Daily national Democrat., 1861-03-21

novel thoughts which we meet in Miss Br, :
mer's last volumes for the first time. the fol-
lowing is curious, and will somewhat sur
prise those who have exalted notions Of Gr. :
clan and Roman beauty:
II derived the folio wing impression from
the GaIIcrid di Firenze. The idea of beauty
was high among the Greeks and Romans
but their actual humanity. at least what W e
see OF 1T, as represented in their historical
characters, is far below the ideal, and even
below the STANDARD Of beauty which is eener-
al among us ut the present day. The heroes
OF antiquity, the wise men and emperors. are
most frequently very ugly men, often ex-
tremely repulsive. The women, the Julias
Faustinas dc. are, with few exceptions. in
the highest degree of an ordinary character.
IRON simple beauty to pure ugliness. Among
the wise men of the Greeks, Plato is the only
one who has noble head, fine forehead ;
among the warriors, Alcibades-but even
TINS head is deficient in the higher, nobler
character; among the rulers, Alexander the
Great Among the Romans, the eye rests
gladly on the handsome and mild counte-
nance of Augustus, and that of Antoniuus Pi>
Us might belong to noble Christian ascetic :;
III the features Of Marcus Aureus we observe
calm beauty, but the forehead is broad
rather than lofty, and the expression lacks
depth and no elevation. These, and two
other great men among the Romans, are ex-
ceptons in the multitude of heads of emper-
ors and military commanders, many of which
are actually carcatures of humanity although
evidently excellent portraits. Such are Mari
US, Sylla, Claudius, Caracalla, DC From all
this 1T Is clear to me that the human race. at
least the Christian portion Of it, has not, since
that time, deteriorated; but, on the contrary
considerably increased in the beauty of har-
monious structure of the human frame. The
form of the head has especially undergone
change; for, in the people of antiquity, the
forehead and upper portion of the head was
low, in particular among the Romans. with
whom the head has a square build, broad
rather than high. Among the modern culti-
waited nations, the arch of the skull is con-
siderably higher. so likewise the forehead :;
the opening of the eye is also larger, and the
whole countenance has a beautiful rounding,
and livciier proportions, especially among the
women. And must it not be SO A higher
spirituality has taken up its abode in the hu :
man race-must it not, therefore. form for it,
self dwelling in harmony herewith? The
ideal has descended into reality, and has
elevated 1t TO a resemblance to itself"
A DODGE TO CATCH GREENHoRNs-Her is
a good dodge" of which let greedy green
horns beware. A very prepossessing geutle-
man arrives at well-patronized country
hotel lie drives fine horse, which he de-
liVers into the hands of the ostler. While the
animal is feeding, lie takes his ease in the
bar-room, and is soon on terms of famil-
iarity with the other guests. IL is soon
evident that he bas weakness He drinks
freely, and few glasses serve TO fuddle him.
lie grows friendly and hilarious; treats gem
erousy, and indulges in various extrava.
gances indicative of intoxieation.
In the meantime, another traveller drops
in, and gravely witnesses his performances.
" Its a shame" he says, "to see a we'll
dressed man behave in that way. lie looks
like a gentleman--if he was only sober. lie
has got money, but will lose it; and he ought
to lose it,"
Sure enough the first traveller soon shows
symptoms OF parting with his funds, in the
most foolish manner lie would hight his
cigar with . bank note, but the sober traveller
prevents him, with Just rebuke for his
iolly
Come, then" says the tipsy one "tell We
what LII 10. I'll make Il bet with any man
That's willing. Here's halfsoyereicn"-he
takes the coin from his pocket, and places it
under his heel ON the floor" I'll bet there's
Il halfsoye:eiSn U4der my heel-hurraa for
a wager.'
lie gives a drunken whirl Oh his foot. The
slips from under it, The moral
traveller, observed by every one except tie
tpSy man, picks up the coin, and passes it
TO the bartender. with the remark, "'Twould
serve him right to bet with him now, and
win hi, money"
AT that bait, avarice and simplicity easily
snap The inebriate once more stamps his
foot on the floor, and offers to bet large sums
that there is a half.sovereign under his heel
The bet is taken-two or three spectators
willing to turn an honest penny, putting up
their money in sums of from five to twenty
five dollars. The bar-keeper holds the
stakes. Then the drunken man. instantly
.obered seats himself, pulls off his boot, and
axes from under his stocking a second half
sovereign. OF course he pockets the stakes,
md he and the moral traveller ride off to-
gether.
A dispatch from Richmond Va, dated |
February 2Sth, says: Messrs. Tyler and
4edden were serenaded tonight. Both
poke Mr.. Tyler denounced the result of
he conference as a worthless affair, and says
hat the South has nothing to hope for from
MIR. Ledden said it was a de-
usion, shame, an insult and an offence to
he south Lieutenant Montague made
secession speech. The secession feeling is in
.reaSing.