dren, and cultivate them in other pursuits. It is a well-known fact, that notwithstanding the school hours, much time hangs heavily on the hands of a young child, sometimes from weariness or other circumstances which prevent his playing, sometimes from want of companions, distaste for reading, &c. There are, however, many resources to fill up the vacant hours, which unfortunately do not seem to be improved as they ought. And first of all, I would recommend those exercises which strengthen the frame systematically, as gymnastics of every kind. I am aware that these are in use among us, but they are rarely insisted on as a duty; children are left to their inclination, and this in a country where the excessive heat in summer and cold in winter, induce to want of energy and inactivity. I wish that an hour a day might be set apart and rigidly kept for these exercises. The results of such an education are truly astonishing. The system has been pursued with great success in the military school at Paris, where the young men perform feats, that must be seen in order to be realized and believed; the gymnastic exercises in that institution are under the direction of Colonel Amoros, an intelligent Spanish gentleman, whose works upon this subject are worthy the attention of all parents and teachers. The leading idea in his system, is the union of the moral with the physical. His pupils sing as they exercise, not like our sailors, merely as a signal for simultaneous action, but words and music which shall inspirit and encourage. Besides these exercises, the more amusing ones of fencing and boxing ought to be taught to all boys. It is melancholy, indeed, in our institutions for learning, especially our colleges, to see so many puny looking young men; hollow chests, round shoulders, and bending body, are characteristics of our students, and premature old age, or consumption, carry off but too many of our most gifted men. Dancing is an accomplishment so commonly taught, that it need not be urged here. Besides this, are other accomplishments, which are very rarely thought worthy the attention of school-boys, and, among us, are never considered necessary. First of these, is drawing. I will not enlarge upon the additional means of happiness afforded to a child, when he is taught the use of the pencil for the classical scholar, I think it a necessary acquisition: a child who is to be a thorough scholar, should begin early to draw, and his attention should be directed as soon as possible, to the human face and form. In this way, when he comes to the study of Mythology and Antiquities, he will be greatly aided. In no way can so perfect an idea of the antique be formed, as by copying such drawings as may have been preserved, or the works of artists like Flaxman, or still better, by copying ancient busts and statues, or casts from them. Such exercises fix the knowledge obtained, indelibly on the mind, and still more, by the great accuracy thus obtained, the student will at length be able to make his own illustrations. I need not point out the immense advantages, which a person thus taught, will possess over one ignorant upon the subject; all will be clear to his mind; the camp, the chamber, the banqueting-hall, the forms of Grecian beauty, the battlefield, and the funeral pyre, will present themselves vividly before him, like household scenes. Next to drawing, I would recommend music. This is considered indispensable in the system of public education pursued in Prussia, which is the best in the world. What Milton thought of the effect of music, and its importance to students, we learn from his treatise on education. After recommending severe bodily exercise before dinner for the schools, he goes on as follows: "The interim, of unsweating themselves regularly, and convenient rest before meat, may, both with profit and delight, be taken up in recreating and composing their travailed spirits with the solemn and divine harmonies of music, heard or learned; either whilst the skilful organist plies his grave and fancied descant in lofty fugues, or the whole symphony, with artful and unimaginable touches, adorn and grace the well-studied chords of some choice composer; sometimes the lute, or soft organ-stop waiting on elegant voices, either to religious, martial, or civil ditties, which, if wise men and prophets be not extremely out, have a great power over dispositions and manners, to smooth and make them gentle from rustic harshness and distempered passions." To the literary man, especially one who is to lead a more retired sort of life, music is a source of endless comfort. Above all, to the teacher, whose life is almost identified with the name of patience, this divine art comes like a consoling spirit, to soothe his ruffled nerves, and give rest to his weary thoughts. Next to sleep, it refreshes and invigorates; and a parent who places his child in a situation to acquire this art, bequeaths to him a blessing, which death alone can deprive him of. In the midst of busy life, in the land of strangers, where it is the only language he understands, in the hour of sorrow, even in the delirium fit, and the horrors of the mad-house, music never abandons him who has once welcomed her to his soul. History of Ipswich, Essex, and Hamilton. By Joseph B. Felt.* Inasmuch as Mr. Felt does not write for the present day, he may truly be said to be in advance of his age. It is to be wished that he would make a "Britannia" on New-England, or such a work about it as Camden did about Old England. We do not presume to say how well antiquaries of our times will think of such a labor, but we hazard not much, we presume, when we say, that, whatever may be the judgement of moderns, posterity will prize it highly; for, certainly, it appears to us, that a Dugdale or a Polwhele could have been scarcely more indefatigable, in local researches, than our author. It will, doubtles, appear very strange to such as can only be delighted with a book because it is new, how a man can spend several years in making up a book, which presents little else besides a series of dates and obsolete sayings. He will glance his eye rapidly from page to page, to catch some reflection of the compiler, or some lively delineation of characters and manners to repay him for the time (if he be no antiquary) which he is throwing away. But if any such read this article, they are hereby admonished not to lay down Mr. Felt's book because they do not meet with long and pleasing reflections in the first few pages; for we can assure them they will find many interspersed, which, for solidity and real weight, will show that the mind that produced them, if not the most brilliant, is an honor to an enlightened age. Ipswich being a very old town, or one of the oldest in Massachusetts, many incidents have occurred there to render it worthy of a more particular work than some of less antiquity. Although the proportion of matter contained in the volume before us, in the author's own words be small, yet, it must be allowed, that, in works of a local character, it is, by far, better to fill their pages with real matters of fact, than with pleasing verbiage drawn from a very few of the most prominent incidents in its history. We have now before us a volume of 304 pages, in small-pica type, octavo, of the common size. Every page presents an unvarnished array of facts, enough, were they woven with a common amount of smooth sentences, to make, at least, five times the quantity of matter. Hence it is easy to see of how much more value such a work, made up in such a manner, really is, than it would be, were one fifth of its facts used, and the rest made up, as it easily might have been, with one fifth of the labor. Few authors, in our times, expect profit from their labors, unless they can treat their subject in what is called a popular manner; now if this must be done at the evident expense (or suppression) of facts, it is easy to see, that, in some age to come, a just censure must be passed upon the taste of the present. To say a great deal about a very little, and to say it in a playful manner, that is, to talk wisely about talking, may please the majority of readers; but we can apprise such, that the history of Ipswich will afford them no amusement of that kind. But, on the contrary, he who expects matters of history, as they occurred, will there find them without that useless waste of time too often experienced in other works. The author spends no time in prefaces and introductions, but at once steps into his work, like the farmer to his plough, or, like the mower to his grass, with an * The editor has not seen this work, and is indebted to a friend, (with whose criticisms he has not interfered) for this notice. instrument kept in readiness from year to year. He tells us that Ipswich, that is, the place now so called, was particularly noticed by that wonder of wonders, Capt. John Smith, as early as 1614, when there was nothing like an European settlement from Manhattan to Newfoundland. At this time, and for considerable space after the arrival of the English, the country thereabouts was called Agawam, which was its real Indian name; a name, our author thinks was given to it from its abounding in "fish of passage." This may be true, although numerous other places noted for the same, are not named Agawam. As to the name Ipswich, it was given to that place by its English inhabitants, to remind themselves and their posterity of the kindnesses that were extended to them by the inhabitants of Ipswich in England, from whence many of them took their departure for America. Few names in our country, except those given by the Indians have any reference to their situation or products. It was not so in England. Places there were named, originally, according to the true definition of their names:-thus Exmouth was situated at the mouth of the Ex or Ax; Norfolk, or north folk, and Suffolk, south folk, or the south people, in contradistinction to those on the north of them. The name Ipswich is not quite as clearly defined, but denoted its situation upon the river Gippen, which was at its confluence with the Orwell. In Dooms-daybook it is written Gyppeswick, Gyppewic, &c. This spelling gradually changed to Yppyswyche, and lastly to Ipswich. To an ancient Briton, as well as to an original American, the name of a place at the same time told him what its situation was, or for what it was noted; but the modern inhabitant can no more tell whether a place be upon a river or a good way from one, by the signification of its name; whether it be noted for its animals or its fruits, its trees or stones. Although Ipswich was occupied by the whites in 1633, yet they do not appear to have purchased it of its real owner, until 1638. This year the Sachem called Masconomet, or Mascononomo, sold Agawam to Mr. John Winthrop for £20. Mr. Felt has treated his subject in a different manner from others who have heretofore written town histories. He has collected the facts of every depart ment under suitable heads in the manner following: First Settlers.As in other towns of the colony, no persons were admitted as inhabitants without the consent of its freemen. When this custom fell into disuse we are not told. In 1634, Rev. Thomas Parker with a company of about 150 persons took up their abode in Ipswich. Grants, &c.-In 1635 the Genl. Court ordered that no dwelling house should be built above half a mile from the meeting house in any new plantation, without the leave of the court, &c. 1649, Ipswich is allowed two fifths of Plumb Island. Common Lands.-On 16 April, 1663, it was ordered that no man shall cut any grass on Plumb Island before the 10 July, nor any family use above two scythes at a time.-1757. Voted, that Capt. Jonathan Fellows, of Cape Ann, have the use of all the sandbanks lying in Ipswich, for one year at £2 13s, 4d.-Those must have been golden days for the gentlemen of the chord; for many a shoe left the best part of its sole upon the sanded floor, which it had shuffled but one night. Titles. The title of Mr. was borne only by officers of the militia, captains and mates of vessels, eminent merchants, schoolmasters, doctors, clergymen, persons who had received a second degree at college, and who had been made freemen. To be deprived of this title was a great degradation. The wives of those thus entitled were called Mrs. Sept. 27, 1631. Josiah Plaistow of Boston, was sentenced by the court of Assistants to be deprived of his title of Mr. Our author should have added that the offence was for stealing corn from the Indians. Besides losing his title of gentleman he was ordered to pay £5. Lightningrods.-There has been none in Essex or in Hamilton. The only one recollected eighty years since, was on the old jail. There are now seven in Ipswich. A probable reason for their not being formerly more introduced here, was the prejudice, very prevalent through the colonies, that the erection of them upon buildings was a resistance to Providence, because attracting the electric fluid from its direct course. It is well that such Mahomedan fatality has not the influence it once had, in preventing the improvements of science. 1659. The General Court grant each town copies of Mr. Norton's work, in the press, against the Quakers, in proportion to its rates. Thus the artillery of the legislature of the commonwealth was brought into the field against a poor handful of fanatics, to whom indifference would have been far more formidable. Ipswich owes not a little of its ancient renown to that worthy and excellent man, the Rev. William Hubbard. For an account of him as well as others, who should be mentioned, we can only refer our reader to the work of Mr. Felt. But as every thing is of the greatest interest which in any way concerns that eminent individual, we note the following facts which happen to be known to us :— 15 Feb. 1665. William Hubbard of Ipswich & Mary his wife deed to Robert & Samuel Williams of Roxbury, "all that hie fowerteen acres of Salt Marsh, be it more or lesse Lying at the lower end of the field called ye Lower Calves Pasture, within the precincts of Roxbury, and not farre from the tyde mill in Dorchester," &c. Concerning what the author has said about Mr. Hubbard's presiding at the commencement in 1688, we offer the following extract from an old manuscript letter, dated 2 July of that year, by Mr. John Richards. Said letter was for Dr. Increase Mather, then in London:-"The commencement is to be managed this year by Mr. William Hubbard of Ipswich. The Govr. sent to Mr. Lee to do it, who likewise intended, but was not positive in his answer, and so Mr. Hubbard is to manage it. [He] hath been here about it." In Judge Sewall's celebrated Diary is this entry:-14 Sept. 1704, Thursday. Mr. William Hubbard of Ipswich, goes to the Lecture, after to Col. Appleton's, goes home and dies that night. We will close our short notice of this valuable work with the following extract. After giving some facts concerning "Unity Lodge," in Ipswich, and candidly observing that its members "do not undertake to assert, that no lodges in our country have become so corrupt, as to engage, that, if expediency or necessity require, they will violate laws both human and divine," very sensibly proceeds:— But they can truly declare, that neither they nor any lodge of New-England, with which they have any acquaintance, have ever understandingly covenanted to countenance, much less to practice immoralities. They feel themselves bound to condemn the murderers of Morgan, if such there be, and the attempts to prevent the infliction of justice upon them, as upon other members of the community. It would, however, be infatuation to pretend, that Masonry is free from every fault. Like all institutions of human origin, it has imperfections. Among these imperfections is a part of the figurative expressions and forms, used on the admission of its members. Such things, if they were not formerly defects, have become so, wherever the benevolent spirit and enlightened views of Christianity prevail. The object of legitimate Masonry can now be accomplished without them. With regard to the proposal before our legislature, it is a question deserving serious and general consideration, whether they should not only forbid Masonic, Phi Beta Kappa, and other literary societies oaths of secrecy, but also oaths of every description. The true man will tell the truth without an oath. The false man will declare falsely with an cath. Indeed, who is not shocked to witness the frequent perjury which takes place in our courts of justice? In cases of this sort, the perjurer implicitly calls upon his Maker to destroy his soul, if he do not speak truly. There is nothing really so awful as this in the obligations of Masonry. While the axe is laid to one root, let be laid to the whole. Let a law be passed, prohibiting oaths of every kind, and requiring, when necessary, the solemn affirmation of the Friends. Let this be done, and then the public welfare will not have cause to complain, that while one part of its claims are listened to by a numerous legislative assembly, the other is neglected. are on file for the next number. Several contributions from unknown writers are under consideration, and may find a place, when we are made acquainted with the authors' names. The short poetical articles from a lady, whose former contributions have been inserted, have too local or personal applications to interest the majority of readers. POLITICS AND STATISTICS. INCLUDING NOTICES OF COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES, &c. UNITED STATES. Since the adjournment of Congress, the political discussions of the public journals have turned chiefly upon the local politics of individual states. Elections have already been held in some of the Western states, the results of which, so far as they are known, are supposed to manifest changes of opinion in regard to the National Administration. In others, elections are soon to take place, and the preparations indicate a fierce contention. New-York and Pennsylvania, it is said, form the battleground, on which the great question between the Tories and Whigs, or the Administration party and the Opposition, is to be decided. The elections in these states will be held in October and November. The President of the United States left Washington, immediately after the adjournment of Congress, for his resi dence in Tennessee, where he arrived early in August. weights are recited because desirable to be kept in mind, rather than as affording a farther criterion of distinction between the two classes of coins-since an inspection, much more cursory than that of weighing, will distinguish them by the preceding characteristics. The Eagle and Half Eagle of the new coinage will be less in diameter than those of the former emissions, and that in a greater proportion than the diminution of weight would indicate. This, however, though a decided amendment of our coinage, is of less value at a distinctive mark, since the comparison would require the presence of coin of both classes. Another letter from the Director of the Mint to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated August 16, presents the following facts: Statement of the amount of gold subject to coinage under the new ratio, deposited within the period commencing 1st June, and ending 1st August, 1834, with the whole amount coined to the latter date from August 1st, and the amount of coin delivered. Gold Bullion deposited in June-coinage de- Gold deposited in July, and defer- 133,300 Coins of the United States, 226,300 New Gold Coin. On the first of August, the coinage of gold, according to the new ratio of gold to silver, commenced at the Mint. The peculiarities, which distinguish the new gold coin from the old, are stated thus, by the Director of the Mint, in a letter to the Secretary of Foreign Coins, the Treasury On the face, the new coins will be readily distinguished by a head of Liberty disencumbered of a cap. On the reverse, the surplus motto, "E Pluribus Unum," which for many years has occupied a portion of the disk above the figure of the Eagle, is now omitted. These changes, independently of the facility to be derived from them, in distinguishing the future from the past emissions of our gold coins, are recommended by a nearer adherence to the provisions of the law, as well as by the rules of taste and classic authority. In regard to the omission of the motto above referred to, the same improvement was introduced in the quarter dollar in 1831, the subject having, by communication of the 29th January, of that year, been submitted to the President, through the Department, and approved. The Eagle of the former issues weighs 270 grains, the Half Eagle 135 grains, and the Quarter 67 grains. The Eagle, under the present law, will weigh 258 grains, the Half Eagle 129 grains, and the Quarter 64 grains. These 47,400 407,000 Gold deposited from the 1st 25,000 Coins of the United States, 48,000 3,000 76,000 544,500 310,000 $234,500 Whole amount coined from 1st to 9th Remaining uncoined August 9th, Commerce and Navigation. From the statements published of the commerce and navigation of the United States, for the year 1833, and comparisons of some of the items with those of preceding years, the Baltimore American has gleaned the following statistical items, which are interesting for reference. The whole amount of exports for the year, was $90,140,433, of which $70,317,698 were of domestic, and $19,882,735 of foreign articles. The total for 1832 was $87,176,443, of which $63,137,470 were domestic, and |