Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, July 22, 1843, Image 1

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    Trims or Tiii5j' amiziucak."
H. 11. MA88KH, rwnttpnrmi
, JOSEPH EISEI.Y. $ P norma as.
, . IU nJSSKIl, Editor.
I djicc in CentTx AlU fi, in the rear of 11. U. Mas-
wr't Store.)
THE ' AMEUIUA Si" hVpublishcd eery Satur
day nt TWO L)C)LLAI!S per nnnnm to lie
paid half yearly In advance. No injicr disconlin
tied (ill Af.t arrearages are paid.
No subscriptions received for a less period lli.m
i mojth.i. All communications or li tlera cm
business Muting to the office, to insure allunlioii,
must ho POST PAID.
The fo'lowinn beautiful hymn waa written fur a
pic nic party of Pundny Srool children a few days
ago: Piil Amrr.
The Child's An?cl. Matt. 18. 10.
rt nr.v. c. c. vjminPA i.e.
There's nn angel bright, on resting wing,
llov'ring fur up in tin- air,
Waiting to hear his little child ring,
Oi breathe its humble pray'r.
Then sniflt "a pinion of thought ran fly,
Thcsliea ami the stars above.
Ha anara to the throne of ( on high,
To hear hia tidings of love.
And another nnscl jrood and fair,
With pen that in dipp't in light,
And with bdts of RoMm leaves, stands there,
That record in joy to wri'e.
Then 1 ack with the lightning's speed he flics,
And under his shining wines,
For the child whose pnisc and pray'rs arise,
The hlcsing of Heaven ho brings.
And over the child by night anil day.
His vigil that nngrl keeps
To guard its peace in ev'ry gnod way,
And to watch it while it sleeps.
Then children, pray and in holy praise.
Let your hearts to Christ ascend,
And the good that angel's wing conveys,
God in love to you will send.
Kit' Fifty tlinea ft Day I Swear.
Fu' fifty times a day I swear,
How truly 1 do hale her,
An' nrk my brain to see how low
In uplines I'll rate hi r ;
I ca' her a' the mimes I ken.
Minx, coquette, base deceiver,
13 ut lu n she smile." on mc again,
An angel I believe her.
But yester-eve I swore, again,
I never wished to ace her.
An' if I spied her e'er so far,
I'd turn away and flee her ;
I wished her in the deep blue sea,
Aye ! ony.where. whatever.
An' vowed I would na a.k to her,
No ! llut I woulJ na never !
Jul then a hW was on my arm,
A voice said 'TKm.dd .Mister !"
I turned her arch and smiling faco
Invited mc I kis.ed tier !
'T was vin I tried to keep my vow,
I.asric.8 arc so beguiling ;
Wha can wh' can a poor man do
When pictty woman's smiling !
Artlflclnl lee.
The "til'icinriiim or Frozen Iike,"now o
pened to the public nt the Baker street Bazaar,
Portman square, is one of the curiosities of llic
ago. The visitor is suddenly introduced a
niongst regions ot seeming frost and enow, and
placed in the Alpine fernery. The 1mdon
Skating Club hold their meetings at the Glaci
nrium; and from the case they display in their
graceful evolutions in waltzing, &c, it is evi
dent the artificial ice is little inferior to natu
ral ice. The. iuvontor, Mr. Henry Kirk, lin3
lived to sec w hat few inventors rarely accom
plish, viz: his cllirts carried to perfection ;
more especially as chemists and scientific men
considered the idea as chimerical.
In appearance the nrtificiul ice closely re
sembles the natural; it is a semi-transparent
liody of crystal, composed of chemical stilts,
which, when in a liquid state, is flooded on n
prepared level floor, and immediately chrystal
izes into a beautiful sheet of ice. By this in
vention tkatorc have at once the never ending
means of enjoyment, without the dangers and
difficulties attending natural ice; but as few
pleasures are relished without some anticipated
fear, the word 'dangerous" is written conspicu
ously over a part which appears so, but in re
ality is only a little pool, ingeniously contrived
to represent a part of the ice broken, to permit
the Alpine cottager to dip for water with a
email bucket, which is also frozen.
The lovers of skating must ha;', the artificial
ice as a great treat indcr for )y nr,s ingenious
invention, whethe; lt Dc m a warm or coj cj.
mate, wr ,y pr calm, rain or sunshine, day or
turrit, all the pleasures of tho icy sheet are se
cured, and it is not improbable that a "frozen
lake" will become as general to the mansions
of the ailluant, as in orchard or a fishpond.
Prince Albert, who has visited the Glaciarium,
Las, it is said, given orders for one. At the
evening meetings the whole 6ccnc is beautiful
ly lighted, the moon rises, stars glitter, and
music enlivens the wlwle scene, which, as it
so richly merits, is thronged by admiring visit
ors. London paper.
SrR.vwDrnniF.s. Many cultivators suffer
their beds to run wild, and still obtain tolerable
crops ; but a still better way is to plant them in
hillsor drills and keep them so. Hoeing or
cultivation benefits them as much as it docs
corn. By pursuing this course, the writer ob
tained nmrly a pint of large, fat, plump straw
berried from some einglo plants the past sea
eon. Cream. As soon as it is collected it should
be placed in a stone crock, which should be
cither hung into a well, or set up to the br.ini
in the spring within tkc tuillt-liuuac.
Absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the
Hy IIIaKsei' & r.lsoly.
AIRS, (iKOUUF, WASHINGTON.
HY MRS. RICOtllNKY.
Tho state of society in Virginia, a cenlttry
since, was quiet and imposing. The 'Ancient
Dominion retained stronger features of re
semblance to the fathcr-lnnd than any of its
sisters. The manners of tho nobility of Eng
land have been transplanted, with but little ra
dical change to the territory of l'owhattan. A
kind of feudal magnificence, a high and quick
sense of honor, a generous and lotdly hospitali
ty, early characterized a State which lias given
to this Western Empire so many of its mighti
est and noblest names.
One of the most immediate changes arising
from the scrvancc of the mother country, was
the breaking down of that courtly and almost
solemn etiquette which marked the intercourse
of the higher closscs. 'I know your age by
the edition of your manners,11 paid a lady of
discernment to a gentleman distinguished for
politeness. '1 om certain that you were edu
cated before the Revolution.' But the repub
licanism which may possibly have swept with
too full a tide over our national manners, had,
at that period of which we speak, no existence
in Virginia. The levees of her royal govern
ors, though stripped of monarch ial pomp, dis
played a remnant of those 'stately trappings of
chivalry,' with which the tilled and valiant of
a still earlier age, wcro accustomed in Europe
an courts, to pay homage to beauty and rank.
lt was early in '.ho winter of 174, that tho
levees of Governor Cooch opened with un
wonted splendor at Williamsburg. Many of
the members of Assembly took thither with
them a part of their families, and the season
was graced by the presence of several high
born maidens, who hod never before been pre
sented ot court. One among these wos evi
dently the theme of general admiration. Some
of the statelier matrons criticised her as defi
cient in height. But though somewhat beneath
the middle stature, she possessed that round
and exquisite symmetry which the early histo
rians have ascribed to the fascinating Anne
Bolcyn. A pure complexion and clear eye,
were finely contrasted with dark, glossy and re
dundant hair. Still it was found difficult, by
common observers, to analyse her beauty ; for
it rested not on any prominent gift but on the
union of the whole person in loveliness. Grace
of movement, ond melody of voice, wcrcconfess
cd to be among its elements. Moro of anima
tion was hers, than is wont to distinguish the
modern southern beauty; but what chiefly won
old and young, was a blnnd cheerfulness tho
silent history of the soul's happiness, and an
expressive smile, inspiring every beholder with
confidence like a beam from the temple of truth.
Though she had Fcnrecly numbered twice
eight summer, there was about her a woman
ly dignity which chastened admiration into re
spect. Among those who had paid their Jcrnirt to
this lovely young creature, was Colonel Cus
tis, one of the mat accomplished gentleman of
his time. Ilia father, the Hon. John Custis of
Arlington, held the office of King's Counsellor
and was a mun of wealth and distinction. His
attendance nt Williamsburg during the present
session, had been somewhat interrupted by ill
health ; and while there, the graver duties of
the statesman had so far absorbed him as to ren
der him ignorant as to what reigning licautics
had produced sensation at court. Not long af
ter tho suspension of tho levees, and the return
of tho burgossc6 to thoir homes, VlC counsellor
requested a conversation in. nls cabinet with his
son Colonel Daniel F;,rke Custis. Thcro was
a singular niix.',tire of gravity and condescension
in his '.nanner as he desired him to bo seated,
and thus opened the discourse :
'I have for some time wished to sec you on
an iuterestin? subject. Though still young, I
consider you have arrived to years of discre
tion.' The Colonel bowed.
'! trust I have always shown that regard for
your welfare which is due from an affectionate
father to an only son. I am about to give you
another proof in it. In short, I with your nt
attention to a suitable marriage.'
The Colonel bowed.
'You know Colonel Byrd, of Westovcr.to be
my very particular friend. His daughter is one
of the most beautiful and accomplished ladies in
Virginia. It is my desire that you form with
her a matrimonial alliance.'
'My dear tir, I have not the vanity of sup
posing that I cou'.d render myeclt acceptable to
Miss Byrd.'
No objection on that head. Her futhcr and
myself have settled it. Indeed, I may as well
tell you that we have had numberless conver
sations on this business, and that you have been
as betrothed from ihe cradle. Think, my son,
of the advantage of such a condition, tho con
tiguity of wealth and power that shall ultimate
ly pass into your hands.'
Affection, sir, bccma to me, to bo tho only
bond that can liullow such a union. Not even
my reverence for the but of fathers could in
URY AMERICAN,
AND SIIAMOK1N JOURNAL
majority, (he vital principle of Republics, from which
giiiibui'j- IWoiiliiiiiibcrlaml Co.
duce mc to enter into it from mercenary mo
tives.' 'Mercenary, sir, mercenary! Whoever be
fore dared to couple that word with my name !'
exclaimed the counsellor, raising himself to hia
full height, and fixing a kindling eye upon his
son.
Then pacing the apartments a few turns ho
stopped opposite to him, and added,
'You speak of the affection that should pre
cede marriage. Have tho goodness to under
stand that the mirplacing of yours may materi
ally aflect your patritnoniol inheritance.' He
seemed to wait for a reply, but in vain. 'May
1 inquire if you have thus early presumed to
decide seriously on the preference of any young
lady as a conipmion for life !'
'I have sir.'
'May 1 be favored with a knowledge of her
name !'
'Miss Martha Danbridge.'
Tho high-spirited gentlemen parted in mu
tual resentment ; but the reflections of a night
restored them to better feelings. The father
began to excuse the son, by recalling the warmth
of his own early attachment; while the son
referred the tcstincss of the fothcr to the har
rowing disappointment of a long cherished plan,
and the qucrulousnt ss of feeble health. Still, as
ns it usually happens with proud men, neither
would open his heart to the other; and a slight
though almost imperceptible coldness gathered
over their intercourse. But this interview
served as a stimulant to matrimony. The
temporary reserve of the father, throwing some
thing like a gloom over the paternal mansion,
heightened the frequency of the visits of the
lover. The gentle object of his preference ima
gined no barrier to an alliance where there ex
isted no inequality ; and he forbore to commu
nicate what could only occasion perplexity, ond
what he trusted would soon vanish like the
'baseless fubric of a dream.' According to n
hoppy prescience, the lofty counsellor gave his
consent to the nuptials, and the flower of the
court of Williamsburg became a bride in the
blush of her seventeenth summer.
Their residence was a retired and romantic
mansion on the banks of the Pnmunkey. It
reared its white walls amid a profusion of vines
and flowering trees. Broad plantations, ond
the wealth of Virginia forests variegated the
grounds. Rural occupations, and the delight of
each other's society, prepared for them what
they deemed a paradise. In visits to their fa
vored dwelling, the Chancellor learned to ap
preciate the treasures of his new daughter.
Her excellence in the responsible sphere to
which she was introduced won his regard; and
with the ingenuousness of an honorable mind
when convinced of an error, he sought every
opportunity of distinguishing her merit, which
he had once been reluctant to admit. When
he saw the grace and courtliness with which
she maintained a general hospitality; the judg
ment far beyond her years displayed in the
management of her servants ; the energy, the
early rising, the cheerful alacrity with which
she regulated and beautified the internal me
chanism of her family; the disinterestedness
with which she forgot herself, and sought the
good of others; hut, abovo all, lirr untiring de
votion to her husbnnd, and the little ones sprung
up around her, he gloried in tho sentiment of
his f on, whic'.i, indeed, he had always believed,
tbou.'u bo was once in danger of swerving from
it, that strong personal affection is essential to
the basis of matrimonial affection.
But the scene of exquisite felicity was not
long to last. The death of her two oldest
children prepared her for a deep loss in her be
loved and estimable husband. In the trying
situation of a young, bcuutiful, and wealthy
widow and mother, she was still able to conduct
herself with unvarying discretion, and faith
fully to discharge every inix.rtant duty.
lt was in tho Fpring of 17.r3 that two gen
tlemen attended by a servant, were seen riding
through the luxuriant Eccncry with which the
county of New Kent, in Virginia, abounds,
Tho most striking figure of the group was a tall,
graceful man, apparently about twenty-five or
twenty six years of ago. He would havo been
a model for a statuary when Homo was in her
best days. His companion wasan elderly man,
in a plain garb, who, by the familiarity by which
he pointed out surrounding objects, would seem
to be taking his daily rounds upon his own es.
tatc. As they approach the avenue to an an
tiquo mansion, he placed his hand on tho rein
of his companion.
'Nay, Colonel Washington, let it never bo
said that you passed the house of your father's
friend without dismounting. I must insist on
the honor of delaying you as my guest.'
Thanks to you, my dear sir, but 1 ride in haste,
the bearer of despatches to our Governor in
Williamsburg, which may not brook dolay.'
U this the noble steed which was given to
yon by tho dying Braddock on the field of Mo-
uongahela 1 and this tho same servant he be
quralhcd you at tho sumo time 1'
Wahiii''ton unswered in the ufliruialivc.
there i no appeal but to force, the vital uiin ipln
Ia. Saturday, July Wi, IN 13.
'Then, my dear (doin l, thus mounted, and
attended, you may w ell dine with me, ami by
borrowing some of tliM fine moonlight, reach
Williamsburg ere his Excellency shall have
shaken off his morning slumbers.'
'Do I understand that I may bo excused im
mediately after dinner !'
'Certainly.'
'Then, sir, I accept your hospitality.' And
grucefully throwing himself from his charger,
he resigned the rein to his English servant, gi
ving at the same time strict orders as to the
time when he must be ready tc pursue their
journey.
'I am rejoiced, Colonel Washington,' said
the hospitable old gentleman, 'fortunately to
have met you on my morning ride; and the
more so, as I have some guests who may make
the ropa.-a pass pleasantly, and will not fail to
appreciate our young and valient soldier.'
Washington bowed his thanks, and was in
troduced to the company. Virginia's far-famed
hospitality was well set forth in that sjmcious
baronial hall. Precise in his household regu
lations, the social feast was closed at the time
the host predicted. The servant was also punc
tual he knew the habits of his master. At the
appointed moment he stood with horses capari
soned at the gate ; and much did he marvel,
os listening to every footstep that paced down
the avenue, he saw the sun sink in the west.
ond yet no master apear. At length order
came that the horses should be put up for the
night. Wonder upon wonder ! when his busi
ness with the Governor was so urgent ! The
sun was high in the heavens the next day ere
Washington mounted for his journey. No expla
nation was given, but it was rumored that a
mong the guests was a beautiful and youthful
widow, to whose charms his heart responded.
This was further confirmed by his tarrying but.
a brief space at Williamsburg, retracing his
route with unusual celerity, Mid becoming a
frequent visitor at the house of the late Colo
nel Curtis, in the vicinity, where, the following
year, his nuplails were celebrated.
Henceforth the life of the lady of Mount Ver
non is a part of the history of her country. In
that hallowed retreat she was found entering
into the plans of Washington, sharing his con
fidence, and making his household happy,
There her only daughter, Martha Custis, died
in the bloom of youth ; a few years after, when
the troubles of the country drew her husband
to the post of commander-in-chief of her armies,
she accompanied him to Boston, and witnessed
its seigc and evacuation. For eight years fic
returned no more to enjoy his beloved residence
on the banks of tho Potomac. During his al
sence she made the most strenuous cllorfs to
discharge the added weight of care, and to en
dure, with changeless trust in Heaven, con-
inued anxiety for one so inexpressibly dear.
At the close of each campaign she repaired, in
compliance with his wishes, to head quarters,
vhcre the ladies of the general otTieers joined
her in fi rming such society as diffused a cheer
ing influence over even the gloom of the win
ter of Valley Forge and Morristown. The o-
pening of every campaign was the signal of
tho return of I.idy Washington, (as she was
called in the army) to her domestic cares ot
Mount Vernon. I heard,' said she, 'the first
ond last cannon of the revolutionary war.' The
rejoicing which attended the surrender of Com
wnllis, in the autumn of 17M, marked for her
a season of the deepest sorrow. Her only re
maining child, Col. John Custis, the a id -decs
nip of Washington, became during his
arduous duties at the seige of Yorktown, t!ie
victim ot epidemic fever and died at the ago of
twenty-seven. Ho wan but a boy of live at the
time of her second marriage, and had drawn
forth strongly the alV.'ctions and regard of her
husband, who shared her alllictiou tir hi' lo.-,
and by the tenderest sympathy to alle iate it.
Alter the close of tho war, a lew years were
devoted to the enjoyment and embellishment of
their favorite Mount Vernon. The peace and
returning prosperity of their country gave pure
and bright ingredient. to their cup of happi
ness. Their mansion wss thronged with guests
of distinction, all of whom remarked with ad
miration the energy of Mrs. Washington, in
the complicated duties of a Virginia housewife,
ond the elegance and grace with which she pre
sided ut her noble Iwnrd.
Tho voice of a free nation, conferring on Ge
neral Wush'ngton the highe.-t olfico in its pow
cr to bestow, was not obeyed without ataci i
ficc of feeling. It was in tho spring of 17"!,
that, w ith his lady, he bade udietl to his tran
quil abode, to assume the responsibility of the
first Presidency. In forming bis domestic cs
tablishments.lie mingled the simplicity of a re
public with that dignity which ho felt was ne
cessary to secure tho respect of older govern
ments. The furniture of his house, tho livery
of hia servants, tho entertainment of his guests
displayed elegance, while they rejected osten
tation. In all these arrangement, Mrs. Wash
ington w as a second self. J lor Friday even
ing levees, at which she was always present,
ond immediate parent of duspotism. Jarrtasov.
Vol. 3 Xo. -13 Whole Xo, 11
exhibited that perfect etiquette which marks
the intercourse of the dignified and high-bred.
Ci mmciicing at seven and closing at ten, they
lout no morn sanction to late hours than levity.
The first lady of the nation preserved tho habits
of early life. Indulging in no indolence, she left
her pillow at dawn and after breukfiist retired to
her chamber for an hour, lor t lie studyoflhc scrip
tures and devotion. This practice, during the
long period of half a century, was never omit
ted. The duties of the sabbath were dear to
her. Tho President and herself attended pub
lic worship with the utmost regularity, and in
the evening to reud to her, in her chamber, tho
scriptures and a sermon.
The spring of 1707 opened for thein with
the most pleasing anticipations. The cares of
high office were resigned, and they were about
to retire, for the remainder of their days to tho
spring-shades of Mount Vernon. The new turf
springing into fresh greenness wherever
they tnal, the vernal blossoms opened to receive
them, the warbled welcome of tho birds were
never more dear, as wearied with the loili of
public life, and satiated with its honors, they
returned to their rural retreat, hallowed by the
recollections of earlier years and by the con
sciousness of virtue.
But in two years Washington was no moro.
The shock of hia death, after an illness of only
twenty-four hours, fell like a thunderbolt upon
the bereaved widow. The piety which had
long been I. or strength continued its support,
but her heart drooping ; and though her
cheerfulness did not utterly forsake her, she dis
charged her habitual round ofdutics, as one who
felt 'that glory had departed.'
How beautiful and characteristic was her re
ply to the solicitations of tho highest authority
of the nation, that the remains of her illustri
ous husband might bo removed to the scat of
government, and a marble monument erected
to mark the spot of their repose.
'Taught by the great example which I have
had not long beforo, never to oppose my private
wishes to the will of my country, I consent to
the request made by Congress ; and in doing
this I need not, I cannot, say what a sacrifice of
individual feeling I make to a sense of public
duty.'
Tho intention of the Congress of 1797 has
nctrer been executed, nor the proposed monu
ment erected. The enthusiasm of the time pas
sed away, and tho many conflicting cares of a
great nation turned its thought from thus per
petuating his memory, whose imago, it trusted,
would be ever enshrined in the licarU of a great
people.
Scarcely two years of her lovely widowhood
were accomplished, ere the lady of Mount Ver
non found death approaching. Gathering her
family around her, she impressed on them the
value of religion w hich she bad tested from her
youth onward to hoary hairs. Then calmly
resigned her soul into the hands of hini w ho
gave it, at the age of seventy, full of lienors,
she was laid in the tomb of W ashington.
In this outline of the lineaments of Martha
Washington, we perceive that it was 'neither
tho beauty with w hich she was endowed, nor
'lie high station which she had attained, that
gave enduring lustre to her character, but her
Christian fidelity in those duties which devolve
upon her sex. This fitted her to erradiate the
home, to lighten the cares, to cheer the anxie
ties, to sublimate the enjoyments of him who,
in the expressive language of the Chief Justice
Mashall, was 'so favored of Heaven as to de
part without exhibiting the weaknesses of hu
manity. When Washington took leave of Lafayette,
his parting words were "You have served an
apprenticeship to liberty in America, now go
to France ond set up for ymirscll.
MokkTkitmtiivn Poktrv. An old picture
represents a king sitting in state, with a label,
'I govern all ;' a bishop with a legend, 'I pray
for all ;' a soldier with a motto, '1 tight for all ;'
a farmer drawing forth a purse, with the sub
scription, '1 pny lor all.'
Tki b. We bear men often enough speak of
seeing Gisl in the stars ami the flowers but
they will never be truly religious, till tin y learn
to behold him in t urh utht r also, where he is
most easily yet most rarely discovered.
Economy. Furnish your horses w ith greeu
.spectacles-, and give them shavings to eat, cut
up tine they will think it grass. (.'incimiati
Sun.
A miction: sent by providence melt tho con
stancy of tho noble-minded, but confirm the ob
duracy or the vile. Tiio sumo liirnaco that
hardens clay, liquifies gold ; and in tho strong
manifestations of divino jowcr, Phuraoh found
his punishment, but David his pardon.
Charity.
Uilievenol each accusing tongue,
A nut weak peiaona do ;
But till Mieve tln story rune,
Which uUfcht ul to Ih true."
I aqitare 1 insertion, . . . fn f0
I do 3 do . . . 0 75
I do 3 d. . . . ot)
Every subsequent inecrlien, . 0 2.
Yearly Advertisements! one column, f 25 bnlf
column, f 1 1, three squares, f 13; two squares, ?fl ;
one squire, J ). J tall-yearly t one column, f Is) ;
half column, f 12 ; three squares, ?8 ; two squares,
f "; one square, f:l B0.
Advertisements left without directions as to tha
Imiqth of lime lliry arc to bo published, will b
continued until ordered out, and charged acco'd-
niRly.
rrV'inteen lines make a square.
1 . . .. m a
Skarn'h 'Family Magazine' for June has just
been published. It contains a great amount of
valuable information on a variety of subjects,
ond must be n welcome periodical in every fam
ily. v e copy the followin?, which shows that
not all tho wealth and luxury, nny more than
all the greatness ond virtue, of the world wcro
reserved for the nineteenth century :
Tim Wealth or Antiqi'ity.- Wo find ,in
antiquity soma instances of splendid wealth.
While writing magnificent treaties upon con
tempt for riches, Seneca had contrived to accu
mulate a litlio fortune of Ki,(HM),(K)0 francs. An
astrologer, named Icr.tulus, was content witli
.V5.IXMMHM1 francs. When Tiberius died, 012,.
(KXI,(MH) francs were found in his coders, not a
franc less. In less than a year good Caligula
spent the whole of it ; there remained not on
ax, not a tjundranx. The debts of Milo nmoun
led to l-Jtl,()tKl,(aKI fronca. (Vsar hud not'l'J,
(HH 1,1 Kit) francs, but l!),(HKI,fKK) creditors beforo
ho obtuined a public office J tho poor fellow
was sunn enabled to present Curio with 12,000,
OOO francs, and Lucius Puulus with 7,.rr00,000
in order to detach them from the party opposed
to him ; he one day begged Servilia, the mo
ther of Brutus, to accept a trifle in the shape of
a pearl worth .ViO,000,0(K) francs. Mark An
tony's house was sold to Messela for tho sum of
10,000,000. A lire destroyed Scaurus's villa ;
the loss was reckoned at 22,000,0(r0 francs.
When Crassus supped with Lucullu', the cost
of a sanx ecrcmonif meal amounted to about
100,000 francs ! and after the death of that re
fined Consul, the fishes that swam in the pond
of his country-house were sold for the trifle of
700,000 francs. Otho spent 20,000,000 on tho
finishing of a wing of a palace commenced by
Nero. One of Caligula's dinners cost 1,800,
000 francs. Iletiogabalus was more parsimo
nious ; one of his breakfasts only required 500,
000 francs, ulsophus wo advert to, (his son
by-the-by, melted precious stones to, drink at
his entertainments !) was not, as you may well
suppose, the jolly fabulist and Greek hunchback
whom every body is acquainted with; but Clau
dius .isopus, an actor on the Roman stage, ve
ry intimate with Cicero ; this opulent historian
earned in one day more than eight hundred
Stoic, Py thagoric,or Peripatetician philosophers
could pocket in a year. Aspicus, the most cel
ebrated gourmet of the 'eternal city,' devoured
(we use the proper word) 14,000,000 francs ; ho
then exclaimed his financial situation, when the
poor creature found that all that remained was
l.O'iO.t'OO francs ; foreseeing that he must dio
of hunger, he committed suicide. Crassus
when he went to fight the Partitions, ond bo
killed by them, was the possessor ot landed es
tates worth 40,(00,000 francs ; his slaves, fur
niture, and trinkets, were, fortunately, of a lit
tle more value.
Tr.i.i.iNo a I .ik to Oni.ini: a Lvov. Under
this caption, a New York paper gives an ac
count of a transaction, in which a gallant Hiber
nian got himself into trouble for merely trying
to get a lady out it by stretching tho truth. A
letter carrier delivered a letter to the wife of a
Mr. Murray, of that city. The letter was of
course sealed, but the curiosity of the lady; for
which her sex is to blame, according to tho
received notion, more than the lady herself,
induced her to read its contonts. It being a
business letter alone, she was anxious to have
it delivered to her husUnd. But as it happen
ed that just at that time there existed between
herself and her husband one of those little
interludes of love, commonly called a coolness,
which now and then takes place "in the best of
families," the lady was unwilling to let her hus
band know (hut the opened the letter, and re
quested a Mr. Hugh (tiinn to say that he did it ;
and Mr. Quiim, thinking himself bound, in com
mon Hilitencs-, to tell a lie for tho lady, and
little dreaming of the trouble it was to cost him,
at once complied with her request, and shortly
after found himself a prisoner in the L'nitod
States Court, undergoing an examination for a
high crime and misdemeanor. Tho committal
of an oflenec, such as he w as charged with, id
imprisonment for one year and fine ot jjcilH).
As be had involved himself in truth on her ac
count, she as generously came to his assistance,
confessed that Quinu was not guilty, and be w as
accordingly discharged; and when leaving the
Court, fervently vowed that he would never
again tell a lie for a lady, as long as ho lived.
Phila. ledger.
Qi rt n A western paper, mentioning the
death of an elderly woman, says, she was the mo
Ihir of 101 grand-children.
Filial AntcrioN. 'Jim, how's your mat'
'She's fat and strong ; how's yours V 'Feeblo
enough. Fvn got so I can lick her now, and
have every thing my own way. You don't
sec me goiu' errands and doin' chores about
home, as you used to
It:RT. A widow said one day to her daugh
ter' When you are of my age, you w ill ba
dreamingof a husband.' 'Yes, mamma,' repli
ed tho lhottlitl i httlo hussy, 'for - tccond
iimv.'