ing of one idea. National refinement and love of the arts are but the results of a National one idea.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said: "Our culture is the predominance of an idea which draws after it this train of cities and institutions." Let us rise into another idea; they will disappear. The Greek sculpture is all melted away, as if it had been statues of ice: here and there a solitary figure or fragment remaining as we see flecks and scraps of snow left in cold dells and mountain clefts in June and July. For the genius that created it creates now something else.

In America there has been an enslavement of the idea that all men should be free; but this idea by its innate strength has broken the fetters that bound it, and now in asserting its right to breath and existence, stalks boldly over a Nation's dead.

The idea of 1787, that an enduring government could be based upon the union of Slavery and Freedom, has perished from the earth and fallen into the dark grave ever opened by newly discovered Truth for the errors of the Past.

The one idea of Freedom in the world-the full attainmeut of their rights by men-is a thought that would never die; for which men have firmly stood and bravely died before the enemy, when" with pennons flying and the serried lance they came thundering upon their unflinching ranks.”

To the foolish ones of earth who oppose the progress of Freedom's one idea, it is a fearful rock with the stern decree, that on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder. Fallen it has and fall it will. For in the tempest of a nation's rage, that one idea has descended upon Monarchies like a thunder-bolt from God. It has disturbed society, divided states, destroyed kings, set wide empires in commotion and fired the heart of all humanity in a noble resistance to cruelty and despotic

power.

It has challenged all the fiery hatred of the oppressor's soul, and centered upon itself the warmest praises of the Patriot's heart. One ideas are the masters of the world.

A. B. C.

DEAR LIT:

Our Army Correspondence.

Head Qrs., 20th Conn. Vols.-12th Army Corps.— Valley of the Shenandoah.-In the Woods,8th November, 1862.

You ought to have an army correspondent. If so, why shouldn't I be the man? Now, I have some matters of awful moment to lay before your enlightened readers. My story is of War, dreadful, bloody War? The gallant 20th Conn. is particularly concerned in my frightful narrative, and I shall confine myself to their exploits, dangers and victories. Attend then, ye young men in civil life, and tremble as ye hear. We left New Haven, a village of some note in the Wooden-Nutmeg State, Sept. 11th, 1862. Our first victory was at West Haven, where we frightened the enemy terribly, and captured seventeen stands of boquets. The route to New York City was a succession of similar conquests, and ended with taking a very small steamboat, at a very dirty wharf, on the eastern side of the Metropolis. With this conveyance, we puffed over to the opposite shore of New Jersey; but having discovered our position, and fearing an attack from those large little boys which abound in that locality, we left for the States," and set foot in the City of Brotherly-Love, during a severe rain-storm. The only things we took at this point were fifteen stout colds. We hold them yet, and shall probably bring them back with us. New Haven fogs don't get up anything like what we captured in Philadelphia. Well, nothing of particular interest occurred on the road to Washington, except that we lay in ambush on a Railroad switch for a half a dozen hours, but saw nothing worth attacking-not even a square inch of hard bread. Towards Saturday night we entered our National Capital in glorious triumph. Hearing that there were some persons of Secession proclivities in the neighborhood, we boldly crouched in gutters and on pavements, until morning, and although our guns were boxed up in baggage-cars, if any one professing to be Secesh had happened along, it is very certain that we should either have severely punished him, or "retreated in good order." Wouldn't that have been a Union Victory? In the morning we advanced upon, took, and held East Capitol Hill. Here we had a

severe struggle with numerous ditches and brambles, but at last victory again perched upon our banners. After an occupation of two nights, it was thought of importance to seize upon a camp, called Chase, lately vacated by some Union troops, just across a bridge, called, and properly enough, Long. We started, and like the warhorse-not the Democrat, Purdy-but the old Biblical war-horse"snuffed the battle from afar." Arrived at the bridge, we found the same carefully guarded by a Conn. Regiment, variously called "Lyons," and "Lambs," and they defiantly denied us passage without “a pass." This we had not, but charging bayonets with our fore fingers, cleared the way and crossed, in the face of Lyons and Lambs. Camp Chase was occupied, and several boxes of hard bread conquered. At the expiration of two weeks, news reached us that Frederick City was in danger. We took a train of cars, from the authorities at Washington, and proceeded to the above-named place. In two nights, our presence had rendered every thing secure, and we hastened to the rescue of Maryland Heights, which, since Col. Miles death, has been in a very dangerous situation.-Ah, Col. Miles! But, "nil mortuis," &c., (my friend, Prof. Thacher, will translate the sentence to all your Freshman readers.) Here, again, we snuffed the battle, and it went out in the operation; for, when we had located our camp and looked around us, nary enemy was to be seen. Here we had many dress parades and drills. When we were sufficiently drilled, we ventured to ascend Loudon Heights, on the eastern bank of the Shenandoah river. This was a work of the greatest difficulty, as the enemy had had possession of the elevation only three weeks previously. We gained the summit and squatted, kept a sharp lookout for attacks, and watched the movements of the Rebels. One day, (the three lower classes had better not read any further, lest they should get unduly excited,) one day, a courier announced, that a horseman had been seen on the western bank of the river, riding backwards and forwards, and apparently posting pickets. An idea struck us. With a sudden impulse, the whole Regiment, except the field and staff, started-they knew not whither-on picket. The object of this piece of strategy some of your readers may not understand. Let me explain. Wholesale picketing in the face of an enemy is of the utmost importance to the safety of all hands. For, if an attack is made on a Regiment which is scattered through dense woods for a distance of eight or ten miles, the chances are ten to one, that nobody will be hurt. Don't you see, my boys? Under the above-named plan, the 20th were sent out toward Richmond, as pickets. We kept well away from the main road, had our

provisions brought us by teams, and watched our chances. Yesterday morning, the idea came across us, that the chances of our starvation were about as good as any others, and we have concluded to change our base, and fall back to the Potomac. This the Regiment is now doing, in perfect order, having been mostly collected again. I must stop, mount old Fire-fly, and cover their retreat.

Permit a few closing remarks. The Army of the Potomac, except the 12th Corps, has moved! We are not to be permitted to take part in the advance movement, but notice what an important position we occupy. We hold Harper's Ferry, Bolivar, and Loudon Heights. Twenty Cavalry men could not begin to take either of these strongholds, and it is certain there are no more in this part of our dear country. Meanwhile, we are near the scene of J. Brown's last and fatal conflict. Who shall say that the spirit of so desperate a man may not again throw these peaceful citizens into confusion. It is ours to guard the lives and happiness of these, Virginia's noblest sons and daughters. This we intend to do well. How exalted the trust! How awful the responsibility!

Through the dark and lowering clouds which have hitherto hung about our country's future, who cannot see, dimly, faintly, but certainly glimmering, the dawning of the day of deliverance and peace? Let the 20th go on, then, in her noble work, and you shall soon see us home again, to look after you, my boys, and "the girls we left behind us." With the best wishes for you, dear sir, and all other means for the instruction of our tender youth,

READING, the other day, Hazlitt's enthusiastic essay on the Pleasures of Painting, in which he records his own early attempts at art, with many a longing, lingering look behind, I was led to wonder if there be any other profession so full of delight to its followers as