Russian nation;-they would be in effect re- | whole future of a nation-to take the first step ceding from the steady, systematic, unwaver-backwards,-would seem to demand a combiing policy of the last 150 years. Not a man nation of moral courage and of abject desponin Russia but believes that the possession of dency, which would be less a marvel than a And to do all this after trying the Constantinople is their right and their destiny. miracle There is always a Constantine in the Imperial chances of only one campaign-and a camfamily. Ask every Russian, of whatever rank paign, too, which has not been wholly disas or party, what is the capital of the Czar's do-trous to him, nor disastrous to him alone:—this, minions, and he will answer "Constantinople, we confess, does appear a result which only of course!" Go into every church in Russia, the most sanguine temper can confidently and you see the invariable and most salient credit;-and which, if it should be realized, decoration to be a Greek cross surmounting a can only be accounted for by the considerwaning crescent, while at Moscow, this cross ation that a resolution which depends on the bears aloft the double-headed eagle of the mind of a single man may be changed by any Czar! Now, to go back from the pet design of those psychological influences which are inof successive generations-to abandon the tra- calculable, and are "like the wind, which ditions to relinquish the gorgeous hopes-to bloweth where it listeth.” forswear the old ambition-to change the

The World a Workshop; or, the Physical Relationship of Man to the Earth. By Thomas Ewbank, author of "Hydraulics and MechanNew York, D. Appleton & Co. 1855, 12mo. pp. 197.

ics."

the term to the powers of man, intellectual or physical. We are ready to admit that they are progressive, and that they have not reached the ultimate greatness to which they may legiti mately and reverently aspire; but there is a It has been a long time since we have met limit at which progress must stop and motion with a book the perusal of which has afforded us become retrograde. All classes of readers will such unmixed satisfaction as this little un- find something in this little volume to amuse or pretending volume. The author has taken a instruct. Some of its statistical facts and calcuview of creation entirely novel, and has sup-lations are really startling, and yet their exactiported it by so many indisputable facts drawn tude may be easily verified by any body inclined from nature and her laws, and has withal done to doubt them. The author's style is perspicuit in a manner so meek and reverent, that we ous and agreeable, and the absence of all techthink he has entitled himself to the character of nical expressions and phrases renders it intelligia moral as well as to that of a natural philoso-ble to every reader. We can safely recommend pher. There is not a page of his book from it as well deserving public attention.-National which the studious and discriminating reader Intelligencer. may not derive some useful moral lesson, some truth illustrative of that Almighty wisdom which decreed that man must labor if he desired to raise himself above the condition of the brutes around him; if he would enjoy, in their plenitude and perfection, the means so profusely scattered along his path, and so admirably adapted to the development of the mental and physical faculties with which his Creator has endowed

him.

NEW WAY OF RIPENING GRAPES BY
STRAW AND WOOL.

In Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture for February, just published, is a letter from Mr. M. H. Simpson, of Saxonville, giving an account of a method of ripening grapes in December and January. Mr. Simpson follows the business of Mr. Ewbank has already acquired a high repu- manufacturing blankets. Reflecting how they tation for his knowledge in many useful branches keep heat in the human body, he bethought himof the arts and sciences; and this book will still self of trying something like blankets upon vines. further advance it, especially with that large and For ten years he has made six hundred pairs in respectable class of the community, in this coun- a day, making, on the whole, between three and try, for whom it was intended and to whom it is four millions. To retain the heat of the ground inscribed. Comparing the present state of knowl-in the borders which contained the roots of his with that which existed not a century ago, and having before our eyes the daily evidences of its progressive increase, we can hardly deem the author extravagant when he ascribes omnipotence to enlightened labor." It is certainly true within the limit which circumscribes its uses to man in this life, and indeed so far as he may gather from it the good counsel with which it is replete as to the necessity of preparing for that to come. But we dislike the application of

vines, he covered them, for a foot in depth, with
dry hay, using two tons for the purpose. Ovez
the hay he laid what might be called a blanket
The heat passed off
of waste wool and manure.
very slowly from the borders thus protected; as
the cold weather came on, the temperature di-
minished about three degrees a week. On the first
of December it was sixty degrees. His grapes
became fully ripe under this process in Decem
ber and January.

From Fraser's Magazine.

THE HOSPITAL NURSE.-AN EPISODE
OF THE WAR.

FOUNDED ON FACT.

They are thinking that ought not to shrink from a work for which I have been, as it were, educated; they feel that in becoming nurse I am not forsaking duties of more paramount importance; they know, by experience, that I have strength and nerve sufficient for any demands that are likely to be made upon either; they have seen that it was not without a struggle I made up my mind at first, but that afterwards I considered it the greatest. privilege that had ever been bestowed upon me to be allowed to join that devoted band of women who are using all their energies in the noblest work in which woman can be engaged." And whilst Mary spoke, her eyes brightened, even though they were filling with "Every Englishman is a brother to me, and tears, and her mouth quivered with emotion. a friend also in one sense," answered Mary But she hastily wiped away her tears and reVaughan, in a gentle yet firm voice; "and sumed her expression of calm composure, you well know, George, that my resolution is when Sir George, in a slightly sarcastic tone, not a sudden one by any means. Besides, you replied:must recollect how many things have occurred

"IF you had a brother there, I could understand it; or if you were going to nurse some old friend; but as it is, I must say, Mary, this sudden resolution of yours seems to me, to say the least of it, a very wild-goose scheme," said sir George Dashwood to his sister-in-law, as they were walking up and down the broad terrace walk of the garden at Merton Hall, in the gray twilight of a quiet and pensive autumnal afternoon.

"Oh! if you are going to fly away on your to make me feel that it is right for me to un-enthusiastic wings, you must excuse me from dertake this duty. Remember how peculiarly attempting to follow you. I only profess to I have been fitted and prepared for the work look at the common-sense view of the matter; I shall have to do. You cannot have for- and notwithstanding all your arguments, you gotten that terrible accident at the coal-pits, and how much of the care of the sufferers devolved upon me ;-and then that awful cholera time! Oh, George! you cannot but feel that, so far from embarking in a wild-goose scheme, I am only following a course which, without any seeking of mine, has been pointed

out to me."

have failed to make me see the propriety of an English lady, brought up as you have been in the midst of every luxury, and carefully guarded from the sight and sound of everything which, for one moment, might shock a woman's delicacy or refined taste, voluntarily exposing herself to the chance-nay, the certainty of witnessing scenes which ought "But you seem quite to forget, Mary, that never to pass before her eyes, and hearing exit was your own people whose sufferings you pressions which ought never to enter her ears. relieved, and that the accident took place on You do not know what soldiers are, Mary. Henry's estate. Again, in that cholera time You have no conception of the sort of con--awful you may well call it-all the sick versation which takes place amongst them; were known to you; they were your brother's you cannot possibly form any idea of the tenants. You had visited them in their own wickedness and ribald conversation of their cottages, had made intimate acquaintance with camps and their barracks; and you must not every man, woman, and child among them, expect that because they have been wounded before those who were taken ill had been re--because they have lost an arm or a leg, moved to the hall-a rather Quixotic pro- they will be transformed into different menceeding, as I still think it was, on Henry's on the contrary, it is in the midst of sickness part; but of course he is at liberty to do and suffering that the real character often what he pleases. Yet, Quixotic as I have al- shows itself most clearly-and what the real ways thought him, I am really very much sur- character of most of these men is, I am cerprised that he should have given his approval tainly better able to judge than you. It is to such a madcap scheme as this. What he very different, let me tell you, from a lady's and Edith can be thinking of to allow you to beau ideal of a preux chevalier. Then, when go, passes my powers of comprehension!" they are beginning to recover! Good heavAnd here Sir George shook his head, and ens! that you should be exposed to the chance quickened his steps in proportion as his vexa- of hearing their coarse jests, their profane tion and annoyance rose higher, whilst glanc- language. No; the more I think of it, the ing at the pale, tall, delicate-looking woman more I am convinced that you are all wrong. walking by his side, and thinking how unfitted Your motive is a good one, but you will forshe was, alike by nature and gentle nurture, ever repent the delusion into which it has led for the scenes she must encounter in the hos-you." pitals at Scutari.

"What Henry and Edith are thinking of," said Mary Vaughan, "I can readily tell you.

"If I had not prayed often and earnestly to be guided aright," answered Mary, in a low and reverential tone," then, perhaps, I might

have doubted whether I was not undertaking us; dressers and hospital orderlies will be apsomething which was beyond my powers, and pointed for all these things. Believe me, that, out of my province; but ever since it was after all, arduous though our duties may be, proposed to me to offer myself-you must re- they will not be half so trying or distressing as collect the suggestion did not come in the first you are apt to imagine," said Mary, in a cheerinstance from me-I have met with nothing ful voice, and looking up at Sir George with to alter, but everything to encourage me to a pleasant smile on her face, which ought to proceed. At the same time, you must not have chased every doubt and cloud from his think I am blinding my eyes to what I shall have mind, if he had not been so wedded to his to encounter. And if it should unhappily be as common-sense notions-and something more you say, it would only make me feel that it than common sense is needed to understand would have been far worse if women had not the motives which prompt to such undertakings. been there, in some degree to check it by "Then consider what you are going out entheir presence; and as for the recollection of tails," said Sir George, not thinking it worth it, I have no doubt that it will very soon pass while, or perhaps not being able to answer or away from my memory." to parry Mary's last argument. "You are obliged to take a servant to cook for you, and wait upon you, and separate accommodation must be provided for you; whereas, had common hospital nurses alone been sent out, they would have required no better quarters than such as the wounded men have assigned to them; and if they themselves had been attacked by sickness, they would not have felt the want of comforts which to ladies are indispensable.”

"All very well, Mary, if there were not others better qualified for the work than you, and such as you," replied Sir George; far be it from me to wish that our brave wounded men should not all have proper attendance and attention given to them. But this will be much better provided by people who have been regularly brought up to the work; proper hospital nurses endowed with more physical and mental strength of a certain kind, than "In that case we shall have our own serEnglish ladies can boast, or, indeed, I for one, vants to wait upon us, and they will see that should wish to see them possess. You think, we wanted for nothing that is really necessary. perhaps, you are doing these soldiers a kind- Besides, they will be able to give us help in ness by going out to wait upon them; you many things, such as preparing little remedies fancy most likely that some of them will be for the sick, and assisting us in our care of gratified by the attendance of real ladies.- them in more ways than I have time to tell You will find out that all this is nothing but a you of just now," said Mary, looking heartily species of pure self-deception. Birds of a weary of the discussion. feather flock together,' and depend upon it, our soldiers will much prefer being taken care of by people selected from their own class of life, and will only feel awkward, uncomfortable, and constrained under the nursing of persons so different in every way from those to whom they are accustomed.”

Well, my dear Mary, I suppose a wilful woman must have her way," answered Sir George, in a softened tone; “and I am sure you will believe that, although I have thought it right to tell you some of my objections (I have still several others left, which I may give you at some future time,) I fully appreciate "Oh, George! if there were a sufficient the generous devotion and unselfish enthusistaff of proper hospital nurses, I should never asm which induces you to leave a happy for a moment have thought of offering my home, and friends who dearly love you, in services. Do you fancy that it costs me noth-order to go and attempt to soften the sufferings ing so leave this dear place, and still dearer of our brave fellow-countrymen by your pres friends? Do you think I would, for a mo-ence and your care." ment, have acceded to the wish of those who So saying, he held out his hand, and fondly have asked me to bid farewell for a time, we was its pressure returned by his sister, though know not how long, to all that makes life the only words she spoke werepleasant or lovely, if I had thought there were others better qualified for the work than I? It was the conviction of the want of such properly qualified people which mainly induced me to think of becoming a hospital Surely, if the common run of nurses are spoken of as 'persons who are accustomed to drown disgust in brandy,' they cannot be the right description of people to send out as attendants upon our wounded men. I know there are many services which it would not be right for us to render, but then you must not forget that these will not be required from

nurse.

"Ah, George! the sunshine of my life is over; and you know it is long since I was made to know that henceforth I must try to live for the many instead of devoting myself only to one. You understand me now."

*

*

*

*

Six weeks had to elapse before Mary Vaughan was to set forth for the scenes of her ar duous duties. Very thankful she was that the experience she had gained and the skill she had acquired, during her attendance on the sufferers injured in the terrible accident at the coal-pits four years previously had render

ed it unnecessary for her to prepare herself camp. Long before Mary Vaughan had for the work before her by a course of instruc- dreamt that she should ever go to the East, tion in a London hospital. Now that all the her little namesake and god-child Mary, struggle to come to a right decision and the hearing Mr. Vaughan read in the Times the excitement attending it had passed away, she list of regiments that were to be sent off imfelt that nothing would be so likely to heart-mediately to the seat of war, suddenly interen her for her coming work as a few weeks rupted him with the exclamation, "Oh, papa, passed in quiet thought and anticipation of whatever shall I do, if Aunt Mary is ordered the duties she would have to perform. It was off to Turkey?" But now that she has really not often that she talked to those around her been ordered off,' and the little one has had of these things, but a look at her soft, serious all the reasons of the summons explained to eyes and thoughtful brow made those around her, no one is more eager to assist-more busy her see in them sufficient indices of the all-in packing up Aunt Mary's work-box, and absorbing subject which now occupied her bringing to her contributions from the village mind. Gentle and retiring, yet brave and children, who have all of them something to self-reliant, she shrank from the idea of ap- send to the poor wounded soldiers, even if it pearing as a heroine, either in her own eyes is only a scrap of flannel or a bit of linen-rag. or in the estimation of others. Her one de- But no matter what it was, every gift was resire was always to remember that she was ceived, for it was Mr. Vaughan's wish that his simply doing her duty, and that this duty people should feel that they had, each and had been so plainly pointed out to her, that every one of them, an interest in the cause; there was no danger of her being tempted and that they and their brave brethren in to question the propriety of the decision arms were all of them members one of another. which she had made. Even had she hesitated "If the war makes us more alive to this than for a moment, the remembrance of the scenes we have hitherto been," he would say to his she had passed through when she had gone to wife, "that alone will be a great step gained.' London to offer herself as a candidate, would When, too, any one presenting their little of have sufficed to strengthen her again, and to fering, would say that it was scarcely worth make her feel that to be allowed to go was the giving, and regret that more was not in not only a bounden duty but a very great their power, he would remind them that even privilege. During her short stay in town she a cup of cold water given in His name, would had had most affecting visits from the re- be blessed to both giver and receiver.' Some latives of the wounded, with tears recommend- there were who would come to him bitterly ing those who were dear to them to her care complaining that they had nothing to add to and her kindness; and though Mary could the general store, and to such he would say, not promise much, the very tone of her voice" Do not fancy you have nothing; you have and the expression of her face seemed to in- still your prayers to give, and you know where spire such confidence, that none of her many it is written that the effectual fervent prayer visitors bade her good-bye without leaving of a righteous man availeth much." So the with her their blessing, uttered, in many in- time passed, until one evening the little party stances, with faltering voices and eyes stream- at the Hall were gathered round the large ing with tears. Those anxious faces and those table after an early tea, engaged in their pleading looks often rose before her now, al- labors of love, Mrs. Vaughan employed in most too vividly sometimes for her composure, busily stitching sheets; Catherine, her eldest and yet the recollection of them seemed to girl, intent upon sewing the sleeves into a nerve and encourage her more than anything large flannel dressing-gown; Reginald and else could have done.

Arthur scraping away and comparing the Swiftly the days passed away at the Hall, quantity of lint which each had manufactured where none were more actively employed in since the night before; little May, with serious making preparations for Mary's outfit than her face, cutting away the hems from an old tablelittle nephews and nieces; and a proud and cloth; Mr. Vaughan arranging, the while, a happy face does the youngest of them wear, number of perodicals which were to be sent in seated of an evening on a low stool at her some of Mary's packages for the amusement aunt's feet, cutting up old linen into strips and of the convalescent in the hospitals. They bandages. Very busy, too, are her young were all so absorbed in their various employnephews, Reginald and Arthur-fine hand-ments, that they had not missed Aunt Mary' some lads of eight and ten years of age-scrap- until she sent a message for her little niece, ing lint as if for their very lives, and continu- who, after being out of the room for some ally appealing to their mother to come and minutes, returned with a very pleased, imlook at the great, soft, white heap they have portant expression of face, and going up accumulated; their cheeks flushing and their straight to Mrs. Vaughan, said, in a demure eyes brightening when Auntie thanks them tone, "Please, mamma, there is a person at the and calls them her own good little aides-de- door, who wishes to know if she may come in

here to speak to you: a very nice person she be done by, is is?" asked little May, quite

is, too," added little May, not having self-command enough to refrain from a comment evidently of her own.

"What is it, Edith ?" said Mr. Vaughan, looking up from the books which lay in piles around him.

"I can't quite understand," replied Mrs. Vaughan, "little May is saying that there is a person at the door, and that she wishes to come in to speak to me."

"Well, whatever it is, or whoever it may be, we must not keep them waiting, at any rate,” replied Mr. Vaughan, as he rose and went to the door. On opening it he started back with an expression of surprise which he quickly repressed and changed into a cheerful Walk in, ma'am, there is no one in the room but Mrs. Vaughan and the children."

shocked at such an unkind threat, and casting an appealing look at Aunt Mary,' who only smiled and said, "Arthur knows very well that his Auntie would not like him to show his love for her by behaving unkindly to others. But he need not fear that the poor wounded_men will not be thankful for my nursing. I am only afraid they will show more gratitude than I shall be able to deserve!"

"Oh, no, no, that can never be," again the boys exclaimed in chorus; "there is nobody in the whole world so good or so kind as you are. Is there, dear mamma-nobody but you?" Mrs. Vaughan could not answer, she only kissed her boys, and murmured, "Oh, Mary, I never realized it till now. How could we ever let you go?"

"Come, come," interrupted Mr. Vaughan, this will never do; you know we are all to be very happy, as indeed we ought to be tonight. So your boxes have come, and you never told us anything about it, Mary, that you might give us this little surprise; was that the reason?"

"Yes, Henry, I thought the children would enjoy it. Now you must come and see what else has been sent to me," and so saying, she led the way to her own room.

Thus invited, the unknown stepped forward, but still she did not speak, nor for a moment did any one else, so unlike was her costume to anything they had ever seen before. She was dressed in a loosely fitting gown of gray tweed, on her arms she wore white cuffs, which were fastened above the elbow, a checked apron, and a plain thick linen cap, completed her attire. When she first entered the room her right hand was pressed against her bosom, but she had no sooner There, on a large table, were arranged the removed it, thereby disclosing to view a brown articles supplied by the Government, consistholland band fastened on one shoulder, passing ing of another gray tweed dress, gray cloak, across her chest, and again fastened at the brown bonnet, aprons, caps, towels, sponge, waist, bound with red, and having the words, india-rubber goloshes, and a railway wrapper. "Scutari Hospital" worked upon it, then the The room was crowded with boxes, some half children jumped from their seats, and calling filled, and containing linen sheets, blankets, out," Aunt Mary, Aunt Mary," almost smoth- etc., others full of the contributions of friends; ered her at first with kisses, then shyly re- others packed with woollen mits and flannel treated, as if fearing they had gone beyond breast-plates, the gifts of the villagers; socks bounds, now that she was really ready to be the and stockings knitted by the school children. poor wounded soldiers' nurse. It was pretty These packages were to be forwarded by the to see their wistful half-reverential looks whilst hospital ships, each nurse being allowed to they stood scanning her costume, as if she take only one box with her, containing her were something set apart from them, belong-clothes, and in Mary's case, what she valued ing to another world, of which they knew very much, a case of instruments, the gift of nothing. Yet there was nothing about her to Sir George Dashwood, whose scruples seemed awe them, less now than ever, for a faint smile to have vanished away insensibly since the was playing upon her lips, though her eyes conversation which we have recorded took were glistening with tears, which she was vainly endeavoring to keep back. But it was only a momentary weakness; soon the smile shone more brightly forth, and her face assumed a half amused expression as she said, "Well, dears, here I am, shorn of all my pomps and vanities for a while. Do you think I shall do for a hospital nurse?"

Yes, yes, yes, Auntie," cried the four children in chorus; "and if the soldiers don't love you very dearly," added Arthur, with flashing eyes, "I wont send them any more lint, and then what would become of them, I should like to know?"

“Oh, Auntie, that is not doing as we would

place.

66

May we look at your things, Aunt Mary ?” asked the boys, timidly, and treading on tiptoes, as if they were in some sacred place. Look, but not touch," answered Aunt Mary, smiling; or, better still, I will show you all my treasures. See, here is a case of eau de Cologne from kind papa, and there are large bottles of lavender water of dear mamma's very own making."

"And books! our picture-books that we gave you," interrupted Reginald; "mind you tell the soldiers that it was we who sent them. I wonder if they ever saw such nice ones before," he added, as he took up the books, and