Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-11-17

sc,ures on Natural Philosophy.
nl,'s nee Of schools" BY Mrs A. II.
b ' 'oIo Phelps. Page $50. F. J. Hunt
LION, New York
S" .s Of this volume is upon our table.
'Jr Of speaking of its merits in our own
s ..ce we prefer to give the following
g''s f,be work by Mrs. sigourney, copi-
.'~ the Connecticut. Observer
lO~ ,,blic whose safety depends on the
A's sppd intelligence Of the people, can
ue ,o oo highly appreciate those who pre-
e, . % and acceptable books, for the
.,;on of youth. In this most honora-
'a"1oor,meni. the writer OF the work be-
oep' bold pre.eminent rank. Those Of
u'' Who lead lives Of ease,--or only
SIRE amid household cares. for the
.s' Of light and desultory literature,
I's :" surprised at the energy with which
aSstcepcr matron, and the mother of
l p children, prepares for the press, vol
" sSsr volume, NOT merely glittering
n u fin ,Use or imagination, but weighty
N tho cold of scientific research. In
~ % "",;Selv short period, Mrs. Phelps
ppa,.,ssntcd the public, with Lectures on
p"smw"Lectures on Chemistry, "-"Fe-
O y. S!oJent" besides her more simpli6ed
a. Ne. of Of Botany, Chemistry, and Geology
= ' Ssniuaers. Some Of these have passed
esb several editions, and others have
1';ysd The fattering suffrage Of Republican
rnyIand. The volume before US is
;"arior to any from the same accom-
I'.Ssd pen. 1t is believed that those who
Y' 'ri it,horoughly will be gra,ifed with
' arr,ncemen., illustration, and the pure
Unions sentiment, interspcrsed throughout
,pu,pn,s Il is dedicated by the author,
Sor talented sister, a name Of whom our
l,';on IS Justly proud, and whose American
history has gained distinction not often
."Cr,ed on female writer,-that Of being
,erribed as a part of the course Of study,
"oo Of our principal Universities. The
",J;uC divisions of Mrs. Phelps Lectures
|" Natural Pbilosophy,"-are matter and
mechanical Properties, "--"The Me.
EI,nca Powers" -"Hydrostatics. "-Pneu-
Nn,,ics Acoustics, -" Optics, "--"Elec-
Iciv and Magnetism" and Celestial Me-
|cbouics or Astronomy" We subjoin one
+ n Two extracts as specimens Of the style
and Of the happy manner in which she pre-
. ,pDls the affinities between science and reli
zion And the chapter on Winds" at the
H sl@h page,-she says, "who that contem
Uhtes the beautiful provisions Of Nature, car
doubt that Nature herself is under the con
,m Of wise and good Director How
many facts of science reveal TO us, that the
whole Creation is but chain of infinite anc
harmonious relations, the one depending
UPON and influencing ano,her,-and all up
| held BY one governing and changeless mind
How often in the moral government Of God
Do peace and consolation. like the sea-breez,
which is produced by the scorching rays o
The sun, accompany those very Affections
that threaten to overcome human nature. ant
beautifully balanced. are both moral ant
physical relations"
Again, at the 202d page.-"Tbe eye, b,
turns microscope and telescope, is adapte'
10 the purpose of viewing things near, or o
extending its field of vision, TO far distan
objects. On examining the structure Of tn
eye, we find it beautiful optical instrument
made in strict conformity 10 laws Of science
and perfectly fitted to be acted upon by ligh
so as to form an image of the object iron
which light is reflected. Was the Arts
who formed this instrument. ignorant Of tn
effects 10 be produced2 Or did the instru
nent nself, start into existence, the offsprinI
ola blind and fortuitous chance 1--WE ma,
not now pursue these speculations; but col
must be the heart Of that youth, who i
studying these subjects, sees nothing beyon
lhe mere enunciation or illustration of SC
enli6c truths, and whose devout affection
are not animated, as his understanding b,
comes enlightened"
As every thing relating 10 the melar
choy wreck of the Home will be read wit
Interest, and believing so, we publish tn
following letter from one of the survivors I
that disastrous scene to his friends. gcntl,
man Of this city, who has kindly permitto
US 10 copy 1t.
CHARLESTON, Oct. &c, 1887.
Dear Friend,-l, may afford you melal
cIhOly pleasure 10 learn some of the partic,
lars Of the loss of the Home The stat
menls published in the papers Of your eli
are generally correct. The incidents col
necled with my deliverance from water
grave and the melancholy fate Of our frien'
will alone form the subject Of this comm
alcallon. AS soon as the boat struck Il
females were brought forward-my broth'
having charge of Miss F. Levy, and wei
eO'h washed of very shortly after she WI
Ieached, the old lady and Olivia being u
der my charge adhered to the sironge
part Of the boat, between the leeward whe
and the engine housa hnt the fnrce IF III