fifth from last year for the extra week, the numbers | will then stand 1450 for 1866, and 1112 for 1867. It may also be noticed that, while the mean temperature for the month has been about two degrees above the average for many years, it was less, in all its phases, than the corresponding month of last year. It will, doubtless, be entirely safe to assert that the memory of the oldest inhabitant" of Philadel phia goes not back to such a terrific hail storm as visited this city on the 25th of the month. It commenced about half-past 4 P.M., lasted from ten to twelve minutes, and did immense damage in the breakage of windows on the south side of the streets, as well as numerous skylights, and in some instances valuable merchandise stored under them was ruined from the pouring in of the rain. Large manufacturing buildings in which were many windows suffered terribly. We have heard of one where three thousand lights were broken, costing seven hundred dollars to replace, and another where twelve hundred were demolished. During the height of the storm some of the female operatives fainted from fright. In some instances horses ran away, in their frantic deavors to escape the furious pelting, and the whole scene was one of awe and grandeur not soon to be forgotten. occupied by a colored family. The force of the shock was tremendous, yet the column of water did not envelop the house, but rather brushed against it. The weather-boarding was torn off, every win. dow burst, and the frame studding of the building wrenched out of place. The fence around was torn loose and carried away. After this it passed on, across the lots, towards the shops of John Churnside, tearing up fences and every thing that came in its way; fortunately for him, it passed to the north of his shops, thereby preventing a very heavy loss of property and perhaps life; the edge of the Maelstrom, however, reached some wagons, drills and mowing machines, standing at the end of the shop. A twohorse express wagon was picked up, carried several rods, and after being tossed about in every conceiva ble manner, was thrown out of the roaring vortex, broken almost to atoms. A dearborn was drawn in and torn to pieces. A large heavy grain drill was gathered up and set down on the opposite side of the road. Near here a little child was picked up and carried some distance en--perhaps a hundred feet-over the fence into a neighboring yard, where it was set down uninjured. Philada, Tenth mo. 2d, 1867. J. M. ELLIS. One of our "dailies" states that the specimens of hailstones "varied from the size of cherry stones to those that were as large as hen's eggs," and graphically adds:"If a huge powder-mill had exploded in the heart of the city, or if a hand to hand fight with musketry and grapeshot had taken place in every street, the damage to window glass could scarcely have been greater. There were probably fully a million of panes of glass broken in the city by the storm, involving a loss of not less than two hun dred thousand dollars. As an evidence of the quantity of bail that fell, it may be stated that near noon the next day a conglomerate mass of hailstones, nearly half a peck in bulk, was picked up upon the roof of the Bulletin Building. It is stated that in Reading, Pa., some were picked up measuring eight inches in circumference, and weighing three ounces. The past few months seem to have been rife with unusual occurrences-extensive fires, severe droughts and destructive floods, (the latter caused by unprecedented rains)—the hail storm just depicted-and the novel phenomena of a water spout, which passed over, and "paused over" New Castle, Delaware, on the 5th of the month at 1.20 P. M., constitute a few of them. The following account is abbreviated from one published in the Wilmington "Commercial." It was first observed, as an intelligent eye-witness informs us, opposite the town, on the New Jersey side of the river. From the surface of the water there arose an enormous cone of cloud of from forty to sixty feet in diameter at the base, very dense, very dark. From an overhanging surcharged thundercloud in the sky there depended a similar cone, and the apexes of the two met. The sky at the time was not clear, the sun was obscured, but there was no rain falling nor any general shower. The water in the two cones was violently in motion whirling round and round with the greatest rapidity, and making a loud noise. It appeared to be caught up from the river in great volume, and portions which fell back in spray, shone and sparkled brightly, making the whole spectacle most beautiful though terrifying to the beholder. The spout moved rapidly across the river, taking, perhaps, ten or fifteen minutes to reach this side. It entered the town of New Castle on the upper side, and struck first a frame dwelling on the river bank, THE CAT BIRD. (Mimus carolinensis.) This unfortunate bird is more universally hated and abused than any other bird with which and nobody likes him. Perhaps this is in some we are acquainted. Every one persecutes him, degree owing to his unfortunate name-for we have noticed that cats are universally despised, except by old maids. The Cat Bird cannot be said to have any song, but he is an excellent imitator of parts of the song of other birds. He has one note, however, which is his own, and it resembles to a great degree the mewing of a cat. He possesses great powers of mimicry, and can imitate some part of the song of almost every bird. Of course the illusion is not so perfect as when the imitation is performed by the Mocking Bird, but still it is excellent. The food of the Cat Bird consists of all kinds of grubs, caterpillars, and insects of all kinds. of these he destroys an immense quantity, and rids the farmer of countless myriads of these pests. The Cat Bird arrives very early in the spring, and at once begins to build his nest. This is generally placed in a low bush or in a hedge, and but little effort is used to conceal it, as it is very easily found. It is composed of grapevine bark and the fibrous roots of weeds. It is always lined with the latter. The number of eggs is either four or five. They are of a dark green, and measure .95 by .67 inch, emerald on an average. We do not believe that there is any bird which shows more affection for its young than the Cat Bird. If any one approaches its nest, it immediately sets up a piteous cry, and fluttering before you, implores you, with_mute leloquence, to leave its young in peace. If any young bird falls out of its nest, and commences to chirp for assistance, no matter what species it is, the Cat Bird is among the first on the ground, to see what is the matter. If the eggs of the Brown Thrush be handled, the parent bird will generally desert the nest. This is also the case with most other birds. But with the Cat Bird it is not so. The eggs can be taken out of the nest, handled and examined, and then if they are put back again, the mother bird will at once re commence incubation. By these, and by many other proofs equally touch ing, does the Cat Bird show its affection for its young. We have been amused listening to this bird trying to imitate the song of other birds. It seems to be blessed with a great amount of patience, for when it appears to be trying to learn some new song, it will repeat the refrain over and over again for an hour or more, during all of which time it will be perched upon one twig or branch. We have noticed that upon rainy days especially he seems to try his vocal powers. This is the more remarkable, as at that time most birds are silent. The warble of the House Wren appears to give him the most trouble to imitate. His throat does not seem formed to execute this, and, as a consequence, he makes a most ridiculous failure. In conclusion, we desire to recommend this bird to the protection of the farmers. He destroys immense quantities of insects and their larvæ, and does not trouble the fruit much; is he not therefore entitled to your protection? -Cultivator and Country Gentleman. To be free from desire is money; to be free from the rage of perpetually buying something new is a certain revenue; to be content with what we possess constitutes the greatest and most certain of riches.- Cicero. When Plato was told that his enemies were making very free use of his name, he quietly replied: "I will endeavor so to live that no one will believe them." ITEMS. J. F. Kinney, special commissioner to visit and confer with the Indians in the vicinity of Fort Phil. Kearney, has made a very lengthy report, which entirely dissents from the conclusions in the published report of Gen. Sanborn. He recommends the vigorons exercise of military authority on the part of government, and suggests that the Indians be located in new reservations. He says: tricts be created, embracing all the Indians in the United States, and that three sub-commissioners be appointed for each district, whose duty it shall be to reside therein. Confer upon them judicial power to hear and determine all complaints between the Indians, their superintendents and agents, with full authority to examine their accounts, and to reject or approve, as they may think best, with an appeal to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. "I also recommend an entire separation of the Indian Bureau from the Interior Department. Our Indian affairs have become of sufficient importance to demand the organization of a separate department for their proper and more efficient administration.” Professor Agassiz's immense collections in Brail have been in good part opened and arranged. They include 50,000 specimens of fishes, representing over 2200 species, 2000 of which are supposed to be new to science. This collection now exceeds those of the British Museum and Jardin des Plantes united, containing altogether more than 9000 species. A new telescope has been invented in Paris for the examination of objects situated under water, and it was recently tested on one of the French canals. It is reputed to have enabled the observers to see pencil marks distinctly at a depth of more than five feet. Its practical application will be to the examination of the hulls of ships, without placing them in dock. In a railroad of five hundred miles in length, the expansion of the rails caused by the heat of summer amounts to nearly a quarter of a mile from the point of contraction in winter. This expansion is all taken up by the joints between the rails. PROTECTION TO WALLS AND CHIMNEYS.-The decay of marble fronts and other constructions of stone into which lime or magnesia enters as a component, and of the mortar joints in brick chimneys and walls, which in many cities has become so serious a diffi culty, is attributed to the continued evolutions of sulphurous and sulphuric acid by the combustion of coal-each ton of the latter being capable of supplying about seventy pounds of oil of vitriol. In addition to the chemical corrosion, a mechanical disinte gration is supposed to be produced by the alternat ing solution of the sulphates formed, and their recrystallization on the surface and in the pores of the stone. It is stated that this action can be almost entirely prevented by applying to the cleaned surfaces an aqueous solution of super-phosphate of lime, which, acting on the carbonate of lime, produces the unalterable diphosphate of lime. For magnesian limestones baryta may be added. The cost of materials is but trifling, and one gallon of solution will give two coats to three hundred square feet of surface. The strength of the stone, and its resistance to absorption of moisture, are said to be greatly increased by the process-a matter of importance where the freezing of water in the pores of the stone is one cause of decay. THE RIGHT WHALE. It is the general belief among whalers that the sperm whale is dying out, the number having decreased so much as to render it difficult to obtain a full cargo. The right whale, however, still maintains its own in the Pacific ocean, only sbifting its ground to regions more and more remote. The Northern fleet from New Bedford this year numbers one hundred and two vessels, of which seventytwo are in the Arctic, twenty in the Ochotsk, and ten in the Kodiak ground. Nineteen of the fleet will probably return to San Francisco, in the fall, to recruit, and eighty-three to Honolulu, from which latter point, should the average catch be taken, there will be shipped between 50,000 and 60,000 barrels of "My next recommendation is that five Indian dis-oil, and 1,000,000 pounds of whalebone. "A reservation is his only ark of safety. As long as he receives your presents and bounty, outside of reservations, he will not adopt industrial habits. Withdraw, then, agents and support from all who so remain, and transfer them to the military department. Subdue the five or six thousand who are now fighting us, and, as here proposed, make the condition of peace a prompt resort to reservations. When this is done they should pass under the charge of the Indian Bureau, and the military have no more control over them. FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. "TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE." VOL. XXIV. PHILADELPHIA, TENTH MONTH 19, 1867. No. 33. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS. Indian Affairs..... CONTENTS. The School of Christ...... COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND PAYMENTS The Society of Friends.... At Publication Office, No. 144 North Seventh Street, Power of a Gentle Rebuke.... TERMS:-PAYABLE IN ADVANCE The Paper is issued every Seventh-day, at Three Dollars per annum. $2.50 for Clubs; or, four copies for $10. Agents for Clubs will be expected to pay for the entire Club. Henry Haydock, Brooklyn, N. Y. William H. Churchman, Indianapolis, Ind. INDIAN AFFAIRS. BY S. M. JANNEY. The solicitude expressed by correspondents of the Friends' Intelligencer, in relation to the hostilities now being waged between the national forces and the Western Indians, has doubtless been shared by most of the members of our Religious Society, and the inquiry naturally arises-What can be done to arrest the dreadful conflict, and prevent the waste of life? There is reason to believe that the Congressional Commission, sent out to treat with the Indians, are sincerely desirous to do them justice, and it is greatly to be desired that a treaty of peace may be concluded. Until the Commissioners shall have reported to Congress, there appears to be no active service for the friends of the Indians to perform, but, in the meantime, it would be well for us to examine the subject, and reflect upon the means most likely to prevent the continuance or recurrence of hostilities. EDITORIAL The Cricket...... Appeal from the “Association of Friends of Philadelphia for Feed those Trees....... territory were doubtless made in good faith, and intended to be observed; but the rapid progress of our settlements towards the Rocky Mountains, and on the Pacific coast, were not then forèseen, nor was it imagined that railroads and telegraphs would so soon be constructed through that vast territory. Where great national interests are concerned, there are few governments-perhaps none-that pay much regard to the convenience, or even to the rights, of subordinate communities, whose interests stand in the way of great public enterprises. The Christian and the philanthropist must lament the perpetration of injustice towards the most ignorant, no less than towards the most enlightened of mankind; but to restrain the movements and prevent the aggressions of a population like that on our Western frontiersso eager, so adventurous, so grasping,—is probably beyond the power of any government. The present safety and protection of the Indians depend upon their removal from that All who have any acquaintance with this portion of the territory through which the railsubject are aware that it is surrounded with roads are being constructed, their settlement difficulties, growing out of the encroachments on lands adapted to grazing and tillage, their and aggressions of the frontier settlers, the relinquishment of hunting as a dependence for making of roads through the Indian territory without their consent, the fraudulent conduct of some government agents in the dealings with the Indians, the sale of ardent spirits, and the consequent corruption of morals. The treaties by which our government guar anteed to the Indians certain reservations of food, and their adoption of the habits of civilized. life. It is believed by many that they ought to, as soon as possible, abandon their tribal governments, and their mode of holding property in common, that their lands should be divided among the families, and held in fee simple, and a Republican form of government established. among them. In the Weekly Chronicle, pub. | territory, and instructing the Indians, they lished at Washington, 9th month 14th, there is an interesting editorial on this subject, from which the following passage has been selected : might prepare them for the inevitable future. The Indians must be subjected to the civilizing influences of systematic agriculture and legal government. The Cherokees have made great "The Indians hold a peculiar relation to the advances in this direction; what insurmountaAmerican people. They are partly wards of the ble obstacles are there in the way of the other nation, partly foreign nations within the terri- tribes? That they are now warlike is true; so, torial limits of our country, to whom is assigned recently, was the whole South. The Indians a section suited in character and extent to must cease to be warlike, or cease to be. Ultitheir nomadic habits. This territory is profes- mately they must be citizenized or slaughtered. sedly secured to them by treaty. They own it, It is more in harmony with our feelings as a and are more independent in it than the citi- Christian people, and with our duty as guardians zens of our States. Yet it' appears that their of the aboriginal race, to try to civilize them, rights in their territory are systematically in- than to persist in slaughtering them. Beside, vaded; that their hunting grounds are rendered the latter game is one in which we are the worthless by the cutting of roads through them. greatest losers; so there is the selfish consideraThe pending difficulties on the Western frontier tion of interest also to approve such a course. are ascribed to the building of the Powder It is at least worth trying, long and earnestly, River road through Indian territory without the as a settled policy of the country, until its utter leave of the owners. This road is used for emi-impracticability is proven. grant trains. As long as there are fifty hostile Indians along the route no life will be safe, and the sense of inscurity will render the route practically worthless. As we had no right to make the road without consent of the owners, would it not be better to abandon it entirely than to keep up an expensive and fruitless warfare, which is like fox hunting on our side, and accompanied by frightful murders upon theirs? The new Pacific railroad, now built beyond Omaha, Nebraska, will carry emigrants by a route four hundred miles shorter than the Powder river road, and the facilities thus opened should be suggestive to the commissioners appointed to adjust our Indian difficulties. There are nearly half a million Indians in our Western territory. Their habits of life have demanded a large extent of country for hunting purposes. As civilization advances their means of living decrease, and they become enraged against the white man. There are wicked and worthless ruffians among the whites who find their account in the ruthless border warfare between the races, and who perpetrate outrages on both sides, ascribing them to either, as suits their purposes. In time this must cease. The progress of the country demands it, and it is essential that we should have a well settled Indian policy administered by a responsible department. The treaties. made by Wm. Penn were always respected by both parties, and the peaceful sect of which he was a distinguished member have been tradi tional friends of the aborigines, and always kindly regarded by them. We have often thought that if the Society of Friends, who so succes fully colonized and civilized the Senecas in Western New York, and with such judgment and benevolence managed their affairs with the Government, could be induced to take charge of the subject of colonizing the Indian To accomplish it the Indian Bureau should be made independent of the Interior and War Departments, and its chief officer should have responsibility and power. It is not necessary he should be a member of the Cabinet." The reference here made to the Society of Friends is worthy of our consideration. If a field of labor is open for us in the Indian territory, and the Lord of the harvest calls us to engage in it, I trust that obedience will not be found wanting. The fairest pages in American history are those which bear witness to the amicable intercourse and enduring friendship that have always subsisted between the Society of Friends and the Indians. Our predecessors performed long and painful journeys through the wilderness, and spent much labor and treasure in order to impart to their red brethren the blessings of civilization. Not only were they visited by committees, but Friends were employed as agents to reside among them, to instruct them in husbandry and the mechanic arts, and to assist in the education of their children. Their sincere endeavors were productive of much benefit. They were gratefully appreciated by the objects of their bounty, and brought to their own bosoms the consolation that always results from benevolent effort. Experience teaches that for religious organizations, as well as for the natural body, exercise is essential to health, and a vigorous life always manifests itself by action. Let not our sympathies and our efforts be confined to the narrow circle of our own Society or our own neighborhood, but go forth into the wilderness, and carry consolation to those who are ready to perish. Those among us who are called to go on errands of mercy, or of gospel love, should not hesitate to accept from their brethren the aid that may be needful, and those who are blessed with abundance should esteem it a privilege to contribute liberally to works of charity. "I have showed you," said the Apostle Paul, to the elders of the Ephesian Church, "how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to re ceive." THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST. EXTRACT FROM GEORGE FOX. George Fox was careful to go forth in gospel missions as he was moved of the Lord, and abundantly testified to the necessity of walking or moving in "the light." See his Address to Friends in the Ministry. R. H. shall never wither. and fathoms it, which believes in and gives you victory over the world. Here the power of the Lord is received, which subdues all the contrary, and puts off the garments that will stain and pollute." "This is the word of the Lord to you all: Every one in the measure of the life, wait, that with it all your minds may be guided up to the How exalted the privilege of becoming a dis- Father of spirits, to receive power from Him ciple in the school of Christ! It is exalted, if and wisdom, that with it you may be ordered to we consider the character of the teacher. In His glory, to whom be glory forever. All keep the studies of this world, the student in philoso-in the light and life, that judgeth down that phy, science, or literature, will esteem it the which is contrary to the light and life. So the highest possible privilege to receive the instruc-Lord God Almighty be with you all, and keep tions of the great master in those various depart- your meetings everywhere, being guided by ments. The student in philosophy, could he enthat of God; by that you may see the Lord joy the instructions of a Newton or of a Bacon, among you, who lighteth every man that cometh how exalted a privilege would he deem it. The into the world, that men who come into the . . . . All Friends that student in geology who would study out the world might believe..... hidden mysteries of our earth's formation, could speak in public, see that it be in the life of God, he go with Hugh Miller through the glens and for that brings to God the fruits of that which So in that wait to reover the highlands of Scotland, to trace the footprints of the Creator as written upon the everlast-ceive power, and the Lord God Almighty preing rock, would esteem it a glorious and exalted serve you in it, whereby you may come to feel privilege. But, behold! here is One who was the light, that comprehends time and the world present when the foundations of the earth were laid. The student in astronomy, could he have the instructions of a Galileo or of a Laplace, how exalted a privilege would he consider it! But, behold! here is one that telleth the number of the stars and calleth the name of each. The student in theology, could he enjoy the instructions of a Wesley come down from heavencould he listen to him as, in terse and expres- an increasing desire among many of the memIt is cause of congratulation that there is sive language, he discoursed of the doctrines of bers of our Religious Society that its borders grace, how he would rejoice in such a glorious should be enlarged and its stakes strengthened. privilege! Or, Christian disciple, desirous of be-Some of the suggestions which have been made coming instructed in the deep things of God, the in the Intelligencer bearing upon this subject hidden mystery of the life of God in the soul of the believer, were I permitted to announce that the sainted Fletcher would come down from heaven, and would from this desk discourse to you this afternoon, with what beating hearts and glad countenances would you come up to the place of assembly! But, behold! a greater than Wesley or Fletcher is here, and thou mayest sit down at His feet and listen to the words of truth and wisdom that fell from His lips, and thus thou mayest feel the throbbing of His heart as it beats in sympathy with thine own. Clark. DARK HOURS. For Friends' Intelligencer. THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. well for members of the Society to present, from are worthy of thoughtful consideration. It is time to time, such suggestions as they may believe adapted to its present condition and calculated to advance its best interests, for it is in this effected. When compared with most other reway that every wholesome reform has been ligious Societies, we are comparatively small in numbers, but we cannot believe that an organization which has effected so much good in the past, should, after two or three centuries, be swallowed up in the various sects into which Christendom is divided. Nor can this be the case, if its members are true to the great trust committed to their care. To every man there are many dark hours; hours when he feels inclined to abandon his best enterprise; hours when his heart's dearest A comparison of the past with the present hishopes appear delusive; hours when he feels him-tory of the Society may in some measure account self unequal to the burden, when all his aspira for the apa hy which one of your correspondtions seem worthless. Let no one think that he ents deplores. alone has dark hours. They are the common lot of humanity. They are the touchstone to try whether we are current coin or not. George Fox and his cotemporaries were griev ously persecuted both by Church and State; they made religion the business of their lives, |