Chapter D

To a common 3 gallon pail of whitewash, add 1 pint of cheap molasses and 1 pint of white table salt. The best store lime should be selected and boiling water used in slaking it. It should be frequently stirred as you put it on. Two thin coats will be sufficient to cover the weatherboards of out-buildings. It will not wash or scale off like common whitewash and is beautifully white. For other colours mix ochres of various kinds.

_Air Jacket._--Mr. Charles Kendal lately made an experiment on the Thames, of the efficacy of his jacket, or Life-preserver, which completely succeeded. He went from the southwark Bridge through London Bridge with great ease and on to the London Docks in 20 minutes, walking upright in the water accompanied by his man all the way.

_A new and cheap conductor of lightning and fluid._--Mr. Capostolle, Professor of Chemistry in the departments of the Somme, affirms that a rope of straw supplies the place of the expensive metal conductors. The experiments, which he has made in the presence of many learned men and which have been repeated by them, confirms as he says that the lightning enters a rope of straw placed in its way and passes through it into the ground so gently that the hand of a person holding the rope at the time does not perceive it. Mr. Capostolle brings the following proof of this assertion. It is well known says he that a severe shock is received by a person who immediately touches the Leyden vial. But if a person takes a rope of straw, only seven or eight inches long, in his hand, and touches, with the end of this rope a Leyden vial, so strongly charged that an ox might be killed by it, he will neither see a spark, or feel the slightest shock. According to Mr. Capostolle's opinion, such conductor made of straw, which would not cost alone three francs, would be able to protect an extent of sixty acres of ground from hail; and if the houses and fields were protected in this manner, neither hail nor lightning could do any damage to them.

_Economy of Nature._--In the sunshine vegetables decompose the _carbonic acid gas_ of the atmosphere, the _carbon_ of which is absorbed, and becomes a part of their organized matter, but the _oxygen gas_, the other constituent is given off; thus the economy of vegetation is made subservient to the general order of the system of nature. Again, _Carbonic acid gas_ is formed in the respiration of animals, and as yet no process is known in nature by which it can be consumed, except vegetation. Animals thus produce a substance which appears to be a necessary food for vegetables;--vegetables evolve a principle necessary to the existence of animals: the two kingdoms seem to be thus connected together in the exercise of their functions, and, to a certain extent, made to depend upon each other for their existence.

_Legible Writing._--The Grand Duke of Baden has issued an ordinance, enjoining all public functionaries in his dominions, who sign their names in an illegible manner, through _affectation_, to write them in future so that they can be read, under the pain of having any document illegibly signed, thrown back on their hands.

While Mr. Samuel Chandler was boring for salt near Zanesville, Ohio, he found a metallic substance six feet three inches thick, which being analysed, was found to be silver, nearly as pure as the common coin. This singular account is attested in the National Intelligencer by a member of Congress.

_Square Mile._--It may be thought wonderful that the whole population of this country could stand on considerably less than a square mile. Allowing six men to a square yard, the mile would accommodate _eighteen millions five hundred and eighty five thousand six hundred men!_

_Latitude of Trees in Sweden._--From the researches made in Sweden on the different kinds of wood indigenous to the country, it has been ascertained that the birch reaches the farthest north, growing beyond the 70th degree; the pine reaches to the 69th; the fir tree to the 68th; the ozier, willow, aspen and quince, to the 66th; the cherry and apple tree to the 63d; the oak to the 60th; and the beech to the 57th; while the lime tree, ash, elm, poplar and walnut, are only to be found in Scavia.

[_Lond. Journ. of Science._

_Singular Anecdote of the Spider, by Capt. Bagnold._--Desirous of ascertaining the natural food of the scorpion, I enclosed one (which measured three fourths of an inch from the head to the insertion of the tail) in a wide mouthed phial, together with one of those large spiders so common in the West Indies, and closed it with a cork, perforated by a quill, for the admission of air: the insects seemed carefully to avoid each other, retiring to opposite ends of the bottle, which was placed horizontally. By giving it a gradual inclination, the scorpion was forced into contact with the spider, when a sharp encounter took place, the latter receiving repeated stings from his venomous adversary, apparently without the least injury, and with his web, soon lashed the scorpion's tail to his back, subsequently securing his legs and claws with the materials. In this state I left them some time, in order to observe what effect would be produced on the spider by the wounds he had received. On my return, however, I was disappointed, the ants having entered and destroyed them both.

[_Ibid._

_Spontaneous Combustion._--_From the Baltimore Morning Chronicle._--At my mills there was an iron kettle used for holding ashes--it had remained with ashes in from the 5th to the 9th month at which time flaxseed oil was by accident spilled into the ashes; in about 24 hours the ashes were found to be on fire, and wishing to have it fully ascertained, whether it was the oil which occasioned the ashes to take fire, I filled a kettle with cold dry ashes, in which I poured a pint of flaxseed oil, and in 24 hours I examined it, and found that, as far as the oil had penetrated the ashes were in a state of combustion, and, applying some shavings and chips of wood, it immediately caused them to blaze.

From an apprehension that many buildings have been consumed by fires from the foregoing cause, I have been induced to give publicity to the fact.

JOSEPH ATKINSON.

_Ellicot Patapsco Mills_, }
_1 mo. 22d. 1820._ }

_Spontaneous Combustion._--SIR I observe, in your paper of yesterday that your correspondent _Davyana_ has made an _unsuccessful_ experiment, to verify the account given by Mr. Atkinson of a _Spontaneous Combustion_, produced some time ago, at his mills near Baltimore, by the accidental mixture of linseed oil and wood ashes.

An experiment has also been made, with a similar view, at the _Mint_ of the United States. The ashes employed were chiefly from hickery wood, well sifted, and cold; and the quantity of linseed oil, one pint. No change of temperature was perceived, till about 46 hours after the oil had been poured on the ashes, when the mixture was fairly ignited, and in a short time emitted flame, which continued upwards of an hour. After the flame had ceased, the ignition continued for about 18 hours, and the ashes were then poured out of the vessel.

R. P.

[_Poulson's Am. Daily Adv._

_Gas lights._--The number of gas lights already in use in the metropolis of London amounts to upwards of 51,000. The total length of mains in the streets through which the gas is conveyed from the gas light manufactories into the houses now measure 288 miles.

_Seed Potatoes._--It has been recently ascertained from the most decisive experiments, that late potatoes, or such as are not ripe, were the best seed, and that planting such restores a degenerated variety to its original qualities. The discoverer of this fact recommends the planting of seed from cold and late situations, and to plant so late as June and July, taking up those unripe, and preserving them as seed for the following year.

[_Vermont Intelligencer._.

_London._--The consumption of sheep and lambs in London, during the last twelve months, amounted in number to one million, sixty-two thousand, seven hundred. The number of horned cattle slaughtered, was one hundred and sixty-four thousand--and by the inspector's return, it appears, that the number of horse hides produced at Leadenhall market, amounted to twelve thousand nine hundred.

BORING _legalized_.--Last week we mentioned that a silver mine was said to have been discovered near Zanesville, in Ohio. By the last Columbus papers we are informed that the bill incorporating the "Muskingum Silver Mining Company" has passed the legislature.

It is said that the rock about twenty feet below the surface of the earth, extends under nearly the whole territory of Ohio; that the silver was found after penetrating the rock about 100 feet; and that, therefore, there is an even chance that this stratum of silver, near 7 feet in thickness, is as extensive as the state.

Verily, should this prove to be the case, what an alteration would it make in our affairs! Neighbouring states would supply Ohio with corn and whiskey--her keen speculators would become lazy nabobs--Yankee pedlars might venture to drive their trade there, without danger of being _bitten_--her rag banks, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary, would prove to have had at all times, a _specie foundation_: and Owl Creek and Cincinnati bank notes command a premium over eastern funds.

Capt. SYMMES has long expressed great anxiety _to get into the earth_, and, as it is a long journey to the north pole, (where there is certainly a hole big enough for Capt. Symmes to get in) and the Captain says he cannot undertake the journey for the want of "disposable means,"--now, therefore, this may be entirely a manoevre of the captain's, or of his friends, to get a cheap passage into the earth, whereby he may embark near home, and without expense in the outfit. At any rate, we hope the company will persevere in _boring_--it is a good subject--for should they either find silver or provide a passage for Capt. Symmes, they will silence the hungry complaints of many speculators--both in real estate and in the learned and fashionable _ologies_ of the day. [_Detroit Gazette._

STATE OF MISSOURI.

_Boundaries._--Beginning in the middle of the Mississippi river, on the parallel of 36° N. lat.--thence west to the St. Francois river--thence up the middle of the St. Francois, to 36° 30' N. lat.--thence west till it intersects a meridian line, passing through the middle of the mouth of the Kansas river, where it empties into the Missouri--thence, from said point of intersection, due north to the intersection of the parallel of latitude which passes through the Rapids of the river Des Moines, (making this line correspond with the Indian boundary)--thence east from the point of intersection last mentioned, to the middle of the main fork of the Des Moines--thence down the middle of that river to the Mississippi--thence, down the middle of the Mississippi to the beginning.

By the 8th section of the law authorising the people of Missouri to form a state government, slavery is for ever prohibited in all the territories of the United States, west of the Mississippi, north of 36° 30' except so much as is included in Missouri.

The Convention to form the constitution is to consist of 40 representatives, from the respective counties, as follows: Howard 5, Cooper 3, Montgomery 2, Pike 1, Lincoln 1, St. Charles 3, Franklin 1, St. Louis 8, Jefferson 1, Washington 3, St. Genevieve 4, Madison 1, Cape Girardeau 5, New Madrid 2, Wayne and Lawrence 1.

_Red Snow._--Mr. Francis Bauer from a number of accurate observations, with microscopes of great power on the Red Snow, in a melted state, from Baffin's Bay pronounces the colouring matter to be a new species of uredo (a minute fungus) to which he proposes to give the name nivalis.

_Lapland._--The greatest water-fall in Europe has been recently discovered in Lapland. It is on the river Latting; it is half a mile broad, and falls in a perpendicular descent of _four hundred feet_.

_Portugal._--The weather has been so severe at Lisbon, that in one night, thirty-five fishermen and three sentinels were frozen to death. The ice formed three inches thick in one night, a circumstance unprecedented at that place.

_Russia._--It has been so cold in Russia, the past season, that all the public places of amusement had been closed. The thermometer at St. Petersburg, stood at 35-1/2 below Zero.

The frost has been severe in France and England. At Paris on the 11th, the thermometer of the engineer Chevalier, stood at 11 below 0. The Seine was frozen over.

Petitions are getting up in Ireland, in favour of a dissolution of the union with Great Britain!

It had been colder in the month of January in England, than was ever known before in that country. In the city of London the thermometer stood twenty-three degrees below the freezing point. At Islington, the silver in the barometer on the 14th, was down into the bowl.

Upwards of 2,200,000 eggs were imported into England from France the last three months.

_Extraordinary produce of a potato._--A single potato was cut into eyes, and planted in the garden of C. Moore, esq. at Woodbridge, Suffolk; and the produce was the surprising quantity of a bushel skep without being heaped, and it weighed _64lbs._--The potatoes are remarkably fine and clean.

BROWNSVILLE, (PENN.) MARCH 13.

_Accident._--On Thursday last, the chain bridge over Dunlap's creek, between Brownsville and Bridgeport broke down with a wagon and six horses upon it. The wagon fell on the bank, this side of the stream, the horses in the water. The driver, who was on the saddle horse, was pitched between the two middle horses, where he was held entangled in the gears, until relieved by the citizens. He received no material injury, but two of the horses were killed. The team, we understand, was the property of a person named Hackney, near Winchester, (Va.) The distance from the floor of this bridge to the surface of the water, must have been at least 30 feet.

_Leeches._--The Montrose (English) Review of January 1st, states that a gentleman examining two bottles containing 3 leeches each, found the water a complete mass of ice, with the leeches frozen. He dissolved the ice gradually before the fire, when he found the whole 6 alive, and very animated.

_Annual consumption of the necessaries of life in London._

Consumption of bullocks, 110,000

Sheep and lambs, 976,000

Calves, 250,000

Hogs, 210,000

Sucking pigs, 60,000

Gallons of milk--the produce
of 8900 cows, 908,000

Quarters of wheat, 900,000

Chaldrons of coal, 800,000

Barrels (36 galls.) of ale
and porter 1,775,500

Gallons of spirituous liquors, 11,146,783

Pipes of wines, 65,000

Pounds of butter, 27,600,000

Cheese, 25,000,000

Acres of land cultivated
in the vicinity of London
for vegetables, 10,000

Ditto for fruit, 4,000

The sum paid annually
for vegetables amounts
to, _l._645,000

Abstract of the exports of cotton and tobacco from New Orleans from the 1st of October, 1818, until the 31st of the same month, 1819.

_Cotton._

England 48,840 bales.

France 29,989

Holland 1,998

Coastwise 15,710
______

Total 95,537 bales.

_Tobacco._

England 10,122 hhds.

France 4,865

Holland and Germany, 7,632

Coastwise 13,048
______

Total 85,667 hhds.

_Fall of rain._--An account of the water that fell in rain and snow, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from 1812 to 1819, inclusive, and the number of days, in each year, in which there was falling weather.

1819.

_Years._ _Inches._ _Days._ _Months._ _Inches._ _Days._

1812, 33-4/8 69 January, 1/8 1

1813, 40-1/8 75 Feb'ry, 2-5/8 6

1814, 52-2/8 74 March, 2-6/8 8

1815, 37-7/8 57 April, 2-1/8 5

1816, 30-7/8 70 May, 3-1/8 8

1817, 40-6/8 77 June, 1 4

1818, 36-4/8 68 July, 4-3/8 9

August, 8-3/8 11

Sept. 1-4/8 4

October, 1 2

Nov. 1-2/8 3

Dec. 2-2/8 5
______ __

31-4/8 66

_London Breweries._--The Breweries of London, (says a late traveller over the British Island,) "may justly be ranked amongst its greatest curiosities, and the establishment of Messrs. Barclay &. Co. is one of the most considerable. A steam engine, of the power of 30 horses, does the greatest part of the work; for although there are nearly two hundred men employed, and a great number of horses, these are mostly for the out-door work; the interior appears quite solitary. Large rakes with chains moved by an invisible power, stir to the very bottom the immense mass of malt in boilers 12 feet deep; elevators which nobody touches, carry up to the summit of the building 2500 bushels of malt a day, thence distributed through wooden channels to the different places where the process is carried on.--Casks of truly gigantic sizes are ready to receive the liquors. One of them contains 3000 barrels. Now, at 8 barrels to a ton, this is equal to a ship of 375 tons. By the side of this are other enormous vessels, the smallest of which, containing about 800 barrels, are worth when full 3000 pounds sterling each. All this immense apparatus is so arranged that every part is accessible, and the whole is contained under one roof. The stock of liquor is estimated at 300,000 pounds; the barrels alone in which it is carried about to customers cost 80,000 pounds; and the whole capital is not less than half a million sterling; 250,000 barrels of beer are sold annually, which would load a fleet of 150 merchantmen, of the burden of 200 tons each. The building is incombustible--walls of brick, and floors of iron.

_Africa._--Several attempts are now making to explore the interior of this country, and a scheme for opening a grand commercial intercourse with Tumbuctoo and Sudan, has been planned, which promises success through the protection of the emperor of Morocco.

_London Nov. 30._--We learn by a letter from the celebrated Italian traveller, _M. Belzoni_, that he has recently performed a journey into the deserts of Lybia, to examine there the environs and ruins of the temple Jupiter Ammon. This journey lasted 50 days, during which time he saw different ruins, several temples and other remarkable objects. After having traversed the desert, he arrived at the place where the temple is supposed to have existed. The country was fertile, and he found some villages, but the inhabitants of the country, where, perhaps, for several centuries a European had not been seen, were very savage, and would not suffer him to pass, because they imagined that he was looking for treasures in their country. The ruins of the temple he discovered had been employed in the construction of another temple, which is already in part destroyed, and in forming the foundation of the cabins of a village. The most remarkable thing, however, discovered by _M. Belzoni_ in those environs is a spring of living water, of which _Herodotus_ makes mention, warm in the morning and evening, cold at noon, and boiling hot at midnight. _M. Belzoni_ has brought away some of this water for the purpose of analysing it.

_A Hint to Smokers._--The city of New York, is said to contain 130,000 inhabitants. Let 50,000 of them smoke only three Spanish segars a day, and it will amount in the year to the enormous sum of $1,095,000; a sum sufficient to pay the salary of the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of war, and of the Navy, and of the Attorney, General, for 20 years, 10 months, and 8 days.

[_N. Y. Gazette._

_Extraordinary Longevity._--Dr. KNOTT MARTIN, of Marblehead, who died at the age of 88, left seven children by his first wife, who are now living, at the following ages, viz:--

Thomas, aged 88--Knott, aged 87--Eleanor, aged 80--Hannah, aged 77--Richard, aged 73--Arnold, aged 71--and Mary, aged 69. The aggregate of the seven being 554, and the average 78 years.

Also, by his second wife, Betsey, aged 53, and Bartholomew, aged 51. He had three other children, one of whom died in infancy, and the other two at an advanced age.

Eight of the nine now living reside at Marblehead, the other at Beverly, and all of them have a numerous posterity.

[_Salem Register._

_An effectual Method of Preserving Poultry houses free from Vermin._

Sir--As I do not know that you have positively interdicted all communications from farmer-_esses_, I must ask you to record a grand discovery, which I consider myself to have made, in the noble art of--_raising poultry_.

It may save much trouble to my sister housewives, to whom, according to the order prescribed by the _lords of the creation_, this department of domestic economy has been assigned. It is well known, that in this branch of our humble duties, the greatest difficulty arises from our poultry houses being so much infested with _vermin_; or, to be more plain, in the slang of the poultry yard, with _chicken lice_. Now, I have proved, by long experience, that they will not resort to houses wherein the roots, nest boxes, &c. &c. are made of _sassafras wood_. You may smile, and ask me, the _reason of it_: I am no philosopher, but I tell you, _sassafras wood_ will keep lice out of hen houses: I know it to be a fact, and when you will tell me _why it is_ that chips of cedar wood or tobacco will keep woollen free from _moth_, then I will endeavour to tell you _why_ it is, that sassafras wood will keep away chicken lice--one is universally known to be true, the other no less true, though less known.

A SPINSTER. [_Am. Farmer._

The London Globe, of Jan. 29, says--"We understand that the lords of the treasury have given directions to allow mechanics, artificers, &c. to emigrate from Great Britain to any country and in any ship.

At Brighton, the wildest of the feathered tribe have been so punished with the frost, that they have left the woods, for warmer shelter in the habitations of men. Black birds, starlings, larks and thrushes have been pursued by boys, at mid-day, and easily taken by the hand.

MARRIED.

On the 6th of March, RUBENS PEALE, of Philadelphia, to ELIZA PATTERSON, of Chesnut-Hill.

At Washington City, SAMUEL LAWRENCE GOUVERNEUR, Esq. of New York, to MARIA HESTER MUNROE, youngest daughter of JAMES MUNROE, President of the United States.

On the 2d ult. at the Friends' Meeting House, Alexandria, D. C. J. ELLICOTT CAREY, of Baltimore, to ANN H. IRWIN, daughter of Thomas Irwin, Esq.

THOMAS H. B. JACOBS, to JANE BOWEN, both of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

DAVID STUCKERT, of Germantown, to MARGARET TAYLOR, of this city.

In December last, at New-Castle, (England) Mr. SILVERTOP to Mrs. PEARSON. This lady has been married three times. Her first husband was a Quaker, the second a Roman Catholic, and the third is of the established church. Every husband was twice her own age; at 16 she married a man of 32, at 30 she took one of 60, and now at 42, she is united to a man of 84.

In England, on the 16th of Jan. last, WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, Esq. eldest son of the honourable and philanthropic William Wilberforce, M.P. to Miss MARY OWEN, second daughter of John Owen, A. M. Rector of Pagelsham.

DIED.

On Monday afternoon, the 13th of March, after a lingering and painful illness, Mrs. MARGARET WEBB, being in her ninetieth year.

On Monday night, between 6 and 7 o'clock, after a confinement of two months, WILLIAM WAYNE, sen. in the ninetieth year of his age.

In England, 22d Nov. aged 95, JOHN SPOONER, who had been for more than thirty years successively the stranger's attendant at Brimham Rocks, in the county of York.

At Perth, Scotland, 1st Feb. widow M'LEAN, aged 102 years. Although infirm, she had the complete enjoyment of sight, and never required the use of spectacles.

At Inverfolla, Scotland, 5th of November, DONALD M'INTYRE, aged 101. He was the last of the followers of Prince Charles, in that district to whose interests he was ardently devoted, so much so, that amidst the infirmities of old age he seemed "strong with the vigour of youth" at the mention of his favourite's name, and the remembrance of his misfortunes.

In Curracoa, A. D. M. SENIOR, aged 85, the oldest member of the Hebrew community, and one of the oldest inhabitants of the island.

At New Orleans, 4th of Feb. Don FELIPE FATIO, Consul of Spain, formerly secretary of the Spanish legation at Washington.

Near New Orleans, Mr. ETIENNE BORRIE, the first person that succeeded in cultivating the sugar cane on the Mississippi.

In the city of Trenton, (N. J.) on the 8th of March, SAMUEL LEAKE, Esq. in the 73d year of his age, formerly one of the most distinguished advocates at the New Jersey Bar.

In Vincent township, Chester County, on the 3d of March Mr. JAMES EVANS, in the 94th year of his age.

At Boston, on Tuesday, the 22d of Feb. the Rev. JAMES M. WINCHELL, Pastor of the first Baptist Church of that city.

In January, at Grant's Braes, near Haddington, the venerable mother of the Scottish Bard, ROBERT BURNS, in her 88th year.

In Hesse, Hamburg, FREDERICK LOUIS WILLIAM CHRISTIAN, Landgrave of Hesse Hamburg, aged 72, leaving a very numerous offspring, one of whom is married to Princess Elizabeth, of England.

In Hesse, WILHELMINA CAROLINE, wife of the Elector of Hesse Cassel, aged 73. She was a daughter of Frederick V. king of Denmark.

In Germany, Count Stolberg, a celebrated German Poet.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

Whether the result of education and early associations, or derived immediately from Nature herself, there is excited in every bosom possessed of sensibility, a sensation of awe and veneration, when approaching the mansions of the dead. Here the storm of passion subsides into peace; and even savage ferocity, when contemplating the house appointed for all living, is moulded into mildness and mercy. Who does not delight to behold the verdant hillock, which designates the spot, where the remains of a dear friend or relative are deposited, decorated with vernal beauty, and alike protected from the withering inroads of neglect, and the rude approach of violence? There is a chord in every feeling heart, which vibrates in unison with the magic touch of memory when delineating in vivid colours, some departed object of our love and affection. The GRAVE-YARD furnishes a scene, in which memory is necessarily a prominent actor.

THE GRAVES OF MY FATHERS.

Evergreen be the spot where in silence reposing,
The bones of my fathers so tranquilly sleep,
Let no hostile foot-step with rudeness imposing,
Disturb the fond vigils affection shall keep.

Leave to monarchs their pageants of pomp and of glory,
To heroes their laurels all dripping with tears,
Give to Jackson his fame in the pages of story,
Where the wrong of the Indian abhorrent appears;

Let the relics of princes whose names are enshrouded,
In the gloom and the darkness of Egypt's long night,
Be distinguish'd by tombs on whose summits beclouded,
The eagle seeks rest in her towering flight:

But spare, oh but spare me, that hallow'd enclosure,
Which spring will soon visit with aspect serene,
Where the earliest sunbeam to April's exposure,
Shall bespangle with flow'rets her favourite scene.

While the songsters of nature with voices in chorus,
Attuned to those feelings which nature inspires,
And that moss-cover'd temple arising before us,
Will quell all those rebels--our vicious desires:

Where the pure gospel fount so transparent in beauty,
Oft in silence refreshes with gladness the soul,
Which in humble devotion to heaven and duty,
Seeks through faith and repentance a glorious goal.

Evergreen be the spot where in silence reposing,
The bones of my fathers so tranquilly sleep,
Every tye of affection their virtues disclosing,
While the dew drops of eve shall in sympathy weep.

E.

AULD AGE

Is that Auld Age that's tirling at the pin?
I trow it is, then haste to let him in:
Ye're kindly welcome, friend; na dinna fear
To shaw yoursel', ye'll cause na trouble here.
I ken there are wha tremble at your name,
As tho' ye brought wi' ye reproach or shame;
And wha, "a thousond lies wad bear the sin,"
Rather than own ye for their kith or kin;
But far frae shirking ye as a disgrace,
Thankfu' I am t' have lived to see thy face;
Nor s'all I ere disown ye, nor tak pride,
To think how long I might your visit bide,
Doing my best to mak ye well respecked,
I'll no fear for your sake to be neglecked;
But now ye're come, and through a' kind of weather
We're doomed frae this time forth to jog the-gither,
I'd fain mak compact wi' ye firm and strang,
On terms of fair giff gaff to haud out lang;
Gin thou'lt be civil, I s'all lib'ral be,
Witness the lang lang list o' what I'll gie;
First, then, I here mak owre for gude and ay,
A' youthfu' fancies, whether bright or gay,
Beauties and graces, too, I wad resign them,
But sair I fear 'twad cost ye fash to find them;
For 'gainst your dady, Time, they cou'd na stand,
Nor bear the grip o' his unsonsy hand;
But there's my skin, whilk ye may further crunkle,
And write your name at length in ilka wrunkle.
On my brown locks ye're leave to lay your paw
And bleach them to your fancy white as snaw.
But look na, age, sae wistfu' at my mouth,
As gin ye lang'd to pu' out ilka tooth!
Let them, I do beseech, still keep their places,
Though, gin ye wish't ye're free to paint their faces.
My limbs I yield ye; and if ye see meet,
To clap your icy shackles on my feet,
Ise no refuse; but if ye drive out gout,
Will bless you for't, and offer thanks devout.
Sae muckle was I gi' wi' right good will,
But och! I fear that maer ye look for still,
I ken by that fell glow'r and meaning shrug,
Ye't slap your skinny fingers on each lug;
And unca fain ye are I trow, and keen,
To cast your misty powders in my een;
But O in mercy, spare my poor wee twinkers,
And I for ay s'all wear your chrystal blinkers!
Then 'bout my lugs I'd fain a bargain mak,
And gi' my hand, that I shall ne'er draw back.
Well then, wad ye consent their use to share,
Twad serve us baith, and be a bargain rare--
Thus I wad ha't when babbling fools intrude,
Gabbling their noisy nonsense, lang and loud;
Or when ill-nature well brush'd up by wit,
Wi' sneer sarcastic takes its aim to hit;
Or when detraction, meanest slave o' pride,
Spies out wee fau'ts and seeks great worth to hide;
Then mak me deaf as deaf as deaf can be;
At a' sic times my lugs I lend to thee.
But when in social hour ye see combin'd
Genius and Wisdom--fruits of heart and mind,
Good sense, good humour, wit in playfu' mood,
And candour e'en frae ill extracting good;
Oh, then, auld friend, I maun ha' back myhearing,
To want it then wad be an ill past bearing.
Better to lonely sit i' the douf spence
Than catch the sough o' words without the sense.--
Ye winna promise? Och ye're unco dour,
Sae ill to manage, and sae cauld and sour.
Nae matter, hale and sound I'll keep my heart,
Nor frae a crum o't s'all I ever part:
It's kindly warmth will ne'er be chilled by a'
The cauldest breath your frozen lips can blaw.
Ye need na' fash your thumb, auld carle, nor fret,
For there affection shall preserve its seat;
And though to tak my hearing ye rejoice,
Yet spite o' you I'll still hear Friendship's voice.
Thus, though, ye tak the rest, it shan'na grieve me,
For ae blythe spunk o' spirits ye maun leave me;
And let me tell you in your lug Auld Age,
I'm bound to travel wi' ye but ae stage:
Be't long or short, ye canna keep me back;
And, when we reach the end o't, ye maun pack.
For there we part for ever; late or air.
Another guess companion meets me there:
To whom ye--nill ye will ye, maun me bring;
Nor think that I'll be wae or laith to spring
Fra your poor dosen'd side, ye carle uncouth,
To the blest arms of everlasting youth.
By him, whate'er ye ye've rifl'd sto'wn, or ta'en,
Will a' be gi'en wi' interest back again:
Froze by a' gifts and graces, thousands moe
Than heart can think of, freely he'll bestoe.
Ye need na wonder, then, nor swell wi' pride,
Because I kindly welcome ye, as guide,
To one sae far your better. Now as tauld,
Let us set out upo' our journey cauld;
Wi' nae vain boasts, nor vain regrets tormented,
We'll e'en jog on the gate, quiet and contented.

[Taken from "Memoirs of Eliza Hamilton," by Miss Benger.

"DREADFUL HARD TIMES."

Yesterday I walked down, to that part of the town,
Where people collect at the sign of the Tun,
To discuss and debate the great matters of state,
And show how things that go wrong should be done:
There was ragged Sam Bent, who is not worth a cent,
There was idle Dick Lawless, and noisy Jack Grimes,
And swaggering Jim Bell, who has nothing to sell,
All cursing the Banks, and these dreadful hard times.

There was old daddy Slop, who has lost his last crop,
By neglecting to mend up some gaps in his fence;
There was shabby Ned Thorn, who had planted his corn,
But had never put hoe, no, nor plough to it since;
There was dashing Bill Sutton, with his fine dandy coat on,
Who was ne'er out of debt, nor was worth twenty dimes:
They too join'd the throng, and still kept up the song,
A curse on the Banks, and these dreadful hard times.

Next came in Dick Short, who was summon'd to court,
For some hundreds of half pints of whiskey and rum;
He had brought the last sack of his grain on his back;
Tho' his children were crying with hunger at home;
Here, landlord, said Short, come, bring me a quart;
I must treat these, my friends, Sir, and merry Jack Grimes;
I've the corn, sir, to pay, there's no booking to-day;
Then he fell to cursing the Banks, and hard times.

Next came in Tom Sargent who had lately turn'd merchant,
And bought a full store, I can scarcely tell how!
But this much I know, about twelve months ago,
That the Constable sold at the post, his last cow;
Yet Tom dash'd away, spending hundreds each day,
Till his merchants brought suits for their dry goods and wines;
So Tom join'd the throng, and assisted the song,
With a curse on these Banks, and these dreadful hard times.

Next appear'd Madam Pride, (and a beau at her side)
With her silks, spread with laces, quite down to her trail;
Her husband that day, unable to pay
For the dress she then wore, had been lock'd up in jail;
She turn'd to the throng, as she tripped it along,
And she "hop'd that the merchants would swing for such crimes
"As to make people pay their old debts, in this way;"
And she curs'd all the Banks, and these dreadful hard times.

Now said I, Mr. Short, you are summon'd to court,
And must soon go to jail for these long whiskey scores;
And you, Mr Drew, aye, and you sir, and you,
Who are hanging round taverns, and running to stores;
And you madam Pride, must your silks lay aside,
And you, Mr. Idle and you, Mr. Grimes,
Must all to your labours, like some of your neighbours,
And you'll soon put an end to these dreadful hard times.
[_Gallia Gazette._

WINTER.

Though now no more the musing ear
Delights to listen to the breeze
That lingers o'er the greenwood shade,
I love thee, Winter! well.

Sweet are the harmonies of Spring,
Sweet is the Summer's evening gale,
Pleasant the Autumnal winds that shake
The many coloured grove;

And pleasant to the sobered soul
The silence of a wintry scene,
When Nature shrouds her in her trance,
In deep tranquillity.

Not undelightful now to roam
The wild-heath sparkling on the sight;
Not undelightful now to pace
The forest's ample rounds;

And see the spangled branches shine,
And snatch the moss of many a hue
That varies the old tree's brown bark,
Or o'er the grey stone spreads.

The clustered berries claim the eye,
O'er the bright holly's gay green leaves;
The ivy round the leafless oak
Clasps its full foliage close.

ROBERT SOUTHEY.

TO ----.

When the bloom on thy cheek shall have faded away,
When thine eye shall be closed in the grave,
Thou shalt dwell in my heart like the last gleam of day.
That purples with twilight the wave.

And if souls are allowed in a happier sphere
To watch o'er the spirits they love,
Be the guardian--the friend that thou wert to me here,
Be my guide--my protector above.
I know thou must die, and the cold earth will hide
The form I shall ever adore;
But in death, as in life, it will still be my pride
Such virtue as thine to deplore.
And, oh! when I gaze in the stillness of night
On those orbs that bespangle the sky,
I will think there thou dwellest an angel of light,
And hearest thy sorrower's sigh.
It will sooth me to feel, though a wilderness grows,
This lone world all unpeopled for me;
That, though drooping and withering, there still is one rose
In this wilderness blossoms for thee.
Though it will not be thine its last blushes to greet,
To weep o'er its bloom to decay;
If worthy such bliss, in a world we shall meet
Where thou'lt chase every dew-drop away.

The following versification was from the pen of a very young, and interesting woman, in reply to the solicitations of her family not to accompany her unfortunate husband into exile.

The lovely author of these lines, whose beauty can only be exceeded by her retiring modesty, is wholly unconscious of their publication, and we well know will blush at celebrity which the accomplishments of her mind, the graces of her person, and the misfortunes of her destiny, have rendered inevitable.

_Versification from the book of "Ruth."_

INSCRIBED TO ----

Where'er thou goest, I will go,
O'er Egypt's sands, or Zembla's snow!
Where'er thy weary eyelids close.
There will thy Charlotte seek repose;

Though on the naked earth we lie,
While tempests rule the darkning sky,
Still, still undaunted will I be,
And find the holiest calm with thee.

That people whom thou call'st thy own,
Shall only to my heart be known,
And our great Father, God, above,
With equal warmth we both will love.

Where'er thy last expiring breath,
Is yielded to relentless Death,
On that same spot will Charlotte die,
And in the tomb, thy Charlotte lie.

The Lord do this, and more to me,
If more than this, part thee from me,
As living, but one heart we own.
So dying we will still be ONE.

[_Port Folio._

_The Peasant and his Wife._

HE.

The long, long day, again has pass'd
In sorrow and distress:
I strive my best--but strive in vain,
I labour hard--but still remain
Poor, and in wretchedness.

SHE.

Nay, we have health--you love your wife--
And she returns its flame;
Want still is absent from our cot,
God gives us breath to sooth our lot,
What more can you desire?

HE.

I wish'd to earn a little sum,
My dearest wife for thee;
I wish'd, by toiling day and night,
To gain some wealth that might requite
Thy fond fidelity.

SHE.

No wealth repays fidelity,
Nor gold nor monarch's crown;
My heart which doth to thee incline,
Finds all its love repaid by thine,
And smiles at Fortune's frown.

HE.

But ah! to see thee live in want,
It fills my soul with care.
That thou so noble just and good,
Must slave and toil for daily food,
That drives me to despair.

SHE.

I gaily work [God knows my heart]
Contented at your side:
More joys than wealth can give I prove,
To share thy sorrows and thy love;
Thy faithful heart's my pride.

HE.

But who, when I am snatch'd from thee
Will hush thy trembling sighs?
And when our babe shall weeping say,
"Oh mother! give me bread I pray!"
Who then will heed its cries;

SHE.

God! whom the worm and sparrow shields,
Man in his need can aid;
He'll be my comfort when thou'rt fled--
The orphan's sire will give him bread--
O! be his will obey'd.

HE.

Wife of my heart, how great thou art!
Thy love is all my weal;
I feel so proud of one like thee--
Thy love and thy fidelity
Inspire me with fresh zeal.

AGRICULTURE.

Thou first of arts, source of domestic ease,
Pride of the land, and patron of the seas,
_Thrift Agriculture!_ lend thy potent aid;
Spread thy green fields where dreary forest's shade;

Where savage men pursue their savage prey,
Let the white flocks in verdant pastures play;
From the bloom'd orchard and the showery vale
Give the rich fragrance to the gentle gale:

Reward with ample boon the labourer's hand,
And poor thy gladdening bounties o'er our land.
Columbia's sons, spurn not the rugged toil;
_Your nation's glory is a cultur'd soil._

Rome's Cincinnatus, of illustrious birth,
Increas'd his laurels while he tilled the earth:
E'en China's monarch lays his sceptre down,
Nor deems the task unworthy of the crown.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"AMICUS" wishes to know why his communications have not appeared in the _Rural Magazine_. This kind of request is sometimes very difficult for an editor to comply with. In the present instance, we feel much obliged to our correspondent for his intention of serving us, and did we know him personally, would give him our reasons for omitting his pieces.

We have anticipated the request of "AGRICOLA" of Susquehannah county, by inserting in our last number the address of _Judge Tilghman_. "AGRICOLA's" remarks upon, and large quotations from it, could not with so much propriety be now admitted.

PHILADELPHIA,

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