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And the spider, too, even "the villain spi-, while in the July flood of this year, it was 7

der"

"Who bade the spider parallels design,
Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line?"

But I must close, lest what was intended only as a brief Note should run into an Essay. I can but add my conviction that there is yet a wide field for the future progress of human knowledge in the investigation of geometrical forms and their relations to matter. When we see all nature, both animate and inanimate, everywhere around us, wearing the impress of perfect geometrical laws, well may we exclaim with the pious Dr. Barrow—“O Lord! how great a geometer

art thou!"

REVIEW OF THE WEATHER

For the Ninth Month (September,) 1850. Of the 30 days comprised in the last month, the unusual number of 24 were fine, with a mild autumnal temperature, the daily mean varying, for the whole time, less than 14 degrees. Eighteen days in succession-from the 7th to the 26thwere without rain, if we except a light sprinkling, barely equal to a heavy dew. But, though the sun has crossed the equator, and the equinox has passed without the accustomed gale, yet the month will long be remembered for the severity of its storms of rain and its disastrous floods.

Light showers fell on the latter part of the night and morning of the first, with a fair P. M. Early on the morning of the second, rain began to fall in heavy showers attended with thunder and lightning, which, by 9 o'clock, had become almost a continued powerful rain with a light southerly wind. The rain continued, with some remissions, till 2 o'clock on the succeeding morning, when the weather cleared with a N. W. wind. The storm was a few hours earlier in the northern part of Virginia, and some hours later, but equally violent, at Sing Sing, N. Y., as well as in Vermont and other parts of New Eng

land.

At 12 M., on the third, the water was some five feet deep on the floor of the building containing the water wheels and immense force pumps at Fairmount, and the fall at the dam was reduced to about four feet. As the turbid stream went surging and tumbling heavily along (it was far too dense, with the accumulated washings of the hills and valleys above, to dash and leap, as if rejoicing, on its way to mother Ocean) it bore on its surface abundant evidence of its power, in the debris of the farm, the wharf, the workshop, &c. and seemed little inviting as a beverage, however our city fathers, may, at different times, have voted it pure enough for their children to drink without filtering. The river was said to have been at its highest point on or near the preceding midnight, when (according to observations made at the water works) the water was 10 feet 10 inches above the dam,

feet only. In what is called the ice flood of 1839 it was 10 feet; and in the great freshet of 1822 it was 9 feet 4 inches, or 18 inches less than the late flood.

From the suddenness of the rise of the waters many lives were lost, especially on the Schuyl kill; estimates of the number have varied from more than fifty to near one hundred, on that river alone. For the better understanding of this by such as are unacquainted with the locality, it should be mentioned that, for slack-water navigation and other purposes, many dams have been thrown across the upper parts of the river; some of these giving way before the unwonted pressure, the accumulated waters forced others from their foundation, and gaining head, swept the wharves of the thrifty towns along its margin; and with scarcely a few minutes' notice, invaded workshops and dwellings, overwhelming them, in some instances, so suddenly as to prevent the escape of their occupants. At Reading, eleven lives are said to have been lost, and at Tamaqua and neighborhood, thirty one. Thirty or forty houses are said to have been carried away at the latter place, and many others at Port Clinton. At Reading 100 buildings of various kinds are reported to have been destroyed. Along the city front, besides interrupting for some time the operations of the Gas and WaterWorks, much property was swept away or destroyed. On the Little Schuylkill, every bridge is said to have been destroyed between Tamaqua and Schuylkill Haven.

At the South and West, from the Roanoke to the Susquehanna, fences and cattle, stacks of wheat and oats, and crops of tobacco and Indian Corn, were in many instances carried away or destroyed.

It seems unaccountable that men having enterprise enough to erect valuable bridges, storehouses, factories, and especially dwelling houses, upon our river courses, should not have prudence enough also to place them beyond the reach of floods. It is undoubtedly true that the quantity of water annually borne to the ocean by our rivers, both east and west is at present greatly less than it was at not very remote periods; also, that this diminishing process is still going on, especially in the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, chiefly (at the present time) from increased evaporation, caused by clearing away the forest and the cultivation of the soil. So rapid is this process in the Mississippi, that 25 per cent. less water is discharged by this river annually at the present time than 25 years ago; as is clearly shown by careful observations carried on near its mouth for this long period. (See Report to American Scientific Association, 1848.) It is also shown that only from 31 to 17 per cent. of the water that falls in rain on the Mississippi valley is discharged by this river, nearly all of the remaining 83 or 69 per cent. ascending in vapour.

A few thoughts occur to me, on the impropriety of supposing (as many have done) that regeneration is an instantaneous work, of which we are sensible at the time; and from a state of death and darkness, feel ourselves translated into the kingdom of life and light, born of that incorruptible seed which is to inherit the promise.

But notwithstanding this be true, there can be This text has given rise to various sentiments little doubt that the floods in most of these rivers and conjectures, some of which have had no hapare increasing in frequency, in height, and sud-py influence on the mind. denness; a process necessarily resulting from the progressive settlement of the country, and the constant cultivation and draining of the land. Every acre brought into cultivation, in the broad valley of the Mississippi, conducts more readily on its surface the water which falls upon it than while in its forest state and from this cause there seems a strong probability that the floods in this and many other rivers in our country will, for a long period of time, become gradually more frequent and higher, but of less duration than formerly. If this be true, or even probable, it is surely worthy the especial consideration of the dwellers upon these waters.

Rain fell on the 7th most of the day, with not a high wind from the N. E. This storm gathered force as it progressed N. and E. on the 8th, and became violent and destructive on the sea coast of New England and New Brunswick.

Heavy thunder showers passed over us on the 26th and 27th; several places were struck, and individuals stunned or prostrated, but providentially escaped more serious injury from the passing electric bolt.

Some rain fell on six days, and the whole quantity observed at the Pennsylvania Hospital was 7 inches.

The mean temperature of the month, as shown by the meteorological table, was 68°, which is more than two degrees above the mean of many years.

The season has been favorable for ripening the corn crop, also for grass. We hear of some disease among potatoes in neighbouring counties, but it is believed not to be extensive in this vicinity.

Up to the evening of the 30th no frost had occurred, if we except a snow squall on the 14th, encountered by an æronaut (J. Pusey) in passing through a cloud 2000 feet above the earth's surface on his way from Reading, Pa., to Haddington, on the afternoon of that day. And what appears to have been strange to relate, and to have rendered others incredulous of the fact, was that the snow-flakes ascended. But we have no need of either doubting the young man's report, or universal application of Newton's law. The snow was doubtless descending, but not so fast as was the æronaut at that time.

The health of the city has continued to improve, the weekly bills of mortality steadily falling from 201 on the 7th, to 134 only on the 28th.

P.S.

Philada., 2d of 10th month 1850.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MARGARET

WOODS.

14th, 1st mo. 1777.-"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John iii. 3.

By the fall of Adam, we lost that glorious state in which we were at first created; but through a Redeemer we may be restored again to happiness and glory. Now, as our Lawgiver has thought proper to compare this restoration to a second birth, I have been led to consider that, according to his simile, it is impossible we should be instantaneously sensible of it, as some have imagined. With regard to the natural life we find that we are born, but we neither know when nor how; we feel that we have got a little strength before we begin to consider what we are. May we not suppose it so, spiritually? We feel something within us of a spiritual nature; but we at first scarcely know what it is, or how it came there, If we treat it properly, it will, like our natural bodies, increase in strength; but if otherwise, it will never thrive; and though it cannot totally die, that is, be annihilated, yet it will be separated from the Divine life; which separation constitutes the death of the soul.

From the supposition that the new birth is some sensible impression on the mind, at a particular time, we may come to a hasty conclusion, that we are in a justified state, from feeling some tender emotions, or a warmth of spirit, whilst we still remain unsanctified, and have not passed through the many dippings in Jordan, which are necessary to purify the soul. But this sudden transition from death to life, is an easy way of salvation; therefore, no wonder if it captivate the unwary mind. "As in Adam all die, even

so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. xv. 22. This seems to me to imply, that as by the fall of Adam, we lost our union with the Divine nature, and consequently our state of happiness and glory, so, through Christ, each individual has the seed of life again sown in the heart by faith in, and obedience to which we shall be again restored to a happy immortality.

I believe, many are witnesses of the power of this new birth, who yet as to outward knowledge, understand little about it; they would hardly be sensible what was meant by conversation on the subject. But the speculative frequently perplex themselves with words; and endeavoring to explain the manner of the operation of a divine influence, neglect retiring, in the silence of all flesh, to that inspeaking word which can alone unfold the mysteries of a heavenly kingdom.

The wayfaring man and the fool, who probably find neither time nor inclination for deep studies, need not err in the path to happiness;

because, by a simple obedience to the leadings of a divine principle they inwardly experience, they are drawn nearer and nearer to the fountain of light, and thus, by faith in this power, they become more and more enlightened, and increasing in holiness and virtue, are made fit to be translated to an inheritance incorruptible.

NOISELESS CARRIAGE WHEELS AND HORSE

SHOES.

The London Mining Journal states that a Mr. Andrew Smith has made a great improvement in a principle applied to the construction of wheels and horse shoes, which consists in forming the hoop or tire of two separate layers of galvanized iron, which are riveted together, and re-galvanized in the mass; this division of parts cutting off all vibration when travelling over the roughest stones. Mr. Andrew Smith has also applied the principle to springs, in which each plate is galvanized separately, and can never rust. The axle is also made to fit the axle box with perfect exactness, by a lining of fusible metal, is itself lubricating, and not liable to heat; the whole in conjunction, secures a degree of quiet, ease and safety hitherto unattained.

He also applies it to horse shoes, by making the shoes in two thicknesses of galvanized metal then riveting them together, and re-galvanizing. A horse equiped in these pumps, trots over the granite streets of London as softly as if he was on a bowling green.-Scientific American.

For Friends Review.

THE NERVOUS BARD'S ADDRESS TO SLEEP.

The hour of rest, the hour of rest!

The sun is lost to sight,

And cradled in the rosy west

He leaves the world to night.

The moon a darkling shadow throws,
The stars their vigils keep;
Come soft Repose my eyelids close
In slumber calm and deep.

I court thy sweet embrace in vain,
My couch thou still dost fly;
I call-thou answerest not again;
Oh, gentle spirit, why?
Say why, when all around is still,
Must I unquiet be?

The cup of blessing thou dost fill,
Why hold it back from me.

The dog within his kennel sleeps,
The oxen in their stall,

The beggar to his hovel creeps,
To rest at evening fall;

The sailor on his oaken chest

Hath closed his heavy eye,
And heaves the hunter's swarthy breast
Beneath the prairie sky.

The slave sinks down at close of day,
Weary in heart and limb,
To dream of freedom far away;
Thou blessest even him;

Yet wilt not spread thy covering
Upon my downy bed,

Nor fold thy soft and dewy wing
Above my pillowed head.

A fiend full oft thy semblance takes;
I sink into his arms,

And then the demon rudely breaks
My rest with wild alarms.
A nervous start-a gasp for breath,
A lone despairing cry;
Tis thus I die a nightly death
In thinking that I die.

Oh! would I could recall again
My childhood's happier hours,
When free from sorrow, free from pain,
I sported mid the flowers:

And when the sun hath sought the west,
I would at evening's close

That I could find the placid rest

Which only childhood knows.

Yet why complain? full well I know
This frame must soon decay;
The way of all the earth I go,

The one oft trodden way.
I know Disease hath even now

Begun his work on me,
For had it not, then surely thou
Wouldst not so distant be.

Yet when upon the pulseless breast
Is heaped the heavy sod,
Oh! there remaineth still a rest

For those who are of God.
A rest where living waters flow
From Zion's holy hill,

And harps ne'er tuned to notes of woe
The air with music fill.

If I can find a mansion there

In that bright world of bliss,
Methinks with joy I ought to bear
My weary lot in this.

No murmur if the chastening rod
Should heavy on me fall,

One moment round the throne of God,

Will compensate for all.

These thoughts are calming-and mine eye More heavy seems to grow:

Methinks that thou are hovering nigh

Thy influence to bestow.

Yes-thou art softened, thou art here,

And stealing o'er my breast;

Farewell awhile to doubt and fear,

I'm sinking to my rest.

New Garden, N. C.

SUMMARY OF NEWS.

C.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.-The steamship America, with Liverpool dates to the 5th inst., arrived at Halifax on the 15th.

ENGLAND. We have no political news of importance from this country. There is a great stir in ocean steam navigation and electric telegraphs. The commission appointed by the Government to make a survey of Galway harbour, have reported favourably. The belief appears to prevail, that that port will ultimately be decided upon, as the point whence the North American mails will be despatched.

It is stated that negotiations are now on foot with government for the establishment of a submarine

telegraph across the sixty miles of sea, from Holyhead to Kingstown, and on to either Cork or Galway, to be thence connected by steamship with the nearest telegraph station on this side of the Atlantic.

The London Times of the 1st inst. contains the official despatches of Sir John Ross and the other captains of the Arctic expedition, the latest in date being a letter from Sir John, written in Lancaster Sound, off Admiralty Inlet, on the 22d of the 8th month. On the 13th, near Cape York, he fell in with some Esquimaux, by whom he was informed that two ships (supposed to be Sir John Franklin's) were wrecked near Cape Dudley Digges, in the winter of 1846, and the survivors murdered by the natives. The statement, was, however, distrusted by the British Captains. At the time when Sir John Ross' letter was written, the American discovery vessels were lying in company with him in Leopold Harbour. The ice was very heavy, extending round from Prince Leopold's Island to Cape Farewell, to the westward, so as to prevent any vessels reaching Cape Walker.

DENMARK AND THE DUCHIES.-The war in the Duchies has been renewed with considerable vigor; the Holsteiners having, thus far, the advantage, but without bringing about any very important result. At the last accounts the Holsteiners had surrounded and bombarded Fredenschstadt. The whole of the

neighboring country has been thrown under water by cutting off the dykes of the Ezdis.

AUSTRIA.-The Emperor has fully and entirely remitted the penal contribution imposed upon the Israelitish communities in the crown lands of Hungary in the Woiwodship of Servia and banat Temescher. He has, at the same time, commanded that the Israelites of the said countries shall raise a fund of one million of guilders, for the purpose of establishing schools and other places of instruction, to which every Israelite shall be obliged to contribute according to his means, except those who are quite destitute. Letters from Lombardy, state that several battalions of Hungarians, in the Austrian army in Lombardy, have revolted and were only suppres sed by force, accompanied by bloodshed. A conspiracy at Milan is said to have been discovered.

Angry notes continue to be exchanged between Prussia and Austria and Germany. Prussia refuses to recognize the Diet of Frankfort as having authority to interfere in the affairs of the Electorate.

The Prussian troops are rapidly concentrating on the confines of Cassel.

ITALY.-The High Court of Appeal at Turin has condemned, by a majority of 13 to 1, the Archbishop, for abuses of his high powers as a functionary. The See is declared vacant, his spiritual domains are seized and the Archbishop himself is condemned to banishment. The Archbishop of Sardinia has been similarly treated, and both have been shipped off for Civita Vecchia.

TURKEY.-The Hungarian refugees have received permission to quit the Turkish territory when the term of location is over. Kossuth is said to have applied for permission to remain in Constantinople. CALIFORNIA.-By the steamship Crescent City, which arrived at New York on the 18th inst., we have dates from San Francisco to the 15th of the 8th month. There appears to have been quite a panic in the money market of San Francisco, which resulted in the failure of a number of commercial houses. The excitement had in a great measure

subsided, at the sailing of the steamer. At the latest account there were supposed to be about 10,000 persons between the Salt Lake and the Sierra Nivadez, many of whom would, doubtless, be destitute of means of subsistence before reaching Carson river. It was however, hoped that the provisions enroute to the desert in the hands of traders, and the amount sent forward by the active benevolence of the citizens of California would be sufficient to supply the immigrants. Many of the miners were doing well, especially where the rivers had been turned from their beds.

OREGON.-The Pacific News says: From Oregon we have encouraging accounts of prosperity. New towns are springing up at every accessible point, and a commercial interest is being awakened that is highly commendable."-Gov. Gaines and family had arrived at Oregon city in good health; also, W. R. Strong, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and Gen. E. Hamilton, Secretary of the Territory.

sus.

A new planet is said to have been discovered in England, on the 13th ult. in the Constellation PegaIt has been named by Hind, the discoverer, "Victoria." He says it forms the twelfth of the group of ultrazodiacal planets, and the third which he has discovered.

We have no news of importance from France.

Posts for the telegraph wires have been put up as far west as to within 30 miles of Jefferson, and will reach that city in a few days, whence they will be extended to St. Joseph on the Missouri frontier.

MISCELLANEOUS. TELEGRAPH TO THE FRONTIER.

A local committee to collect and forward articles

for the exhibition of 1851 in London, has been formed in Hong Kong, China.

Beet sugar, to the amount of nearly one hundred and twenty millions of pounds, has been manufac tured in France during the year ending in the Fourth month last.

Five men have been arrested and are now in

custody, supposed to be the perpetrators of the daring robbery of the U. S. Mail on the night of the 12th inst. It appears that the mail car was entered by a false key and the pouches thrown out. The money is supposed to have been buried, and it is thought that it will be recovered. The prisoners are well known old offenders.

On the afternoon of the 17th inst. a young colored man, named Henry Garnett, residing in Phila delphia, was arrested as the slave of Thomas P. Jones of Cecil Co., The prisoner was brought before Judge Grier, of the U. S. Circuit Court, and the hearing of the case was postponed until next morning.

On the 18th the court assembled, Judges Grier and Kane on the bench. The prisoner was attended by his counsel, David Paul Brown, Charles Gibbons, Robert P. Kane and Wm S. Pierce, Esquires, and also by a committee of the old Abolition Society Pennsylvania Hugh. W Tener. appeared as counsel for the claimant. After a full hearing the prisoner was discharged.

Meetings on the subject of the fugitive slave law recently enacted by Congress, have been held in various places, with a view of concerting measures to procure its repeal.

The Harrisburgh Intelligencer says that the amendment to the State Constitution, making the Judges elective by the people, is carried by a majority of from 70 to 75,000.

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time, he enter upon the engagement in the Divine fear, and endeavour, in his daily walk, to commend himself to the children's consciences in the sight of God, he will be in danger of spending his strength for nought and in vain ; if he enter not upon his work in the consciousness

Price two dollars per annum, payable in advance, or of his own weakness and insufficiency he will six copies for ten dollars.

This paper is subject to newspaper postage only.

For Friends' Review.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

At the annual meeting of Friends' Educational Society, held at Ackworth in 1839, a Report was read on the subject of Religious Instruction. It comprised the answers received from several correspondents of much experience in the management of Friends' schools, and who appear to have been deeply impressed with the importance of this part of their duties.

The subject is considered under the following heads: The spirit in which religious instruction should be communicated; its nature and the range which it embraces; and the mode in which it is imparted. The following passages refer to

the first and second of these considerations.

C.

With respect to Religious Instruction, I believe it will be found, that however excellent the plan which may be laid down for promoting this important object, it cannot be effectually advanced, unless teachers are in some degree experimentally qualified to pay such attention thereto, as they may from time to time be favored with renewed ability for, from the Fountain of Good; and I think there are seasons when even such as these might feel a difficulty in exactly complying with a prescribed mode."

One of our English correspondents thus expresses himself on this subject: "Conscious of manifold short comings, I speak it not as having attained, when I say that unless the general tenor of life and conversation be, in a good degree, as becometh the gospel, we had better not put our unhallowed hands to the work: the teacher may be a babe in Christ, but if he act in the simplicity of the babe, he will not labour in vain; on the other hand, whatever may be his spiritual standing and attainments, unless, from time to

not be likely in the discharge of it to seek divine counsel and help, or to crave the divine blessing on the solemn engagement." Much in accordance with these sentiments are the concluding remarks of the superintendent of another of our schools: "Before taking leave of this subject, I can scarcely describe to thee, my dear Friend, how strongly I feel, that all the modes of religious instruction, and all the systemmatic teaching we can adopt, will constitute but lifeless forms, unless infused with the living energy of the Spirit, and uttered under the clear evidence of their emanating from a heart deeply and practically impressed with their importance." perience in the work of education, cannot be The following remarks of a Friend of large ex-, classed under any one of the three divisions of our subject; but as they refer both to the nature of religious instruction, and the manner and spirit in which it should be communicated, perhaps we shall not find a more appropriate place for their introduction. He thus writes: "I conceive that religious instruction is not confined to any system of rules or arrangements for imbuing the youthful mind with a knowledge of divine truths, the duties we owe to our Creator, or to one another, or to any stated times when these important duties may be more exclusively inculcated;—but it is, on the part of the parent or teacher, a continual endeavour, to seize every opportunity that the natural or acquired influence he may possess, presents, for instruction. To a mind thus watching;-thus impressed with the responsibility of its relative position, many circumstances, even of trifling import in themselves, will frequently be made the vehicles of lasting benefit, in the way of instruction. If, however, the time for such instruction were left to contingencies, the duty would often, I am abundantly persuaded, be neglected, or at least postponed to a less favourable opportunity than the right one. Whilst, however, I am decidedly convinced that stated times ought to be set apart for conveying religious instruction, and that abil

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