The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-02

mountain More than three hundred have
been discovered upon the earth. Some Of them
are constantly throwing out fire, smoke, ashes,
and melted rock others burn for time, and
then cease, or perhaps break out in a new place.
Some of these volcanoes have thrown masses Of
melted matter, which has passed off in streams
TO the surrounding country, covering surface
larger than some of our States. The matter
thus thrown from volcanoes is called ldud and
the hole or opening from which it is thrown, is
called crater The highest volcano is in the
Andes mountains, more than 1900 feet high,
which sometimes throws out matter 5000 feet
above its summit. In some cases, the quantity
of matter thrown from volcano is greater
than the whole mass Of the mountain from
which it is thrown. In 1888 two streams Of
lava flowed from volcano in Iceland one fifty
miles long and twelve broad and the other
forty miles by seven-averaglng one hundred
feet in thickness destroying twenty villages
and nine thousand inhabitants Most of the
islands in the Pacific ocean, and many in other
parts of the world are volcanoes. Some islands
have risen from the midst of the sea in modern
times, by the power Of volcanoes.
REMARKS.
As First Lesson for children, the GEO
LOGICAL CABINET here described is probably
the best that can be provided. 1t is certainly
fitted both to interest and instruct young minds,
before they can comprehend any book which
is or can be prepared for them. The lesson is
taken from 1.-THE BOOK" studied with eager
curiosity by every child the first moment he
opens his eyes upon the light of heaven; and
is hence an introduction to continued lessons
through life from the same book, studied in the
same practical delightful way as here COM
menced
While this is successful and delightful in
troductOry lesson in "GoD's OLDER VOLUME
the book of creation, it creates desire and fur
nishes aid in learning the books of men. Chill
dren, in such a course, never fail to learn to
spell, read write, &C.. almost without knowing
it; as books are sought for as instruments in
their work. They thus not only learn how to
read, but to understand what they read-ab-
solutely essential to making good reader.
Such knowledge, thus acquired, also gives
independence Of mind under all circumstances
desirable-tor a republican, indispensable; it
is the very essence of republicanism. AS the
elements of the earth are also the elements Of
soils, a knowledge of them is especially impor-
tant for farmers; and hence ought to be learnt
by every farmers sons and daughters too. The
Geological Cabinet is Of course, peculiarly APP
prOpriate for country schools; not less SO for
families. 1t becomes doubly important in the
country, from the ease of increasing it by col
lections made by children, not only for their
schools and families directly, but for exchapg-
ing with other schools and families in other
places and countries. Thus " National Inter
changes" of the most enlightened pacific char
acter, may be established among all sections
and classes of the human family--a tendency
to " UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD on earth.
Connected with this First Lesson in Geology,
are others on Geometry, also peculiarly fitted
to young minds. For such lessons, simple fig
ures are prepared, showing the elements Of
form, as exhibited in endless and beautiful va
riety in objects around us. These figures, such
as squares, triangles, hexagons, &c. are drawn
on states and on paper also formed Of paper,
cut and combined into various shapes showing
the different crystals, structure of leaves and
wood, work of bees and other insects; Also the
work of human hands in architecture, and oil
kinds of mechanism; thus making Geometry,
like its sister science, Geology, q source Of end
less instruction and delight, if used as first les
sons in primary education.
Connected with both these sciences, especial
ly Geometry, Drawing is indispensable; while,
like both the others, it is highly delightful.
Not only drawng-masters, but writing masters
now almost uniformly advocate the sentiment
of "drawing before acriting"-a sentiment
doubted by no one who ever tried it,
Hence, geology, geometry, and drawing, sep
arately, and still better together form the APP
propriate First Lessons for children both in
schools and families. Each separately, and
still more all united, are especially important
as aids to administration also, to mutual IN
Strictton of children in the same famiy-virtu-
ally changing families into schools, for the in
struction of children, the relief of parents, and
the very highest satisfaction of all surrounding
the family board" By them, as remarked by
a learned judge, observation and classification
become early and fired habits of the mind }. the
only habits by tchich the mind can be improuedD