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MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE, GENERAL INFORMATION, EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND THE ARTS.

CONDUCTED BY

GANSEVOORT - LANS.G
COLLECTION

ALFRED B. STREET,

ASSISTED BY

S. S. RANDALL, Esq., PROF. JAMES HALL, AND OTHERS.

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This number of the NORTHERN LIGHT may be obtained at the different Bookstores, and at JONES' Depot, Museum Building, where subscriptions will be received. The above places will also be furnished with the future Nos. on the 1st and 15th of each month.

JAMES T. CLARK, Agent for Albany and the adjacent counties.

TRAVELLING AGENTS.

JOHN H. ALLEN,

THOMAS S. EASTERLY.

ALBANY:

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY BY C. WENDELL, AGENT FOR THE ALBANY ASSOCIATION OF
PRACTICAL PRINTERS, NO. 3 NORTH PEARL-STREET.

One Sheet Periodical.

D

Literary Notices.

of nobility, bestowed upon him by the Emperor, shows Observations in Europe, principally in France and Great Britain, the true intellectual dignity of the man. Looking over by JOHN P. DURBIN, D. D., President of Dickinson College-a drawer of old papers, with a friend, he came across In two volumes, New-York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff-st., the parchment and tossing it towards him said, "by the way, you did not know I was a baron."

1844.

The volume consists of a life of the author, by Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, and his poems and ballads translated by the same masterly hand. These glorious productions are wrought into English with great skill, ease and beauty, and with an aptitude and faithfulness which show how thoroughly the distinguished translator has entered into the spirit of the original.

"HONORS.

We should suppose that time and space were really annihilated, from the number of volumes issued descriptive of tours in Europe by Americans. Amongst these multifarious books of travels, none has pleased us more than this work by President Durbin. Light, easy and sketchy, it neither fatigues with too much detail, nor burthens the mind with long philosophical disquisitions upon character, manners and government. The It would please us much, could we extract liberally author writes in a cheerful spirit, looking at the bright from this beautiful and valuable work; but our limits side of things, and evidently disposed to make the most forbid. We however cannot refrain from quoting the of all he encounters. In this, he offers an example following lines, not because of any superiority they which a few late tourists might follow, with improve- possess over the others, but by reason of their length ment to their works as well as their tempers. Professor being suited to the contracted space of our columnsDurbin brings to his task, a graceful, fluent pen, and an acute well disciplined mind. He describes what he has seen in a spirited and graphic manner; and with a gusto which evidently shows that he enjoyed deeply what he saw. Indeed it would not be easy to repress the enthusiasm which the Old World awakens in a denizen of the New. The aspect of things is so strange -the customs, manners, habits, &c., of the people are so different that it would be singular if the feelings were not aroused. The ancient walled cities-the gray mouldering castles with the ivy clothing battlement and turret, the manifold spots of mountain, wood and stream, haunted by superstitions, and peopled with legends-the great contrasts of society, with its courtly splendor and sordid poverty all these strike the eye and fill the mind of the American traveller, with deep interest from their perfect novelty. Our author has caught as many of these salient points as his brief tour would allow.

The following is his description of the rural aspect of Old England from London to Birmingham:

"The country was indeed beautiful. It is not the garden of England, but yet the cultivation seemed to be almost perfect. The grass had a deep luxuriance that is rarely seen in America. |

"When the column of light on the waters is glass'd,
As blent in one glow seem the shine and the stream,
But wave after wave through the glory has pass,d,
Just catches, and fires as it catches, the beam.
So honors but mirror on mortals their light,
Not the MAN but the place that he FASSES is bright."

Littell's Living Age-Boston: E. Littell & Co., 118 Washington

street.

We have received Nos. 1 and 3 of the above work, and like them exceedingly. The work itself will give the cream of all the distinguished foreign periodi

Each number con

cals, and at a price (12 1-2 cts. for each number) which
places it within the reach of all.
tains 64 pages, and is printed on beautiful white paper
and clear open type. The project is a good one, and

we heartily wish it success.

Harper's Illuminated and New Pictorial Bible. No. 4 of this magnificent work is lying upon our table. We have before chronicled our admiration of this noble undertaking, and still possess the same feelings as the work progresses. It is filled with admirable

completed it will be a splendid monument to the munificence and enterprise of the Messrs. Harpers.

It seemed like a thick tufted carpet, and the lazy sheep, sleek engravings, whilst the letter press is unrivalled. When fat cattle and well conditioned horses like figures wrought upon it. The swells of ground were covered with golden grain. Lines of green hedge diversified the picture. Ranges of elms and groups of other trees abounded every where, giving the whole scene the appearance of a rich pleasure-ground, delightfully varied with light and shade."

The work is beautifully "got up" by the Harpers in the best style of those eminent and enterprising publishers, adorned with several fine plates of St. Paul's, Palais Royal, Wesleyan Theological Institution, the Catacombs, Cathedral at Rouen, &c., besides wood cuts and a very valuable plan of the fortifications of the city of Paris.

The Northern Traveller; containing the Hudson River Guide, and tour to the Springs, Lake George and Canada, passing through Lake Champlain, with a description of all places on the route most worthy of notice-New-York: published by J. Disturnell, 102 Broadway, 1844.

We take great pleasure in recommending this little work to the notice of the public. It contains a description of all places of note on the Hudson River, as well as the various points of interest, upon the route by the way of the Springs, Lakes George and Champlain, to Canada, together with the cities, villages, rivers, bays, &c., of the latter country. Tables of distances between Albany and Montreal, and from the latter place to Kingston and Quebec are also given. The work is not only exceedingly valuable to the tourist, but it is interesting to the general reader. It is beautifully printed by C. Van Benthuysen & Co., of Albany, and affords a good specimen of the neat and handsome manner in which these enterprising and industrious publish

The Poems and Ballads of Schiller, translated by Sir EDWARD
LYITON BULWER, Bart., with a brief sketch of the author's life
-New-York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff-street, 1844.
We regret that we have not more space to devote to
this charming volume. The name of Schiller is world-
renowned. Few men, if any, have surpassed him in
the greatness and choiceness of mental gifts. Ad-
ded to these were high moral qualifications which alto-
gether made up a character which the world seldom
sees. The estimation which he placed upon the patenters issue their volumes.

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MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE, GENERAL INFORMATION, EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND THE ARTS.

CONDUCTED BY

GANSEVOORT - LANSING

COLLECTION

ALFRED B. STREET,

ASSISTED BY

S. S. RANDALL, Esq., PROF. JAMES HALL, AND OTHERS.

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German National Wealth, translated from Hoffman
Van Fallersleben,
......................... 26
The Ideal, and the Practical, by S. S. Randall,.... 27
The American Flag. A Hymn for the approaching
National Anniversary, by E. B. O'Callaghan,.... 29

Names of Clergymen, by T. Romeyn Beck,....... 22 Summer Fancies-No. 2, by Alfred B. Street,..... 29

Dr. Channing on Poetry,....

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22

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The Misfortunes of getting an Office, by Christopher Columbus Kwill, Esq.......

Brief Notices of some of the deceased Poets of New-
York, by Atticus,.....

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This number of the NORTHERN LIGHT may be obtained at the different Bookstores, and at JONES' Depot, Museum Building, where subscriptions will be received. The above places will also be furnished with the future Nos. on the 1st and 15th of each month.

JAMES T. CLARK, Agent for Albany and the adjacent counties.

TRAVELLING AGENTS.

JOHN H. ALLEN,

THOMAS S. EASTERLY.

ALBANY:

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY BY C. WENDELL, AGENT FOR THE ALBANY ASSOCIATION OF
PRACTICAL PRINTERS, NO. 3 NORTH PEARL-STREET.

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BY THEODORE T. LAKE.

Where the forest mid the gloom,
Spreads its leafy bowers,
Brightest fancy wilt thou roam,
Sporting mid the flowers;
When the sun-set spirit flings,
O'er the dew its roses,

And the red breast's music rings,
Where rich shade reposes.

When green spring sends forth her breath,
To sport o'er walking nature,
Spreads around each flowery wreath
To glad each living creature ;
Where the the streamlet sparkles bright,
O'er earth's verdant bosom,
And the west wind breathes so light,
Scarce it stirs the blossom.

When the leaf in youthful green,

On the grassy meadow,

Throws the dark and chequered screen,
Of its cooling shadow;

When the blue-bird pours its song,
From the branch o'erspreading,
And the forest's green among,

Flowers their breath are shedding.
When bright summer lights the sky,
With its softened azure,

And the hours as on they fly,

Nothing breathe but pleasure;
When from grass and flowret's bell,
Tiny notes are ringing,
And the fountain from its cell,
Silver gleams is flinging.

When morn hangs her robe of gold,
On the freshen'd flowers,

And when sun-shine lights the wold,
Music wakes the bowers;
When the lonely mountain smiles
In the rainbow glory,

And the stream as on it flows,

Laves the willows hoary.

When mild autumn steals along,

Crimson, gold and yellow;

When leaves choke the fountain's song,

And the fruit is mellow;

When the leaf no longer green,

Whispers notes of sadness,
And the drooping russet scene,
Speaks no more of gladness.
When soft music's saddest tone,
Wakes to grief the weeper,
And on high the silver moon,
Cheers the homeward reaper;
When the stars are shining bright,
On the flowers beneath them,
Which to ruin's withering blight,

Soon must storms bequeath them..
When bleak winter chains the stream,
With his shackles dreary,
And no sun-shine's glorious beam,
Lights the day hours weary ;
Wilt thou then, Oh, Fancy, cheer
With song the blazing dwelling?
As along the wild winds tear,
And the storm is swelling.

[NUMBER 2.

Glimpses of the Early History of Albany.

BY ALFRED B. STREET.

(Concluded.)

The New World began now to engage seriously the attention of Europe. James the 1st of England, had immediately before his death, in 1625, cast a longing eye upon the New-Netherlands, and the desire to obtain foothold still prevailed in the breast of Charles his son. Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, had as early as 1624, authorized William Usselinx, a Hollander, residing however at Stockholm, to organize a Swedish Trading Company, for the purpose of founding a colony on the South or Delaware River, but the plan was interrupted by the death of Gustavus on the glorious battle field of Lutzen. It was again revived under the reign of Christina his daughter, sanctioned by Oxenstiern, her chancellor, and finally in 1638 the Swedes gained foothold in the valley of Swans, settled previously by the Dutch under De Vreiz.

In 1637 the Patroon Van Rensselaer, after having sent his complement of souls to the colony, embarked from Holland and arrived at the settlement. The village was now known by the name of Beaverwyck, and had enlarged considerably in size, lying under the guns of the fort, and protected also by its own palisades. The Patroon erected his Trading House on the borders of the moat surrounding the fort, and upon the same island that Christianse selected for his redoubt, laid out his grounds, and built and fortified his mansion.

The advantages of obtaining possession of the Fur trade, soon presented themselves to his mind. This valuable traffic had now increased to a considerable extent, the snowy ermine and glossy beaver being sought after in the Courts and Capitols of Europe. To have this trade in his own hands was a very important object to the Patroon, and accordingly he set up a claim to staple-right in his broad estate of Rennselaerwyck, which extended from Barren Island on the south to Monemin's Castle at the mouth of the Mohawk on the north. This staple-right, was a privilege, to compel all vessels trading within his jurisdiction, to sell their cargo at some point specified, or pay certain duties. Finding this right resisted, the Patroon fortified Barren Island, and proclaimed the right, with the mute eloquence of cannon pointing across the channel of the river. This proceedure was looked upon with a jealous eye, not only by Director General Kieft, at New-Amsterdam, but by the company at home.

In 1644 an incident occurred, which threw the little village of Beaverwyck into a state of great commotion. The yacht "Good Hope" whilst peaceably upon her voyage down the river, arriving opposite Barren Island, was required by Capt. Kooren, who commanded there, to lower her flag in deference to the Patroon's staple-right, and refusing, was fired into by the valiant Captain. The tidings of this flew quickly. We can imagine the state of affairs at Beaverwyck. The sergeant from the fort, the trader from his little store at the corner-the burgher

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