yards beyond which the stalactites and stalagmites are commingled so as to form one vast screen of transparent alabaster. One of the gems of this charming group is called the Embroidered Petticoat, being a beautiful hollow stalactite, as smooth as marble, three feet in height, and having a symmetrical edge, six inches wide, made up of large crystals. But perhaps the most dazzlingly beautiful of these cavernhalls is the smaller one named the Hall of the Benediction, which lies still farther from the cave's mouth and deeper in the mountain. It obtained its name from a blessing having been pronounced upon it by the bishop in a moment of enthusiasm. This is a chamber of unsurpassed beauty. Floor, walls, and vault are alike of the purest white; slender columns of stalactite covered with thousands of small crystals form aërial vistas, or droop pendent from the roof like the most fanciful combinations of Eastern art. One of the most striking of these, a large stalactitic mass, which falls like a transparent cascade with an undulating surface, has been named the Mantle of the Virgin. From beneath it issues a stream of water, the source of which lies deeper among the yet unexplored recesses of the cave. Still farther we come to the Gallery of the Lake, remarkable for the stalactitical mass called the Snow Drift, and this is at present the terminal point reached. The Lake of the Dahlias, which hides some marvelous crystallizations in the form of those flowers, stops farther progress. Returning through the Hall of the Benediction to the Gallery of the Fountain, the visitor turns into a side passage near its center, and traverses Hatuey Gallery, named in honor of an Indian chief, famous in the early history of Cuba, by reason of a slender, well-proportioned stalactite, which stands like a chieftain's lance, beneath a high vault. Here is also a lovely group of these fairy-like productions, called the Closet of the Beautiful Matanceras; and another resembling a canopied niche of the richest Gothic tracery. Many of the stalactites possess the property of double refraction, and occasionally the crystallizations are tinted with the delicate hues. of the violet or rose, or shine with the rich luster of gold." The cave of Bellamar runs from west to east, and attains a maximum depth of 360 feet. The temperature is in no part beyond 80 deg. Fahr. As may be expected, it has become, from its proximity to the wealthy and populous city of Matanzas, a place of great resort, and the owner evidently reaps no small advantage from the show. The entrance fee charged is a dollar for each person. For this guides and lights are provided; in addition to which the visitor finds good paths through it, fixed lights at the chief points, and small bridges thrown over places which need them. An excursion through it takes from two and a half to three hours. I have not heard that any natural communication with the surface exists, but no scientific exploration of it appears yet to have been made. From the London Intellectual Observer. EXCAVATIONS ATRO ME. DR. DEAKIN writes: "I have just been | mass of brick-work, broken up into ruins to see the progress the excavators are making in the site of the Palace of the Cæsars. You will remember that this palace is situated upon, and in fact entirely covered, one of the seven hills of Rome, viz.: the Palatine, and that in its present state it is about one and a half miles in circumference; the whole hill is now a of endless form, and in some parts covered up twenty feet beneath the present surface with broken fragments of brick-work, various kinds of marble columns, shattered slabs of marble which encased the walls, cornices, and mouldings of various designs, some of them most elegant, and their angles as sharp as though the workmen had only just finished them; but they are for the admission of light; some look as all so broken up that it is rare to find por- though they had been baths, the walls entions larger than a truncated column; it is cased in marble, and the ceiling adorned known, however, that these ruins have with frescoes representing dolphins, etc., been a vast store-house, as it were, from emblematic of the sea or water. Many of whence materials were taken for the erec- these paintings are almost as fresh in coltion of other buildings, and that even in or as though they had been only lately the time of Sixtus V. he had materials painted; the walls and arches, which are from this ruin, and probably from the very massive, are all built of bricks, but Colosseum, to assist in building St. Pe- on the eastern side of the hill overlooking ter's, and how many other churches and the site of the Circus Maximus, some buildings have been erected from these structures have been laid bare formed of ruins it is impossible to know; it is there- large squared blocks of tufa placed upon fore not to be wondered at that the remain-each other without cement between them, ing mass which covers up the foundation in the form of large pillars, about sixteen of the building should be as it is found, feet high, supporting arches; these it is chiefly plaster and cement, mixed with thought are some of the earliest structures only small portions of marble and com- in Rome, being built at the period of the paratively few bricks and stone. No stat- Roman kings—that is, between the years ues of any importance have hitherto been 753-510 B.C. They are of Etruscan arfound, and it is probable that there are chitecture, and very similar to the Cloanot any left that have escaped former ex- ca Maxima and the walls of the Mamercavators. There is, however, great inter- tine prisons; these ancient foundations est attached to these excavations, as it is formed the substructure upon which Auhoped that they will enable us to make, gustus built his imperial palace, and the from the existing foundations, plans of remains of what was the celebrated Palathe ancient palace and other buildings tine Library, an academy which had three attached to it, and as the Palatine is the or four elevated seats round it in the form hill upon which Romulus, the founder of of an amphitheater; besides these, the Rome and the Romans as a nation, first traces of other spacious halls may be seen, established himself. as well as the foundations of what is sup"The first object of attention upon ex-posed to have been a portico, formed of amining the excavations is a portion of pub- numerous lofty columns. All these buildlic road which leads up to the palace, andings were made of massive brick-work, was a branch of the Via Sacra from the Summa, the spot where the Arch of Titus stands, and, like the rest of the road, it is formed of large irregular-shaped blocks of volcanic stone; one of these at the top of the ascent is about eight feet long and four wide; near this are the foundation of brick walls forming small compartments; in other adjacent parts are numerous long, lofty, arched passages, branching off into numerous others, and into small apartments, some of which it appears were dark, as there is no appearance of apertures and encased with marble slabs, some portions of which still remain, as well as part of the marble pavement. Much, however, must still be done in the way of excavations before we can form an idea of what the buildings erected here were; indeed the difficulty of forming any accurate plan is very great, as the remains of former buildings which have been destroyed have been made use of as the foundations for others, and these again altered, and other portions added by various emperors at different periods." 402 LITERARY MISCELLANIES. By METHODS OF STUDY IN NATURAL HISTORY. LEWIS AGASSIZ. Pages 319. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1863. THE contents are indicated by sixteen chapters in the varied departments of natural history, or rather a commentary to the professor's classification. The name and renown of Professor Agassiz, as the most accomplished naturalist of the age, will at once commend this volume to the attention of all We have lovers of this department of learning. often listened to the lectures of Professor Agassiz with interest and wonder at the extent of his knowledge of the animal world. The various tribes of the ocean would seem as familiar to him, and their nature and forms and modes of existence, as if he Intelligent had been brought up among them. minds can hardly fail to derive interest and instruction from a perusal of this learned work. struggle. All admirers of Mr. Beecher's peculiar style of language and power of thought, and force of illustration, will find in this book an ample source of gratification. Few minds possess such resources of thought and diction, and fertility of illustration and ornament, as Mr. Beecher, when his mental laboratory is in full blast and working order. It is like a mental steam furnace. MEDITATIONS ON LIFE AND ITS RELIGIOUS DUTIES. Translated from the German by FREDERICA ROWAN. Pages 384. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1863. THIS is a rich and choice volume of ripe and melto all serious readers, who prefer pure gold of perlow fruit, which we cordially and heartily commend manent value to the tinsel of sentiment, which has ure, leaving no salutary impression behind. Human only the worth of whip sillabub of momentary pleas life is a serious thing. No wise or thoughtful mind will trifle with its immeasurable interests. The men OUR OLD HOME. A Series of English Sketches. By tal food treasured up in this volume is appropriate, NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, Pages 398. Boston: THE contents are 1. Consular Experiences. 2. Leamington Spa. 3. About Warwick. 4. Recol5. Litchfield and lections of a Gifted Woman, Uttoxeter 6. Pilgrimage to Old Boston. 7. Near Oxford. 8. Some of the Haunts of Burns. 9. A 10. Up the Thames. 11. Outside London Suburb. Glimpses of English Poverty. 12. Civic Banquets. Under these several topics the author has spread out a rich and agreeable literary feast to all the lovers of English scenes, manners, and customs, comprising a large and generous fund of information. GALA DAYS. BY GAIL HAMILTON, author of "Country Living and Country Thinking." Pages 436. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1863. BEAUTIFULLY printed on tinted paper, with that air of neatness and good taste which is characteristic Gala of all the publications of this eminent house. Days is a very appropriate title as expressive of the The mind of contents and language of this book. the author seems on a holiday excursion over green fields and meadows, among all kinds of attractive and beautiful things, scenes and objects, animate and inanimate, with graphic allusions to persons and places innumerable. The chapter on Side Glances at Harvard Class Day, is a sharp caustic on some of the customs of the occasion, and her allusions and descriptions of the dance, in the waltzing modes of it, should be read by all lady lovers of that "profane and vicious dance," as Gail Hamilton justly calls it. It is a severe and just rebuke of the practice, though the gifted authoress was severely criticised by some wounded pen for her strictures on the custom. FREEDOM AND WAR. Discourses on Topics Suggested THE Contents embrace eighteen discourses, on nutritious, and healthful. LEVANA; OR THE DOCTRINE OF EDUCATION. Translated ALL who are acquainted with the name and char- educational instruction. By CAROLINE CHESEBRO. Pages 400. New-York: PETER CARRADINE; OR, THE MARTINDALE Pastoral. Sheldon & Company, 335 Broadway. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1863. THE contents are comprised in forty-five chapters. This neat and pleasant pastoral is from the graceful and facile pen of Caroline Chesebro, whose descriptive talents have often been employed for the gratification of the reading public. While the scenes are found in a good degree among home life in the The moral of the book is worthy country, there is much to interest the mind and The mend the heart. of notice. It will be found pleasant reading. book makes its appearance in an attractive form, in keeping with all the issues of this well known and enterprising publishing house. BROKEN COLUMNS. Pages 558. New-York: Sheldon & Company, 335 Broadway. 1863. THIS volume appears without the name of the author, or without literary parentage. But somebody wrote it who wielded an able and powerful pen. Along many pages of the book may be seen numerous traits of human life and character cropping out, some quaintly and quietly, others in bold relief. Peter Bayne, the essayist, says of it: "I have complied with your request and read Broken Columns carefully through. I do not hesitate to pronounce it, in my judgment, superior to Adam Bede. The plot is admirable, and the execution is a singular nearness to perfection. I am confident where it is read and known it will have an extensive sale." LA VIE DE CÉSAR.-The Journal de Geneve con. tains the following from a Paris correspondent: "La Vie de César. par Louis Napoleon,' is printing at this moment. There can be no further doubt about it, and I am in possession of information from the Imperial printing-office to the effect that a first impression, consisting of 100 copies, has been struck off, in which the necessary alterations are being made at this time. Workmen have been selected for this purpose who have been employed in the office for many years, and they have been told that on the slightest indiscretion on their part they will lose their places. After the printing of each leaf in quarto every form is secured with three chains and three locks, the keys of which M. Petitin, the director of the printing-office, takes with him. As soon as the printing is completed the sheets are taken into the emperor's cabinet; then the collaborateurs set to work correcting the press or altering such passages as the emperor wishes to see redone. You see that measures are pretty well taken against any information reaching foreign papers-a subject of great dread with the author. The work, it is further said, will appear in a few months-and in two editions-one printed at the Imperial printing-office, the other at Plon."-The Reader. CAPTAIN BRAyton and a GOBLET OF GRATITUDE.– Our veteran friend Captain Brayton, of the noble steamer Empire State, of the Fall River Line, has just shown us a splendid embossed silver goblet, lined with gold, good enough for an imperial monarch to drink out of-to the health of all creation, if he were so benevolently disposed. This goblet was the spontaneous and hearty gift of gratitude from the colored crew of the Empire State to Captain Brayton, for his brave and generous protection THE COMMERCE OF THE WORLD.-The commerce during the late disgraceful, terrible riots in New- of the world requires 3,600,000 of able-bodied men York, when he stood between them and the deep to be constantly traversing the sea; of this number, peril of their lives, and made his steamer their castle 7500 die every year. The amount of property anof defense and safety. This goblet gift is alike hon-nually moved on the water is from fifteen hundred orable to Captain Brayton and the grateful givers. The goblet will long remain a treasured memorial in the family of Captain Brayton. VALUABLE BOOKS CHEAP.-Literary and professional men, and those wishing to enrich their libraries at a small comparative cost, will do well to call in at the cheap Miscellaneous Book Store of A. Lloyd, No. 111 Nassau-street, New-York, where they will find treasures of literature in various departments-historical, theological, biographical, and philosophical. Mr. Lloyd has a fine assortment of books, and will be able to satisfy those who may please to call upon him. MISS AIKIN'S SEMINARY FOR YOUNG LADIES. We take pleasure in making an emphatic commendatory mention of Miss Aikin's Seminary for Young Ladies, at the beautiful city of Stamford, Connecticut, ninety minutes' ride by railway from the city of New-York. We speak from per. sonal knowledge, claiming a daughter as one of the pupils. The seminary building-a few steps separate from the large commodious dwelling and dormitory rooms for Miss Aikin, her lady professors, and the young ladies-commands a fine and extensive view of Long Island Sound, exerting an expanding influence on the minds of the young ladies, and offering to their lungs a most salubrious atmosphere to two thousand millions of dollars; and the amount lost by the casualties of the sea averages twenty-five millions of dollars. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS IN 1862.-A parliamentary return states that during the year ending Dec. 31, 1862, there were 216 persons killed and 600 injured in consequence of railway accidents, of which 24 deaths occurred in Ireland, 42 in Scotland, and 150 in England and Wales; the number of miles of railway open in each division respectively being 1598, 1777, and 8176. During 1861, when the total number of miles of railway open in the United Kingdom was 10,833, the number of lives lost by accident was 284, and the number of persons injured 883. Of the 216 deaths in 1862, 26 passengers and 20 servants of contractors or the companies were killed from circumstances over which they had no control, and 9 passengers and 89 servants from want of caution on their part; 49 of the remainder were trespassers, including 7 cases of suicide. FOOLSCAP PAPER.-In Charles the First's time all English paper bore in water marks the royal arms. The Parliament under Cromwell made jests of this law in every conceivable manner; and, among other indignities to the memory of King Charles, it was ordered that the royal arms be removed from the paper, and the "fool's cap and bells" be sub stituted. These, in their turn, were also removed | when the Rump Parliament was prorogued; but paper of the size of the Parliament journal still bears the name of "foolscap." A RICH farmer's son, who had been bred at the University, coming home to visit his father and mother, they having one night a couple of fowls for supper, he told them that by logic and arithmetic he could prove those two fowls to be three. "Well, let us hear," said the old man. "Why, this is one," cried the scholar; "and this," continued he, "is two; two and one you know make three." "Since you have made it out so well," answered the old man, "your mother shall have the first fowl, I will have the second, and the third you may keep to yourself for your great learning." WHY are makers of the Armstrong gun the most dishonest persons in her majesty's service?-Because they rifle all the guns, forge all the materials, and steel all the gun-breeches. NATIONAL SALUTATIONS.-The climate of Egypt is feverous, and perspiration is necessary to health; REPRODUCTIVE POWERS OF PLANTS.-In the prophence the Egyptian, meeting you, asks: "How do agation of the Fuchsia, or any other plant, we obyou perspire" "Have you eaten? Is your stom- serve that the buds of plants have the power of deach in good order?" asks the Chinaman-a touch-veloping roots if removed from the parent, and may ing solicitude, which can only be appreciated by a thus form a completely independent structure. It is nation of gourmands. The traveling Hollander asks by separating the buds, and placing them in circum you : How do you go?" The thoughtful, active stances favorable to their growth, that any particular Swede demands: "Of what do you think?" The variety of plant may be propagated more certainly Dane, more placid, uses the German expression: than by seeds. The limits which have been set by the "Live well?" But the greeting of the Pole is best Creator to the duration of the life of each being that of all: "Are you happy?" exists at any one time on the surface of the globe, would cause the earth to be speedily unpeopled were THE IDLER.-Every thing within us and about us not a compensation provided in the faculty of reshows that it never was intended that man should production, or of the formation of a new being simibe idle. Our own health and comfort, and the wel-lar to itself, possessed by every kind of plant. This fare and happiness of those around us, all require power of creating, as it were, a living structure, with that man should labor. Mind, body, soul, all alike all its wondrous mechanism, seems more extraordisuffer and rust out by idleness; the idler is a source nary and mysterious than any which we elsewhere of mental and moral offense to everybody around. witness; yet it is not so perhaps in reality. The He is a nuisance in the world, and needs abate- processes which are constantly taking place during ment for the public good, like any other source of the life of each being, and which are necessary to pestilence. the maintenance of its own existence, are no less wonderful and no less removed from any thing we witness in the world of dead matter. When the tree unfolds its leaves with the returning warmth of spring, there is as much to interest and astonish in the beautiful structure and important uses of these parts as there is in the expansion of its more gay and variegated blossoms; and when it puts forth new buds which by their extension prolong its branches over a part of the ground previously unshaded by its foliage, the process is in itself as wonderful as the formation of the seed that is to propa gate its race in some distant spot.-Hibberd's Gardeners' Magazine. CELIBACY, like the fly in the heart of an apple, dwells in perpetual sweetness, but sits alone and is confined, and dies in singularity; but marriage, like the useful bec, builds a house, and gathers sweetness from every flower, and labors and unites into societies and republics, and sends out colonies, and feeds the world with delicacies, and obeys their ruler, and keeps order, and exercises many virtues, and promotes the interest of mankind, and is that state of good to which God hath designed the present constitution of the world. TIME.-Be avaricious of time; do not give any moment without receiving it in value; only allow the hours to go from you with as much regret as you give to your gold; do not allow a single day to pass without increasing the treasure of your knowledge and virtue. The use of time is a debt we contract from birth, and it should only be paid with the interest that our life has accumulated. A WOMAN of genius, who has the sagacity to choose a perfectly true man as her companion, shows more of the divine gift in so doing, than in her finest talk or her most brilliant work of letters or of art. MIGNARD, the painter, was no less famous as a courtier than as an artist. He possessed the talent of flattery in a superlative degree, which in Louis STRENGTH OF CHARACTER.-Strength of character consists of two things-power of will and power of self-restraint. It requires two things, therefore, for its existence-strong feelings and strong command over them. Now we all very often mistake strong feelings for strong character. A man who bears all before him, before whose frown domestics tremble, and whose bursts of fury make the children of the household quake-because he has his will obeyed and his own way in all things, we call him a strong man, The truth is, that he is the weak man; it is his passions that are strong; he, mastered by them, is weak. You must measure the strength of a man by the power of the feelings he subdues, not by the power of those that subdue him. And hence composure is very often the highest result of strength. Did we ever see a man receive a flagrant injury, and |