Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-08-25

THE LATE A. ]. DowNING.-Among the VIC
Tins by the burning of the III. Clay was the ac-
complished and talented editor Of the Horticul-
turist, Alexander ]. Downing Esq. This is n
severe loss to the public, and one which cannot
be repaired Mr.. Downing has done more than
any other man to elevate and instruct the taste
of the people of the United States in all that
was truly beautiful in rural art. His reputation
was not solely American, it had spread by
means of his various works, which are looked
upon as test books, and will long continue as
such, throughout Great Britain and Europe
His name in connection with "rural architec-
ture" and Landscape Gardening"i is not less
quoted than that of the great English writer on
the same subject, Loudon. Indeed, by many,
his works on those subjects are considered SUI
peror to those of the English writer, as being
more practical and less diffuse.
There is one thing about Mr. Downing's
works which render them of the highest impor-
tance, and that is that they are thoro'ly Ameri-
can, suited to American wants, and adapted to
American practice, whether wanted to be used
in the vicinity of the largest cities or in the
densest forests of the backwoods.
Mr.. Downing was employed in laying out
the grounds around the Capitol at Washington
for the past two years, and all admit that his
taste and genius has adorned and beautfed
what before was but wilderness In carrying
out his designs there he had an employment
most congenial to his nature, for his ambition
was to lead his countrymen to just apprecia-
ton of what was true and beautiful in their
own land, and to exhibit to their eyes how art
and nature could be combined without offend
ing good taste.
We know not how his loss can be supplied
in the columns of the HorticulturiSt, a journal
which he has edited for some six years, and
whose pages were adorned with designs, drawn
by his own hand, for he was as much an artist
as he was an author.
The sad calamity which has fallen upon the
community by the burning of this-il-fated ves-
sci, and which has carried mourning into so
many families, we hope, will serve as beac on
to warn other commanders of the responsibility
which an outraged community will hold them
to for such reckless conduct as the burning Of
the Henry Clay exhibits. detroit ADV.
UNsHIPPING Docs RUDDER.-A veteran tar
who had served under Lord Vincent many
years, in the capacity of boatswain, on getting
past exerton, was appointed by the latter, in
grateful memory of his former conduct, a kind
of SUBJ gardener at his marine villa. Jack had
not long been in possession of his new post,
he perceived every morning, on walking over
the gardens, that several of the beds were paw
ed about, and the borders destroyed, indicating
by their marks the stealthy visits of some ca
nine wanderer Jack Immediately communica-
ted the news to his lordship, who concurred
with him in his opinion as to the cause, and ad-
vised him to 60 to the garden few hours ear
lier in the morning, and give the intruder a
warm welcome. Jack accordingly did so-hi-
ding himself in a shrubbery, he soon espied, a
long, lean dog, between mastiff and a point
er, spring upon the garden wall, and jumping
into the grounds, begin running about, and ex-
ploring, with degree Of activity and keenness,
the depth of strawberry bed. Jack watched
his opportunity, and at the moment the dog had
buried his head out of sight in the earth, the tar
stole behind him with spade, and at a blow
struck off his tail the dog sprung over the gar
den wall again, yelping. Some time after,when
his lordship came into the garden, Jack accosted
him
GAIL right, your honor, we were boarded by
dog sure enough, of long, sharp, sailing
build rather white about the bows, and dark in
the midship"
"And what did you do to him, Jack %
81 prevented his finding his way here any
more"
"You did not kill him, Jack 2"
"Oh no, please your, honor, laid by upon
the lookout there in the shrubbery, and when
| seed him dowse his bows in the strawberry
bed, dropped softly astern, and with this here
tool unShipped his rudder, you see, that's ALL
EDITING PAPER.-Hear what the National
Intelligencer says about editing a newspaper:
Many people estimate the ability of a news
paper, and the industry and talents of its editor
by the editorial matter it contains. 1t is CON-
parativey an easy task for frothy writer to
pour our ily,columns Of words-upon any and
all subjects. His ideas may flow in wishy washy
everlasting flood, and his command of language