Chapter III: Part 3

We might enlarge these items, and several other articles worthy of record, but our limits will not permit.

THE ROBBER DISAPPOINTED.

A few months ago, a farmer living a few miles from Easton, sent his daughter on horseback to that town, to procure from the bank smaller notes in exchange for one of one hundred dollars. When she arrived there the bank was shut, and she endeavoured to effect her object by offering it at several stores, but could not get her note changed. She had not gone far on her return, when a stranger rode up to the side of her horse, and accosted her with so much politeness that she had not the slightest suspicion of any evil intention on his part. After a ride of a mile or two, employed in very social conversation, they came to a retired part of the road, and the gentleman commanded her to give him the bank note. It was with some difficulty that she could be made to believe him in earnest, as his demeanour had been so friendly; but the presentation of a pistol placed the matter beyond a doubt, and she yielded to necessity. Just as she held the note to him, a sudden puff of wind blew it into the road, and carried it gently several yards from them. The discourteous knight alighted to overtake it, and the lady whipped her horse to get out of his power, and the other horse who had been left standing by her side, started off with her. His owner fired a pistol, which only tended to increase the speed of all parties, and the young lady arrived safely at home with the horse of the robber, on which was a pair of saddlebags. When these were opened, they were found to contain, besides a quantity of counterfeit bank notes, _fifteen hundred dollars in good money_! The horse was a good one, and when saddled and bridled, was thought to be worth at least as much as the bank note that was stolen.

As this story is somewhat wonderful, I enclose you my name as a voucher for the truth of it, and am yours, &c.

[_Nat. Recorder_.

MARIVAUX.

The following anecdotes from _Esprit de Marivaux_, a book, probably, not known to many of your readers, may serve to amuse some of them.

Marivaux was scarcely less remarkable for his indolence than his wit.--He was said to be "by nature the laziest creature in the world;" but his goodness appeared on the most trifling circumstances. He was one day setting out for the country with Mad. Lallemand de Bez. Marivaux and the lady's sister were already in the coach; she staid behind to give some orders to her domestics. In this interval, a sturdy young fellow, about eighteen or twenty, plump and fresh coloured, came to the coach door begging. Marivaux, struck with the contrast between the appearance and profession of the man, looked out, and reproved him. "Are you not ashamed," said he, "a young fellow in perfect health and vigour, to have the meanness to beg your bread, when you might procure it by honest labour?" The fellow, struck with this rebuke, was, at first, confounded and silent; but presently afterwards, scratching his head, exclaimed with a shrug and a sigh, "_Ah! sir, if you did but know--I am so lazy!_" Marivaux, who was himself sensible of the pain of labour, was so pleased with the fellow's confession, that he gave him a crown.

Fontenelle having heard that Marivaux was sick, and having just reason to fear that he, who never laid by any money, might be in want of it at such an exigence, went to him, and when they were alone, told him his suspicions. "Perhaps," says he, "more money may be convenient to you than you have by you.--Friends should never wait to be solicited; here is a purse with a hundred louis d'ors, which you must permit me to leave at your disposal."--"I consider them (said Marivaux) as received and used; permit me now to return them with the gratitude that such a favour ought to excite."--"What benevolence and generosity, in one of these friends," says the author, "what delicacy and greatness of mind in the other!"

[_Nat. Gaz._

_A curious phenomenon._--Extract of a letter dated May 4th, 1820, from a respectable physician of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, to an eminent member of the faculty in this city.

"About twelve years ago the wife of the parish minister had twins. She was a debilitated nervous woman. Her mother a healthy old lady of seventy-five, who firmly believed the prayers of the faithful could remove mountains, began to think what a comfortable thing it would be, if she could nurse one of the twins. The consequence was, that her breasts filled with milk, and she nursed it for twelve months, affording all that time an abundant supply, to the great relief of the mother.

"This story cannot be contradicted; for the most respectable persons in Northumberland have related it to me, persons who could not be deceived, and would not deceive me. They say that she often carried the child abroad in the course of her visiting, telling the wonder wherever she went, and giving her friends ocular demonstration of the lactiferous miracle."

[_Ibid_.

_Works of Fiction._--Hannah More, in her last work, remarking on the subject of "unprofitable reading," observes, "many works of fiction may be read with safety, some even with profit; But the constant familiarity even with such as are not exceptionable in themselves, relaxes the mind that wants hardening, dissolves the heart which wants fortifying, stirs the imagination which wants quieting, irritates the passions which want calming, and, above all, disinclines and disqualifies for active virtues, and for spiritual exercises. The habitual indulgence in such reading is a silent, mining mischief. Though there is no act, and no moment, in which any open assault on the mind is made, yet the constant habit performs the work of a mental atrophy; it produces all the symptoms of decay, and the danger is not less for being more gradual, and, therefore, less suspected."

GREENSBOROUGH, _(Pa.) May 5, 1820_.

_Law Case._--JACK VS. MAUNS.--The plaintiff brought suit against defendant for a rifle gun, which defendant had exchanged for a horse. The defendant insisted on the bargain being annulled, on the ground of a special agreement, that if he did not like the horse, he should be returned within a stipulated time. The cause was referred to arbitrators, who awarded, that the plaintiff should take back the horse, and the defendant his gun, the spectators pay the drink, and the justice the cost of arbitrators. Judgment on the award--_parties satisfied_.

THE SPANISH INQUISITION.

During the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, and in the Pontificate of Innocent VIII. the Inquisition was established for the prosecution of heretics. It was originally intended to take cognizance of only the Jews and Moors--but so rapidly did it extend its influence, that during the sway of Torquemada, the first Inquisitor-General, it was calculated that 6000 persons were burnt by his order; and upwards of 20,000 fell victims in various other ways. From the above period to the present time, it is impossible to calculate the number of persons who have fallen victims to its horrid cruelties. The late revolutions in Spain have abolished the Inquisition, opened the doors of its prisons, and set the captives free. This measure alone is a subject of the highest congratulation to the friends of freedom throughout the world.

[_N. Y. D. Adv._

_Mr. Ellery._--The venerable Mr. Ellery, the subject of the extract which we give below, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and upwards of ninety years old when he died. The writer of the letter is a gentleman of Rhode Island, of much distinction, who was intimately acquainted with the deceased.

_Extract of a letter, dated Newport, (R. I.) March 14, 1820_.

"Old Mr. Ellery died like a philosopher. In truth death, in its common form, never came near him. His strength wasted gradually for the last year, until he had not enough left to draw in his breath, and so he ceased to breathe. The day on which he died, he got up and dressed himself, took his old flag-bottomed chair, without arms, in which he had sat for more than half a century, and was reading Tully's Offices in the Latin without glasses, though the print was as fine as that of the smallest pocket Bible. Dr. W. stopped in on his way to the Hospital, as he usually did; and on perceiving the old gentlemen could scarcely raise his eyelids to look at him, took his hand, and found that his pulse was gone. After drinking a little wine and water, Dr. W. told him his pulse beat stronger. "O yes, Doctor, I have a charming pulse. But," he continued, "it is idle to talk to me in this way. I am going off the stage of life, and it is a great blessing that I go free from sickness, pain and sorrow." Some time after, his daughter, finding him become extremely weak, wished him to be put to bed, which he at first objected to, saying he felt no pain, and there was no occasion for his going to bed. Presently after, however, fearing he might possibly fall out of his chair, he told them they might get him upright in the bed, so that he could continue to read. They did so, and he continued reading Cicero very quietly for some time; presently they looked at him and found him dead, sitting in the same posture, with the book under his chin, as a man who becomes drowsy and goes to sleep."

_[National Gazette_.

_Benjamin West._--This distinguished American artist died in London at the advanced age of 82, being born on the 10th of October, 1738, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His genius and industry as a painter have never been surpassed, and his productions will long be admired for their great and unrivalled merit. He was much attached to his native country, and took great pleasure in conversing with his fellow citizens, and giving every facility to American artists--he viewed our progress in arts and in science, with deep interest, and his long absence did not alienate his affections from his native land. "Yesterday," said he to an American, "was fifty years since I first arrived in London--I remember travelling on the top of the Canterbury coach, and stopping about two miles from London, at a mean tavern, and taking a dinner before I entered the metropolis to seek my fortune; and I could not avoid yesterday going to the same tavern, calling for a dinner alone in the same room, looking back on the fifty years I had spent, the progress I had made in my profession, the friends I possessed, and the adventures I had met with." This was a singular epoch in the life of an individual.

[_Nat. Advocate._

MISCELLANY.

_Other people's eyes the cause of ruin._--Almost all the parts of the body, says Dr. Franklin, require some expense. The feet demand shoes; the legs stockings; the rest of the body, clothing; and the stomach a good deal of victuals. Our eyes, though exceedingly useful, ask, when reasonable, only the cheap assistance of spectacles, which would not much impair our finances. But the eyes of _other people_ are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine house nor fine furniture.

_Enormous Bird._--Mr. Henderson has discovered, in New Siberia, the claws of a bird, measuring each a yard in length; and the Yaknts assured him they had frequently in their hunting excursions, met with skeletons, and even feathers of this bird, the quills of which were large enough to admit a man's arm. This is a fact in support of the tradition, that the earth was formerly inhabited by giants, for men, not exceeding ourselves in stature, would have been helpless against birds of prey of this magnitude.

_Martial glory._--In the Edinburgh Review of Dr. Seybert's "Statistical Annals of the United States," there is an admonition to the Americans to abstain from martial glory. "We can inform them," (says the Reviewer) "what are the inevitable consequences of being too fond of glory. Taxes upon every article which enters into the mouth, or covers the back, or is placed under the foot--taxes upon every thing which is pleasant to see, hear, feel, smell, or taste--taxes upon warmth, light, or locomotion--taxes on every thing on earth, and the waters under the earth--of every thing that comes from abroad, or is grown at home--taxes on the raw material--taxes on every fresh value that is added to it by the industry of men--taxes on the sauce which pampers man's appetite, and the drug that restores him to health--on the ermine which decorate the judge, and the rope which hangs the criminal--on the poor man's salt, and the rich man's spice--on the brass nails of the coffin, and the ribands of the bride--at bed or at board, couchant or levant, we must pay! The school boy whips his taxed top--the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle on a taxed road; and the dying Englishman, pouring his medicine which has paid seven per cent., into a spoon which has paid fifteen per cent., flings himself back upon his chintz bed, which has paid twenty-two per cent.--makes his will on an 8l. stamp, and expires in the arms of an apothecary, who has paid 100l. for the privilege of putting him to death.--His whole property is then taxed from 2 to 10 per cent., besides the probate. Large fees are demanded for burying him in the chancel; his virtues are handed down to posterity on taxed marble; and he is then gathered to his fathers to be taxed no more."

_Law Intelligence.--R. & C. Rhodes, vs. Peleg Congdon._ The court are of opinion that the legal mode of computing interest, where there have been partial payments, is, to cast the interest on the principal, up to the time of the first payment, which add to the principal; and from this sum deduct the payment, and so on through all the endorsements when one year or more intervenes between the payments, provided the sum paid is greater than the sum due for interest, when the payment is made; if less than such sum is paid, to be applied towards the payment of interest; and where the note or mortgage has not run one year, then, cast the interest tin the payment, as well as the principal, up to the end of the year.--The above decision was made by the Supreme Court, at their late April term, in Kent, Maryland.

_On Books._--Dr. Aikin in his valuable letters from a Father to a Son, thus elucidates the value of a Library:--"Imagine (says he) that we had it in our power to call up the shades of the greatest and wisest men that ever existed, and obliged them to converse with us on the most interesting topics--what an inestimable privilege should we think it!--how superior to all common enjoyments! But in a well furnished library we, in fact, possess this power. We can question Xenophon and Cæsar on their campaigns--make Demosthenes and Cicero plead before us--join in the audiences of Socrates and Plato, and receive demonstrations from Euclid and Newton. In books we have the choicest thoughts of the ablest men in their best dress. We can, at pleasure, exclude dulness and impertinence, and open our doors to wit and good sense alone. Without books, I have never been able to pass a single day to my entire satisfaction; with them, no day has been so dark as not to have had its pleasure. Even pain and sickness have for a time been charmed away by them. By the easy provision of a book in my pocket, I have frequently worn through long nights and days in the most disagreeable parts of my profession, with all the difference in my feelings between calm content and fretful impatience."

_European Literature._---The catalogue of the fair of Leipsic, for 1819, contains one thousand two hundred and sixteen new works, in Greek, Latin, and German; thirty-eight novels, thirty dramatic pieces, twenty-seven geographical maps, fifty-nine pieces of music; and seventy-seven works in foreign languages, the French, Italian, Polish, Bohemian, Danish, and Spanish.

_Egypt._--The last news from this country, of inexhaustible curiosity, contains information respecting the labours of that magnificent undertaking, the Grand Canal of Alexandria. Already the primary effects of it have given an impulse to agriculture and industry, such as might be expected from it. The culture of cotton, of the sugar cane, of the mulberry tree, is beginning to assume a degree of activity, as also the rearing of silkworms; and some important new manufactories are already at work, holding out the promise of future commercial prosperity.

_Lakes in New Holland._--It appears that two large seas or sheets of water have been discovered in the interior of New Holland, supplied chiefly by two considerable rivers, whose sources are on the western side of the Blue Mountains.

_Missions in India._--The Reverend James Bryce, in a sermon preached in Calcutta, March, 1818, said, "Zeal the most active and disinterested, and diligence the most assiduous, have not been spared by the Christian missionary, in his pious attempts to convert the natives of India. But, alas! it may be doubted, if at this day he boasts a single proselyte to his creed, over whom he is warranted to rejoice."

_Increase of Taxes in England._--A meeting of the magistrates, and other owners and occupiers of land in Monmouthshire, was held lately at Abergavenny, for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for relief. The 1st clause of the petition states, "That the farmer at this time can obtain but little more for his corn than in the year 1793, although the taxes are increased _four fold_, and the poors' rates above trebled, since that period."

_British Exports._--The exports of white and plain calicoes from Great Britain, were--In 1814, 58,928,174 yards; in 1815, 65,669 930; in 1816, 50,251,102; and in 1817, 63,525,555.

_Scull of king Robert the Bruce._--Lately in the church of Dumfermline, the grave of the celebrated warrior king Robert the Bruce was opened, in presence of a numerous assemblage of men of rank and science. The scull, and various parts of the skeleton, were in a state of preservation: now that the opinions of Gall and Spurzheim are not passed over as mere pieces of quackery, the curiosity of anatomists, and even of the public in general, was excited by this invaluable opportunity of inspecting and examining such a scull as that of king Robert the Bruce. We are told, that several of the propensities of this great man, were strongly expressed in the eminences of the scull--in particular, that the organ of _combativeness_ was the most prominent of the whole.

_Power of Ice._--The following singular account of the power of ice, is taken from an English periodical publication, of January 1820.

"Huyghens, in order to try the force with which ice would expand itself when confined, filled a cannon, the sides of which were an inch thick, with water, and then closed the mouth and touch hole so that none could escape. The instrument, thus filled was exposed in a strong freezing air. In less than twelve hours the water within was frozen, and began to dilate itself with such force, that it actually burst the piece in two different places. Mathematicians have calculated the force of the ice on this occasion; such a force, they say, would raise a weight of 27,730 pounds. From hence, therefore, we need not be surprised at the effects of ice destroying the substance of vegetables, trees, and even splitting rocks, when the frost is carried to excess.

"The late frost produced quite a phenomenon at the back of the Cold-Bath-Fields prison, where the New River Water Company's leading iron pipes cross the Fleet Ditch. The pipes not having been properly cemented, or the cement having worn away, the water had spouted up high in the air: and when the very severe weather was, it commenced freezing, and continued to freeze till a large cascade or fountain of ice was actually formed, as white as snow, about ten feet above the pipe, and reaching in large icicles concocted together nearly to the water in the ditch below. The bank was covered with a thick coat of ice from the spray, which blew from the water-fall. The circumference of the frozen pile could not be less than eight or ten feet, at half that height from the pipe. At a distance it was not possible to distinguish it from water spouting and falling down; and when close to it the ice looked so clear and beautiful, and the rarity of such an object being considered, made every one behold it with wonder and admiration."

_Ingenious Machine._--The National Fire and Life Insurance Association, (London) have introduced a newly invented machine, which possesses the following properties: In case of fire, it instantly awakens the party in whose sleeping room it is placed--immediately lights a lamp--makes known the hour of the night, and not only that a fire has commenced, but in what room.

_Chinese Superstition._--The following article, which gives some idea of Chinese superstition, is taken from a Peking Gazette:--"The 1st of May, 1818, there arose suddenly at Peking, a tempest, that obscured the heavens and filled the air with sand and dust. The Emperor, thinking it was a judgment from heaven, was very much alarmed, and very anxious to know what it meant: he assembled his ministers of state, and commanded them to endeavour to discover the cause of it: he then reprimanded his astronomers for not having foretold it to him. 'You announced to me,' said he to them, 'three days ago, the happy influence the stars had over me, foretelling a long and prosperous life; this was mere flattery, while you either would not or could not tell me of this impending misfortune.' Three of those _sages_ gave their opinion, that the cause of this tempest was the dismissal of the late chief minister, _Sung Tajin_, and advised him to recall him; but his Majesty, far from approving their proposal, reprimanded them for having the presumption to meddle with the royal prerogative. The body of mathematicians gave in their opinion, assuring him that if this whirlwind, accompanied with dust, continued during the whole day, it indicated a perverse conduct and variance of opinion between the sovereign and his ministers, as well as a great drought and famine. If the wind disturbed the sand, moved the stones, and made much noise, inundations were to be expected; and if the dust continued to fall one hour more, the plague would rage in the southern regions, and half the inhabitants to the southeast would be sick."

The Gazette expresses his Majesty's uneasiness at this long drought. His Majesty has ordered his sons to fast, to pray, and offer sacrifices to heaven, to earth, and to the god of wind. There was to be a solemn festival on the 25th of May, 1819, at which all the princes, ministers, and nobles, were to appear in procession, wearing mourning as a mark of their contrition!

_To Farmers' Wives._--A most excellent method of making BUTTER, is now practised in England, which effectually prevents its changing and becoming rancid.--The day before churning, scald the cream in a clean iron kettle, over a clear fire, taking care that it does not boil over. As soon as it begins to boil, or is fully scalded, strain it, when the particles of milk, which tended to sour and change the butter, are separated and left behind. Put the vessel into a tub of water, in a cellar, till the next morning, when it will be ready for churning, and become butter in less than quarter of the time required in the common method. It will also be hard, with peculiar additional sweetness, and will not change. The labour in this way is less than the other, as the butter comes so much sooner, and saves so much time in working out the buttermilk.--By this method good butter may be made in the hottest weather.

DIED,

In the parish of Aiglish, in the vicinity of Killarney, Ireland, at the very advanced age of _one hundred and fifteen years_, THEODORE O'SULLIVAN, the celebrated Irish Bard.--This extraordinary man, who was a great composer in his native language, expired suddenly, in April last, whilst sowing oats in the field of his great grand children, and retaining his faculties to the last moment! He is said to have sung to the plough one of his favourite lyrics, and actually breathed his last at the final stanza of his national melody. The deceased also followed the occupation of a cooper, and is said to have made a churn, from which butter was taken for the christening of his 26th great grand child.

Lately, at the hospital at Bourges, France, aged 103 years, and 13 days, ETIENNE DELAMETAIRE. He was born blind, and employed for upwards of 60 years in turning a grindstone.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The more disinterested our benevolence, the nearer we approach to the gods, was the sentiment of a reflecting heathen, who lived at a remote period of antiquity. Disinterested benevolence, though of rare occurrence, is nevertheless, to the honour of human nature, sometimes witnessed. 'When it is, the effect, like that produced by beholding an island of verdure in a sandy desert, or a retiring evergreen in the wintry waste, is in the highest degree cheering and delightful. DAVID G. SEIXAS, a young man of this city, of limited pecuniary resources, but of truly philanthropic and elevated views, has for some time past gratuitously instructed a number of deaf and dumb children, with singular success. His unobtrusive merit has at length in some measure become cognisant to the public; and as it is ascertained that there is a considerable number of unfortunate individuals, of this description, in the city _and its vicinity_, an association has been formed, under the most respectable auspices, for establishing an Institution for their instruction.[11] It is hoped and believed, that exertions to promote so excellent an object, will be aided with ample and willing patronage.

[11] This truly laudable enterprise, as well as many others of a
similar character, (without derogating from the important services
of others,) is most essentially indebted to the enlightened zeal,
and public spirited benevolence of one of the Vice-Presidents,
ROBERTS VAUX, Esq.--The justice of this small tribute to
distinguished worth, although dictated by friendship, will be
cheerfully acknowledged by his fellow citizens generally.

THE DEAF AND DUMB BOY!

When smiles play around thee, why sad and forlorn,
Amid all the transports thy fellows enjoy;
In life's cheerful morning what prompts thee to mourn?--
Alas! he is SILENT--poor sad-fated BOY!

When nature is robed in her mantle of green,
And winter has fled with his vapours & snows,
Every bough has its vocalist gladd'ning the scene,
He naught of this soul-cheering melody knows!

His ear never welcom'd the music of sound,
His tongue never utter'd the wonders of thought,
His DUTIES and END wrapt in darkness profound,
Have ne'er to this child of misfortune been taught.

Perchance ere the period when heart-rending woes,
To a premature grave had a fond mother brought,
As maternal affection more fervidly glows,
When our path through existence with sorrows is fraught!

Life's gath'ring ills were dispell'd by her smiles,
For love an inaudible language can speak;
But bereft of that friend who all suffering beguiles,
The tear of affliction now traces his cheek.

His wants disregarded, his wishes unknown,
Yet generous bosoms with sympathy feel,
When they make his condition--a moment their own,
His eloquent, silent, resistless appeal.

Though drear be his prospects, we view with delight,
His sorrowing features now bright'ning with joy,
For Mercy descending in vesture of white,
Will solace the SPEECHLESS AND DESTITUTE BOY.

E.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The following is a copy of Verses which I took from a manuscript
above forty years ago. I think them good, and as I have never
seen them in any printed book, I infer they are very rarely to
be met with.

From your friend and well-wisher,

_May_ 8, 1820.

C. E.

ON MAN'S DEPENDANCE ON HIS CREATOR.

Through all the various shifting scenes
Of life's mistaken ill or good,
The hand of God conducts, unseen,
The beautiful vicissitude.

He portions with paternal care,
Howe'er unjustly we complain,
To each his necessary share
Of joy and sorrow, health and pain.

Trust we to youth, or friends, or power,
Fix we our foot on fortune's ball;
When most secure, the coming hour,
If he sees fit, can blast them all.

When lowest sunk with grief or shame,
Gorged with affliction's deepest cup,
Lost to relations, friends, or fame,
His powerful hand can raise thee up.

Before his throne the poor, opprest
With slanderous rage, acquitted stand;
He guides the exile to his rest,
And country, in a foreign land.

His powerful consolations cheer,
His smiles erect the afflicted head;
His hand can wipe away the tear
That secret wets the widow'd bed.

All things on earth, and all in heaven,
On his eternal will depend;
And all for greater good were given,
Would man pursue th' appointed end.

This be my care. To all beside,
Indifferent let my wishes be;
Passions be calm, and dumb be pride,
And fix'd my soul, my God, on thee.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

My leisure hours are mostly employed in holding a sort of literary _chit-chat_ with some favourite author or editor; but I am never more agreeably entertained than at your _Evening Fire-side_, by the various topics there introduced and discussed. The Essayist _remarks_ the pride, extravagance, and vices, which at present prevail, and _teaches_ us that these are unworthy of rational beings, and that their opposites, humility, prudence, and virtue, with the exercise of charity and forbearance, can alone ensure us felicity. The Agriculturist descants on the improvement of the soil, the rearing of flocks and herds, and the enviable pleasures of rural occupations. The Mechanic sets forth the superior advantages of some new invention; while the man of science communicates the result of ingenious experiments in the particular branches of knowledge which have engaged his attention. And last, though not less a favourite than the rest, is the Bard, whose title to poetic inspiration is not unfrequently evinced by his giving

----"_to airy nothing
"A local habitation and a name_."

While thus highly amused and instructed myself, I am unable, being of humble capacity, to contribute in return to the edification of others, unless by occasionally communicating what I may chance to glean in the course of some of my _literary_ peregrinations. As this may not be unacceptable, I send you, as a token of my good will, and desire for the prosperity of your interesting Miscellany, a _scrap_ of American poesy, which, though published a few years since in some of the public journals, it is believed will be new to many of your readers. The writer is a young lady of Virginia, by the name of HENNING, who thus modestly speaks of a production, which, it must be admitted, is alike creditable to herself, her sex and country:--"The subject which I have selected, has already employed the talents of an eminent poet, (_Akenside_,) and as he has gathered in the rich harvest which it presented to the sickle of his genius, I must, like Ruth of old, be content to collect the scattered ears, not however expecting the same result to my employment as that which attended my fair-famed predecessor."--Your friend,

X.

ODE TO IMAGINATION.

Oh thou! whose power inspires the minstrel's song.
And pours the tide of tuneful verse along,
Whose rapid wings through ether speed their flight,
While earth extended lies beneath thy sight,
Send one bright beam of that celestial blaze,
That round thy brow in dazzling lustre plays,
One ray, to gild the gloom of mental night,
And burst its shroud with thy refulgent light!

By thee each scene, that meets the gazing view,
Is cloth'd in beauty's bright attractive hue:
'Tis thine to wake the bold exalted thought,
With splendour graced, with mental ardour fraught;
The lofty strain of eloquence is thine,
By thee its torrent rolls, its beauties shine;
Thy power directs the mind's adventurous flight,
And guides its course to Grandeur's lofty height.

'Tis thine fair Beauty's brightest forms to trace,
Adorned with charms and rich in every grace,
By thee the painter's mimic canvas shows
A youthful form where each attraction glows;
By thee the eye its seeming lustre sheds,
By thee the rose the snowy cheek o'erspreads,
Till to the sight the lovely semblance seems
A living goddess, sung in fabled themes.

Nor does the strain whose headlong torrent falls,
While sounding echoes strike the lofty walls,
Nor Venus robed in heavenly charms alone,
The potent magic of thine influence own.
Oft have thy visions cheered the drooping breast,
By anguish pierced, by gloomy cares opprest,
A while suppressed the deep complaining sigh,
And wiped the tear from sorrow's streaming eye.

The lonely exile, forced afar to roam,
And leave for ever his lamented home,
Though foreign scenes to meet his view arise,
By thee transported, sees his native skies.
Each scene, that gave his youthful heart delight,
Again salutes his fond enraptured sight,
And Friendship's voice, which once he loved to hear,
In tender accents meets his listening ear.

But who can tell how wide thine influence reigns?
The weary captive, bound in galling chains,
Cheered by thy light, forgets his dungeon's gloom,
And seems to gaze on Nature's vernal bloom,
The leafy grove, the blue ethereal sky,
The flowery field, delight his wondering eye,
While Nature's music breathes its thrilling notes,
And on his ear in melting softness floats.

Fair Queen of Visions! I invoke thine aid,
Whose wondrous force, what strain has e'er display'd?
For who can trace thy wild eccentric course,
Or paint of mental light the lovely source?
As well might Art with feeble skill essay
To paint the warm enlivening orb of day,
With mimic hues its sparkling beams to light,
And pour its radiance on the aching sight!

E'en though I gained that mountain's fabled height,
Where Music breathes the soul of warm delight,
I'd ask not power thy wondrous might to sing,
So far beyond my thought's sublimest spring,
But send one beam of that celestial blaze,
That round thy brow in dazzling lustre plays,
One ray to gild the gloom of mental night,
And burst its shroud with thy refulgent light.

AN INVOCATION TO POVERTY.

BY CHARLES JAMES FOX, ESQ.

Oh, Poverty! of pale, consumptive hue,
If thou delight'st to haunt me still in view;
If still thy presence must my steps attend,
At least continue as thou art--my friend!
Whene'er example bids me be unjust,
False to my word--or faithless to my trust;
Bid me the baneful error quickly see,
And shun the world, to find repose in thee:
When vice to wealth would turn my partial eye,
Or interest shut my ear to sorrow's cry,
Or courtiers' custom would my reason bend,
My foe to flatter--or desert my friend;
Oppose, kind Poverty, thy tempered shield,
And bear me off unvanquished from the field.
If giddy Fortune e'er return again,
With all her idle, restless, wanton train;
Her magic glass should false Ambition hold;
Or Avarice bid me put my trust in gold;
To my relief, thou virtuous goddess, haste,
And with thee bring thy daughters ever chaste,
Health! Liberty! and Wisdom! Sisters bright!
Whose charms can make the worst condition light,
Beneath the hardest fate the mind can cheer,
Can heal Affliction, and disarm Despair!
In chains, in torments, Pleasure can bequeath,
And dress in smiles the tyrant hour of Death!

GLORY TO GOD.

To thee, PROTECTIVE God, I owe,
All that I have, or hope, or know,
Each ray of mind that seems to shine
Is but a clouded gleam from thine.

The lust'red heavens present thy zone,
The peopled earth thy living throne,
The globe, which nature holds of thee,
Is bound by thy infinity.

Poor, and unbless'd, not mine the power
To shield from want one frugal hour,
Yet from thy rich regard I drew,
The bread of peace, and promise too.

How vain the pride of man appears,
How weak the vigour of his years;
But thou one _vital spark_ has given
To light, and lead _his hope_ to Heaven.

PRAYER AND PRAISE TO GOD.

O Thou, who ere the lapse of time
Wert glorious, with unfading prime.
Enduring God! thy pity give
To me who but a moment live.

Thy strength the elements controls,
And rest the axis of the poles,
To me in sinful suffering weak,
The words of pardoning mercy speak.

Thou Light of Worlds! whose quenchless ray
Blooms in the brilliant blush of day,
On me, in darkest error blind,
Pervading pour the all-seeing mind.

Parent of Life to thee we owe
The nerves that thrill, the veins that glow;
Me, who descend the oblivious grave,
May thy absolving goodness save.

Immortal Being! God alone,
All-giving Nature is thy own,
To Thee her wandered race restore,
And bid her breathing world adore.

[_P. Folio._

PRICES CURRENT,

_At Philadelphia, May 25, 1820._

D. C. D. C.

Beef, Philad. Mess,}
(plenty,) } _bbl._ 13.00 to 13.50

Butter, Fresh _lb._ 0.25 " 0.31-1/4

Cotton Yarn, No. 10, " 0.36

Flax, Clean (scarce) " 0.16 " 0.18

Flour, Wheat Superfine }
(dull,) } _bbl._ 4.75 " 5.00

Firewood--Hickory, _cord,_ 6.00
Oak, " 3.00 " 3.75

Grain--Wheat, _bush._ 1.00
Rye, " 0.55 " 0.60
Corn, Penn. " 0.55 " 0.60
Barley, " 0.75 " 0.85
Oats, " 0.37 " 0.42

Hams, _lb._ 0.11 " 0.13

Hemp, Kentucky, _ton._ 200.00

Plaster of Paris, " 4.50

Leather, Soal _lb._ 0.24 " 0.80

Pork, Jersey and }
Penn. Mess } _bbl._ 15.50 " 16.00

Shingles, Cedar 1000 25.00 " 27.00

Molasses, S. H. _gal._ 0.10 " 0.15

Nails of all sizes, _lb._ 0.07-1/2 " 0.12

Seed, Clover _bush._ 8.50 " 9.00

Wool--Merino, clean _lb._ 0.75 }
Do. in grease " 0.50 }Rising.
Common " 0.50 }

It is generally believed, we have not had a rain for several years so beneficial in its consequences as the late one, taking into consideration the season, the dry state of the ground and the quantity fallen. An accurate Rain Guage is kept at the office of the Board of Health, in Philadelphia, from which the following is extracted.

In. Hun

May 6, Shower, 0 .12
" 11, do. 0 .25
" 12, do. 0 .15
" 14, do. 0 .03
" 16-17, Rain, 0 .40
" 17-18, do. 0 .16
" 18-19, do. 0 .80
" 19-20, do. 0 .40
" 20-22, do. 0 .45
" -24, Shower, 0 .32
---------
3 .08

_State of the_
THERMOMETER AT PHILADELPHIA,
_For the last Month._

Days. 9 o'cl. 12 o'cl. 3 o'cl.

1 65 76 77
2 60 65 65
3 57 69 69
4 60 70 73
5 66 72 72
6 62 63 51
8 58 66 69
9 65 68 68
10 64 73 76
11 62 67 70
12 70 75 73
13 68 75 68
15 62 67 67
16 56 59 57
17 50 51 51
18 53 56 55
19 50 52 52
20 55 56 58
22 62 69 70
23 68 75 79
24 76 80 74
25 68 72 71
26 55 54 53
27 60

BANK NOTE EXCHANGE,

_At Philadelphia, May 25, 1820._

Disc't.

U. S. BRANCH BANK Notes, 1/2
RHODE ISLAND--generally, 1
CONNECTICUT--generally, 2
MASSACHUSETTS--Boston, 1
Country generally, 4-6
NEW YORK--City Bank Notes, par.
Country generally, 2-3
NEW JERSEY--generally, par.
PENNSYLVANIA--Farmer's Bank, of }
Lancaster; Easton; Montgomery }
County; Farmer's }par.
Bank, Buck's County; Delaware }
Bank, at Chester, }
Northampton, 2-1/2
New Hope Bridge Co. 1
Susquehanna, 3
Farmer's Bank at Reading, 7-1/2
Lancaster Bank; York Bank; } 3
Gettysburg, }
Northumberland; Union, 17
Greensburg; Brownsville, 12-1/2
Farmers & Mechanics' Bank } 30
at Pittsburg, }
DELAWARE--generally, par.
Excepting the Commercial }
Bank of Delaware; } 5
and Branch Bank, do. at }
Wilmington, }
Laurel Bank, 50
MARYLAND--Baltimore Banks, 1/2
Baltimore City Bank; Annapolis; } 2-3
Hagerstown, }
Cumberland Bank of Allegany; } 50
Snowhill, }
Elkton, 37-1/2
VIRGINIA--Richmond and Branches, 1-1/2
Country generally, 2-1/2-3
N. W. Bank, at Wheeling, 10-12-1/2
COLUMBIA DISTRICT--Mech. Bank } 5
of Alexandria, }
Country generally, 1
NORTH CAROLINA--generally, 6
SOUTH CAROLINA--State Banks,
generally, } 2

GEORGIA--State Banks, generally, 2
Augusta Bridge Company, 50
KENTUCKY--No sales.
OHIO--Marietta; Stubenville, 15
Bank of Chillicothe, 5
Country generally, 25-50

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS.

We present you with the SIXTH number of the RURAL MAGAZINE. You will recollect the terms of subscription. We were now to receive the first year's payment--THREE dollars; and annually, from this time, the same sum. Your punctuality will confer on us an additional favour, and afford a criterion by which we may, in part, judge of our future support.

We contemplate no material alteration in our plan. In the first part of each number we shall present you, as heretofore, with essays of different kinds; in the second, with agricultural subjects; and in the third, or last division, with a miscellany made up of every variety that presents.

Our present list of subscribers is about what we had anticipated, but is not yet sufficiently large. We calculate, however, before the close of the year, to see it so increased as to support us in our hope of success. This will, in some measure, depend on those who have seen and desire the continuance of the work. Could each of you procure among your neighbours two or three, or even one additional subscriber, our purpose would be answered. We therefore request your assistance in this way, and enclose a subscription paper. Subscribers will be expected to take the numbers from the beginning of the year. A complete index and title-page will be furnished for each volume.

RICHARDS & CALEB JOHNSON.

PHILADELPHIA,

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
RICHARDS & CALEB JOHNSON,
_No. 31, Market Street_,
At $3.00 per annum.

* * * * *

GRIGGS & DICKENSON, _Printers--Whitehall_.