the false asphodel, is constructed on the equi- Jin an opposite direction, our lady friends had tant principle, and this anatomical peculiarity, not yet risen, so we wandered out alone,— doubtless, saved our comrade's valuable life. We now bade adieu to the swamps, never doubting, however, that it was common enough for young men and young women to chase false asphodels up and down in this life. Our tin treasure-boxes were now bursting full-we had seen much, enjoyed much, and as the lengthening shadows of the cedars crept across the bog, we strolled off to our hotel. After resting a little, and enjoying a drink of as good cold water as ever came out of the earth, our little band of seven drew together on the back portico, and commenced a nearer acquaintance with our new-found friends. At first we misinterpreted their language, but at length a jointed stem of the Narthecium unlocked the mysteries of Flora's kingdom, and we rejoiced with her lovely daughters. We would like to note beauties or peculiarities in some of the plants in this place, but we must ramble on towards the end. Let us, however, beg of the dear "Club" not to forget that meeting on the back piazza at "Shamong Hotel," for did not the cool air fan us from the ocean, and did not the mosquitoes buzz without melody, and bite without judgment? We dare not be personal, or we could mention more than one red nose and spotted cheek, and divers scratchings where doubtless it did itch. After supper we found amusement for a short time in gazing at the inglorious scenery before our hotel. But night's dark curtain rapidly obscured all things around Shamong, and being some weary from our wade after water lilies, we early sought our snug roosting place. How rapidly Time drives his car around the world, while slumber holde her soft fingers on our lids! We are reminded of Holland's charming word picture of a child falling asleep: "Now, he thinks he'll go to sleep; See! he is hushed in sweet repose." The midnight silence at Shamong-how different from that of a great city! It was broken only by the rattle of the iron pump throwing up water for the thirsty iron horse, and by the vagrant whippoorwills, who seemed out on a frolic, for they did vociferate most strangely around our hotel. Seventh mo. 18th, 4 o'clock, A. M.-Another day had dawned, and for our party it promised to be favorable. We had longed once more to see the sun rise, and a little after this hour we were on the rustic bridge about one mile from our hotel. Our comrade had already gone out "Into the blithe and breathing air, Into the solemn wood; Solemn and silent everywhere, Nature, with folded hands, seemed there, Like one at prayer we stood." How sweet was that early morning air, loaded with the breath of the cedars! and how one is made to love life, when eye and ear, and touch, and every sense opens the "soul's shut-up mansion," and floods it with delight; when nature is so prodigal of beauty! But day was grandly coming. The eastern horizon was free from clouds, and lonely and alone the bright sun looked upon the world. A few patches of clouds high up near the zenith, turned their golden cheeks to receive his morning kiss. Oh! sweet clouds ! "What have we here to make you stay one second? The sun's brilliant pencils had fallen on the dark cedars, and their tops, stirred by the morning air, danced with delight in their golden bath, and their rejoicings reached our ears. A fog had rested on the swamp we waded yesterday, but at his first pitying glance, the sun took it up in his all-searching arms. At our feet the Droseras were gemmed all over with morning dew; the Poganias and Polygalas had opened their brilliant eyes, and were sparkling all round. Had the morning stars really fallen to earth, and were they nestling in the grass? From the old bridge we looked into the winecolored stream. It was a Claude Lorrain glass, in which was mirrored darkly all the beautiful clouds, the overhanging moss-fringed cedars, the railing of the bridge, and our own sunscorched and mosquito-bebitten physiognomy. Of course it is not flattering to be the homeliest feature in any picture, but we must tell the truth, though blushes follow in her tracks. It was enough. Blessed is the man whose cup of life is small, and easily filled! Our little measure of enjoyment was brimming full. We had longed to worship at that early hour, in some grand old temple not built by human hands, whose walls were the firmament, and whose chandelier the newly-risen sun; whose aisles the dim, damp forest walks; whose curtains and silken drapery the golden morning clouds; whose seats for repose the dew-sprinkled and mossy banks; and whose minister is the Unspeakable One, who, alone, for us, can touch the harmonious orchestra of all his works. After a generous breakfast, and while the reluctant dew-drops still sparkled on the leaves, we all rambled off to a large lake not far distant from the hotel. Its sandy beach was one natural flower bed. The Lophiolas were abundant, and the Lachnanthes tinctoria wept tears of blood from its roots as we rudely tore it from the wet sand. The Lycopodium clavatum and L. inundatum (this latter is a rare plant), strange types of an extinct vegetation, grew in patches all around. All over the surface of this lake"The water lily to the light Her chalice reared of silver light." We could not resist the temptation, because we did not try to, so off went shoes and stockings again, and another wade for water lilies commenced. The little sand pipers scolded us famously for presuming to invade their special dominions, but we paddled around and quickly gathered our harvest of lilies, of blood-root, of great nodding brown heads of Sarracenia in fruit, of Lophiola and Sabbatia, and Lobelia Nuttallii, completing the bouquet with the yellow-eyed grass (Xyris Caroliniana?). One bed of golden Polygala, of nature's graceful planting, we hope not soon to forget. difficult is it often to decide specific differences? After dinner we packed our treasures, and with home-turned faces waited for the train. We noticed that several huckleberry wagons, with their thin white covers, had come in from the pines, like vessels to their port, in order to dispose of their cargoes for New York market. Now these forest craft are navigated often by men of striking originality of character and appearance, shrewd and instinctively sagacious as the wild foxes themselves. One of these forest captains our party had enticed on the piazza, and were sounding the depths of his wisdom by But the sun grew hotter as he climbed to- rapid questions. Doubtless he was a philosowards the meridian, and we found seats at the pher. He was wise in moon knowledge, knew outlet of the lake, where the dark water rushed when frost would come and when it wouldn't, through the gates. How refreshing was its could always tell beforehand just how many music, as it rushed and eddied, and hurried eggs would hatch out of a dozen, especially away to spread new life and beauty in its down-"ef he'd had the getherin' on 'em himself." ward track; and how irresistibly its murmurs To us he seemed like a specimen not accurately excited in us a sweet mysterious thought, whose described in Gray's Manual. interlocking thread reached back through all the beautiful flowers its brown wave had nour-coming. ished, "Again, a low, sweet tone, Our ramble now was nearly at an end, and our faces once more were turned towards the hotel. We had noticed a propensity in some of our party to be plucking the berries along the road-side, thus robbing the birds even in their own wild homes; and our wading comrade seemed especially prone that way, and now he was at his old trick again, only a little way off in among the dewberry bushes, gathering their luscious fruit, and thinking, in fancied security, as a botanist might, of "The fresh green days of life's fair spring, when, quicker than thought, a rattle snake What was it we now saw coming towards us in the distance? Was it a bonnet, or a hat, so The brazen whistle now told us the train was Farewell then to our forest friends; farewell to the quaking bogs and the sweet water-lilies; farewell to Shamong, to her monstrous huckleberries and her crisp cucumbers for break fast, for we shall never see the like again. No pen of ours shall ever register a line against thee, and when night's dewy curtain falls over thy habitations, may the Angel of Peace reward thee and thy kind host for affording us so much pleasure. FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. PHILADELPHIA, EIGHTH MONTH 24, 1867. RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION.-The gift of speech is one of the most valuable endowments conferred upon man by the bounty of his Crea. tor, but by perversion it becomes one of the most severe scourges that afflicts society. To it we are indebted for a large portion of the pleasure we enjoy in social and religious intercourse; it contributes greatly to intellectual development, and is indispensable in prosecuting the business of life. Yet to its perversion may be traced most of the hostile feelings that disturb the peace of society, engendering discord in the domestic and social circles,-in church and in state. means to ends. The faculty of speech, and the correlative faculty of hearing, evince, in the mechanism employed, the most beautiful adaptation of First-In the organs that produce and regulate the voice, causing vibrations in the atmosphere, of varied compass and ensity, expressing in a wonderful degree the thoughts of the mind and the emotions of the heart. Secondly-The structure of the ear, so wisely adapted to receive those sounds and convey them to the sensorium. ThirdlyThe mysterious power of the mind, which enables it to lay hold of the knowledge imparted by the senses, and to convey through the senses the dictates of the will. Fourthly-The adaptation of words to impart ideas and feelings. The immense number of words in a language, increasing with the progress of intelligence, so as to convey the nicest shades of thought and express the widest range of emotions. to attain fully this desirable end, the thoughts and imaginations must be purified by submitting to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. By a vigorous exercise of the will, we may generally restrain the expression of improper thoughts and feelings, so as not to offend the sensibility of our friends; and this much is required of all those who aspire to good breeding; but Christianity demands more than this. It is not sufficient to satisfy the Divine law, that we lop off the branches of the corrupt tree; the axe must be laid to its root, the thoughts must be purified and controlled. And, in truth, it will give us less pain and trouble to submit at once to this thorough reformation, than, by attempting a partial amendment, to find ourselves continually relapsing into sinful practices that we sincerely desire to abandon. Among these, there is one that is sometimes indulged in by persons who are otherwise virtuous, and even esteemed as religious. We allude to the practice of speaking too freely of the failings of others, so as to impair their reputation. This we have no right to do for the mere purpose of enter These considerations are calculated to impresstaining our friends in social converse, nor is it the mind with reverence and love for Him who conferred on man the power of speech, and they ought to induce us to apply this faculty to the purposes for which it was intended. doing to others as we would that they should do unto us There are occasions, however, when such communications are justifiable in order to guard our friends from apprehended injury, or to consult with them as to the best means of reclaiming the delinquent. To speak no evil of the absent unless it be with a good purpose, is a maxim that may be deduced from the apostle Paul's definition of charity,—that The proper government of the tongue was regarded by the Apostle James as the highest evidence of wisdom. "If any man offend not in word," he says, "the same is a perfect man and able to bridle the whole body." "The tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly crowning grace of the Christian character. evil full of deadly poison." Although it is beyond the power of man, without Divine assistance, to regulate the tongue, yet with that assistance, which is always given to the watchful, prayerful and obedient soul, this great victory may be achieved. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." As salt preserves from putrefaction, it was employed as a symbol of love, fidelity and incorruption. It was appointed to be used on all the sacrifices offered under the Mosaic law. If our conversation be guided by Divine grace and seasoned with pure love, it will be preserved in sweetness, and will impart to others pleasure and instruction. But in order On the subject of religious conversation, there is some diversity of sentiment and practice among persons of different denominations, who are regarded as exemplary Christians. Members of the Society of Friends are more reticent in this respect than most others; the Methodists, on the contrary, are generally more communicative. Perhaps a medium between these extremes would contribute most to edification and comfort. The remarks of Dymond on this subject are worthy of consideration, but we apprehend he carries his objections to an extreme. "Religious conversation" he says, "is one of the banes of the religious world. There are many who are really attached to religion, and who sometimes feel its power, but who name." Conversation are deemed appropriate : allow their better feeling to evaporate in an eb- | hearkened and heard it, and a book of rememullition of words. They forget how much re-brance was written before him for them that ligion is an affair of the heart and how little of feared the Lord and that thought upon his the tongue; they forget how possible it is to live under its power without talking of it to their friends; and some, it is to be feared, may forget how possible it is to talk without feeling its in. fluence. Not that the good man's piety is to live in his breast like an anchorite in his cell. The evil does not consist in speaking of religion, but in speaking too much; not in manifesting our allegiance to God; not in encouraging by exhortation, and amending by our advice; not in placing the light upon a candlestick-but in making religion a common topic of discourse Of all species of well-intended religious conversation, that perhaps is the most exceptionable which consists in narrating our own relig. ious feelings. Many thus intrude upon that DIED, in Yardleyville, Bucks Co., Pa, on the 1st religious quietude which is peculiarly favorable of Eighth month, 1867, at the residence of her sonto the Christian character. The habit of com-year of her age; a member of Chesterfield Monthly in-law Chas. Twining, MARY T. WEST, in the 79th municating 'experiences' is very- prejudicial to Meeting, N. J. the mind. It may sometimes be right to do cony, Pa., EMMA L., wife of Jonathan P. Iredell, in on the 15th of Eighth month, 1867, at Ta. this, but in the great majority of instances it is her 28th year. not beneficial and not right. Men thus dissiberry, 23d Ward, Pa., EMILY, wife of Silas Tomlinon the 4th of Eighth month, 1867, at Bypate religious impressions, and therefore dimin- son, in her 62d year. ish their effects." , on the 12th of the Fourth month, 1867, at his residence in Loudoun county, Va., HENRY S. TAYLOR, in the 67th year of his age; a member of much beloved and respected; being exemplary in Goose Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was life and conversation, faithfully fulfilling his duties as husband, parent and friend. -, on the 25th of the Seventh month, 1867, at his residence in Loudoun county, Va., JONATHAN GORE, aged 33 years and 8 days. As the close of life drew nigh, he was, through the illumination of Divine grace, favored to obtain clear views of spiritual truth, and he spoke very feelingly of the insufficiency tal soul, saying, of earthly things to satisfy the cravings of the immor"Should I be permitted to recover, I shall give less attention to the world, and more three weeks before his decease, after wrestling in to that which is to endure through eternity." About prayer some days, he signified that he was enabled to resign the world and to say, "Not my will but thine, O Lord! be done." After that he spoke with composure of his anticipated dissolution, requesting that which he would not exchange for any earthly his wife not to weep for him, as he had obtained possession. These remarks are doubtless applicable in some cases; but, on the other hand, the language of Solomon in relation to temporal wealth, is equally true of spiritual good: "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." They who think much and feel deeply on any subject whatever, find relief to the burdened mind by imparting their thoughts and feelings to their intimate friends, and in relation to the most interesting and important of all subjects, it can hardly be supposed that habitual reticence contributes to spiritual health. When we meet with a pilgrim journeying to wards the same point as ourselves, like Christian in his "Progress" to the celestial city, we may sometimes derive or impart instruction and enjoyment by conferring together and recalling the incidents of our travels,—the narrow escape on the 5th of Eighth month, at his residence from the Slough of Despond, the arduous as- near Fallston, Harford Co., Md., Lois K., wife of cent of the Hill Difficulty, and the inspiring of Little Falls Monthly Meeting. Daniel Pope, in the 72d year of her age; an elder Many grateful prospects we have had of the Delectable Moun- hearts can bear witness to the tender care with tains. It is written, "They that feared the which, in the course of her long and useful life, she was ever ready to minister to suffering. As earth faLord spake often one to another, and the Lordded from her view, her heart was filled with that in a great degree identified with us by attendance of Although not in membership with Friends, he was our meetings and profession of our principles, being also highly esteemed for his exemplary life. love to all, which is the foretaste of the happiness of CRITICISM ON THE MODERN SYSTEM OF EDUthe redeemed. DIED, on the morning of the 5th of Seventh month, CATION at the residence of her son J. G. Fell, in Philadel- In regard to the number of hours of confinephia, MARY WILSON, widow of the late Dr. John Wil-ment, and amount of study required of chilson, of Buckingham, Bucks Co., Pa., in the 75th year dren, it is hard to believe that schools have ever of her age. This dear friend suffered greatly during been much more murderously exacting than the last few months of her life, but was preserved in much resignation, and has left upon the memory of all who knew her, an impression of her sweetness and dignity of character. How many of those who have illustrated the Christian graces throughout long lives are passing away, and the places that knew them shall know them no more. now. The substitution of the single session of five hours for the old arrangement of two sessions of three hours each, with a two-hours interval at noon, was regarded as a great gain. So it would be, if all the brain-work required for the - on the 15th of Seventh month, at 4 o'clock P. M., in Bethel, Del. Co., Pennsylvania, SARAH LAR-day were done in that time; but in most KIN, wife of Wm. Larkin, in the 84th year of her age. She was a member of Concord Monthly and Particular Meeting for sixty-seven years, and a regular attendant and active business member. She had many warm friends of long acquaintance, who will feel that a sincere friend and co-worker in the cause of truth has left them. For many years she had been a patient sufferer, and was favored to bear her last severe sufferings without a murmur. on the 14th of Eighth month, 1867, C. CARROLL LIPPINCOTT, in his 35th year; a member of Pilesgrove Monthly Meeting, and Clerk of Preparative Meeting. We are requested to give notice that a Meeting for the Advancement of Peace Principles will be held in Abington Meeting-House, on First-day noon, Eighth month 25th, at 3 o'clock. All are invited. NOTICE. schools, with the five-hours session, there is next to no provision for studying in schoolhours, and the pupils are required to learn two, three, and four lessons at home. Now, when is Not in the your boy to learn these lessons? morning before school; that is plain. School ends at two. Few children live sufficiently near their schools to get home to dinner before half past two o'clock. We say nothing of the undesirableness of taking the hearty meal of the day immediately after five hours of mental fatigue; it is probably a less evil than the late dinner at six, and we are in a region where we are grateful for less evils! Dinner is over at after-quarter past three; we make close estimates. In winter there is left less than two hours before dark. This is all the time he is to have for out-door play; two hours and a half (counting in his recess) out of twenty-four. any farmer, even the stupidest, how well his colt or his lamb would grow if it had but two hours a day of absolute freedom and exercise in the open air, and that in the dark and the chill of a late afternoon! In spite of the dark and the chill, however, your boy skates or slides on until he is called in by you, who, if you are an American mother, care a great deal more than he does for the bad marks which will stand on his week's report if those three lessons are Eli M. Lamb, consenting thereto, has been appointed Agent of Friends' Publication Association in the city of Baltimore, and will keep an assortment of Friends' Books for sale. The works recently compiled by A. A. Townsend and Jane Johnson may be obtained of him at Friends' School, Lombard near Eutaw St., Baltimore. FRIENDS' ALMANAC FOR 1868. and Pocket Almanacs for 1868 printed, and they are The time for preparation having been short, the work has not been improved as much as it is hoped may be the case in succeeding years. For sale by EMMOR COMLY, 144 N. Seventh St. JOHN J. CORNELL, Mendon, N. Y. Ask not learned before bed-time. He is tired and cold; he does not want to study-who would? It is six o'clock before he is fairly at it. You work harder than he does, and in half an hour one lesson is learned; then comes tea. After tea half an hour, or perhaps an hour, remains before bed-time; in this time, which ought to be spent in light, cheerful talk or play, the rest The intellectual and spiritual treasures of the of the lessons must be learned. He is sleepy past should indeed be reverently preserved and and discouraged. Words which in the freshused; but they should be used as seed. In-ness of the morning he would have learned in stead of indolently living on the stores which our fathers left, we should cast them into the ground, and get the product fresh every season -old, and yet ever new. The intellectual and spiritual life of an age will wither, if it has nothing to sustain itself but the food which grew in an earlier era: it must live on the fruits that grow in its own time, and under its own eye. a very few moments with ease it is now simply out of his power to commit. You, if you are not superhuman, grow impatient. At eight o'clock he goes to bed, his brain excited and wearied, in no condition for healthful sleep; and his heart oppressed with the fear of "missing" in the next day's recitations. And this is one out of the school-year's two hundred and sixteen days-all of which will be like this, or |