MYSTERIES. BY LORD KINLOCK. I met a child, amidst a deafening maze How this revolved, whence that its action drew; The child looked up with eye of pure clear blue, And ne'er the while, but half his meaning caught: Yet was his smile so sweet, his mien so kind, The child believed it all, nor held one doubt. Then I, whose faith in Thee was nigh worn out, My God, went from the spot with bettered mind; I am that child, content thy word to take, For all thy world holds strange, for thy love's sake. From the Philadelphia Press. A CHINESE HISTORY OF AMERICA. WASHINGTON, May 16. The State Department has made public the following translation of a Chinese history of the United States: PREFACE. Sen-Ki-Yu was, from 1844 to 1850, Governor of Fuh-Kien. During that time he wrote, in the Chinese language, and published a work on universal geography, giving an account of the establishment of America by Washington. For this publication, so favorable to the Western powers, some of which were then in collision with China, and so favorable especially to the United States, Sen-Ki-Yu was dismissed from ffice by the Emperor Hien-Fung, on his accession to the throne of China in 1850. His work and his sacrifices for the truth of history were made known to the Government at Washington by the late Charge of the United States at Pekin, Mr. Williams. Through the efforts of the legation, the Imperial Government reversed its sentence of proscription against Sen-Ki-Yu, and recalled him into its employ ment as a member of the Foreign Office of the government. The Secretary of State presented him with a portrait of Washington. The following is a copy of the letter of the Secretary of State: DEPARTMENT OF STATE. WASHINGTON, January 21, 1867. SIR: Mr. S. Wells Williams, in a dispatch, No. 16, and in an unofficial letter of the 22d of February last, invited my attention to the fact that his Excellency Sen Ki-Yu, a distinguished Chinese statesman, then recently appointed to the Foreign Office, had in various ways manifested a liberal and friendly appreciation of the importance of amicable relations between the United States and other Western powers and China, and that he had written a eulogy upon the life and character of George Washington, which reflects great credit upon the author. When these facts became known to me they afforded me the liveliest satisfaction, and I thought it might be agreeable to his Excellency to possess a faithful portrait of the subject of his eulogy. I have accordingly caused an exact copy to be made by one of our most skilful artists of the original likeness, painted by Gilbert Stuart from life. This copy, suitably framed, will be forwarded to your address by the first convenient opportunity, for presentation by you in such manuer as may seem most appropriate to his Excellency, Sen-Ki-Yu, as a mark of the high appreciation entertained of the wisdom and virtue which have justly entitled him to the exalted station which he has attained. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WM. H. SEWARD. The history from the original Chinese, translated into English at the United States Legation, Pekin. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (α), America is a vast country. Owing to its merchant ships carrying a variegated flag, it is usually known at Canton as the Hwa-ki-kwoh or Flowery Flag nation (b). It is bounded on the north by the English territory, and on the south by Mexico and Texas; its eastern border lies along the Great Western Ocean, while its western is on the vast ocean, a distance of about ten thousand li (c) lying between them. From north to south the distance is between five thousand and six thousand li in the widest parts, and from three thousand to four thous and li in the narrowest. The Apalachian range winds along its eastern coasts, and the Great Rocky Mountains enclose its western borders, between which lies a vast level region of many thousands of miles in extent. The Mississippi is the chief of its rivers. Its sources are very remote, and, after running more than a myriad li in a serpentine course, it joins the Missouri river, and the great united river flows on south to the sea. The other celebrated rivers are the Columbia, Mobile, Apalachicola, and Delaware. Great lakes lie on the northern border toward the west. They are divided from each other by four streams, and are called Iroquois or St. Clair, Huron, Superior, and Michigan. To the east lie two others, Erie and Ontario, which are joined to each other. These together form the boundary between the United States and the British possessions. It was the English people who first discovered and took North America, and drove out the aborigines. The fertile and eligible lands were settled by emigrants moved over there from the three (British) islands, who thus occupied them. These emigrants hastened over with a force like that of the torrent running down the gully. Poor people from France, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden also sailed over to join them, and as they all daily opened up new clearings, the country continually grew rich in its cultivated lands. High English officers held it for their sovereign, and as cities and towns sprung up all along the coasts, their revenues were collected for his benefit. Commerce constantly increased in extent and amount, so that thus the inhabitants rapidly became rich and powerful. During the reign of Kemberg (A. D. 17361796), the English and French were at war for several years, during which the former exacted the duties throughout all their possessions, increasing the taxes more than previously. By the old tariff, for instance, the duty on tea was levied when it was sold; but the English now required that another tax should be paid by the buyer. The people of America would not stand this, and in the year 1776 their gentry and leading men assembled together in order to consult with the (English) Governor how to arrange this matter; but he drove them from his presence, dispersed the Assembly, and demanded that the tax be collected all the more strictly. The people thereupon rose in their wrath, threw all the tea in the ships into the sea, and then consulted together how they could raise troops to expel the British. There was at this time a man named Washington, a native of another colony, born in 1732, who had lost his father at the age of ten, but had been admirably trained by his mother. While a boy he showed a great spirit, and aptitude for literary and martial pursuits, and his love for brave and adventurous deeds exceeded those of ordinary men. He had held a military commission under the English, and during the war with France, when the French leagued with the Indians, and made an irruption into the southern provinces, he led on a body of troops and drove them back; but the English general would not report this expeditious operation, so that his worthy deeds were not recorded (for his promotion.) The people of the land now wished to have him to be their leader, but he went home on plea of sickness and shut himself up. When they had actually raised the standard of rebellion, however, they compelled him to become their General. and renewed the engagement. He lost the battle completely, and his men were so disheartened and terrified that they began to disperse. But his great heart maintained its composure, and he so rallied and reassured his army that they renewed the contest, and victory finally turned in their favor. Thus the bloody strife went on for eight years, sometimes victorious and sometimes vanquished.. Washington's determination and energy never quailed, while the English General began to grow old. The King of France also sent a general across the sea to strengthen the tottering States. He joined his forces with those of Washington, and gave battle to the British army. The rulers of Spain and Holland likewise hampered their military operations, and advised them to conclude a peace. The English, at last, could no longer act freely, and ended the strife in the year 1783, by making a treaty with Washington. According to the stipulations, the boundary line was so drawn that they had the desolate and cold region on the north, while the fertile and genial southern portions were confirmed to him. Washington, having thus established the States, gave up his military command for the purpose of returning to his farm, but the people would not permit him thus to retire, and obliged him to become their ruler. He; however, proposed a plan to them as follows: "It is very selfish for him who gets the power in the State, to hand it down to his posterity. In filling the post of the shepherd of the people, it will be most suitable to select a virtuous man!" Each of the old colonies was thereupon formed into a separate State, having its own Governor to direct its affairs, with a Lieutenant Governor to assist him (d) each of whom held office for four years (e). At the general meeting of the people of his State, if they regard him as worthy, he is permitted to hold his post during another term of four years (f); but if not, then the Lieutenant Governor takes his place. If, how ever, the latter does not obtain the approbation of the people, another man is chosen to the dignity when his time has expired. When the head men of the villages and towns are proposed for office their names and surnames are written on tickets and thrown into a box. When everybody has done so the box is opened, and it is then known who is elected by his having the most votes, and he takes the office. Whether he has been an official or is a commoner, no examination is required as to his qualifications; and when an officer vacates his place he becomes in all respects one of the common people again. Though neither troops nor depots, neither arms nor ammunition, stores nor forage, existed at this time, Washington so inspirited everybody by his own patriotism, and urged them on by his own energy, that the proper boards and departments were soon arranged, and he was thereby enabled to (bring up his forces) invest the capital. The British General bad intrenched some marines outside the city, when a storm suddenly dispersed his ships. Washington improved the conjuncture by vig- From among all the Governors of the sepa orously attacking the city, and succeeded in tak-rate States one supreme Governor (or Presiing it. dent) is chosen, to whom belongs the right to make treaties and carry on war, and whose or The English then gathered a great army ders each State is bound to obey. The manner of his election is the same as that for a Governor of a State. He holds his office four years, or, if re-elected, for eight. Since the days of Washington (who died in 179) the country has existed sixty years; there have been nine Presidents, and the present incumbent (Tyler) was elected from Virginia. When Washington made peace with the British he dismissed all the troops, and directed the attention of the country entirely to agriculture and commerce. He also issued a mandate saying, "If hereafter a President should covetously plot how he can seize the forts or lands of another kingdom, or harass and extort the people's wealth, or raise troops to gratify his personal quarrels, let all the people put him to death." He accordingly retained only twenty national war vessels, and limited the army to ten thousand men. The area of the country is very great, and every one exerts himself to increase its fertility and riches. The several States have all one object, and act together in entire harmony; the other nations of the world have therefore maintained amicable relation with the United States, and bave never presumed to despise or encroach on them. During the sixty years that have elapsed since peace with England, there has been no internal war, and their trade has increased, so that the number of American merchantmen resorting to Canton yearly is second only to those of Great Britain. c. This is a vague expression for a vast distance; three li are usually reckoned to equal an English mile.-Translator's Note. d. Sometimes the Lieutenant-Governor is a single officer; in other cases several persons aid the Governor. e. They are also changed biennially, and sometimes annually. f. When he bas held the office for eight years he cannot be re-elected. g. Ching Shing and Hang Kwang were two patri- Extracts from "Inaugural Address of Joun (Continued from page 223.) In what consists the principal and most characteristic difference between one human intellect and another? In their ability to judge correctly of evidence. Our direct perceptions of truth are so limited; we know so few things by immediate intuition-or, as it used to be called, by simple apprehension-that we depend It appears from the above that Washington for almost all our valuable knowledge, on eviwas a very remarkable man. In devising plans dence external to itself; and most of us are he was more daring than Chin Shing or Hain very unsafe hands at estimating evidence, where Kwang. In winning a country he was braver an appeal cannot be made to actual eyesight. than Tson Tsan or Sin Pis. Wielding his four-The intellectual part of our education has nofoot falchion, he enlarged the frontiers myriads thing more to do, than to correct or mitigate of miles, and yet he refused to usurp regal dig- this almost universal infirmity-this summary nity, or even to transmit it to posterity; but, on and substance of nearly all purely intellectual the contrary, first proposed the plan of electing weakness. To do this with effect needs all the men to office. Where in the world can be found resources which the most perfect system of intela mode more equitable? It is the same idea, in lectual training can command. Those resources, fact, that has been handed down to us (the Chi-as every teacher knows, are but of three kinds : nese) from three reigns of San Shun and Yu. In ruling the State he honored and fostered good usages, and did not exalt military merit, a principle totally unlike what is found in other kingdoms. I have seen his portrait. His mien and countenance are grand and impressive in the highest degree. Ob, who is there that does not call him a hero! (y) Notes. a. It is also called Collected Nations of America. United Leagued Nations, Confederated Countries of America, and United all States (i. e. these different first, models, secondly, rules, thirdly, appropriate practice. The models of the art of estimating evidence are furnished by science; the rules are suggested by science; and the study of science is the most fundamental portion of the practice. It Take in the first instance mathematics. is chiefly by mathematics we realize the fact that there actually is a road to truth by means of reasoning; that anything real, and which will be found true when tried, can be arrived at by a mere operation of the mind. The flagrant abuse of mere reasoning in the days of the b. This flag is an oblong banner, with red and schoolmen, when men argued confidently to white stripes alternating; in the right hand corsupposed facts of outward nature without proner is a small square of black color, wherein are drawn many white spots arranged in a form resemb-perly establishing their premises, or checking ling the Constellation of the Dipper. Chinese names have been used). the conclusions by observation, created a preju beforehand of much that we do not see, much that we never could have found out by observation, though having been found out, it is always verified by the result. The dice in the modern, and especially in the Eng- by means of facts that can be directly observed, lish mind, against deductive reasoning alto- ascends to laws which govern multitudes of gether, as a mode of investigation. The preju- other facts-laws which not only explain and dice lasted long and was upheld by the misun-account for what we see, but give us assurance derstood authority of Lord Bacon; until the prodigious applications of mathematics to physical science to the discovery of the laws of external nature-slowly and tardily restored the reasoning process to the place which be- While mathematics, and the mathematical longs to it as a source of real knowledge. Ma- sciences, supply us with a typical example of the thematics, pure and applied, are still the great ascertainment of truth by reasoning, those phyand conclusive example of what can be done by sical sciences which are not mathematical, such reasoning. Mathematics also habituates us to as chemistry, and purely experimental physics, several of the principal precautions for the safe-show us in equal perfection the other mode of ty of the process. Our first studies in geometry arriving at certain truth, by observation, in its teach us two invaluable lessons. One is, to lay most accurate form, that of experiment. down at the beginning, in express and clear value of mathematics in a logical point of terms, all the premises from which we intend view is an old topic with mathematicians, and to reason. The other is, to keep every step in has even been insisted on so exclusively as to reasoning distinct and separate from all the provoke a counter-exaggeration, of which a other steps, and to make each step safe before well-known essay by Sir William Hamilton is proceeding to another; expressly stating to our- an example: but the logical value of experiselves, at every joint in the reasoning, what mental science is comparatively a new subject, new premise we there introduce. It is not ne- yet there is no intellectual discipline more imcessary that we should do this at all times, in portant than that which the experimental sciall our reasonings. But we must be always ences afford. Their whole occupation consists able and ready to do it. If the validity of our in doing well, what all of us, during the whole argument is denied, or if we doubt it ourselves, of life, are engaged in doing, for the most part that is the way to check it. In this way we are badly. All men do not affect to be reasoners, often enabled to detect at once the exact place but all profess, and really attempt, to draw inwhere paralogism or confusion get in and af- ferences from experience: yet hardly any one, ter sufficient practice we may be able to keep who has not been a student of the physical them out from the beginning. It is to mathe-sciences, sets out with any just idea of what matics, again, that we owe our first notion of a the process of interpreting experience really is. connected body of truth; truths which grow If a fact has occurred once or oftener, and out of one another, and hang together so that another fact has followed it, people think they each implies all the rest; that no one of them have got an experiment, and are well on the can be questioned without contradicting an-road towards showing that the one fact is the other or others, until in the end it appears that cause of the other. If they did but know the no part of the system can be false unless the immense amount of precaution necessary to a whole is so. Pure mathematics first gave us scientific experiment; with what sedulous care this conception; applied mathematics extends the accompanying circumstances are contrived to it the realm of physical nature. Applied ma- and varied, so as to exclude every agency but thematics shows that not only the truths of ab- that which is the subject of the experiment stract number and extension, but the external-or, when disturbing agencies cannot be exfacts of the universe, which we apprehend by our senses, form, at least in a large part of all nature, a web similarly held together. We are able, by reasoning from a few fundamental truths, to explain and predict the phenomena of material objects: and what is still more re-be much less easily satisfied that their opinions markable, the fundamental truths were themselves found out by reasoning; for they are not such as are obvious to the senses, but had to be inferred by a mathematical process from a mass of minute details, which alone came within the direct reach of human observation. When Newton, in this manner, discovered the laws of the solar system, he created, for all posterity, the true idea of science. He gave the most perfect example we are ever likely to have, of that union of reasoning and observation, which cluded, the minute accuracy with which their influence is calculated and allowed for, in order that the residue may contain nothing but what is due to the one agency under examination; if these things were attended to, people would have the evidence of experience; many popular notions and generalizations which are in all mouths, would be thought a great deal less certain than they are supposed to be; but we should begin to lay the foundation of really experimental knowledge, on things which are now the subjects of mere vague discussion, where one side has as much to say and says it as confidently as another, and each person's opinion is less determined by evidence than by his accidental interest or prepossession. has been selected is known as the Cassegranian telescope. It differs from the Gregorian form in appaconfers on it some striking advantages. In the latrently a very slight degree, but to an extent which ter the reflected image is received upon a small concave speculum; in the Cassegranian the surface of the small mirror is convex. By this apparently slight difference is secured more light, and a better defined image in consequence of the small convex mirror correcting the aberration necessarily present in the large concave mirror. The tube of the telescope is of the enormous diameter of four and a half feet, and of proportional length. The diameter of the speculum is but six inches less than that of the tube, or four feet, being four and a half inches in thickness, and weighing about twenty-seven hundred weight. The telescope will be moved by clock-work.-Country Gentleman. politics, for instance, it is evident to whoever comes to the study from that of the experimental sciences, that no political conclusions of any value for practice can be arrived at by direct experience. Such specific experience as we can have, serves only to verify, and even that insufficiently, the conclusions of reasoning. Take any active force you please in politics, take the liberties of England, or free trade; how should we know that either of these things conduced to prosperity, if we could discern no tendency in the things themselves to produce it? If we had only the evidence of what is called our experience, such prosperity as we enjoy might be owing to a hundred other causes, and might have been obstructed, not promoted, by these. All true political science is, in one sense of the phrase, à priori, being deduced from the tendencies of things, tendencies known either through our general experience of human nature, or as the result of an analysis of the course of history, considered as a progressive evolution. It requires, therefore, the union of induction and deduction, and the mind that is if island it be-supposed to be larger than the equal to it must have been well disciplined in whole United States between the Canadian line and both. But familiarity with scientific experi. the Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi and the Atments at least does the useful service of inspir-lantic Ocean, has never yet been thoroughly explored. ing a wholesome scepticism about the conclusions which the mere surface of experience suggests. (To be continued.) LIBERALITY IN FARMING. In this art, and almost in this art alone, is the liberal hand which maketh rich." The "Dominion of Canada" may be regarded as having begun its existence. The Queen's proclamation was made on the 22d of Fifth month, declaring that Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united as this dominion, and nominating the Senators who are to be summoned as the "Senate of Canada." An exhibition has recently left England, under the plore the interior of Greenland. This immense island auspices of the Royal Geographical Society, to ex Edward Whymper, of Alpine fame, and Robert Brown, a Rocky Mountain explorer, are the leaders of this expedition. The slaves who were emancipated by John Randolph were settled by him upon land which he gave them in Ohio. The Judge of their district says there never was one of them before him for any vio"itlation of law. They are peaceable, law-abiding, industrious, thrifty and courteous, and command the respect of their neighbors. Liberality in providing utensils is the saving both of time and labor. The more perfect his instruments, the more profitable are they. So also is it with his working cattle and his stock. The most perfect in their kinds are ever the most profitable. Liberality in good barns and warm shelter is the source of health, strength and comfort to animals; causes them to thrive on less food; and secures from damage all sorts of crops. Liberality also in the provision of food for domestic animals is the source of flesh, muscle and manure. Sir Charles Lyell in a new edition of his "Principles of Geology" notices the discovery of fish in some of the Artesian Wells sunk in the desert of Sabara. They were brought from the depth of 175 feet, and were not blind like those of Adelsburg, but had perfect eyes. It is estimated that there are thirty-two and onehalf millions of sheep in the loyal twenty States and two territories. It is supposed that the annual number of lambs will be over twenty-four millions. THE DIAMOND MINES OF BRAZIL.-These mines have been visited by a gentleman who writes that, in tak ing the gems from the earth, a driver places a gang of slaves in a mud-hole where the gems are found, and pans out the earth in the water like gold-washLiberality to the earth, in seed, culture, anders. The negroes are naked, to prevent their secretcompost, is the source of its profit. Thus it is in agriculture, as in every part of creation, a wise and paternal Providence has inseparably connected our duty and our happi ness. In cultivating the earth, the condition of man's success is his industry upon it.-Josiah Quincy. ITEMS. ing the diamonds in their clothes. They are required to work facing the overseer, and are forbidden to raise a hand to the face, lest they should swallow the jewels when found. Yet they do carry them away, by becoming so expert that they can snap them with their fingers from the pan to the mouth without detection. The expedition to Africa in search of Dr. Livingstone has sailed from England. The New York branch of the American Freedmen's Union Commission has, since the first of 10th month, put into the field 163 teachers, of whom 186 AN IMMENSE TELESCOPE.-One of the largest and are now actively engaged in the service. They are most improved telescopes ever constructed in Eng-distributed as follows: Delaware, 4; Maryland, 7; land is now nearly completed, and is intended for District of Columbia, 24; Virginia, 41; North CaroMelbourne. It was made under the direction of the lina, 23; South Carolina, 39; Florida, 7, and TeaRoyal Society, at a cost of $25,000, The form whichnessee 1. |