A WARRIOR'S ESTIMATE OF WAR.

that ever shaded the eye of beauty. Our companion who danced with her was fairly smitten, and when he had led her to a seat he pulled from PLINCE Eugene, who was one of the very ablest his pocket a little blank book where he had taken among the renowned Generals of his day, and down a few gallant Spanish phrases. While he who had gained honor in many a well-fought batturned from the lady to study the compliment he tle, made the following remarks in relation to wished to utter, the dark-eyed beauty was rolling war: "The thirst of renown sometimes insinuates up a chupar, (which is a thimble full of fine tobacco itself into our councils under the hypocritical folded up in a bit of corn shuck,) and when the garb of national honor. It dwells on imaginary gallant American addressed her with "Senorita insults, it suggests harsh and abusive language, a las pies devmd;" which is equivalent to "Fair and people go on from one time to another till lady, I am your servant; she replied, after puffing they put an end to the lives of half a million of a volume of smoke through her beautiful nostrils, men. The call for war proceeds generally from "Servidora devmd, Senor," or "Sir, I am your those who have no active share in its toils, as servant." Our friend's sudden passion for the ministers, women, and the lounging population young lady evaporated in that puff of smoke, and of a large town. I said one day in Vienna, in he never afterward would acknowledge that she 1713, in a company which was very clamorous was at all pretty. The dances, as well as all the for a war, I wish that each of the great men and manners and customs in Santa Fe, are of a demi-great women present was ordered by the emperor barbarian character. The only music is a guitar to contribute at the rate of four thousand ducats or a violin, and the same instruments are used for sacred music in the churches. Although there is little of elegance in their dances, yet about them there is a wildness and novelty truly enchanting to such young enthusiasts as we were. One waltz which they seemed to be very fond of, and which they perform with great spirit, tepresents a battle. The party on the floor separates in two divisions to the opposite ends of the ballroom, and after singing a few words of defiance, they clap their hands, stamp the ground, and whirl off toward, round, and through each other, accompanying the music with short yells and other sounds vividly descriptive of a deadly contention. The effect is exciting and delightful. Few Americans can partake in this dance, as it requires a rapidity of movement which they find by no means easy to acquire. When the dance is over the Spanish beau hands his mistress a chupar, or when he chooses to be expensively polite, a glass of whiskey and a plate of sweet-bread. When the refreshments are partaken of, and the cigars smoked, another dance begins.

a head to the charges of the war, and that the other fine gentlemen among us were made to take the field forthwith in person. A military man becomes so sick of bloody scenes in war, that at peace he is averse to recommence them. I wish that the first minister who is called on to decide on peace or war had only seen actual service. What pains would he not take to seek in mediation and compromise the means of avoiding the effusion of so much blood! It is ignorance, and levity, which are always cruel, that make cabinets lean to the side of war."

DWARFS.

IN ages when knowledge depends mostly on tradition, it is natural for the human mind to people the world with a thousand imaginary beings. Such are dragons, giants, and dwarfs; all of which have some foundation in reality, and afford amusement to the imagination, even after The Americans have endeavored to introduce experience has corrected the belief in the reality cotillions, but although the senoritas submit to of their marvellous character. We need hardly them in compliment to their American beaux, yet say, that the pigmies of the ancients, and the they dislike them very much, and are always Quimos, whom Commerson tells us that he disdispirited till the waltz begins again. Fandango's covered, are as fabulous as the renowned Lillipuand the monte bank, which is a game that differs tians. The dwarfs which actually exist are dein some points from faro, but is very similar, are viations of nature from her general rule; and the the only amusements of the place, and any per-term dwarf is a vague one, as we cannot say how son who chooses to bring a pack of cards may small a person must be, to be so called. There open a game of monte in the ball-room. A is no instance on record of dwarfs distinguished Spaniard will often loose his last dollar at the for great talents. Their figures are sometimes bank, turn away whistling from the table, make perfectly well proportioned. They have generhis bow to a senora, and away he'll whirl through ally one trait in common with children—a very the dance as if nothing had occured. high opinion of their own little person, and great vanity.

With all this unrestrained freedom of manners they seldom quarrel, and the harmony of an evening's amusements is seldom broken unless by some imprudent conduct of the Americans themselves. Scarcely an evening of the week passes without a fandango in one part or other of the town, and the same faces will be seen at every one. It would seem as if the people could not exist without the waltz.

Toward the end of the middle ages, and even, in some countries, as late as the beginning of the last century, dwarfs were a fashionable appendage to the courts of European princes, and the families of the nobles. Who does not recollect the numerous pictures of those times, with a Negro or a dwarf in the back-ground? They seem to have been great favorites with the ladies of the family. They were sometimes, also used as jesters.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Henry of Guise, by G. P. R. James; 2 vols. 12 mo. Like the other historical novels of James, this work forms an entertaining epitome of the military and political events of the times and places wherein the scenes are laid. This tale displays a vivid picture of the imbecility of a monarch who was possessed of every external element of power, but who chose rather to enjoy the follies and vices of his court than to give strength to his kingdom and happiness to his subjects. The days of Henry Quatre and the League furnish rich materials for the pen of the historian and romancer, and in the character of both, James appears in this work. Like Sir Walter Scott, he has the faculty of imparting the truths of history through the medium of fiction, in a manner that enriches the understanding and improves the heart.

A

Preferment, or my Uncle the Earl. 2 vols. 12 mo. very agreeable book to the taste of the mere novel reader, but to one who is fond of substantials, it is inferior to its immediate predecessor from the pen of Mrs. Gorethe "Courtier of the days of Charles II. and other tales."

one of the worst cases as a subject for her picture, and from it has drawn a portraiture of the system in general, the truth of which the English public must acknowledge. If by this work she shall aid in a reform in this particular, we will forgive the old lady for all the fibs she told

about us.

Marian; or, a Young Maid's Fortunes By Mrs. S. C. Hall 2 vols. 12 mo. We hear this new work of fiction, by that talented authoress, highly spoken of. We have not had time to peruse it, but recommend it upon the good judgement of others and the known abilities of

the writer.

Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, &c. These memoirs and selections from the writings of Dr. Franklin, are comprised in two volumes, and form numbers xcii. and xciii. of Harpers' Family Library. The first volume contains a well executed portrait, from the burine of Dick. The above mentioned works are all from the press of the Harpers.

Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, and Commercial Review. This deservedly popular Magazine, we are happy to Letters from the Old World, by a Lady of New York. learn, meets with the best encouragement. That class 2 vols. 12 mo. These very entertaining Letters, were, of citizens to whose interest it is devoted, is large and (many of them) originally published in the New York powerful; yet, until the advent of this work, no periodiAmerican, and excited a good deal of attention. They cal could be called exclusively its own. Merchants and are written in an easy and familiar style; and though merchants' clerks were dependent upon the newspapers they portray many of the scenes so graphically described for all information relative to their pursuit, which when in Mr. Stephens's work upon the same subject, yet there obtained was very often imperfect and incorrect. This is much that is new and entertaining. Those countries work furnishes to them monthly a magazine of comof Western Asia through which she travelled are conse-mercial knowledge, that is invaluable, accompanied by crated ground to the Christian world, and all information excellent essays upon subjects connected with trade, from respecting them is received with lively interest. The the pens of some of the most talented men in our counlectures of Buckingham and the publications of Stephens, try. This work should be every merchant's vade have awakened an interest in the public mind; and Egypt and Palestine are now the great points of attrac tion for the American traveller, as well as those of Europe. The letters in question unfold more of the political state of the east at the present day, than any work of a like character that has recently appeared; and so far as the social policy of the Ottomans are concerned, it is a singular fact that to the pens of females we are indebted for the greater part of what we know. Lady Montagu, Miss Pardoe, and the authoress of these Letters have done the public essential service in this particular.

mecum.

American Repertory of Arts, Sciences and Manufactures. This is the title of a new monthly work, the first number of which was issued on the first of February. It is a magazine containing from eighty to one hundred pages, each number, embracing records of American and other patent inventions; accounts of man. ufactures arts, &c.; observations on Natural History and Mechanical Science; philosophical and literary essay 3, and a summary of public documents connected with these subjects. It also contains a record of the transactions of several Mechanical, Literary and Scientific societies.

Michael Armstrong, the Factory Boy, by Mrs. Trollope; 2 vols. 12 mo. Here is a truly caustic production from the pen of the authoress of "Men and Manners of The known talents of the editor, Professor J. J. Mapes, America." Whatever we may think of the veracity of afford a sufficient guarantee to the public for the excelMrs. Trollope, so far as concerns the picture she has lence of the work; and the fact that it is devoted to the given of society in this country, it cannot be denied that interests of mechanics, who form one of the largest and she is a vigorous writer, and a woman of much observa- most important class of our citizens, should ensure it tion. The work before us is an exposition of the evils that success which its merits deserve. Than this, we of the English Factory system. It is notorious that this know of but one monthly magazine in whose success system, in England, is a horrid system of slavery (now we should be better pleased, and that is, that cheapest, somewhat ameliorated by reform acts of parliament,) | (and most useful) of all periodicals-THE FAMILY MAGand needs a radical change. Mrs. T. has probably taken | AZINE.

THE PALISADES.

Point, and its whole neighborhood, is classic ground. Here too were congregated the worthies THERE is probably no river in the world whose of the Revolution; and at this "key to the vicinage, within the same extent, presents such northern country" Kosciusko for some time made a combination of beauty and grandeur of natural his residence. Here Arnold formed his plans of scenery, enriched by historical associations of treason, and from hence despatched Andre on his the greatest moment, as the Hudson. From fatal journey. Here amid the mounds which Manhattan island to its junction with the Mohawk, mark the redoubts of Fort Clinton, arises a monlofty mountains, gently undulating hills, cultiva-ument sacred to the memory of the brave Polish ted fields, and beautiful villages and hamlets al-officer. And not far distant is another, erected by ternately meet the eye as we speed along its General Brown in honor of Col. Eleazar D. Wood, waters in the swift steamer, all bursting in suc- who fell at the sortie of Fort Erie in 1814. We cession upon the sight like the startling scenes might multiply our records of the past deeds of of a moving panorama. And to the Ameri- bravery and patriotism which this classic spot can-to the happy recipient of the boon of brings to recollection, and point to the headliberty-a boon fought for and won by his fathers, quarters of Washington at Newburgh; to the and bequeathed to him as a birthright, almost crest of Beacon Hill whereon fires were lighted every spot is hallowed by the associations con- during the stormy period of our war for liberty; nected with the history of the War of Indepen- or to the passage up the river of British vessels dence. Many a mountain summit has been the as far as Kingston, to burn villages and awe the pyre on which beacon fires were lighted by the inhabitants into submission to British authority; hand of disinterested patriotism; many a plain but in so doing we should digress too far from that meets our view is the place where men, the object of this article-a brief notice of the strong in body and stronger in principle, bivou- Palisades, a portion of which is represented in our acked at night, and marshalled in battle array frontispiece. at day, ready to strike boldly for their country and their firesides.

The first objects of historical interest to be seen after leaving New York, are the ruins of Forts Lee and Washington: the former is situated just at the commencement of the Palisades, about ten miles above the city, and the latter, nearly opposite, upon the eastern bank of the river. On entering the Tappaan Zee, now Tappan Bay, you see upon the east, the village of Tarrytown, and on the west, that of Tappan ; one memorable as the place where the unfortunate Andre was arrested, and the other as the spot where he was executed. We next pass Stoney Point, the scene of one of the brave exploits of General Wayne; and reaching Caldwell's Landing, opposite Peekskill, romantic scenery seldom surpassed, is developed. Every spot on shore is consecrated ground-consecrated by the congregation there of several of the master spirits of the war of Independence. There at one time Washington, Putnam, Kosciusko, Arnold and other officers met, and celebrated the birthday of the Dauhphin of France, the unfortunate Louis who lost his crown and his life during the revolution of '94.

In this neighborhood are the ruins of Forts Montgomery and Clinton; and soon after passing the lofty promontory on the eastern shore of the river, we may see in the distance toward the northwest, on the summit of Mount Independence the gray walls of Fort Putnam, about four hundred feet above the plain on which stands the Military Academy of West Point, and about three quarters of a mile distant. The plateau of West

The Palisades are so named from their perpendicular position, and resemblance to columns forming an enclosure. They extend from a point a little north of Hoboken, N. J. on the western side of the river, to near Slote creek, a distance of over twenty miles; and present a wall, varying in perpendicular height from two hundred to six hundred feet. They form a part of a basaltic ridge which rises at Bergen point in New Jersey, and gradually increases in height till some of its summits reach an elevation of more than a thousand feet above tide-water. This ridge curves round Tappan Bay, leaving on the margin of the cove, a limited but pleasant champagne country, which is in a high state of cultivation. The ridge varies in width from an eighth of a mile to three miles, forming a handsome region of arable table land.

The Palisades are divided into numerous verti cal fissures, which give them the appearance of detached columns. In these fissures are frequently found alluvial deposites, from which vegetation shoots forth, the only relief to their bare and mason-work appearance. These basalt rocks comprehend almost every variety of formation--the Amygdaloid, containing cellules, sometimes empty, and sometimes filled, and often presenting the warty appearance of slag-the basaltic Brescia or Traptuff consisting of pebbles and angular grains cemented—and the columnar basalt in prismatic polygons, sometimes articulated, consisting of hornblende, feldspar and epidote, with which compact and radiated prehnite is sometimes blended.

This wall of "eternal masonry," is beautifully