From the Critic. Tales. By EDGAR A. POE. London, 1845. Wiley and Putnam. We have in this volume a number of tales, many of which show the ingenuity, rather than the capacity, of the author's mind. Mr. Poe is familiar to us as a poet of considerable power. We remember the fine conception and the musical execution of some of his stanzas, and, with these fresh in our mind, we confess ourselves disappointed by the present volume of Tales. The first story, "The Gold Bug," is only interesting from its strangeness. It tells of the discovery of some hidden treasure, by the solving of certain enigmatical figures. Viewed with the moral, the tale may be useful, as showing what a patient, earnest mind may accomplish. This is barely probable, and the tale will add no more to the stock of choice literature than the thousand and one stories that yearly fill the penny novelists. Of a piece with "The Gold Bug" are the "Mystery of Marie Roget," and the "Murders of the Rue Morgue." The author seems here to have amused himself by following the plan of those philosophers who trace a series of references between every minute act, and so upward to the making and dethroning of kings. Mr. Poe has been as assiduous in this scheme as an Indian who follows the trail of a foe. He has learnt from the dwellers in the American woods a marked acuteness, which he has dealed out again to his readers in the Tales before us. Another tale of this class is the "Purloined Letter." If we were called upon to recommend this story to any particular party, it would be to some Bow-street officers. Such functionaries would be sure to appreciate it, as it exhibits a quick intellect, which, from a few surmises, arrives at a chain of conclusive evidence. Perhaps of even less utility is Mr. Poe's tale of the "Black Cat." The Black Cat would have been a proper inmate for the "Castle of Otranto," and a most valuable counterpart to the mysterious plume and helmet. The beauty of Walpole's inexplicable riddle would have been much enhanced by the introduction of such a sooty monster. But it may be argued that the Black Cat is a figurative personification of the dark-brooding thoughts of a murderer, murder being the climax of the story. It may be so urged, we repeat, but, at present, our little perception cannot perceive it; and we have not faith to believe that the generality of readers will discover what we cannot. We object, for the most part, to the tales we have instanced, because they uncurtain horrors and cruelties. It is enough, and perhaps too much, for public benefit, that minute details of murders and other horrors find their way into newspapers. They form no part of the glories of literature. The literature of the past, in a great measure, is not pure enough for the gaze of the future because of its antagonistic character. Mr. Poe's Tales are out of place. They are things of the past, but the past has retired from them. They do not anticipate the wants of the future, and the future will take no cognizance of them. But why has Mr. Poe given us so much of the scraps and the worn-out thoughts of yesterday? Mr. Poe could not possibly send forth a book without some marks of his genius, and mixed up with the dross we find much sterling ore. 344 REPRODUCTION OF CERTAIN PLANTS COMPARED WITH INFUsoria. THE Picayune carries the Entente Cordiale to | sent the appearance of two balls united by a mere the very extent of amalgamation, in the annexed point. The monads in this state are seen swim article: "We have now and then a contribution of a poetical description offered for our columns, written in French. For obvious reasons we can make but little use of such; but when we can please our readers, using both French and English, we are most gratified. So here goes for some genuine 'half and half,' which we find in an exchange paper, credited to 'Joe Miller, Jr.'" The Tragedie de Douglas. Mon nom is Norval; on the Grampian hills Il n'y dans la wide monde a valley sucre, Oh! le last ray of sentiment life va partir, Ce n'est pas that Nature has shed sur le scene, Il tournait sur the hill, Pour prendre fond look derniere, ming irregularly in the fluid, as if animated by two different volitions; and apparently for the purpose of tearing asunder the last connecting fibres, darting through the thickest of the crowd of surrounding animalcules; and the moment this slender ligament is broken, each is seen moving away from the other and beginning its independent existence." Now although we have not in the vegetable world any instance of this voluntary division, yet, in the all but spontaneous action, the reproduction of plants by the division of their parts bears a strong analogy to it; and in the cases to be further mentioned, the resemblance is still stronger. The Hydra, or fresh-water Polype, "is capable of indefinite multiplication by simple division. Thus, if it be cut asunder transversely, the part containing a head soon supplies itself with a tail; and the detached tail soon shoots forth a new head, with a new set of tentacula. If any of the tentacula, or any portion of one of them be cut off, the mutilation is soon repaired; and if the whole animal be bril-ment acquires, in a short time, all the parts which divided into a great number of pieces, each fragare wanting to render it a complete individual." capable of being increased by what would in a In this same animal, (the hydra,) which is thus plant be slips or cuttings, the natural method of propagation is analogous to that of many plantssuch as the duck weed: "At the earliest period at which the young of this animal is visible, it appears like a small tubercle, or bud, rising from the surface of the parent hydra; it grows in this situation, and remains attached for a considerable period; at first deriving its nourishment as well as receiving its mechanical support from the parent; * this mode of multiplication, in its first period, corresponds exactly with the production of a vegetable by buds; * although at a later stage, it differs from it in the complete detachment of the offspring from the parent. An instance of reproduction occurs in the sponges, which bears a near resemblance to the spontaneous fructification and bursting of the thecæ of many of the Cryptogamic plants. "The parts of the spongia panicea, which are naturally transparent, contain at certain seasons a multitude of opaque yellow spots, visible to the naked eye, and which, when examined by a microscope, are found to consist of groups of ova, or more properly gemmules, since we cannot discover that they are furnished with any envelope. In the course of a few months these gemmules enlarge in size, each assuming an oval or pear-like REPRODUCTION OF CERTAIN PLANTS COMPARED shape, and are then seen projecting from the sides WITH INFUSORIA.-Perhaps the most curious anal- of the internal canals of the parent, to which they ogy between animal and vegetable organization is adhere by their narrow extremities. In process of that which relates to the process of reproduction-time they become detached, one after the other, which in some of the lowest tribes of animals approaches more nearly to identity with that of plants than in any other function. In several of the most minute infusoria, in which, nevertheless, small as they are, the patient investigation of Ehrenberg has discovered a series of stomachs, we meet with frequent examples of multiplication by the spontaneous division of the body of the parent into two or more parts. "Many species of monads, for instance, which are naturally of a globular shape, exhibit at a certain period of their development a slight circular groove round the middle of their bodies, which by degrees becoming deeper, changes their form to that of an hour-glass; and the middle part becoming still more contracted, they pre Long heard with tant de charme, From Tremblez-spear. Par ron. Mon boat is sur le sand! Mon barque est on the sea! and are swept along by the currents of fluid, which are rapidly passing out of the larger orifices." "When two gemmules, in the course of their spreading on the surface of a watch-glass, come in contact with each other, their clear margins unite without the least interruption-in a few days we can detect no line of distinction between them, and they continue to grow as one animal. The same thing happens, according to the observations of Cavolini, to adult sponges, which, on coming into mutual contact, grow together, and form an inseparable union. In this species of animal grafting we again find an analogy between the constitution of zoophytes and that of plants.”—Introduction to Vegetable Physiology. LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 80.-22 NOVEMBER, 1845. POETRY AND SCRAPS.-Deafness; Sunday Morning, 346-American Factories; The Prairie on Fire; Our Faith, 372-The Exile's Prayer; The Indian Summer, 392. A SEASONABLE WORD ON RAILWAYS. BY MR. PUNCH. can't tell the number of deeds I myself have signed (hear, hear,)—the number of applications I myself have made-(great applause,)-but O, Ar a dinner given by the directors of the Did- my dear brother-shareholders, which among you dlesex Junction Railway to one another out of the will not agree with me, that there is as much funds of the company-Fitz James de la Pluche, money to pay as this great country can conveEsq., Chairman-Punch Esq., Vice-Chairman-niently fork out; that there is as much to do as the latter gentleman delivered the following speech in reply to a complimentary oration from the distinguished president : "Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, "The manner in which you have drunk my health is most gratifying to me. I won't say that tears choke my utterance,' as O'Connell did, upon a solemn occasion, the other day. Humbug and hypocrisy will not pass for honest emotion in England; and never can be welcome to honest men. Gentlemen, I drink all your good healths in return. (Cheers.) "There was a talk last week of an order in council to prohibit the further issue of railroad prospectuses, on the plea that there were too many now on hand, and that it was impossible for parliament to discuss those schemes already extant in the course of the next session. "Mr. Punch is inclined to be of the opinion of the order in council, for various cogent reasons. "In the first place-do we wish to be the death of the House of Commons? If we work them with bills as we did last session, every one, except a few of the tough ones, will expire. Fancy a house composed of Hume and Peel, for instance, whom nothing can kill-old Joe with his stupid figures of arithmetic, and Bob with his incomparably stupider figures of speech. ( (Sensation dans l'auditoire.) 66 our laborers possibly can do; and that it will be well to get that done before we engage ourselves farther? "Parliament binds you to execute your contracts in a certain short period of years, or months almost. You must have the iron in that time, and do you think the iron masters will spare you? You must have the labor performed, and where are the hands to do it? Workmen will be in such request for the next three years, that the best profession for younger sons will be the pickaxe and shovel. Navies may dictate their own terms-at least, until the companies are bankrupt, when there will be no labor, nor wages, nor railroads at all. It will be a sad day when capitalists, and iron masters, and workmen, sit looking at each other after the general smash that our haste for speculation has occasioned. (Profound attention.) "Therefore, dearly beloved, I shall in my place in parliament, or if called to attend the councilboard of my sovereign, approve of a mild check upon railroad speculation. We have enough on hand at present for any prudent men to perform. Next year, my dear brother-capitalists, we shall be having our calls to pay, which I am sure you will all discharge with cheerful punctuality. (Hear, hear! cries of Oh, yes! Of course! Wish you may get it.) I am not a croaker by nature, Secondly-and this is even a more important and only prophesy on rare occasions; but, upon reason than the former-although some of you, my honor and conscience, it seems to me to be my dear brethren, don't care a jot whether the touch-and-go with the prosperity of this great House of Commons is dead or alive, yet your own country at this very moment when I am drinking interests will probably affect you sincerely. Men your healths. (Cheers.) You have the start of and shareholders, you have already signed your all Europe, as you have always had; and the raildeeds, pocketed your premiums, and (the scheme road system successfully carried out, will make being agreed to by parliament,) committed your- such vast changes, and work such prodigious benselves to the finishing of your respective under-efits, as I believe a man has scarcely an idea of takings within a certain space of say three years. now. (Sneers.) But (without rebuking the sneer "Look, my dears, at the number of schemes of my worthy friend, Mr. Coldshoulder, for I must now on the list! I can't stop to count them-I speak a volume to set him right, and then he to join, There 's music in their waves I know, to every ear but mine, wouldn't understand me,) it depends on you now, | To me the streams in silence flow, the distant sea whether the preeminence which you have earned shall remain with you, or the ruin which all the world is longing to see accomplished, shall fall upon you. (Thrilling sensation.) I watch the billows as they reach and break upon the shore, answering peal. Alas! to me all nature's voice, is now forever mute, "If I were an enemy of my country-if I were a aristocrat bent upon the maintenance of my Yet though I stand upon the beach, I hear their order, and dimly seeing that, with the triumph of sound no more. the railroad system my coronets, and my lordships, and my stars and garters, must infallibly disappear To me the storms in silence roar-the threatening into hades-I would, far from discouraging the clouds I see, present railroad mania, exaggerate it in every But though the rain in torrents pour, it brings no way. I would rejoice to see the capital of the sound to mecountry engaging itself beyond its means-plung- I see the trees by tempest riven, its gathering ing into speculations which must end hopelesslyforce I feel, and then the ruined land would come under my Behold the angry flash of heav'n, yet hear no sway again, and the old system be paramount once more. But let us hope better things of the national prudence, and that our own greediness and lust of gain is not to be the cause of our ruin. If we are but prudent, gentlemen, there is no end And ne'er again may I rejoice in sound of song or to the anniversaries which we may be called upon to celebrate here; to the dividends which we may announce to happy shareholders in our line; to the branch lines which may spring from it; and to the premiums which we, as directors, may pocket. (Immense cheering.) I will conclude, gentlemen, by giving you-The railroad-market, and may we know when we have got enough." After this and other eloquent speeches, Mr. Punch went home; but, in spite of his own injunctions to caution, and gloomy predictions regarding over-speculation, the infatuated gentleman wrote two-and-twenty fresh applications for shares before he went to bed that night. From the Episcopal Recorder. ?I SIT in silence-to my ear, there comes no sound No children's ringing laugh I hear, nor joyous song of birds I see the warblers on the wing and children sporting round, But to my deadened ear they bring no sweet and welcome sound. I walk in silence-tho' I know that ev'ry flow'r and tree Is vocal with the music sweet, of bird and humming bee I see the fields of waving corn stirred by the summer breeze, But still to me no sound is borne from flowers, or fields, or trees. Each day I see around our board my friends their places fill I see my mother ask of God a blessing on each meal; But yet no word I ever hear of that familiar prayer, And not a sentence greets my ear from all assembled there. Although to church, on Sabbath days, I duly still repair, "To offer there my sacrifice of humble praise and prayer, "To me through all that blest abode unbroken silence reigns, Silent to me the word of God-silent the sacred strains. lute Yet still doth faithful mem'ry bring the sweet melodious lays, I heard my loved companion sing in earlier, happier days. Oh The would that I could hear once more the charming sound of words, Could And music of the winds and waves, and melody of birds hear the Sabbath bell again sound from the house of prayer, join in every sacred strain with those who worship there. Cambridge, Md., Oct. 1st, 1845. SUNDAY MORNING. A. G. N. How calm comes on this holy day! Triumphant to her throne on high. Unveils her to the gaze of day; So still the scene, each wakeful sound The night winds to their mountain caves, Are gone, their holy rest to keep. Like hills of everlasting green; Each tree that lifts its arms in air, Or hangs its pensive head from high, Let silence sanctify thy praise, From Blackwood's Magazine. ANDREW CLEAVES. ANDREW CLEAVES was the oldest man in the parish of Redburn, and had been one of the most prosperous among its numerous class of thriving and industrious husbandmen. liberation while the important question was pending, the favored suitor was not kept long on the rack of uncertainty, and the third Sunday, which completed the bans, saw Mrs. Dinah “endowed," by Andrew Cleaves, with "all his worldly goods," and installed Lady and Mistress of his hitherto lonely dwelling. He had no reason to repent his choice. For once Dame Fortune (so often reviled for her blunders in matchmaking-so often strange accused of "joining the gentle with the rude,”) had hooked together two kindred souls; and it seemed indeed as if Andrew had only reunited to himself a some time divided portion of his own nature, so marvellously did he and his prudent Dinah sympathize in their views, habits, and principles. Thrift-thrift-thrift-and the accumulation of worldly substance, was the end and aim of all their thoughts, dreams, and undertakings; yet were they rigidly just and honest in all their dealings, even beyond the strict letter of the law, of which they scorned to take advantage in a doubtful matter; and Andrew Cleaves had been known more than once to come forward to the assistance of distressed neighbors (on good security been expected from one of his parsimonious habits, indeed,) but on more liberal terms than could have or than were offered by persons of more reputed generosity. His little property, which had descended from father to son for many generations, consisted of a large and comfortable cottage, situated on the remote verge of the village common, a productive garden, and a few fields, which he cultivated so successfully, rising up early, and late taking rest, that by the time he had attained the middle period of life, he was enabled to rent a score inore acres had got together a pretty stock of cattle-had built a barn-and enclosed a rickyard-and drove as fine a team as any in the parish-was altogether accounted a man "well to do in the world," and was generally addressed by the style and title of "Farmer Cleaves." Then and not till thenand still with most phlegmatic deliberation, he began to look about him for a partner-a help meet in the true homely sense of the word, was the wife he desired to take unto himself; and it was all in vain "Love's Labor Lost"-that many a wealthy farmer's flaunting daughter-and many a gay damsel of the second table, from my lord's, and the squire's-and divers other fair ones set their caps at wary Andrew, and spake sweet words Moreover, he was accounted-and he surely to him when chance threw them in his path, and accounted himself-a very religious man, and a looked sweet looks at him, when he sat within very pious Christian-" a serious Christian," he eye-shot at church, in his own old oaken pew, denominated himself; and such a one he was in hard by the clerk's desk, with his tall, bony, ath- good truth, if a sad and grave aspect-solemn letic person, erect as a poker, and his coal-black hair speech, much abounding in Scriptural phrases(glossy as the raven's wing) combed smooth down slow delivery, erect deportment, and unsocial reover his forehead, till it met the intersecting line serve, constitute fair claims to this distinction. of two straight jetty eyebrows, almost meeting Moreover, he was a regular church-goer-an inover the high curved nose, and overhanging a pair defatigable reader of his Bible, (of the Old Testaof eyes, dark, keen, and lustrous; but withal, of ment, and the Epistles in particular,) fasted a severe and saturnine expression, well in keep-rigidly on all days appointed by the church— ing with that of the closely compressed lips, and angular jaw. Those lips were not made to utter tender nonsense-nor those eyes for ogling, verily; but the latter were sharp and discerning enough, to find out such qualifications as he had laid down to himself as indispensable in his destined spouse, among which (though Andrew Cleaves was justly accounted a close, penurious man) money was not a paramount consideration, as he wisely argued within himself a prudent wife might save him a fortune, though she did not bring one. A small matter by way of portion, could not come amiss, however, and Andrew naturally weighed in with her other perfections the twenty years' savings of the vicar's housekeeper, whose age did not greatly exceed his own-who was acknowledged to be the best housewife in the parish, and the most skilful dairy-woman, having come from a famous cheese country, whose fashions she had successfully introduced at Redburn Vicarage. Beside which, Mrs. Dinah was a staid, quiet person-not given to gadding and gossiping and idle conversation; and, moreover," quoth Andrew, "I have a respect unto the damsel, and, verily, I might go farther and fare worse." 66 Marry in haste, and repent at leisure," was however, another of Andrew's favorite sayings, so he took another year or two to consider the matter in all its bearings; but as all things earthly come to an end, so at last did Andrew Cleaves' ponderings; and as his actual wooing was by no means so tedious an affair, and as the discreet Dinah had had ample time for de broke the heads of all the little boys who whistled, within his hearing, on Sabbaths and saints' days -said immoderate long graces before and after meals, and sang hymns by the hour, though he had no more voice than a cracked pitcher, and not ear enough to distinguish between the tunes of the 100th Psalm, and "Molly put the Kettle on." Besides all this, he had been a dutiful, if not an affectionate son-was a good, if not a tender husband-a neighbor of whose integrity no one doubted-a most respectable parishioner; and, yet, with all this, Andrew Cleaves' was not vital religion, for it partook not of that blessed spirit of love, meekness, and charity, which vaunteth not itself is not puffed up-thinketh no evil of its neighbor-neither maketh broad its phylacteries, nor prayeth in the corners of market-places, to be He was neither extortionate nor a seen of men. drunkard. He gave tithes of all that he possessed. He did not give half his goods to the poor; but, nevertheless, contrived to make out such a catalogue of claims on the peculiar favor of Heaven, as very comfortably satisfied his own conscience, and left him quite at leisure to "despise others." It had been the misfortune of Andrew Cleaves to have imbibed from his parents those narrow views of Christianity, and their early death had left him an unsociable being, unloving, unloved, and unconnected, till he changed his single for a married state. "Habits are stubborn things; And by the time a man is turned of forty, |