Curiosities, News, Passing Events, &c. THE IVORY CRUCIFIX, OR STATUE OF CHRIST.-We have been permitted to inspect this wonderful specimen of architecture, or statuary. It is wonderful. The size is a proper one, to represent Christ, as he was crucified, in the strength and vigor of manhood. The_representations of the bones, muscles and sinews, are fine. It is, of course, a conjectural representation of the appearance of Christ immediately after his dying struggle, and such an appearance, as we may well suppose, he then made. The anatomical and physiological resemblances are surprisingly preserved, not in the face only, but throughout the whole figure. It is about 33 inches in length, 8 inches in diameter, and weighs, it is said, 80 pounds. It must have been chiselled from an unusually large block of ivory. It was, no doubt, the work of a devout person, and is calculated to inspire reverential feelings. We fully concur in the opinion universally expressed by the press, that it is an admirable work of the chisel. But in the monk story, we have little confidence. We know nothing of the importer of this statue, nor of the poor monk who labored four long years upon this tusk in a solitary cell, and six months longer to give it the finishing touch; but we imagine it might have been the work of some ancient and renowned artist, long preserved in some consecrated spot. We select the following lines, relating to this statue, from the Daily Evening Traveller, of this city. I thought not of the inspiration lent To cunning hand and head, the toil achieving; Saw where that drooping Head with stars was crowned; And, gazing up in those dear eyes, she found THE CHINESE MUSEUM.-China is all a museum now to us, the once outside barbarians. Since the philanthropic and Christian nation of Great Britain compelled these inhabitants of the "Celestial Empire" to pay her millions for rejecting the soporific drug, she has become "like another" part of this little planet, which all nations inhabit: and it appears there has been for centuries much that is curious and wonderful enclosed within her heavy walls and massive gates. If any one doubts this, we advise him to take some bright, sunny morning, and visit the Chinese Museum now open for the reception of visiters in the Marlboro' Chapel. It will not be sufficient to take a peep merely into this splendid hall. One needs to spend hours there, and carefully study the various arts and figures so finely and prospectively portrayed before him. It is China in miniature. We were favored by the gentlemanly proprietor of this establishment with the privilege of inspecting its splendid interior, at the period. when it was first opened to public gaze; and now, when about commencing the use of the editorial quill, we would call the attention of our readers to what is here to be seen. The admission fee will be money well expended and remunerated with interest. CAPE COD. CHATHAM.-We have recently visited this place. Cape Cod resembles an arm, half open, the elbow being at Chatham. The hand, the wrist inclining inward, is at Race Point, 33 miles N. by W. of Chatham. The length of the Cape is 65 miles, and its average breadth about 5 miles. The soil is sandy, and a considerable portion of it barren; still, there is some good land in Barnstable and Chatham, and, occasionally, an oasis in some of the other towns in the county. There is a scarcity of wood, but this is compensated by an abundance of peat. The people residing upon the Cape have many privileges which are not enjoyed by towns situated back in the country. They do considerable at the fishing business, and the manufacture of salt. They have many of the best seamen in the world. Many of the masters of packets, and merchant ships, and whale ships, which sail from our cities, reside on the Cape. The general characteristics of the people are confidence, hospitality and kindThe cause of education has made much progress among the inhabitants of the Cape within a few years. ness. The town of Chatham is 20 miles E. from Barnstable, and 32 S. S. E. from Provincetown, or the end of the Cape. It was incorporated in 1712. Its population at the present time, 1846, is about 2,500. There are a number of fishing vessels and coasters belonging in this town. Many are owners in shipping from Boston and New York. There is an Academy here; and the public schools are said to be in good condition. There are four churches, of the following denominations-Congregational, Methodist, Baptist and Universalist. "PENITENT FEMALE'S REFUGE."-The friends of virtue and religion have erected a large and convenient edifice at the south part of the city, which they designate by the above term. It was opened, with appropriate services, on the 10th of December, 1845. Interesting statements were made respecting the condition of the society and the erection of the house, by Dr. Hale, of this city, the President of the Board of Managers. The City Government, esteeming it a commendable and praiseworthy object, made a donation of the lot of land upon which the building is erected. Clergymen from nearly all the religious denominations of the city were present on the occasion, as well as several from the country. Prayer was offered, and a Report from the Ladies' Association read, by the Rev. Mr. Stowe ; remarks were then made by the Rev. Mr. Gray and Rev. Louis Dwight, and the exercises were closed with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Cushing, of Wells, Me. Many of the most wealthy, respectable and pious individuals in the city, both male and female, are engaged in this benevolent enterprise. It is very discreetly and unostentatiously conducted. Silently diffusing its charity, and restoring to virtue, and society, many of the unfortunate and fallen, it imitates Him who " came to seek and to save them that were lost." Many things might be said in their praise, but we forbear, thus imitating the wisdom and prudence of its managers. It is sufficient for the friends of religion to know that such an institution exists, and is wisely conducted and blessed of heaven. THE BOYLSTON MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The acting members of this Society are under-graduates of the Medical School in Harvard University. While attending Medical Lectures in that school, we had the privilege of belonging to the above-named Society. In the year 1823, a fund was established, through the liberality of the late Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq., the interest of which is annually appropriated to the writers of the best dissertations presented by its members. This Society offers a good opportunity for weekly discussions, debates, lectures, &c., and for making the members acquainted with each other. The President is usually selected from the younger class of medical practitioners in this city. Dr. Henry J. Bigelow is President at the present time. A few evenings since we had the pleasure of attending a lecture given by this gentleman before the members of the Society. We were much instructed and pleased with the lecture, but, as it is to be published, we forbear making any farther remarks upon it at present. EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY.-From the Report of the Surgeons of the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, we learn that 1,271 patients have applied for assistance at the Infirmary during the past year. Of these, 955 were for diseases of the eye, and 276 diseases of the ear. The Surgeons speak of the inadequacy of the present buildings of the Institution, and recommend that efforts be made to provide a structure more worthy of the charity, because better fitted to fulfil its benevolent designs. The Surgeons are-Drs. E. Reynolds, G. A. Bethune, and R. W. Hooper. The officers of the Institution are-Managers, R. G. Shaw, President; Moses Grant, S. D. Townsend, J. A. Blanchard, Samuel Hooper, Henry Rice, James Lawrence, J. H. Wolcott, Amos A. Lawrence, John Borland; G. H. Shaw, Secretary ; J. W. Edmands, Treasurer. We hope soon to see a spacious and noble edifice erected for this benevolent and highly praiseworthy Institution. We have known patients speedily relieved here, who had been diseased for a considerable time in the organ of sight or hearing, both so essential to comfort and usefulness. BATHS.-We would call the attention of the public to the Bathing Establishment of Messrs. Miles & May, Nos. 8 and 12 Franklin street. We are located near this Institution, and have had an opportunity of witnessing the effects of the baths upon various classes of invalids. We have also tried them ourselves, and can recommend them to the public as a luxury, and believe them to be highly beneficial in many chronic diseases. They are excellent in removing any sudden check of the perspiration, and in almost all cutaneous diseases. We would invite the attention of our readers to the advertisement and recommendation of several professional gentlemen of this city, on the cover of this work. DR. THAYER'S GYMNASIUM.-Our readers will find an advertisement of this Institution, on the cover of this Journal. There is room to say but a single word, in our present number, of these exercises. They come properly within the scope and design of this work. Physical education is of the utmost importance. Had it been properly attended to, in years that are past, many who are now dead would have been alive, and many, who still drag out lives almost useless, would have been active men, in both body and mind. This kind of exercise should be taken only under proper directions by the debilitated and sedentary. Dr. Thayer, of this Institution, we are happy to say, is well qualified to give all necessary information. REV. MR. M'CLURE'S LECTURES.-On account of having been absent from the city, we have had the privilege of hearing but one of these lectures. It was the first. They are upon the early Puritans of Boston, and, we are told, are very interesting. We were highly gratified with the one which we heard. It is a good thing to be "put in remembrance of these" worthies. LOWELL LECTURES.-A course of lectures is now being delivered before the Lowell Institute on the "Military Art." Some have questioned whether that subject came within the provisions of the donor of that fund. We are not in the secret. This We have Ir is written "the last shall be first and the first last." is now fulfilled, as it respects the title of our Journal. transposed it, because there has recently been a work published in this city called "The Monthly Miscellany," of a very different character from ours; and we find many confound the one with the other. Had we known such would have been the case, we should have had the title at first as it is at present. Another reason for the change is, we mean that the most prominent idea of the work shall relate to Health. There is enough to be said on this subject to occupy one Journal, and we design to make that the most prominent topic. Other subjects will come in, incidentally, under the term Miscellany, so that the character of the work will be essentially in accordance with our original plan, the title only being transposed, to render the designation more definite, and to carry out more fully that design. We have, also, printed this number on 36 pages instead of 24, for the purpose of giving our readers more matter for the same price; also to afford more room for advertisements; and, in the last place, to bring it under the law of newspaper postage, as it will now go uncut and without a separate cover. |