g
article upon Public Libraries, in the last _North American Review_.
He notices in detail several generally inaccessible reports on the
libraries of Europe and this country; after referring to the number
and extent of libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this
respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, though
second to none in general intelligence and the means of common
education, he urges the institution of a large national library, and
sees in the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution a prospect that
the subject is likely to receive speedy and efficient attention.

* * * * *

PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on Agricultural
Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the results of his recent
tour in the British Provinces and the United States, in one of which
he observed, "In New Brunswick, New England, Vermont, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, and New York, the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and
it is now gradually receding farther and farther westward. Now, when
I tell you this, you will see that it will not be very long before
America is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we
could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty of it;
but I do not think that the United States need be any bug bear to
you." Prof. J. was in New York last March.

* * * * *

CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George Sand's
best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the popular poetess
of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza Cook, who was very ill.
Miss Cushman is really quite as good a poet as Miss Cook, though by no
means so fluent a versifier. She will return to the United States in a
few weeks to fulfill some professional engagements.

* * * * *

Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who recently came
to this country, and who is known in literature and religion as the
author of the two very clever works, "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has
become minister of a congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts.

* * * * *

BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of Louis
Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts Volunteers,
commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to celebrate the anniversary
of their return, at his pleasant residence on Indian Hill Farm, in
West Newb