tions were promptly made by him. Fifteen thousand was hushed again, and every object veiled in a darkpounds of powder were first placed loosely in the holdness of double gloom. On board the Nautilus, the of the ketch, and upon this, two hundred and fifty silence of death seemed to pervade the entire crew; thirteen-inch fusiled shells, with a train attached but quickly the din of kettle-drums beating to arms, from the cabin and fore-peak. Only one officer, the talented and lamented Henry Wadsworth, brother of the present Commodore Wadsworth, was to accompany him, and four volunteer seamen were to compose his crew.

All things were now in readiness, except the selection of the men, for it came to this, at last, every man on board the Nautilus having volunteered for the service. This done, it was determined without delay to attempt the enterprise, and to succeed in it or perish.

Two nights successively did the Intrepid move; but owing to light and baffling winds, nothing could be accomplished. These failures, and an unusual movement in the harbour, after dark, on the third night, led Somers to believe that the suspicions of the enemy had been excited, and that they were on the look-out. It was the general impression that their powder was nearly exhausted; and as so large a quantity as was on board the ketch, if captured, would greatly tend to protract the contest, before setting off, he addressed his crew upon the subject, telling them "that no man need accompany him who had not come to the resolution to blow himself up, rather than be captured; and that such was fully his own determination!" Three cheers was the only reply. The gallant crew rose, as a single man, with the resolution of yielding up their lives, sooner than surrender to their enemies; while each stepped forth, and begged as a favour, that he might be permitted to apply the match! It was a glorious moment, and made an impression on the hearts of those witnessing it, never to be forgotten.

with the noise of confusion and alarm, was heard from the inhabitants on shore. To aid in the escape of the boat, an order was now given by Reed, to "show a light," upon the appearance of which, hundreds of shot, from an equal number of guns, of heavy calibre, from the batteries near, came rattling over and around us. But we heeded them not: one thought and one feeling alone had possession of our souls-the preservation of Somers and his crew!

As moment after moment passed by, without bringing with it the preconcerted signal from the boat, the anxiety on board became intense; and the men, with lighted lanterns, hung themselves over the sides of the vessel till their heads almost touched the water, a position in which an object on its surface can be seen farthest in a dark night, with the hope of discovering something which would give assurance of its safety. Still no boat came, and no signal was given; and the unwelcome conclusion was at last forced upon us, that the fearful alternative of blowing themselves up rather than be captured, so brave-` ly determined upon at the outset of the enterprise, had been as bravely put in execution. The fact that the Intrepid, at the time of the explosion, had not proceeded as far into the harbour, by several hundred yards, as it was the intention of Somers to carry her, before setting her on fire, confirmed us in this apprehension; still, we lingered on the spot till broad daylight, though we lingered in vain, in the hope that some one, at least, of the number, might yet be rescued by us from a floating plank or spar, to tell the tale of his companions' fate.

To our astonishment, we learned next day that Lieutenant Israel, a gallant youth, who had been sent with orders from Commodore Preble to Somers, after he was under way in the ketch, had accompanied him in the expedition, and had shared his destiny.

All then took leave of every officer and of every man, in the most cheerful manner, with a shake of the hand, as if they already knew that their fate was doomed; and one and another, as they passed over the side to take their post on board the ketch, might be heard, in their own peculiar manner, to cry out, Such was the end of the noble fellows, who, a “I say, Sam Jones, I leave you my blue jacket and few days only before, on board their own gunboat duck trowsers, stowed away in my bag ;" and "Bill number one, had beaten six of the enemy's fleet, of Curtis, you may have the tarpaulin hat, and guernsey-equal force with themselves, immediately under the frock, and them petticoat-trowsers I got in Malta-guns, and within pistol-shot of a shore-battery: an and mind, boys, when you get home, give a good achievement accomplished only, in their peculiar account of us!" In like manner did each thus make position, by backing astern, and keeping up an inhis oral will, to which the writer was witness, and cessant fire of canvass-bags, filled with one thousand which “last will and testament” he caused to be ex-musket-balls each, till our gallant commodore in the ecuted to the very letter.

It was about nine o'clock, on the night of the 4th of September, 1814, that this third and last attempt was made. The Nautilus had been ordered to follow the Intrepid closely in, to pick up and bring out her boat's crew, in case they should succeed in the exploit. Hence, though it was very dark, we never lost sight of her, as I had been directed by the first lieutenant, the late gallant Washington Reed, who commanded in the absence of Somers, to keep constant watch of her for this purpose with a nightglass.

"Constitution,” stood in to take the fire of the battery,
and thus enable us, under his cover, to obey the
order, "to come out of action;" a signal which
had already been flying more than an hour, and
which Somers at first, would not, and at last (from
the fierceness of the fight) could not see.
Naval Magazine.

THE POOR MAN is, from his situation, cut off from a thousand temptations to vice; and that At the end of an hour, about ten o'clock, P. M., levity and dissipation of thought which are the while I was engaged in this duty, the awful explo- common attendants of ease and affluence, are obliged sion took place. For a moment the flash illuminated to give way to reason and cool reflection, which are the whole heavens around, while the terifick con- as closely connected with wisdom as vice is with cussion shook every thing far and near. Then all folly.

MANNERS OF THE NORTHERN INDIANS.

BY THE WIFE OF AN EMIGRANT.

THIS is the fishing season. Our lakes are famous for masquinongé, salmon-trout, white-fish, blackbass, and many others. We often see the lighted Canoes of the fishermen pass and repass of a dark night before our door. The darker the night and the calmer the water, the better it is for the fishing. It is a very pretty sight to see these little barks slowly stealing from some cove of the dark pine-clad shores, and manoeuvring among the islands on the Lakes, rendered visible in the darkness by the blaze of light cast on the water from the jack-a sort of Open grated iron basket, fixed to a long pole at the bows of the skiff or canoe. This is filled with a very combustible substance, called fat-pine, which l'ourns with a fierce and rapid flame, or else with rolls of birch-bark, which is also very easily ignited.

then remain stationary, like a little fleet at anchor. Sometimes we see an old duck lead out a brood of little ones from among the rushes; the innocent, soft things look very pretty, sailing round their mother; but at the least appearance of danger, they disappear instantly by diving. The frogs are great enemies to the young broods; they are also the prey of the masquinongé, and, I believe, of other large fish that abound in these waters.

The Indians are very successful in their duckshooting: they fill a canoe with green boughs, so that it resembles a sort of floating island; beneath the cover of these boughs they remain concealed, and are enabled by this device to approach much nearer than they otherwise could do to the wary birds. The same plan is often adopted by our own sportsmen with great success.

A family of Indians have pitched their tents very near us. On one of the islands in our lake we can The light from above renders objects distinctly distinguish the thin blue smoke of their wood fires, visible below the surface of the water. One person rising among the trees, from our front window, or stands up in the middle of the boat with his fish-curling over the bosom of the waters. spear a sort of iron trident, ready to strike at the The squaws have been several times to see me ; fish that he may chance to see gliding in the still sometimes from curiosity, sometimes with the view waters, while another with his paddle steers the canoe cautiously along. This sport requires a quick eye, a steady hand, and great caution in those that pursue it.

I delight in watching these torch-lighted canoes so quietly gliding over the calm waters, which are illuminated for yards with a bright track of light, by which we may distinctly perceive the figure of the spearsman standing in the centre of the boat, first glancing to one side, then the other, or poising his weapon ready for a blow. When four or five of these lighted vessels are seen at once on the fishingground, the effect is striking and splendid.

of bartering their baskets, mats, ducks, or venison, for pork, flour, potatoes, or articles of wearing-apparel. Sometimes their object is to borrow "kettle to cook," which they are very punctual in returning.

Once a squaw came to borrow a washing-tub, but not understanding her language, I could not for some time discover the object of her solicitude; at last she took up a corner of her blanket, and, pointing to some soap, began rubbing it between her hands, imitated the action of washing, then laughed, and pointed to a tub; she then held up two fingers, to intimate it was for two days she needed the loan. These people appear of gentle and amiable dispo

very honest. Once, indeed, the old hunter, Peter, obtained from me some bread, for which he promised to give a pair of ducks, but when the time came for payment, and I demanded my ducks, he looked gloomy, and replied with characteristick brevity, "No duck-Chippewa (meaning S, this being the name they have affectionately given him) gone up lake with canoe-no canoe-duck by-and-by." By-and-by is a favourite expression of the Indians, signifying an indefinite point of time; may be it means to-morrow, or a week, or month, or it may be a year, or even more. They rarely give you a di

The Indians are very expert in this kind of fish-sitions; and, so far as our experience goes, they are ing; the squaws paddling the canoes with admirable skill and dexterity. There is another mode of fishing in which these people also excel: this is fishing on the ice when the lakes are frozen over-a sport that requires the exercise of great patience. The Indian, provided with his tomahawk, with which he makes an opening in the ice, a spear, his blanket, and a decoy-fish of wood, proceeds to the place, he has fixed upon. Having cut a hole in the ice, he places himself on his hands and knees, and casts his blanket over him, so as to darken the water and conceal himself from observation; in this position he will remain for hours, patiently watching the ap-rect promise. proach of prey, which he strikes with admirable precision as soon as it appears within the reach of his spear.

The masquinongé thus caught are superiour in flavour to those taken later in the season, and may be bought very reasonably from the Indians. I gave a small loaf of bread for a fish weighing from eighteen to twenty pounds. The masquinongé is to all appearance a large species of the pike, and possesses the ravenous propensities of that fish.

As soon as the ice breaks up, our lakes are visited by innumerable flights of wild-fowl: some of the ducks are extremely beautiful in their plumage, and are very fine-flavoured. I love to watch these pretty creatures, floating so tranquilly on the water, or suddenly rising and skimming along the edge of the pine-fringed shores, to drop again on the surface, and

As it is not wise to let any one cheat you, if you can prevent it, I coldly declined any further overtures to bartering with the Indians until my ducks made their appearance.

Some time afterward I received one duck by the hands of Maquin, a sort of Indian Flibberty-gibbet. this lad is a hunchbacked dwarf, very shrewd, but a perfect imp; his delight seems to be in tormenting the brown babies in the wigwam, or teazing the meek deer-hounds. He speaks English very fluently, and writes tolerably for an Indian boy; he usually accompanies the women in their visits, and acts as their interpreter, grinning with mischievous glee at his mother's bad English and my perplexity at not being able to understand her signs. In spite of his extreme deformity, he seemed to possess no inconsiderable share of vanity, gazing with great satisfac

tion at his face in the looking-glass. When I asked | the tender thing's arms, but the papoose seemed his name, he replied, "Indian-name Maquin, but well satisfied with this mode of treatment. English-name, 'Mister Walker,' very good man; this was the person he was called after.

These Indians are scrupulous in their observance of the Sabbath, and show great reluctance to having any dealings in the way of trading or pursuing their usual avocations of hunting or fishing on that day.

The young Indians are very expert in the use of a long bow, with wooden arrows, rather heavy and blunt at the end. Maquin said he could shoot ducks and small birds with his arrows; but I should think they were not calculated to reach objects at any great distance, as they appeared very heavy.

'Tis sweet to hear the Indians singing their hymns of a Sunday night; their rich soft voices rising in the still evening air. I have often listened to this little choir praising the Lord's name in the simplicity and fervour of their hearts, and have felt it was a reproach that these poor half-civilized wanderers should alone be found to gather together to give glory to God in the wilderness.

In long journeys the children are placed in upright baskets of a peculiar form, which are fastened round the necks of the mothers by straps of deer-skin; but the young infant is swathed to a sort of flat cradle, secured with flexible hoops, to prevent it from falling out. To these machines they are strapped, so as to be unable to move a limb. Much finery is often displayed in the outer covering and the bandages that confine the papoose.

There is a sling attached to this cradle that passes over the squaw's neck, the back of the babe being placed to the back of the mother, and its face outward. The first thing a squaw does on entering a house is to release herself from her burden, and stick it up against the wall or chair, chest, or any thing that will support it, where the passive prisoner stands, looking not unlike a mummy in its case. The squaws are most affectionate to their little ones. Gentleness and good-humour appear distinguishing traits in the tempers of the female Indians; whether this be natural to their characters, the savage state, or the softening effects of Christianity, I cannot determine. Certainly in no instance does the Christian religion appear more lovely than when, untainted by the doubts and infidelity of modern scepticks, it is displayed in the conduct of the reclaimed Indian breaking down the strongholds of idolatry and natural evil, and bringing forth the fruits of holiness and morality. They may be said to receive the truths of the Gospel as little children, with simplicity of heart and unclouded faith.

I was much pleased with the simple piety of our friend the hunter Peter's squaw, a stout, swarthy matron, of most amiable expression. We were taking our tea when she softly opened the door, and looked in; an encouraging smile induced her to enter, and, depositing a brown papoose (Indian for baby or little child) on the ground, she gazed round with curiosity and delight in her eyes. We offered her some tea and bread, motioning to her to take a vacant seat beside the table. She seemed pleased by the invitation, and drawing her little one to her knee, poured some tea into the saucer, and gave it to the child to The squaws are very ingenious in many of their drink. She ate very moderately, and when she had handyworks. We find their birch-bark baskets very finished, rose, and, wrapping her face in the folds of convenient for a number of purposes. My breadher blanket, bent down her head on her breast in the basket, knife-tray, sugar-basket, are all of this humattitude of prayer. This little act of devotion was ble material. When ornamented and wrought in performed without the slightest appearance of phar-patterns with died quills, I can assure you, they are isaical display, but in singleness and simplicity of by no means inelegant. They manufacture vessels heart. She then thanked us with a face beaming of birch-bark so well, that they will serve for many with smiles and good-humour; and, taking little Rachel by the hands, threw her over her shoulder with a peculiar sleight that I feared would dislocate

useful household purposes, such as holding water, milk, broth, or any other liquid; they are sewn or rather stitched together with the tough roots of the

tamarack or larch, or else with strips of cedar-bark. | funnel-shaped aperture, at the back part of the They also weave very useful sorts of baskets from mouth, behind the palate, and passing backward, the inner-rind of the bass-wood and white-ash. narrows in its diameter, and opens by a small hole Some of these baskets, of a coarse kind, are made into the chamber of the tympanum. use of for gathering up potatoes, Indian-corn or turnips; the settlers finding them very good substitutes for the osier-baskets, used for such purposes in civilized countries.

The Indians are acquainted with a variety of dies with which they stain the more elegant fancy-baskets and porcupine-quills. Our parlour is ornamented with several very pretty specimens of their ingenuity in this way, which answer the purpose of note and letter-cases, flower-stands, and work-baskets.

2. The oval hole, or foramen ovale. This is an irregular formed oval hole, situated nearly opposite the tympanum, and opening into the vestibule or central cavity of the labyrinth.

3. The round hole, or foramen rotundum, is placed in the side of the cavity, and leads into one of the scale of the cochlea. Besides these holes, there are, as we have hinted above, several others of minor importance, which open into certain cavities in the substance of the bone forming the base of the scull, and called the mastoid cells, or cellulæ mastoidea.

natural size.

7. THE LABYRINTH.

The labyrinth is a collective name for three very peculiar structures which constitute the internal ear, and in which the sense of hearing is produced. These are the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea. The cavities we have hitherto described are filled with air, and have a free communication with the atmosphere, but these contain an aqueous fluid in which the auditory nerves are expanded.

They appear to value the useful rather more highly than the merely ornamental articles that you may exhibit to them. They are very shrewd and close in all their bargains, and exhibit a surprising degree of caution in their dealings. The men are much less difficult to trade with than the women: they display a singular pertinacity in some instances. If they have fixed their mind on any one article, they will come to you day after day, refusing any other you may offer to their notice. One of the squaws fell in love with a gay chintz dressing-gown belong- External view of the Cochlea and Semicircular Canals, of the ing to my husband, and though I resolutely refused to part with it, all the squaws in the wigwam by turns came to "look at gown," which they pronounced with their peculiarly plaintive tone of voice; and when I said "no gown to sell," they uttered a melancholy exclamation of regret, and went away. They will seldom make any article you want on purpose for you. If you express a desire to have baskets of a particular pattern that they do not happen to have ready-made by them, they give you the usual vague reply of "by-and-by." If the goods you offer them in exchange for theirs do not answer their expectations, they give a sullen and dogged look or reply," Car-car," (no, no,) or " Carwinni," which is a still more forcible negative. But when the bargain pleases them, they signify their approbation by several affirmative nods of the head, and a note not much unlike a grunt; the ducks, fish, venison, or baskets, are placed beside you, and the articles of exchange transferred to the folds of their capacious blankets, or deposited in a sort of rushen wallet. The women imitate the dresses of the whites, and are rather skilful in converting their purchases. Many of the young girls can sew very neatly. I often give them bits of silk and velvet, and braid, for which they appear very thankful.

Lib. of Ent. Knowledge.

THE FIVE SENSES.

SENSE OF HEARING-No. II.

6. PASSAGES OF THE TYMPANUM. FROM the descriptions and figures given, the reader will easily conceive that the bony cavity of the tympanum is a small chamber, having an opening on one side, closed by the drum, and containing the chain of bones already enumerated. Now, towards the inner side of the cavity, three holes or passages open, together with some smaller ones, which we shall describe.

1. The eustachian tube. This commences in a

8. THE VEStibule.

This, which forms a kind of antechamber to the semicircular canals, and the cochlea, is a cavity of an oval form, covered with numerous hollows, and pierced with many holes for the transmission of the branches of the nerves. It will be recollected that the oval hole forms a medium of communication between the vestibule and the tympanum.

9. THE SEMICIRCULAR CANALS.

When the vestibule is cut open, five circular holes are seen, which are the mouths or openings of the semicircular canals. These canals are delicate bent tubes of bone, so small that the head of a pin will fill one of them. They are distinguished by the names, the superiour, or vertical, the posteriour, oi oblique, and the exteriour, or horizontal. The posteriour and superiour run into each other at one end, and open into the vestibule by one common orifice, which accounts to the reader for there being only five instead of six openings, as he might have supposed.

10. THE COCHLEA.

The cochlea is one of the most curious pieces of apparatus in the body, and, from its complicated structure, is so difficult to describe, that it will be best understood by reference to our figures. It consists of a central pillar of spongy bone, called the modiolus, round which is wound a spiral chamber, which, making two turns and a half, narrowing from the base to the apex, is called collectively scale cochleæ. This is divided, throughout its whole length, by a thin plate of bone, called the spiral lamina

A, the Modiolus; B, Lamina Spiralis; C, Scale Cochlea; D, Infun- chanical operation, they are then increased or di