Salem Mercury, July 29, 1788.

* * * * *

THE FOUNT.

—> THE following—from the pen of a fair correspondent—cannot be read without PLEASURE and IMPROVEMENT.

* * * * *

LINES FOR A SCREEN.

TO BE WRITTEN BENEATH THE FIGURE OF "MINERVA HOLDING A CROWN OF OLIVE."

Ah! lovely Ladies—while with care Ye guard from harm your FACES fair; While spreads the airy PARASOL To shield you from the beams of SOL; And many a FAN and VEIL and BLIND Protect from each intrusive wind:— And whilst ye deign to intervene Twixt you and fire, the humble SCREEN!— Oh! strive alike to guard your hearts From VICE, and all her wily arts. Your parasol let VIRTUE prove, To ward th' attacks of lawless love— Prudence will prove a screen to thee, And let thy VEIL be MODESTY. Attend my words, ye Fair, for know, This Crown shall grace the worthiest brow.

ORA. Columbian Centinel, July 27, 1814.



* * * * *

From the GAZETTE of the U. STATES.

IMPROMPTU.

On seeing a young Lady darning Stockings.

ALONG the stocking's foot, with ease and grace Your fingers, lovely Mira, when you move, On them with eye admiring I will gaze, And drink deep draughts of all resistless love.

Assume thy gloves, my most enchanting fair, When next your stockings you begin to mend, For though full white the hose, they yet appear As saffron yellow, near thy lily hand.

As constant as your all obedient thread Does thy bright needle's devious path pursue, So does each thought of my poor brainless head For ever dwell, divinest nymph, on you.

Oft as thy needles pierce the yielding hose, So oft thy beauties pierce my yielding breast: Oh then compassionate my deep felt woes, And bid awhile the polish'd needle rest.

Or if one idle minute you disdain, On me be exercis'd your mending art, Yes, lovely maid, to ease of my pain, Come, darn the hole that rankles in my heart.

Salem Gazette, August 26, 1800.



* * * * *

THE WHITE CLOVER.

BY A LADY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

THERE is a little perfum'd flower, It well might grace the lovliest bower, Yet poet never deign'd to sing Of such a humble, rustic thing. Nor is it strange, for it can show Scarcely one tint of Iris' bow: Nature, perchance, in careless hour, With pencil dry, might paint the flower; Yet instant blush'd, her fault to see, So gave a double fragrancy; Rich recompence for aught denied! Who would not homely garb abide, If gentlest soul were breathing there, Blessings through all its little sphere? Sweet flower! the lesson thou hast taught, Shall check each proud, ambitious thought, Teach me internal worth to prize, Though found in lowliest, rudest guise.

Salem Gazette, June 27, 1815.



* * * * *



CASTALIAN FOUNT.

AMERICAN POETRY.

A FRAGMENT.

The following beautiful lines were written on the death of a young lady in Pennsylvania, whose dissolution was occasioned by her mistaking a poisonous mineral for the flower of sulphur, and swallowing a spoonfull:

THUS, o'er the tomb of what she held most dear, The weeping muse no common sorrow pours; No common anguish prompts the falling tear— No common virtues those she now deplores.

Dear hapless girl, was there no saving power? Where was your guardian angel—where your friend? Could nought prevent the fatal destin'd hour? Nor pitying Heaven would hear or succour lend.

Then, if nor Heaven would hear—nor friends could save, Be still, my heart, nor breathe another sigh; Drop the last tear upon her early grave, And let it teach you—that the best must die.

—> A few original favours from our poetick friends would be very acceptable.

Massachusetts Centinel, March 28, 1789.

* * * * *

From the New York Daily Advertiser.

The Sailor Boy.

Dark flew the scud along the wave, And echoing thunders rend the sky; All hands aloft! to meet the storm, At midnight was the boatswain's cry.

On deck flew every gallant tar, But one—bereft of ev'ry joy; Within a hammock's narrow bound, Lay stretch'd this hapless SAILOR BOY.

Once, when the Boatswain pip'd all hands, The first was he, of all the crew, On deck to spring—to trim the sail— To steer—to reef—to furl or clue.

Now fell disease had seiz'd a form Which nature cast in finest mould; The midwatch bell now smote his heart, His last, his dying knell it toll'd.

"O God!" he cried, and gasp'd for breath, "Ere yet my soul shall cleave the skies, "Are there no parents—brethren—near, "To close, in death, my weary eyes?

"All hands aloft to brave the storm, "I hear the wintry tempest roar;" He rais'd his head to view the scene, And backward fell, to rise no more.

The morning sun in splendour rose. The gale was hush'd and still'd the wave; The Sea-boy, far from all his friends, Was plung'd into a wat'ry grave.

But He, who guards the Sea-boy's head, He, who can save or can destroy, Snatch'd up to Heav'n the purest soul That e'er adorn'd a SAILOR BOY.

Salem Gazette, Oct. 29, 1805.

* * * * *

EARLY RISING.

WIVES, awake! unveil your eyes; Sluggards, no more yawning; See the Delphick god arise, Bright Apollo dawning.

Husbands, rouse at love's alarms, Drowsy slumbers scorning; Rovers, quit your favourite charms, Up! behold, 'tis morning.

Virgins fair, have at your hearts; Hymen's torch is flaming; Cupid whets his pointed darts, And look! the rogue is aiming.

Fair the bud of beauty blows, Mellow sweets are palling; Crown us with the virgin rose, And so prevent its falling.

See the charms that nature yields; Why sleep away your duty? Arise! the fragrance of the fields Is friendly to your beauty.

Lads, for shame! abed till now! Forsake them, and be wiser; There's health and pleasure, you'll allow, In being an early riser.

Bound with ivy, bound with vines, Youth serenely passes; Bacchus round our temples twines, And sparkles in our glasses.

No longer drown the mind in sleep; But breathe the vernal air! Our hours may thus improvement reap, And who has any t' spare?

Salem Mercury, May 17, 1788.



* * * * *

From the New Monthly Magazine.

On seeing a Tomb adorned with Angels weeping.

Though sculptors, with mistaken art, Place weeping Angels round the tomb; Yet, when the good and great depart, These shout to bear their conquerors home.

Glad they survey their labours o'er, And hail them to their native skies; Attend their passage to the shore, And with their mounting spirits rise.

Britain may mourn her Patriot dead, And pour her sorrows o'er his dust: But streaming eyes, and drooping head, Ill suit those guardians of the just.

Parents may shed a tender tear, And friends indulge a parting groan; If these in mimic form appear, Such pious grief becomes the stone.

But if the wounded marble bear Celestial forms to grace the urn, Let triumph in their eyes appear, Nor dare to make an angel mourn.

Salem Register, 1819.



* * * * *

Varieties.

Origin of the word DUN.—Dunny, in the provincial dialect of several countries, signifies deaf: to dun, then, perhaps may mean, to deafen with importunate demands. Some derive it from the word donnez, which signifies give; but the true original meaning of the word owes its birth to one Joe Dun, a famous bailiff of the town of Lincoln, so extremely active and so dexterous in his business, that it became a proverb, when a man refused to pay, "Why do you not dun him?" that is, Why do not you set Dun to arrest him?—Hence it became a cant-word, and is now as old as since the days of Henry VII. Dun was also the general name of hangman, before that of Jack-ketch.

And presently a halter got, Made of the best strong hempen tear, And e'er a cat could lick her ear, Had tied it up with as much art, As Dun himself could do for 's heart.

COTTON'S VIRGIL TRA. BOOK iv.

It is curious to observe that Dun, who, as we said before, was finisher of the law in the reign of Henry VII., had a son, who became a bailiff—This bailiff having scraped some money together, made his son an attorney, who changed the name of Dun to Dunning—the rest of the genealogy are well known.

Massachusetts Gazette, Aug. 29, 1786.

* * * * *

Biographical Correctness.—As a specimen of the accurate way in which Biographical Dictionaries are made up, the Enquirer refers to Dr. Watkins' volume, in which he writes down that John Adams "died in 1803."—And yet for 23 years after this date, the old patriarch was living in health and happiness. A still more ludicrous blunder appeared a few years since in a French Biographical Dictionary, in which it was stated that the now venerable John Jay, who yet lives full of years and full of honors, was a Frenchman, who, after having framed the Constitution of the State of New-York, and witnessed the close of the American revolution, returned to France—became a member of the French Convention, and was finally brought to the guillotine!—N.Y. Com. Adv.

Essex Register, Sept. 18, 1826.

The works of John Paul Richter are almost unintelligible to any but Germans, and even to some of them. A worthy German, just before Richter's death, edited a complete edition of his works, in which one particular passage fairly puzzled him. Determined to have it explained at the source, he went to John Paul himself and asked him what was the meaning of the mysterious passage.—John Paul's reply was very German and characteristic: "My good friend," said he, "when I wrote that passage, God and I knew what it meant; it is possible that God knows it still; but as for me, I have totally forgotten."

Essex Register, Oct. 9, 1826.

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF "FOOLSCAP" PAPER. It is known that Charles I. of England, granted numerous monopolies for the support of his government. Among others was the privilege of manufacturing paper. The water mark of the finest sort was the royal arms of England. The consumption of this article was great at this time, and large fortunes were made by those who had purchased the exclusive right to vend it. This, among other monopolies, was set aside by the parliament that brought Charles to the scaffold, and by way of showing their contempt for the king, they ordered the royal arms to be taken from the paper, and a fool, with his cap and bells, to be substituted. It is now more than an hundred and seventy-five years since the fool's cap and bells were taken from the paper, but still, paper of the size which the Rump Parliament ordered for the journals bears the name of the water mark then ordered as an indignity to Charles.

* * * * *

A new version of "Yankee Doodle," from the "Salem Gazette," July, 1811.

YANKEY SONG.

[The following song was composed a few years since by a gentleman then one of the officers of the Salem regiment, to be sung at the military celebration of the 4th of July. Its wit and pleasantry continues it a favorite with the Yankies, and it was again sung by the Military at Lynn Hotel, and by the Federalists at Washington Hall, on the late anniversary.]

I.

Yankey Doodle is the tune Americans delight in; 'Twill do to whistle, sing, or play, And just the thing for fighting.

CHORUS.

Yankey Doodle, Boys; Huzza! Down outside—up the middle— Yankey Doodle, fa, sol, la, Trumpet, Drum, and Fiddle.

II.

Should Great Britain, Spain, or France Wage war upon our shore, sir, We'll lead them such a woundy dance, They'll find their toes are sore, sir. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

III.

Should a haughty foe expect To give our boys a caning, We guess they'll find our boys have larnt A little bit of training. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

IV.

I'll wager now a mug of flip, And bring it on the table, Put Yankey boys aboard a ship, To beat them they are able. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

V.

Then if they go to argufy. I rather guess they'll find, too, We've got a set of tonguey blades, T'out talk 'em, if they're mind to. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

VI.

America's a dandy place; The people are all brothers; And when one's got a pumpkin pye, He shares it with the others. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

VII.

We work, and sleep, and pray, in peace— By industry we thrive, sir; And if a drone won't do his part, We'll scout him from the hive, sir. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

VIII.

And then, on Independent Day, (And who's a better right to?) We eat and drink, and sing and play, And have a dance at night, too. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

IX.

Our girls are fair, our boys are tough, Our old folks wise and healthy; And when we've every thing we want, We count that we are wealthy. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

X.

We're happy, free, and well to do, And cannot want for knowledge; For, almost ev'ry mile or two, You find a school or college. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

XI.

The land we till is all our own; Whate'er the price, we paid it; Therefore we'll fight till all is blue, Should any dare invade it. CHORUS.—Yankey Doodle, &c.

XII.

Since we're so bless'd, let's eat and drink With thankfulness and gladness: Should we kick o'er our cup of joy, It would be sartin madness.

CHORUS.

Yankey Doodle, Boys; Huzza! Down outside, up the middle— Yankey Doodle, fa, sol, la, Trumpet, Drum, and Fiddle.



* * * * *

"Going snacks."

At the time of the plague in London, a noted body searcher lived whose name was Snacks. His business increased so fast that, finding he could not compass it, he offered to any person who should join him in his hardened practice half the profits; thus, those who joined him were said to go with Snacks. Hence going snacks, or dividing the spoil.

Salem Observer, 1823.

A Word omitted by Webster. In a history of the second parish of Beverly, published not long since, a vote passed in 1776, to take measures to collect the "behindments" of certain persons in the parish, is noticed. "Behindments" meant arrearages.

Salem Observer, 1837.

* * * * *

The following curious collection belonged to Mr. Samuel McIntire, the architect of the South Meeting-House in Salem, whose spire is acknowledged to be one of the best proportioned and handsomest in New England:

FOR SALE,

SUNDRY Articles belonging to the Estate of SAMUEL MCINTIRE, deceased.—VIZ.

1 elegant BARREL ORGAN, 6 feet high, 10 barrels; 1 Wind Chest of an Organ; ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, complete; Paladio's Architecture, best kind; 1 Ware's do.; 1 Paine's do.; 2 vols. French Architecture; 1 large Book Antient Statues, excellent; Lock Hospital Collection of Music; Handel's Messiah, in score; Harmonia Sacra; Magdalen Hymns; Massachusetts Compiler; 1 excellent toned SPINNET; 1 excellent VIOLIN and Case; 1 eight day CLOCK, Mahogany Case; 12 Prints of the Seasons; 1 book Drawings of Ships; 1 large Head of Washington; Number of Busts of the Poets; 2 Figures of Hercules, 2 feet high; 1 Head of Franklin, and Pillar, for a Sign; Composition Ornaments; Number of Moulding Planes, and sundry other Articles. Apply to

ELIZABETH M'INTIRE, Adm'x. or to SAMUEL F. M'INTIRE, Att'y.

N.B.—The Subscriber carries on CARVING as usual at the Shop of the deceased, in Summer-Street, where he will be glad to receive orders in that line. He returns thanks for past favors.

April 30 [1811]. SAMUEL F. M'INTIRE.

* * * * *

Many years ago there was published in Boston a small volume entitled "Eliza Wharton, the Coquette. By a Lady of Massachusetts." It consisted of a series of letters said to be founded on fact. A young woman died at the Bell Tavern in Danvers in 1788, whose gravestone a few years ago might be seen in the old Danvers (now Peabody) burial-ground. We copy from the "Salem Mercury" of July 29, 1788, the following account:—

Last Friday, a female stranger died at the Bell Tavern, in Danvers; and on Sunday her remains were decently interred. The circumstances relative to this woman are such as excite curiosity and interest our feelings. She was brought to the Bell in a chaise, from Watertown, as she said, by a young man whom she had engaged for that purpose. After she had alighted, and taken a trunk with her into the house, the chaise immediately drove off. She remained at this inn till her death, in expectation of the arrival of her husband, whom she expected to come for her, and appeared anxious at his delay. She was averse to being interrogated concerning herself or connexions; and kept much retired to her chamber, employed in needle-work, writing, &c. She said, however, that she came from Westfield, in Connecticut; that her parents lived in that State; that she had been married only a few months; and, that her husband's name was Thomas Walker;—but always carefully concealed her family name. Her linen was all marked E.W. About a fortnight before her death, she was brought to bed of a lifeless child. When those who attended her apprehended her fate, they asked her, whether she did not wish to see her friends: She answered, that she was very desirous of seeing them. It was proposed that she should send for them; to which she objected, hoping in a short time to be able to go to them. From what she said, and from other circumstances, it appeared probable to those who attended her, that she belonged to some country town in Connecticut: Her conversation, her writings and her manners, bespoke the advantage of a respectable family & good education. Her person was agreeable; her deportment, amiable & engaging; and, though in a state of anxiety and suspense, she preserved a cheerfulness, which seemed to be not the effect of insensibility, but of a firm and patient temper. She was supposed to be about 35 years old. Copies of letters, of her writing, dated at Hartford, Springfield, and other places, were left among her things.—This account is given by the family in which she resided; and it is hoped the publication of it will be a means of her friends' ascertaining her fate.

Elizabeth Whitman was the real name of the stranger, and the following was the inscription on the stone:—

"This humble stone, in Memory of Elizabeth Whitman, is inscribed by her weeping friends, to whom she endeared herself by uncommon tenderness and affection. Endowed with superior genius and acquirements, she was still more endeared by humility and benevolence. Let candour throw a veil over her frailities, for great was her charity to others.—She sustained the last painful scene far from every friend, and exhibited an example of calm resignation. Her departure was on the 25th of July, A.D. 1788, in the 37th year of her age, and the tears of strangers watered her grave."

Although we recollect seeing the stone some years ago, when the whole inscription could be read, we visited the spot in April, 1885, and found only a small portion left,—a triangular piece, perhaps a foot and a half high on one side, at the bottom of which we could only make out: "A.D. 1788, ... the tears of strangers watered her grave." For years, young persons of a romantic turn of mind have visited the grave and chipped off small pieces of the freestone for relics. This modern habit of chipping monumental stones for relics is inexcusable; for it is not done by ignorant or otherwise lawless persons, but too often by the educated, who carry their mawkish sentiment to such an extreme as to deface and sometimes, as in the present case, entirely to ruin a monument. It is in vain to urge that this was only a stranger's stone, and that there were none to care. It was all the more an outrage, if there were no friends to protect it. We are glad to learn that there were people in the town who did what they could to prevent this sacrilege.

The following account of this unfortunate lady we take from Hanson's "History of Danvers:"—

"Elizabeth Whitman came from a very respectable family in Connecticut, where her father was a clergyman. She was possessed of an ardent poetical temperament, an inordinate love of praise, and was gifted with the natural endowment of beauty and perfect grace, while she was accomplished with those refinements which education can bestow. She was lovely beyond words. But her natural amiabilities were warped and perverted by reading great numbers of romances, to the exclusion of almost all other reading. She formed her idea of men by the exaggerated standards she saw in the books to which she resorted; and thus when she looked around her she saw no one who realized her ideal. She subsequently became intimate with a lawyer, said to be the Honourable (?) Judge Pierpont Edwards."

We next hear of her in Danvers, "where the novelty of her situation," continues Hanson, "and her attractive beauty and manners during her short sojourn, caused the entire village and many from the neighboring towns to attend her funeral. A few weeks after her burial, an unknown hand erected the gravestone with its eloquent inscription." The stone is evidently Connecticut sandstone or freestone. Mr. Hanson says of the volume "Eliza Wharton": "The catchpenny volume of letters which pretend to give her history has but the figments of the imagination of its authoress to recommend it."

* * * * *

Picture of the old Bell Tavern in Danvers. From the "Salem Gazette," January, 1781.



Danvers, Jan. 1781.

Just published, And to be SOLD by E. RUSSELL, at his Printing-Office, near the Bell-Tavern;

The Second Edition of Russell's American ALMANACK,

For the Year of our Redemption, 1781.

Being First after Leap Year; and Fifth Year of Independency. Fitted for the Meridian of Boston, N. E. Lat. 42: 25 N. Wherein may be found all Things necessary for this Work.

To which is added, a Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, extracted from the Frame of Government; and a List of the Chief Officers of Government, which is thought necessary to be possessed by every Freeman in this Commonwealth.

Calculated by that curious and accurate Astronomer, BENJAMIN WEST, Esq; of Providence, State of Rhode-Island.

At the same Place may also be had, just published;

The Remarkable Captivity and Redemption of

ELIZABETH HANSON,

Wife of Mr. John Hanson of Knoxmarsh at Kecheachy, in Dover Township, who was taken Captive with her Children and Maid-Servant, by the Indians in New-England, in the Year 1724.

IN WHICH ARE INSERTED

Sundry remarkable Preservations, Providences, and Marks of Care and Kindness of Providence over her and her Children, worthy to be remembered.

The Substance of which was taken from her own Mouth, and now published for general Service.

THE THIRD EDITION,

Also, an entertaining Narrative of the cruel and barbarous Treatment and extreme Sufferings of

Mr. JOHN DODGE,

During his Captivity of many Months among the British, at Detroit.

IN WHICH IS ALSO CONTAINED,

A particular Detail of the Sufferings of a Virginian, who died in their Hands.

Written by himself; and now published to satisfy the Curiosity of every one throughout the United States.

THE SECOND EDITION.

*** All the above Books, with a Variety of other small Books, &c. will be sold to Shop keepers, Travelling-Traders, &c. at the very lowest Rate, if they purchase by the Hundred, Groce or Dozen.

* * * * *

In these sceptical and agnostic days it may sound a little strange, and perhaps to some seem quite absurd, that the authorities of Harvard in 1791 felt obliged publicly to deny that Gibbon's History was used as a text-book at the University. But with the exception perhaps of Tom Paine, no one in this country had then ventured to assail the literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Probably the masses of the people then believed that "Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stand still, and they obeyed him," that Jonah was swallowed by the whale, and that

"In Adam's fall, We sinned all."

Of course there were exceptions. Therefore, although Gibbon might be an able writer, it was not safe for young men to study his works, simply because he had thrown doubt or derision on the Christian miracles. So when it was reported that a growing liberality of sentiment was being manifested at Cambridge, and that Gibbon's "Decline and Fall" was to be used, doubtless no little excitement was roused; and hence the notice. Before this time doubts concerning many cherished doctrines had been openly expressed in Boston, Cambridge, Salem, and other places; but Gibbon had rejected and attacked the whole Christian system as false, which was a very different matter.

For the CENTINEL.

MR. RUSSELL,

A WRITER in the CENTINEL of the last Saturday, under the signature of Christianus, says, "that an abridgment of GIBBON'S history (if his information be true) is directed to make a part of the studies of the young gentlemen at our University." I now beg leave, through the channel of your paper, to acquaint that writer, as also the publick, that his information is not true. The system taught is MILLOT'S Elements of General History, ancient and modern, and GIBBON'S history was never thought of for the purpose.

JOSEPH WILLARD, President. Cambridge, Nov. 14, 1791.



* * * * *

THE CHOLERA.—It is worthy of remark that the word occurs in two passages of the Bible, both in Ecclesiasticus, and both places in connexion with directions and exhortations to a sober temperate mode of living, which is still recommended as the best preservative against this disorder.

Salem Observer, 1832.

* * * * *

The character of Boston ladies in 1788 is set forth in a letter in the "Herald of Freedom." The writer gives his observations on the error of committing children too much to the care of nurses; also makes reference to teaching the catechism, etc., showing the value of early religious training. There can be no doubt, we think, that the old methods were in some respects superior to the present, where in many cases young children are left to Sunday-school teachers, or, as is often the case, receive no religious instruction whatever, for fear, as we have often heard it stated, that they might imbibe some false doctrinal notions at an age when the deepest impressions are made.

* * * * *

For the HERALD of FREEDOM.

LETTER IX.

DEAR PIERRE,

No moments glide away more agreeably than those that are employed in writing to a friend. Happy am I in having frequent opportunities of exhibiting my sentiments to you, and in return receiving yours, which palliates in some degree, the sorrow our separation occasions.——The glaring absurdities of the dress of the Boston ladies, occupied the greatest part of my two last letters. It is but just to say something of their more laudable qualities; amongst which, maternal affection deservedly claims precedence.—The barbarous customs of Europe, in this particular, have not as yet, and I hope never will be, practised here. Mothers in this country are so much attached to their tender offspring, as to forego all the pleasures of life (or rather what are so termed in Europe) in attending to their nurture, from which they derive the most superlative of all enjoyments, the heart-felt satisfaction of having done their duty to their God and country, in giving robust, healthy and virtuous citizens to the State. The effeminacy of exotic fashion has not at present extended its pernicious influence so far as to induce them to commit the rearing of their children to mercenary nurses, who are sometimes the very dregs of a people; and whose vicious habits of taking a drop of the good creature to drown sorrow, does not promise redundancy of health and vigour to those suckled by them—on the contrary, children thus unnaturally thrown from the arms of a parent into those of a nurse, are, almost without exception, weak and puny; of irrascible tempers and vicious inclinations.—Nor does the attention of the ladies expire with the infancy of their children—they still are unwearied in instructing them as they increase in years, and assiduously endeavour to inculcate principles of virtue into their young minds at a time when they are most liable to make a deep impression—to accomplish which, they never fail to teach them the catechism, Lord's prayer, &c. &c. all of which they oblige them to learn, because they are perfectly adapted to their comprehension, though many parts of the catechism are altogether incomprehensible to most adults.—Yet this is not strange to those who credit the scriptures; nor does it appear the least inconsistent—for there it says, "God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise."—Therefore, the wonder that children should be able to understand that, which is the foundation of all polemical divinity, vanishes, when we try it by the touchstone of scripture, which is the criterion by which we ought to judge.—When they are thus instructed in the rudiments of virtue, they are seldom known to apostatize; so that for a native to become dissolute and abandoned, is very rare.—Indeed they have characters of this kind who emigrate from old countries; but they soon find employment for such gentry, by obliging them to labour for the publick good, and "work out their salvation by the sweat of their brow."—Thus the community is not only delivered from such pests, but experience beneficial effects from their confinement. Knavery, though rarely found in a native, is not entirely extirpated from the breasts of some among them.

* * * * *

Remarkable instances of longevity.

LONGEVITY. Mafeus, who wrote the history of the Indies, which has always been a model of veracity as well as elegant composition, mentions a native of Bengal, named Numas de Cugna, who died 1566, at the age of 370. He was a man of great simplicity and quite illiterate; but of so extensive a memory, that he was a kind of living chronicle, relating distinctly and exactly what had happened within his knowledge in the compass of his life, together with all the circumstances attending it. He had four new sets of teeth; and the color of his hair and beard had been very frequently changed from black to grey, and from grey to black. He asserted that in the course of his life, he had 700 wives, some of whom had died, and the others he had put away. The first century of his life passed in idolatry, from which he was converted to Mahometanism, which he continued to profess to his death.—The account is also confirmed by another Portuguese author, Ferdinand Lopez Casteguedo, who was historiographer royal.

Salem Observer, Feb. 22, 1834.

* * * * *

LONDON, May 28.

Remarkable Instances of Longevity in Europe.

THOMAS PARRE, of Shropshire, died on the 16th of November, 1635, aged 152.

James Bowes, of Killinworth, in Shropshire, died the 15th of August, 1656, aged 152.

Anonymous, of Yorkshire, aged 140, and his son, aged 100, were both living, and attended to give evidence at York Assize, in 1664.

F. Sagar, of Lancashire, died in January, 1668, aged 112.

Henry Jenkins, of Yorkshire, died on the 8th of December, 1670, aged 169.

Robert Montgomery, of Yorkshire, was living in 1670, aged 126.

Countess of Desmond, Ireland, aged 140.

Mr. Ecleston, of Ireland, died 1691, aged 143.

Mr. Lawrence, of Scotland, living, aged 140.

Mary Gore, born at Collinworth, in Yorkshire, lived 100 years in Ireland, and died at Dublin in 1727, aged 125.

Mr. Ellis, of Surrey, died about 1748, aged 137.

Simon Sack, of Trionia, died on the 30th of May, 1761, aged 141.

Col. Thomas Winsloe, of Ireland, died on the 12th of August, 1766, aged 156.

Francis Consist, of Yorkshire, died in January, 1768, aged 150.

Francis Bons, of France, died on the 6th of February, 1769, aged 124.

Christopher Jacob Drakenberg, of Norway, a boatswain in the Danish navy, died on the 24th of June, 1770, aged 146.

Margaret Forster, of Cumberland, aged 136.

Gen. Oglethorpe died in August last, aged 103.

A goldsmith, of France, died in June, 1776, aged 140.

Mary Yates, of Shropshire, died in 1776, aged 128.

John Brookley, of Devonshire, living in 1777, aged 134.

Miss Ellis, daughter of Mr. Ellis, of Surrey, died in 1781, aged 104.

Mr. Froome, of Holms-Chapel, in Cheshire, died in May last, aged 125.

Mary M'Donald, county of Down, in Ireland, died on the 16th of June last, aged 118.

Mary Cameron, of Invernessshire, in Scotland, died in July last, aged 130.

Miss Ellis, of Richmond, in Surrey, living on the 16th of August last, aged 105.

Mr. Rowe, at Nutwell-House, in Scotland, died in August last, aged 106.

Donald McKeen, of Argyleshire, in Scotland, died in September last, aged 109.

John Button, of Liverpool, died on the 18th of November last, the oldest burgess of that borough upon record; he lived in six reigns, being born in the reign of James II.

Mr. Smith, a farmer, at Dolver, in Montgomeryshire, died in November last, aged 103: He was never known to drink any thing but buttermilk.

John Follart, woolcomber, at Norney, near the city of Exeter, living and in good health on the 30th of November last, aged 121; he works still at his business, and retains his faculties.

Massachusetts Gazette, Sept. 1, 1786.

* * * * *

PHILADELPHIA, August 19.

Instances of Longevity in America.

In South-America there was said, in the year 1785, to be a negro woman living, aged about 175; she remembered her first master, who died in 1615, and that he gave her away with some other property towards sounding a school.

Some years ago there was living in Virginia, a native of Ireland, who at the age of 109, was able to work at the taylor's trade without spectacles; and what renders this case more remarkable, he was naturally very intemperate, and would get drunk as often as he could get liquor.

In the year 1776, died one Mr. Payne, in Fairfax, Virginia, upwards of 100 years of age.

Died, November, 1782, in this city, Mr. Edward Drinker, almost 102, being born December 24, 1680, in Philadelphia.

In the year 1782, there was living, near this city (and perhaps may be still living) a healthy negro woman, able to walk several miles in a day, and wash clothes, who was then, as near as she could tell, about 103.——She remembers her being brought to this city before any houses were built here.

Died last summer, in New-York, Mrs. Slock, aged 108 years and one half.

Last winter died at Jones's creek, a branch of Pee Dee, in North-Carolina, Mr. Mathew Bayley, aged 136: he was baptised when 134 years old; had good eye sight, strength of body and mind until his death.

There was a woman living last winter, in Uxbridge, state of Massachusetts, of the name of Aldrich, and likely to live many years, who has 12 children, all living, and has lived till 25 of the fifth generation are born, the eldest of which is more than eleven years of age.

Died on Tuesday the 1st inst. at Hudson, in New-York, Mrs. Christina de Lametter, in the 94th year of her age. She died merely of old age, without any kind of disease or fever; but descended very slowly and patiently to the bottom of the hill of life. She was a woman, who, through life, has been remarkable for her silent resignation to the divine will. What renders the last part of her life remarkable, is, that she lived 39 days without any sustenance whatever, except about two spoonfuls of wine with water daily; the vital motions and functions being so near a cessation, that the solids needed no reparation; yet she retained all her senses to the last moment.

In the year 1774, died at Danvers, in Massachusetts, Mr. —— Nelson, aged 106 years.

Massachusetts Gazette, Sept. 1, 1786.

* * * * *

STOCKHOLM, Aug. 8.

A widow lately died near Landscrone, aged 118 years. She continued to get a livelihood by spinning till she was 116.

Salem Mercury, Nov. 25, 1786.

* * * * *

DINNER IN "OLD TIMES."

It was an old custom in New England to begin dinner with pudding instead of soup. Many persons of the last generation may remember, as the writer distinctly does, seeing old people who still adhered to this practice as late certainly as from 1850 to 1860. The writer was once at a dinner where all the family began with soup except the father, a gentleman of the old school, who had a piece cut from a fresh-baked plum-pudding. He remarked to the company that such had always been his practice; and so he excused himself for keeping to his own fashion of dining. The custom of eating pudding before meat is still very common in Yorkshire, England. The following extract from a Boston paper of 1819 shows that John Adams, in 1817, kept up the old style of dinner, which, as might perhaps be imagined, was not confined to the common people, so called.

In "old times" it was customary to say to children, "Those who eat the most pudding shall have the most meat."

Extract from the "Narrative of a Journey of 5000 miles through the Eastern and Western States of America," in 1817.—By Henry B. Fearon, an Englishman.

PRESIDENT ADAMS.

The ex-president is a handsome old gentleman of eighty-four; his lady is seventy-six: she has the reputation of superior talents, and great literary acquirements. I was not perfectly a stranger here, as a few days previous to this I had received the honor of an hospitable reception at their mansion. Upon the present occasion the minister (the day being Sunday) was of the dinner party. As a table of a "late king" may amuse some of you, take the following particulars:—first course, a pudding made of Indian corn, molasses and butter;—second, veal, bacon, neck of mutton, potatoes, cabbages, carrots, and Indian beans; Madeira wine, of which each drank two glasses. We sat down to dinner at one o'clock; at two, nearly all went a second time to church. For tea, we had pound cake, sweet bread and butter, and bread made of Indian corn and rye, similar to our brown home-made. Tea was brought from the kitchen, and handed round by a neat white servant girl.

The establishment of this political patriarch consists of a house two stories high, containing, I believe, eight rooms; of two men and three maid servants; three horses and a plain carriage. How great is the contrast between this individual, a man of knowledge and information—without pomp, parade, vitious and expensive establishments, as compared with the costly trappings, the depraved characters, and the profligate expenditure of —— House, and ——! What a lesson in this does America teach! There are now in this land no less than three Cincinnati!

* * * * *

Hogs in New York streets.

Yesterday forenoon, while in Broadway, we witnessed another instance of the impropriety of suffering Hogs to run at large in our streets. A highly respectable and most worthy young lady, was literally run down by a large Hog that was pursued by a dog. In her fall, her breast struck the curb stone, and she was considerably injured. After she had partially recovered, the gentleman at whose store she had made some purchases, kindly conveyed her to her father's house in a carriage. The reader may easily imagine the distressing effect produced on the mind of a fond parent, at the sight of a darling child, whose pale cheeks plainly indicated her situation. —> What would not the citizens of Boston say of their Police, if Hogs were permitted to run loose in the streets?

Columbian Centinel, Boston [1817].

* * * * *

English blunders about America in 1802.

From the (Newyork) EVENING POST.

SPECIMENS of the IGNORANCE and BLUNDERS of English Geographers, Tourists, &c. &c. with respect to AMERICA.

THE Rev. R. Turner, who has published a book called Classical Geography, gives the following account of the cities of Philadelphia and Newyork. "Philadelphia, (says he) is the finest and best situated city in America, containing thirty thousand houses and one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants, who are mostly quakers!!!"—"Newyork contains three thousand houses and twelve thousand inhabitants!"

Another book, intitled Guthrie's improved Geography, after setting forth in the preface that their (the Editors) relation of America, will be found both satisfactory and complete, as they have not only carefully examined the works of the celebrated Morse, but likewise applied to several other authentic sources, which have enabled them to give the best information in the most satisfactory manner, states that "the city of Newyork contains five thousand inhabitants, chiefly of Dutch extraction." Here is pretty strong evidence of the diligence of these London bookmakers, as to applying to the most authentic sources of information, as they profess to have done. An imposition of this kind in any American publication, would afford a fine opportunity for an English Reviewer to rail against our national honesty.

The very last edition of Guthrie's original work, describing the river Hudson, states that this river is navigable to Albany, which is "six hundred miles from Newyork."

An English Tourist, whose name is not just now recollected, has published a volume of his travels through the United States, in which he speaks particularly of the orderly manner in which Elections are conducted in the city of Newyork. "On the appointed day, says he, all the citizens take care to be at home at a certain hour, at which time the inspectors of the election go through the city with ballot boxes in their hands, and call at every door for votes, whereupon the citizens step to their doors and deposit their ballots in these same small boxes, which are straightway carried to the City Hall; the votes are there examined, and thus the election is determined in a few hours, without uproar or inconvenience!!!"

An English Editor of a work, called the German Museum, in his translation of some memoirs of Major Andre, records, that this unfortunate officer was taken and hanged "at the west point of America."

A London paper some time ago made mention of certain improvements which were taking place in Newyork, with a view to promote the health of the city, and observed that our corporation were erecting a range of permanent wharves on one side of the city, which were to extend from Corlear's Hook to the Battery along the Delaware River!

Some notice shall be taken hereafter of the misrepresentations and falsehoods of Laincourt, Weld, Bulow, and a number of others, relative to the United States.

An AMERICAN. Worcester Spy.



* * * * *

SECRET LOVE.

From a very rare volume of old Poetry.

The fountaines smoake, and yet no flame they shewe; Starres shine all night though undeserned by daye; And trees do spring yet are not seen to growe; And shadowes move although they seem to staye; In winters woe is buried summers bliss, And love loves most, when love most secret is.

The stillest streame descries the greatest deepe; The clearest skye is subject to a shower; Conceit's most sweete, when as it seems to sleepe; And fairest dayes do in the morning lower: The silent groves, sweete nymphes theye cannot misse, For love loves most, when love most secret is.

The rarest jewels hidden virtue yield. The sweete of traffique is a secret game; The yeere once old doth show a barren field And plants seeme dead, and yet they spring again. Cupid is blind; the reason why, is this, Love loveth most, when love most secret is.

Salem Register, 1827.

* * * * *

George the Fourth.—The attributes of this potentate, who was the most popular monarch England has had for many years, are thus severely described, by Thomas Jefferson in his correspondence of 1789.

"He has not a single element of mathematics, of natural and moral philosophy, or of any other science on earth, nor has the society he kept been such as to supply the void of education. It has been that of the lowest, the most illiterate and profligate persons of the kingdom without choice of rank or mind & with whom the subjects of conversation are only horses, drinking matches, bawdy houses, and in terms the most vulgar. The young nobility, who begin by associating with him, soon leave him disgusted with the insupportable profligacy of his society; and Mr. Fox, who has been supposed his favorite, and not over nice in the choice of his company, would never keep his company habitually.

"He has not a single idea of justice, morality, religion or of the rights of men, or any anxiety for the opinion of the world. He carries that indifference to fame so far, that he would probably not be hurt were he to lose his throne, provided he could be assured of always having meat, drink, horses & women."

Essex Register, Aug. 26, 1830.

* * * * *

President Stiles of Yale College on the public revenue.

Extract from President STILES's Election Sermon.

BUT I pass on to another subject in which the welfare of a community is deeply concerned, I mean the publick revenues. National character and national faith depend on these. Every people, every large community is able to furnish a revenue adequate to the exigences of government. But this is a most difficult subject; and what the happiest method of raising it, is uncertain. One thing is certain, that however in most kingdoms and empires the people are taxed at the will of the prince, yet in America, the people tax themselves, and therefore cannot tax themselves beyond their abilities. But whether the power of taxing be in an absolute monarchy, a power independent of the people, or in a body elected by the people, one great error has, I apprehend, entered into the system of Revenue and Finance in almost all nations, viz. restricting the collection to money. Two or three millions can more easily be raised in produce, than one million in money. This collected and deposited in stores and magazines, would, by bills drawn upon these stores, answer all the expenditures of war and peace. In one country it has been tried with success for ages; I mean in China, the wisest empire the sun hath ever shined upon. And here, if I recollect aright, not a tenth of the Imperial revenues hath been collected in money. In rice, wheat and millet only are collected 40 millions of sacks, of one hundred and twenty pounds each, equal to 80 million bushels; in raw and wrought silk one million pounds. The rest is taken in salt, wines, cotton, and other fruits of labour and industry, at a certain ratio per cent. and deposited in stores over all the empire. The perishable commodities are immediately sold, and the Mandarins and army are paid by bills on these magazines. In no part of the world are the inhabitants less oppressed than there.

Massachusetts Gazette, Sept. 29, 1786.

* * * * *

Religiously Inclined.—A gentleman perceiving a fellow leaning against the front of St. Paul's church yesterday, who was unable to stand without some such support, asked him if he was going to join the church. 'No,' replied Bottlenose, 'not edzactly to jine, but I'm only lean—leanin'—that way.'

New Era [1837].

* * * * *

Meaning of the word.

GENTLEMEN. How the signification of words alter in the course of a century. There was a time when all persons in England, below the rank of an Esquire, were divided into Gentlemen, Yeomen and Rascals. The former word is now used to signify the individuals of the first order—those whom you would take by the hand in the street, and sup with of an evening. The second term retains pretty nearly its original meaning. But to make an application of the latter appellative at this time, would operate as an invitation to be knocked down. 'Gentlemen,' is used in opposition among the old chronicles to 'simple man,' and neither in any very exalted sense. It is on record, that the French Princess, De La Roche Sur Yon, receiving a sharp reply from a Knight, to whom she gave the epithet of 'Gentilhomme,' was told by the King, to whom she complained, that she deserved all she got, for so offending, herself, in the first instance. The lower people in England were commonly 'the Rascality'—equivalent to the 'Canaille' of the French, or our own significant Rabble of the present day.

In what sense do they use the word 'Gentlemen' in Congress—Eh?—Charleston Gaz.

Salem Observer, April 3, 1820.

Professional ANECDOTE of Dr. FRANKLIN.

WHEN he came to Philadelphia, in 1723, he was first employed by one Keimer, an eccentric genius, as a pressman, for he was then printing an elegy of his own composition, on the death of Aisquila Rose—and as he had but one small font of types, and used no copy, but composed the elegy in the press, he could not employ him in the composition. Keimer was a visionary, whose mind was frequently elevated above the little concerns of life, and consequently very subject to make mistakes, which he seldom took the pains to correct. Franklin had frequently reasoned with him upon the importance of accuracy in his profession, but in vain. His fertile head however soon furnished him with an opportunity to second his arguments by proof.—They soon after undertook an impression of a primer that had been lately published in New-England.—Franklin overlooked the piece; and when his master had set the following couplet—

When the last trumpet soundeth, We shall not all die, But we shall all be changed In the twinkling of an eye,

He privately removed the letter c, and it was printed off—

When the last trumpet soundeth, We shall not all die, But we shall all be hanged In the twinkling of an eye.

Herald of Freedom, June 23, 1790.

SURNAMES.

In the Cambridge Chronicle of Saturday, August 1, 1772, is an advertisement said to have been taken from the Canterbury Journal, which beggars the list of surnames lately enumerated:

"Mary Scaredevil, widow of the late William Scaredevil, of Maidstone, does, by the assistance of the Almighty, intend to carry on the business of Whitesmith, and hopes for the favors and recommendations of the gentlemen and ladies whom the late William Scaredevil had the pleasure to serve, which will be gratefully acknowledged by their most humble servant,

MARY SCAREDEVIL."

Salem Gazette, Nov., 1805.

* * * * *

Launching of the "Grand Turk."

Thursday last being a very pleasant day, great numbers of people assembled to see the launching of the large and beautiful ship from Mr. DERBY'S wharf. They were, however, disappointed in the pleasure they expected, by her stopping when she had run about half her length: and all the efforts which could be made were ineffectual in getting her off at that time: the next day, however, with the aid of proper apparatus, and the assistance of the people assembled, she was again put in motion, and gained the water.—The name of The Grand Turk is revived in this ship, heretofore borne by a ship belonging to Mr. DERBY, remarkably successful as a privateer in the late war, and which was some time since sold in India.

The ingenious Mr. ENOS BRIGGS, from the North River, was the master-builder of the new ship Grand Turk.

A CARD.

Mr. E.H. DERBY requests his fellow-townsmen and others, to accept his sincere thanks for their ready and unwearied exertions to enable him to complete the launching of his Ship. MAY 21.

Mr. CUSHING,

The following lines were addressed to the Ship GRAND TURK, while launching. They are at your service.

Your's, Z.

The swelling waves roll joyfully along, To greet thee, welcome to the azure main; The gaping multitude in anxious throng, Their ardent—vacant—tumult—scarce restrain.

Slow o'er the lubrick ways—immense—you move, High o'er the stern your flowing honours stand, In distant climes, on unknown seas to prove The matchless glory of your native land.

For thee—the lofty Cedar nods alone, The sturdy Oak its honours lopp'd deplores, The forest mourns its tallest beauties gone To waft Columbian treasure—to the Indian shores.

Doom'd to resist the rage of warring waves, Whilst rushing winds impel your foaming way: The firm built sides their utmost fury brave. The tempest mock—and in the whirlwind play.

Safe may you reach your distant—destin'd port, Nor rocks—nor treach'rous sands—oppose your fame, May gentle winds your swelling topsails court, And thousands shout you welcome home again.

Salem Gazette, May 24, 1791.

* * * * *

The oldest person who had lived in Salem up to 1791.

On Friday last, the venerable Mr. JOHN SYMONDS, of this town, entered the one hundredth year of his age. He is the only male person who has arrived at that great age, from the first settlement of the town by the English in 1629 to this day.

* * * * *

Irish Litany.

DUBLIN, May 11.

To the Printers of the Rights of Irishmen.

GENTLEMEN,

I am enabled by an invisible power to communicate to you, a Litany sanctioned by me, and to be adopted by the professors of the patriotic religion of Ireland; a Litany which breathes the spirit of that freedom which I professed when on earth, and has been here on eternal record; if its principle and doctrine tend to enlighten and emancipate your country, it will add (if possible) to that indescribable happiness enjoyed by him, whom, without vanity, I may now call the virtuous and patriotic

MIRABEAU.

Elysium, 5th Feb. 1792.

THE LITANY.

1st. Let there be a free, equal, and general representation of your people in Parliament.

And all the people shall say amen.

2d. Let there be a reform of your church, an abolition of tithes, and let each sect maintain its own pastor.

And all, &c.

3d. Let the people of my terrestrial country be an example to your people, and let their freedom be your freedom.

And all, &c.

4th. Let the fetters which the nobles of your land have forged, be broken asunder; and let those who earn, distribute the bread of Ireland.

And all, &c.

5th. Let each man freely worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.

And all, &c.

6th. Let christians be philosophers, and let philosophers be christians.

And all, &c.

7th. Let the rich few no longer be supported by taxes on the many and unrepresented poor.

And all, &c.

8th. Let all the sons of Hibernia be free—yea, even as free as the negroes[D] of Africa.

And all, &c.

9th. Let truth never be deemed a libel, and let the Liberty of your Press be extended.

And all, &c.

10th. Let the noble (tho enlisted) sons of Ireland never become the hired assassins of their countrymen.

And all, &c.

11th. Let the army which eats the bread of Ireland, be her guardian and protector, and not the base invader of her rights and liberties.

And all, &c.

12th. Let him who first proposed a mortgage on the revenues of Ireland, be accursed in the annals of your country.

And all, &c.

13th. Let yourselves no longer be the slaves of religion, or sect, or party, but the united sons of freedom and philosophy.

And all, &c.

14th. Let the majesty of your king reflect the majesty of your people.

And all, &c.

Mirabeau scripsit.

Salem Gazette, 1792.

[D] Vide Wilberforce on the emancipation of the slaves.

* * * * *

Boston School of Fashion in 1807.

Robert Smallpeace,

At his DRESSING ACADEMY, and SCHOOL of FASHION, in MILK STREET, opposite the South door of the Old South,



REMINDS the Sons and Daughters of Fashion and Beauty, that tho' they may possess every latent excellence, yet they require the improving hand of ART, like rough diamonds, to obtain the polish and brilliancy of the first water. What is elegance of form or contour of beauty without improvement? like "a light hid under a bushel," or whatever can be conceived to be most unlike:—And it is a lamentable fact, that

Full many a mind is rear'd with toil and care, To waste its worth—by SLOV'NLINESS in HAIR.

The tailor, or milliner, may encase us with taste and elegance; the dancing master teach us the steps of ease and dignity; the musician instruct us in our throats and fingers; and the preceptor may inform our minds; and yet, with all these accomplishments, can we even be PASSABLE, if the highest accomplishment of all be neglected? and the HEAD be left to its own "disorder worse confounded," exhibiting a "paltry crown of mud and straw," placed upon an "edifice of ivory and gold!"—and further—

What though the EYE voluptuous roll, The FORM possess each heavenly grace; Say, can they ANY HEART control, Draw FRIENDSHIP near—bid LOVE take place, 'Till SMALLPEACE touch them!—he whose trade is, T' make Gods of Men—and Goddesses of Ladies!

—> SMALLPEACE has elegant apartments for Ladies and Gentlemen; and will be found constantly at "the post of honour," and attendance, to wait upon them.

Oct. 17 [1807]. Columbian Centinel.

* * * * *

The novels of 1833; from the "Salem Observer," July 13.

The decidedly bad moral tendency of some of the most popular novels of the times is forcibly depicted in a magazine recently established in England, by two of the sons of William Cobbett, in the following language:—

"Would you seduce a wife? Falkland shall teach you to do it with gravity and dignity. Would you murder? Eugene Aram shall show you its necessity for the public advantage. Would you rob? Paul Clifford shall convince you of the injustice of security, and of the abominableness of the safety of a purse on a moonlight night.—Would you eat? Turn to Harry Bertram and Dandy Dinmont to the round of beef. Would you drink? Friar Tuck is the jolliest of companions. Would you dance, dress, and drawl? Pelham shall take you into tuition. Would you lie, fawn, and flatter? Andrew Wylie shall instruct you to crawl upward, without the slime betraying your path. Would you yawn, doze, sleep, or dream? Cloudesly shall do it for you, for the space of the first volume."

* * * * *

THOMAS MOORE.

Hostile feelings to the Americans having been imputed to the poet MOORE in the first number of the (London) Westminster Review, the following paragraph appeared in the London Times of the 4th Feb., 1824.

"In the first number of the Westminster Review, just published, there is an article upon a late work of Mr. Moore's, in which the writer says, 'Mr. Moore has resided in America, and, we understand, speaks of the Americans with unbounded dislike and contempt.' In this assertion we can confidently state, the writer is entirely mistaken. Whatever opinions Mr. Moore may have hastily formed, when a very young man, with respect to the character and institutions of the Americans, we know that he has long since learned to correct them, and to feel towards that people all the admiration and respect which the noble example they set to the other nations of the world demands."

Boston Telegraph, 1824.

* * * * *

From the "Salem Gazette," Sept. 6, 1811.

Aiken's blood-letting Sermon

for sale by Cushing & Appleton.

* * * * *

From the "Boston Transcript," Dec., 1834.

OLD TIMES.—Mr. Thatcher stated, in his Lecture before the Boston Lyceum, that the Old Latin School in this City was commenced two hundred years ago, according to the records of the Town, which begin at the same year. For a long time it was the only school; and there was no writing school among us until November, 1684, (just 150 years since.) Master Cheever presided over the Latin 38 years, till he died at 93. He was the teacher of two of the Mathers, and the second Doctor said of him in an obituary essay, with his own peculiar felicity, that

——to vast age he grew, Till Time's scythe waiting for him rusty grew.

Lovell was his second successor, and held on 92 years, till in 1776 he left the town a Loyalist. The old gentleman had a house furnished for him in School street, and a garden that reached nearly to Court street, which his best boys were allowed to till; and they had also the privilege as a reward of merit of sawing his wood and bottling his cider.—The Lecturer remarked that this was the first manual labor school he had heard of.

* * * * *

A quotation from Scripture.

"In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired."

* * * * *

From the "Salem Observer," 1840.

LITERARY CURIOSITY. The following letter was written by a young gentleman to his "lady love," under the direction and eye of a rigid old father. The understanding, however, between the lovers, was, that she should read only every other line, beginning with the first. Love is full of expedients.

MADAM,—

The great love I have hitherto expressed for you is false, and I find that my indifference, toward you increases daily; the more I see of you, the more you appear in my eyes an object of contempt.— I feel myself every way disposed and determined to hate you. Believe me, I never had an intention to offer you my hand. Our last conversation has left a tedious insipidity, which has by no means given me the most exalted idea of your character; your temper would make me extremely unhappy, and if we are united, I shall experience nothing but the hatred of my parents, added to their everlasting dis- pleasure in living with you. I have, indeed, a heart to bestow, but I do not wish you to imagine it is at your service; I could not give it to any one more inconsistent and capricious than yourself, and less capable to do honor to my choice and to my family.— Yes, Madam, I trust you will be persuaded that I speak sincerely; and you will do me a favor to avoid me. I shall excuse your taking the trouble to answer this. Your letters are always full of impertinence, and you have not the least shadow of wit or good sense. Adieu! Adieu! believe me, I am so averse to you that it is impossible for me ever to be your affectionate friend and ardent lover.



Transcriber's note: Text version *** Represents Inverted Asterism —> Represents Right Index

THE END