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entirely independent of Biblical associations is surprising to those who are new to the subject. On medicine, natural history, science, history and geography, there are no fewer than 500 volumes. Poetry and criticism are represented by 770 volumes. But perhaps the most curi

known to them, although the language is their vernacular Arabic. The battle of the Churches has been fought over alphabets as well as over doctrines. The Moslem, where dominant, as in Morocco, have often prohibited the use of the alphabet of the Koran to unbelieving Jews; and these, on their side, have felt equal repul-ous phenomenon is the translation into Hebrew sion to the adoption of the letters of the Saracen, even where his language was theirs. "The arrangement of the catalogue is alphabetical, under the author's name; and the numerous cross references and indexes render all necessary assistance. The titles are of course copied from the books, and are therefore, in the majority of cases, in Hebrew, with explanations and notes when necessary.

of fictions such as Eugene Sue's "Mysteries de Paris." This, however, is regarded by earnest Jews with marked disfavor, as a desecration of their holy tongue; and it certainly must be regarded as at least absurd, if not profane, to turn a novel out of a vernacular into a dead and learned tongue. We have not heard of any Roman Catholic priest having turned the same book into Latin, which would be a somewhat similar case. We need hardly say that, for obvious reasons, the same writer's "Juif Errant" is not to be found in this catalogue."

"The slightest examination of this book brings vividly before the mind, on the one hand, the extraordinary extent of ground over which the small Hebrew community has ranged and still ranges, and the number of languages TASTE IN ARRANGING FLOWERS. which have become vernacular to its members; Of all the various mistakes which are made and on the other, the individuality they have by persons in arranging flowers, the commonest always maintained, and the bond of union which is that of putting too many in a vase; and next not their scriptures only, but their sacred lan-to that is the mistake of putting too great a guage still more, has preserved to them. Here variety of colors into one bouquet. Every we find Jews of Spain, Portugal, Germany, flower in a group should be clearly distinguished Poland, Russia, Italy, and all the countries of and determinable without pulling the nosegay Europe, but also of Morocco, Tunis, India, to pieces; the calyx of a clove pink should and even China; the habitats of those of mod-never be hid by being plunged into a head of ern times since they have begun to assume sur-white phlox, however well the two colors may names being generally recognizable in the look together. Sweet peas never look so well places from which they chose to be designated. in the hand as they do on the boughs over The places where their books have been printed which they climb, because they cannot be carconfirm the same fact, and also hint at the sad ried without crowding them; but put them history of persecution and expulsion from king-lightly into a vase with an equal number of dom to kingdom, and exclusion from the greater seats of learning to obscure villages and small towns hardly known to general geography, where their presses could work with no security but that very obscurity. Of course the Polish and Russian towns are most often met with; and bere, besides the well known names of Wilna, Grodno, Cracow, and Warsaw, we meet with Few people are aware, until they try it, how such names as Miedzy borz, Hrubrieszow, Sklow, exceedingly easy it is to spoil such a pleasing Berdyczew, Tarnopol, Josefow. In Germany combination as this; a piece of calceolaria, their books have seen the light at places as scarlet geraneum or blue salvia would ruin it little known as Rodelheim, Dyhernfurth, Furth, effectually. Such decided colors as these reSulzbach, Isny; though the greater cities which quire to be grouped in another vase, and should had a large Jewish community, such as Frank- not even be placed on the same table with the fort, Breslau and Berlin, are of course not un-sweet peas; they also require a much larger frequent. We find Hebrew books printed from Shanghai, in the farthest East, to Baltimore and Cincinnati, in the farthest West.

"As to the subjects illustrated by this curious literature, the Sacred Tongue is of course mainly used for the elucidation of the Scriptures and their appendages-the Traditions of the Fathers-and for works on law, which among the Hebrews cannot be dissociated from Biblical theology; likewise for instruction in the language itself. But the number of works

pieces of mignonette, or rather ornament a vase half full of mignonette with a few blooms of sweet peas, and you get a charming effect, because you follow the natural arrangement by avoiding the crowding of the blooms, and putting them with the green foliage, which they want to set them off.

preponderance of foliage to show them off to advantage than is wanted by flowers of more delicate colors. There is no kind of foliage so generally useful for all purposes of decoration as that of ferns; next to these must be ranked the smaller kinds of the fir tribe, such as arbor vitæ, yew, cypress and juniper.

In the selection of these for use amongst flowers, there is great scope for taste and judgment. The stiff-growing ferns, such as the blechnum, and osmunda, and the branches of

CHARACTERISTICS OF LAMB-THE QUALITIES

OF MIND AND HEART.

thuja and taxus go best with spikes of tall flow-repining; although he must have been coners. More delicate flowers are best set off by scious of an intellect qualified to shine in other elegant and finely divided species of petris and ways than in entering up a trader's books. davillia, and by pieces of juniper and cypress; None of those coveted offices which bring money while the climbing ferns and selaginellas come and comfort in their train ever reached Charles in where scarcely anything else can be used, Lamb. He was never under that bounteous and give a charming and tasty finish.-Garden- shower which government leaders and persons er's Chronicle. of influence direct towards the heads of their adherents. No Dives ever selected him for his golden bounty. No potent critic ever shouldered him up the hill of fame. In the absence The fact that distinguished Charles Lamb of these old-fashioned helps, he was content from other men was his entire devotion to one that his own unassisted efforts should gain for grand and tender purpose. There is, probably, him a certificate of capability to the world; and a romance involved in every life. In his life that the choice reputation which he thus earned it exceeded that of others. In gravity, in should, with his own qualities, bring round him acuteness, in his noble battle with a great the unenvying love of a host of friends. calamity, it was beyond the rest. Neither Apart from his humor and other excellencies, pleasure nor toil ever distracted him from his Charles Lamb combined qualities such as are holy purpose. Everything was made subservi- seldom united in one person; which indeed ent to it. He had an insane sister, who, in a seem not easily reconcilable with each other; moment of uncontrollable madness, had uncon- namely, much prudence, with much generosity; sciously destroyed her own mother; and to pro- great tenderness of heart, with a firm will. To tect and save this sister-a gentlewoman, who these was superadded that racy humor which had watched like a mother over his own infan- has served to distinguish him from other men. cy-the whole length of his life was devoted. There is no other writer that I know of in What he endured, through the space of nearly whom tenderness and good sense and humor are forty years, from the incessant fear and fre- so intimately and happily blended; no one quent recurrence of his sister's insanity, can whose view of men and things are so invariably now only be conjectured. In the constant and generous, and true, and independent. These uncomplaining endurance, and in his steady qualities made their way slowly and fairly. adherence to a great principle of conduct, his They were not taken up as a matter of favor or life was heroic. We read of men giving up all fancy, and then abandoned. They struggled their days to a single object: to religion, to through many years of neglect, and some of vengeance, to some overpowering selfish wish; contumely, before they took their stand triof daring acts done to avert death or disgrace, umphantly, and as things not to be ignored by or some oppressing misfortune. We read any one. Lamb pitied all objects which had mythical tales of friendship; but we do not been neglected or despised. Nevertheless the recollect any instance in which a great object lens through which he viewed the objects of has been so unremittingly carried out through- his pity-beggars, and chimney-sweepers, and out a whole life, in defiance of a thousand diffi- convicts, was always clear; it served him even culties, and of numberless temptations, strain- when the short comings were to be contemplated. ing the good resolution to its utmost, except in For he never paltered with truth. He had no the case of our poor clerk of the India House weak sensibilities, few tears for imaginary This was, substantially, his life. His actions, griefs. But his heart opened wide to real dis thoughts, and sufferings were all concentrated tress. He never applauded the fault; but he on this one important end. It was what he had pitied the offender. By to do; it was in his reach; and he did it, education and habit, he was a Unitarian. Iu therefore, manfully, religiously. He did not deed, he was a true Nonconformist in all things. waste his mind on too many things; for what- He was not a dissenter by imitation, nor from ever too much expands the mind weakens it; any deep principle of obstinate heresy; nor nor on vague or multitudinous thoughts and was he made servile and obedient by formal speculations, nor on dreams or things distant logic alone. His reasoning always rose and or unattainable. However interesting, they streamed through his heart. He liked a friend did not absorb him, body and soul, like the for none of the ordinary reasons; because he safety and welfare of his sister. Subject to this was famous, or clever, or powerful, or popular. primary unflinching purpose, the tendency of He at once took issue with the previous verLamb's mind pointed strongly to literature. dicts, and examined the matter in his own way. He did not seek literature, however; and he If a man was unfortunate he gave him money. gained from it nothing except fame. He If he was calumniated, he accorded him symworked laboriously at the India House from pathy. He gave freely; not to merit but to boyhood to manhood, for many years without want.

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even weeks, seldom fails, as you can suppose, to gain its object.

thought more independently. He had great enjoyment in the talk of able men, so that it did not savor of form or pretension. He liked Such were the means by which the widow the strenuous talk of Hazlitt, who never de- gained hers. So soon as ever this unjust judge scended to fine words. He liked the unaffected took his seat at the gate of the city, where in quiet conversation of Manning; the vivacious the East courts are held, and all causes heard, excursive talk of Leigh Hunt. He heard with his eye, as it roamed over the crowd, fell on wondering admiration the monologues of Cole- her. There she was, and always was-sorrow ridge. Perhaps he liked the simplest talk the in her dress, but determination in the flash of best; expressions of pity or sympathy or affec- her eye; her form bent down with grief, but tion for others; from young people who thought her spirit unbroken; resolved to give the judge and said little or nothing about themselves. no rest till he had avenged her on her adverHe had no craving for popularity, nor even for sary. Now, breaking in on the business of the fame. I do not recollect any passage in his court, she is on her feet passionately demanding writings, nor any expression in his talk, which justice; and now, stretched on the ground at runs counter to my opinion. His his feet, she piteously implores it. Nor can he jests were never the mere overflowings of the shake her off. Denied her suit, she follows animal spirits; but were exercises of the mind. him to his house, to interrupt his leisure and He brought the wisdom of old times and old embitter his pleasures. Her voice ringing loud writers to bear upon the taste and intellect of on the threshold demanding entry, she bursts his day. What was in a manner foreign to his into his presence, and is dragged away by the age, he naturalized and cherished. And he did servants, thrust out, but only to return; as the this with judgment and great delicacy. His books ball struck, rebounds, the billow shattered on never unhinge or weaken the mind; but bring the rock falls back into the deep to gather volbefore it tender and beautiful thoughts, which ume and strength for a new attack; and as cbarm and nourish it, as only good books can. by constant dashing the waves in time cut into No one was ever worse from reading Charles the cliff, which, yielding to the incessant action Lamb's writings; but many have become wiser of a weaker element, some day bows its proud and better. In his counte-head, and, precipitating itself forward, falls nance you might sometimes read-what may be into the sea, which, swallowing it up, sweeps occasionally read on almost all foreheads-the over it with jubilant, triumphant waves, so the letters and lines of old, forgotten calamity. persistence of the widow overcomes the resistYet there was at the bottom of his nature a ance of the judge. Diamond cuts diamond. buoyant self-sustaining strength; for although She conquers by importunity. Yielding to her he encountered frequent seasons of mental dis-requests, he says: "Because this widow tress, his heart recovered itself in the interval, troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her and rose and sounded, like music played to a continual coming she weary me."-Dr. Guthrie happy tune. Upon fit occasion, his lips could on the Parables. shut in a firm fashion; but the gentle smile that played about his face showed that he was always ready to relent. His quick eye never had any sullenness; his mouth tender and tremulous, showed that there would be nothing cruel or inflexible in his nature.-Recollections of Charles Lamb. By Barry Cornwall.

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IMPORTUNITY.

This art is carried to the highest perfection in the East. A traveller in Persia tells how he was besieged by one who solicited a gift more costly than he was prepared to give. The hoary, and, as the people esteemed him, holy mendicant, set himself down before his gate, throwing up a rude tent to shelter himself from the noonday sun. There he remained like a sentinel, nor left his post but to follow the traveller out of doors, and return with him. Taking snatches of sleep during the day, when the other was resting in the house, he kept up a hideous howling and clamorous demands all the hours of the night-an annoyance which, persisted in for successive days and nights, and

HOW TO LIVE EASILY.

The art of living easy as to money, is to pitch your scale of living one degree below your means. Comfort and enjoyment are more dependent upon easiness in the detail of expenditure than upon any degree in the scale. Guard against false associations of pleasure with expenditure-the notion is absurd that because pleasure can be purchased with money, therefore money cannot be spent without enjoyment. What a thing costs a man is no true measure of what it is worth to him; and yet how often is his appreciation governed by no other standard, as if there were a pleasure in expenditure per se. Let yourself feel a want before you provide against it. You are more assured that it is a real want, and it is worth while to feel it a little in order to feel relief from it. When you are undecided as to which of the two courses you would like best, choose the best, choose the cheapest. This rule will not only save money, but save also a good deal of trifling indecision. Too much leisure leads

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to expense; because when a man is in want of
objects, it occurs to him that they are to be had
for money, and he invents expenditure in order
to pass the time.-Harry Taylor.

INDIGO.

We presume that four persons out of five, if asked whether indigo is a mineral or a vegetable substance-whether it is dug out of the earth or grows upon trees-would be unable to give an intelligent answer, and yet they all know indigo when they see it. Perhaps some of our readers will be thankful for a little information in regard to this article which they see 80 often.

is then in an active commotion, very much as if it were boiling. Bubbles of air continue to rise, which assume a purple hue, indicating that the fermentation has had the effect of producing from the limpid water the color desired. When this process is complete, the water is drawn off into another vat, where it is violently agitated by artificial means for an hour or two, until the coloring matter begins to be precipitated, and it is then left to settle. The water is drawn off again, and the indigo is taken out, dried and prepared for commerce.

The cultivation of the plant, and the preparation of indigo, was commenced in South Carolina about the middle of the last century, and has been kept up ever since until the commencement of the late war, which interrupted so many of the Southern productions. At one time the finest indigo in the world was made in that State, and it was greatly sought after by dyers, calico-printers, and leather-dressers, but both the quantity and quality fell off many years since, and the yield for some time past, has been inconsiderable. The finest quality now comes from Bengal and the adjacent provinces. There are many grades, according to commercial language, such as superfine, pure blue, ordinary blue, fine purple. The finest quality has the least specific gravity, and floats upon water: the poorer qualities having an admixture of earthy substances which add to their weight. The finest indigo may also be tested by its not readily leaving a mark on drawing it, when dry, across a piece of paper, and also by the clear blue which it imparts to water when dissolved. The culture of the plant is quite precarious, and the amount produced varies greatly from one season to another. The total shipment from the East Indies averages about 12,000,000 pounds a year. Last year there were imported of this quality, into the United States, 415,575 pounds valued at $324,207, as its foreign go'd cost.-Christian Recorder.

There are some fifty or sixty species of plants of the order Leguminosa and genus indigo-fera, which, by undergoing a process of fermentation, yield the beautiful dye known as indigo. These plants are indigenous in Asia, Africa, and America, and in some of the East and West India Islands. The discovery of the dye was very ancient, its use being mentioned by more than one of the ancient Latin writers, and in terms which make it very certain that it was the same that is now so well known by the name. It was very early produced in India, from which country the name was derived, as it was called Indicum, and this is the country in which it is now most extensively cultivated and prepared. Its importation into several European countries was for a long time prohibited for various reasons: in England and France because it was thought to injure the texture of the cloth in dyeing. In Germany it was prohibited for the sake of protecting the native woad, a miserable substitute for the genuine article-a distinguished instance of the wisdom of those who are desirous of protecting home productions without any regard to their comparative value. On the same principle the advocates of this system ought to exclude from our own country yellow dyes for the sake of protecting the well-known native dye made from butternut bark. The plant from which indigo is commonly produced, grows to the height of from four to six feet. It contains the coloring principle in the leaves and stems in colorless

fluid, which is changed to the dye by fermentation and oxidation. The seeds are sown in March or April, and before the plants attain their full growth, the same season, they are cut early in the morning, before the sun has fallen upon them, and carried to the factory, where they are laid in great stone cisterns, some twenty feet square, and about three feet deep. Heavy weights are placed upon them, by which they are kept down below the surface of the water, which is let in so as to cover the plants, and fermentation is allowed to go on for ten to fourteen hours, according to the condition of the plants, the temperature, &c. The liquor

Thirty-seventh Annual Report of the Female Association of Philadelphia for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor with Clothing.

In offering a Report of the labors of the Association the past winter, we desire to return to our friends and contributors a grateful acknowledgment of the welcome aid that has been furnished by their generous donations of money and goods. This timely assistance has enabled our members to continue their duties later in the season than they could otherwise have done, and through the Association to extend more widely the distribution of charity.

Our meetings have been large, and attended with evident interest, and by a judicious appropriation of the means at our disposal, we have endeavored to relieve those who, from

sickness and the infirmities of age, had a claim | holm and St. Petersburg. Various accounts concur upon our charity.

in the statement that, in addition to the fish on its

seaboard and furs in its forests, it possesses an
abundance of valuable timber, and not only the pre-
cious metals, but iron and coal.-The Press.

In furnishing sewing to many who are deprived of other means of support, and giving the clothing to the most needy, we render an assistance, which, while it relieves, encourages habits of industry which indiscriminate almsgiving cannot effect. We trust that another season may find our members still more zealous, and with increased funds to enable them to en-not informed where this examination took place; large their labors.

1031 garments have been distributed during the winter, most of which were previously made by the poor women to whom we have given employment.

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$713.00
240.98
100.00

$1053.98

4.10

753.94

5.44

Ex-GOVERNOR EYRE OF JAMAICA.-According to a
cable dispatch, ex-Governor Eyre "has been ac-
quitted after a short examination." We presume
discharged is meant instead of acquitted, as the ex-
terial investigation preliminary to committal. We are
amination he was undergoing was simply the magis-

but as Eyre, influenced, it is asserted, by the opinion
of his legal advisers, declined to go up to London
from his residence in Shropshire and surrender him-
self, as did Colonel Nelson and Lieutenant Brand,
we infer that it was conducted by some rural magis-
trate, who, it would seem, made short work of the
business. The examination before Sir Thomas Henry,
a London police magistrate, of the case of Nelson
and Brand, charged with precisely the same offence
as Eyre stands accused of, occupied several days,
was most patiently conducted by the magistrate, and
resulted in the parties being committed for trial.

The Paris Exposition was opened on the 1st inst.,
but it will take weeks yet before all the necessary
7.60 arrangements are completed. The Directors furnish
107.12 nothing but the space and a roof over it, the exhibi-
tors being required to do the rest at their own ex-
175.78 pense. The American Commissioners found their
department a heap of sand with a glass roof over it.
TO TEST COAL OIL.-Fill a tumbler about two-
thirds full of water-not too cold-and put into it
about half a teaspoonful of coal oil. Stir the water
hold it over the water on a line with the top of the
well with the teaspoon, and then light a match and
tumbler. If the vapor takes fire, return the coal oil
to the dealer from whom you obtained it. By no
means use it.-Easton Free Press.

$1053.98 Donations in goods-one piece of check, three pieces of gingham, two pieces of Canton flannel, one piece of buff gingham.

On behalf of the Association,

3d month 23d, 1867.

E. J. FERRIS, Treasurer.

HELEN G. LONGSTRETH, Pres., 110 S. 17th St.
ANNIE CALEY, Secretary, 1618 Summer St.
ELIZABETH J. FERRIS, Treas., 937 Franklin St.

The trustees of the Five Points' House of Industry
have determined upon establishing a home for the
working women of New York, where they may be
freed from the contaminating influences which usually
surround that class in this city, and where they can
find clean and well-ventilated rooms, wholesome
food, and facilities for self-improvement. For this
purpose a large building has been purchased on
Mott Street, near Canal, which, together with im-
$42.00
provements and furnishing, will cost about $120,000;
96.13 of this sum the trustees bave about one-half, and for
2.00 the remainder they appeal to a generous public.

The Treasurer of Friends' Association for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen has received since last report:

From City contributions.......

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Friends of Wilmington, Del.......
M. E. S, Salem, N. J...
Robert Mosher, Cardington, Ohio,..

7.00

$147.13 HENRY M. LAING, Treasurer. Phila., 4th mo. 13th, 1867. No. 30 N. Third St.

ITEMS.

The breaking of the levees on the Mississippi, in Louisiana, has produced great devastation in the river counties of that State, and great suffering among the poor whites and freedmen. One break alone has overflowed seven parishes, and others almost as damaging in their effects have occurred. Thousands of acres of fertile land are thus rendered Sen-useless for this season, and the laborers who were to have cultivated it are deprived of the means of earning their subsistence.

The Russian treaty has been confirmed by the ate. The information in regard to Russian America which has been elicited by the discussion of the new treaty has tended to an enhancement of its value in Both Houses of the Virginia Legislature have just the public estimation. The general fact that the unanimously passed a resolution inviting immigra climate of the Pacific coast approximates to that of tion to Virginia, embracing "all classes of men from the western shores of Europe, instead of the cold all countries." The best invitation Virginia can exwestern coast of the Atlantic, explains the state-tend to outside settlers would be a hearty assertion ment of Prof. Baird that the temperature "from of the great civil-rights bill.

Prince of Wales' Island to the entrance of Behring's THE MILWAUKEE FLOURING MILLS.-The flouring straits, during the winter months, is about the same mills of Milwaukee turn out from three to four thou as at the city of Washington." It would be more sand barrels of flour daily. The receipts of wheat just to compare the proposed acquisition to Sweden for 1866 amounted to 18,399 698 bushels, an increase and Norway than to Greenland. Its southern boun-of 3,205,535 over the receipts of 1865. Milwaukee dary is several degrees below the latitude of Stock-is the largest primary wheat port in the world.

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