FOR THE PORT FOLIO. A REMARK ON KNICKERBOCKER. MR. OLDSCHOOL, I do not know that it has ever been observed, by any of the learned commentators or sprightly critics, upon the chronicles of our sagacious countryman, Dietrick Knickerbocker, that he has a touch of the true poetic vein in his composition. As a proof of this, I beg leave to submit to your judgment the following passage, from the commencement of the sixth book of his first chapter: But now the war-drum rumbles, The brazen trumpet brays its thrilling note, Speaks fearful prophecies of coming troubles. H. FOR THE PORT FOLIO. PROGRESS OF BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS, &c. THE Comptrollers of the Public Schools for the city and county of Philadelphia, have recently submitted their annual report to the public. It appears, from this highly interesting document, that many of the objects of their care were prevented from receiving the benefits provided for them, by the epidemic which prevailed during the summer and autumnal months of the last year. The evil was not confined to the mere loss of this time, but was more extensively felt. Parents who suffered from the visitations of disease were subject to expense or deprived of their usual earnings, and thus were unable to provide suitable clothing for their children when the winter session commenced. The comptrollers animadvert upon the pernicious examples which the children too frequently witness at home and express their regret that so many are permitted to range at large, through the streets, the easy prey of every temptation. Every reflecting mind, it is justly remarked, must commiserate the victims of this miserable lot, and wish that the lawgivers of the state would devise some remedy for so grievous a mischief. Since the organization of this system, in 1819, we learn that the estimable benefits of moral and religious instruction have been imparted to 10,809 children; and there are at present in these schools 2706 pupils, of whom 1558 are boys and 1118 are girls. Experience, it is observed, abundantly proves that the perfection of the plan of mutual instruction, materially depends upon a qualification for government, in those who conduct such establishments. Mild and encouraging measures, uniformly secure respect, obedience, and application, from the pupils: results which severity-the parent of disgust-can never produce. The whole sum expended, last year, was 16,611 dollars. The Philadelphia Saving Fund Society had invested the sum of $331,885 89 on the 1st of January last. The Northern Soup Society, at the close of its operations for the winter season, published a statement of their proceedings, which shows how much may be done with small means, prudently managed. In the course of 79 days, 209 families, consisting of 329 adults and 535 children were gratuitously supplied. The quantity of soup distributed was 16,6644 quarts, to which adding 587 quarts sold, makes the whole amount 17,252 quarts, or an average of nearly 218 quarts per diem, the cost of which was less than two cents per quart. Thus 864 persons were furnished with wholesome and nutricious diet, during a season of the year when those who are disposed to work find it difficult to procure employment, for a sum little exceeding $300. FOR THE PORT FOLIO. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. The Wilmington Spectator, of Ohio, announces a life of Washington, written in the Latin tongue, with English notes, for the use of schools That such a work, embracing the narration of events of recent occurrence, if ably executed, and clothed in correct latinity, would arrest the attention of the juvenile student, and more especially interest the American reader, will be conceded by all. The author of it is Francis Glass, A. M. of Dayton, Ohio, a gentleman, who to very general information, is said to unite critical acquaintance with every part of classical literature. A considerable portion of the work is now written, and has, in part, been submitted to the faculty of the Ohio University, at Athens, and to that of the Cincinnati College. The Professors of these institutions, after a careful examination of the specimen submitted for their examination, concur in pronouncing it a work of very uncommon merit, and as being justly entitled to the highest patronage. It is expected, the work when completed, will embrace upwards of 300 pages, a great proportion of which will be original, as it is intended, that the notes will embrace much matter, which has never yet appeared in any work whatever. The editors of the National Intelligencer have received from an Italian gentleman, who signs himself G. C. Beltzoni, a letter dated St. James, near New Orleans, in which the writer informs the citizens, and government, of the United States, that in a journey undertaken during the summer of 1823, he had the good fortune to discover the true northernmost and westernmost sources of the Mississippi, as well as the southernmost sources of the Riviere Sanglante, in properly called Red River, emptying its water in the Bay of Hudson through Lake Weenepek and Nelson River. The sources of these two important rivers have been totally unknown till now. He also claims to be the only person who has navigated the Mississippi, from its sources to its mouth, and navigated almost all the Sanglante, by which means he has collected much important information, which will enable him to correct many geographical mistakes. He is now employed in preparing his memoirs, and gives this information that he may not be deprived of his rights by those who wish to reap undeserved glory by following his track. James Kent, Esq. late Chancellor of New York, has been appointed to revise the laws of that State, at a compensation of $2000. Professor Griscom, of New York, proposes to publish the Mechanic's and Manufacturer's Magazine; a monthly journal devoted to the arts and trades of the United States. Whatever opinions may be entertained, with respect to the policy of encou raging, by statutory regulations and import duties, the manufacturing industry of the United States it cannot be doubted, that both the useful and the elegant arts will continue to increase amongst us; and it must be the wish of every one who is friendly to the prosperity of America, that the true science and enlightened skill of the country, may keep pace with its population;-that no enterprise, compatible with general good, and founded upon judicious and patriotic motives, should fail, for want of that intelligence which is the life of success in all such undertakings. The Editor indicates other topics which will be combined with these; such as notices of improved modes of teaching, the progress of beneficent institutions, &c. These are already sufficiently illustrated in the daily journals, by the various patrons of such institutions, and we would recommend to the Editor to confine himself to the principal design of his journal. It is of sufficient consequence to require his exclusive attention. The United States Naval Chronicle, by Charles W. Goldsborough, Esq. is a compilation calculated to be exceedingly serviceable to the affairs of the navy, as it presents within a short compass, documents, that may be often referred to. To the general reader, however, it is without much interest from its want of method, and style. The notice of the "Dry Dock" system presents a curious history of a subject which at one period attracted much public attention, but which is now established by the best of tests, experience, to be a valuable improvement in our naval establishment. Interspersed are some interesting anecdotes, of our distinguished naval warriors, and slight sketches of some of those who in the commencement and progress of the revolution, gave celebrity to this means of our defence. We regret to see the anecdote which the author has preserved and detailed with repulsive minuteness of the duels of the gallant Somers. It is only calculated to foster a spirit of private revenge and false honour whose prevalence is too often fraught with distress and misery to a cirele of surviving relatives and friends, and is disreputable to the character of our country. It should have been suppressed. The part taken by the younger Decatur in this affair is matter rather of sorrow than applause, and brings for cibly to our remembrance the circumstances of his untimely end. The sketches of Biddle, Manly, Paul Jones, and others, of revolutionary fame, might have been advantageously enlarged by a reference to anecdotes and biographies, preserved in the former volumes of this journal or in the fugitive publications, of former times. Anthony Finley has just published "A New General Atlas; comprising a complete set of maps representing the Grand Divisions of the Globe; together with the several Empires, Kingdoms, and States in the World." This work is compiled from the best authorities and corrected by the most recent discoveries; it contains sixty coloured maps; is the cheapest collection of the kind that we have seen, and vies with the best in accuracy, distinctness, and beauty. Mr. Woodward proposes to publish a pocket edition of Scott's Family Bible, in 6 vols. The specimen is very neatly executed. For particulars, see our cover, LINES On seeing the Miniature of a married Lady, painted by DICKINSON. SELLECK OSBORN, long known as an occasional contributor to the Poet's corner, in various journals, has published a collection of his best effusions, from which the following lines are transcribed. The topics are trite, but it will be perceived that they are touched with delicacy and feeling. 1 OH! can it be? can ivory live, By the creative touch of art? With mortal means can genius give All that can warm and bless the heart? Unconsciously-I know not how The magic comes-but whilst I view Two sins beset-I idolize, If thus thy image I adore; If, as thou seemest to my eyes Thou'rt real-I have peace no more. Surely that mouth can sweetly breathe- The glass I kiss-all's cold beneath, THE OLD MAID'S PRAYER TO DIANA. SINCE thou and the stars, my dear Goddess, decree For to bear it must be my endeavour; Diana, thy servant deliver! From the scorn of the young, or the flouts of the gay, By the pert ones who know nothing better to say, From over solicitous guarding of pelf, Or ridiculous whim whatsoever; From the vapourish freaks or methodical airs From the erring attachment of desolate souls, From spleen at observing the young more carest, LINES Written at Alnwick Castle, the seat of the Duke of Northumberland, October 1822. In the following lines, our readers will find themselves engaged with no ordinary Poet. The third stanza contains one line exquisitely beautiful; but I shall leave him or her, who can duly appreciate it, to find it out. Probably the reader of taste and sagacity, who has been conversant with the poetry which has heretofore adorned the columns of the EVENING POST, will not long conjecture in vain as to the fortunate author.-New York Evening Post. HOME of the Percy's high-born race, |