But if a soft substance like snow is thus appalling in its effects, what must be the case when the avalanche consists of huge masses of rock? Almost every Alpine valley is strewn with great boulders, which have been torn from the neighboring cliffs, and hurled, amidst smoke and thunder, into the smiling pastures beneath. The sides of the hills are scored by stony streams, which look as if they cut their way through the fine forest zones, and had then been arrested at a stroke. Occasionally an entire mountain-top may be said to give way. Let it rest in an inclined position upon a bed of soft slippery material, like clay, and if the water should wash out sufficient soil to affect its stability, down it will rush, with that awful impetus which sweeps away men as if they were motes, and mows down whole villages as if they were grass under the scythe. The Rossberg landslip is one of black memory in the history of Switzerland. From the summit of the Righi, the eye may observe the huge scar which was made in this ill-omened mountain upwards of fifty years ago; and though the spectator stands in the presence of an army of hills, such as the world can not well match-though he sees the sun kindle each distant peak, with a light which seems unearthly in its beauty-though, glancing downwards, he perceives the morning mists floating with snowy wings over each fair lake and stream, like guardian spirits hovering over their sleeping charges and who that has once hung over that magical map will forget its varied fascinations? yet, if the gazer has learnt the story of the catastrophe of Arth, he will turn with a shudder to the terrible wound still gaping in the landscape, and sorrowfully track the course of the great furrow along which Death drove his plowshare, in September, 1806. On the second of that month, about five o'clock in the afternoon, according to Dr. Zay,* who witnessed the scene, the upper part of the mountain seemed to be set in motion. A mass of earth and rock, three miles in length, a thousand feet in breadth, and a hundred in depth, swept madly into the vale beneath, crushing three villages wholly, and a fourth partially, beneath its stony billows. Part of the debris was hurled into the Lake of Lawertz, at a distance of five miles, where it filled up one Goldau und seine Gegend. Von Dr. KARL ZAY. extremity, and produced a wave upwards. of sixty feet in hight, which deluged the villages on its shores. Flights of stones, some of them of enormous dimensions, swept through the air like showers of cannon-balls. Torrents of mud accompanied the eruption. Few escaped who were entrapped. Seven travelers from Berne, entering Goldau just at the time of the slip, were buried in the ruins. Between three and four hundred buildings of various kinds were destroyed, and upwards of four hundred and fifty human beings perished. A few minutes (not more than five) sufficed for this terrible transaction. At one moment the landscape lay placid and beautiful in the lap of the treacherous mountain; at another its loveliness had vanished, and nothing remained but a number of shapeless hillocks, beneath which hundreds of men and women had been sadly and suddenly sepulchred. There are avalanches of mud also. A heavy shower of rain-and showers are no dainty drizzles in mountain regionsbrings down a torrent of clayey material mixed with stones, and the viscid stream rolls on until it reaches some low level, where it converts the landscape into a sort of Irish bog. Travelers entertain a strong objection to this dirty phenomenon. The repairers of roads feel themselves greatly aggrieved by its appearance, and regard it as a highly indictable demonstration. Not long ago, after passing through the grotesque old town of Altorf, where William Tell shot the famous apple from his son's head-and the site of this renowned piece of archery is still indicated by two fountains-we traversed a stream of mud which had recently arrested the progress of vehicles, and still required the services of numerous laborers to keep the highway practicable. The adjoining orchards and pastures had been inundated by the filthy tide, and châlets lay miserably imbedded in the stiffening compound. On the road from Grindelwald to Interlachen, however, we were compelled to make the acquaintance of a mud avalanche on more provoking terms. After proceeding a few miles beyond the former place, the voiture was brought to a sudden halt. Entertaining some doubts respecting the perfect sanity of our charioteer, whose frantic management of the drag down-hill would have made a good point in any commission of lunacy, we were half-prepared for some of Zweilütschinen; and with the rain hissing around us, and the lightning gleaming incessantly on the brawling river beside us, we arrived late in the evening at the beautiful little town of Interlachen. Shall we say then that the avalanche is wholly a pestilent and malignant thing? At the first glance it might seem to have no other mission in nature but to scourge and destroy. Like some fierce dragon of fabled time, the white monster lies am nice little catastrophe. What should it be? Was the vehicle-apparently as infirm a production as the Shem-and-Ham buggy over which Sydney Smith made so merry-about to founder disgracefully in the high road? Were we to be hurled into the meadows below? And, in that case, should we be let off with a sprained ankle, or must a leg and a couple of ribs be inexorably broken? Or had some real live bandit rushed out of his den, and ordered our coachman-himself a bandit on the box- to surrender his fare at dis-bushed in its mountain lair till the moment cretion? On looking out, however, it appeared that several carriages before us had been brought to a similar stand. The cause was soon ascertained to be a mud torrent, which lay across the road like a huge black snake. Well, why not try to drive through it? The voituriers declared it to be impossible. Then, why not procure implements, and attempt to clear a path? The voituriers looked at you compassionately, as if you were insane. Or, could we not be permitted to pass over the neighboring fields? The voituriers seemed indignant. In short, these gentry were of opinion, one and all, that the whole file of carriages, with their passengers-French, English, Germans, Russians must return to Grindelwald for the night; that is, in plain terms, every one must hand over a little more money to the hotel-keepers of the place, and next day pay a further fee to the cormorant coachmen themselves. Now, there is undoubtedly great pleasure in being cheated -that point is settled upon good authority; but the joy of the operation consists in its being executed neatly, skillfully, handsomely, and with a subtle sort of audacity which floors whilst it fascinates. You must be tickled at the same time that you are plundered. Metaphorically speaking, a good practitioner in the art will throw you into a pleasing state of being, by drawing a feather to and fro under your chin with one hand, whilst he plunges the other deep into your pocket. But here the artifice was too transparent. The voituriers resigned themselves so meekly to the terrors of that mud torrent -which a few British "navvies" would have vanquished in a trice—that several of the travelers resolved to abandon their vehicles, though a storm was obviously impending, and prosecute their journey on foot. Fortunately, after an hour's walk, carriages were found at the village comes when it can pounce upon its human prey, and strew the green valley beneath with ruin and death. Then, moved by a sound or a sunbeam, with a roar which rouses every echo, and a rush which vies in speed with the lightning's flight, shrouding its huge form in the foam which it scatters from its sides, as charging squadrons vail themselves in the dust and smoke of battle-it dashes headlong into the haunts of men, hurling their frail fabrics to the ground with the blast of its breath, and strangling whole communities in its stern icy embrace. But its path is not always deadly. Hundreds of avalanches fall harmlessly each day. Nature indeed has need of their services. They are her true retainers, and must be allowed to take rank amongst her liveried phenomena. For, were the vapor which is precipitated as snow above the frontier line of perpetual congelation permitted to accumulate, much valuable fluid would be withdrawn from the great system of aqueous circulation, and locked up in localities where there is neither man, nor beast, nor herb to profit by the store. But the avalanche is ever relieving the crags of their load, and transporting it from the peak to the plain. There dissolved by the warm atmosphere of the valleys, the ground gladly drinks in the soft drops, and repays the blessing by the smiling swards of summer and the golden crops of autumn, Thus the slow-footed glacier, crawling down the mountain-side with sure but imperceptible step, and the winged avalanche, whose swoop is swifter than eye can follow, are both engaged in the same important task; for the charge which has been given to them as sworn servitors, is that they should convey to the regions of human life and industry the surplus of those snowy deposits which would lie valueless if simply hoarded amongst the everlasting hills. DEATH OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON IRVING. THE patriarch of American letters is no more! WASHINGTON IRVING is dead! A great light is extinguished! A brilliant star in the western firmament has disappeared, leaving a halo of radiance along the track of life behind him! His name and memory will be held in lasting remembrance by his admiring countrymen, and by all the world of letters. He died full of years and full of honors, in the mellow evening of a useful and well-spent life, leaving a deep and abiding impression upon the world and upon the age in which he lived. His achievements in the world of letters the fruits of his brilliant genius and his extended acquisitions, will be his monument, more enduring than marble. His works will follow his name, and embalm his memory to the end of time. At this late hour, before closing this number of the ECLECTIC, we have no time or room to do adequate justice to so great a theme, and to the character and memory of so great and good a man. We would refer our readers to the October number of the ECLECTIC for 1858, which was embellished with a fine portrait of this distinguished man, and with an extended biographical sketch of his life. The Hon. Washington Irving died at his residence at Sunnyside on Monday evening, Dec. first, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. His funeral was attended by a vast concourse of citizens and by the Common Council of New-York. We only add a few eloquent words which he uttered soon after his return to his native land years since. In 1832, Mr. Irving returned home after an absence of seventeen years, spent in the leading capitals of Europe. The dawning honors which he bore away with him had ripened, and he came back in the fullness of his glory. New-York welcomed him with one voice. A grand dinner was given to him at the City Hotel, under the auspices of such giants as Albert Gallatin, Chancellor Kent, Chancellor Walworth, Vice-Chancellor McCoun, Judges Jones, Oakley, Hoffman, James K. Paul ding, and many of our great men now living. Mr. Irving was warmly welcomed by Chancellor Kent, and in reply, paid the tribute of a son to the city of his birth, in the following eloquent words: "As to my native city, from the time I approached the coast I had indications of its growing greatness. We had scarce descried the land, when a thousand sails of all descriptions gleaming along the horizon, and all standing to or from one point, showed that we were in the neighborhood of a vast commercial emporium. As I sailed up the beautiful bay, with a heart swelling with old recollections and delightful associations, I was astonished to see its once wild shores brightening with populous villages and noble structures, and a seeming city extending itself ests. But how shall I describe my emotions over the hights I had left covered with green forwhen our city rose in sight, seated in the midst of its watery domain, stretching away to a vast extent, when I beheld a glorious sunshine lighting up the skies and the domes, some familiar to memory, others new and unknown, and beaming upon a forest of masts of every nation, extending as far as the eye could reach? I have gazed with admiration upon many a fair city and stately harbor, but my admiration was cold and ineffectual, for I was a stranger, and had no property in the soil. Here, however, my heart throbbed with pride and joy as I admired. I had a birthright in the brilliant scenes before me. "This was my own, my native land." "I come from gloomy climes to one of brilliant sunshine and inspiring beauty. I come from countries lowering with doubt and danger, where the rich man trembles and the poor man frowns-where all repine at the present, and dread the future. I come from these to a coun try where all is life and anin.ation--where I hear every one speaks of the past with triumph, the on every side the sound of exultation; where present with delight, the future with glowing and confident anticipation. Is not this a community in which one may rejoice to live? Is not this a city by which one may be proud to be received as a son? Is not this a land in which one may be happy to fix his destiny and ambihow long I intend to remain here. They know tion-if possible to found a name? I am asked but little of my heart or my feelings who can ask me that question. I answer, as long as I live!" NATURE AND THE SUPERNATURAL, as together constituting the One System of God. By HORACE BUSHNELL. Fifth Edition. New-York: Charles Scribner, 124 Grand street. 1860. THIS is no common book. It is the result of ma ture thought, of deep research, of rare intellectual endowments and mental strength. It is a book to be studied, pondered, and examined with no ordinary care, in order fully to comprehend and master its wide grasp of views, and its colossal problems. It has called forth criticisms and differing opinions, and it would be a difficult labor to harmonize with it the diverse views of its doctrines which have long been held by various writers. A very able review of this work will be found on the preceding pages of this Number, to which we call the attention of the reader, which is all that is intended by this brief notice. The publishers will send it by mail to any address in the United States on receipt of the price, two dollars. We have read this book with unusual interest. It is a beautiful story, redolent of graphic descriptions, life-like delineations of character and principles, a transparent mirror in which you may almost see the living personages moving about here and there acting their various parts, and are in some hazard of calling them by name. The language is rich, easy, flowing, graceful, pure in sentiment, instructive and entertaining. The Golden Legacy has a golden chain of absorbing interest running through its pages, which will draw the reader from the beginning to the end without knowing where to pause. It is a good family book, good for a present at any time, especially at the holidays now just at hand. It will be sent by mail to any address on the receipt of one dollar. Wo will send it to order to any address. THE BROUGHAN BANQUET AT EDINBURGH.-The arrangements for the banquet have not yet all been completed. It is fully expected that his lordship will be elected Chancellor of the University on the 24th inst., and that after the banquet he will deliver an address to the students in this capacity. PURIFICATION OF FOUL WATER-AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.-Every one who recollects the discovery of electrotype will also think of Liverpool and Mr. Thomas Spencer, the chemist, in conneetion with it. The discoverer of electrotype appears to have made another discovery, of a different description, which bids fair entirely to eclipse even his former one in importance and value. He seems to have penetrated into nature's grand secret, whereby she converts all kinds of foul and contaminated water, as it filters through the rock strata, into the pure and wholesome spring; and not only so, but he has shed a new light on the nature of ozone in connection with this discovery. It is impossible here to do justice to those discoveries, but we may state that Mr. Spencer has experimentally ascertained that the magnetic oxide of iron, which abounds in rocky strata, and in sands, etc., attracts oxygen, whether it exists in water or in air, and polarizes it; that this polarized oxygen is the salubrifying ozone; that this ozone, so formed, destroys all discoloring and polluting organic solutions in water, and converts them into the sparkling and refreshing carbonic acid of the healthful spring. Even sewage water can be thus almost instantaneously purified. Moreover, Mr. Spencer has discovered that the apparently mechanical process of filtration is itself magnetical, and it is now known that all substances are constitutionally more or less subject to magnetical influence; thus all extraneous matters suspended in water may be rapidly attracted in filtration, and so separated; and this may be done whether on a great scale or a small, either by the magnetic oxide or black sand of iron, by a mixture of this with ordinary sand, or by various other means; and Mr. Spencer has discovered a solid porous combination of carbon with magnetic oxide, prepared from Cumberland hæmatite, which is said to have very great filtering power.-Builder. THE FLIGHT FROM VENICE.-What is called "the exodus," but which would more appropriately be termed "the flight," of the Venetians from Austrian captivity still continues. Several large bands have recently arrived in Bologna and Modena, and more than 800 have already enlisted in the various brigades of the duchies. These luckless fugitives have immense difficulties to contend with and great expense to undergo in order to smuggle themselves across the Po. They announce the arrival of new bands daily, and it seems that the whole youth of Venetia are bent upon preferring self-banishment to a longer submission to the detested Austrian rule. "This," says a letter from Parma, "must be matter of serious consideration for the Cabinet of Vienna. It was the volunteer movement in April last which drove Austria to the desperate measure of a war as the least of evils, and she must now either be prepared to give up Venetia for love or money, or else strike one more decisive, however hopeless, blow." SIR DAVID BREWSTER ON PRACTICAL SCIENCE.-In his inaugural address, at Edinburgh, the other day, Sir David Brewster thus alluded to the progress made in practical science: The advances which have recently been made in the mechanical and useful arts have already begun to influence our social condition, and must affect still more deeply our systems of education. The knowledge which used to constitute a scholar and fit him for social and intellectual intercourse will not avail him under the present ascendency of practical science. New and gigantic inventions mark almost every passing year-the colossal tubular bridge, conveying the monster train over an arm of the sea; the submarine cable, carrying the pulse of speech beneath 2000 miles of ocean; the monster ship, freighted with thousands of lives; and the huge rifle gun, throwing its fatal but unchristian charge across miles of earth or of ocean. New arts, too, useful and ornamental, have sprung up luxuriantly around us. New powers of nature have been evoked, and man communicates with man across seas and continents, with more certainty and speed than if he had been endowed with the velocity of the racehorse or provided with the pinions of the eagle. Wherever we are, in short, art and science surround us. They have given birth to new and lucrative professions. Whatever we purpose to do they help us. In our houses they greet us with light and heat. When we travel, we find them at every stage on land, and at every harbor on our shores. They stand beside our board by day and beside our couch by night. To our thoughts they give the speed of lightning, and to our timepieces the punctuality of the sun; and, though they can not provide us with the boasted lever of Archimedes to move the earth, or indicate the spot upon which we must stand could we do it, they have put into our hands tools of matchless power by which we can study the remotest worlds; and they have furnished us with an intellectual plummet by which we can sound the depths of the earth and count the cycles of its endurance. In his hour of presumption and ignorance man has tried to do more than this; but, though he was not permitted to reach the heavens with his cloud-capt tower of stone, and has tried in vain to navigate the aërial ocean, it was given him to ascend into empyrean by chains of thought which no lightning could face and no comet strike; and though he has not been allowed to grasp with an arm of flesh the products of other worlds, or tread upon the pavement of gigantie planets, he has been enabled to scan, with more than an eagle's eye, the mighty creations in the bosom of space-to march intellectually over the mosaics of sidereal systems, and to follow the adventurous Photon in a chariot which can never be overturned. VILLAGES IN BOHEMIA LEAVING THE CHURCH OF ROME. The Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, a paper which enjoys a deservedly high reputation in Germany for the general correctness of its information, and the caution it exercises in the insertion of any startling or doubtful intelligence, states, in one of its recent numbers, that a very powerful religious movement is now taking place in the northern parts of Bohemia, where (it is believed from disgust with the oppression exercised under the Concordat) whole villages are going over to Protest antism! DISCOVERY OF A METAL SUPERIOR TO GOLD.-We extracted, a few days ago, from the Paris letter in the Star, an account of an imposition practiced on the Mont de Piété, and we now add further particulars: "The affair of the ingots of silver where by the Mont de Piété had been defrauded, is taking an entirely different aspect to that which it presented at first. The 'culprit' disclaims all guiltdeclares that he never presented the substance as silver, and offers to detach from the ingots a metal of far more value than either silver or gold, and which will amply compensate the amount of the sums lent upon the ingots. But he insists upon the operation being performed by himself without witnesses, as he frankly owns that he would rather work out his sentence at the galleys than yield his secret to any one. The lawyers are puzzled. An examination into the antecedents of the accused displays a most favorable result. He has lived in the greatest solitude alone with his sister, intrusted with a great portion of his secret, in an isolated house at the Petit Montrouge. A realization of the alchemists of old seized upon the imagination of the officers when they entered the laboratory where the inventor of this new element of wealth and power was at work. .The atmosphere kept for months together, day and night, at the same suffocating degree of temperature, the darkened windows, and the silent labor of the two individuals who occupied the dwelling, the heaps of precious-looking metal lying about in all directions, called to mind the legends of Paracelsus and Guillaume de Postel. The question is so dubious the point of law so delicate-that a commission consisting of a number of the first chemical authorities of the country, among whom are Dépretz, Doré, and others, have been appointed to inquire into the matter. If the inventor of the new metal is to be believed, he has in reality discovered the secret of which the alchemists of the olden time were always in such fierce and hot pursuit-the generative powers of the mineral reign; and the search after this great discovery having led him to that of numerous secrets connected with the laws of nature, he has become possessed of the most marvelous secrets, which, applied to industry and art, will advance both by many centuries at one single bound. One fact, however, remains as yet a mystery. Is the man a savant or a lunatic? The examination and analyzation of his discovery can alone determine the decision, and is waited for with great anxiety." MR. BURTON, the African traveler, has written a letter to the London Times, in which he states that the great lake supposed to occupy the center of Equatorial Africa is, in reality, four lakes: the Ujiji, visited by him in May, 1857, the Nianza, visited by Captain Speke in July, 1857, the Chama, whose position was fixed by Dr. Lacerda in 1799, and a fourth, the position of which has just been fixed by Dr. Livingstone. They lie ranged in crescent shape, with the horns toward the East. MESSRS. CONSTABLE & Co. announce a new and cheaper edition of Sir D. Brewster's Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton; second series of Hore Subsecivæ; and a Monograph of Dura Den and its remarkable Fossil Fishes, by John Anderson, D.D.; also, by the same author, The Course of Revelation. |