force. Who that is unaccustomed to such or if there be even an indication of its starting, scenes, on viewing that pile of massive logs, he is drawn suddenly, up by those stationed now densely packed, cross-piled, and inter- above; and, in their excitement and apprehenwoven in every conceivable position in a deep sions for his safety, this is frequently done with chasm with overhanging cliffs, with a mighty such haste as to subject him to bruises and column of rushing water, which, like the heavy scratches upon the sharp pointed ledges or pressure upon an arch, confines the whole more bushes in the way. It may be thought best to closely, would decide otherwise than that the cut off the key-log, or that which appears to be mass must lay in its present position, either to the principal barrier. Accordingly, he is let dcay or be moved by some extraordinary con-down on to the jam, and as the place to be vulsion? Tens of thousands of dollars' worth operated upon may in some cases be a little lay in this wild and unpromising position. The removed from the shore, he either walks to the property involved, together with the exploits of place with the rope attached to his body, or, daring and feats of skill to be performed in untying it, leaves it where he can readily grasp it breaking that 'jam,' invest the whole with a in time to be drawn from his perilous position. degree of interest not common to the ordinary Often, where the pressure is direct, a few blows pursuits of life, and but little realized by many only are given with the axe, when the log snaps who are even familiar with the terms lumber in an instant with a loud report, followed sudand river-driving. In some cases many ob- denly by the violent motion of the 'jam; and, structing logs are to be removed singly. Days ere our bold river-driver is jerked half way to the and weeks sometimes are thus expended before top of the cliff, scores of logs, in wildest confuthe channel is cleared. In other cases a single sion, rush beneath his feet, while he yet dangles point only is to be touched, and the whole jam in air, above the rushing, tumbling mass. If is in motion. To hit upon the most vulnerable that rope, on which life and hope hang thus suspoint is the first object; the best means of effect-pended, should part, worn by the sharp point of ing it next claims attention; then the consum- some jutting rock, death, certain and quick, mation brings into requisition all the physical would be inevitable. force, activity, and courage of the men, more especially those engaged at the dangerous points. The deafening noise when such a jam breaks, produced by the concussion of moving logs whirled about like mere straws, the crash and breaking of some of the largest, which part apparently as easily as a reed is severed, together with the roar of waters, may be heard for miles; and nothing can exceed the enthusiasm of the river-drivers on such occasions, jumping, hurra "From the neighboring precipice overhanging the scene of operation, a man is suspended by a rope round his body, and lowered near to the spot where a breach is to be made, which is always selected at the lower edge of the jam. The point may be treacherous, and yield to aing, and yelling with joyous excitement." feeble touch, or it may require much strength to prove it. In the latter case, the operator fastens a long rope to a log, the end of which is taken down stream by a portion of the crew, who are to give a long pull and strong pull when all is ready. He then commences prying while they are pulling. If the jam starts, or any part of it, The volume concludes with a description of the wild and beautiful streams of the State. Numerous bear stories are scattered through, and exciting tales of forest perils, forming altogether a work agreeable for perusal, as well as valuable for information. FAMILIAR TALK WITH OUR READERS. DEAR READER-The year draws to a close, and we are once again face to face, in friendly chat with you. "This last proposition was received with unbounded cheers. Herr Meyer's beer was good We see you smiling and hope--and the other resolutions remain to be acted upon.'" ful of entertainment. You cannot know in what mood we write whether we are sad or gay, whether fortune is for or against us; whether we are triumphant in our daily walk, or that our "enemies prevail against us in the gate." It is enough, perhaps, for you to know that we are here, in this Conversation room of the DOLLAR, together. We are glad to see you: for we feel an indescribable sympathy which is a sure bond. And with this greeting we begin to " talk" with you once more. The Americans certainly do something in a way of their own; for instance they have a way in this city of publishing spicy weekly newspapers at 2 cents a copy, and bestowing upon them a support of 10, 20 and 30 thousand a week. Among them we notice the New York REVEILLE, from which we select for the entertainment of our readers a few piquant paragraphs-under the impression that some of them may fancy just such a weekly visitor! And now they will know where to find it. The first is given as an "extraordinary city item." FIRE.-Mr. Augustus Schroeder-Snaps, the eminent teacher of German, in Avenue C, by holding his head too close to the lamp on Tuesday night, set his hair on fire, and burnt down his whole crop, to the last hair. His friends have started a subscription to buy him a wig. At a large and enthusiastic meeting, held at Meyer's "Wertshaus," on Friday last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 1. "Whereas, our respected fellow-citizen, Herr Augustus Schroeder-Snaps, is a German, from Faderland. 2. "Resolved, that we have heard, with great pain, that he has lost his entire head of hair. 3. That inasmuch as this great calamity was occasioned to Herr Snaps in his too ardent pursuit of learning. 4. "Therefore, resolved, that we subscribe one penny a-piece, so that everybody may have a chance, till a sufficient sum is made up to buy for the professor one of Bachelor's best wigs. 5. "Resolved, that a committee of nine be appointed to wait upon Herr Snaps, with a copy of these resolutions, and desire from him whether he prefers a bob or a full bottom. 6. " Resolved, that we tender our sincere condolence and sympathies to everybody on account of this great calamity. 7. " Resolved, lastly, that we proceed immediately to convey our high sense of respect for the character of the distinguished afflicted, by immediately taking a drink all round. WHAT'S THE H'ODDS!-In the Fourteenth Ward, one of the candidates for Assistant Alderman, though now possessing wealth, was once a hod-carrier, and has still in his possession the identical hod with which he descended from a scaffolding while the procession in honor of President Jackson's visit to this city in 1830 was passing by. When this little incident was mentioned in the presence of a recently arrived cockney of the radical school, he observed, 'As if a man's business should make any difference in this ere republican country. He may be a merchantprince, or he may be a hod-carrier-what's the h'odds!", THE DUTCH COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.-No thing gratifies us more than to receive, from such of our readers as keep an eye and ear open to what is going on around them, anecdotes of their neighborhood, like this-which we have among our week's correspondence, from S. C. M. "The other day I went over to a Dutch grocery, to get a $1 bill changed. The DutchIman had heard of $10 bills being altered from 1; he took the ten I offered him, and held it to the light. "What are you doing that for?' I inquired. His answer was brilliant. I vish to see if dish bill have been altered from a $10.'" Worthy of Nicholas Biddle-decidedly! NOT SO BAD." The special reporter of this office encountered the hatless prophet,' George Munday, in Broadway, on Saturday, and remarking that he could not see that he was much changed, George replied, that other people had their Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and so on, to go through, and therefore they must grow old faster than himself; for he was always Munday.' Falls, Oct. 3, and addressed to her counsel in this city. She says "** I have not the most remote idea of ever again returning to the stage; and although I usually treat with perfect indifference the reports and sayings of writers in newspapers, or otherwise, yet I should feel really thankful to you to state that no inducement whatever can tend to make me change my mind in reference to the resolution I have adopted to quit the stage.' - THE" HAAS"-OTYPE.-From their peculiar excellence we find some of our brethren of the press disposed to signalize the daguerreotype pictures taken by Mr. PHILLIP HAAS, by a special name. In finish, color, and artistic disposition of person, and light and shade, Mr. Haas's daguerreotypes may certainly claim attention among those of all his competitors. They are beautiful pictures, and seem to our judgment as near perfection as that art admits of. KOSSUTH'S MANUSCRIPT NEWSPAPER.-AS everything relating to this great patriot, who will be amongst us perhaps before our present sheet is dry, is of interest to our community, we lay before our readers a brief account of his struggles in an attempt to publish a liberal newspaper in Hungary. "With funds contributed by some of the deputies, he procured a lithographic press, with the view of disseminating his journal at as cheap a rate as possible, though not without some profit to himself, through all the comitats or districts of Hungary. The experiment took with the people; but the Austrian spies became alarmed, and soon the central government ordered the paper to be suppressed. Kossuth's party in the Diet (the Hungarian Congress) resisted. It would not do to put down the liberal journal, and the matter was compromised | by buying out the press. But this did not stop the paper. It was published in manuscript, and though the price was raised, of necessity, the experiment still succeeded. The price was, indeed, raised to six florins for the monthly amount of the journal, of which one or two sheets were issued twice a week; the number of readers decreased, but still each district was a customer for from one to six copies. In the towns several societies paid in advance, and many deputies contributed individually, for it was found that the speeches of subscribers. and benefactors were improved and enriched under Kossuth's treatment, and reputation and popularity flowed from his pen. The enterprise was altogether a hit, and Kossuth soon arrived not only at covering his expenses, but at some consideration in a country of which he influenced with a progressive force the representative body, their discussions, and their decisions; while, at the same time, he acquired numerous followers, in a body of young copyists, who remained in after times his zealous adherents." Dramatic Literature is certainly looking up, as we judge from a new tragedy in a green [Ought to be one of our city watch. PHILIPS, SAMPSON & Co. have added to the Library stock a most valuable book in the "Life of Sterling by THOMAS CARLYLE"thorough examination of the literary career, . written in a bold style of comment and sympathy it has already attracted general attention, and will, we are safe in asserting, prove one of the most successful and substantial of the enterprises of the popular publishers. HARPER & BROTHERS, with unabated activity, send forth their (almost) daily volume: -ranging over the entire field of publication including their "MONTHLY," with that most spirited and interesting Life of Napoleon by Mr. Abbott (one of the best popular biographies we have read in a long while). Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World," by Professor Cressey. New numbers of that patriotic hit, LOSSING's Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution. Mayhew's London Labor and the London Poor. A useful abstract and compend of English Literature by MILLS: and other valuable publications in every department. The Captains of the Old World, by Mr. H. W. HERBERT, issues from the Press of CHARLES SCRIBNER, in handsome equipment of paper, print, and embellishment. Mr. Herbert's talents as a narrator are generally acknowledged; and in this work we have the double guarantee of a skilful hand in the author, and a judicious publisher to whom we are constantly indebted for an increase of our readable books. simplicity of sentiment and home-truthfulness, M. W. DODD has published the "Manual of Atonement," and "Gospel Harmony," among his standard works, which interest a large section of the religious world, and are always well worthy of purchase and preservation. SHERMAN, ADRIANCE & Co. add to the stock of current American Poetry a volume of much merit and promise, in FISH's Poems. In the new Life of JOHN STERLING, the "DELTA" of Blackwood by Carlyle, we have this curious passage in regard to his father Edward Sterling, who was, for many years, the writer of the leaders in the London Times, at a stipend it is reported of $10,000 per year: JOHN BALL, Esq. (of 48 North Fourth . Street, Philadelphia, and 56 Gravier Street, "A good judge of men's talents has been New Orleans), has laid us under obligations heard to say of Edward Sterling: There is not with a timely work, "Hungary and Kossuth," a faculty of improvising equal to this in all my by Dr. TEFFT-written in a clear and unaffected circle. Sterling rushes out into the clubs, into style-examining the history of Hungary and London society, rolls about all day, copiously the career of Kossuth in a spirit of manly sym-talking modish nonsense or sense, and listening pathy, and furnishing just such information as to the like, with the multifarious miscellany of the American public most desire at this time, men; comes home at night; redacts it into a in reference to a man and a country which Times Leader-and is found to have hit the essenhave, by late decisive movements, placed them-tial purport of the world's immeasurable babbleselves in the vanguard of modern history. We count Mr. Ball among the best and worthiest book-issuers of our country! ment that day, with an accuracy beyond all other men. This is what the multifarious Babel sound did mean to say in clear words; this, more nearly. Dainty volumes of Poetry drop from than anything else. Let the most gifted intelthe press of TICKNOR, REID & FIELDS, as na- lect, capable of writing epic, try to write such a turally as pippins from an apple tree, and to Leader for the Morning Newspapers! No inthem we are accordingly indebted for a work tellect but Edward Sterling's can do it. An by R. H. STODDARD, and another by BAY- improvising faculty without parallel in my expeARD TAYLOR; both pleasant to read, show-rience.' In this improvising faculty,' much ing improvement and an excellent promise for the future. They also give us a new edition of that widely-circulated treatise on the Philosophy of Health by Dr. COLES. And a volume of special merit, in neatness of style, honest more nobly developed, as well as in other faculties and qualities with unexpectedly new and improved figure, John Sterling, to the accurate observer, showed himself very much the son of Edward. **Farewell, reader, till December ! DOLLAR MAGAZINE. DECEMBER, 1851. DIARY OF JOHN ADAMS. THE passion of the French for a celebrity | say that I was the infamous Adams. I make was never more distinctly shown, with no scruple to say that I believe both parties, for stronger circumstances of adulation, than in parties there were, joined in declaring that I was the reception of Franklin during the long not the famous Adams. I certainly joined both portion of the closing years of his life which sides in this, in declaring that I was not the he passed at Paris. He was everywhere the famous Adams, because this was the truth. lion, to the disturbance, it is said, of the standing menagerie of the court. When Adams landed as Commissioner he was very favorably received, but either from Franklin occupying the ground, an uncongeniality of feeling with the Parisian atmosphere, or, more than all, a sense of public duty, he was out of his element in the metropolis. A passage of his Diary explains this relation: THE FAMOUS ADAMS. "When I arrived in France, the French nation had a great many questions to settle. The first was, Whether I was the famous Adams? Le fameux Adams? Ah, le fameux Adams. In order to speculate a little upon this subject, the pamphlet entitled Common Sense' had been printed in the Affaires de l'Angleterre et de l'Amérique,' and expressly ascribed to Mr. Adams, the celebrated member of Congress-le célèbre membre du Congrès. It must be further known, that although the pamphlet, Common Sense, was received in France and in all Europe with rapture, yet there were certain parts of it that they did not choose to publish in France. The reasons of this any man may guess. Common Sense undertakes to prove that monarchy is unlawful by the Old Testament. They therefore gave the substance of it, as they said; and, paying many compliments to Mr. Adams, his sense and rich imagination, they were obliged to ascribe some parts to republican zeal. When arrived at Bordeaux, all that I could say or do would not convince anybody but that I was the fameux Adams. C'est un homme célèbre. Votre nom est bien connu ici.' My answer was, 'It is another gentleman, whose name of Adams you have heard; it is Mr. Samuel Adams, who was excepted from pardon by General Gage's proclamation.' Oh non, Monsier, c'est votre modestie.' 'It being settled that he was not the famous Adams, the consequence was plain; he was and therefore a man of no consequence-a some man that nobody had ever heard of before, cipher. And I am inclined to think that all parties, both in France and England-Whigs and Tories in England, the friends of Franklin, Deane, and Lee, in France-differing in many other things, agreed in this, that I was not the famous Adams. Seeing all this, and saying nothing-for what could a man say ?-seeing also that there were two parties formed among the Americans, as fixed in their aversion to each other as both were to Great Britain, if I had affected the character of a fool, in order to find out the truth and to do good by-and-by, I should have had the example of a Brutus for my justification; but I did not affect this character. I behaved with as much prudence and civility and industry as I could; but still it was a settled point at Paris and in the English newspapers that I was not the famous Adams; and therefore the consequence was settled, absolutely and unalterably, that I was a man of whom nobody had ever heard before,-a perfect cipher; a man who did not understand a word of French; awkward in his figure, awkward in his dress; no abilities; a perfect bigot and fanatic." There was no great mutual admiration of one another's statesmanship at this time between Adams and Franklin. The latter gets many a sly hit in the Diary, but none shrewder than in this report of a conversation with M. Marbois, on a voyage of the French frigate Sensible, upon his return home - DR. FRANKLIN DISCUSSED. "This forenoon, fell strangely, yet very easily, into conversation with M. Marbois. I "But when I arrived at Paris, I found a very went up to him. M. Marbois,' said I, how different style. I found great pains taken, much many persons have you in your train, and that more than the question was worth, to settle the of the Chevalier, who speak the German lanpoint that I was not the famous Adams. There guage?' Only my servant,' said he, besides was a dread of a sensation; sensations at Paris the Chevalier and myself.' It will be a great are important things. I soon found, too, that it advantage to you,' said I, 'in America, espewas effectually settled in the English newspa-cially in Pennsylvania, to be able to speak Gerpers that I was not the famous Adams. No-man. There is a great body of Germans in body went so far in France or England as to Pennsylvania and Maryland. There is a vast - 16 VOL. VIII. NO. XLVIII. |