more thorough knowledge of our language than they usually get, at the same time that they are learning the ground-work of other languages. In other departments of science we go to the root of the matter, and teach the elements at the beginning; and we can see no good reason why languages should not be taught in the same way; especially when it appears that it may be done by so pleasing a process. The materials which enter into our language, form the substance out of which many other languages are made; and as a thorough knowledge of these materials is essential to the proper understanding of our own language; and as moreover, the peculiarities of our language are better understood by comparison with the idioms of other languages: it certainly is philosophical to present them in such a form as will enable the learner to get the substance of them all, and so understand the character of each by showing what is like, and what is unlike, in the languages of different nations. As a matter of recreation we think these illustrations of words as pleasant as anything to which a person of taste can turn his attention. A GOOD DINNER. - A friend looked unusually smiling the other afternoon. We inquired the cause. "I have had a superb dinner," said he. "Where did you dine?" quoth we. "At the United States Hotel," quoth he; "it is now under the direction of Captain Charles H. Miller, your old Florentine friend." And so it is. Of course it is admirably kept, and will continue to be so, as long as Capt. M. has the helm; for he has large experience as a public caterer, and enjoys, moreover, a most happy disposition; one, indeed, that is calculated to make all about him happy. The United States has been thoroughly renovated for the Captain, and presents a most refreshingly tidy interior and exterior. Our dinner-madehappy friend handed us a bill of fare, issued by the Captain. It begins with black-fish, baked, with Genoise sauce, and ends with omelette soufle, blanc mange, ice-cream, strawberries and cream, and cafe Noir! Then for wines-such a variety! However, for claret we can be appeased with Haut-Brion; while for sparkling wines, Sharzburg, Fleur de Bouzy, and Cliquot will do. BARNACLES. -How BIZARRE should have fallen on barnacles, let the reader marvel for himself! They have fastened to our ship's bottom, and for a few moments must impede our course. The truth is, we have fallen on a prose work written five hundred years ago: "Voiage and Travaile of Sir John Maundeville," an extract from which is curious for showing how far imagination even then could travel. The specific name of barnacles is anatifera, or goose-bearing-their feathery appearance having suggested this idea-and, will it be believed, they were originally thought the product of the Bernacle goose! But behold sufficient warrant for giving credit to a tale, not less marvellous, of young lambs being produced by a fruit-bearing tree. The passage from Maundeville is worth quoting, as an instructive example of the strange things to which men have assented, even in a department of science which ought to be based on correct information: In pasynge be the Lond of Cathaye toward the highe Ynde, and toward Bacharye, men passen be a Kyngdom that men clepen Caldilhe: that is, a fulle fair contree. And there growethe a manner of Fruyt, as thoughe it weren Gowrdes; and whan thei ben rype, men kutten hem a to, and men fynden withinne, a lytelle Best, in Flessche, in Bon and Blode, as though it were a lytylle Lomb, with outen wolle. And men eten both the Fruyt, and the Best: and that is a gret Marveyйle. Of that Fruyt I have eten: all thoughe it were wondirfulle: but that I knowe wel, that God is marveyllous in his werkes. And natheless I tolde hem, that is amonges: and that was of the Bernakes. For I tolde hem, that in our contree weren Trees, that beren a Fruyt, that becomen Briddes fleeynge: and tho that fellen in the water, lyven; and thei that fallen on the Erthe, dyen anon: and the ben right gode to Mannes mete. And here of had thei gret marvaylle, that sume of him trowed, it was an impossible thing to be." KITTIE KRAWFISH AGAIN. – The Germans are very fond of beer. The lower classes indulge to excess in lager-beer, but the more refined people prefer Mayer-beer. The flesh, gristle, and sinews of Napoleon the Great, have long since mouldered to dust; but Napoleon the little seems determined to make a little capital out of the Bony-part. There's three days' grace, but no mercy, as the man said when he could not raise the wind to pay his note. Six thousand dollars have been already raised for the "Uncle Tom testimonial." The money, no doubt, will be safely stowed away. Would it not be well for the English sympathizers to procure a bronze statue of the fair authoress? ANOTHER PENNY COLLECTION. - Captain Penny will leave England in the Lady Franklin sailing vessel, accompanied by the Sophia, to form a colony on the shores of Cumberland, where the Esquimaux have reported there is an abundance of plumbago and copper, with other minerals. Mrs. Penny goes out with her husband, and it is their intention to have a permanent residence in the Arctic regions. Could not the Stowes be prevailed upon to go along, and form another anti-slavery society? BIZARRE, BIZARRE, WHAT SAY YOU, MADCAP?"-Farquhar. Bizarre. FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1853. Mrs. E. was the widow of a once opulent London merchant. Her husband had been an influential member of the East India Company, but frequent losses affected his spirits so much, that he fell into a lingering disorder, and after an illness of a few months died. Mr and Mrs. E. had three children, of whom Charles was the oldest, and only son. On this account, as well as on account of his be THE INNKEEPER AND THE ing remarkably lively and intelligent, both SKULL. A STORY OF RETRIBUTION. "Shall I tell you a story about the InnKeeper and the Scull?" said the old Captain. "By all means,” replied we-lighting our fourth cigar. moneys of which his parent had been unjustly defrauded, in those fruitful regions. his parents were doatingly fond of him. Charles' father had been anxious that his son should follow the same business in which he was engaged himself; and, to attain this object, had always gratified Charles' childish passion for stories with such as related to the Indies. But, at his father's death-bed, C. had pledged himself, for the sake of his moth"Very well," quoth our companion "Ier and sisters, to recover, if he could, certain once sailed from London in the ship Lion, as a common sailor. She was bound for India. On her deck just before starting were several groups-merchants' clerks bustling about to deliver packets of letters-the Captain conversing apart with two or three of his employers-commercial acquaintances exchanging cent-per-cent adieus-passengers arranging their baggage-and eight or ten sailors, under the superintendance of the mate, standing ready to hoist anchor, when the command should be given. After the death of her husband, Mrs. E. retired with a small annuity, to a neat cottage which she owned in the northwest part of England. Here, under the tuition of the village master, Charles became a proficient in various branches of learning. Possessed of a handsome person, a noble and ingenuous disposition, a discriminating mind, and the most dauntless courage, he became the delight of the whole village. No one ever engaged in In the aft" part of the ship, stood a fair more daring exploits than Charles; his laugh young man, of the middle size, an elderly was the gladdest one ever heard, and his storlady, dressed in widow's weeds, and two re-ies were told with an air of naivete and humarkably handsome girls. The widow reclin- mor, that irresistibly relaxed the muscles of ing against a mast, seemed overwhelmned the most grave. with sorrow; and every now and then, with a mother's importunity, she reiterated her injunctions on her son, to write often, and take care of his health. The years of manhood soon arrived, end Charles, amidst the laments of the whole village, prepared for a residence of some years in the East Indies. The young man, Charles Endicott, had For many years Mrs. Endicott received retaken each sister by the hand, and was en-mittances of money and presents from her son. deavoring, in a playful way, though a tear His letters uniformly contained accounts of stood in his bright blue eye, to beguile them his good health, and increasing prosperity. of their grief. What's the use, girls," said At length a letter was received, in which he, "of making such a fuss-you know I Charles stated, that, having settled all his have always plagued you to death. I should father's affairs, and enriched himself to equal think you'd rejoice to be rid of me. How his reasonable expectations, having reduced ever, I-I-shall soon return as rich as Croesus his wealth to as compact a form as possible, -and-and then, my pretty Bess," giving he was about to return to his native country; his younger sister an affectionate kiss," you and that as a good opportunity offered, he shall come and be house-keeper for your old- was going overland to the Mediterranean, and bachelor brother." Here the summons of the thence, by water, home. Once more did the bell interrupted the conference; and those mother hear from the son, and then years and who were not passengers began to leave the years rolled away, and no tidings of him came. vessel. Charles threw himself into his moth- Inquiry was made for him in almost every er's arms and wept out a farewell; embraced port of the Mediterranean, and in various each sister; saw them all leave the ship in places along the coast of England; but all in the boat and reach the landing place; waved vain. At one time it was stated that an Enghis handkerchief to them till their beloved lishman, apparetly from the Indies, and ansforms vanished in the distance; and then re- wering in many respects to the description clining over the taferel, gave himself up to given of Mr. E. had landed at Dover, from melancholy reflections, tinctured with a slight France; but owing to the multitude of glow of anticipated happiness. travellers who disembarked daily and almost hourly at that port, all attempts to trace this person further, proved fruitless. The poor mother sickening under disappointment, soon died and all hope of seeing their brother again, was given up by the sisters, though their anxiety to know what had been his fate was intense. It was about six years after the reception of the mother's last letter, that a gentleman and lady, seated in a barouche, slowly approached towards the obscure village of N-. The lady was Charles' elder sister, and the gentleman, Mr. K., her husband. It appeared that they had been conversing on some sad topic, for the lady's eyes were wet with tears; and they both seemed absorbed in melancholy thought. Their reveries were, at length, interrupted by their approaching the brow of a hill which overlooked the villiage. The prospect from the place was beautiful. Directly before them the road descended, a considerable declivity, and, shadowed by graceful elms, stretched before, them for several miles. To their left, about the base of the hill, a beautiful broad basin of transparent water lay expanded. The shores, gracefully curved, were covered on the one side, with verdant forest trees, scattered here and there, with white cottages; and terminated, on the opposite side, by broken and precipitous ledges of rocks, beyond which an uneven and stony country could be seen. To the sight, the prospect was limited by a ridge of dark blue hills, whose bold outline gave an air of unusual majesty to the landscape. Directly before them, at about a mile's distance, deeply embosomed among ancient trees could be discerned the village inn, and nearly opposite to it, the church. The hamlet appeared to be in a state of decay, for the few houses that could be seen, had an antiquated and ruinous look about them; and, excepting a few cows grazing in a distant pasture, there was not the least sign of animation. The beauty of the scenery seemed to revive the spirits of our travellers, and they drove on to the inn with more cheerful coutenances. case," replied the old man. "That," indicating it by a nod, "is the skull of a poor traveller, who died at Ezra Saunders' inn, more than five years ago. He came to the inn about dusk, ate a hearty supper, and went to bed. He was found dead next morning, and the doctors said he died in a fit." "Who-who was he?" anxiously inquired the traveller. 66 Nobody knows," was the reply. "Neither his clothes nor papers give any clue to his name; nor has anybody ever inquired af ter him. Mr. K. was at that moment attentively observing the skull, when, suddenly, he perceived that it began to rock to and fro. Much surprised, he seized it to ascertain the cause, and found that a toad had lodged within it. In attempting to thrust the cteature out, bis finger encountered a nail, and he found, on further examination, that it had been driven in at the back part of the head. "What sort of a man," exclaimed he, on making this discovery, "was this Ezra Saunders you have mentioned?" "An honest thrifty man," replied the grave digger. "He bought a large farm some years ago: and all the neighbors wondered how he managed to get so rich. He's a very sociable man, and visiters frequently go to see him, to eat his fruit, and hear his stories." Here was enough to strengthen our traveller's suspicion, and, saying he had a taste for anatomy, he requested permission to keep the skull. What were his emotions on leaving the ground! Could it be that he had found the grave of his long-sought brother-in-law? Could it be that that unfortunate man had got within a day's ride of home, and had then obscurely perished by the hand of a murderer? the house of the village justice; and having Almost crazy with the thought, he hurried to stated his suspicions, the squire agreed to accompany him to the house of the former land lord of the inn. They saw Saunders seated at a table, with several merry companions, who were so busy in discussing their brandy, and singing songs, that they scarcely observed the entrance of Mr. K. and the justice. But the host arose, and having bade them welcome, made them seat themselves at the table; and though he tried very hard to sustain a conversation, it was evident, that their look occasioned him great uneasiness. Saunders was a stout thick It was late in the afternoon, when they arrived there; Mr. K. made preparations for staying the night. It was now about the middle of June. The sun was just setting behind a mass of purple and golden clouds, when Mr. K. in order to gratify a melancholy turn of mind, walked forth alone to read the epitaphs in the churchyard. After wandering about for some time, it would seem miraculously guided thither, he at length, approach- set man, with a jealous yet sensual grey eye, ed a spot where an aged sexton was busily en- that peeped suspiciously at his guests from gaged in digging a grave. "Be careful, my under its shaggy brows. friend," said Mr. K. on observing that the A person of little discrimination would have grave-digger had thrown out a skull, "be careful. Do you observe, that you are disturbing the dead?" "Nobody's feelings will be hurt, in this pronounced him a good natured honest fellow who cared more for his bottle than for his purse but a closer observer would have seen in his furrowed forehead, and uneasy, suspic ious eye, indications of an avaricious disposition, and a guilty conscience. Not to alarm his fears unnecessarily, his guests touched upon various topics, and at length, when a good opportunity offered, Mr. H. observed to his host, that he appeared to be prosperously situated. "How mysterious are the workings of Providence!" Had it not been for the little reptil which crept into his decayed skull, the fate of the unfortunate Endicott, might have remained forever a mystery. The hard-hearted avaricious wretch who thus prostrated the hopes of a family, surren"I am indeed," was the reply. "Provi- dered himself to justice, and met the death dence has blessed me in all my undertakings.' ." he merited. His wealth, of course, devolved "Providence blessed you! said the squire, upon the family of the deceased. But what suddenly holding up the skull before him. was this? It was an aggravation of their "Has not the spirit of Darkness helped you? misery. Their brother had sacrificed the enLook at this nail!" dearments of home, had undergone severe hardships, had toiled in a foreign land, all for their sakes; and then, just as he was about to pour his treasures into their laps, when he had almost reached the parental threshold, he was obscurely murdered. The sister's wish was gratified: but oh! how gratified! The bones of the ill-fated youth were carefully collected, and deposited in the family tomb; and though his friends could see his sunny face no more, yet his memory was enshrined in their hearts. "Heaven's lightning could not have had a more instantaneous effect on the arch fiend himself, than these few words had on the guilty man. Covering his face with his hands, he fell backwards into his chair. There he sat, hour after hour, and no entreaties could induce him to look up or reply to any interrogatives that were put to him. At length, suddenly starting up, he exclaimed, "I own myself a murderer! I will tell all." 66 How will that do?" said the captain, as he concluded. 66 "Excellent" replied we, though we have an idea we have heard the incidents before." "Never mind that," said the Captain " you asked me to tell you a story and I've done it: now suppose we go to bed." "Agreed." THE EVILS OF SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR. "The traveller was young Mr. Endicott. Ah, wretch that I am; he once saved my litthe daughter's life! He came to my house about dusk, on horseback, and without any attendant. Though much tanned and altered in other respects, I immediately knew him. During the evening he was constantly asking me questions about his mother and sisters, and, slapping his portmanteau, said they would soon be rich again. Thinking me the same honest, good-natured fellow as formerly, he even went so far as to open his portmantean, and displayed several immensely valuable jewels. My avarice was tempted. Forgetting all the benefits I had formerly received at his hands, unmindful of the grief of his mother and sisters, thinking solely of my own gratification, I mingled a soporific potion with his wine, and, about midnight, stole into his chamber, with the implements of death in my hands. On approaching his bed-side, I found him in a sound sleep. His lips moved and faintly murmured the word Mother!" I almost relented; but what can soften the heart of avarice? I turned him over and drove the nail deep-deep into his head. Having done the deed, it seemed as if the evil one inspired me with courage. I plundered his uable articles behind, to prevent suspicion. portmanteau of the jewels, leaving a few val"I then destroyed all papers that would lead to the discovery of his name; then, hav-"highly favor'd of Heaven," blest with every ing carefully disposed the hair over the nail's physical comfort and convenience, and enjoyhead, left him as if he had died in a fit. My ing every means of intellectual improvement, We do not know that you will consider your lively little paper a proper medium for the discussion of matters of dull morality; but we wish to offer a few suggestions concerning the manners of the time, and the evils which afflict society in our day and generation; and if you feel disposed to make BIZARRE a vehicle for dry ideas, we will be happy to make use of it. Perhaps our sober communications may serve as a relief to the more sprightly and witty articles, which do so abound, just as painters put the sombre colors into their pictures to heighten the effect of the brighter ones, and musicians introduce discord into their music to make the harmonies appear more pleasing by the contrast. We live in an age and in a country so that it must appear evident, that if we do not improve in morals, refinement, and intellectual culture, the fault must be with our wife and family It is our custom to take a great deal of praise to ourselves, for the immense progress which we are making in the arts, sciences, education, &c. But every candid and intelligent person must acknowledge that morality, at least, is not making such progress in our large cities as might be desired. In Philadelphia, we are wont to view with pride, and speak with exultation of the growth and magnificence of our beautiful and pleasant city. But when we look beneath the surface, we see that vice, in its ugliest forms, "is festering all within," and that rampant disorder, outrage, and crime, are only held in check by a powerful and expensive police force, which has but "Scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it; She'll close and be herself again." "It will but skin and film the ulcerous place, Whilst rank corruption, ruining all within, Infects unseen." movements should not be opposed, a noble Roman exclaimed, "Curse on his virtuesthey've destroyed his country." If active agitators keep the attention of the people directed to efforts which will never cure the growing evils of our cities, and amuse them with matters with which they have little or no concern, they will be prevented from looking for efficient means to check the flood of vice and disorder which threatens to inundate our country. Let us look at some of the great reforms of our day. We will begin with the "tempe rance movement." For a quarter of a century we have been told that the " temperance reform" would cure all our moral evils. Temperance associations, conventions, speeches, songs, parades and pledges, have all this time been doing wonders. Is the evil cured? Has it been abated? There are over three thousand places in Philadelphia where liquors are sold. More than three thousand persons, many of them supporting families, make their living, and some make fortunes, in this busiWe believe that retailing liquors isness. We do not say that things are worse in our city than in others; perhaps they are not so bad; but with all our prejudices in favor of our native city, we must acknowledge that things are not as they should be. Rectitude and integrity do not receive the encouragement they deserve, nor do vice and crime meet such retribution and rebuke as they should find in our community: and it is not the part of wisdom to cover up the moral disease which, like a cankerous sore, is gnaw-in a pecuniary point of view-the most cering at our vitals. tainly profitable business a man can enter into. Every candid person must acknowledge that "the temperance movement" has been a signal failure. But do the active agents in this great reform acknowledge that they have been mistaken: that the means made use of were not proportioned to the end? Do they acknowledge that they have not acted wisely, and that moral suasion" did not accomplish the reform they so confidently predicted? Not at all. They now assert, with as much confidence as before, that prohibitory laws will do every thing; and we do not hesitate to assert, with as much confidence, that their efforts, in the next quarter of a century, will accomplish just about as much as they have done in the last. Let us look at the probability of getting prohibitory laws passed in Pennsylvania. Suppose that the average number of patrons to each liquor shop may be twenty. This will make sixty thousand, most of whom are voters, let any one compare this number with the popular vote of our city! and county, and he may form his own estimate of the probability of getting a prohibitory law sanctioned by the people. A rumseller's vote, or a rum-drinker's vote, counts as much in the ballot-box as that of the most ardent advocate of the temperance cause: | and we do not think that any shrewd politician, in our city or country, would like to rest his hopes of election upon his advocacy of such a measure. Candidates for the legislature are made in liquor shops-and in effect they are elected there, too-and the advocacy of a "prohibitory liquor law" would be the poorest capital a candidate for a nomination could start upon. Nor should we find excuse for those disorders which so frequently render night hideous," and put in jeopardy the lives and property of citizens. It is time that the patriotism of our honest citizens should be aroused, that they may look the danger full in the face. For all these things there is a remedy; but our moralists and philanthropists do not appear to have found it. It is our purpose to point out the remedy. The evils are great; the benefits which would flow from correcting them are incalculable: and it must not be supposed that these evils can be cured, nor the consequent benefits gained without a great effort. Not only a great and merited effort must be made by all who love our pleasant home, but it must be a well-directed effort. The means must be adapted to the end desired. We have in our city a number of institutions designed to promote morality and good order, and a number of active persons are busily engaged in what are regarded as great moral reforms. We do not hesitate to say, that the very men most active in these movements are the stumbling-blocks in the way of any real improvement. It will perhaps be said that these are persons of worth, and examples of morality and integrity; that they are actuated by worthy motives, and are energetic in their endeavors to do good. If all this be conceded, Philadelphia may well exclaim, "Save me from my friends. When Cæsar's virtues were lauded, and held up as a reason why his 3 |