On observing these curious and far from pleasing peculiarities of the school, the intelligent and humane clergyman easily accounted for the spirit of destructiveness among the children; and his first step was to induce the teacher to take his leather from the end of the cane; and next, to turn the desks so that the boys sat with their backs to the windows, and the teacher’s path lay on the other side of the room.  Then the minister went frequently into the school, and examined so severely, that both teacher and pupils had more to do than to give their attention to the flies.  As this was not yet entirely satisfactory in its results, the minister took advantage of the hot summer weather, to have instruction given only in the afternoon, when the school was not so full of flies, and thus he gradually banished the insects from the thoughts of teacher and children.  But he knew that it was of little avail solely to pull the weeds out of the young mind.  He obtained an unoccupied piece of land fit for planting, and, not far from the school, laid out a school-garden.  This pleased the teacher, and the children willingly took part in the task, for they had soon learned to like their new minister, who came and worked amongst them.  The garden was surrounded by a hedge planted with trees and shrubs, and each child had a tree or shrub given him to take care of.  A nursery was soon laid out, and provision made for plenty of larger gardens and orchards in the village.  And, behold! the spirit of destructiveness among the children soon passed away; and every man’s fruit and garden became safe, the youths even begging of their parents that trees might be planted in the fields for them to take care of.  The new spirit was communicated from children to parents, till it spread throughout the entire village; every family had its pretty little garden; an emulation in cultivating flowers sprang into existence; idle and bad habits disappeared; and gradually the whole place was a scene of moral as well as of physical beauty.

This incident, the truth of which can be vouched for, has been communicated to us by a lady of rank, who happens to have lately become acquainted with the circumstances, and has thought that their publicity may be advantageous.  We have no doubt of the fact, that the practice of amateur gardening is never associated with evil, but is always a token of advanced tastes and correct habits.  Let every one, therefore, within his sphere, do what he can to promote this most desirable pursuit.  We would further say, let every school, so far as it can conveniently be done, have its garden, not only for purposes of amusement, but as an important engine of education.

FACTS AS TO OYSTER-EATING.