Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, and never thing to sweep-went off with eclat, by Lieutenant There was not throughout the festive scene a single instance of inebriation on the part of the seamen. The rooms, as I have elsewhere stated, were tastefully fitted up, and of the hundred who were present, it would have been difficult to find one who had not banished all care from his mind that night. The difference of the temperature between the lower and upper deck was seventy degrees. The characters began to assemble at six o'clock, and the busy scene of merrymaking was soon at its meridian. The first who appeared was an elderly gentleman, whose dress, although somewhat the worse for wear, bespoke respectability, and whose peruke announced him a strict observer of old times. He regretted the indisposition of one of his carriage horses, owing to the badness of the roads, and deplored the uncivilized state of the country, not affording the common convenience of a sedan chair, or even a jarvey. This character was admirable throughout, and not recognised until the close of the evening, to be Sir Edward Parry's steward. A lady of distinction in an evening ball dress of light-blue silk, with flounces of cut paper to imitate Brussels point, was followed by her servant, a native of Africa, in livery-green baize, turned up with silver-the embroidered part a little tarnished-were by Captain Hoppner and Mr. Crozier. A strolling fiddler, whose admirably constructed crutch well supplied the loss of his left leg, which he had left on the plain of Waterloo, and whose military attire presented a sorry remnant of the uniform of the regiment he had served in-solicited alms for the support of nine starving children—and his wife received the charity of the benevolent in an old hat-exceed-nificent bear-hunt, amidst scenery which, although ingly well supported by Sir Edward Parry and Mr. Halse. The next group which appeared excited marked attention, and many were the efforts made to discover who they were; but they were secure in the success of their impenetrable disguise. It consisted of a hawking umbrella-mender, with his wife and daughter, as itinerant ballad-singers-the latter, so sensitively tenacious of her charms, that she constantly appealed to her mother, under whose cloak she endeavoured to hide herself, to protect her delicate frame from the rude overtures of the men. The produce of a small basket of tape, thread, and needles, helped to support this indigent family; and the style of their dialogue was in perfect keeping with their appearance. I never saw a better group than this-and I have paid an exorbitant sum for seeing many worse. There was a good deal of low wit and good humour in their individual parts, which was well supported by Lieutenant Sherer and two of the Hecla's seamen, A miserably clad old soldier, whose exertions in keeping a pathway across the street clean, for the convenience of the publick, which, by the by, he had previously strewed dirt over, to their no small annoyance, that he might have some A few nights after the masquerade we had a magsterile and familiar to us, was sufficiently sublime to awaken a strong feeling of admiration in our minds. In our solitary position, when, after the crew had retired to rest, the stillness of death prevailed, any— even the least discernible object that approached the ships-stealthily, as they usually did, was sufficient to cause a kind of momentary thrilling sensation, which can only be accounted for by the extreme loneliness of the scene, and the calm, quiet silence of the night. On the present occasion, when every thing about the ship was hushed in repose, a large bear was discovered by the solitary officer of the watch, within a few yards of the gangway. Cautiously descending the ladder, lest the slightest noise might frighten the animal, he aroused a party of the officers and seamen, who were joined by an equal number from the Hecla. The dogs were put on the slip, and in a few minutes the whole party sallied forward. The night was rather fine than otherwise. but the sudden gusts of wind from the deep ravines on either side almost indicated the approach of a snow storm. The moon was near her meridian, and the light, which she shed on the surrounding objects afforded those who had hurried on deck a transien view of the animated scene; but the men and dogs | precipice, seemingly content in checking the further were soon lost to our view. We listened watchfully progress of the bear. Poor bruin, finding himself and in silence to the distant shouts, as they yielded thus baffled, and being much exhausted from his gradually to the hollow dismal sound of the moun- efforts to gain the dizzy height, stood or rather tain blast, until they were altogether lost in the balanced his unwieldy body with astonishing ease, distance; and the sudden violent gusts which broke as if doubtful what course he should next take, and mournfully on our ears made us apprehensive for the panting dog lay couched within a few yards of the safety of our comrades. him, guarding the only spot by which he could have made his escape. The bear took a southerly course, and finding himself nearly surrounded by his pursuers, who had systematically formed themselves into a semicircle, made a bold effort to ascend the steep face of the mountain up a precipitous cliff, over which the snow had frozen to a considerable depth. It is scarcely possible to conceive how so unwieldy an animal could have accomplished an ascent, which one would have thought might have baffled the light spring of a greyhound; nevertheless he succeeded in gaining an astonishing height; and the most extraordinary part of the affair was, that the dogs rolled repeatedly down the face of the cliff in their ineffectual effort to turn him, whilst he not only held his footing, but continued, although with evident labour, to make his way toward the top. At length one of the dogs, with singular sagacity, finding himself defeated at that part of the cliff, ran along the base of the mountain until he arrived at a part less difficult of ascent, and gliding swiftly along the abutment of a high ledge of rocks which overhung that part of the cliff, he was in a minute above the bear and within a few feet of him. Again the instinct of this fine animal availed him, for had he attempted to descend from the comparatively secure position he had thus gained, he would have been hurled by his powerful enemy to the bottom of the cliff; be there deployed, as it were, along the brink of the The moon, which had hitherto been partially obscured by the misty haze of the night, now shone forth at the moment one of the officers had contrived to climb to the top of some shelving rocks within about eighty yards of the bear. From this position he might have taken tolerable aim, but the faithful Esquimaux dog lay in nearly a direct line, and ap patently within a few feet of the bear, and so insecure was his own footing that he doubted whether he could stand even the slight recoil of his rifle. The contending parties were thus placed at bay, and the temporary rest seemed grateful to all. At length the dog changed his position, and the marksman, no longer able to withstand the tempting opportunity, levelled his gun and struck the animal between the shoulders. He made a convulsive spring from his resting-place, and a crash, loud and frightful, announced his destruction, as he tumbled headlong down the precipice, dashing with violence against the projecting buttresses, and burying himself deep in the snow underneath. The pause of death was succeeded by shouts of victory from the hardy adventurers, many of whom, from the little attention they had given to their dress on leaving the ship, were severely frostbitten. The thermometer stood at 30 degrees below zero. United Service Journal. CHINESE PUNISHMENT, No. 4. AN OFFENDER UNDERGOING THE BASTINADO. He is thrown flat upon his face, and held in that [trate's attendants kneeling upon his back. whilst position by one, or more, if necessary, of the magis- another applies the pan-stee to mis posteriors The pan-stee is a thick piece of split bamboo the laws are elaborated and social discipline and the progress of refinement commences. cane, the lower end of which is about four inches in width, and the upper end small and smooth, to render the instrument more convenient for the hand. Mandarins of power have usually some persons in their train, who attend them with these pan-stees whenever they travel, or go into publick, and who are ready at the nod of their master, to exercise their office in the manner described. After this ceremony, it is customary for the delinquent to return thanks to the mandarin for the good care he takes of his education. AGRICULTURE. The history of Agriculture is thus found intimately blended with the history of men from the earliest ages. The modes, the direction, and the fruits of the art, of course, are different in different climates and countries and with different men of the same country. But its labour is so extensively divided, its products so diversified and abundant, that no man loses the benefit of enjoying the fruits of one branch, by applying himself to another. If one grows cotton and sugar, another raises grain and vegetables; if one grows silk and grapes, another raises hemp and woollens. As Agriculture is in a measure dependant upon the other useful arts, so it is essential to them. What the husbandman produces over and above his own immediate wants, he exchanges with the mechanick for some of the fruits of his labour and invention. He finds also, that all classes of the community must subsist upon the fruits of the earth, and the wages of their labour must pay for it; he is therefore stimulated to redouble the amount of his Agricultural products, for which he is to gain not only a competent support for himself and family, but an accumulating treasure, which supplies him with luxuries if needed, or at any rate furnishes a security for the independence of his children. When the husbandman is thus excited, and the earth under his care is made to teem with luxuriant abundance, every ramification in society imbibes a wholesome stimulus, and the whole system prospers and improves. The literal signification of the derivatives of Agriculture, is, "I cultivate the field." It is a science which we have reason to believe is of anti-diluvian date; that is, the rudiments of Agriculture were known before the flood, although, indeed, it did not assume the dignity of a regular science, or become a distinct object of pursuit or profession, until many years after that event. The pursuits of Agriculture doubtless form the third step from primitive barbarity towards civilization. Men at first roam the woods and uncultivated fields, depending for their existence upon the spontaneous fruits of the earth or the extremely precarious results of their skill in hunting and fishing. This is the first state. When, however, their fears and wants and the consciousness of their own weakness, lead them for greater certainty and General Agriculture is doubtless in a higher state security of life and peace, to associate together, they of excellence as a science, in Great Britain than in are prompted to accumulate their forces, to collect any other country, excepting perhaps Germany, on the tamest animals in flocks and herds, and to enjoy the globe. The fertile soil and sunny climate of whatever land they may enter by the right of Italy, should indeed, one would suppose, present occupancy: thereby always having a guarantee but an extended and luxuriant garden. But the against the morrow, except that they are exposed to indulgences if its inhabitants take the place of the rapacity of their stronger neighbours. This is severer toil, and we procure from their shores only the second state, which is that of the shepherds. a few oranges and figs, some little silk and laces, and When they come to the conclusion that they can a quantity of maccaroni and vermacelli. Spain, live happier, enjoy more comforts and greater facil- whose Andalusia we should suppose, a paradise, ities, they are willing to submit to some self-imposed abounding to be sure in pomegranates and olives, fine restraints, to establish a society and create rules for wool and excellent grasses, that may be cut two the proper regulation and government thereof. Every or three times a year, also has the misfortune to man then has the boundaries of his possession abound with indolence. The mercurial French, who marked out and secured to him, against inroad and waste in frivolity what Americans exert in thrifty intrusion. He settles permanently upon his posses- labour, produce principally but wines and silks. sions, builds him a house, encloses his flocks within But when we arrive at Great Britain, we find men his fields and commences tilling the ground, with endeavouring to conquer both soil and climate; and the pleasing consciousness that his children and not bringing to their aid the light of science and the roaming barbarians shall have the benefit of the Briarean arms of the arts; emulous to excel not only improvements which his own hard labour is carrying in dressing the soil and raising every kind of indi forward. Thus commences the third step, which is genous Agricultural produce, but in teaching that soil Agriculture; after which the arts and sciences are to accommodate and nourish exoticks brought from introduced, schools and workshops are established, the torrid and the frigid zone; in improving and increasing the variety and number of their animals, with much pleasure, to the following communication. which may be found at home or abroad; in making every kind of experiments, and in endeavouring to reduce the whole of this noble science to fixed and philosophical principles. country. It is in a prosperous condition, and has a very beneficial influence upon Agriculture in the country. POTATOES. It is from the pen of a practical farmer, who formerly cultivated one of the best farms in Massachusetts, and will be found to contain important facts in reference to potatoes, which he has discovered by a In this country, however, many generations passed series of experiments, made at a considerable expense away without having or contemplating any plan or and trouble. The gentleman resides in Berkshire method of improvement in the Agricultural art. county, Mass., a county chiefly distinguished as a Indeed, our forefathers and their children up to the grazing and manufacturing county. It produces exclose of the revolution, were sufficiently occupied in cellent cattle, butter and cheese, fine wool, good iron, matters which more nearly concerned their lives and the best marble. Its manufactories produce a and liberties. In this might be found a sufficient large quantity of cotton and woollen goods, chiefly apology, if needed, for the neglect of Agriculture as for the New York market. An excellent Agricultural well as all the other arts and sciences in this country | Society is established there, and we are inclined to prior to 1800. By that period many of our intelligent believe it is the first that was established in the citizens had travelled much, and carefully observed those beneficial improvements in other countries which might be practicably introduced into this. An Agricultural Society was formed in Massachusetts, and its great objects were pursued with newly awakened zeal, industry and research. Merino sheep were imported from Spain; the best breeds of cattle from Great Britain; rare seeds and plants obtained whereever they were available; useful inventions and discoveries were sought out, and the season of actual experiment and practical improvement commenced. The spirit of emulation which had been aroused in New England, extended itself into the other states, and the husbandman everywhere took up the task of improvement with the cheering consciousness that the mechanick, the tradesman, and the man of letters, were observing his honourable toil with admiring eyes and applauding hearts. And why should not the farmer feel proud of his employment? Are not our citizens dependant upon him for the food that nourishes and the raiment that covers them? Is not the strongest resource of the country found in the capacities and products of his art? Who knows also but that in the day of need, every intelligent farmer, whom the necessities of the country should draw from his plough, would prove a Cincinnatus in the field of battle? Who will mistrust him, therefere, in adversity? Who dare scorn him in prosperity? MR. EDITOR:-As I consider the potato crop more useful and productive than any we can grow in Berkshire, I have deemed it not amiss to mention some few experiments I have made, together with the results, and the mode I have settled upon in growing them. In my first experiment, I ploughed one acre of cornstalk ground, dragged it smooth, and furrowed it with spaces of three feet. I filled these furrows with rotten manure; then selected my largest and best potatoes, and dropped them on the top of the manure about ten inches apart-taking forty-five bushels-covered them and hoed them three times. Having a most wonderful growth of stalks in due season, my expectations were considerably aroused the ground filled with small potatoes of the size of in relation to the crop. But in harvesting, I found hickory nuts, and the quantity less than I planted of equal size. This great disappointment led me to investigate the cause. It could not be found in satisfied myself that the fault was in the method of an unpropitious season, nor a bad soil. I finally planting, and concluded that one of the causes was over-seeding; another, that the growth of the stolens was too rapid and luxuriant, like a hotbed plant. This led me to believe that manuring in the hill was objectionable. The next year I ploughed three acres of cornstalk ground after putting on twenty-five loads of unfermented manure upon the first acre, and harrowed it smooth. I then marked off rows at three feet apart, by drawing chains across the field as a guide, and dropped at two and a half feet apart-single potatoes for the hill whether large or small-hoed three times, with but little hilling, in order to keep the potatoes near the surface. From this acre I harvested four hundred and sixty-five bushels, all of fine size. The kind was called the Burr potato. Upon the next acre, I put twelve loads of manure, and managed it the same as the first, except that I We rejoice that his art is justly appreciated by the sensible portion of the community, and that his honourable toil is encouraged even in the uncertainty of experiment. The scene which a strictly Agricultural town now presents in this country, is worthy the best days of the bard of Mantua. The quantity of land under actual cultivation, will soon be un-planted single potatoes three feet apart, instead of equalled by any country under one government on the globe. We have deemed the preceding remarks necessary as an introduction to the subject, and now give place VOL III-5 two and a half-hoed as the first. From this acre I harvested two hundred and fifty bushels of good next acre I ploughed and harrowed without manure potatoes of the abovementioned species. In the and furrowed at spaces of three feet, and dropped From these experiments, I deduced the following conclusions, which I have successfully practised upon for several years past. In the cultivation of potatoes the earth should be made rich by spreading manure upon it and mixing it with it. A single potato of the size of a butternut or a hen's egg, that will give but four shoots is better than a large one that will give six, eight or ten. In cultivating corn, all farmers agree that four or five plants in a hill are better than a greater number; so with potatoes, if one shoot will produce five or six potatoes or more, six shoots or stolens will give a greater number than can grow to maturity in the circumference of a single hill. When there are a great quantity of shoots, therefore, there will be a great quantity of miserably small potatoes. manure in each hill at intervals of about three feet, momentous juncture in their history, of the President taking six loads of manure-hoed three times. From of Columbia College as chairman, one Prime Secre this acre I harvested one hundred and sixty bushels tary, a Corresponding Secretary, and perhaps it only, and many of the potatoes were very small. would not be deemed exaggeration to add, about five On this acre I planted one large potato, or two iniddle size, or three small ones in each hill. The or six members. At the opening of this national three acres adjoined each other, and were of equal council it seemed quite problematical whether so strength and fertility; soil, loam. large a number would be collected, the session then consisting of three officers and one member. The accession to their numbers was however progressive until they arrived at the complement first stated. The proceedings were grave and dignified; interesting and important, and seemed to bear that impress upon them that is always peculiar to mighty bodies acting in reference to momentous results. The objects of other celebrated assemblages however, which have had an important bearing upon the interests of mankind, history has found susceptible of delineation. But what mortal man shall dare to tell us he has illustrated the great objects of the American Lyceum, and fitted it for the historick page, where it should I have practised upon my method three years in certainly stand for the enlightenment of posterity? succession, and have grown on an average four If there are two things which may be presented to hundred and fifty bushels of those kinds which are the rational mind more difficult than others, they are here considered the best for table use. I have never been able to obtain five hundred bushels per acre, the quadrature of the circle and the demonstration but believe I might grow more than that quantity by of the objects of the American Lyceum. When the planting the "Longreds," "Philadelphia blues," or Royal Society discovered the Elephant in the Moon, others less nutritious. In addition to the difference the phenomenon was satisfactorily accounted for ; in taste, flavour and sweetness, I have no doubt that potatoes differ from fifty to one hundred per cent. in but when the American Lyceum meets, curiosity their nutritious properties. Care, therefore, should may speculate with an unsatisfiable appetite. We be taken to procure the best species. Our best in assure the reader, we are not exciting his interest use here, are the " Egg" and "Black," for early crop; for an opportunity to come down upon him with a next the "Burr," Pinkeye," and "Foxites." The flashy show of our knowledge in the matter to first two species are very dry and mealy, but to me tasteless; the last three are of great excellence. our own especial glorification; for we are in fact The following matter I believe to be practicable, most ignorant of the object for which this great although I have not fully tested it. Let the cook in national assembly annually convenes. In our atthe family, when she prepares the potatoes for cook-tendance upon its meetings we were reminded of ing, cut out the germes, or eyes of the potato about 66 66 the size of a filbert, with the point of her knife, the apparent object of one of its most sanguine officers, string them upon a thread and hang them up to dry. but in attempting to pry into the general aim of the The seed of the potato is thus preserved and many collected association, we were always driven back potatoes saved. When the planting season arrives, into such paroxysms of vexatious disappointment, the potatoes can be planted with as much facility, that we were constrained to pronounce it, a headless, convenience and regularity as we now plant corn. As it has not yet, however, been fully ascertained trunkless, toothless body; sans purpose, sans money, whether the drying of the germe will destroy the sans sense, sans every thing." generating principle it is hoped the experiment will be fully tested. The preceding facts may be useful to farmers. AMERICAN LYCEUM. 66 We happen to know a little of the history of the American Lyceum; and as it presumes to arrogate to itself the regency of American literature and education, and claims to be the focus of oracular wisdom subject to whose order, recommendation or approval, all measures in any manner relating to the improvement of the mind should be considered, we shall This sapient body met in this city on the 7th presume to expose its false pretensions and the ultimo, and continued in session about four days. empiricism which was engrafted upon its very These guardians of education and dispensers of foundation. useful knowledge, by whose blessings or anathemas all literary and scientifick institutions in the U. S. may be supposed to stand or fall, consisted at this Mr. H. of Boston, most decidedly a great literary quack, invented some machines or instruments, called a school apparatus, that might facilitate as he |