Page images
PDF
EPUB

1

[blocks in formation]

bers of a great commonwealth, who will require all their faculties in her service, and will reward them with all her honors. The trust is betrayed-irretrievably betrayed, when education is narrowed or withheld on the false and flimsy pretext that they are intended for a sphere in life in which a complete education will be useless or unnecessary. Forget not that the youth of America are not doomed by any circumstances of birth or fortune, to walk through life in a circumscribed, obscure and inglorious path. Every avenue "to honour and wealth lies at his feet, and invites his step. Every excitement that can stimulate a noble and aspiring beart urges him to advance." He is bound down to no fixed occupation or pursuit. He may change the object as his pleasure, his interest or his ambition may prompt. I may repeat what I have earnestly said, on another occasion, "he may begin life in a counting house, and end it on the bench of justice-in his youth he may be engaged in some mechanic art, and at a mature age, find himself leading the councils of his country, or teaching the sublime truths of religion from the altars of his God."

The father of Daniel Webster was the cultivator of a few acres in a remote and obscure corner of the Union. He supported himself and his family by his personal labor; literally by the sweat of his brow. To a selfish and short-sighted view, his son was destined for no higher employment; and had his father reasoned as selfish and short-sighted parents do, he would have thought it to be time and money thrown away, to have given his son an education beyond the wants of his situation, and would have hurried him from his grammar and arithmetic, that he might have the benefit of his labor in the corn field. But he neither reasoned nor acted thus. He was worthy to be the father of such a son. He afforded him the best and fullest instruction. What a harvest did this wise and excellent parent reap. When his son rose to the high eminence he occupies, with what a conscious and noble pride, with a heart over flowing with rapture, he could say-This is the fruit of the labor of my hands; this is the reward of my affection and care. The boy of the woods is the man of the nation; giving honour to his country, and receiving it from her, his fame and her fame spread together to every part of the civilized world. Who would deprive a son of the chance of such distinction, for a year more or less at college? Who would deprive himself of the possibility of such a gratification for a sordid calculation of the time and expense of such an education.

[AUGUST

or a true friend, a more cherished companion, a more interesting, beloved and loving husband, a more valuable and respected parent.

GENTLEMEN,-My design in this address has been with the earnestness of a friend, and in the most familiar tone of counsel, to point out to you the true objects of your ambition; to remind you of the high duties and responsibilities imposed upon you, and to stimulate you by the most urgent and honorable inducements to the performance of those duties, to the full accomplishment of your high destinies, and the gratification of the hopes your country and friends entertain of your future eminence and usefulness.

TAXING THE NAVY YARD.

The dispute which has long existed in relation to the non-payment of taxes by the Navy Yard, having created dissatisfaction, a resolution was passed by the corpora tion of Southwark, requiring the opinion of the solicitor on the subject, and on the reading of the same, it was on motion, unanimously ordered to be published.

T. D. GROVER, President. OPINION.

2o the Honourable Board of Commissioners of the District of Southwark.

GENTLEMEN-In compliance with a resolution communicated to me of your honourable body, “requesting the opinion of the Solicitor respecting the cession of the jurisdiction of the Navy Yard to the United States, so far as the same respects the exoneration from the payment of taxes," having considered of the subject, I respectfully submit the result of my investigation.

The question would seem naturally to branch itself into a two-fold division; first, whether the legislature of Pennsylvania possessed a constitutional right to make the cession under contemplation; secondly, admitting the constitutionality of the cession, whether by its scope and tenor the right to taxation of the Navy Yard was extinguished. The movers of the resolution, however, having conceded, and very judiciously, the constitutionality of the legislative cession, I shall confine myself exclusively to the second proposition—the import of the cession-Do, then, the terms of it exonerate the Navy Yard from taxation?

the United States:" reserving a right to re-assume jurisdiction over the same when it shall have ceased to be occupied for the purpose of a Navy Yard, with a proviso for the execution of all civil and criminal process therein, to prevent its becoming a sanctuary for offend

[ocr errors]

What is the language of the legislature? That "all the jurisdiction, right, title, property and interest of this Commonwealth, over, in and to the territory now To recur again to the address from which I have al- in the possession of the United States and occupied as ready quoted "the American parent does an injustice a Navy Yard, &c. is hereby ceded and conveyed, toto his child which he can never repair, for which no in-gether with all the buildings, &c. to the government of heritance can compensate, who refuses to give him a full education, because he is not intended for a learned profession-whatever he may intend he cannot know to what his son may come; and, if there should be no change in this respect, will a liberal education be lost upon him because he is not a lawyer, a doctor or a di-ers and a refuge for fugitives. vine? Nothing can be more untrue or pernicious than this opinion. It is impossible to imagine a citizen of this commanwealth to be in any situation in which the discipline and acquirements of a collegiate education, however various and extended, will not have their value. They will give him consideration and usefulness, which will be seen and felt in his daily intercourse of business or pleasure; they will give him weight and worth as a member of society; and be a never failing source of honourable, virtuous and lasting enjoyments under all circumstances, and in every station of life. They will preserve him from the delusion of dangerous errors, and the seductions of degrading and destructive vices. The gambling table will not be resorted to, to hasten the slow and listless step of time, when the library offers a surer and more attractive resource. The bottle will not be applied to, to stir the languid spirit to action and delight, when the magic of the poet is at hand to rouse the imagination, and pour its fascinating wonders on the soul. Such gifts, such acquirements, will make their possess

In my opinion then, when the legislature thus surrendered all the jurisdiction, right, title, property and interest of the Commonwealth," it also included ipso facto, "all the jurisdiction, right, title, property and interest of this Corporation." The Constitution of the United States, (Sect. VIII. Art. 1.) declares that Congress shall have power "to exercise exclusive legis lation over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the samne shall be, for the erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, Dock Yards, and other needful buildings;" therefore agreeably to this clause of the Constitution, not only by this express legislative surrender of the territory, but even from the time of the assent of the state to its purchase by the national government, the Navy Yard in the district of Southwark became to all intents and purposes as much the independent territory of the United States (with the exception of the reservations before mentioned) as the Arkansas, Michigan, the District of Columbia, or any other territory possessed by them: it was a complete

[blocks in formation]

The absolute and entire divestiture of all state control appears to me, from the unambiguous language of the Constitution, so demonstrative and self-evident a position as needs no support of the corroboratory citation of authorities.

I might multiply them with facility, but shall content myself with a brief quotation from the opinion of Judge Story, in the case of the United States v. Cornell-2 Mason's Rep. 63. The constitutional learning of a Judge who so brilliantly ornaments the illustrious bench of which he is a shining and conspicuous member, it were superfluous to eulogize.

141

ouster of all state jurisdiction, a perfect, absolute and stone house, which was put out as soon as they left it. entire ademption of all state sovereignty over the place. At break of day, Major Lewis was sent with 200 men, By the cession, therefore, of the legislature of "all ju- (royal Americans and Virginians,) to lie in ambush a risdiction," and the assumption of the federal govern-mile and a half from the main body, on the path on ment of "exclusive legislation," the right to taxation which they left their baggage, imagining the French both by the State and by this Corporation, a creature of would send to attack the baggage guard and seize it. its sovereign-the state, is, I think, undoubtedly com- Four hundred men were posted along the hill facing prehended, and intended to be embraced; taxation, the Fort, to cover the retreat of Capt. M'Donald's comquestionless, being a portion of jurisdiction and a branch pany, who marched with drums beating towards the of legislation, and undeniably included in the words Fort, in order to draw a party out of the Fort, as Major "ALL jurisdiction," ""EXCLUSIVE legislation." Grant had some reason to believe there were not above 200 men in the Fort, including Indians; but as soon as they heard the drums, they sallied out in great numbers, both French and Indians, and fell upon Captain M'Donald, and two columns that were posted lower on the hill to receive them. The Highlanders exposed themselves without any cover, and were shot down in great numbers, and soon forced to retreat. The Carolinians, Marylanders, and Lower Countrymen, concealing themselves behind trees and the brush, made a good defence; but were overpowered by numbers, and not being supported, were obliged to follow the rest. Major Grant exposed himself in the thickest of the fire, and endeavoured to rally his men, but all to no purpose, as they were by this time flanked on all sides. Major Lewis and his party came up and engaged, but were soon obliged to give way, the enemy having the hill of him, and flanking him every way. A number were drove into the Ohio, most of whom were drowned. Major Grant retreated to the baggage, where Captain Bullet was posted with fifty men, and again endeavored to rally the flying soldiers, by entreating them in the most pathetic manner to stand by him, but all in vain, as the enemy were close at their heels. As soon as the enemy came up to Captain Bullet, he attacked them very furiously for some time, but not being supported, and most of his men killed, was obliged to give way. However, his attacking them, stopped the pursuit, so as to give many an opportunity of escaping. The enemy followed Maj. Grant, and at last separated them, and Capt. Bullet was obliged to make off. He ima gines the Major must be taken, as he was surrounded on all sides, but the enemy would not kill him, and often called to him to surrender. The French gave quarters to all that would accept it.

"Whenever," says Judge Story, "a purchase is made of land for forts, magazines, &c. by the national government, and the state legislature has given its consent to the purchase, the land so purchased by the very terms of the constitution, ipso facto falls within the exclusive legislation of congress, and the state jurisdiction is completely ousted. This is the necessary result, for exclusive jurisdiction is the attendant upon exclusive legis. lation: and the consent of the state legislature is by the very terms of the constitution by which all states are bound and to which all are parties, a virtual surrender and cession of its sovereignty over the place. Nor is there any thing novel in this construction. It is under the like terms in the same clause of the constitution that exclusive jurisdiction is now exercised by congress in the District of Columbia.

The state therefore being divested of all jurisdiction, and the United States possessing "exclusive legislation" over the Navy Yard, I am of opinion, that no act of legislation can be exercised over it by this state, nor consequently by this corportion, which is subordinate to and a creature of the state and bound by all its constitutional acts: the conclusion then is syllogistic, this corporation can exercise no act of legislation over the Navy Yard, as the United States possess the "exclusive legislation;" taxation is an act of legislation, therefore they can exercise no right of taxation over it.

I am, gentlemen, most respectfully your obedient servant, PARSEY OAKFORD.

GRANT'S DEFEAT.

The following account of this unfortunate affair, is more particular than any account we have seen-it is extracted from the Pennsylvania Gazette, Oct. 12,1758. ANNAPOLIS, Oct. 5th.

We are informed by a letter from Frederick county, that on Monday the 11th of September, Maj. Grant of the Highland regiment, marched from our camp on the waters of the Kickiminita's, with 37 officers, and 805 privates, taken from the different regiments that compose the Western Army, on an expedition against Fort Duquesne.

The third day after their march, they arrived within 11 miles of Fort Duquesne, and halted till 3 o'clock in the afternoon; then marched within 2 miles of Fort Duquesne, and left their baggage there, guarded by a captain, 2 subalterns, and fifty men, and marched with the rest of the troops, and arrived at 11 o'clock at night upon a hill, a quarter of a mile from the Fort. Major Grant sent 2 officers and 50 men to the Fort, to attack all the Indians, &c. they should find lying out of the Fort; they saw none, nor were they challenged by the centries. As they returned, they set fire to a large

[blocks in formation]

The prosecution was conducted by David Paul
Brown, S. Brashears, and A. T. Smith, Esqrs.
C. J. Ingersoll, Esq. for defendants.

The case came up before the Mayor on Monday last, and as it excited considerable interest, the office was crowded with spectators, generally, of course, butchers and shinners. The butchers being unable to obtain the protection from councils, which they have asked for, seem resolved to keep a sharp eye on all shinners, and, whenever practicable, arraign them for a violation of the existing ordinances.

A number of witnesses were examined, of whose testimony ve took copious notes. It was proved that the prisoners constantly attend market, and demean themselves in all respects as regular butchers-that they occupy stalls in the Jersey market appropriated by law to farmers-that they purchase cattle on this side of the river as well as on the other-that they reside in or near the city of Camden-that they kill in Camden, and bring their meat to market, under the pretence of being farmers. It was also asserted by some of the wit

142

cattle.

THE ALCHEMIST.

nesses, that neither of the prisoners at this time own or occupy farms, sufficient for the purpose of raising The examination of witnesses on the part of the prosecution was closed, but the counsel for the defendants not being prepared for defence, the trial was postponed till some time in September.

Mr. Ingersoll gave notice that his defence would rest principally on the ground of the defendants possessing land and being farmers.-Sat. Eve. Post.

For the Register of Pennsylvania.
THE ALCHEMIST.
No. XXVI.

ON AMERICAN CRITICISM.
Now I have spent my choler, spilt my gall,
And feel more placid, I shall nought recall,
Write, rave, blaspheme; I do despise ye all.

American Bards. A Satire.

[AUGUST

shapeless blade of the Malay kreese, roughly ham mered out of soft iron, inflicts an incomparably more painful and rankling wound than the finest scimitar of Damascus. A tolerable example of the temper with which one unsuccessful writer occasionally views his fel lows, may be found in the verses I have appropriated as a motto. They are selected from a recent production which has lately fallen under my eye, not certainly from their intrinsic poetical beauty, or their grammatical correctness, but from their affording a fair specimen of the virulent style, and sufficient to exemplify what I have in view. What can there be in the transitory poetry of the day to justify the expression of such emotions? Is it possible that the mere fact of having written a number of poetical pieces, of various merits and demerits, the majority certainly not inferior to those of the author who expresses himself in this vehement manner, can ever justify professions of hatred and contempt, and the use of reproachful and insulting language, such as

We have heard of a politician, who, in the heat of an angry debate, was unceremoniously addressed with the significant words, "You lie." Our citizen was not deficient in that virtue, so necessary to a statesman, selfcommand. "Stop there!" he said, "Let us argue that! If you will only listen to me, I will undertake to convince you that I did not lie!" In imitation of this reasonable disputant, I will endeavour to point out some of the arguments which might be used by an unlucky dunce alleged to be taken in the act of violating the good taste of the community by the perpetration of perfectly detestable verses, in order to protect himself against the severity of criticism and disarm the anger of the outraged public. He should move court in mitigation of sentence; and then represent that in reality the

great as has been represented. The writing of bad poetry "breaks no man's leg, nor picks his pocket." His wares are put in the market precisely as is done with any others, and there exists no more reason why a

I CONFESS I am disgusted with the ferocious and mafignant style in which much of the criticism of the day deals with those unfortunate individuals who attempt to amuse the public with their efforts at poetry. In hand-by unanimous consent is forbidden in society? ling the works of those whose reputation is already established, we observe something like attention to the rules of ancient criticism and modern politeness; but when the reviewer gets hold of an obscure writer or one whom he chooses to consider as a dunce, those principles of conduct by which we are taught as a duty to avoid unnecessarily wounding the feelings of our neighbour, seem to be entirely dismissed from the mind, and the unfortunate author is handed over to bull dogs to be baited, with as little remorse, as if, instead of being a harmless proser, he were a high offender against the peace and welfare of the community. He seems to be, habitually and as a thing of course, regarded as a criminal. "Judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur," is a motto which has not adorned the front of a celebrated journal without a clear application and a steady, un-injury to the commonwealth was not by any means so sparing enforcement. The unlucky wretch who is guilty of dullness, or, what is the same thing, who be. longs to a different political party, or has given private offence to one of the leading reviewers, is not even held entitled to the refinements of modern penal jurispru-man should be punished for offering bad poetry for sale dence. Unlike the murderer, the offending scribbler, thus tried and condemned without a jury of his peers, is subjected not only to execution but to the torture; the utmost ingenuity of authorship being tasked to inAlict the rack more severely, and to awaken the feelings of the lacerated sufferer to the utmost pitch of torment. Of this it would not be difficult to cite abundant instances. I shall not, however, occupy time with quoting what is so very familiar. It is still harder, that the unfortunate writer has to submit not only to the stings of wit and genius, but to the coarse and blundering assaults of rival dulnesss. It is some satisfaction to have it said, "Enxx magni dextrâ cadis." The pangs of the wound are greatly softened by the fine edge and delicate polish of the weapon; and even the sufferer, if nature and education have endowed him with taste, can occasionally derive some pleasure from the grace and dexterity with which it has been wielded. Of this he is deprived when the attack is made by an inferior hand and with an imperfect instrument. Thus the rusty, jagged and

than for keeping cloth of an inferior quality, or selling
a badly made coat. "Caveat emptor." No man is obli-
ged to buy. He who purchases takes the article at his
own risk, and if he "like not the tragedy," he may
throw it down. Besides, even if the individual who has
bought a volume think himself under obligation, from
the incidental circumstance of having purchased it, to
peruse the whole, and be thereby put to serious loss and
damage of his time, yet even then, it may be considered
that the amount of the latter consumed is usually small,
that it is not always certain that said time would other-
wise have been better employed, and that it is not im
probable that a considerable proportion of the readers
who shall so act, will not receive any very acutely pain-
ful sensation from the violence thus done to their good
taste. He may besides plead his utter innocence of any
evil design in the production of the poetry in question;
he having sincerely intended to write only that which
was really good and sufficient for the public taste, and
bona fide entertained the opinion, at the time of publi-

1831.]

THE ALCHEMIST.

143

cation, that the verses in question did really possess the adequate merit to which we have here alluded. Nor could, I think, a reasonable court fail to admit that these pleadings would greatly abate their estimate of the ex-derstand it, is not to punish, but to discriminate-he is treme criminality of the action.

shall not, I think, find any new motives to confirm us in our admiration of the brutal style of criticism. The general obligation of a reviewer or other critic, as I un

not employed as an executioner, nor even as a constable, but as a judge. The importance of his office is certainly very great. The larger mass of the reading public are too much occupied with business or amusement to be able to peruse more than a very small portion of the books that come out; and the influence which may be exerted on the selection of those they do read, by a critic, himself generally attended to, and speaking with the authority conferred by talents and learning, must naturally, till it meets with contradiction, be almost unbounded. And when an authority of this class does clash with its competitors, it is generally about the works of individuals who are the political or other rivals of the editors; leaving the great mass of literature to the operation of ordinary causes. The public are habitually influenced in their opinions by these tribunals to a very great degree indeed, and consider their perusal as a short cut to a great amount of knowledge, which most persons have no time to acquire in any other form.

Of how much importance, then, is it that these duties should be faithfully performed. From how much use

But to drop the impersonation of the unhappy culprit, I will proceed, in my own proper style, to express the reasons why I think acrimony in judging of even bad poetry unsuitable and unbecoming. The writing of poetry is essentially a noble and honourable task. It is an attempt to communicate an innocent and elevated pleasure; and is rarely executed without a consentane. ous effort to improve, or at least to refine the mind. He who eminently succeeds in it has been held in honour in all ages of the world. As has been lately remarked by a critic, in speaking of Lord Byron, the death of a great poet is felt as a more personal loss, by each member of the community, than that of any man of political distinction. The successful and celebrated bard winds himself into the feelings of the reader, supplies him with new ideas, and awakens his most concealed sympathies; filling, in short, the place of a private friend. Such an individual then, is not only honoured but loved. He contributes largely to the enjoyment of his fellows, and is accordingly rewarded by them. Now, what is the extent of the offence committed by an unsuccessful imitator? Led by that very common, if not almost univer-ful knowledge or agreeable reading may an unfaithful sal source of error,an undue estimate of his own powers, he has undertaken to amuse the public! he has attempted to give a refined and honourable pleasure! he has had the presumption to think that what cost him labour and time, is worthy to fill up a few of the idle moments of others, and he has accordingly induced a bookseller to multiply copies of it, and make their existence known! For this imprudence he is punished by disappointment; he experiences the mortification of neglect; he finds that what cost him so much trouble and was taken to be the offspring of a moment of high inspiration, is not considered by the public as worthy of the languid glances of a few unemployed minutes; he experiences the silent and cutting conviction of his inferiority in natural faculties and influential rank to the writers whom he had hoped to equal if not to excel. And, to aggravate his misfortune, he is an individual belonging to a peculiarly sensitive class; it has been for years his professional task to excite and to preserve in their utmost acuteness all those emotions of his mind, which the habits of ordinary business are calculated to blunt. In order to work upon the feelings of others, he has intentionally kept his own sensations of pain in the liveliest exercise. "Si vis me flere, dolendum est Primum ipsi tibi," was the precept of the critic; and he has put it in the most complete execuTo find himself, in addition to this, treated, and that habitually, with a rudeness of language and style which implies that he is not considered entitled to the ordinary respect due to a gentleman, is indeed additionally wounding to the individual himself, but, as there is no retaliation, is not very honourable to the manliness

tion.

of the reviewer.

If we examine the office and duty of the latter, we

reviewer debar us, as effectually as if by the combustion of a library! By the simple disapprobation of an influential tribunal, the public are prevented from inquiring; there is no appeal, and all future efforts of the same author are blasted with the reproach of dullness, and almost deprived of the utter possibility of a retrieval.Now, when we reflect upon the ordinary progress of authorship, this will appear manifestly unjust. There are scarcely any instances of an author having met with brilliant success in his first attempt. Voltaire, Pope, Byron, and a number of others who afterwards reached the highest distinction,met at first with disheartening failures; and had they been crushed in the bud, had excessive severity succeeded in discouraging them from all future efforts, I will not now say what a loss to mankind! but what a shameful injustice to the youthful aspirants!

It is time now to draw this essay to a conclusion; and I will only recapitulate by saying, that I do not mean to object to candid and rigid criticism; but only to the manifestations of ill-nature, cruelty and a partisan spirit when the task is executed. I maintain that justice should be done to the merits of the weakest writer whenever his productions are noticed at all; and that bitter and sweeping condemnations of the whole of a candidate's productions are just as unsuitable to the true character of criticism as those nauseous and inflated panegyrics, which we occasionally find inserted in the daily sheets, to aid in the circulation of trash and mawkishness. Dullness and imbecility should undoubtedly be discouraged from wasting their own time and that of the public; but the censure should be founded upon the real merits of the case, and not depend upon political partisanship, the wishes of a bookseller, or the personal

[blocks in formation]

dislikes of an editor. And above all things, critics, in the utmost severity of their indignation, should never forget that they are bound as much as any other mortals by the common rules of humanity and politeness.

P.

[AUGUST

the shipping intelligence, that captain McFarland of the brig Fisher, was struck during the tempest off the mouth of the Schuylkill-he was killed immediately, and two of his crew injured.-Phil Gaz.

Another Revolutionary Soldier gone.

In Tuscarora, on the 15th ult. JACOB HUFF, senr. in the 81st year of his age. The deceased was a native of Germany; and emigrated to this country about the time hostilities commenced between this and the mother country. He engaged in the service of his adopted country, and was at the battle of Long Island, the battle of White Plains, at Trenton and Princeton, Germantown, Brandywine, and others not recollected. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal 145 church, and died in hope of a glorious immortelity be 2yond the grave.

STATEMENT OF CRIMES. Statement of the number and species of Crimes for which Prisoners have been convicted, sentenced, and confined in the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia, from the beginning of the year 1790 to the conclusion of the year 1815--accompanying a letter of the Board of Inspectors of the Prison of Philadelphia, of the 8th of February, 1816. Attempt to poison Assisting prisoners' escapel Assault with intent to rob 1 Assault and battery with intent to murder

Arson

Assault and battery
Adultery

Accessary to a burglary
Assault with intent to kill
Assault with an intent to

commit a rape

Assault

1 Felony and robbery
Horse stealing
House breaking
Highway robbery
4 Harbouring convicts
31 Ill treatment to wife
191 Incest

1 Indenting a check
1 Kidnapping
11 Larceny

Misdemeanor

7 Manslaughter

3

14

1

1

1

Appointment by the President.

ABIAH SHARP, of Pennsylvania, to be Marshal of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, vice George B. Porter, appointed Governor of Michigan 1 territory.

1

2,897

54

30

14 Murder in the 1st degree 2 161 Murder in the 2d degree 45 8 Maiming

Bawdy house keeping 17 Nuisar.ce

Breach of health laws

1 Perjury

5 Picking pockets

1

4

5

2

4 Pass'g counterfeit money 15
Poisoning

1 Robbery

3

23

Burglary

Bigamy

Burning

Bastardy

Breaking prison

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Concealing the death

of

bastard child

1

[blocks in formation]

Cheating

[blocks in formation]

Riot

12 Robbing U. States mail

Disorderly house keep❜g 41
Deceit

[blocks in formation]

notes

3 Uttering counterfeit dol-
3 lars

1 Uttering forged letter of
90 attorney
191 Uttering forged check

[blocks in formation]

VIOLENT STORM.

13

56

11

THE REGISTER.

AUGUST 27, 1831.

Something New.-If our citizens do not enjoy good health,the blame cannot be chargeable to Dr. Porter, who has successively furnished us with the "Journal of Health"-the "Catechism of Health"-"the effects of certain trades and professions on health,” “pure healthy bread," and now with the "Health almanac, for 1832, calculated generally, for all parts of the United States." This neat little work, (which is to be continued annually,) besides very full calendar tables, contains numerous maxims and directions, relating to the preservation of health, calculated to arrest the attention; especially of those whose library would be incomplete without an almanac-and who give implicit credit to whatever they find in those periodicals,. Much useful information may be communicated to thousands, by these little ve3hicles, who could not be reached in any other way—and we approve of every attempt to supplant the low jests, ridiculous anecdotes, and other nonsense, with which almanacs are usually filled, by matter of more useful tendency and application.

6

2

1

4,264

We experienced on Tuesday evening, between 7 and 8 o'clock, one of the most violent storms encountered in Philadelphia this season. The rain during a short period came in unbroken floods; the lightning was vivid and a time, almost incessant;-and the intonations of the thunder were almost deafening. The storm came on with great rapidity from the west, and hung above the town "like Night,"-the effects this morning are decidedly exhilarating. The sun has his smile without his intense fire.-and the air is clear and refreshing.Some damage was cause by the lightning. A house in Wharton street was smitten by the fluid-the chimnies protracted, ceiling rent, and the floors torn up in the passage of the burning stream to the cellar. Although persons were sitting below, in the basement rooms, no lives were lost, or any bodily injury sustained by the dwellers, whose escape may be considered very remarkable,

Since writing the above, we have been informed on good authority by a gentleman residing in the upper section of the town, that three men were killed instantaneous

We understand the first stone was laid on Saturday last, on the rail road near Belmont, which, we believe, is also, the first on any part of the route to Columbia. So little ceremony attended this operation, that few of our citizens were aware of its being in contemplation.

Expeditious Travelling.-A gentleman left this city on Wednesday morning in the Steamboat Emerald-and after being detained several hours in landing passengers at the Camp-meeting ground, reached Cape Island about four or five in the afternoon, and had a comfort. able bathing at night-next morning after bathing, he left the Cape, after sun-rise, and was in this city, before three o'clock of the same day.

Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F. GED. DES, No. 9 Library Street, Philadelphia; where, and at the PUBly by lightning, a few miles up the Delaware. After LICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN LACE, second door back the cloud had passed over the city, several tremendus of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be thankfully re peals of thunder were heard echoing in the north. Weceived. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payable annually have not learned the particulars respecting the beings by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where there is 22 thus suddenly destroyed. It will also be seen, among agent. Other subscribers pay in advance.

« PreviousContinue »