the long fibres in the tympanum of sounds, which it is known to do. A pianothe Elephant enable it to hear very minute forte having been sent on purpose to Exeter Change (a repository for wild beasts), the higher notes hardly attracted the EleThe next publication of the Great Un-phant's notice, but the lower ones roused known is said to be founded on the adven- his attention. The effect of the higher tures of certain adherents of the Pretender, notes of the instrument upon the great about fifteen years after the rebellion. Lion in Exeter Change, was only to excite his attention, which was very great. He remained silent and motionless. But no sooner were the flat notes sounded, than he sprang up, attempted to break loose, lashed his tail, and seemed so furious and enraged, as to frighten the female spectators. This was attended with the deepest yells, which ceased with the music. Sir E. Home has found this inequality of the fibres in neat cattle, the Horse, the Deer, the Hare, and the Cat. PYROXYLIC SPIRIT. AURORA BOREALIS. A few years ago, Mr Warburton, of London, sent to the late Dr Marcet of Geneva, a certain quantity of a particular fluid arising from the rectification of the acetic acid of wood. Messrs Macaire and Marcet, jr, members of the Society of Physics and Natural History at Geneva, having examined this fluid, read in the meeting of the Society, held on the 16th of last October, a memoir on the subject. These two chemists have given to the fluid in question the name of Pyroxylic Spirit, which recalls Dr T. L. Thienemann, who spent the its origin. Their observations lead them winter of 1820 and 1821 in Iceland, made to conclude, first, that there exist at least two vegetable fluids, simple, and distinct He states the following as some of the gennumerous observations on the polar lights. from alcohol, but possessing like that liquid, eral results of his observations: 1. The the property of forming with acids, partic-polar lights are situated in the lightest and ular etherial spirits; secondly, that these two fluids, which they distinguish by the names, Pyroacetic spirit and Pyroxylic spirit, are different from each other both in their properties and in their composition. highest clouds of our atmosphere. 2. They are not confined to the winter season or to the night, but are present in favourable circumstances, at all times, but are only distinctly visible during the absence of the solar rays. 3. The polar lights have no PECULIARITY IN THE APPEARANCE OF THE determinate connexion with the earth. 4. RAINBOW. The following notice of a peculiarity in the appearance of the Rainbow, was published in the Boston Centinel. A rainbow was seen at South Boston, yesterday morning, six o'clock, a little to the south of west, which appeared to militate in its principles with the commonly received theory. The true bow was a well defined arch, the chord of which was one eighth of a great circle, and had nothing peculiar attached to it. The false bow was! He never heard any noise proceed from them. 5. Their common form, in Iceland, is the arched, and in a direction from N. E and W. S. W. 6. Their motions are various, but always within the limits of clouds containing them. **The proprietors of Newspapers, for which this Gazette is exchanged, and of which the price is less than that of the Gazette, are expected to pay the difference. C. H. & Co. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. HAVE just received from France and Germany, seventeen cases of BOOKS, most of them very valuable and rare, and the price low. Among them are the following. Waltoni (Briani) Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, (Hebr. Samar. Græc. Syriac. Chald. Æthiop. Persic. et Vulg. Lat.) Lond. 1657. 6 vols. fol. Well bound and in excellent order. [This is the most valuable of the Polyglotts, and has never yet been superseded.] Castelli (Edmundi) Lexicon Heptaglotton, Hebraicum, Chaldaicum, Syriacum, Samaritanum, Ethiopicum, Arabicum et Persicum. Cui accessit Grammatica Linguarum earundem. Lond. 1669. 2 vols. fol. [This Lexicon should accompany the Polyglott.] Price of the Polyglott Bible and Lexicon, $85,00. Kennicott (Benj.) Vetus Testamentum Hebraicum, cum variis Lectionibus. Oxon. Catalogues may be had at the Book-lately published, A Practical Treatise upon the Authority and Duty of Justices of the Peace in Criminal Prosecutions. By Daniel Davis, Solicitor General of Massachusetts. Also, JUST PUBLISHED. A FLORA of the Middle and Northern This work contains original descriptions of the United States as our present knowl- 1776-80. 2 tom. fol. in boards. $42,00. Calvini (Johannis) Opera. Amstel. 1667 -71. 9 vols. in 5. in vellum. Bibliotheca Fratrum Polonorum. Irenop. 1656 and 1692. 10 vols. in 7. fol. in boards, viz. 1 tom. uable work are already published, and may A JOURNAL OF A TOUR IN ITALY, Gibraltar, accompanied with several en- Socini (Fausti) Opera. 2 tom. "The design which has been kept in view in preparing this Journal for the press, is to Crellii (Joannis) Opera. 4 tom. in 2. Slichtingii de Bukowiec (Jona) Commen-give a faithful picture of objects which came taria Posthuma in plerosque N. T. Libros. under the author's observation, and to bring them up in such a manner that they may strike the reader's mind as they at first struck his own; for this reason the descriptions have been made diffuse, in order to embrace such circumstances as he deemed necessary to his plan. It may be considered a fault to enlarge so much on trifles; but Wolzogenii (J. L.) Opera. 2 vols. in 1. etc. 1 tom. Clerici (Joannis) Commentarius in Vet. et Nov. Testam. Amstel. et Francof. 1710-31. 7 vols. in 3. Hammond's (Henry) Paraphrase and Annotations on the New Testament. Lond. 1671. fol. Lampe (Fr. Adolphi) Commentarius Analytico-exegeticus Evangelii secundum Joan3 tom. 4to. neatly nem. Amstel. 1723. Rosenmuelleri (E. F. C.) Scholia in Ve In Psalmos. 66 tus Testamentum. Lips. 8vo. viz. Schulzi (J. C. F.) Scholia in Vetus Testamontum. Continuata (inde a vol. iv.) a G. perhaps it may be received in palliation, if his For sale by CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. NEW BOOKS. PRIVATE Correspondence of William Memoirs of John Aiken, M. D. By Lu- Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History, CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. A General Abridgment and Digest of American Law, with occasional Notes and Comments. By Nathan Dane, LL. D. Counsellor at Law-Vols. I. II. III. The IV. and V. Vols. in Press. Subscribers are requested to call for the above works. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. HAVE just received from Paris, the following new Works: Mémoires pour servir à la Vie du Général La Fayette, et à l'Histoire de l'Assemblée Constituante, redigés par M. Regnault-Warin. Militaire, de son origine, de ses progrès Essai sur l'Histoire Générale de l'Art et de ses révolutions, depuis la première formation des Sociétés Européenes jusq'à nos jours, orné de quatorze planches. Par le Col. Carrion Hisas. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. HAVE just received from Germany and France, an extensive assortment of Theological and Classical Books, which have been selected by Mr Hilliard in the princi pal cities on the Continent. Among them are a great proportion of Works extremely rare, curious, and valuable. CHART OF MOBILE. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. have just received a few copies of a new Chart of Mobile Bay, in the State of Alabama. Comprising the Rivers and Creeks. By Curtis Lewis. DRAWING MATERIALS. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. have received a choice assortment of Drawing Materials, consisting of Reeves & Son's Water Colours, put up in boxes of all sizes, many of which are elegant, composed of mahagony, rose wood, and satin wood, with lock, drawers, saucers, brushes, &c.; Camel's Hair Pencils, by the gross, dozen, or single; Drawing Pencils, best quality, manufactured by Dobbs; Colours for Maps, and Plans; Drawing Chalks, all varieties, put up neatly in Boxes; Drawing Paper of all sizes. ENGLISH LETTER PAPER. CUMMINGS, HILLIARD, & Co. have just opened several cases, containing an extensive assortment of English Writing Paper, which they offer to the trade, and the public, on the most liberal terms. |