for there was a thick ice at the bottom and sides, and a little more exposure would have made the milk a solid mass of ice, which might have been carried in a person's pocket. Persons who have never lived anywhere but in Manchester can only form a very inadequate conception of the change which intense cold produces. I have known a lady's pockethanderchief to freeze while she had it in her pocket. A splendid presentation bouquet, consisting of camellias and other choice hothouse flowers, was firmly fastened to the window panes by the frost, so that it coul not be removed, A jug of water was placed on a table having a marble top, and presently it was frozen to such a degree that in attempting to remove the jug I was in danger of pulling the table over, and the jug could only be removed by softening the ice with hot water, and this took place in a room where there was fire in it. During a country walk the moisture from my eyelashes congealed into ice, one piece of which was quite as large as a dozen pinheads, and my moustaches were so entirely covered that I could see the frost stand on my face like an iceberg. When I told a gentleman what a walk I had had, he expressed surprise that I shou'd have ventured out on such a day, and remarked that I must be in a very vigorous state of health or I could not have endured it. His son went out, but his ears became frostbitten. Mr. Wells Brown told me that a cart-driver had got trozen to death, and I saw from the newspapers that there was a number of cases where the severity of the frost had proved fatal to human life. It is seldom that the very severe cold lasts more than a day or two at once, and then the weather becomes quite enjoyable. To me it is really delightful, for the electric condition of the atmosphere is such that I sometimes feel as if I should like to bound away into a forest region, where there would be plenty of scope for bodily exercise. The glowing sensation produced by a country walk is to me quite of a blissful charact r.

BOSTON, Jan. 8.-Iu the afternoon I went to South Boston, to visit the Asylum for the Blind. It is beautifully situated on a lofty elevation, giving extensive land and sea views. Originally it was a large hotel, but it was a speculation which did not answer, for it led to failure. The experiment was tried a little too early, for if it had to be built now it would prove a paying speculation, for large hotels at present are much required aud highly patronised. The Blind Asylum origiuated by Mr. Perkins making a presentation of the building, but it was situated in the city, and afterwards the present

erection was purchased. Dr. S. G. Howe has been connected with the establishment thirty years, and has been exceedingly successful in the alleviation of some of the worst evils which can afflict humanity. Indigent persons are admitted inmates to the institution free of charge. Twenty-four years ago Mr. Charles Dickens visited this establishment, and in his " American Notes" he devotes more than thirty pages to a description of one case, but it is one which is painfully interesting. In the introduction Mr. Dickens says, "The thought occurred to me as I sat down in another room, before a girl blind, deaf, and dumb; destitute of smell, and nearly so of taste, before a fair young creature with every human faculty, and hope, and power of goodness and affection, enclosed within a delicate frame, and but one outward sense-the sense of touch. There she was, before me; built up, as it were, in a marble cell, impervious to any ray of light, or particle of sound; with her poor white hand peeping through a chink in the wall, beckoning to some good man for help, that an immortal soul might be awakened. Long before I looked upon her the help had come. Her face was radiant with intelligence and pleasure. Her hair, braided by her own hands, was bound about a head whose intellectual capacity and development were beautifully expressed in its graceful outline and its broad open brow; her dress arranged by herself, was a pattern of neatness and simplicity; the work she had knited lay beside her; her writing-book was on the desk she leaned upon. From the Journful ruin of such bereavement there had slowly risen up this gentle, tender, guileless, grateful-hearted being." I will briefly describe her case. Laura Bridgeman is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in 1829. She became blind, and deaf, and dumb, and her sense of smell was entirely destroyed, and consequently her taste was much blunted. Dr. Howe heard of her and went to see her, and she was removed to the institution in 1837. He first began to give her a knowledge of arbitrary signs, by which she could interchange thoughts with others, and this he did by means of labels printed in raised letters. Afterwards metal types were prepare, and she was instructed to select the letters which would compose the word required. Then she acquired the ability t represent the different letters by the position of her fingers. She acquired a knowledge of the manual alphabet very rapidly. When she had been at the institution twelve months, Dr. Howe reported concerning her: "It has been ascertained, beyond the possi

bility of a doubt, that she cannot see a ray of light, cannot hear the least sound, and never exercises her sense of smell, if she have any.

Thus her mind dwells in darkness and stillness as profound as that of a dark tomb at midnight. Of beautiful sights and sweet sounds, and pleasant odours, she has no conception; nevertheless, she seems as happy and playful as a bird or a lamb; and the employment of her intellectual faculties, or the acquirement of a new idea, gives her a vivid pleasure which is plainly marked in her expressive features She never seems to repine, but has all the buoyancy and gaiety of childhood. She is fond of fun and frolic, and, when playing with the rest of the children, her shrill laugh sounds loudest of the group." If the Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind has never been rendered serviceable to any other of its numerous inmates, the case of Laura Bridgman will always stand as a monument to its honour-as an evidence of what intelligence, benevolence, and perseverance can effect in the alleviation of human woe. When I entered the establishment, Dr. Howe invited me into the concert hall, and there I found a blind gentleman wearing spectacles, engaged in giving a music lesson to the other inmates. They sang a number of anthems very nicely indeed, and on the conclusion I considered it right that I should compliment the teacher for the very efficient manner in which his pupils had gone through their lesson. He replied, "Well, we manage to have a good time." Dr Howe told me he would be glad if I would visit the institution on some other occasion, as many of the inmates were not then pursuing their usual avocations. They had introduced into the institution whatever they thought was good in English establishments of a similar character, and he thought that in some things they had excelled the English. As I was wishful to see this model institution under its most favourable aspects, I told Dr. Howe that it would afford me pleasure, before leaving Boston, to visit the establishment again, and I should be particularly pleased to have an opportunity of seeing Laura Bridgman, with whose history I had become familiar. He said that Laura was not always an inmate now, for her parents were in good circumstances in New Hampshire, and frequently had her at home with them, although she liked best to be at the institution. It happened, however, that she was then at the institution, and when I came again I might see her. On my return to the city, I walked at a very quick pace, in order to keep up a glow of animation, for the cold was so intense that I imagined that I felt the wind penetrate

through the leather of my boots. In the evening I attended a meeting in Joy-street Church called for the purpose of adopting a petition in favour of negro suffrage.

9th Jan.-Went to the Boston Athenæum, a beautiful building 114 feet long. The land on which it is erected cost 55,000 dollars, and the building cost 136,000 dollars. The value of the entire property of the Athenæum is said to be 485,000 dollars. To the library two thousand volumes are added every year, at an expense of 5 000 dollars. The gross yearly expenses are 12 000 dollars. In looking over the list of benefactors, I found that six persons had bequeathed what was equal to 116,000 dollars. In the evening, went to Faneuil Hall, to be present at a great meeting for the benefit of soldiers and sailors who had been injured in the late war. A national bazaar was being held in the hall, the object of which was to raise 100,000 dollars on behalf of the Mariners' Exchange, a rallying point for seamen when in port, containing a reading-room, &c, and where free instruction is given in navigation; also to provide a naval house or hotel, for seamen in the United States' navy; to assist in supporting the Quincey Home for the Friendless; and to give temporary relief to soldiers and sailors in distress. The hall was beautifully decorated with pictures, flags, &c. After examining Healey's large historical picture of "Webster in reply to Hayne, against Nullification," which cost 5,000 dollars, 1 was inspecting a large hieroglyphical representation of the "Cradle of Liberty," when a person from Lancashire came to converse with me. I did not know him at the time, but he knew me very well, an I after a mutual explanation I recollected that the last time I had previously seen him was on board the ship Dreadnought" at Liverpool, in which he was about to sail to America, and he then told me that the whole of the money which he possessed in the world was one halfpenny. I was glad to see that his appearance, and apparently his circumstances, had greatly improved. The bazaar had quite a number of attractive features.

One of the most zealous promoters of the undertaking was Mrs. Mitchell, an Indian lady, a lineal descendant of Massasoit and King Philip," of the tribe of "Wampanauog," or otherwise called "Pockonnocket." It was at this place where I first saw a thorough-bred bloodhound. I am told that it was customary in the Southern states for the slaveho'ders to puncture their slaves on their arms till the blood came, and then let their bloodhounds smell at it, and then if those slaves ran away the dogs would be able to track them in the

woods by the smell. The name of the dogI saw was Hero," and a most formidable animal he was. When the rebellion broke out, Hero was selected by the keeper of Castle Thunder Prison, at Richmond, for the purpose of guarding Union prisoners, and it is said that he well performed the duty. He is of a very ferocious disposition, never making friends with anyone, not even with his keeper. He takes his food with a sullen look, and as soon as fed turns away with a growl. To domesticate him is impossible. His proportions are enormous, measuring seven feet from tip to tip, and upon his arrival he weighed 204lbs. At all times his keeper is obliged to keep him double chained and muzzled. When at Richmond, another dog was kept along with Hero, but it happened that the dead body of a woman was placed in an out-building awaiting interment, and it was supposed that the dogs scented the body, and the companion of Hero jumped through a window to get to it, but was caught by the neck in a noose, and its weight was so great that it drew the cord tight, and the dog was strangled.-The public meeting was largely attended, the Rev. Phineas Stowe occupying the chair, and the audience was addressed by Mr. Hamlin, formerly vice-president of the United States, and other gentlemen-As an evidence of the rapid changes of the weather in this country, may be mentioned the fact that, according to the thermometer, the temperature was 22 higher to-day than it was yesterday.

Jan. 10. Again visited the Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind, at South Boston. Saw some of the inmates reading history and geography by means of raised letters. The library contains 2,000 volumes, all in the raised characters, but the various works would not be so numerous as they would be if printed in the ordinary type. For instance, I saw that the Scriptures were printed in eight volumes, six for the Old Testament, and two for the New Testament. I was shown into the printing room, where the types are set up, but there was no compositor at work at the time. About twenty of the rooms are devoted to musical purposes, there being twenty-six pianofortes, and one organ. The pupils are taught to tune as well as to play, and the instruments are frequently put out of tune in order to give more work in putting them into tune again. In the work rooms they were busy bottoming chairs and making brooms. From some of the upper rooms there were splendid land and sea views. I could see Dorchester Heights, Boston, East Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, and other places very distinctly. I saw Mr.

Campbell, the blind music master, and found him to be a very interesting and intelligent person. He had been eight years in the establishment. He said what appeared to me very strange, for he said that the blind enjoyed beautiful flowers as much as other people. I could quite understand that they would appreciate the fragrance as highly as other people, but had no idea that they could enjoy beautiful forms and colour, yet he assured me that this was the case. I asked him how they could distinguish beautiful colours, and he admitted that they could only know that they were beautiful from what others said about them, but then they prized the flowers more after having heard them praised, so that beautiful colours gave more pleasure to the blind. I could scarcely be convinced of the soundness of his philosophy on this point, for it appeared that it was the testimony of others, rather than the colouring of the flowers which afforded pleasure. He told me that he had himself cultivated a beautiful garden, making the ornamented flower beds, and putting in the plants himself, and took pleasure in the work. He even planted the fruit trees, but it took him longer to do the work than it would a person who had the power of vision, because it was more labour for him to measure distances. The gymn sium never afforded him pleasure, but he could use a saw, or he could go out skating, and find it a pleasant exercise. I was taken to the workshops, which are situated a short distance from the institution, and here I saw various occupations carried on, especially that of stuffing cushions with palm leaves. I went into the play grounds, and saw the boys diverting themselves with coasting. It was truly wonderful how they could avoid hurting each other while at play, they seemed to exercise themselves with so much freedom. I w went into the bath-room, and was much pleased with the arrangements. At five o'clock every morning each boy has to have a plunge over head in cold water, but the bath-room is always a little warm in winter by means of hot air being forced into it. Each boy has a towel for himself, and they are placed in such order that one boy is not permitted to take the towel belonging to another. The clothing for each person is arranged in a similar manner. In the summer season the boys bathe in the sea when it is near high tide, and they enjoy it very much. In conversing with Mr. Campbell respecting Laura Bridgman, he told me that she was perfectly destitute of the power of sound, but she had a consciousness of vibration, and when a drum was sounded in her presence

she said she felt it in her feet. On going into the concert hall it was pleasurable to mark the variations of countenance when anything of a lively and animating character was sung. One young man sang beautifully, "From countries far away I come," the music master accompanying him on the piano. Several pieces were sung by the whole company in a very excellent manner. Notwithstanding the coldness of the weather, all the rooms were made comfortable, or perhaps I ought to say a little too warm, for I observed that the thermometer in the concert hall indicated 78, or summer heat. The large organ contained 56 stops. I felt it to be a sad but somewhat interesting sight to gaze on the countenances of such a large number of blind people, and witness the variations of expression when the face was lighted up with joy or otherwise.

The matron introduced me to Laura Bridgman, with whom I had a conversation by mens of the manual alphabet. She is now in the 36th year of her age, has a pleasant expression of countenance, and appeared to be pleased to be introduced to me. ing colloquy took place :

"Are you a stranger?"

The follow

"Yes, from near Manchester, England." "For what purpose did you come to America?"

"To see the country and gain knowledge." "Have you seen the Queen of England?" "Yes."

"Is there a King of France?"

No, but there is an Emperor."

"Is he a good man ?"

"There is a difference of opinion respecting him, some persons believing him to be good, but others think the reverse."

"

"Rather corpulent

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Laura appeared to take much pleasure in the conversation, frequently laughing, and showing an affectionate regard for the matron. She spoke by means of her fingers more rapidly than the matron was able to read. It is believed that she has at present a little scent and a little taste. Dr. Howe is of opinion that she might even be taught to exercise the organs of speech, but it would now require much time to be devoted to her, and if the attempt had been made at an earlier period of life, it would probably have been more successful. There are at present 128 inmates of the institution, and 93 pupils attending the schools. I was very much interested with my visit to this establishment. On my return, I visited Dorchester Heights, which were fortified by Washington at the time when the English occupied Boston, during the American war for independence. The battle which was expected never took place.

BOSTON, Jan. 11.-Visited this day the pianoforte manufactory of Messrs. Chickering an 1 Sous, the largest establishment of the kind in the United States certainly, and probably the largest in the world. I am told that, when the premises were first erected, they were the largest structure in the United States, the national buildings at Washingtou alone excepted. The frontage is 254ft. by 252it. in depth, covering an area of 52,000ft., and enclosing a square in the centre of 28,000ft. The building is five storeys high in frout, and six in the rear, and required for its election 3,000,000 of bricks, and 1.650,000 feet of timber. If the floors were reduced to au area, they would cover six acres of ground. There are 900 windows, containing 11,000 lights. The gas and steam pipes, if placed in a straight line, would extend eleven miles. The steam engine for driving the machinery is 150 horses' power. There are about 300 employed, turning out thirty-five pianofortes per week. Such is a multum in parvo description of the worldfamed piauo manufactory of Messrs. Chickering and Sons, the productions of which have by their excellence made an addition to the world's stock of phrases, for "equal to Chickering" is now the recognised style of expression when it is intended to give an But idea of something particularly good. the above description ouly relates to that portion of the premises where there is machinery in motion, for there is another building which I did not visit, where I am told that there is nothing going on except what can be accomplished by haud power. Again, in addition there are the sale rooms in Washington-street, situated more thau a

mile distant from the works, but are connected by a telegraphic communication, so that if a purchaser required a piano such as was not in the warehouse stock, a telegraphic message would bring the identical article required in a few minutes. Mr. George Harvey Chickering passed with me through the works, and in the most courteous manner possible explained to me the whole of the operations, so far as time would permit. I told him it would be interesting to me to commence at the very earliest stage, and proceed through all the gradations, until the piano is fitted for the music hall or the lady's parlour. He accordingly took me to see the immense heaps of pine, maple, whitewood, chestnut, oak, spruce, walnut, mahogany, rosewood, &c., which appeared in their most rough and uninviting aspect. Circular saws of various sizes were engaged in working up these rough materials into their proper dimensions. These were then removed into the seasoning rooms, where the température, winter and summer, is always kept at about 90 degrees. I was then taken by steam power one storey higher in the building, by means of a large hoist, capable of raising or lowering the largest-sized piano. I think this was called the skeleton room, for here it was that the piano began to assume its recognised form, and although these early stages afford the smallest degree of pleasure to the casual investigator, yet they are in fact of the greatest importance to the perfection of the instrument, for I am told that there is a strain upon the "wrest plank," equal to fourteen thousand pounds, from its tense strings. Unless, therefore, the frame work be made very strong, it appears reasonable to suppose that a superior instrument cannot be produced. Again I was raised by steam power to another, and another, and another storey higher, until I had passed through the different rooms where the sawing, planing, cutting, frame building, draughting, veneering, pattern making, varnishing, polishing, action making, stringing, adjusting, &c., are carried on, and where the workers in wood, and bone, and ivory, and iron, and brass, and-I was going to say silver, but I check my pen, for I do not remember seeing any operations in silver, although there was a little in gold-were busily engaged in the exercise of skill and industry, to change the rough, unsightly raw material into forms of beauty; to change those huge logs in the lumber yard into pleasing specimens of art, in which are combined beauty, and strength, and lightness, and arrangement, and utility, and

N

durability; to produce instruments the harmony of whose sweet sounds shall be a verification of the poet,

Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast. It is only 106 years since the pianoforte was invented, for it succeeded the harpsichord, the virginal, and the spinnet. Yet the Chickering firm has manufactured, during the last forty-two years, no fewer than 29,000 pianos, and fifty-five prize medals have been awarded as first premiums over all competitors. In this establishment the principle of division of labour is carried out as nearly to perfection as I have seen it anywhere, and here I may remark that it is impossible to carry out this principle with advantage except on a large scale. To attempt it by very limited means would be imitating the conduct of the Irish lad, who, having heard people speak about sleeping on feather beds, thought he would like to know how he would feel in a feather bed, and decided he would first try it by sleeping on a single feather. It is in consequence of large means that the Messrs. Chickering are enabled to carry out the principle of division of labour, for I understand that they have generally about seven hundred pianos in different stages of work, and that it takes about three or four months from the commencement of a piano before it is completed. Much time is doubtless consumed between the different operations, for each instrument has to receive no less than six different coats of varnish. This is the only factory in America where the action is made on the premises, and therefore this also must increase the time and labour usually required. The following details will give some idea of the relative proportions required of the raw material:The Messrs. Chickering have used in a single year no less than 600,000ft. of pine, maple, and oak; 85,000ft. of black walnut, 200,000ft. of pine for packing-cases, 20,000ft. of spruce for sounding boards, 300,000ft. of rosewood veneers, 30,000ft. of chestnut veneers, 30,000ft. of walnut veneers, and 12,000ft. of oak veneers. They have used in one year 17,000lbs. of glue, 60 reams of sand paper, 1,750 gallons of varnish, 1,200lbs. of white lead, 3 barrels of linseed oil, 12 barrels of spirits of turpentine, 15 barrels of alcohol, 300,000lbs. of iron castings, 3,300lbs. of brass castings, 20,600lbs. of iron wire, 5,000lbs. of steel wire, 3,600lbs. of brass wire, 500lbs. of bar steel, 3,000lbs. of wrought bar iron, 14,000 pairs of hinges, 3,150 gross of screws, 2,000 locks, 8,000 castors, and 2,000 sets of ivory. They use about 2,000 tons of coal in a year, and about 30,000 gallons of water per day. In this