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Agricultural.

FOR THE BALANCE.

ON PRESERVING CIDER.

In which place it continued from O&tober to May following. It was then drawn off into barrels, and was pronounced to be the best of cider, by very good judg

es."

He adds, "In this manner the famous Falernian wine, fo often mentioned by the Latin poet Horace, was kept, being funk in the river Tiber, which washed the walls of Rome."

THE

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HE juice of the apple, were the best methods used in expreffing and preferving it, as well as in forting the fruit, night perhaps be rendered almost equal to the juice of the grape. The following method of preferving cider is mentioned in Dean's husbandry. An experiment, fays a valuable correfpondent, in the county of Suffolk (Mafs.) was made in the year 1764. Some iron boun cafks of cider were placed in a cellar which was always fo full of cold pring-water, as to keep the casks conftantly covered, with the water running upon them continually.

"An old military gentleman, who was as much diftinguished for his morals as for his courage, told a friend, that his father, who was a fenfible man, but extremely de: vout, feeing that he was much inclined to out, feeing that he was much inclined to a certain vice, fpared no pains to curb this propenfity; but finding, notwithstanding all his care, that his fon ftill perfifted in his vices, he carried him to an hofpital eftablished for the cure of a certain vile dif

As

the water was at all times equally cold, it
kept the cider not only from the influence
of the air, but fermentations in liquor.cafe; and without any previous intimation

of his defign, led him into a gallery full of
thofe unhappy wretches, who were fevere-
them thither. At this hideous fpeftacle,
ly expiating the folly which had brought
fo offenfive to all the fenfes, the young
man grew fick. "Go thou wretched de-
bauchee, faid the father, with a fignificant
look and emphafis, follow thy loofe incli-
nations; it will not be long before thou
wilt think thy fell happy in being admitted
into this place. Or, prehaps, a victim to
the mol infamous fufferings, thou wilt
compel thy father to thank God for thy
death. Thefe few words, joined to the af-
fecting feene before him, made an impref-ring
fion upon the young man, which time
could never efface. Condemned, by his
profeffion, to spend his youth in garrifons,
he chofe rather to bear the raillery of his
companions than imitate their vices."

Monitorial Department.

To aid the cause of virtue and religion.

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FOR THE BALANCE.

ON INSTRUCTING YOUTH FROM LIVING
EXAMPLES.

ny, without the props of wealthy and in-
fluential relations, he has raifed himself
and become refpectable, by his own induf-
try, prudence and integrity. Now look
at Florio his means were great; his fa-
ther left him a large patrimony; he had
powerful connections able and ready to
bring him forward in the world: but his
vices have undone him. By wallowing rial, which has been faid by fome of the
THIS evening we conclude the Memo.
in the mire of debauchery, he has diffipat-Chancellor's friends, to have had a pre

ponderating influence in inducing the

ed his eflate, impaired his understanding
and poisoned his health; and has become
an object of contempt."

French Court to accede to our views in
the purchafe of Louifiana. How far this
memorial, drawn up and prefented to
Bonaparte fome months ago, and a copy
of which we are informed, has been in
this city fome fix or eight weeks fince,
could have a decifive operation on his
mind, may be a matter of fpeculation.

to

We have received fome private letters on this fubject which would go farther elucidate the point, were it fuppofed to be material at this time to have it fettled, Difmiffing all conjectures of this fort, we fhall beftow a few remarks, on the Memo rial itself.

"You can be at no lofs as to which of thefe two characters you would choofe. Therefore imitate the virtues of Antenor, and fhun the vices of Florio." This way of teaching by example is often more efficacious, than by precept.

AN

N excellent method of producing in young minds a veneration for virtue and a dread of the confequences of vice, is to contraft the one to the other, by exhibiting to their view the oppofite characters of the virtuous and the vicious. Sophron fometimes fays to his children, "mark the merit of Antenor: without a patrimo

Doctor Hitchcock, in his "Domestic

Memoirs," has the following useful anec

dote.

POLITICAL APHORISM.

A GREAT operation, directed to an important object, though it should fail of fuccefs, marks the genius and elevates the character of a minifter. A poor contracted understanding deals in little schemes, which dishonor him if they fail, and do him no credit when they fucceed.

Junius.

Political.

FROM THE EVENING POST.

MR. LIVINGSTON'S MEMORIAL.

In the first place, it would feem, if Mr. Livington's judgment and information may be relied on, the acquifition of Lou ifiana is really of very queftionable value,

64

to fay the best. He fays, the cultivation of this hot and infalubrious climate is to be carried on by flaves; of course then, the flave trade is to be forever supported and encouraged by our Governmeur, Let the friends of humanity reflect upon labour of thefe flaves will not, after all, this. But he goes on to prove, that the produce any profit to their employers, at leaft for many years. On their arrival at Louifiana, (fays he) the flaves will be employed in the barren occupation of fel. ling the large forefts with which this im menfe country is covered, a labour but little fuited to flaves, for it requires being long accuflomed to the ax, and force and activity are feldom found in flaves; they must be cloathed, fed and maintained duwhole years before any pofit can be derived from them."

"

"Who then (he afks) will cultivate Louifiana with flaves ?" Here, firft Louifiana can only be cultivated by favesnext a queftion is put implving that it can never be fo cultivated. We confefs we do not very well comprehend what the Honourable Chancellor would now be at. In the courfe of the Memorial he afferts that the pains, expences, and iols of tlements in a marfhy country and aburning men, which are infeparable from new fei. climate; the invasion of Indians; the infurrection of flaves, &c. &c. all thefe in conveniences united, are enough to flop If an undertaking and ruin a fettlement. fuch be the true eflimation in which Lou ifiana is to be held, we repeat it, we are

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yet to learn how it becomes fuch an immense acquifition, as, that FIFTEEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS is to be deemed a cheap purchase,

In a fpirit of candor, however, we are compelled to admit that we do not think that this is exactly the true light in which we are to view Louisiana; it fhail not be denied by us that it is a valuable territory and that its acquifition with that of the iiland of New-Orleans, is of primary importance to the United States. therefore, charitably difpofed to believe We are, that the Honourable Chancellor when he drew up this memorial which is to ftamp immortality on his name, humbly confented, for the time being, to turn the dignified character of the American Minifter at Paris into that of a petty chapman, and by taking the advantage of the ignorance of the First Conful and of all his count, to beat him down in the price. Should he then have been rebuffed with the unexpected reply of "Sir this might do with petty provinces, but a Great Nation never commutes its territory for pelf;" fhould fuch have been the answer originally giv en, we think it ought not to occafion much furprize in the American reader; nor on the other hand, fhould the Firft Conful afterwards have found his fituation and circumstances fo eflentially changed with regard to Europe, as to have made it his policy to liften to the propofals which he had first spurned at, can we think the memorialist would thereby become entitled to a wreath of never-fading laureis, for his extraordinary diplomatic talents?

The Balance:

fource of fecurity as this. It is true, do us the fpecial favour of devouring us at France might be willing to protect us, and lait. However, it is about as much as they are equal to, to protect themfelves. This abject flattery might poffibly have been expected in a democrat during the first days of the French revolution, but now, at this time of day, when the heyday of Gallo-American phrenzy has principally fubfided, to find it now in the ofnothing lefs than a mind radically detecficial document of a public minifter, argues

tive and diseased.

Having difpofed of the commercial part of this far-tamed memorial, we shall finifh with a few remarks on its political fentiments. "Woolen articles and hardware (fays he) are the only articles which America receives from England; but France fhall furnifh not only all thefe, but her agriculture will gain by the fale of her wines, brandies, and oils. Thofe advantages (adds he) that is, the fale of wine, bran. dy and oil, have exhibited France as the natural ally of the United States, to the eye of those who have confidered, in the extent of her power, a new pledge of the fecurity of their commerce and their fatare tranquility." As we have to confefs our ignorance of what is meant by one nation's being the natural ally of another, we can. not undertake to fay, but that fuch an alliance, if it really exits, may as well be produced by the fale of French brandy as by any other means, and therefore, for the prefent, we let this pals. But who thofe patriots can be, who confider the American commerce and tranquility as depend-the ing on the fecurity furnished us by the extenfive power of France, we know not; for ourselves, we fhould be among the laft to place any great reliance on fuch a

Of the fame nature is the expreffion afterwards made ufe of; "Two people formed to afft one another." If we are formed to aflift France, and bound to aid her in all her difficulties and embark in all her

quarrels, as the loving democrats once contended for, we fuppofe Mr. Jefferfon, when he told us that it was one of "the

to have " ential principles of our Government" nation, he muft have intended an excepentangling alliances" with no tion in favor of France; and indeed, if the is our ally by nature, as the Chancellor has it, this mult naturally be expected of us. But here we beg permiffion to oppose to this notion of Mr. Chancellor Livingston's affared, after what has lately happened at that France is our natural ally, the lanaffured, after what has lately happened at guage of one whom no democrat we feel their public feftivals, will dare to attack, and whom every federalift is proud to reof the Six Nations, dated in 1757, and is member was once our Chief. It is a letter from General Washington to the Chiefs Philadelphia nearly fifty years ago found in the American Magazine printed at

"BRETHREN,

lifh do not intend to hurt you, or any of "We are glad to fee you, and are forry your allies. This news, we know, muft have that fuch reports difquiet you. The Engbeen forged by the French, who are conftantly treacherous; afferting the greateft talhoods whenever they think they will and will promife fine things, but all from turn out to their advantage. They fpeak, the lips outward, whilst their heart is corEnglish, your real friends, are too generous rupted and full of venomous poilon. The to think of using their allies in this man

ner."

And this mention of the venerable Wafhington, fuggefts another prominent fentiinculcate in his affectionate farewell Adment, which he has been at great pains to foreign nation, and exceffive diflike of andrefs to the people of the United States. other, caufe those whom they actuate to fee Exceffive partiality (fays he) for one

66

danger only on one fide, and serve to
veil and even to fecond the arts of influence
on the other."
is in extending.our commercial relations;
"The great rule of con.
duct for us, in regard to foreign nations,

253

to have with them as little political con-
nection as poffible."
"It must be un-

politics, or the ordinary combinations. wife in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicifitudes of her ties. Our detached and diftant fituation and collifions of her friendships or enmiinvites and enables us to pursue a different course." 'Tis our true policy to fleer clear of permanent alliances with any porkeeping it in view, that it is folly in one tion of the foreign world." "Conftantly nation to look for difinterested favours may accept under that character; that by from another; that it must pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it condition of having given equivalents for fuch acceptance, it may place itfelf in the nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. 'Tis an illufion which experience muft cure; which a juft pride ought to difcard."

Thus fpoke the fage Washington in the laft addrefs he ever penned-an address breathing genuine patriotifm in every line, fraught with good fenfe, and dictated by the inoft earneft folicitude, in "the pureit of all poffible hearts," for our welfare; an addrefs containing old and affectionate friend," to which he "the counfels of an against the impoftors of pretended patriflattered himself, his countrymen would "now and then recur to moderate the fury of party fpirit, to warn against the mitchiet of foreign intrigue, and to guard olifm." But the American miniiter at Paris holds a very different language-According to him we have a permanent alliance with France, for it is formed by nature herself; there is "no point of collifion between" us ; formed [exprefsly] to affift each other." two people From France we are to look for the most"difinterested favours," and are, of course, to lofe no opportunities to confer " difinterefled favours" on her in return.

we are

Had Mr. Livingston flopped even here, though it would have evinced that "exceflive partiality" which Wathington fo ftrongly cautions. to France, againft us, it would have been lefs objectionable, on the fcore of prudence and propriety, than the "exceffive diflike" which he afterwards betrays towards England.

"I am incapable (fays the Chancellor) palatable to Ruffia or Pruffia, or calculatof conceiving the ridiculous idea of threatening a government, which has feen all Europe bend the knee before its power." It can hardly be fuppofed this is very ed to call forth the good will of England towards us. But this is not all. "I have obferved (he proceeds) that France and the United States are in a refpective fituation, fo fortunate as to have no point of

colliffion. They may affift, without being tempted to hurt one another. This commerce is ufeful to both nations, this union of fentiments and interests rests upon principles which ought to form the maritime code, and-deliver the Univerfe from the Tyranny founded by Great Britain, which he maintains, and which never will be combated with fuccefs, until the other powers, by uniting, will abridge her means, by tranferring, to nations more moderate, a part of her commerce," &c. On this extract we do not choose to fay all it fuggefts; but we ask Mr. Livington and his friends, what would be their emotions, what the embarraffiment of the executive, fhould G. Britain demand of the American government, as of right fhe may, to avow, or difavow this fentiment of our public minifter.

We can obferve to these gentlemen, th, however this thing may be winked at, at this day, it would have been attended with very ferious confequences, did the great Chatham prefide over the Britifh councils. This illuftrious flatefman, whom "modern degeneracy never reached," was too ftrongly imprefled with the juft importance of national character, to permit the fmalleft inftance of infult to pafs by, without demanding and receiving adequate fatisfaction. As it is the known temper of our government, however, to bear patiently with indignities from every other nation, it may have been thought by the ambaffador that we ought to indemnify our pride in fome fmall measure, by treating others with indignity in turn. We fhall only obferve, therefore, that it may be as well for us to borrow a little of Lord Chesterfield's prudence, when he kicked the paltroon, and take care whom we kick.

On the whole, although Mr. Livingfton in the conclufion of his paper, thinks that "time and experience will demonftrate the folidity of his remarks," and doubtless indulges the notion that his talents will be refpected by poflerity, we cannot think his memorial is calculated to add to his fame on the score of abilities, good fenfe or difcretion.

in which it was; and fecondly, that the purchase at this time has been folely owing to the bursting out of war between France and England, which rendered it neceffary for France to part with it, to prevent its falling into the hands of her enemy, who had already an expedition in forwardness to seize it.

On the feperate merits of Mr. Jefferfon, Monroe, and Livingston, who each feems to think himfelf entitled exclufively to the honour of having effected this important purchase, we take the liberty of expreffing ourselves in the form of an epigram:

To conclude in a few words thele remarks, already extended to an unforeseen. length, we fhall fay, that though the purchafe of Louifiana and New-Orleans, fhould turn out to be rather a coftly one, yet, on a great national fcale we are inclined to think well of it. Two things are, however, certain; one, that it might have been had for a tenth of the money, which report fays we are pay for it, more than fifteen million of dollars, for commodore Truxton with a tender and one hundred men would with eafe have taken New-Orleans, in the ftate

to

Our Livingston declares Monroe Had no assistance yielded ; Monroe, again, says Livingston, No more had done than he did,

No credit either to Monroe
Or Livingston is due,

Says Jefferson; say they in turn,
No credit's due to you.

Poh, poh, says Truth, why make you such a pother? You all are right, 'twas neither one nor t'other.

Be it our weekly task,

To note the passing tidings of the times.

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Hudson, August 9, 1803.

Laf week, the proceedings in the cafe of H. Crofwell at the fuit of the People, were brought before the Supreme Court at Albany, when on the application of defendant's counfel, the final decifion on the queftion for a new trial was poftponed to November term.

Perhaps our democrats will fay, that as Mr. Jefferson has the peculiar knack of making a small fum go a great way in the payment of private debts, he can, by applying the fame rule to the payment of public monies, render the purchase of Louisiana a cheap bargain.-If fo, then, if £3 10 will pay a debt of £50.* including eight year's intereft, how much will the payment fult of this fimple queflion will fhew the of 15,000,000. dollars require ?-The retrue principle of democratic calculation, and prove that the Louifiana purchase is not fo bad a bargain as fome may have imagined. [Lanfingburgh Gazette.]

* Vide account of a payment made by a certain great man to Gabriel Jones.

General Post-Office, July 22, 1803. Whereas fundry reprefentations have been made to this office of loffes fuftained in the tranfmiffion-of money by the mail, whereby it appears that depredations may have been committed by fome agent of that department. Be it therefore known that by virtue of the powers by law in me veft. ed, I do hereby offer a reward of Four Hundred Dollars to any perfon or perfons who will give to this office fuch informa. tion as fhall produce the conviction and punishment of the perpetrator of any fuch

crime.

GIDEON GRANGER, P. M. G.

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Captain Haley, of the fchooner Sally, in 16 days from Montferat, informs us, that the day previous to his failing, a British Packet, called the London, arrived there from Barbadoes, with information, that an expedition had gone again ft Demarara. [Evening Poft.]

We learn from Cape Francois, by Captain Haley of the floop Olive Branch, that an engagement took place the 19th July on the plains between one party of brigands against the other (for the negroes, it appears, are divided into two parties, one in favor of the French, and the other in oppofition) the iffue of which was not generally known; and that a body of brigands was in motion at a fhort diftance from the Cape, for the purpofe, as was faid, of going againft Fort Dauphin. Four Britifh 74's and 2 frigates were before the Cape, and had captured feveral French velfels, but permitted Americans to país and repafs without moleftation. The Govern ment evinced a difpofition to defend the place to the laft extremity. Provifions of all kinds were in great plenty; and American produce had fallen confiderably in confequence of the many cargoes which had lately arrived. [Ibid.]

Extract of a letter from Mr. J. Beefly, proprietor of the American CoffeeHoufe at Cape-Francois, to the Editor of the Mercantile Advertifer, dated July 14th, 1803.

66

Every thing here is in a ftate of fufpenfe refpe&ting War or Peace. Three English 74's and fix frigates blockade this port. They capture all French veffels, and order them for Jamaica, Not less than 20 fail have been taken and fent thither within the laft 15 days. Some few Americans have efcaped; but thofe which have arrived were chafed clofe in with the har. bour. We understand the English commmander on this flation has orders to capture all French veffels bound in or out of this port. The Government appears to be much alarmed. In confequence, the duty is taken off all American produce.

"A cenfus of the inhabitants was taken yefterday, that the provifions may be equally diftributed. A number of French veffels have been cut out of Jeremie by the English. We have two 74's and 4 fri. gates in this port which are preparing for France with all poffible difpatch. A hot prefs of French feaman has taken place both in the harbour and on fhore. You may expect to hear of an engagement betore long.

$1

"All kinds of American produce have taken an uncommon rife. Flour 22 dollars per barrel by the cargo, pork 25, beef 16, rice 10 cents, lard 18, butter ber 38 dollars per 1000." 25, lum

"

Extract of a letter from France.

COMMERCIAL AGENCY OF THE U. STATES.
Paris, May 30, 1803.

I am, with efteem, fir, yours,
(Signed) FULWAR SKIPWITH.

BRIDGETOWN, (BAR.) JULY 9.

SURRENDER OF TOBAGO.

This important event has just been an-
lency Lord Seaforth, having received offi-
nounced to the public by royal falutes from
the pilgrim and Charles Forts, His Excel-

cial information of the fame from Lieut.
General Grinfield.

Extract of a letter from his Excellency,
Lt. Gen. Grinfield, to the Rt. Hon.
Lord Seaforth, dated Centaur, Cour-
land Bay, Tobago, July 3, 1803.

fing myfelf to you, and to announce to you
I have again the fatisfaction of addref-
the furrender of this ifland by capitulation,
with no lols on our fide, and very little on
that of the French.

From the GRENADA GAZETTE,
OF JUNE 24.

66

SIR, I have now the fatisfaction of inform. ing you, that in virtue of a convention lately entered into by our minifters with this government, all American claims which are embraced by the 2d and 3d arSeptember, 1800, are to be revifed by a ticles of the convention concluded in board of three American citizens, and as paid, principle and intereft, in bills drawn far as may be approved by them are to be by our minifters, on the treasury of the United States. The board is to be form- brigs, out of four French prizes, laden with ed immediately, and is to fit no longer than produce: it appears that on Tuefday morYesterday arrived here a fhip and two twelve months-it will be well, therefore, ning laft, his Majefty's frigate Venus of ge nities, a notarial power of attorney for the eral homeward bound loaded hips being in for you immediately on the receipt of this letter to fend me by two different opportu-ceiving, or having had intelligence of fev on the receipt of this guns, in reconnoit ering off Tobago, perfum that may be liquidated in favour of Courland Bay, run in under French colyour veflel the detained by the embargo on American vef- fhips and two brigs; one of which fhips fels at Bordeaux in the years 1793 and ours, and not being fufpected, cut out two 1794, the whole of which is in my charge. Phoenix, having upwards of 1500 hogfYou will inftruct me by letter at the fame we learn was a very large one, called the time, in what manner and to whofe order you with me to remit the bills that I may heads of fugar on board, which is fent to obtain for your account. Barbadoes, the other fhip and brigs are those mentioned to have arrived here.'

23

The Knell.

June, the two leading columns pushed into
Immediately on our landing on the 30th
Mout Grace, in fight and within little more
than two miles of Fort Scarborough; the
fummons was then fent to the French Gen-
erai, who returned an anfwer by offer of
and at 11 we took poffeffion of fort Scar-
capitulation. The terms were finally fet-
borough, and the French, confifting of fai-
tled about four in the morning of the 1ft,
lors and all, of 228, laid down their arms.
(Signed) W. GRINFIELD.

HAGUE, JUNE 4.

The Bishoprick of Oinaburgh has furrendered to the French by capitulation. On their approach the Hanoverian garrifon

evacuated the country. The French, in three columns, are in full march for Hanover. They have a park of 50 pieces of artillery.

charge des affairs."
"Mr. Lifton (English Minifter) has de-
manded his paffports. He will leave a

39

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255

"The number of French troops, which ROTTERDAM, JUNE 7. entered Quakenburgh, in the Bishoprick of Olnaburgh, amounted to 6000."

Rai

At New-York, on Saturday the 30th ult. after a
lingering illness, deeply lamented by her numerous
friends and relations, Mrs. AvN BELDEN, wife of
Mr. Ebenezer Belden, publisher of the Commercial
Advertiser, in the 23d year of her age.

At Baltimore, Monsieur JAMES LEVILDAIN,
Consul from the French Republic for the state of
Maryland.

JAMES T. CALLENDER, late editor of the Re-
corder, was drowned at Richmond, Virginia, on
the 17th ult.

ERRATUM:

IN the last number of the Balance, page 244, near the middle of the first column, for "death" read dearth.

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To Correspondents.

The fact related by "OBSERVER," is worth preserving, and shall have a place.

"TATLER," is under consideration..

tended to.
A communication from Chatham, shall be at-

FOR THE BALANCE.

SONNET,

WHY, sweet deluder, dost thou still engage
To make the airy form of pleasure mine?

Is it my grief one moment to assuage,

And then to keener woes my hours resign?

Too oft, alas! my fond believing heart
Has own'd the impression of thy pleasing tale;
Too oft a victim of thy magic art,

The real scenes of life I've dar'd to veil.

Oh, sport no more with feelings tun'd to woe;
Seek not of care my bosom to beguile;
All ideal transports now I will forego,

And rather court thy frown, than meet thy smile.

Thus shall the present all my thoughts employ,
Nor shalt thou, fancy, aught these thoughts annoy.
JULIENNE.

Kingston, Ulster County.

THE INCURABLE.

BY DR LADD.

DOCTOR, I'd have you know I'm come,
As far as 'tis from here to home,
To tell you my condition.

I've got the itch: I've got the gout:
My shins are broke: I've hurt my foot:
I want a good physician.

The Doctors say, my liver's bad:
My pulse are quick my heart is sad :
My stomach's out of order:

I've got a hobbling in my gait :

My words I cannot speak them strait :
O tell me my disorder.

My hands are weak: my sight is dim:
And now and then my head will swim:
My neighbours wont insure me.
But the worst plague of all my life,
I've lately catch'd a scolding wife:

O Doctor, can you cure me?

FROM THE BOSTON GAZETTE.

PARODY OF SHAKESPEARE'S STARVED AFOTH

ECARY.

THE NEEDY POET.

I DO remember a ragged Poet,
In youder loft he dwells, whom late I noted

O'er his desk leaning with a meagre look,
Scratching his pate to find a new idea,
For many a line of bad verse he had spun;
Around his walls were blotted sonnets stuck,
Interlined odes, addressed to his mistress,
Of ill shaped metre, and on his table
The embryo of a song, a smutty ink horn,
Stumps of old pens, a broken handled penknife,
Remnants of ballads, epitaphs and satires,
The Aurora, Chronicle and Clieetham's Citizen,
Noting these papers, to myself I said,
An if a man did wish to buy an ode,
In praise of J*******n, or Billy Duane,
Here lives the needy rogue would sell it him.
Being just before election, he is full,
Making and selling lies by dozens.

July 18.

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TRIM.

Diversity.

OLD Frederick, king of Pruffia ufed to fay, "The Bible is a ftaff which God put into the hands of blindmen to guide their fteps. But they, instead of applying it to that ufe, immediately began to difpute and wrangle about its length, breadth and

BEWARE WHERE YOU SET YOUR DECANTERS.

IN the American Museum, (1791,) thicknefs; and concluded by knocking

other over the pate

there is mentioned the following remarka-
ble incident.

A Gentleman who had been on board a Maltefe fhip of war, obferved hanging to the tafferel, a block of wood almoft like a buoy, and fo balanced that one end (wam upright carrying a little flag-ftaff with a Imall vane: the perfon who was on duty on the poop had orders to cut the rope by which the buoy hung, upon any cry of a perfon falling overboard; and as the the block would be in the fhip's wake by the time the perfon floated therein, he was fure of having fomething at hand to fuf tain him, till the boat fhould come to his affiftance, and fhould that take fo long time to do, as that the diftance from the fhip to the man rendered him invifible, yet the boat would have a mark torow towards, fhown them by the vane.

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Lavater.

"I was taking a walk in my garden, (fays the correfpondent,) when my fervant came in hafte to tell me my chamber was HE who writes with infolence, when on fire, that that a ftrong fmell of burnt linen and a thick fmoke were perceived, timidity in the prefence of the goodanonymous and unknown and fpeaks with iffuing through the windows. Upon ftep-feems to be clofely allied to baseness. ping into my chamber, I perceived a thick fmoke immediately; but was fill perfectly at a lofs how to account for this accident. We looked for the place from which it came; and at laft perceived it rifing from a dark callico curtain. The myftery is explained; a fpherical decanter flood between it and the window the fun fhone in full fplendor, and its rays were converged by the figure of the water; and exactly at the focal diftance hung the curtain. The bottle had the effect of a burning glass; and from a fingular concurrence of circumstances my house was near being burnt. Had the accident efcaped timely notice, the building would have been destroyed, and the caufe could never have been fufpected."

13

A HINT TO SEA-FARING PEOPLE.

FROM various experiments it appears, that most men are fpecifically lighter than common water, and ftill more confiderably lighter than fea water. Confequently, could perfons who fall into the water, have prefence of mind enough to avoid the fright ufual on fuch occafions, many might be preferved from drowning; and a very fmall piece of wood, fuch as an an oar, would buoy a man above water, while he had fpirits to keen his hold.

APHORIS M.

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