VIEW ON THE OHIO RIVER. (SEE ENGRAVING.)

associations, and from their antiquity alone supplying the inspiration of deep romance, afford to transatlantic THE principal scene in this engraving embraces the artists, as well as poets, themes of surpassing interest, highly improved grounds and beautiful residence of adapted to rouse genius to enthusiasm. American geThomas H. Yeatman, Esq. These are in Ohio, three nius has no such provocations. But is there nothing miles below Cincinnati. The point of view is on the then to rouse it? Indeed there is. It has other and Kentucky side, nearer the city, and in the neighborhood equal provocations. If age invests an object with talof Mr. Israel Ludlow's dwelling. The trees in the fore-ismanic power over genius, America abounds in fruitground are intended to mark this point of observation, ful sources of inspiration. She has her granite rocks from which the principal scene below on the opposite and rushing streams-old at least as Noah's race. She side, appears to picturesque advantage, as those who has her spreading seas and towering mountains-provisit the spot will readily perceive. The painting is bably coeval with hoary time. Our own prairies drank by Mr. Samuel Lee, and the engraving by Mr. Wm. in the fires of a thousand laughing summers before Woodruff. These are western artists, and both reside || Afric' Thebes was born, even although its moldering in this city. The engraving is thought to be very cor-Sphynxes are now mingled with sordid dust. These rect, presenting in just and striking shades the princi-western forests, with their countless giant progeny, pal graces of this charming scene. From the ascent || antedate the glories of Europe's remotest architecto Mt. Auburn, above the head of Sycamore-street, we ture. And, finally, the scene pictured in our froncan trace, at a glance, that graceful curve of the river which is so beautifully represented by the painter and engraver's skill.

tispiece, except as changed by culture, is older, by tens of centuries, than all the Gothic towers of Christendom. With all that is inspiring, then, in gray-haired antiquity, America is richly furnished.

The picture also presents, in a very striking aspect, the peculiar features of our Ohio scenery. Those In this respect, if there be a difference, the west is swelling eminences which bound the alluvial borders better supplied than the east. The antiquities of nature of the river, in the "down stream" distance, surmount- are common to both; but in regard to those of art they ed by small table plats, which afford choice sites for are unequal. As to civilized antiquity, it belongs propfarmers' houses or country seats, together with the lofti- erly to neither. A period of two hundred y years breeds er but not precipitously abrupt elevations in the rear- no antiquity. If, then, we would search for antiquithese belong almost characteristically to this enchant- ties of art, we must travel back to periods anterior to ing valley. The huge branchless tree, which seems civilization-we must go to savage life. In the west to have endured the storms of more than half a thous-we have the Indian mound and the ruined fortificaand winters, would, by the practiced eye of a pioneer, tion-the latter of an antiquity too remote for any cerbe recognized as an old acquaintance, nourished nowhere tain date or origin. but in the rich bottom of the Ohio. With few excep- The pleasure of inspecting a beautiful picture, howtions, this is the first specimen of western rural and ever, does not all lie in the associations of the piece. river scenery which has been presented to the public True it is that historical or other associations greatly in either copper or steel engravings. If any ask why heighten that pleasure. We behold with very differit is so, it certainly is not because western scenery, of ent emotions, the portrait of a stranger, and that of a this description, has no charms, or presents no inviting deceased parent. In landscapes, a fine fancy-piece and features of beauty or of boldness to provoke the efforts the well sketched home-stead of our childhood unvisited of genius. True, there is less majesty in the scenery for years, would excite in us different kinds of admiraof the Ohio than there is in much of eastern scenery. tion. But aside from the power of association, nearly We have not the Palisades, or Highlands, or the lofty all persons are pleased with pictures. It is in human neighboring Round Top of the Hudson; but if our nature to be thus pleased. He who gave us a taste scenery is more tame, it is also frequently more beauti-for music and poetry, gave us also a relish for the ful-more agreeable to the staid observer, if not to the productions of the pencil; and no matter what objects transient visitor, who travels far to inspect nature's rude-are skillfully represented, the art which shadows them ness, but frequently falls sick of her extravagance, and generally becomes willing to escape its exhibitions. The difference between eastern and western scenery is not more marked than that between American and European. Ancient religious houses, and baronial castles, and royal palaces, fruitful in rich historical Vol. I.-1

forth to the eye does of itself demand our delighted homage. Indeed, so delicate a mechanical use of light requiring an eye and a hand almost divine, ought to excite our admiration-not only of the genius of the artist, but of that wisdom, and power, by which man is so fearfully and wonderfully made.

H.

arose, when their office was rudely abolished, and they were suddenly absolved. The manufacturers seized the wool to their own use, and by cheap cottons, superseded domestic linens. Thus the labor of the wheel and the loom suddenly changed hands. Then it was found that the revolution (as is always the case when governments change their policy) would proceed farther than was intended. The natural connection be

READING increases the amount of human happiness. It renders life tolerable to some, and a continued entertainment to others. To enjoy it, three things are indis-tween weaving cloth, and cutting and sewing cloth, bepensable, viz., time, taste and books.

As to time, it is but a score of years since the ladies had scarcely any leisure. Their avocations were not very fatiguing, but kept them almost constantly employed. Spinning and spooling, and quilling and weaving, to which I may add, a good deal of tailoring and mantua-making, made them very industrious and cheerful. Then there was no great difference between high life and low, at least so far as employments were concerned.

Excepting good behavior, the family dignity depended more than any thing else, on the quantity of wool and flax manufactured, and on the texture of the cloths when finished and put on. I can remember when the children in my father's family were in more danger of desecrating the Sabbath and provoking reproof, by peeping at a piece of fine cloth just out of the loom, than from all other temptations.

In those days the man had more leisure than his wife and daughters. His fatiguing toils necessarily procured him seasons of inactivity. Through the long winter evenings the farmer reposed in the old arm chair, while the eldest son, book in hand, read enter taining narratives to the mother and her daughters, mingling the bass of his bold, manly voice, with the varying treble of three or four spinning-wheels.

In those times of sweet simplicity, it was not desired nor expected that females should know much; they were only required to love and labor much, and keep their families neat and prim and happy. Not that nature or custom permitted them to labor in the fieldfor then there would have been some remission of their toil-but all their waking hours were given to home cares, and no leisure was found, except for slight devotions.

ing broken up, the tailor followed the manufacturer, and at last the mantua-maker the tailor, leaving nothing for the domestic needle, except the light affair of caps and collars, with now and then a job for charity, or a trifle wrought and furnished for the "Fair."

Now comes a turn in the progress of my narrative. Under the influence of this domestic change, it will be found that the ladies have not so demeaned themselves as to merit unmixed praise. Even if "ey have done well, they certainly might have done better. At any rate (for to reform is more pleasant than to accuse) there are openings and calls for their improvement. If they merit mitigated censure, yet for their comfort let them remember that they are involved, as always happens, not so much by their own inclinations as by man's remissness. The charge against them is, and I reluctantly rehearse it, that they did not and do not, with glowing ardor, consecrate the hours once devoted to the distaff, to reading and study. Having at length acquired some leisure, they seem to be lavish of it. They let slip days and months, which, diligently used for mental culture, would constitute them mentors in the circles of their homes, and prepare them to polish the immortal jewelry which Heaven commits to them for keeping. This indictment does not suit all; yet, on the whole, it is too well founded.

To remedy this great evil we need a second revolution, not such as was brought about when domestic manufactures were abolished, but a revolution in woman's taste, or in her sources of enjoyment.

Taste controls all our actions. Our pleasures arise from its gratification; and if taste can be so formed as to draw us on to innocent indulgences, our pleasures will be guiltless, and will of course inflict no remorse, and confer no pain. Furthermore, if taste can be so Time breeds revolutions. It has wonderfully chang-formed as to draw us on to virtuous indulgences, our ed the domestic habits of females, making some of their pleasures will be not only innocent but holy, and inancient and honorable callings void and obsolete. For stead of remorse, will produce a reflex joy. This is many years I have been thrown, by circumstances, into all sorts of society. In journeying, I have found entertainment at all seasons of the year, amongst rich and poor, rude and gentle. I have fed and lodged in "squatters"" cabins, and have spent long December evenings by the kitchen fires of thrifty farmers; yet, in all these turns and stoppings, years have passed since I heard the soothing tones of a well bred spinningwheel. For this I blame nobody. It has come, at all events, without the let or hindrance of the ladies. If blame there be, it does not attach to them. They were always patient of labor, and even proud of it. They cheerfully plied the shuttle, until the era of factories 1

the great secret of the pleasures of religion. And this is the reason, too, that conversion must precede and prepare the way for those pleasures. To the unrenewed soul, communion with God is no comfort or joy, because taste is not gratified. To the sanctified, that communion is transporting, because it gratifies those new-born relishes which are infused into the soul by regeneration. And then, these pleasures, being warranted by God, are innocent and leave no stingbeing enjoined by him, they are holy, and through the medium of memory, reflect from the past peace and satisfaction.

If we may compare small things with great, shad