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in life to one of commanding influence and honor. Not many years ago he was editor of an obscure country paper, having previously regularly served the usual time as an apprentice to the printing business. Without the assistance of fortune or influential family connections, he has fought his way, and triumphed in every progressive step. That he fills his present position with the best motives for the general good, we have no doubt; but that he is liable to pursue the wrong, or misapprehend the true course in which the general and permanent good of the people may best be promoted, is probably the only fear which a political opponent may reasonably entertain. His Secretary of State is a man of some ability, which is supported by great energy of character. His past political history, mainly connected with the political movements of the day in Schuylkill county, where he has long resided, is by no means above reproach-because it too often exhibits a mere unscrupulous partizan. He was one of the daring spirits who, in 1844, undertook to prove Mr. Polk as good a tariff man as Mr. Clay, and for all practical purposes he was probably the most successful man of the tribe. He, however, appeared to have been disappointed in Mr. Polk's course, in this respect, and subsequently exerted himself to repair the damage which had been done; but in the meantime the people, among whom his statements had obtained currency, suffered severely the paralyzing effects of their credulity, and bitterly realized the deception under which they had previously labored. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, in addition to his other duties, is also Superintendent of Common Schools. The system of education, as now carried out in Pennsylvania, is one of the noblest features in the general character of the State-and yet, strangers passing through it seldom credit its citizens with the intelligence which they really possess. They see a large number of Germans, in some parts of the State, and at once set them down as unlettered. This is a great mistake. The fault is entirely in their vocal language, which is awkward, impure, and inexpressive. An educated youth, raised in a community where the leading characteristics of this peculiar Pennsylvania dialect prevail, will be sure to fall under its influ ence. Being a kind of familiar, every day dialect, every body adopts it. It is the most free-and-easy way of conducting business and social intercourse. The educated man is thus somewhat crippled in the most essential part-fluency. Feeling his utter incapacity to express himself effectively, he assumes none of the exterior trappings of learn

ing, but is satisfied with the moderate and occasional use of it, which his business and momentous exigencies may require. A stranger, therefore, may stumble over a plain, industrious farmer, and be surprised to find a man of profound learning. The truth is, our growing population is very generally educated to a certain extent-that is, the essential points comprising a good English education are taught to all, with very few exceptions. But the isolated position of a large portion of our citizens exposes them to the influences of the mixed German-and-English dialect so peculiar to our agricultural districts, and thus the learning they acquire never receives the colloquial finish which intercourse with people speaking the English language alone would probably give it. Besides, our German population adhere, as far as practicable, to books and newspapers printed in their own language; but most of them can read understandingly English and German alike.

The present School law was adopted in 1836. It is an improvement on those previously existing, all of which flowed from an express provision of the constitution, requiring a system of general education under the auspices of the State Government. By its provisions, every man is required to pay a tax corresponding with his wealth, no matter whether he may have children to educate or not. All have to contribute for the support of government, and to provide for the common defence; so that all may be secure in the blessings of our institutions and the possession of the rights of person and property. To promote the general welfare-to prevent crime, immorality, and pauperismeducation is necessary, and therefore it is properly reduced to a system, under the control and patronage of the government. Thus, the State is divided into some fourteen hundred districts, the citizens of which may determine by ballot, at stipulated periods, whether schools shall be supported in their midst or not. If they decide in their favor, the State contributes a certain amount in their aid-equal to about half their actual expenses. The other portion is collected from the citizens, according to their estates, to assess which directors are appointed, who also superintend the pecuniary and general affairs of the school, appoint teachers, &c. If the citizens decide adversely to schools, of course no benefit from the School-fund of the State can accrue to them. Of the fourteen hundred districts now comprising the School system, probably at least twelve hundred have accepted the law. The non-accepting districts, for the most part, are those where

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the people are all generally in "good circumstances," and prefer educating their children under their individual direction. Sometimes a district is under the control of rich old bachelors, or penurious, childless husbands-among whom, of course, such a law as this stands no chance of favor! During the sixteen years that the Common School system has been in operation, the people of this State have expended nearly sixteen millions of dollars in its support—exclusive of the large sums annually paid to sustain the numerous private academies, colleges, and seminaries, which are also giving their valuable aid to the cause of general education. The number of schools in the State, including Philadelphia, which comprises a separate division of our school system, is nearly twelve thousand. In 1836 there were but eight hundred and eight! The pupils now number half a million, and the annual cost is nearly one and a half millions of dollars! It is worthy of remark, that the ablest and most eloquent advocate this law ever had, either in or out of the Legislature, was Thaddeus Stevens, a bachelor!

There are several other matters which ought properly to be treated of in connection with Harrisburg; but it is time to pursue our journey, and thank fortune we have before us for the remaining two hundred and fifty-six miles, one of the smoothest and most substantial roads in the United States. So, then, all aboard!

About two miles from Harrisburg, on the right, is situated an imposing structure, not yet fully completed, which is exhibited in the accompanying figure. This is the Pennsylvania Lunatic Hospital, erected by the State, for which fifty thousand dollars were appropriated. It is placed in the charge of a board of trustees, who act without compensation. The insane from all parts of the State can be received here, at the expense of the counties to which they respectively belong; or, if able to pay themselves, at an ordinary cost of about $2.50 per week, including board and medical attendance. It is thus contemplated to make the institution pay its own expenses, without becoming a further charge to the State. It has accommodations for two hundred and fifty patients, and a farm of one hundred and thirty acres of land is attached. The institution was thrown open for the reception of patients in October, 1851, and there are now probably over one hundred enjoying its treatment.

The hospital building consists of a centre building, and wings extending in a linear direction on each side; each wing is so arranged

that the second projection recedes twenty feet behind the first, and the third the same distance behind the second, so that the second and third projections of the wings on each side of the centre building are open at both ends, which renders them light and cheerful, and insures at all times a free natural ventilation. The centre building is of three stories above the basement or ground floor, has a large Tuscan portico, with a flight of twenty steps to the main entrance, and is surmounted by a large dome, from which a very extensive view of the surrounding country is obtained. The hospital is lighted throughout with gas brought from the works of the Harrisburg Gas Company. In the improvement of the grounds, and the cultivation of the garden, it is expected that much assistance will be derived from the patients themselves-out-door exercise of this character being part of the system of treatment resorted to whenever the patients can be persuaded thus to employ themselves, and generally attended with gratifying results. The institution is open to visitors under certain judicious restrictions.

A few miles above the hospital we cross the Susquehanna on one of the finest structures in the country, and amidst a scene of unrivalled picturesqueness and beauty. The Susquehanna has here forced its way through a range of abrupt mountains, which constitute the western termination of the great anthracite coal region of Schuylkill County. We have already devoted a separate chapter to the consideration of this wonderful region, touching upon all its leading features, and including a description of the processes of mining, &c. We can