THE CHILDREN OF THE REPUPLIC.-The mayor of New-York, in his late message to the common council, very properly observes, that, of all the charities of the city, there is perhaps none more attractive, or which more fully attests their wisdom and benevolence, than the institution known as the "Long Island Farms." These schools contain three hundred and seventy-one boys and one hundred and forty-one girls: and at this place and at Bellevue, one hundred and eighty-nine infants. The schools continue to be ably conducted; proper nurses and good clothing are provided for the children; and they are considered, in every respect, as the "children of the republic;" and, at a proper age, are bound out to suitable trades and occupations, with provision for their good treatment, maintenance, and instruction. There has been no case of ophthalmia at the Long Island Farms during the past year.

MINERAL WEALTH OF VIRGINIA.-Every day affords additional evidence of the great mineral wealth of the Old Dominion. There are several rich gold mines in successful operation, and within a short time past several rich veins of copper ore have been discovered, and the brightest prospect held out to the enterprising proprietors, of valuable results.

CHRONOLOGICAL OF COTTON.-The Milledgeville (Geo.) Journal has compiled an impartial view of the introduction to the use, and mutations of price in the history of cotton, which, although it is the staple commodity of this country, is an article that, above all others, shows the most sensitive action on the slightest approach of a change, no matter what causes the commotion:

1730. Mr. Wyatt spins the first cotton yarn in England by machinery. 1735. The Dutch first export cotton from Surinam.

1742. First mill for spinning cotton erected at Birmingham, moved by mules or horses, but not successful in its operations.

1749. The fly shuttle generally used in England.

1756. Cotton-velvets and quilting made in England for the first time.

1761. Arkwright obtained the first patent for the spinning frame, which he further improved.

1768. The stocking frame applied by Hammond to the making of lace.

1773. A bill passed to prevent the export of machinery used in cotton factories. 1779. Mule spinning invented by Hargrave.

1782. First import of raw cotton from Brazil into England.

1782. Watt took out his patent for the steam-engine.

1783. A bounty granted in England on the export of certain cotton goods.

1785. Power looms invented by Dr. Cartwright. Steam engines used in cotton factories.

1786. Bleaching first performed by the agency of oxymuriatic acid. 1787. First machinery to spin cotton put in operation in France.

1789. Sea Island cotton first planted in the U. S. and Upland cotton first cultivated for use and export about this time.

1790. Salter, an Englishman, builds the first American cotton factory at Pawtucket, R. I.

1792. Eli Whitney, an American, invents the cotton gin, which he patents. 1798. First mill and machinery for cotton erected in Switzerland.

1799. Spinning by machinery introduced into Saxony this year.

1803. First cotton factory built in New Hampshire.

1805. Power looms successfully and widely introduced into England.

1807. The revolution in Spanish America begins to furnish new markets for cotton manufactories.

1810. Digest of cotton manufactures in the U. S. by Mr. Gallatin, and another by Tench Cox, Esq. of Philadelphia.

1811. Machinery to make bobbin lace patented by John Burn.

1813. The India trade more free, and more British manufactures sent there.

1815. The power-loom introduced into the U. S. first at Waltham.

1818. Average price of cotton 34 cents-higher than since 1810. New method

of preparing sewing cotton by Mr. Holt.

1819. Extraordinary prices for Alabama cotton lands.

1820. Steam power first applied with success extensively to lace manufac

tures.

1822. First cotton factory in Lowell erected.

1823. First export of raw cotton from Egypt into Great Britain. 1825. In New Orleans, cotton at from 23 to 25 cents per pound. 1826. Self-acting mule-spinner patented in England by Roberts.

1827. American cotton manufactures first exported to any considerable extent. 1829. Highest duty in the U. S. on foreign cotton manufactures.

1830. About this time Mr. Dyer introduced a machine from the United States into England for the purpose of making cards.

1832. Duty on cotton goods imported into the U. S. reduced one half, and in England it is forbid to employ minors in cotton mills for more than nine hours on a Saturday: in consequence they work at something else.

1834. Cotton at 17 cents.

1835. Extensive purchases made of cotton lands by speculators and others. 1836. The season began at 16 cents, and ended at 20 cents. 1837. Cotton reached 22 cents, and then

THE BEN SHERROD.-The burning of the steamer Ben Sherrod on the Mississippi, in May last, with the loss of one hundred and fifty human lives, is one of those horrible casualties which could occur (so murderously inefficient, so inadequate to the protection of life, are our laws) in no land but America. The journals of the day have acquainted all readers with the harrowing particulars, and we need not repeat them. It is sufficient to say that the catastrophe happened of course (when does such an accident happen in the United States otherwise than of course?) in consequence of criminal carelessness on the part of those to whom the wretched victims had committed their safety. The boat was racing, the firemen were supplied with liquor, a barrel at a time, the passengers were asleep; the boat took fire from the furnaces, the tiller-ropes were burnt: the rest may be imagined. But a few weeks or months before, it is said that a number of passengers from the same steamer were drowned in consequence of the captain (then, also, engaged in racing,) attempting to put them ashore in his yawl instead of coming to at the landing. In the last and closing tragedy, he is reported to have lost his father and only child; for which reason his friends entreat a suspension of public opinion. In our opinion, that circumstance, if there was fault at all, adds to it double criminality.

It is really time that something should be done to abate the alarming frequency of steam boat accidents in the United States, particularly in the West and South. Public opinion-a tribunal we are fast learning to defy-will never arrest the evil. The avarice of steam boat owners, who build high-pressure engines, because cheaper than the safer condensing engines; the pride and emulation of captains, who think the disgrace of being beaten by another boat more dreadful than the prospect of blowing a dozen souls into eternity; the inflammable spirits even of passengers themselves, who so often encourage their commanders to a race; are adverse to every hope of improvement. Nothing but the strong arm of the law can put down the evil, and it should be interposed without further delay.

FAIRMOUNT IN MINIATURE.-An extremely ingenious and beautiful model, on a large scale, of the Philadelphia Water-works is now exhibiting in Chesnut Street,-rocks, trees, buildings, reservoirs, fountains, and all,—a perfect fac-simile of the original. It deserves repeated inspections, and will enable our friends of other places (for, we doubt not, it will be carried from city to city,) to make the acquaintance of the chief lion of Philadelphia without stirring from their own strongholds.

PONDRETTE.-The manufacture of this new species of manure will introduce an invaluable improvement into the economy of both city and country.

Messrs. Payen and Buran, of Paris, have discovered a composition which disinfects human excrement and all animal substances, and renders them the most fertilizing manure, perfectly free from any obnoxious odor, and in a pulverized state, now manufacture it on a large scale in France, where it is generally used. The enterprising Mr. D. K. Minor of New-York is now using his efforts to introduce the manufacture of pondrette into that city; thereby converting one of the greatest nuisances of a crowded metropolis into a source of revenue, and at the same time essentially benefiting agriculture. An extract from a report made to the Horticultural Society of Paris, by the Viscount Debonnaire de Gif, states that, "The result of my examination of the effect produced by this new manure in horticultural proceedings is this: that this pulverized compound appears to hasten the development of vegetables, and consequently accelerates their fructification; that it does not possess the bad quality of containing the seeds of weeds; that it improves by degrees the soil, and produces more abundant crops; and it can, consequently, be applied to garden plants, which exhaust the soil; nor does it impart any disagreeable flavor to fruits or vegetables. It likewise adds considerably to the growth and beauty of the dahlia and other bulbous roots. The facility of its conveyance is also a great recommendation."

THE SOUTH AMERICAN CURE FOR THE HYDROPHOBIA.-This dreadful disease is extremely common in violent heats of summer. The wild beasts in a country but ill supplied with streams, and in the long summer with all those streams dried up, tear their flesh in agony with this disease: the wolves and all of the dog kind are the especial sufferers; but the jaguars, or tigers, and perhaps all that roam the sandy plains, are seized with this fury; accidents are, of course, common among the hunters, herdsmen, and the people of the lower ranks in general; but they excite comparatively little terror from the frequency and simplicity of the cure. This is effected by taking two or three doses of a powdered root, which seems something of the hellebore genus. This root throws the patient into the most copious perspiration: the second day generally completes the cure, though the patient remains weak for a time. This is better than smothering between two mattrasses, or killing with laudanum, after six weeks agony of suspense and a week of frenzy. It is remarkable, that this root acts in the same manner as the only medicines which have been found as a palliative of this terrible disease in Europe. Sudorifics alone seem to have produced any effect here; and some instances of the singular force of the vapor bath in quieting the paroxysms, have been given within these few years, which may lead to a more skilful treatment. Blackwood's Magazine says "That all this, however, has been told to English surgeons already; the root in question has even been brought to England and administered; but, as is reported, without effect. Still, while we know how hard it is to convince any man, even an hospital surgeon, against his will, what slight circumstances may be taken advantage of, and what important ones may be neglected, where the mind of the experimentalist is not in favor of the operation; we must suspend our belief that the root which had so plainly wrought its cure in South America becomes utterly useless in crossing the Atlantic. We hope that trials will continue to be made. The man who shall succeed in bringing the hydrophobia within the power of European medicine, will deserve the highest gratitude of Europe, and would doubtless receive the most valuable testimonials of the liberality of England."

WESTERN TRADE OF PENNSYLVANIA.-New-York will have to be on the qui vive, or the Key-Stone state will steal such a march upon her as not to be overtaken. From the 1st April to 1st Oct. 1836, there were exported from Pittsburg, east on the canal-of Bacon, 3,619,000 lbs.; Lard, 210,455 do; Flour, 39,378 bbls; Feathers, 49,875 lbs; Deer Skins, 85,472 do.; Tobacco, 4,144,525 do.; Wool,

816,177 do. The amount in bulk of various articles of merchandize, sent from Pittsburg down the Ohio, or brought to it, during the year 1836, is estimated at 146,400 tons. The tonnage of the various steam boats subject to wharfage for the same time, amounted to 74,734 tons. 30,000,000 feet of lumber are annually brought down the Alleghany, and sent down the Ohio.

CHALK AND WATER.-Such is the great thickness of the chalk formation on the left bank of the Seine, that in boring for water they have reached the great depth of 1200 French feet, which is equal to 1305 English, without success. [If they persist in boring, and get down to 2000 feet, the water will come up at a heat of thirty-five degrees, so as to supply the warm baths without fuel.]

TIDES.-According to recent and accurate observations, the tide wave travels from the Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar, a distance of nearly 5000 miles, in the incredibly short period of 12 hours, which is at the rate of above 400 miles an hour. The same wave requires 12 hours to reach Edinburgh from Gibraltar, a distance of about 1900 miles, and proceeds with a velocity of 160 miles an hour; whereas that from Edinburgh to London, only 500 miles, requires the same time of 12 hours, and goes at the rate of 42 miles an hour. These retardations in the rate of velocity of the tide wave are occasioned by the obstruction it receives from the coast it comes in contact with. At Liverpool it is found that a fall of one tenth of an inch in the barometer raises the tide one inch, which is a beautiful illustration of the law of gravitation.

ANOTHER MOON HOAX.-A narrative detailing the discovery, in the interior of New Holland, of a highly civilized people remotely descended from the English, has been published in England under the editorship of Lady Mary Fox. This work, says an English paper, on many accounts, is likely to excite the greatest attention.

A SIXTH CONTINENT.-An extraordinary phenomenon, presented in the Southern Ocean, may render our settlements in New South Wales of still more eminent importance. A sixth continent is in the very act of growth before our eyes! The Pacific is spotted with islands through the immense space of nearly fifty degrees of longitude and as many of latitude. Every one of these islands seems to be merely a central spot for the formation of coral banks, which, by a perpetual progress, are rising from the unfathomable depths of the sea. The union of a few of these masses of rock shapes itself into an island; the seeds of plants are carried to it by the birds or by the waves; and from the moment that it overtops the waters it is covered with vegetation. The new island constitutes, in its turn, a centre of growth to another circle. The great powers of nature appear to be still in peculiar activity in this region; and to her tardier process she sometimes takes the assistance of the volcano and earthquake. From the south of New Zealand to the North of the Sandwich Islands, the waters absolutely teem with those future seats of civilization. Still the coral insect, the diminutive builder of these mighty piles, is at work; the ocean is intersected with myriads of those lines of foundation; and when the rocky superstructure shall have excluded the sea, then will come the dominion of man.-Liverpool Paper.

STATISTICS.-The yearly value of the whole agricultural produce of England and Wales may be estimated at about 132,000,000l., and that of Scotland at about 23,000,000l., making a gross sum of about 155,000,000l. Now, deducting from the amount 12,000,0001. for the value of seed, and the sums required to keep up the stock of horses, &c., we have the sum of 143,000,000%. as representing the

entire value of the various articles of agricultural produce annually consumed by man. At present, (1836,) the population of Great Britain may be taken at 18,000,000, which consequently gives 8., or so, for the average annual consumption of each individual. The annual value of the agricultural produce of Ireland does not exceed 45,000,000l. Now, if we deduct 6,000,000l. for the value of seed, and of the sums required to replace horses, &c., 3,500,000l. for the value remitted in the shape of rent, &c. to absentee proprietors, we have 35,500,000l. pounds to be distributed among the resident population; which, as the latter may be taken at about 8,500,000, gives nearly 41. 3s. to each.

The number of young men in France liable to be drawn for the army, in 1834, contained 326,298 names; that for 1833 was made up of 285,805 names. The following is a comparative statement of the state of education of these two classes:

ANCIENT AND MODERN DEMOCRACIES.-" We should remove some very important prejudices from our minds, if we could once subscribe to a fact plain in itself, but which the contests of modern party have utterly obscured-that in the mere forms of their government the Greek republics cannot fairly be pressed into the service of those who in existing times would attest the evils, or proclaim the benefits, of constitutions purely democratic. In the first place they were not democracies, even in their most democratic shape; the vast majority of the workingclasses were the enslaved population. And therefore, to increase the popular tendencies of the republic was, in fact, only to increase the liberties of the few. We may fairly doubt whether the worst evils of the ancient republics, in the separation of ranks and the war between rich and poor, were not the necessary results of slavery. We may doubt, with equal probability, whether much of the lofty spirit, and the universal passion for public affairs, whence emanated the enterprise, the competition, the patriotism, and the glory of the ancient cities, could have existed without a subordinate race to carry on the drudgeries of daily life. It is clear, also, that much of the intellectual greatness of the several states arose from the exceeding smallness of their territories, the concentration of internal power, and the perpetual emulation with neighboring and kindred states nearly equal in civilization; it is clear, too, that much of the vicious parts of their character, and yet much of their more brilliant, arose from the absence of the PRESS. Their intellectual state was that of men talked to, not written to. Their imagination was perpetually called forth-their deliberative reason rarely; they were the fitting audience for an orator, whose art is effective in proportion to the impulse and the passion of those he addresses.

"Nor must it be forgotten that the representative system, which is the proper conductor of the democratic action, if not wholly unknown to the Greeks, and if unconsciously practised in the Spartan ephoralty, was at least never existent in the more democratic states. And assemblies of the whole people are compatible only with those small nations of which the city is the country. Thus, it would be impossible for us to propose the abstract constitution of any ancient state as a warning or an example to modern countries which possess territories large in extent, which subsist without a slave population, which substitute representative councils for popular assemblies, and which direct the intellectual tastes and political habits of a people, not by oratory and conversation, but through the more calm and dispassionate medium of the press. This principle settled, it may perhaps be generally conceded, that on comparing the democracies of Greece with all other contemporary forms of government, we find them the most favorable to mental cultivation-not more exposed than others to internal revolutions-usually in fact, more durable, more mild and civilized in their laws; and that the worst, tyranny of the Demus, whether at home or abroad, never equalled that of an oligarchy or a single ruler. That in which the ancient republics are properly a model to us, consists not in the form, but the spirit of their legislation. They teach us that patriotism is best promoted by bringing all classes into public and constant intercourse, that intellect is most luxuriant wherever the competition is