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BY JAS. CLARK.
ORIGINAL.
For the Journal.
MISFORTUNE.
Its Lights and Shadows.
DT TtIINGO.
. All, when life is new
Commence with feelings warm and prospects
But time strips our allusions of their hue, [high.
And one by one, in turn, some grand mistake
Casts offits bright skin, yearly like the snake."
Dark and cheerless as many of the scenes of
life are yet it presents 'on he whole a picture
which byt.few, very few, would have oblitera
ted. Owing to our position, its shades may be
too dark to-day and as we gaze on the dreary
prospective "Spring's sweet bloom may wither
in our hearts," but a change of circumstances
to-morrow invests it with a mellower and a
sweeter radiance, and whilst beholding its vari
gated hues, sadness takes wings and we feel a
joyous thrill vibrating through the soul as though
Its cords had been swept by a seraph's hand.
Though the rose does conceal a thorn it is sweet
still I Though the bee gathers honey from the
fragrant flower for its food as well as extracts
'venom from the same for its sting, are they the
less beautiful on that account 7 Though one
.friend that we folded fondly to our bosom and
'twined around him our holiest affections proved
• hissing serpent, are there not many others still
remaining who are true to us as the needle to
the pole I
4, Angels are bright still, thought the brightest
fell."
I believe that those who have experienced
sorrows have a more lively and exalted appre
ciation of gladness. Those only who have had a
heartstring severed by the rude hand of adver
sity ran enjoy to the full the delicious minister
ing. of Prosperity. Those alone whose cheeks
have been made pale by disease can estimate
properly the exquisite thrills imparted by rich,
racy, rosy health. And those only who have
experienced the crushing consciousness of being
alone in the world with no eye to shed the pity
ing tear at their distress no angel voice to whis
per encouragement to their desponding souls, no
loved one to smile away the clouds of sadness
and with affection's glance dissipate its gloom
—no genial mind to impart such counsel and in
spire such energies as will enable them to sur
rnountall barriers and place their standard proud
ly beyond the realms of haggard woe! Yes,
those only who have experienced these things
are permitted to feel in all its glory the raptu
rous bliss of sympathy and love ;—that kind of
sympathy which prompts the hand to embrace
as well a. defend; and that kind of love which,
while it shields from every danger, stimulates
ambition and makes them emulous of attaining
an honorable renown I
As all our efforts cannot be crownedwith suc
cess; ae we must have many of our sweeetest
and most cherished aspirations crushed by the
Juggernaut of the world and shrouded in the
bloomy folds of disappointment, SYMPATHY has
een humanly provided to lighten the burthens
which life imposes and twine around its cares
the fragrant wreaths of consolotary hope. lam
well aware that there is a class of persons whose
vanity induces them to claim the honorable ti
tle of man and who aspire to the dignified pre
rogatives of his estate, whose pigmy souls have
never vibrated with a single feeling devoid of
selfishness, whose hearts nre as arid as Sahara
and as incapable of thrilling with generous
emotions as a rock of adamant. Creatures who
grow fat on the misfortunes of others, and whose
sensibilities are so blunted that they neither
seek nor require sympathy.
They live and are despised; they die, nor
more are named,"
and to manifest any of the finer feelings of hu
manity towards them would indeed he " casting
your pearls before swine." Bet, the larger
portion of mankind imperatively demands its ex
ercise and it seems essential to their existence
as social beings. I have seen even the strong
heart of manhood, ready to break with anguish,
experience sweet relief when pouring its woes
Into the bosom of sympathising friendship, and
receiving in return the inspiriting balm of
genuine consolation. Thus the bitter waters
found vent—the consuming grief was as
suaged—the subtle poison which embittered ex
istence and robbed the pillow of repose, was fur
nished with an antidote, and the sufferer no lon
ger sighed for rest
" In that solemn, silent, simple spot,
The mouldering realms of peace,
Where human passions are forgot
And human follies cease,"
Without it existence would be a night without
a morn, a sorrow without a joy, a shadow with
out a substance, a misery without a solace, a
curse without a blessing. Who that has ever
experienced its influence lighting up, as with
sunbeams the shadowy depths of his secret sor
rows can ever forget it 1 Who that has ever
felt its God-like ministerings filling every ave
nue of the soul with a torrent of happy emotions,
but cherishes the recollections of fond fidelity.
Adversity were indeed a bitter cup without it,
and few there be who can cope successfully with
the gloomy giant in its absense. It is the sweet
oasis in the desert of life where we can recuper
ate our overtasked energies. It is the delicioup
fountain gushing up on our rugged pathway to
refresh our exhausted spirits with its cooling
waters. It is our cloud by day and our pillar
of fire
.by night, inspiring courage to press on
through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
I,; our journey onward it will materially en
hance our pleasures and mitigate many of our
sorrows by constantly remembering that this is
Earth—not Heaven I That we should be dis
appointed in many of our plans is a natural con
sequence resulting from our finite and imper
fect minds. Perfection has no existence here.
Many believe that it does exist and hundreds of
noble natures have pursued it only to find it an
ignie-fattius which lured them nn either to misan
throphy or suicide. It is wise therefore not to cal
culate too confidently on having all our wishes re
alized, for difficulties must and will intervene to
prevent their consummation. The base calum
niator, "lost to honor, dead to shame," well spit
forth his venom to rob you of 4 friend. The
Jarus-faced hypocrite will assume the innocency
of the dove to win your confidence that he may
exhibit the vile attributes of . thin vulture in its
betrayal. The malignant ruffian animated by
the spirit of a fiend, will tramper your dearest
idols beneath his feet that he may gratify. his
brutal instinct, in beholding you sick with hor-
ror. The envious wretch will tarnish the lustre
of you fair fame that his own hideousness may
appear less damning, by the contrast. Aye,
even the dagger of the assassin will glitter on
your path Way to Antimidate and the torch of
the infernal . incendiary blaze to deter you.
Again. You wilt find it folly to suppose that
every valley is an Eldorado--that every bram
ble is the wand of an enchantress or that every
rivulet is a Sacramento ! Too many commit
fatal error when setting oat in life of being too
prodigal of their heart's brightest coin—confi
dance, and not having the wisdoan of the serpent,
which crawls along the ground, they are, intluc
ed to fix their gaze too high. They go on and '
stusrible into one misfortune after another--like
pits which cunning devil's dig—and only dis
cover their error when consciousness enables
them to behold others less worthy, but more
crafty, in possession of the prize. They forget
that it is the eagle only that can soar to the sun
—that it is the strong built ship alone that rides
out in safety the futy of the ocean's tempest
The weaker pinions of the lesser bird are ex
hausted, ere the goal is attained, and falls to the
earth the victim of a noble but too exalted am
bition; and the small vessel is dashed to attoms
and lies, a warning to the mariner, in scattered
fragments upon the bosom of the sea !—But, it
may be said that even the best digested plans of
the most cautious are frequently in vain and
that the most consummate and elaborate skill of
science is often confounded by the merest trifle,!
How true, and the moral it teaches is that man,
though a Hercules he be, has not an arm as
strong as God's ; that his wisdom though it be
a Minerva's, dwindles into insignificence when
compared with the great Jehovah's whose "per
fection is as high as heaven and deeper than,hcll,
and the measure thereof is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea !"
It is said that a certain portion of grief and
sorrow are allotted to our lives and that when
the clouds are early, the sunshine will be late
and when the spring time. is all bright and shin
ing the autumn will be full of storms. Whether
this theory be true or false, the observatipn and
experienee'of the reader will enable him to de.
cide. One thing is certain, that every person
does experience misery as well as happiness, in
it greater ,
.or less degree, and it is for us to make
the best of both. To counteract the evil effects
which too much of the former would engender
we are permitted the blessing of having some
one to sympathise with us when sudden calamity
overw•helmes; and the good Samaritan who exer
cises this precious prerogative is stimulated to
increase his exertions in our behalf by feeling
that he himself, whilst ministering to the wants
of others, experiences «a bliss beyond all that
the minstrel has told. " To pour oil into the
bruised heart and bind up the broken spirit is
the sowing of a seed wa•hich quickly germinates
and produces a lucious harvest. The soul feels
that
" He who hell soothed a widow's No
Or wiped an orphans tear, cloth know
There's something here of heaven ! "
Our reverses tench us many little lessons, it is
true, but after the first shock is over we expe
rience a sweet calm and are left wiser and, it
may be, better for our sufferings. If the iron
heel of oppression does trample upon us—if we
are overwhelmed with misfortune so that not a
star of hope glitters in our empyrean, and the
clouds are lowering ready to burst on our devo
ted heads, few of us but have the consolation of
knowing that their is a benign influence which
will enable us to behold the returning sunshine ,!
in the distance, piercing the gloom and make us
thrill with the , 4 joy of rapture kindling out of
wo ! " It is the lot of all to deceive and be de
ceived,
To seem the thing that others think
And not your honest independent self."
And few therebe who at some period of their
lives have not worshipped a supposed divinity
whom their fancies made lovely as an angel, yet
when the mask has been torn off they shrink
back appalled ou beho'ding a loathsome wretch,
who
~ Looked the innocent flower, but was the eel ,
pent under it."
But, my faith in Him c , who bindeth the
sweet influences of Pleiades and looseth the
bands of Orion, who bringeth forth Mazzaroth
in his season and guideth Arcturus with his
sons," induces me to believe that every thing is
for the best, and that difficulties are but placed in
our pathway to stimulate exertion and strength
en our pinions for a bolder and a loftier flight.
"We do notknow what an hour or a day may
bring forth," and it often occurs that the blow
which seems to be plunging us into an abyss of
ruin, conducts us to the very vestibule of our
hopes.
Indeed, I would not be happy always even
though 1 could, and I am perfectly resigned to
occasionally taste of the bitter cup, fur I firmly
believe that it better enables us to appreciate
the excellence and enjoy with a keener relish
,the blessings so profusely lavished upon us by
'a bountiful Providence. The constant succes
sions of sorrow and gladness have their charm
and form that variety which seems necessary to
our existence. It seems a part of God's univer
sal plan, for
Constant rotation of the unwearied wheel
That Nature ride's upon, maintain's her health,
Her beauty and fertility—she dreads
An instant's pause, and lives but while she
moves."
0 ! how monotonous would it be were it al
ways summer, and how cheerless were it con
tinual winter. How wearisome were the sultry
day not succeeded by the dew-distilling night.
How delicious the as rosy morn with breath all
incense and with cheek all bloom," and how
exquisite the night, with heaven's ebon vault
jemm'd with stars "seeming a canopy which
Love has spread to curtain a sleeping world."
Much as I love the balmy sweetness of the
zephyr winds that has been coquetting. with the
redolent flowers of the sunny south, I still like
to inhale the rough, invigorating blasts that have
been in dalliance with the Northern snows and
kissed the chilling iceburga of the Polar seas.
Much as I love the gentle breathings and tran
quil scenes of an autumnal day, I still like to
hear the majesty of the tempest's voice in the
whirlwind and the fierce mutterings of the
hoarse thunder reverberating among our thous
and hills. Much as I delight to see the gorge
ous rainbow pillowing its variegated form upon
the sable bosom of the cloud, I still love to
have my soul filled with terrible awe and
sublime adoration, when beholding the forked
lightening's coruscations in the heavens.
"Not God alone in the still calm we find.
Hs mounts the storm and rides upon the wind."
HUNTINGDON, PA., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1850.
American Aristocracy.
Mr. Cr.ana:—l now proceed to investigate
the principles embraced in the proposition r
made in regard to American Aristocracy, which
was published in a former number of the Jour
nal.
Ndne, we presume, will consider it is obli
gatory on us .to trees the origin of the general
system of aristocracy. This would lead us be
yond the bounds ot our original proposition into
the discussion of theories perhaps of mere con
jecture and fancy, which would be a tediotti and
unnecessary undertaking o and would also be un
interesting to the Leader.
Neither is the knowledge of its origin absolu
tely intlispensible to the development of the
principles contained in our proposition.
This much, however, we will say in reference
to its origin, that itis involved in great myste
ry—that, like many other popular institutions,
it originated in the-abstract notions of a diseas.
ed mind, formed into theories of personal con
equence, and was developed, like Minerva was,
from the brain of Jove.
Nor can it be said to devolve or. us to trace
its general history. For this would also involve
much perplexity, and•impose unnecessary labor.
All will admit, we have no doubt, who are at all
acquainted with the history of civilized society,
that it has existed for many centuries, and been
'developed and practised to is very disgraceful
extent. We do not pretend to argue that it was
conceived and born in our midst. Long before
history had unrolled her wondrous scroll, or the
Philosopher had discussed the intricate science
of government, or the clouds of ignorance had
been dispersed by the bright luminary of civili-
zation, in the eastern world, the elements of
aristocracy were infused into the mind, and its
consequences were felt throughout all civil so
ciety.
Wherever tyranny and despotism placed
their unfeeling hand of power down upon the
public institutions of a nation civilized or not,
or the strength of ambition severed the silken
cords of domestic tranquility, or the affections
of mothers and wives (their only treasure) were
crushed beyond the possibility of resuscitation,
in the long catalogue of evils consequent, was
the one which is the caption of our subject,
than which none were scarcely more promi
nent. Before ever the , spirit of enterprise,
aided by the powerful influence of the philoso
phy of the nature of things, bad constructed its
tail bark, launched it upon the bosom of the
mighty deep, and was awarded the discovery
and possession of the western continent, for its
unprecedented and unparalled undertaking, roan
had drawn a distinct line of separation between
himself and his fellow man, and had hewn out a
system peculiar to his own distorted views and
perverse feelings.
But we come at once to our own country to which
we promised to confine ourselves. 1 proposed
to discuss the subject first, positively. Now it
may be argued by sonic that the term aristocra
cy, considering the principles on which our
government was established, cannot be applied
to any particular system, institution, or class of
individuals, in it ; that it is applicable alone to
governments which are exclusively vested in
the hands of a few persons, who legislate and
make all laws adapted to their theory and ge
nius. But 1 regard this as mere presumption.
For while 1 admit, that an aristocratical gov
ernment cannot long exist unless under laws
involving principles of that nature and tenden
cy; I conceive that it dues not necessarily fol
low that the same principles cannot exist out of
its limits and be engrafted in institutions and
codes of laws in other governments. If man
were not a„ bundle of notions," and his mind
were not so susceptible of innovation, there
might be some plausibilityin the affirmative of
the argument.—So that it must appear evident,
that although our government he founded on
principals as purely Democratic and Republican
as any possibly can be, there can be no valid
reasons given why the elements of Aristocracy
cannot exist in the constitution of society, and
be developed and practised to any extent. And
judging from the manner in which these princi
ples unfold themselves, and influence the con
duct of individuals, we think they originate with
out doubt, almost entirely in a feelingof superior
ity created in the mind by the tendency of a com
bination ol external circumstances, or even by the
tendency of a single external circumstance, and
it is almost universally accompanied by the de
sire of power, which very much tends to
strengthen it. However, this is not an essen
tial element. The system of Aristocracy cannot
be based on connatural principles, for none,
who have ever written on the subject of mental
philosophy, have discovered the least shadow
of such to exist. Nor indeed, would such an
argument be at all inconsistent with Scriptural
principles given in relation to man's existence.
One circumstance which appears to be very
prominent in theformation of this system, is
Ancestrial Lineage. Now, notwithstanding
contrary views, it must be apparent to every
reflecting mind, and acknowledged by every one
who is at all in the habit of making observations
on human conduct, that many have the disposi
tion to build their superiority on that of their
ancestors, and it is a hereditary disposition,
running back ad infinttum. And if it is so, if an
individual can refer for his high standing to the
great services, and renouned achievements of il
lustrious and distinguished ancestors, who ought
to complain on account of the superior idea he
entertains of himself ? And why should those
who can make no such reference be considered
on an equality with those who can? The very
fact of itself has the inherent power or tendency
to create in the mind the feeling of superiority.
But this article is long enough. I will contin
ue the development of this idea in the next pa
, per.
A young lady who was rebuked by her moth
er for kissing her intended, justified herself
.by
quoting the passage—t , Whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you, do ye even so to
them. "
A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES.-A min
ister a short time ago, hold forth to his
female auditors in manner following;
44 Be not proud that our blessed Lord
paid your sex the distinguished honor
of appearing first to a female after the
resurrection, for it was only done that
the blessed tidings might spread the
sooner ! "
F,r the JOUI
Strive on—the ocean ne'er was crossed
Repining on the shore ;
A nation's freedom ne'er was won
When sloth the banner bore.
Strive on—'tis cowardly to shrink
When dangers rise around ;
'Tis sweeter far, though linked with pain,
To gain the vantage ground.
Bright names aro on the roll of Fame,
Like stars they shine on high;
They may be hid with brighter rays,
But never, never die !
And these were lighted 'mid the gloom,
pe low obscurity ;
Struggling through years of pain and toil,
And joyless poverty,
But strive—this world's not all a waste,
A wilderness of care ;
Green spots are on the field of life,
'And fiowrets blooming fair.
Then strive—but, oh! let Virtue be
The guardian of your aim !
Let pure, unclouded love illume
The path that leads to fame I
NETTLE BOTTOM BALL:
OMletsy Jones/ Tumble in the Mush
" Well, it are a fact, boys," said Jim
Sikcs„, "that I promised to tell you how
I cuts to get out in these Platte Diggins,
and./ speculate you must as well have
it at onst, kase its been troublin' my
conscience amazin' to keep it kiver'd
up. 'The afarr raised jessy in the Net
tle Bottom, and old Tom Jones' yell,
when he swar he'd "thaw me up, "
give my meat a slight sprinklin' of ager
whenever I think on it.
"You see, thar w 11); small town call
ed Equality, in Illinise, that some
speckelators started near Nettle Bottom,
cos thar wur a spontaneous salt lick in
the diggins, and no sooner did they git
it agoin' and build some stores and gro
ceries thar, than they wagon'd from Cin
cinnatti and other up-stream Villages a
pacel of fellers to attend the shops, that
looked as nice, all'ays, as if they wur
gain' to meetin' or on a courtin' frolic;
and salt their pictures, they wur eter
nally pokin' up their noses at us boys
of 0 4 . e Bottom. Well, they got up a ball
in the village, jest to interduce themsel
ves to the gals round the neighborhood
and invited a few of us to make a con
trary picture to themselves, and so
shine us out of comparison. Arter that
ball thur won't anythin' talked on a
mong the gals:but what nice fellers the
clerks in Equality wur, and how nice
and slick they wore their har, and
their shiny boots, and the way they stir
rup'd down their trowsers. You couldn't
go to see one of ' em, that she wouldn't
stick one of these fellers at you, and
keep a talkin' how slick they looked. It
got to be perfect pizen to hear of, or see
the critters, and the boys got together
at last to see what was to be done—the
thing had grown perfectly alarmin.' At
last a meetin' was agreed on down at old
Jake Bent's.
On next Sunday night, instead of ta
kin' the gals t) meetin' whar they could
see these fellers, we left 'em at home,
and met at Jake's and I am of the opin
ion thur was some congregated wrath
thar--whew wasn't they
Oil and scissors ! " says Mike Jelt,
let's go down and lick the town, rite
strait ""
No !" hollered Dick Butts, let's
kitch these slick badgers comic' out of
meetin' and tare the hide and feathers
off on em !"
" Why darn 'em what dy'e think,
boys," busted in old Jake, "1 swar if
they ain't larnt my gals to wear cushins;
only this mornin' 1 caught my darter
Sally puttin' one on and tyin' it around
her. She tho't 1 was asleep, but I seed
her, and I made the jade repudiate it,
and no mistake—quicker."
" The boys took a drink on the oc
cession, and Equality town was slum
berin' for a short spell, over a con-tig
ous yearthquake. At last one of the
boys proposed, before we attacked the
town, that we should git up a ball in the
Bottom, and jest outshine the town
chaps, all to death, afore we swallowed
l'em. It was hard to gin in to this pro
' position, but the boys cum to it at last,
and every feller started to put the afarr
agoin'."
" I had been a long spell hankerin'
arter old Tom Jones' darter, on the
branch, below the Bottom, and she was
a critter good for weak eyes—may be
she had'nt a pair of her own—well, if',
they waeent a brace of movin' light-hous
es, I would% say it-there was no cal—
culatin' the extent or handsomeness of
the family that gal could bring up around
her, with a feller like me to look arter
'em.—Talk about gracefuliness, did you
over see a maple sapplin' movin' with a
south wind 1-1 t warn't a crooked stick
to compar' to her, but her old dad was
awful. He could just lick anythin' that
said boo in them diggings, out swar Sa
tan, an.d was cross as a she bar with
cubs. He had a little liankertni in favor
PLEBS.
Strive On.
'of the fellers in town, too, for they gin
him presents of Powder to hunt with,
and he was precious fond of usin' his
shootin' iron. I determin'd anyhow, to
ask his daughter Betsy to be my partner
at the Nettle Bottom Ball.
Wel!, my sister Marth made me a bran
new pair of buckskin trowsers to go in,
and rile my pictur' if she did'nt put
stirrups on 'em to keep 'em down. Sne
said straps wur the fashion, and I should
wore 'cm. 1 jest felt with 'em on, as if
I had somethin' pressin' on me down--
all my joints wur so tight together, but
Marth insisted, and I knew I could soon
dance 'em off, so I gin in, and started off
to the branch for Betsy Jones.
" When I arriv' the old fellow wur
sittin' smokin' arter his supper, and the
younger Jones' wur sittin' round the ta
ble, takin' theirs. A whopping big pan
of mush stood rite in the centre, and a
large pan of milk beside it; and lots of
corn bread and butter, tend Betsy was
helpin' the youngsters, while old Mrs.
Jones sot by admirin' the family collec
tion. Old Tom took a hard star at me,
and I kind a shook, but the straps stood
it, and 1 recovered myself, and gin him
as good as he sent, but I wur near the
door, and ready to break if he show'd
Pan.
- 6 4 What the h-11 are you doin' in dis
guise," says the old man—he swore
dreadfully—"are you cumin' down here
to steal 1"
"I riled up at that." . Says I, "if I
tour comin' for such pursoses you'd be
the last I'd hunt to steal off on."
" You're right," says he, "I'd make
a hole to light your innards, of you did."
And the old savage chuckled. I meant
because he had nothin' worth stealin'
but his darter, but he tho't 'twas coss I
was afeard on him."
Well, purty soon I gethered up and
told him what I cum down fur, and invi
ted him to come up and take a drink,
and see that all went on rite. Betsy was
in an awful way for fear he wouldn't
consent. The old 'oman here spoke in
favor of the move, and old Tom thought
of the licker and gin to to the measure.
Off bounced Betsy up a ladder into the
second story, and one of the small gals
with her, to help to put on the fix ups.—
I sot down in a cheer, and fell a talkin'
at the old 'oman. I could hear Betsy
rnakin' things stand around above. The
floor was only loose boards kivered over
wide joice, and every stop she made 'cm
shake and rattle like a small hurricane.
Old Tom smoked away and the young
ones at the table would hold a spoonful
of mush to thur months and look at my
straps, and then look at each other and
snigger, till at last the old mau seed
'em."
" Well, by gun flints," says he, "ef
you ain't makin' a josey—"
Jest at that moment, somethin' gave
way above, and may I die, ef Betsy
did'nt drop rite through the floor, and
sot herself flat into the mush pan ! I jest
tho't for a second, that Heaven and
yearth had kissed each other, and
squeezed me between them. Betsy
screamed like a iscape pipe,'—a spot of
the mush had spattered the old man's
face and burnt him, and he swore dread
ful. I snatched up the pan of milk, and
dashed it over Betsy to cool her off,—
the old 'oman knocked me sprawlin' fur
doin' it, and away went the straps. The
young ones let out a scream, as if the
infernal pit had broke loose, and I'd
jest gin half of my hide to have been
out of the old man's reach. He did
reach fur me, but I lent him one of my
half-blows on the smeller that spread
him, and may be I did'nt leave sudden !
1 did'nt see the branch; but I soused
through it. I heered Tom Jones sway
he'd thaw me up,' of an inch big of
me was found in them diggins in the
mornin'.
I did'nt know for a spell whr.r I was
runnin', but hearing nothin' behind me;
I slacked up, and juia considered wheth
er it was best to go home and git my
straps strait, and leave; or go see the
ball. Bern' as I was a manager, 1 tho't
I'd go have a peep through the winder,
to see of it cum up to my expectation.
While 1 was lookin' at the boys goin' it,
one on 'em spied me, and they hauled
me in, stood me afore the fire, to dry,
and all hands got round, insist& on
knowin' what was the matter. I ups
and tells all about it. I never heered
such laffin', hollerin' and screamin% in
all my days.'
'Jest then my trowsers gin to feel the
fire, and shrink up about an inch a min
it, and the boys and gals kept it up
strong, laffin' at my scrape, and the
pickle I wur in, that I gin to git riley
when all at oust I seed one of these
slick critters, from town, rite in among
'cm hollerin' wuss than the loudest.'
' Old Jones said he'd aim you up,
did he 1' says the town feller, ' well lie
arays keeps kis word.'
' That minis I biled over. I grabbed
""j . `',
VOL XV, NO. 8,
his slick her, and may be 'I did'nt gin
him scissors. Jest as I was makin him
a chewed specimen some feller holler'd
out,—don't let old Jones in with that ar
rifler I did'nt hear any mere in that
bottom,—lightnin' could'nt a got near
enough to singe my coat tail. I jump.
ed thro' the winder as easy as a bar 'ud
go thro' a cane brake; and cuss me of
I could'nt hear the grit of old Jone's
teeth, and smell his glazed powder until
I crossed old Mississippi.'
An Ancient Art Re-Discovered.
At a•meeting of the Asiatic Society, London,
a human hand, and a piece of beef preserved by
means of a preparation of vegetable tar, found
on the borders of the Red Sea, in the vicinity
Mocha, and a specimen of the tar, wan present
ed. Col. Hold observed:
During my residence as a political agent, ors
the Red Sea, a conversation with some Bedouin.
Arabs, in the vicinity of Mocha, led me to sus
pect that the principal ingredient used by the
ancient Egyptians in the formation of mummies
was nothing more than the vegetable tar of
those countries, called by the Arabs Kristen.
My first trials were on fowls and legs of mut
ton ; and which though in the month of July,
and the Thermometer ranging ninety-four in the
shade, succeeded so much to my satisfaction,
that I forwarded some to England ; and have
now the pleasure to send for the Society's in
formation and inspection, a human hand, pre
pared four years since by my brother, Captain
T. B. Hold.
The best informed among the Arabs, think
that large quantities of myrrh, aloes and frank
incense *ere used these spec imens will, however,
prove that such were by no means necessary as
the tar applied alone, penetrates and discolors
the bone. The tar is obtained from the branch
es of a small tree, exposed to a considerable de
gree of heat, and found in most parts of Syria
and Arabia Felix.—Amer Art.
Gam - What a beautiful exterior sometimes
make a villain and a rogue. The finest looking
fellow we ever saw, once attempted to pick
our pocket, though he subsequently was on
successful in performing the feat of dexterity
with others, that he received a five years' tick
et to the State Prison ; and the most frank, in
genious looking lad we ever saw, stole a favor
ite dog from a friend of ours. If we judged peo
ple always by their fair exterior, how often
would we sutler from the consequences of our
open-heartedness and yot, strange to say, hon
est poverty in a rustic garb is slighted, if not
positively contemned, while rogues clothed in
fine raiment are treated with the highest respect
in the social and public thoroughfares.—Albany
Knickerbocker..
O'" SALL," said lisping Sam Snooks, , r If
you don't love me, they tho ; and if you do love
me, they tho ; and if you do love me, and don't
like to they tho, squeeze my hand."
She put her hand upon her bussum, Sam felt
the gentle pressure of her t'uther paw, and was
as happy as a polly woggle. •
12g - The whole accumulation of gold, in the
world, is said to be in amount ten Thousand mil
lions of dollarid—The consumptien and abstrac
tion of it every year amounts to about fifty mil
lions, and the amount dug up and thrown into
use, is just about the same. Thus the equili
brium is well preserved, and society kept from
the ruin which would necessarily follow a too
copious supply of the precious metals.
A HINT TO THE IDLE.—THE AxE.—The
other day 1 was holding a man by tho
hand as firm in its outward texture as
leather, and his sun burnt face as index•
ible as parcernent ; he was pouring forth
a tirade of contempt nn those people who
complain that they can find nothing to
do, as an excuse for becoming idle loaf
ers.
Said I, "Jeff; what do you work 7
You look hearty and happy; what are
you at 1"
" Why," said he, "1 bought me an axe
three years ago, that cost me two dol
lars; that was all the money I had;
I went to chopping wood by the cord; 1
have done nothing else, and I have ear
ned more than six hundred dollars. I
have drunk no grog, paid nu doctor, and
I have bought me a farm in the Hoosier
State, and shall be married next week to
a girl that has earned two hundred dol
lars since she was eighteen.
My old axe I shall keep in the draw
er, and buy me a new to cut my wood
with."
After I left him, I thought to myself,
that "axe," und, no grog. They are
two things to make in this world. That
axe! And then a farm, and a wife! the
best of all.
THE ELEPHANT AND THE CAMEL.—Ele
phants hove the bitterest enmity to cam
els. When the camel scents the ele
phant it stops still, trembles in all its
limbs, and utters an uninterrupted cry
of terror and affright. No persuasion,
no blows, can induce it to rise; it moves
its head backwards and forwards and its
whole frame is shaken with mortal an
guish. The elephant, on the contrary,
as soon as he perceives the camel, ele
vates his trunk, stamps with his feet,
, and with his trunk thrown backwards,
snorting with a noise like the sound of
a trumpet, he rushes towards the camel,
which, with its neck outstretched, and
utterly defenceless, awaits, with the
most patient resignation, the approach
of its enemy. The elephant, with its
enormous shapeless limbs, tramples on
the unfortunate animal in such a maa
ner that in a few minutes it is scattered
around is small fragments.