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From Chambers' Journal.
THE GIVING BEE.

AMONG Some of the pleasantest of my reminiscences of New York state, is that of a few months' sojourn on the banks of the Croton River, the stream which supplies the great metropolis of the Union with the means of cleanliness it so much requires. The country around my residence was wild, mountainous, woody, and haunted by half-forgotten tales of love and war- traditions of the struggle between the royalist and the patriot. On one hill-side, deep in the woods, was still to be seen Old Sarah's Cave," where for upwards of forty years the half-crazed victim of an unhappy passion had expiated her follies and sins in solitude and suffering. The old people of the neighboring town of Salem loved to tell how they remembered her coming, Sabbath after Sabbath, to their church, and how, being missed one day from her accustomed place in the middle aisle, she was sought at her dreary home, and found there dead. In a cottage, too, quite near us, dwelt a descendant of one of the three captors of poor André; and here and there, among the surrounding villages, the gray and tottering ruin of many a revolutionary hero still existed to reward the search of the curious. It was, indeed, quite romantic ground for the New World.

steads, and the poorer inhabitants of the ville, were a simple, unsophisticated race, sociable, and primitively hospitable. Many were the moon-light tea-drinkings, and quilting-frolics, and Dorcas-meetings, at which I assisted, in company with Mrs. Jones, the miller's wife, and her gossip, the blacksmith's better half. But of all the village gatherings, the Giving Bee gave me the most pleasure, and has remained the most interesting recollection of my visit.

Our minister 66 - a man he was to all the country dear" was hired," as the native expression is, at a salary of 200 dollars a year, and a house, garden, orchard, and pasture for his horse and cow. He added somewhat to his income by preaching every other Sunday afternoon at Salem, seven miles off, and by instructing half-a-dozen children in branches of education not taught at the district school. The flock, however, did not consider their pastor yet sufficiently remunerated, and therefore held an annual " Bee," as an assembly for any kind of work is sometimes termed in the States, to supply him and his family with a portion of their yearly necessaries.

It was rather late in the afternoon of the day appointed by the elders it was a Presbyterian community - that I started with my offering for the minister's dwelling. The December day was dying, the Croton shut up The "ville," on the outskirts of which we beneath ice two feet thick, and the ground lived, had risen in a pleasant spot; straggling covered deep with snow; but the air was so along the left bank of the rapid and stony- still and clear, that the cold was far from bedded river, and sheltered froin the cold win- being unpleasantly severe, and the rapid ter blast and the sultry summer sun by moun-motion of the sleigh so exhilarating, that the tains wooded to their summits. At one cor- drive was delightful. The ville presented a ner of the single street, shaded by majestic gay scene; vehicles of every shape and size, sycamores, stood the smithy, that, in all mounted on runners, drawn by horses decked lands, most picturesque of work-shops; a profusely with tinkling bells, and laden with little beyond, the "store" claimed attention noisy parties from the farms, and stores of the coach-office, post-office, and gossiping good things, were rushing in swift succession place of the neighborhood. The mill clacked towards the place of meeting; while grouped and rumbled on the opposite side, and then beneath the bare locust-trees around the followed a few pretty white houses, occupied church, were to be seen numerous empty cars, by humble mechanics and laborers, of which the horses taken out, and bestowed somewhere the fringed window-curtains and precise neat- under shelter; where all the poor animals ness of exterior gave evidence that the inmates found refuge that evening, I never discovered. resembled, in some respects at least, their On reaching the house, I was received at the near neighbors the good folks of Connecti- door by some young ladies, farmers' daughA neat church, in summer almost ters, who for that occasion had taken posseshidden by the lofty locust-trees that grew sion of the entire domicile - the master and around it, and only separated from the min- mistress appearing in the character of guests, ister's dwelling by his garden and orchard, a delicate simulation, which put both giver terminated the village street; beyond it began and receiver much more at their ease than the heavy white lime-stone walls that in this they could otherwise have felt. I was conpart of Westchester county are frequently ducted to the company bed-chamber to unwrap, used, instead of rail fences, to divide the and to deposit my little gift in the adjoining oorn-fields and meadows, and which, with the room, appropriated to the reception of the ugly red barns and outhouses of the farms" freewill-offerings." It presented an odd scattered on the hills around, were far from scene of confusion; barrels of flour and improving the charm of the landscape. apples; bags of buckwheat and Indian meal; Both the owners of the comfortable home-hams, and huge hanks of yarn for the good.

cut.

man and children's stockings; calico and homespun; pickles and preserves; a box of sugar; a jar of honey; a roll of flannel; a bundle of "comfortables;" cheese and crackers; all were heaped or scattered upon the floor, forming, it seemed to me, a year's supply of clothing, and almost of food.

"I guess it will be a kind of help," remarked one of the young ladies in answer to my exclamation of admiring surprise; "but it's amazing what a profusion of such articles is consumed in twelve months!"'

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cally.

"Do tell!" exclaimed the lady; " and yet he 's been there four years, and he 's in public life!"

"Indeed; in what capacity?"

"He's with Major Jerry Crane, the great wild-beast speculator! They travel with a splendid caravan, as my son calls it, all over the country, and make considerable money."

"It's a remarkable good profession in the old country," observed Mr. Jones, the miller, who sat near; "I guess all the wealthiest gentlemen in this section have made their fortunes by it. That splendid hotel at Somers, The Elephant,' was built by one of them!'"

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On entering the parlor, I found a numerous assembly of the neighbors, rich and poor, engaged in general conversation, and awaiting the summons to tea. The ladies before mentioned were busy preparing the meal. for which they had brought every requisite from their own homes, and had taxed the house for nothing except fire, water, and a kettle. Tables were joined to form one that nearly filled the modest " keeping-room," and was yet too small to accommodate at one time all the members of the Bee; the seniors of the party, therefore, took the precedence, and "We have not," I replied; "but you are were first served, the mistresses of the cere-aware that all church matters are conducted monies attending the guests. The great very differently there from what they are in staples of the entertainment were smoking- America."

"I opine you have no such meetings as this in England?" remarked a pleasant-look-" ing young farmer, as he took the seat next to me.

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How our native land seems part of ourselves when we are far from it—I blushed as if his words were personal!

hot butter-milk rolls, and waffles -a cake in- I hope so," said the candid gentleman; herited from the Dutch, and made of butter;"I reckon, too, a giving bee' would be conit is poured into curiously-shaped iron-moulds, siderable of a help to some of those poor and baked in the midst of a glowing fire. curates I've read about! I'll be darned ́if I Great plates of butter, cheese, and thinly- could sit and look such a one in the face, shaven smoked beef, accompanied these; while he preached 'Do unto others, as ye while deep crystal dishes of various kinds of would they should do unto ye!'"' preserves gave an air of lightness and elegance to the somewhat heavy display of good things. Every one was helped to everything; and it was amusing to see the heaped-up plate of each individual surrounded by a host of satellites in the form of Liliputian saucers, filled with preserved cherries, peaches, quince, and ginger, all to be discussed with the beef, cheese, and butter. There was no conversation during the repast, which fortunately was not a protracted one; both relays had soon finished, and the waiting-maids proceeded to make merry together; then, after restoring everything to its former order, and packing their baskets for the return-journey, they joined the rest of the party.

66

The evening passed pleasantly in conversation the elderly folks discoursed on the split" which had recently taken place among them on the subject of church government; the matrons debated domestic mysteries; and the young men and maidens talked, laughed, and even flirted; while I, as a stranger and a "Britisher," received much attention, and had to talk and listen more, it seemed to me, than was quite fair.

About eight o'clock, a general cessation of conversation took place, and a silence of three or four minutes was broken by the minister rising and solemnly inviting us to join him in prayer. All rose, and stood with heads bowed and eyes cast down, while he gave thanks with all the eloquence of unaffected piety for the blessings each enjoyed. When he had ended, another brief silence ensued, and then rose tremblingly, at first from a single voice, the sweet notes of a hymn of praise soon all joined, and the sacred strain swelled full and loud. The moment it was concluded, the bustle of departure began - hands were hastily shaken, the inen ran out to seek their sleighs and horses, while the women collected their baskets and wraps. The night was glorious - the moon shone with the purest, softest lustre, making the white ground sparkle, and silvering the snow-laden trees; and as each sleigh dashed off with its merry load, their ringing laughter awoke the mountain echoes.

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LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 473.-11 JUNE, 1853.

1. Abd-el-Kader on Horseback,.

2. Washington Irving,..

3. The Preacher and the King, .

4. L. E. L. and the Gold Coast, .

5. Lord Byron's Autobiography, 6. The Spirit Rappings,

CONTENTS.

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673

. 676

679

683,

687

An April Rhyme, 703;

POETRY: An Incident - Ohs, 641; Give me a Home Noiseless Wheels, 642; St. Stephen and his Cherubs, 656; Time, 678; The Secret of the Stream The Children - Dirge, 704.

SHORT ARTICLES: Leather-The Great Salt Lake of Utah, 652; Last Moments of Rob Roy, 662; Nicknames, 672; The Pine-Apple - Life without an Aim, 678; Too much Reading -Harmonic Rapping, 682.

NEW BOOKS: 665.

AN INCIDENT.

RY WILLIAM SYDNEY THAYER.

THE Spring is breathing on the earth
Its soft warm gales of scented air,
And birds and bees are singing forth
The joy of Nature everywhere.

A darker green creeps o'er the hill,
The lilac purples in the hedge,
The budding willow by the rill

Leans with young boughs beside its edge.

The bush, that in the winter long
Tapped dolefully against the pane,
Is gladdened by a golden throng

Of blossoms brimmed with evening's rain.

But here, while all is joy and hope,

In Death's mysterious slumbers bound,
Lies one, whose eyes shall never ope
To the gay scene of life around.
On the cold wrinkled face a smile

Tells that the soul, exempt from change,
Has sailed for some serener isle,

In happier fields than ours to range.

As free and light, as if the breeze

Had blown her from the odorous west,
A child, wreathed with anemones,

Glides towards the aged form at rest.
VOL. I.

CCCCLXXIII. LIVING AGE.

41

Her fair curls toss in wild delight,
Her sweet eyes are of changeful blue,
Yet the still mystery of that sight

Has touched them with a deeper hue.
Start not, dear child, so sweet and fair!

At the calm features thou hast viewed,
For thou, with that pale sleeper there,

Art linked in strange similitude.

Both at Life's dawning! thine is blent
Of care and mirth, of smiles and tears;
Hers, flooded with divine content,
Unchanging through the eternal years.

From the Ladies' Companion.
OHS.

BY THE LADY EMMELINE STUART WORTLEY.
O! that I hearkened to each clock's advice,
What time it doles out life in tones precise
Occasions lost shall never more avail!
O! that I studied o'er each day's deep tale!
The same is ne'er told twice; no more, no more
Come th' opportunities we scorned before :
No day hath ever known a second dawn:
'Tis briefly lent to us, and then withdrawn.

O! that we might the least, light part regain
Of Time's lost treasures, proffered us in vain!

O! that calm Memory, of our deeds and days
Might spread a map, all sunshine to our gaze!
O! that Her voice- all music to our souls,
Could tell a tale as fair as Hope unrolls!
O that each hour that fades from us in night,
Might bring a star of Truth and Trust to light!
O that the fancies, that we see like flowers
Die in our path, in dark and wintry hours
Would yield their vacant place in aching hearts
To deathless hopes, whose freshness ne'er de-
parts!

O! that each sigh we heave-and who but sighs?

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eye;

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And be it roofed with thatch, or slate, or tile-
It matters not so it has rustic style;
Let a small wood behind it lift its leaves,
At a healthy distance yet above its eaves;
And let a winding path amid the trees
Lead to quaint seats and bowers of shady ease,
Where brother bards might list the cushat's coo,
And tone their thoughts to amorous accents low,
Or wander through the undergrowth of nut,
And hark the nightingale at evening shut;
And then within let woman fair be found-
Queen of the Hearth with household honors
crowned

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The blood that warms the mortal frame
In circulation will be found;
The air about us does the same,

In silent currents twirling round.
The head itself will often swim;

The brain occasionally reels; And round will come the lot of him Who's helped by fortune's "noiseless wheels."

But science may have missed its aim,

For clattering wheels are oft preferred By those who think that noise is fame; Not mute would be the vulgar herd. Rare is the man his carriage owns,

Who modestly his state conceals; He'd rather rattle o'er the stones, Than pass unheard with "noiseless wheels."

From Household Words.

ABD-EL-KADER ON HORSEBACK.

SOME curious particulars respecting Arabian horses have lately been given to the world, from no less authoritative a source than Abd-el-Kader himself. General Daumas has published a work, entitled Les Chevaux du Sahara, and it contains the answers furnished by the Arab chief to a list of inquiries that had been expressly addressed to him. The emir's letter was translated into French by M. Boissonnet, its original form being scrupulously retained; and many of our readers may be gratified by the sight of an English version of the document, even if it be not

likely to afford them any very great practical

instruction.

November 8, 1851 (the 23d of Moharrem, the first month of 1268). Glory to the One God. His reign alone is eternal.

Health to him who equals in good qualities all the men of his time, who seeks only after good, whose heart is pure and his discourse accomplished, the wise, the intelligent Lord, General Daumas, on the part of your friend, Sid-el-Hadi Abd-el-Kader, son of Mahi-Eddin. Behold the answer to your questions. 1. You ask how many days an Arabian horse can travel without resting, and without being made to suffer too much."

journey for two or three successive days. We started from Saïda towards eight in the morning (au dohha), in order to fall upon the Arbâa, who encamped at Aaïn-Toukria (among the Oulad-Aïad, near Taza), and we reached them by break of day (fedjer). You know the country, and are acquainted with the road which we had to traverse.

III. You ask me for instances of abstinence

in the Arabian horse, and for proofs of his power of enduring hunger and thirst.

Know that when we were stationed at the

mouth of the Mélouïa, we made razzias in the Desert. On the day of attack, we pushed Djebel-Amour, following the route of the without taking breath, completing our excurour horses on for a gallop of five or six hours sion thither and back in twenty, or at most in five and twenty days. During this interval of time, our horses had no barley to eat, except what their riders were able to carry with them about eight ordinary feeds. Our horses found no straw to eat, but only alfa and chiehh, or besides that, in spring-time, grass. Notwithstanding which, on returning home again, we performed our games on horseback the day of our arrival, and we shot with a certain number of them. Many which were unable to go through with this last exercise, were still in good travelling condition. Our horses went without drinking, either for one day, or for two; once, no water was to be Know that a horse, who is sound in all his found for three days. The horses of the members, who eats barley which his stomach Desert do much more than that; they remain requires, can do whatever his rider wishes about three months without eating a single him. On this subject the Arabs say Allef grain of barley; they have no acquaintane ou annef. "Give barley and overwork." But with straw, except on the days when they go without overworking the horse, he may be to buy corn in the Teli, and in general b made to travel sixteen parasanges every day nothing to eat but alfa and chichh, and some(a parasange is a measure of distance. times guetof. Chichh is better than alfa, and originally Persian― equal to a French league guetof is better than chichh. The Arat s say, and a half, or three and three quarters Eng-Alfa makes a horse go, chiehh makes him fit lish miles, as near as may be); that is the for battle.' " And "Guetof is better than bardistance from Mascara to Koudiah-Aghelizan, ley." Certain years occur in which the horses on the Oued-Mina; it has been measured in of the Desert go without tasting a single drúa (cubits). A horse performing this dis-grain of barley during the whole twelvemonth, tance (of sixty miles English) daily, and eating as much barley as he likes, can go on without fatigue for three, or even for four months, without resting a single day.

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II. You ask what distance a horse can travel in one day.

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when the tribes have not been received in the Teli. They then sometimes give dates to their horses; this food fattens them. Their horses are then capable both of travelling and of going to battle.

IV. You ask me why, when the French do not mount their horses till they are four years old, the Arabs mount theirs at an early age.

I cannot tell you precisely; but the distance ought to be not much less than fifty parasanges (one hundred and eighty-seven miles and a half), as from Tlemcen to Mascara. We have seen a very great number of horses perform in one day the distance from Tlemcen to Mascara. Nevertheless, a horse which has completed that journey ought to be spared the following day, and ought only to be ridden a much shorter distance. Most of our horses could go from Osran to Mascara in one day, and would perform the same rises up again."

Know that the Arabs say that horses, like men, can learn quickly only in their childhood. These are their proverbs on that subject: "The lessons of infancy are engraved on stone; the lessons of mature age disappear like birds' nests." They also say, young branch rises straight up again without great difficulty: but the timber tree never

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