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powerful, and intellectually great, but they have not discovered the secret of thoroughly ameliorating the condition of suffering humanity, or of making a more equal distribution of the good things of this world, which the great Foh has intended for us all.

A HOME OF TASTE.

BY EDWIN PAXTON HOOD.

(Concluded from page 16.) A HOME does not depend for its Taste upon its pictures, its statues, its furniture, or even its books. I have many dear friends belonging to the Society of Friends, and for the most part the strictness of their discipline tolerates few of the former of these. Yet I know few of their Homes that are not Homes of Taste. A Home is the transcript of the moral disposition and habit of feeling; the visible painting of the internal life. How possible is it to crowd the rooms and to cover the naked walls with artistic deformity to exhibit in every corner of the building a studied departure from refinement, sensibility, and, most serious of all, from truth; and, on the contrary, how possible is it to exhibit with little furniture-with few means-without a painting or an engraving-the picture of a quiet and contented spirit, a truthful and rightly ordered mind. How easy it is to be neat-to be clean! How easy to arrange the rooms to the most graceful propriety! How easy it is to invest our houses with truest elegance. Elegance resides not with the upholsterer or the draper; it is not put up with the hangings and curtains; it is not in the Mosaics, the carpetings, the rosewood, the mahogany, the candelabra, or the marble ornaments; it exists in the spirit presiding over the chambers of the dwelling. Contentment must always be most graceful; it sheds serenity over the scene of its abode; it transforms a waste into a garden. The Home, lightened by these intimations of a nobler and brighter life, may be wanting in much which the discontented desire; but to its inhabitants it will be a palace, far outvying the oriental in brilliancy and glory. But in the present period of civilization and improve ment, there is no necessity for confining

our ideas of the Home of Taste merely to matters so important as disposition in the temper of the inhabitant, or neatness merely in the arrangement of the furniture. There are few pockets that cannot afford some of the auxiliaries of refinement. It is melancholy, indeed, to think that the residents in London and other great cities seldom can cultivate the smallest plot of garden ground. They cannot train the brier, the jasmine, or the honeysuckle around their porch. What an innocent companion, what a holy and most charming book a garden is! What inspirationwhat instruction-it affords! What hours it weans from less hallowed occupation! The man who has his bit of garden to attend to lives the days of his courtship over again. Blessings upon it, and all the gentle lessons that its meek-eyed flowers preach! What tenderness in the quiet breath that at all seasons floats over it! Blessings on it, with its rose-bush and its convolvulus, and its sweet-williams and sweet-peas! And blessings on the little green frame before the door, and the bow-pot in the window! And the solitary flower-pot up there, what though the old widow has no garden, bless her old soul ! look at her there, with her neatly crimped cap, she is just watering her pretty plant. I don't know the inside of her house, but where there is so much attention to little domestic elegancies, depend upon it there is a Home of Taste. Engravings, too, shed their spirit over a household; the calm portraits of the great and worthy dead exercise a great influence over me. could look on those over my own fireplace until they seem neither absent or departed, but living yet. Every good picture is the best of all sermons and lectures. We imbibe the soul of the picture; our heart is as a stream where the portrait is imaged. If we would truly school minds, we should exercise faith in good pictures. The humour and the cheerfulness of one, the serenity and contemplative quiet of the other, the historical deportmen: of another; thus we may make our parlour an Art Union-a Vernon Gallery; and when pictures are to be obtained so readily, it is scarcely pardonable if we

I

HINTS FOR SCHOOLMASTERS AND TEACHERS.

do not. The sense informs the soul. Whatever you have, have Beauty. Let Beauty be on the paper on your walls. It is as easy to choose a paper suggestive of the lovely in colour and form, as the uncouth. So in earthenware. We no longer tolerate the old yellow jug. Our pottery, in the course of the few last years, has assumed the various curves and shapes of Beauty. Passing through a street a short time since, noticed a woman chaffering for a mug. She indignantly refused one of a somewhat rough and ancient appearance, and selected one of a more Etrurian or Etruscan mould. It was clear that, although she was a poor and illiterate woman, the spirit of Beauty had touched her heart, had entered her habitation. Why should not every household object be sanctified with this grateful charm? Each chair, each table, each tea or chamber service, and every object for kitchen or parlour, for the home of the poor man, artizan, or mechanic, I would have them all worthy of a Home of Taste.

The

The Home of Taste, the Beautiful and Lovely Home, the Home of Virtue, of Order, of Elegance, of Simplicity. The Home of Religion, too, for there can be no true Taste where the hallowing and consecrating hand does not touch all. More than anything else, this sublimes the actions and elevates the soul. sacred lessons of a father's love, the lesson of the all-pervading presence of the Divine: this it is which transforms Art into Religion. Hence, as those pieces of genius have been the most awful in the impression they produce, the most stupendous, and the most perpetual in their influence, which have been moulded beneath the influence of the religious sentiment, so that human life, over which this sentiment sheds its selectest influences, will be the highest, holiest, happiest,-will be the most refined in its individuality, and be most assuredly best fitted to build the Home of Taste.

HINTS FOR SCHOOLMASTERS

AND TEACHERS. UNDOUBTEDLY one of the best and surest means of really and truly promoting the Public Good, is by the

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pointed and earnest inculcation of sound, generous, noble, Christian sentiments and principles, along with intellectual culture and literary instruction in the susceptible minds of our youth; and no teacher, of either sex, who is fully aware of the responsibility of his office, and of the sway which he or she exercises in the world's government, will willingly fail to embrace every opportunity to blend the formor with the latter. We know a school in which the master aims to accomplish this object at the same time that he teaches penmanship. Thus, instead of using the copper-plate copy slips published for schools, which express sentiments often too intangible or quite meaningless to the pupils, he has adopted original ones more adapted to the wants of humanity, and the spirit of the age. Here's a sample or two:Christianity and War are utterly opposed. America boasts of liberty and enslaves millions. Eternal friendship between France and England!

Governments are only for the benefit of the people.

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Remember this text "Thou, God, seest me.' Christian England owes 800 millions for fighting: Temperance preserves health, character, and

money.

Character is more than Station.

Liberty is the birthright of every man.
The pen is a mightier weapon than the sword.
Giving is better than receiving.
Keep out of debt.

Where one will not two cannot quarrel.
Knowledge and Slavery are incompatible.
Soldiers kill their enemies, Christ says, "love

them."

Virtue, not a coronet, marks true nobility.
Abstain from all intoxicating drinks.
Shame on America that treats men as cattle.
War is nations run mad.

The pen is the tyrants' fee.

Honesty is always the best policy.
Do unto others as you would be done unto.
Freedom of the Press is always the safeguard
of Liberty.

Vote according to conscience.

Who does not recollect many of the copies he used to write when at school? How important, then, that they should be worthy of remembrance, and embody principles calculated to promote the progress of humanity, and become germs of noble actions. Copy slips for schools, with the above or kindred sentiments, we consider a desideratum. Who will take up the idea, and transfer it from the world of thought into the world of fact? H. M.

THE SPELLING REFORM,

BY ONE OF THE PITMANS.

Or the many philanthropic objects which the present generation has originated, that which heads this article is very far from being the least important. Its projectors, Isaac Pitman and Alexander John Ellis, are of course called a couple of mad-brained enthusiasts; but this is not the slightest reason why we should not examine their proposed reform, and give ear to the arguments upon which it is founded. The world may smile contemptuously at the great project they have undertaken so it did at railways, and steam boats, and the penny post, and everything else that promised to do aught for the progress of humanity.

Literary pedagogues may denounce the new movement as revolutionary and absurd, as the Jews did with Christianity itself. Popular prejudice and the ex cathedra dictum of the esteemed among men form no argument against a proposed reform, whencesoever it comes, or by whomsoever it is originated. This has been said a thousand times, and a thousand times proved by the facts of history; it is, nevertheless, a truth which needs reiteration, and can hardly be too often repeated.

The spelling reform proposes to remedy a serious evil-an undoubted obstacle to the progress of education. The evil is briefly this :-We learn from the reports of the Registrar-general that in this land of ours, which we are so fond of calling enlightened, and in this nineteenth century, when, as we would fain make ourselves believe, education is within the reach of every body, five millions of individuals are unable to read even a child's primer; and eight millions cannot write their own names. One out of every three men, it is stated, and one out of every two women, who were married in 1846, signed the marriage register with marks. Think of that! half of the married women of England unable to write their own names! We cannot but regard this as deplorable indeed, especially when we think of the importance of maternal ence in forming the minds of the ing generation. The woman who

can neither read nor write must enjoy but a pitiably small development of her mental faculties; and her moral feel ings can never be fully cultivated in such a state of ignorance. How unfit, therefore, must she be to superintend the education of the precious charge

which Providence has committed to her care! The demoralization consequent upon such lamentable ignorance is too painful a subject to dwell upon. "But all this," you say, "is granted; the physical condition of the people only needs to be remedied, and then they would have abundance of time to bestow upon the acquirement of the arts of reading and writing, and to enjoy the blessings thence to be derived." No; the physical degradation of the people is not the only cause of their ignorance. It is fearfully powerful in producing it, we own, and we fervently desire its removal; but there is another cause scarcely less potent, but which seems to have escaped the attention of the majority of educationalists. Strange it is, but it never for a moment strikes them that a better system of learning to read and write might be adopted.

(To be concluded in our next.)

WHO SHOULD EMIGRATE?

WHEN AND WHERE?

DEAR GEORGE,-Your enquiries are important, and not only concern your self as an individual, but are of national importance. Thousands have gone to our colonies who were physically and morally unfitted for the state of things by which they found themselves surrounded; whose habits and customs were of a confirmed character, and as natural as life for the residents of large towns and cities, but totally inapplicable to the wilds and woods to which they found themselves transplanted. The village mechanic and the artisan from the town, whose productions are in re quest by the poorer class of individuals rather than by the upper ranks, are the men to go to a new country. Smiths, sawyers, carpenters, shoemakers, wheelwrights, boat-builders, and those who can wield an axe in preference to those who can pen a poem, or write a history. The pen is mightier than the sword after the pioneer has cleared the way

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THE FORCE OF AFFECTION.

and prepared men to appreciate truth. Pilgrim Fathers and first occupiers of a foreign land, must see to the raising food as the first great necessity, and many years pass before emigrants entering upon their labours can give much time to the cultivation of the refinements of life. You as an inhabitant of a city will have to submit to the deprivation of some luxuries; but if conventionalism has not crippled your mind, the new circumstances will more than atone for what you leave behind. Examine minutely every plan which is put forth to induce you to go to lands where gold is to be had "as plentiful as blackberries." Do not connect yourself with any sectarian scheme. Rival sects and proselyting religionists have often substituted in the native mind an ignorant burning zealotry for the original superstition, and in New Zealand, the natives esteem the missionary, not so much for his teaching-which the nature of their language prevents them fully comprehendingas for the blankets he has to distribute. In New Zealand you have a climate and soil suitable for an Englishman; and now that the game of cross purposes between the company and the government has been played out, it is a desirable spot to emigrate to. In South Australia, New South Wales, and Van Dieman's Land, you have in the towns and suburbs an appearance of buildings, ships, churches, &c., strongly reminding you of the land we live in; while the pastoral and agricultural districts are prolific and picturesque-a sunny sky and a teeming soil.

Port Natal is about the youngest and most capable in many respects of our colonies. The natives are a peace

ful race, voluntarily placing confidence in our rule and protection. There is already an agricultural and horticultural society there; prizes are given for cotton, indigo, coffee, sugar, tobacco, wheat, barley, &c., all of which must be the produce of the district.

"The Government Colonization Circular," price 2d., will afford you valuable information respecting the colonies generally, which are under British rule; and if you incline to go to the United States, you will find a noble country, with a rich soil, and liberal governmental

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institutions; but the national vanity is not always agreeable to a stranger, who feels that he is not as free to dispute and express an opposite opinion as he was accustomed to do at home. Were I about to emigrate, I would, if possible, quit England in the Autumn, should my destination be to the United States or to Canada; as, after landing, arrangements could all be made by the time spring arrived. But mechanies may start off in the early part of the year without disadvantage. It is not of so much importance what period of the year one starts for some of the other countries I have remarked upon; but I hope to have an opportuniiy to give you more in detail my opinion respecting emigration generally, and I conclude by a fervent hope that if you decide on going, you may realize the poet's declaration

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
Ther is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes
By the deep sea, and music in its roar.'
Yours,

FELIX CURTIS.

THE FORCE OF AFFECTION. WHEN Francis I. was made prisoner at Pavia, a gentleman named Bauregard was one of those who were obliged to effect their escape; and being unwilling to return to France to witness the consterwhere in a little time, he grew enamoured nation that prevailed. he repaired to Turin; of a lady named Aurelia Bauregard was an accomplished cavalier; he excelled in military exercises; was elegant in person, well-informed in mind; and of such engaging manners that it was impossible to discourse with him, without feeling an interest in his fortunes. Aurelia was a fe

male possessing the attractions of her sex in a peculiar degree. In beauty she was pre eminent; and in wit and gracefulness of deportment very superior. Bauregard soon became smitten with her charms, and solicited her hand in marriage. Aurelia affected to disregard his passion: she incessantly reproached him with being a Frenchman, inheriting all the flightiness and insincerity of his countrymen. Bauregard assured her that he was exempt from such defects, and declared himself capable of sustaining the greatest efforts to "Well

prove the force of his attachment.

then," said Aurelia, with much pleasantry, "I require you to be dumb for one year.”

Bauregard, in testimony of his acquiescence, answered only by a sign; and, on reaching his native seat, explained himself to his servants only by nods and tokens. Every one thought he had lost his speech, and very sensibly deplored his misfortune. Physicians were sent for, who prescribed their remedies, which he refused; and on his visiting Aurelia, he observed the most perfect silence, testifying only by placing his hand to his heart, and by the expression of his eyes, the fervency of his regard. Aurelia appeared not to be moved by his fidelity, but ordered him to absent himself. He returned to France. On the liberation of Francis, Bauregard, who had been noticed by his sovereign, appeared at court. The monarch, touched at his mischance, sent for the most skilful of the faculty, who proposed many prescriptions, which he effected to comply with, without success. He was then visited by certain empirics, whom he amused in the same manier he had done the physicians, but they could effect no good.

Soon after, a female, professing to have a particular secret, applicable to the case, presented herself to the king, as a person who had performed very extraordinary cures. Her beauty struck the monarch very forcibly he sent for Bauregard, who was even more surprised than the king at the sight of the fair practitioner. "To show you, Sire," said the pretended empiric, "the celerity with which I restore the loss of speech, by a single word I will accomplish the cure. Speak," said she to Bauregard. Immediately the tongue of the chevalier resumed its functions. It was Aurelia herself, whose heart relented, when she had been informed with what steadiness her lover had executed the order she had prescribed. Sensible now of the ardour of his affection, she repaid his constancy by a confession of the tenderest kind; and relating the particulars of this singular occurrence to the king, the lovers were united in marriage. with many expressions of regard for their future welfare by all who knew them.

The most ancient provincial paper in England is the Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury, which was started in 1695; the York Courant appeared prior to 1700; the Worcester Journal in 1709; and the Newcastle Courant in 1711. The Nottingham Journal places itself fifth on the list, dating from 1716.

NEWSPAPER STAMPS.-The number of newspaper stamps issued in the United Kingdom, in the year ending 5th January, 1849, was 90,928,408, of which 83,002,788 were charged at 1d, and 8,925,620 at d. The number issued in England and Wales was 76,180,832; in Scotland, 7,673,918; and in Ireland,7,073,658.

Cheap Dainties.

OATMEAL PORRIDGE. Ingredients-12-oz. of meal, and 1-oz. of salt, to 3 pints of water.

Instructions.-Dissolve the salt in the boiling water, and then add the meal, previously rubbed smooth, in a little cold water, and allow the whole to boil gently for about 20 minutes. Serve, poured into saucers, or a mould, to be eaten with treacle and milk.

PEAS AND SAGO SOUP. Ingredients.-4-oz. of peas, 4-oz. sago, 11-oz. of butter, and -oz. of salt.

PEAS SOUP.

Ingredients.-1 pint of split peas, 2 quarts of water, boil with 1-oz. of salt and a little pepper, (and an onion if preferred) about an hour before eaten, a tablespoonful of oatmeal, and a little butter: mix well together and stir into the soup. A stale crust of bread boiled with either of the above is a great improvement. PANCAKES.

Coarse wheaten meal and milk, made into a batter, and a small portion of soda added, poured upon a pan in small cakes from a spoon, and eaten with a little sugar.

RICE PANCAKES.

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Indian corn made in the same way as rice is very palatable. None of these cakes need eggs to make them light.

RICE PUDDING. Ingredients.-6-oz. of rice, 3 pints of milk, and 3-oz. of sugar.

Instructions.-Pick and wash the rice, put it in a dish, add the milk and sugar, and a little nutmeg; bake it in a slow oven.

APPLE AND BREAD PUDDING. Ingredients.--lb. of bread crumbs, 14-lb. of apples, sugar, and butter.

Instructions.-Pare and cut the apples as for a pie, put a little butter in a deep pie dish, then a layer of apples and sugar and bread crumbs, then another layer of apples and sugar and bread and crumbs. Lay a few small pieces of butter on the top, and bake in a moderate

oven.

RHUBARB TARTINE.

Take as many rhubarb stalks as will fill a baking dish, and lay them in water for ten minutes; then butter a dish, and put at the bottom of it some bread cut in slices, about a quarter of a inch thick, toasted and soaked a few minutes in some boiling water, poured into a plate with two table spoonsful of moist sugar in it. Cut the rhubarb in pieces an inch long, and fill the dish, then put some slices of toasted bread, the same as under, to cover the top. If the crust is cut from the toast, it is an improvement; any other fruit will do.

SOUSE PUDDINGS.

The weight of two eggs in flour, the same in sugar, and two eggs; beat the eggs and sugar together until they are a nice froth; do not put the flour, till they are quite ready to put into the oven, then beat the eggs and flour to a froth, and bake them in cups-strew powdered sugar over them.

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