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the canal with passengers, between Gravesend and Rochester, passing through the tunnel; the echo made by the noise of her machinery and paddles, was singular and powerful. The roof of the tunnel, except a portion near the Frindsbury or Medway end, is generally remarkably dry. This whole undertaking, from various causes, was more than twenty years in progress. The capital was raised in 4805 shares; the average cost per share, was 301. 4s. 3d.; but, although an important public accommodation, it has proved an unfortunate undertaking for the original proprietors, the selling price of the shares being recently quoted at only 17.

During the hop-season, the traffic on the canal is very considerable; the hop-growers of Kent being thus enabled to transport their hops to the London market from Maidstone, in twenty-four hours. The river Medway, which is rendered navigable as high as Tunbridge, proves of infinite utility to the county of Kent, as well as Sussex, on the borders of which it takes its rise. Its course is exceedingly circuitous throughout; the tide flows up as far as Maidstone, a distance from Sheerness, by water, of about thirtyseven miles.

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without the limits of the port of London, the inhabitants have the advantage of obtaining their coals exempt from certain duties.

In the centre of the grove there stood an oak, which, though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out into a large excrescence about the middle of the stem. On this of years, that the oak was distinguished by the title of the a pair of ravens had fixed their residence for such a series Raven Tree. Many were the attempts of the neighbouring youths to get at this eyry: the difficulty whetted their inclination, and each was ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But when they arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring lads were awed, and acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous. So the ravens built on, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till the fatal day arrived in which the wood was to be levelled. It was in the month of February, when those birds usually sit. The saw was applied to the butt, the wedges were inserted into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blows of the beetle, or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall; but still the dam sat on. At last, when it gave way, the bird was flung from her nest; and, though her parental affection deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs, which brought her dead to the ground.-WHITE's Selborne. LONDON:

The immediate vicinity of the Thames and Medway JOHN WILLIAM PARKER, WEST STRAND. Canal to Gravesend, is of some advantage to that PUBLISHED IN WEEKLY NUMBERS, PRICE ONE PENNY, AND IN MONTHLY PARTS

town, as in consequence of its basin being just

FRICE SIXPENCE, AND

Sold by all Booksellers and Newsvenders in the Kingdom.

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VOL. V.

Saturday

No 158.

PRICE ONE PENNY.

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL LITERATURE AND EDUCATION, APPOINTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

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HOFWYL.

THE VILLAGE OF HOFWYL, six miles north of the city of Berne, in Switzerland, is in a beautiful situation, surrounded by hills and interspersed with woods, with the Jura mountains and the Alps in view.

The singular institution of which we are about to give some account, and which has lately become more interesting, from many of our countrymen having sent their sons thither, has been established upwards of thirty-two years, under the direction of M. de Fellenberg, a native of Switzerland, and of noble birth. This zealous and persevering man, who had long directed his mind to the subject of education, started Hofwyl with one poor country lad. At the age of sixty-two, he has now 260 youths under his especial charge, and has brought his establishment to consist of four different stations, distinct from one another, and in separate houses.

The first comprises the higher class of students; they belong to what is called la Grande Maison d'Education, and receive a regular course of instruction in the classics, and in various arts and sciences, every branch of elegant and useful learning being attended to. The second division is known by the name of Mittel Schule, or Middle School, where young men, generally of the grade of farmers' sons, are taught the business of agriculture. The third is l'Ecole Rurale, comprising poor boys of Switzerland, and the adjoining countries. The fourth and last, l'Ecole des Filles, which comprehends girls in humble life, who are brought up in such a way as to enable them to gain an honest livelihood, the produce of their work while at school, going towards the expense of their maintenance.

The chief Academy, la Grande Maison, consists of sixty youths, some being of the highest ranks, and sent from various parts of the world, with the exception, it appears, of Germany. To train these pupils in the several departments of knowledge, there are thirty-two professors, principally clergymen of the Lutheran church, who are always at hand to propose questions and explain difficulties, M. de Fellenberg, himself a classical scholar, often superintending the different lessons in person, and laying great stress on explanation and examination in the teacher's presence. His wish is to receive the boys at an early age, that he may educate them wholly according to his own system. The distinguishing excellence of this consists in the practical details which comprise an infinite variety of ingenious methods for economizing the resources within reach, and gaining proposed ends by sure means. To enter fully into particular points, would exceed our bounds; and, indeed, it is a question how far any description could enable the reader, who had not been upon the spot, to form an adequate idea of the system in all its bearings. In teaching the sciences, much aid is derived from the method of Pestalozzi, which consists in exercising the reasoning faculties more than is done by the ordinary process of instruction, and in making the acquirement of knowledge much less a matter of rote. No intervals of idleness are permitted to interfere with the general object. The boys first apply to Greek and Grecian History; afterwards to Latin, Roman History, and Ancient Geography: subsequently to Modern Languages and Literature, Modern History and Geography, the Physical Sciences and Chemistry: and during the whole period to Mathematics, Drawing, Music, and bodily exercises.

The founder, who is personally extremely active, encourages all those manly sports which tend to form and strengthen the frame; and gymnastics are

constantly practised in the grounds, the most skilful among the youths being chosen from among themselves to take the lead, and to regulate the rest. It is the same with the military exercises, in which they elect their own captain, who confers the honour of lieutenant and ensign on those he thinks fit, the choice being generally acceptable to the rest, and it is pleasing to notice the harmony that prevails among them. They have, likewise, their own head gardener, or Meier, as they call him, who looks after the portion of ground allotted to them, that they keep it in proper order; and with regard to the household affairs, the head man, or Hauswart, must see to the class-rooms, or nominate a lad weekly, for each department, to take care of the pens, paper, chalk, &c.

During the heat of the summer, instead of gymnastics, they employ a portion of the time of recreation in swimming, for which they have an excellent bath, with a fountain in the centre: and thus they become excellent swimmers.

Every evening, M. de Fellenberg holds an assembly, at which all are obliged to be present, when he either finds fault or praises, as their conduct merits, and closes with an evening prayer. He seldom has to speak of a thing twice, so willingly are his orders, or rather desires, attended to. His first care is to make himself acquainted with a boy's character, and he then treats his scholars as his own sons. Every possible attention is paid to the morals and manners, and seldom can any thing be done in secret without its coming to his ears. There are not more than twenty Roman Catholics in the institution; the great bulk of the establishment, with M. de Fellenberg and his family at their head, being Protestants. Sunday is strictly attended to: the Church Service is performed in German, and a Confirmation is held every year at Hofwyl.

This short account will give our readers some idea of the good order which reigns throughout the whole, and which tends so greatly, not only to present advancement, but to success in after-life. And it is still more important to trace the effects of religious cultivation, without which all other endeavours after knowledge must be valueless and vain. It is a judicious provision of de Fellenberg, not to allow of any interference with politics; newspapers are forbidden, and card-playing is out of the question. A boy is not obliged to take books with him, as he finds access to a good library, as well as to a collection of natural history, to which he may contribute whatever specimens he can procure. Though a regular correspondence with relations and friends is encouraged, a part of the plan is to prevent, as much as possible, the interruption caused by visits home; and the vacations at Easter, Midsummer, and Christmas, making little more than two months altogether, are spent either in visiting the country in parties, on botanical and other excursions, or, in the colder weather, in agreeable but harmless reading, and in getting up concerts and plays, superintended by the principals, and in which the students take a part. We are informed that no particular charges are specified, but that the parents receive, at regular intervals, the accounts of expenses for their children. In the Middle School are thirty young men, chiefly farmers' sons, who are not less busy or happy than those we have just described, though differing from them in the nature of their occupations and amusements. Their main pursuit is agriculture, in which M. de Fellenberg is an adept. With this they are made practically acquainted, and their hours of relaxation are employed in examining and making models of several machines invented by him. They

have had for six years our English ploughs, which are now used over a great part of Switzerland and France. The boys of this division are not allowed to join the sports of the others, nor to accompany them in their travels. Here it may be remarked as applicable to all the schools, that early rising is insisted upon, and that corporal punishment is unknown. A good preceptor should be, as much as possible, a kind and experienced friend, who guides, rather than a master, who commands, and is feared more than loved. Here the boys feel as if under the paternal roof.

The Third Class, the Poor, or Wehrli, School has 120 boys, kept entirely at M. de F.'s expense. They have been taught by a Mr. Wehrli, a clever person, appointed to that important undertaking by de Fellenberg, since he has been so fully engaged. Each boy, upon entering, has to make his agreement to serve till he is twenty-one; the first three years he only learns, and afterwards he must make himself useful. They have their masters for two hours in the day, when they are instructed in Geography, History, and Mathematics; the rest of the time they work in the fields. They keep the whole of the land (about 250 acres) in order, with the assistance of some daily labourers, and they are always occupied. In wet weather they cut wood, make baskets, and thresh corn. Their different trades are the Butcher, Baker, Carpenter, Mechanic, Sadler, Tailor, Shoemaker, Tallowchandler, Blacksmith, and Bookbinder; and there is scarcely any thing worn or consumed at Hofwyl, that is not made by them. On Sunday, they attend service. They have collected a very good cabinet of Natural History, their own property, in which are all sorts of stuffed birds, beasts, and a large collection of insects, minerals, and dried plants: this they keep up, by a subscription among themselves. Each has a small garden, in which are grown plants and vegetables, to be disposed of, the money being kept for their use. They also take charge of a dairy of sixty cows.

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With the view of improving the system of education amongst the poor of Switzerland, M. de F. takes annually 300 schoolmasters, men of the country, who instruct the poor children in the different cantons. These men are received free of every expense; boards and lodges them in a house which he has built for their use, and on which is written in large characters, Die Hoffnung des Vaterlandes, or The Hope of the Country. They stay at Hofwyl for three months in the year, July, August, and September, as that is the time their own pupils are at work on the fields. These 300 men are principally instructed in geography, and the history of their own country, with a sketch of that of others, Mathematics, and Agriculture. M. de Fellenberg is very fond of this part of his plan, and says, if he can but make it answer, he is sure that it will save many a poor lad from want and ruin. At the end of the three months, the probationary masters are publicly examined.

The Fourth and last division, l'Ecole des Filles, is conducted by one of M. de Fellenberg's daughters, who willingly undertakes the trouble free of expense. These girls are of various ages. They do all sorts of needle-work, and knit stockings for themselves and the several members of the establishment; they likewise have a garden, belonging to Madame de Fellenberg, to look after, and a small one of their own: in summer they help in the hay and corn harvest. They are all Protestants, and have church service held in their own apartments; they obtain an excelJent education; and if they conduct themselves properly for a few years, their kind patron provides for

them as for the poor boys, by taking them into his service, or procuring them good situations in respectable families.

MORAL DISCIPLINE.

THE law of habit when enlisted on the side of righteousness, not only strengthens and makes sure our resistance to vice, but facilitates the most arduous performances of virtue. The man whose thoughts with the purposes and doings to which they lead, are at the bidding of conscience, will, by frequent repetition, at length describe the same track almost spontaneously, even as in physical education, things, laboriously learned at the first, come to be done at last without the feeling of an effort. And so, in moral education, every new achievement of principle smooths the way to future achievements of the same kind; and the precious fruit or purchase of each moral virtue is to set us on higher and firmer vantage-ground for the conquests of principle in all time coming. He who resolutely bids away the suggestions cf avarice, when they come into conflict with the incumbent generosity; or the suggestions of voluptuousness, when they come into conflict with the incumbent self-denial; or the suggestions of anger, when they come into conflict with the incumbent act of magnanimity and forbearance-will at length obtain, not a respite only, but a final deliver. ance from their intrusion.

Çonscience, the longer it has made way over the obstacles of selfishness and passion, the less will it give way to these adverse forces, themselves weakened by the repeated defeats which they have sustained in the warfare of moral discipline; or, in other wordsthe oftener that conscience makes good the supremacy which she claims, the greater would be the work of violence, and less the strength for its accomplishment, to cast her down from that station of practical guidance and command, which of right belongs to her. It is just, because, in virtue of the law of suggestion, those trains of thought and feeling, which connect her first biddings with their final execution, are the less exposed at every new instance to be disturbed, and the more likely to be repeated over again, that every good principle is more strengthened by its exercise, and every good affection is more strengthened by its indulgence than before. The acts of virtue ripen into habits; and the goodly and permanent result is, the formation or establishment of a virtuous character.- -CHALMERS.

I KNOW but one way of fortifying my soul against gloomy presages and terrors of mind, and that is, by securing to myself the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events, and governs futurity. He sees, at one view, the whole thread of my existence, not only that part of it which I have already passed through, but that which runs forward into all the depths of eternity. When I lay me down to sleep, I recommend myself to His care: when I awake, I give myself up to his direction. Amidst all the evils that threaten me, I will look up to Him for help, and question not but He will avert them, or turn them to my advantage. Though I know neither the time nor the manner of the death I am to die, I am not at all solicitous about it; because I am sure that He knows them both, and that He will not fail to comfort and support me under them.ADDISON.

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FAMILIAR ILLUSTRATIONS CF NATURAL
PHENOMENA.

No. XIV. WATER IN A FLUID STATE. WHEN a person returns from sea, after a long voyage, in which he has been on short allowance of water, some time elapses before he is quite reconciled to the great waste of fresh water in ordinary life. He sees the purest water, perhaps, employed for washing down a flight of steps, or cleaning a carriage; or some spout pouring idly away what, to a ship's crew in distress, would have been an inestimable treasure. Thus it is that circumstances make us acquainted with the incalculable importance of many things which we are continually enjoying without reflection. Water is one of these: and, especially, water as a fluid, the state in which it is most familiar

to us.

Water is the universal drink of animals. It is admirably adapted for this purpose by being in itself nearly tasteless, yet capable of being flavoured by various means. The water of our rivers, springs, and wells, might, for any thing we know, have been all disagreeably salt, or sweet, or bitter; and yet we might have been compelled to drink it, in order to support life. Instead of any inconvenience of this kind, nothing can be more grateful than a draught of pure and cool water. When we call spring-water pure, however, we must be understood to speak in a somewhat qualified sense. The purest water is that which has been carefully distilled; and such water is not, by any means, so agreeable to the palate as that of springs or rivers, which contains a small quantity of other substances, especially atmospheric air, and carbonic acid gas.

Water is also the means of conveying nutriment to vegetables. All plants absorb their food by very small sponge-like tufts, called spongioles, situated at the ends of the fibres of their roots; and this food cannot be taken in, except it be first reduced to a liquid state.

Thus the existence of the whole animal and vegetable creation depends upon a constant supply of fresh water: and the fluid itself is endued with properties which effectually secure such a supply. The

main instrument by which water is thus carried to all parts of the earth is the atmosphere. The vapour of water which is mixed with the air is usually invisible*, and becomes sensible only when it begins to be condensed, in the form of clouds, fog, or rain. It is carried with the atmosphere in this highlyrarefied state until it is condensed, either by coming in contact with high land, by the mixture of two currents of air of different temperatures, by the action of electricity, or by some other causes which are not understood. We shall return to this part of the subject when we have occasion to speak of water in the state of vapour. For the present, we will endeavour to trace the progress of the water which has been pumped up by evaporation from the ocean or from the land, and then precipitated in a copious shower, which we will suppose to fall on the high land.

A great part of this welcome supply, having, in its fall, washed the leaves of trees, and thus cleansed them from impurities which impeded their growth, sinks directly into the earth, and having there dissolved such substances as are fitted for the nourishment of vegetables, is soon imbibed by the roots of trees and plants, and conveys to every part its appropriate supply of food. Another portion of the shower runs down into reservoirs or lakes, where it is stored for the use of man and animals living near the spot upon which it falls. In parts of India, and elsewhere, the rain water is collected in large tanks, and is so pure and delicious, that those who have been accustomed to it are long before they can be reconciled to the water of rivers and springs.

If the soil, however, upon which the shower falls, directly down, and would appear to be lost to the is of a porous nature, a great part of the rain sinks use of animals and vegetables. But here a different property of fluids is called into action. All fluids run down to the lowest attainable level; and thus the water which falls upon high land is carried downwards. But all fluids which are confined rise to the same level in all parts which are connected. Thus if there be a reservoir of water, R, and pipes P P be laid from it to any distance, the water in all those See Saturday Magazine, Vol. III., p. 236.

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pipes will rise to the very same level as that of the water in the reservoir.

This property of water is now so familiar, that it may appear almost superfluous to mention it. But the ancients were ignorant of it, and, when they wished to convey water from a distance to supply a

town, constructed immense aqueducts, in order to ceived to be necessary. This property of water is of convey the water on the same level, which they conimmense importance in supplying springs and wells.

mediately below the vegetable mould, is very different Every one must have observed, that the soil, im

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