most bitter reproaches upon this 'weed.' He fol lowed it up by a proclamation to restrain the disor derly trading in tobacco, as tending to a new and general corruption of both men's bodies and minds. Yet tobacco, like all other proscribed objects, throve under persecution, and achieved a final triumph over all its enemies. than Yorkshire. After their long flights, they are tobacco. Various regulations were formed to restrain usually much exhausted, but they soon recover and this ill-directed activity; but, from eagerness for get very fat; in which condition they are styled or- present gain, the planters disregarded every admoni. tolans of the north. They are inferiour in size, and tion. Tobacco, however, had many trials to pass perhaps also in flavour to the genuine ortolans of the through before it reached its present established sta south; but still, from their numbers, as well as their tion. King James declared himself its open enemy, quality, they form a valuable addition to the food of and drew against it his own pen. In the work which the northern people. Their appearance in the Brit-he entitled Counterblast to Tobacco,' he poured the ish islands is supposed to betoken a severe winter, or heavy falls of snow. These birds do not perch, but continue on the ground, and run about like larks, which they also resemble in size, and in the length of their hind claws, and by some authors they have been accordingly ranged with that family; but, from the peculiar structure of their bill, they are now, with more propriety, referred to the tribe of buntings. They sleep little during the night and are very wakeful, and, in the months of June and July, begin to hop about with the earliest dawn. The male sings feebly during the breeding season; his call note is more agreeable, but that of alarm or anxiety is, on the contrary, loud and shrill. He sings from the beginning of May till the end of July, and often during the night, which they always pass on the ground. The female builds in the crevices of rocks, constructing a nest of grass and feathers, lined with the hair and wool of the artick fox, or other quadruped, and laying five or six reddish white eggs, spotted with brown, and nearly spherical. The male assists in the duty of incubation. The snow-bunting is nearly of the same size as the lark, six inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures two inches and two thirds. The beak is half an inch in length, with every characteristick of the bunting species, of a conical form, rather bent at the sides, and having a bony tubercle like a grain of barley at the palate; its colour in the singing season is entirely black, at other times the point alone is black, the rest yellow. The legs, which stand an inch high, are black. The neck and all the under part of the body are white, and the head is white spotted with brown. The back and rump are black, with pale margins to the feathers. The quills are white for half their length from their base, and black in the one web for the rest of their length. The tail is forked with three of the lateral feathers on each side white, with a black spot on the tip, and the next four black with a yellow border. The female is smaller and browner in the colour. The male, in the breeding season gets considerably blacker than is stated in the above description; and, indeed, there are few birds of whose colours it is more difficult to give an account that will apply to all the individuals, or even to one individual at all seasons. CULTIVATION OF TOBACCO IN VIRGINIA, AND THE industry of the early colonists of Virginia was not long in finding out what was at that time a new and somewhat singular channel, the cultivation of tobacco, in 1616. Indeed so inconsiderately and exclusively were their energies directed to that object at this period, that the most fatal consequences were rendered almost inevitable. The land which ought to have been reserved for raising provisions, and even the streets of Jamestown, were planted with Tobacco is grown largely in Virginia and other of the middle states, and, together with the cultivation of wheat, has enabled many of the proprietors to amass considerable wealth; though, from the low price of tobacco, it is said now to be a speculation often attended with loss. In common with the other plants which thrive in the warm climates of the southern states, tobacco is cultivated almost exclusively by slave-labour: it is raised in the same manner as cabbages are in general, only planted at a greater distance. A bed is made as early in the spring as possible, generally in a wood, as no kind of animal will touch or eat the plant; they seem even to avoid treading upon it. The preparation is by fel ling the timber, and burning the tops on the place intended to be sown with seed; to raise the plants, the seed being small, the ground is hoed up, and the ashes and earth mingled together as fine as possible. New land is preferred, and treated in the same manner as that for the seed-bed: if old land, it is cowpenned, which is by folding the cattle at night on a small piece or patch of ground, as sheep are commonly folded: and the latter mode is preferred to the former. The ground is then ploughed, and made fine by the harrows. That being done, the plants are set; after which it is very common, if the man has sheep, to keep them in the fields to eat the weeds; even cattle are kept in the fields for that purpose. Before the plant is set the earth is generally drawn up into hills with the hoe, at the distance of three feet asunder, and manure put into them. It is said by the planters, that an industrious black man or woman will manage three acres. There is a caterpillar, or beautiful worm, more than an inch and a half long, of such a devouring nature, that if it be not observed every day, it soon spoils a great number of plants; therefore the plants are searched over every day, which is one cause of the three acres being set off to every planter. The culture of tobacco exhausts the land to such a degree, that it will only sustain two, or at most, three crops. The entire process employs the negroes during the whole year: preparing the land in March and April, planting in May, hoeing and overlooking in June, July, August, and September, cutting and housing in October; the other months, in moist weather, to be pulling the leaves off the tobacco stalks, and preparing them for market; in frosty weather in clearing the wood off, to plant new land the next year, and cutting the wood for rails, fire, &c. The following is a description of the mode of preparing tobacco for exportation:-A party of a dozen negroes, on the floor of a tobaccohouse, are placed, men, women and children, in a circle, drawing the leaves from a stalk. In the centre stand two men, who, on receiving the leaves from the pickers, distribute them in heaps according to their quality. There seem to be three qualities of tobacco. The lower leaves, or those which touch the ground, are liable to get dirty and torn; but on the higher parts of the same stalk two different sorts of leaves are found, one yellow and one brown. These being carefully separated, and made up into little bunches, somewhat thicker than a man's thumb, are tied round with a thong formed out of the leaf itself. The bunches are then slung in pairs, across bars of wood, stretching from side to side of the roof, not unlike herrings in a drying-house. In the course of time, the house becomes so completely filled with these bars carrying bunches of tobacco, that there is barely left space enough for a man to creep under them to trim the fires, kept constantly burning on the mud floor to dry the leaves. The next process is to pack it into the large hogsheads which every one has seen before the door of a tobacconist's shop. This operation is performed by means of long levers worked by hand, which force it into a compaet mass. Am. Mag. THE Caspian sea, which in part divides Europe and Asia, is the largest lake in the world. Its area is computed to be 150,000 square miles. It is a remarkable fact, that the surface of this lake is three hundred feet below the level of the ocean. TO THE ICE MOUNTAIN.-JAMES O. ROCKWELL GRAVE of waters gone to rest! Wandering monument of rain, Roamer in the hidden path, Floating ship, who in the sun SOUTH CAROLINA-TRADE AND MANUFACTURES IN 1836. The statehouse, with the publick offices attached thereto, where the legislature holds its sessions annually, is within the town. There is also a court house where sit the courts of appeals and the circuit Ar a meeting of the citizens of Richland District, in South Carolina, held in the Town Hall of Colum-courts-a lunatick asylum for one hundred and thirty bia on the twenty-seventh day of April, 1836, the following resolution was adopted : Resolved, that Col. F. H. ELMORE, ALEX. KIRK, Col. JOHN G. BROWN, Dr. S. BLANDING, and J. L. CLARK, Esq. be appointed to procure the requisite information, and prepare a report on the trade and manufactures of Columbia and its vicinity, and of the agricultural productions of the country connected with it in business, and that the same be furnished to the delegates to the Knoxville convention." In obedience to that resolution, the undersigned, committee submit the following REPORT: patients, just about being considerably enlarged-six churches, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholick and German Lutheran. There is also building in the town, an arsenal for the upper division of the state. Several large institutions for learning exist in the town or its immediate vicinity, affording ample opportunities for every grade of instruction, from the elementary school to a finished collegiate education. The first of these to be noticed, is the South Carolina college, placed in a square of sixteen acres walled in with brick, in which are two large colleges, houses for a president and six professors, lecture rooms, library, steward's house Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is situ- and hall, and every accommodation for two tutors, one ated in latitude thirty-four degrees north, longitude hundred and forty students and all the apparatus reeighty-one degrees west, on the east side of the Conga- quired. This favourite institution was built by the ree river, at the head of steamboat navigation, and state at a heavy cost, and is supported at an annual just opposite the point where the Broad and Saluda expense to the treasury of near eighteen thousand rivers, by uniting, form the Congaree. The town is dollars, in salaries for its officers, besides frequent built upon an elevated plain of considerable extent, and liberal appropriations for the increase of its which is high, dry, and healthy; and overlooking library, additions to its buildings or other improvemuch of the surrounding country, commands many ments. This wise liberality of the state is improved views of scenery of great variety and beauty. The to the utmost advantage, by a faculty distinguished water, supplied from wells and from the publick wa- for great learning and ability; for every assiduous ter works owned by the town and conveyed through devotion to their duties and for the successful governiron pipes through every street and into every house, ment and instruction of the young men educated by when desired, is clear and good; the air pure and them. In the town is also a theological seminary, the climate mild; the population numbers about five with able and learned professors, handsomely imthousand, and is increasing in numbers, wealth and proved and well supported-a large academy for resources. The streets cross at right angles from young men, well endowed, and in very successful the four points of the compass and are very wide and operation. There are three institutions for the inairy. The publick buildings are numerous and well struction of females in the higher branches, where built; the stores and private residences of the citi- near three hundred young ladies are now receiving zens are generally large, commodious and handsome. the benefits of an education which will well fit them The town, beautifully situated, is already one of the for any sphere of duty or any station in life. To most improved in the southern country, while its fu- these publick institutions, the South Carolina soture prospects leave no doubt of great and progres-ciety for the advancement of learning, propose shortly sive advances in the numbers and character of its population, the extent of its commerce, the wealth of its inhabitants, the refinements of its society, and all that gives a value to a residence, or lends a charm to social life. A short notice of the improvements and buildings of a publick character, with the various institutions which have grown out of commercial, political, literary, social and religious connexions of the town, will, we apprehend, be proper here. to add a splendid hall for its deliberations, with all the necessary offices to accommodate its sections, and contain its library and museum. The committee having thus very briefly described Columbia and such of its institutions are as not necessarily connected with its commerce and manufactures, will proceed to submit a condensed statement of its commerce and manufactures as far as they are able to do so with the materials before themthese are not so ample as they could desire, and although no exactness could be obtained in the details, the committee say with confidence that their statement is essentially correct. The communication of the town, with the country west of Congaree and Broad rivers is kept constantly open by means of three bridges, built of the best materials. One just above the town across the Broad The commercial importance of Columbia is of reriver, built upon stone pillars, is above one thousand cent date. Although founded more than thirty years feet long, and cost forty-five thousand dollars. One ago, it has not been until within a few years that she over the Congaree, just at the lower end of the town, has extended her commercial connexions into the is built upon twelve stone piers, is about one thou- surrounding districts, so as to become a market for sand two hundred feet long, and cost eighty thousand purchasing the great staples of the country, and in dollars. The other across the Saluda, just opposite return supplying its multifarious and rapidly increasthe centre of the town, opens the communication ing demands for all sorts of goods. Within two years between the other two bridges, is also on stone pil- past, the first sustained and successful effort has been lars, and cost thirty thousand dollars. The state made to employ steamboats, and now, besides several turnpike road from the Saluda gap to Charleston, pas-others that make occasional trips, she gives constant ses this last bridge, and within a very short distance employment to four in her trade, while arrangements are in progress to build more suited to her river. of both the others. A company was, last winter, incorporated by the legislature, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars to prosecute this enterprise. To encourage the enterprise of its population and to extend their growing trade, the legislature, several years ago established here a branch of the bank of the state of South Carolina with a capital of six hundred thousand dollars which has been as occasion required, considerably increased. By this wise policy, a growing prosperity was created, which demanded still more extended commercial accommodations, and in 1831, a private institution, called the Commercial Bank of Columbia, was incorporated with a present capital of five hundred thousand dollars and a power of increasing it to eight hundred thousand dollars. The march of prosperity has been so rapid, that this corporation found it necessary during the last year, to increase its capital to eight hundred thousand to meet the growing demands for commercial facilities. The bank of Charleston also lending its aid in foster-life and durability of their slaves, are attained by a ing the commerce and enterprise of the capital, has established a bank agency in the town-these, with an Insurance company, constitute all the moneyed institutions, by means of which the commercial operations of Columbia are carried on. From a very confined sphere, these operations have latterly extended to a wide circle, embracing large and wealthy districts of country, the produce of which she buys, and which in turn buy from her most of the supplies which are required for its population. This trade has grown steadily and rapidly of late-especially that part of it which embraces articles of western productions, or articles which the West can produce. The committee have subjoined some of the items which go to make up this trade. Cotton-70,000 bales, value Corn-185,000 bushels, do. Flour-10,000 barrels, do. Oats, Hay, Blades, &c., do. Bacon and Pork, 3,500,000 lbs. do. Beef-1.000,000, do. Lard-35,000 lbs. Butter-30,000 lbs. Salt-20,000 bushels. compelled to pay high prices, which tends greatly to limit the consumption. The hogs which are driven into our markets, come enhanced in price by the expense of driving, to near or quite double their original cost. The pork and bacon made in the West, is first transported in boats to New Orleans, thence in ships to Charleston, and thence again in boats to Columbia, adding to the original cost, freight and insurance, and the commissions and profits of the various agents and traders through whose hands it passes, before reaching its ultimate destination. Even at the prices thus enhanced, great quantities are used, and the consumption is extending considerably, while no one acquainted with the state of things in the country doubts for a moment that much more would be consumed if the prices were reduced even one half of the amount of these additions to the prime cost. The planters of South Carolina know well that an increased efficiency in their labour, and an economy of the liberal allowance of the comforts and necessaries of life; and especially by a rich and generous diet. A deep sense of their obligations to their dependants, an earnest desire to secure their affections-to promote their happiness and to increase the profits of their labour, have led and are daily leading to great improvements in their condition. Meat constitutes on almost every plantation in this region of country a daily article of food, for the slave; and it is remarked, that no planter, who once begins to furnish his slaves with bacon or pork, ever diminishes or discontinues his allowance. If the projected railroad, which is to connect the Western states with Charleston, should pass through Columbia, the demand for Western produce will, $3,500,000 from other causes, be greatly increased there. From 150,000 its central position as well as the nature of the coun89,000 try, Columbia will be the point of union for other and 75,000 extensive improvements in the commercial commu350,000 nications with other parts of this state and even of 70,000 adjoining states. For example, the only practicable. route for a railroad from Camden to Charleston is now known to be through this place. It is a work that will pay well, and will, without doubt, be undertaken and completed at an early day. Were it to go no further very important additions would be made to the supplies of Western produce, required to meet the demand of that rich and extensive country trading with Camden. But if the road be once comple ted to Camden, besides branches through Sumter into the lower districts, it will offer too great an inducement for extension to Cheraw, Fayetteville and Raleigh to be neglected-the country is perfectly pracMarbles-60 tuns; which with hardware, cutlery, ticable, and it would become a part of the great mail dry goods, groceries, carriages, drugs, clothing, route from Washington to New Orleans, over which books, stationary, cabinet wares, leather, shoes, gold there would be more travelling than any other in the and silver wares, jewellery, and other articles of com-union. Tobacco, manufactured, 100,000 lbs. Bale Rope-400,000 lbs. Twine-20,000 lbs. Bar iron-600 tuns. Lime-from 5 to 8,000 bbls. merce, swell the amount of the trade to Columbia to In every respect the results would be immensely about seven millions of dollars annually, which is ex-important, and in no one more so than in the great clusiv eof a large traffick driven annually for horses and extent of the country which would be opened to commules with the western drovers. It will be observ-mercial operations and the vast amount of Western ed that most of the articles above enumerated, except produce which would find a market in that direccotton, are such as the West now produces and fur- tion. nishes, or can furnish. Of these bacon and pork are the most important, which are sold in large quantities to the planters who bring their produce to this market, and purchase them for their slaves. For these and the like articles of Western production they are Did the committee, taking it for granted that this great work would be constructed through their town, feel themselves at liberty to indicate all the improvements by turnpikes and railroads connecting Columbia with other parts of the state, which it would give birth to, widening the circle of her domestick trade, Turn where you will, in every direction are healthy and giving increased importance to her trade with situations, good streams, and abundant supplies of the the West, this report would be swelled far beyond best and most durable materials for building, with the limits prescribed. One only will be very briefly facilities for sending the articles manufactured to stated for your consideration. A railroad of twenty-good markets. five miles over a perfectly practicable surface up the Saluda to Lorick's mill, reaches a point on that stream where the impediments to navigation cease, and gives eighty miles of river navigation, practicable all the year, and penetrating one of the most productive and best cultivated cotton districts in the state. In concluding this report, the committee beg leave to advert to experiments which may be said to have been successfully made in the vicinity of the town, for the introduction and prosecution of the cotton manufacture. For several years the Messrs. Fisher have been engaged in a limited way, in the spinning of cotton yarns. The result of their experience warfanting a more enlarged investment, they have established a factory three miles east of the town, in the sand hills, upon a stream called Gill's Creek. This factory is called Sand Brook Factory, and has now in perfect and profitable operation four looms, four hundred and fifty-six Throstle spindles, and one hundred and fifty mule spindles. The building and water is abundantly competent for fifteen hundred spindles, and thirty looms, to which extent, an increase will be made as the convenience of the proprietors will allow. It is obvious that these causes may produce important results on the growth and prosperity of Columbia, and that they will effect important influences upon her trade with the West. The aggregation of so many consumers of the necessaries of life, as will be required to carry on this business, will increase greatly the demands for Western produce-from the rich and abundant stores of the West, they must be fed almost entirely. METHOD OF PREPARING SWEET CORN AS PRAC TISED BY THE INDIANS. Sweet corn is taken at the season, boiled as for table use, cut from the cob and dried on clean cloths It must be thoroughly dried and then in the sun. When wanted for use all that placed in a dry room. is necessary is to throw a few handfuls into a pot of boiling water, and in ten or fifteen minutes after you have a fine dish of corn in dead of winter, as delicious as if it had been plucked from the field at It is also an excellent ingredient for this season. soups. The Indians sometimes put dried beans with it; it is then called Suck-a-tash. AT THE CONSECRATION OF PULASKI'S BANNER. [The standard of Count Pulaski, the noble Pole who fell in the attack upon Savannah, during the American revolution, was of crimson silk, WHEN the dying flame of day That proud banner which, with prayer, And the nun's sweet hymn was heard the while, In December, 1834, a company was incorporated by the name of the Saluda Manufacturing Company, HYMN OF THE MORAVIAN NUNS.-H. W. LONGFELLOW. with leave to invest a capital of $ This company have made a purchase of a site for their operations at the Saluda falls, two miles and a half west of Columbia. The Saluda is a large stream, and the water power unlimited. The company have erected a threestory factory of granite, to contain seven thousand five hundred spindles, with looms in proportion. To this is to be added with all expedition an iron foundry, which will consume five to seven hundred tuns of pig iron annually, a saw and grist mill, and a shop for making and repairing every kind of machinery required in a factory. This factory is just beginning its operations and with every prospect of perfect success. The water power already under command is capable of carrying, five more cotton factories of the same size, and the company have under consideration proposals made to them, for farming the water power for two factories. The machinery now in progress will use two thousand five hundred bales of cotton, turning out fifty-eight thousand pounds of yarns, and two million yards of cloth, giving employment, in all its departments, to two hundred and fifty hands at least. It is the confident expectation of the company, and the committee see no grounds to doubt its reasonableness, that their success will be so complete as to cause the whole water power they now have under command, to be taken up by other factories, the aggregate of which will be about forty-five thousand spindles. Should these expectations be realized, and the experiments in manufacturing prove satisfactory, there is hardly any limit to which they may not be prosecuted, in this vicinity. The sand hill streams abound in situations of perfect healthiness, where water power is attainable to any extent, with the best timber for building; the Saluda is a continued waterfall, offering at every step inexhaustible supplies of the finest granite for the same purposes. Take thy banner!-may it wave Take thy banner-but when night |