country, and we prefer directing the attention of our readers to what may be imitated, rather than to what must be avoided. Of all earthly hopes, those which a good mother indulges for her children are the most pure, and the most certainly within her power of attainment. of attainment. She holds, so to speak, the moral destiny of her children; and if she would but always improve judiciously and devotedly the almost unlimited power which nature has given her over them, moulding their hearts and minds to the love of goodness and knowledge, and forming early habits in accordance with those principles of benevolence and self-control, which are the basis of all that is excellent in the human character, she might be sure of her reward. Infant education is the corner stone of the moral improvement of the world. Without entering into any discussion respecting the mental equality of the sexes, all will acknowledge that female influence, exercised as it is, and forever will be, in forming the character of the young, is of incalculable effect and importance. To secure it on the side of order, knowledge, virtue and piety, should be the unceasing effort of every individual who prizes the dear charities of home, the pleasure of refined, intelligent society, and the holy hopes of immortal life. Never may the ladies of America become indifferent to social and religious obligations; never let them neglect to lay the foundation of these sacred affections, these sublime and purifying feelings in the hearts of their children. But to use their power understandingly and effectively for good, women must be educated. We do not mean accomplished, as that term is usually understood-but that to the love and practice of virtue, must be added a deep sense of the responsibilities under which they rest, in regard to the manner their influence is exerted on all within their sphere; and they must likewise feel assured that men approve and encourage their exertions. With these feelings and hopes the facilities now afforded for acquiring knowledge will be improved, and self-instruc-` tion, always accompanied by reflection, will generally make a woman sufficiently learned for the discharge of all her duties. We are no advocate for the public display of the abilities of woman. Home is the theatre where she should, as daughter, sister, wife, and mother lay the chief scene of her labors, and triumphs, and rewards. It is only on emergencies, in cases where duty demands the sacrifice of female sensitiveness, that a lady of sense and delicacy will come before the public, in a manner to make herself conspicuous. There is little danger that such an one will be arrogant in her pretensions. These remarks may be considered as allusions to our own case. Nothing of the kind was contemplated when the article was commenced; but we hope to be pardoned while devoting a few lines, now they will glide in so opportunely with the current of the remarks, to our Magazine. The reasons that have governed the Editor in the course she has pursued, connected as they are with the circumstances of her private life, she would never consent to bring before the public, were she not deeply sensible of the importance of this principle, namely, that every lady, engaging in a pursuit foreign to the usual character and occupations of her sex, and yet claiming their approbation and support, owes to the dignity of woman, an explanation of the causes that have thus induced her to leave the retirement which she nevertheless recommends as, on all ordinary occasions, the most proper, honorable and happy for females. To obtain the means of supporting and educating her children, in some measure as their father would have done, was her only motive for undertaking the management of a public Journal. She has cause to think her work has been approved, and will continue it while there remains the probability of success, devoting its pages to the promotion and dissemination of those principles which teach us that "this life has no value, unless it is subservient to the religious education of our hearts; unless it prepares us for a higher destiny by our free choice of virtue upon earth. Metaphysics, social institutions, arts, sciences, accomplishments all ought to be appreciated accordingly as they contribute to the moral perfection of mankind; this is the test granted to the ignorant as well as to the learned. For if the knowledge of the means belongs only to the initiated, the results are discernible by all the world." THE PILGRIMS. ENGLAND had laid her banner down And the red tints from bloody plains, But yet oppression filled each fold, And swords, while wedded to their sheaths, Then was a fearful mustering heard, Of that stout-hearted band; The dream was of a lovelier shore, Where the smoke of armies ne'er had curled, And a free blue sky was arching o'er From Britain's isle to the far new world. Where Science ne'er had sent its light, And the soul was dark as the storms of night!- In the Christian's hope--the Martyr's faith- Thick darkness was on the midnight sea, The terrors of that mighty ocean- And through the darkness and the storm, While the dauntless heart looked o'er the sea, To its new home, and its destiny. Two worlds have met-that English band, The savage yell-the Pilgrim's prayer The mother's and the infant's cry- Like the dark omen of a doom;- They came, as great spirits come, They stood where the faggots burn, Where no sacred fane, nor incense urn, Rose up through the thick wood; The Indian massacre and strife The torture, and the bloody knife— The war-whoop loud-the conflict warm, Were met as the mountain meets the storm; And the lightning-blast quick falling there;— On the field and on the sea; And the hills gave back the word "The new world shall be free!" Those scenes have passed-the pain, the strife, The ready sacrifice of life Proud spirits, too, have gone!- The storied deeds which memory The city's spire-the patriot's grave— The monumental pile These are the trophies of the brave, On every plain and isle; And the lion strength lifts up no more A dark oppressive weight; While the Eagle-flag streams from the shore, For the battle and its fate. When Night's long veil hangs from her jewelled brow, And the chaste moon, with a pure Summer glow And silent step, comes up the orient sky, And mountains, with their hoary brows o'ergrown Words, thought, and spirit; and speak-now, hence, New-England, home of the Pilgrims, land of the free! J. F. R. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF ROBERT FULTON. When great advances are made in improving the condition of man, it is generally effected by the combined influence and efforts of Philosophers, Statesmen, and Philanthropists; but, perhaps no single individual, since the invention of printing, has ever conferred more important benefits upon his species than Robert Fulton. This extraordinary man was born in the town of Little Britain, in Pennsylvania, in 1765. His father was a native of Kilkenny, in Ireland; and his mother was of a respectable Irish family in Pennsylvania. The father died when Robert was three years of age. Young Fulton acquired the rudiments of a common English education, at Lancaster, in his native State. His patrimony was very small; and this, says one of his friends, is what he seemed anxious to have known, that he might be considered, as he really was, the maker of his own fortunes. The peculiar bent of genius began to show itself while young; he spent all his hours of recreation in mechanics' shops, or in the employment of his pencil. At the age of seventeen, he had acquired considerable celebrity in Philadelphia, as a portrait and landscape painter. He continued to practice this art |