Herald of the times. [volume], January 01, 1845, Image 2

About Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846

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( Concluded from first poge.)
nouncement Maria started, and a ctim-l
son blush suddenly overspread her face.
““Nay, child, I have no wish to reprou-h!
your imprudence,” Mr. Panson added ;'
“‘you suffer enough already ; for al this
time | believe your grief, and the love
which it springs from, to he sincere. |
One thing. however, L mnust forbid--and
that is, correspondence —for understand,
that no latent hope of ever gaining my or
your mother’s consent to the mateh must
linger within you. Remember, not a
letter must be sent to or received from
Edward Burton ; und this is the last time
his name shall ever pass my lips.”” Ma
ria spent the rest of the day in her cham-
Wer, and it was months ere she recover
ed her wonted cheerfulnesas.
It is necessary tothe true dewlnpmenli
of our story, that the reader’s iumginh-i
tion should help us to pass over a space
of twelve years. In that period many
ehan;u had taken pluce;mme mun-f
rapid and important in their consequen
ces than the position of our Kastern em |
pire. Amid these, Burton took a not in- |
glosions part, Hle proved himsell onf
several occasions a good and brave sol
dier, aud his gallantry was rewarded
with promotion, which he earned, how
ever, not without some saerifice of bodi
ly health ; and alter having long endured
the trying influence of Eastern chimes,
he obtained his majority and leave of ab
sence to return home. Among all the
chances and changes which a dozen
vears had produced, the general appent
ance of Princes Sticet, FEdinburgh, was
only altered by the display ol a lew ad
ditional shops, and the handsome front of
a club-house, which had recently been
erected. The trees in the gardens had
grown talier, and the ruios had received
a lew apore strokes from the legitimate
artist in that line— Father Time, Still
the street itsell was enveloped Ly gay
company elegantly attired ladies, mili
tary danglers fiom the castle, and cava
liers from Piershill, abounded as hiereto
fore.
Un a spring aflernoon, quite as sunny
as that on which our story opened, a
travelling carnage was drawn by fow
horses up to the door of Mackay’s hotel
Its occupants were a gentleman whose
complexion betokened a recent residence
in a warm chimate, and a lady, who, #s
she stepped from the carriage, was re
matked by the casual passers-by, who
caught o glimpse of her fuce, to possess
great beaaty. Travellers who go about
in conches-and-four are invariably indulg
ed with the ion’s best room, and accord
igly the lady and gentleman were ush
ered into the front drawing-room, the
windows of which looked into the Princes
' Street gardeas,
“Dinoer, Sir 27 inquired the waiter,
bowing low enough to let his towel of
office touch the ground,
“Decidedly ! rephed the traveller,
with the unhesitating promptitude of a
hungry mren.
“For two, sir ?”
+“Of course, and as soon as possible.”
“Meantime,” replied the lady, “‘senc
up my servant.” The waiter bowel
again, turned on his heel like an automa
ton, and left the reom,
“Well, darling,” said the lusband,
“here we are at last in my native city ofl
Edinburgh. 1 shall almost dread to in
quire alter old friends ; twelve years
makes sad havoe among them.” e
walked to the window, and looked at the
passers by for a short time. “Yes—all
new fuces, Out of the hundreds of nc-i
quaintances | left bebind me, there will
scarcely Le one to greet me on my re
turn.” ‘
“Yes, onc!” replied the wife, placing
her hand on his shoulder. “Weleome,
welcome; dearest Edward, back to the
place of your birth 5 Ilove it for your
sake.”
This aflectionate speech was accom
panied with a little endearment, which
nearly everthrew the husband’s firmness ;
but it does not do for soldiers to be over
come, so he answered quickly, “You
must love it for its own sake, Milly. It
i 3 a beautiful place. Look at those
gardens; are they not refreshing to see
in the heart of'a crowded city 77
The lady admired the slopes,the walks,
and the bold rock shooting up verpen
dicularly from the earth. At last her
e¢ye wandered to the ruins, and she in
quired what they were, The gentieman
was a litile disconcerted ; stammered ;
but at length managed to get out, that
he had not the slightest idea. At this
momend his eye caught the ligure of an
old friend between the trees. “Ah !
he exclaimed, “there is Waterton 5 I am
glad he is in town 5 he shall be among
the first I will seek out. You will hke
him amazingly ; he is an excelleat fel
low—-and so droll.”’
The dinner was soon despatehed, and
plans arranged for the evening. The
lady was to write letters to her friends in
London, aud the major (for, to keep the
reader no longer 1 suspense, the ‘arn
vals’ were Major Burton and his wife!
intended to seek out Waterton, To car
ry out the first intention, Mrs. DBurton
rong for her writing-desk. Her maid
answered the summons but in a state of
ilve utmost agitation. She trembled, and
taking up one corner of her apron for
fear she should have occasion to ery, ex
claimed, ““‘Please, ma’am, 1 could al
most hang mysell with vexation ; for,
please ma'am, I tho't I put your desk
anto the ramble, and I didn’t.” |
“Thenit is left behind ; how very pro
voking !V
“Oh, no matter !’ said the major ; “tell
Johnson to give you wine.” Where
upon the gl flew out of the room like a
person who had escaped some appalling
danger.
“There were things of consequence in
my desk” suid Mrs. Burton ; “letters
whiech 1 should not wish all the world to
fead ™
"“Some of mine, perhaps ?” redurned
the wapor. The lady assented. “That
ts perplexing ™ he continued ; “but never
mind, you can nse my desk for the pres
eyt here i the key.” The desk was
Liogght. Mis. Burton began her task
of femer-writing, and the husband sallied
forth to discover the abiding places of a
frw of hie old fuends ~ Waterton among
the rest.
Wihen the lady had finished hers fira
wpistly, she could not find the wax | aud
while ransacking every pact ol the deul,
‘all of a sudden out flew a little drawer.
f’l‘bough sartled at'first, she was much
'more startled afierwards : something was'
‘concealed in this mysterious little recess
'With trembling hand she opened a small
paper packet. It contained a lock ol
hawr, and (destruetion to her mental
peace !) auburn hair—not the jet bluck
ock she in a moment of romantic fully
gave to her hushand during his lover
hood ! But lest that should fail to make
her wretched, there was anothor evit
‘idence of more than equivocel naport,
She had read the Bride of Lammermuir
‘}uud knew the full meaning and intent of
| that severed ball-sovereign! She had
a rival ! Some fair-huiied Lucy Ash
|ton !
. In the midst of her distress, Major
Burton returned, Lringing news that '“6l
had met with Waterton, who promised to
'come in to take his negus, and be iulro»‘
duced to the bride, She reeeived the
information with greater mdifference
than pleased her husband, She looked
pale and aguated. He asked her the
cause. Mrs. Duorton suid nothing, bul
with dumb theough effective eloghence,
displayed the lmi of hair and Jflwc
token, It was now the major’s turn to
turn pale and beeome agitated. For a
time he could not reply ; and when he
“made the attempt, muttered something
Cabout a former engagement, youthful
olly, and the other excuses always up-
Cperinost on such oceasions.
COf course,” sad the lady, in a tone
of prgue, “1 can have no right loinqguire
into cirewmmstances which happened be
fore we met, DBut you have deceived
me !
“Deceived you, Millicent ?
capable of—=" 5
| “Nay, donot sink deeper into false
hood, You have deceived me. When
we formed our solemu engagement, |
was made to beheve that no furmer one
cexisted.”
| Major Buarton stood a Lttle abashed,
Cand wisely thought that the best way was,
to own his fanlty and soe for forgiveness
Ihis he did, but the lady appeared mex-!
torable. “Come, dearest,” he said be-|
secchingly, “ba a httle charitable, At
all events, whatever feeling you iy
huve to expend on the atluir, let me en-|
hst it an favor of the unhappy girl to
whom vour irresistible attractions Imvci
made me false, | own that the hopeless
‘misery she must have felt on hearing 1
had become the hushand of another has
indeed cost me many a pang, and formed
‘a bitter drop inthe cup ol happinegs _vuu,!
‘dear Millicent, have filled.” The ma-|
jor said this with so much emotion and
enrnestness, that his wife could scareely |
help being aflected. She demanded to
know the whole of the cirenmstances,
‘He told her honestly and without reser
vation. He did not conceal the pledge
of eternal fidelity he and Maria Panson
had exchanged at the ruin in the garden’
| =—a pledge the teken of which was now |
Aying before them. '
| Nestto love, pity is the strongest pns-;
rgion which warms the breast of woman |
and if any resentment lurked in dliih
‘cent Burton’s hemit against her hu.agnm!_
lf it was now turned to pity for the wretched
ness into which she was unwittingfy the
|cuuse of plunging a confiding and per
haps amiable girl. “For hier suke,” she
said, “I cannot forgive you. At leas
‘you might have written to break ofl the
engagement befure proposing to me.”
- “But we were strictly prohibited from
corresponding. Poor girl ! I must own
I dread to inguire after her. 1 feel
‘acutely the wrong I have done; it is
rreparable.”
| ¢ fear she will prove a dangerous
rival to me "7 replied Mrs. Burton, in a
tone meaunt to he jocular, but in reality
not much pleased with the deep remorse
her hushand professed, |
“No, no, Milly ; let the honesty with
which I have counfided to you every tittle
of that uahappy affair, bamish so unworthy
‘a thooght ; uothing but a full confidence
{in the strength of my own and your affec
tion would have wruag the painful dis-‘
‘closure from me. No; if we should
meet—if, by the interference of friends,
and by the exercise of that strength of
mind which 1 know Miss Panson to
possess, she can endure to behold me the
husband of another; be it yours to pour
the balm of friendship into the wounds |
have made. You will be her [riend,
Milly 2 Mrs. Burton placed her hand
in that of her hushaud, and suid with a
sigh she would. j
At this moment Mr. Waterton was
aunounced. The introduction to Mrs.
Major Buiton was soon made, and the
(two friends wers speedily engaged inan
Cnderesting conversation conceriaing lhc‘!
fate and fortunes of scveral of their old
cronies. Nothing howevor could execed
i the caution with which Burton avoided
the smallest allusion to the Pansong
~And Waterton, though he named several,
of their acquaintances, pever once men
twoned them ; refratoiag perhaps on :m-"
~count of the delicacy of the subject in the
presence of the major's wife. When|
therefore, the lady rose to retive, upon,
the plea of fatigue, Burton’s henrt beat
Mast with apprebension, e dieaded to
‘hear the truth which he feared would
‘come out in his wife's absence, How
could he justify his falsehood, the effect
of which he did not doubt had been disas- |
Jtrous 7 Perhaps the vietim of his faith
lessness was ———. LBut he dared not
anticipate the truth. He would know ot
presently, for Mrs. Burton had left the
ronm. The reminiscences of by -gone
days were then renewed ; but to Burton’s
astonishment, his friend fought ns shy as/|
hefore of the subject of the Pansons,— |
This helped to inerease the major’s fear. |
Delicacy evident]y prevented \‘\'amnnn!'
from ghocking his feelings by some fatal
disclosure concerning Maria. He was
the destroyer of her happiness, pechaps—
he shuddered (o think —of her life ! |
Afier a long goesip Waterton left, and |
Burton retired to his chamber fully eon-|
vinced that he was one ol the vilest per- |
jurcrs upon earth ! "
Refore parting, Waterton made the |
major promise to dine with him, and
bring his wife. Nextday at the appoint-|
ed hoonr they made their appearance at
Waterton's house. Button’s spirits were
wuch depressed, He dreaded going
wito snciety, knowing that sooner or later |
the crigts must come ; that some person
whcne w the ansons would bluit out |
e fete whieh he doubted not had be-l
'fallen bis victim. In this mood he en-|
tered the drawing-room, his wife hang-|
ing on his arm. To his surprise he be
‘held Waterton romping with three chil
dren, whose likeness to him at onee pro
‘nounced a very near relationship. e
greeted bis guests heartily, and said Mrs
Waterton would be down immediately.
!; **Why,” exclaimed the major, *you
never told me you were married.”
| “No,” said the host ; “delicacy for
bade that,”
. “Dehcacey 7 l
' “Yes; and when you know whom 1
have married, you will understand my re
serve—but here comes a better explana
(tion than words can give.”
L The door opened, and Mrs. Walerton
it'nlere(l. She welcomed her guests with
‘ great cordiality, Burton started 5 he
Arembled with amazement 5 and his first |
impulse was to exclaim, **Miss Panson !
L"“Yfl," interposed Waterton, ““Miss |
| Panson a dozen years ago, but l\lrs.l
| Waterton now.—Why, your friend and
1 have been married these ten years !” )
| *“Miss Panson married !” repeated
l" Mes. Burton with uM‘ui&'fld pleasure; as
the last suspicion of a riyal was thus bao
|ished from her breast, “Oh, my dear
| madam, how very delighted 1 am ln‘
" know vou;” and she seized both her)
| new friend’s hands and shook them hc;zr-]
iy, !
' This, then, was the love-stricken, bro-|
' ken-hearted dfmsel whom Burton had
Cconjured up i his dwagination ! This|
Cwas the wreek his broken faith had pic-|
tured ! lustead of a pale, grniel-burden-|
Ced lady, he behield a matronly, but sull
| pretty woman, full of Jife, gaiety and
happiness. “The fact is, my love,”
Cwhispered Mrs. Buiton to her hushand
-1 am in
as they went down to dinner, “you are
not the desperate lady-killer you think
yourself I “U'he major was at first con
spienonsly ehop-fallen 5 and some remote
allusions to the Prnces Street Gardens,
in which Mrs. Waterton took the lead,
gave him so much uneasiness, that they
were alter a time not repeated. A glass
or two of champaigne, however, nerved
the soldier for a downright assault on his
former engagement with his friend’s wife;
and when the ladies had retired, he and
his host entered laughingly into the sub
ject of their respective marriages. Fach
of course (as all husbands do alter din
ner,\ spoke raptures of his wife. *‘Be
sides ali my love,” said Burton, “I owe
my Mithicent a deep debt of gratitude.
Possessed of a large fortune, she pre
ferved sharing it with me, (then a subal
tern,) to mareying one ol the richest men
in Calcutta.” |
L “For my part,” returned the other,
Cantid Maria’s father died, whieh he did
three years since, the ouly fortune 1 got
‘with my wife was herself, and part of a
hail-sovereign, which—"’ |
~ “Nay, nay, spaic me on that point !
exclaimed Burton, rising to join the la
dies in the drawing-room., {
~ Young veader, the lesson to be deri
ved from this lule sketch is—beware
how vou trust solely ta the ardent and in
considerate {i !“Ingn of youth ; voweg ul
erved under heir influonce are mvara
bly ‘“rash?” v:x‘;e. which a venerable may
im tells ud wo might never to mng ¢
! Actuonted by a bhind lu:',\fl.fl’- ul‘ "Viv; tht
emotions, we are sure lo deeeive our
selves—unagwing that we are purfectly
sincere, when we are merely impelled
by a giddy and untoward passion, noth
ing abated by the well-meant interfer
ence of relatives and friends. The con
‘sequence of such conduet is, that the in
tegrity of the promises then made is as
‘unstable as the feelings that prompt them.
Had Edward aud Maria really loved as
they thoughtthiey did on parting, they
'would never have broken their “¥airu.”
A Foaan Loxvox.—There was a re
markable fog in London on the night of
Nov. 21, of which the London Times
gives the following account : |
| During the early part of yesterday the
Hl’og which overspread the metropolis
and its neighborhood was not very dense
| —at least a Londoner would not o con
(gider it 3 but as the evening advanced
Ithe decrcase of light became appacent
1y accelerated by a very great increase
Jin the thickness of the atmosphere ; and
before 5 o’clock the whole of the me
tropolis was overspread by that which
‘without exaggeration may be designa
‘ted as “‘a thick darkoess.”” "T'he streets
presented in every quarter appearances
of the utmost contusion andaiarm, Per
'sons on foot literally groped their way
(threugh the mass of smoke and vapour
which filled every street, whilst car
;ringcs of wll deseriptions, wagons, om
nibusses, and cabs, made their way at a
Hfool’s pace, and under circumstances
alike dangerous to the parties who guid
ed them, and to those with whom they
were every moment coming in contact, |
In vain were vehicles provided with
Tlnmps and preceded by torches, in vain
was the greatest care and caution ob
served by those who led ordrove ; ncci-"
dents becaine of momentary occurrence, |
and amidst the shouting of men, the oc-|
casional sereams of the few women or,
children who ventured abroad, the glare
of the torches, and the active dexterity
af thieves, the police found abundant
employment, while every one who had
a homwe and no very pressing business,
to keep him out of doors, hurried into
shelter with as much expedition as the,
prevailing darkness and confusion would
periit, .
; Now York and New Haven Rail Road.
~The New York Journal of Commerce
says that the whole of the capital stock
ol the rail road from New York to New
AHaven, (§.2,000,000) has been taken by |
about twenty individuals or firms, and
that there is no doubt that measures
will be taken for commencing the road.
in the opening of Spring. Notice has|
been given that an application will be,
made to the Legislature of New York,
'for a charter anuthorising the construe-!
tion ol that part of the road whica will|
be in that State—the charter already
obtained being only for that part of the
route which is in Connecticut, We are!
surprised that this route has not been,
oufln occupied, as it will aot only form
a part of a very important line of long
travel, but passthrongh a thick leuled’
country sullicient to give a good sup-|
port to the road, (o jts local husincss, - |
Boston Meertiser |
HERALD OF
T _——————— e
| Tug “Opo FeLrows.”—As this insti-]
‘tution dppears to be%apidly increasing,’
it may not be amias to acquaint our rea
‘ders with some of We peculiar and dis-|
tinguishing characteristics of the Order,‘
as we find them set forth in an uddress
by the Rev. Cuaxorer Ronpins, before{
the Paciric Lonae,” in Boston, on last‘
i.Thuuduy evening week. T'he following
i‘sketch is from the Boston Daily Tribune.
' The views of the writer in reference
‘?tu the origin of the Order, differ in some
degree from other writers on the subject,
llthnugh that is a matter, aflter all, of but
Ctrifling importance as by ‘‘their fruits”
' they will ever be known and regarded.
"i “Societies of a similar nature, having
in them the secret element has always
(existed, There séems to be a chain
,;mnniug through all history and all na
tions, of organizatioss of this character,
| having mysteries foritheir boud of union,
It appears to b ment common to
D U i Nd genera
-06 y - .
hlmd traced th “or i O "odd Fellows
| 1 v
| back as far as the days of Nero, and
‘l‘evcn much farther, but he, himself, was
not satisfied with the grounds upon which
‘ 3 . :
such 2 hypothesis was based, and fell
Cassured that it sprong up at the close of
~the last century, with other affiliated so
| cietics among the middle and *lower
classes, .
| It could not boast of a high origin. It
‘was formed by working men, and no
doubt its first meetings were those of a
social,festive ¢character. Men of intelli
gence and moral worth gradually became
Cassociated with ity and they perceiving
the good influenee of which it might be
made the instrument, commenced a re-
Morm, the immediate result of which was
& ruptare, (rom which sprung the oude
[ pendent order of which class the Lodge
(o the United States are composed,
| The orator stated many teresting,
‘and to us surprising facts of a statistical
| character, of its rise and progress in
Great DBritain and the United States, of
.ilhc number of its members, its amount of
! revenue, and the great good which it had
| actually accomplished. At the time of
I the gn-nt.(,-unmu.-rvml distress and desti
[ tution which nccurr(:d a few years since
lin Eogland, not a single member of the
lorder which eonsisted of many thousunds
Tcalled upon his parish for relief. |
J‘ The idea which lays at its foundation,
lis that craving lor sympathy, and llml'
llf.'(~cug||ili(»n of the universal brotherhood
|which is the dearest principle of the hu
‘man heart. At the threshhold of the
!f Lodge all factions and artificial ranks
Land titles are Jaid aside. Ivery one is
” recognized in Lis siple manhood, hav-
Ling common wants and common symnpa
| thies, and bourd together by a common
|desting. e relich which is offered
L carries wi the recipiert, no feeling
i‘ol'depcnde slt is from lunds to which
{he himsell Bam contributed, and his cir
jeumstances huwever sore or grievous,
lare lhn.«g to which ¢§ ery one 18 c'q-‘;;m\
| liable. I'¢=‘)y had"he contiibulcd, so
i ."I) ot toptygs. s choicest benefac
|l lions are nof td»sn ol a cold pecuniary
Is:ihuracu~g for 1o all his troubles he hes
|| friends to sympathize with i | bis lons
and restiess nighis ol sickness are ren
dered comfortable by kind and attentive
watchers, he /s made brave for his last
struggle by the tender ministrations of
confiding (riends, and when borne to his
last resting place, lie is followed by manly
forms whose hearts are beating with
gushing emotions of love ; nor is this all,
his widow is solaced and her wants sup
plied, and hil_l)rplmns find friends and
protectors.
Mr. Robbins alluded to some objec
tions which have been urged aguinst the
order, particularly that it confined its
benelits solely to its own members. Ile
stated that this was not the fact. By
becoming a member the individual is not
released from those obligations which
every one owes to his fellow men; he
only takes upon himself additional and
specific duties. A simple universal phil
authropy is not very eflective. It must
have a direct and special objeet to biing
forth fruits. He appealed o the expe
rience of his brethren of the order if their
hearts had not been quickened to every
good work since they had been its mem
bers.
f The name of the order had found ob
(Jectors. It certainly was odd ;it did not
'promise much, but ke had ofien thought
(there was much signilficance in it. It
might be considered a sly satire upon
many of those high sounding and pomp
(ous associations, which promised so much
!l'ur the welfare of the human race, but
‘whose performance was so nmagrc.—‘
The name of this promises little, but its
works will show how much it does. '
Its secret character had been calied|
in question. If its objects were good,|
why should its meeting be private and
exclusive ! It was to prevent imposition, |
Other socicties, legislative bodies, often |
transact business with closed doors —!
There are secrets in every family |
There is a drop curtain to the hearth of
every honse. Gowd'men as well as bud
devise their plans in sccret, It cnul«ll
not be made a dangerous engine against|
Chureh or State, because its members
were composed of all sects and paities. |
It it should favor any gross evil, mem
bers conld retire from its ranks and hurl
denunciations against it. Ile urged
upon his brethren of the Order to guard |
well their eonduet both in, and out of the
Lodge, that no stigma might be brought!
upon its present unspotted reputation, i
He congratuluted its friends upon the |
astonishing increase of its members, and
the many men of worth and talent who
are enrolled in its ranks. He thought ot
an omen of good that o many of our ac-|
tive young men had become interested
in it ; he considered it one of the surest
snfeguards of virtue, and the strongest
barrier against tewptation which our)
growing city alfnds, l
~ Its ichgious !pvc( was enlarged vpon,
and its tendeney by its rites, and em
blems, and asgociations, to render the |
members co s of thewr duties to ther
lellow men, their obhigntions to thei |
Crentor, 3
This uddress must have been very
satisfactory ta the brethren, as well as
the crowded ience who were atten.
E TIMES.
tive listeners. It was neither extrava
gant as to the merits of the Order, nor
‘denunciatory to its opponents. It bad
|'|ulwut it that air of simple truth, and sober
‘appcals to the heart and conscience,
"whicln have rendered the speaker dear
ito all with whom he is acquainted. As
Hdong as the institution his such men to
'!bonr testimony to its worth, it will cer
"}uiuly grow and be the means of much
good to all within the sphere of its in
[ fluence.
weealy of the Tinew.
W WEQRBDT,
WEDNESNDAY MORNING, Jan, 1, 1845,
’ ‘Time in hisrapid and ceaseless flight,
has again brought vus, in gladness, or in
!surruw, for weal or for woe, upon anoth
er year. “We'have no branches of the
Esacrcd mistletoe to distribute among our
;I'riends on this occasion, after the man
ner of the Druids, nor golden knife to
Ec:ul them with, il we had,—nor consecra
ted forest whercein to perform the ceremo-
Hny ; but we trust we can make an offer
ing, whick, though less imposing in form,
will be equally acceptable. We ofier,
then, our grateful acknowledgements to
our friends for the steady and unwaver
ing support which they have afiorded us
in our difficult and arduous profession,
not only during the year that has just
expired, but for many years now lost in
the flight ol agea.
We hold it to be both natural and lau
dable to commemorate the birth ol the
vear, even as a sort of second birth-day
of our own, by acts of worship to Heav
en, and of Kindoess and beneficence to
our fellow men.
- The cbservance of the day, by visits
‘of congratulation and the presentation of
‘gilts, prevailed among the Romans, from
‘the days even of Romulus down to the
‘decline and fal! of the Roman Empire,
| At one period, indeed, in the matter
‘of gifts, their custom became so far an
‘abuse, by a system of extoition which
sprang up among the powerful, that the
‘observance of the day was prohibited by
l,()laudiua. Of course 'the poetry and
‘sentiment of the ocecasion were lost,
‘ 'A;'N’n the offeringzs were no lungc-r of the
hea ; but, thesbuses Leing ciwcked,
3he custom was too” sacred among the
people to be relinquished 5 and thoagh
alterward condemued by ecclesiastjcal
councils, because of the alleged pagan
(ism of the ceremonies, the people could
'not be detached from this grateful obser-
Wvunco.
‘ Among the Saxons and the Northern
“nations of Europe, the day was observed
by the interchange of “visits, by kindly
'salutations, and by such extraordinary
festivities, that the peopie reckoned their
‘ages by the number of these joyous sea
'sons in which they had participated. 1t
was not, however, the Saxouns who
brought the custom into England, since,
(as we have alrendy intimated, the day
‘had long before been celebrated by the
Druids. Saxons and Britogs, therefore,
:;unilcd at once in all the delightful obser
!vances and associations oftheday. DBut
in process of time, in the matter of gifts,
~abuscs appeared in Kngland, as they
had done long before in Rome. Henry
ML has been charged in history with
“having extorted presents ; and Elizabeth
(s said to have levied contributions in
(this way sufficient for the supply of her
wardrobe. I’ins in hier day were just
‘beginning to be known as substitutes for
‘wooden skewers, which, tll then, had
‘been used at the toilette table. Pins
‘were, therefore, in those days an article
of laxury, and for a while they were the
most acceptable present that could be
‘made to a lady, even of quality, Some
itimes, when the presentation of pins was
‘not convenient, a cownsition in - money
‘was substituted 5 andn this practice we
“l'md the origin of the phrase ‘pin mon
ey’ |
" The French, of modorn nations, are
said to bear the palm for the bridliancy
and costliness of their New Year’s festi
val. Gifts, of bon-bons and sweetmeats,
and hght and beautiful fancy articles,
are made in profusion ; and not only
these, but rich presents of jewelry are
bestowed. Mlen of wealth ofien spend
from six to ten thousand francs for New
Year's presents; and inthe confection
ary line alone, it has been computed
that the distiibutions in Paris amount in
cost to more than twenty thousand pounds
sterling. The day is also observed in
I'rance somewhat in the sume manner as
the New LEngland thanksgiving—as a
day for fanmly gatherings and social fes
tivities at the dinner table, and evening
merry-makings. Relatives ave all visit
ed, beginning in the morning with the
nearest in blood, and ending with the
remotest—but neglecting none. And is
not this a beautiful custom ? |
~ But enough of the past. Let us look
to the present and the future. The fu
fure ! Alag ! who knows aught of t ?
Or who would dare to raise the cuitain
if he could ? In one respect we all are
happily constituted. Who would bring
back the past year, with all its cares, ils
trials, its sorrows—and ils crimes !~=even
were all its joys in the train, ilhe might?
Or who, since Hope is always springing
fondly ia the breast; would avoid an en
tranca upon the new year, prepared ei
ther to grapple with the storma of human
e, or to bask beneath ite sunny smiles?
But in either event, let there be no too
“trong rehiance upon sell, Our desti
mes nre in other and higher hands, and
however He may ehoose to shape them,
there shovld not e a mmmr We
Scasonable Reflections.
know what has been. We know not
‘what is to come. We know that many
an eye that sparkled with delight lust
New Year’s morn, has long been dark
‘bencath the clods of the valley. We
‘know that the worm has been feeding
sweetly upon manya cheek which bloom
ed with the flush of the rose. \We know
that many bright hopes have been blast
ed ; many proud spirits crushed ; and
‘many gay hearts pierced with sorrows.
And we should all lay it to heart, that
‘what in this respect has been ip the year
just closed upon us, will bein the year
(now at hand,
~ Yet let us not dip our pen in colors too
'sombre. We have said that we wish
the new year to be welcomed among us
‘as of old. Let the bells speak out mer
rily at his advent, and let us meet and
greet our friends as of yore. Let the
'ladies array themselves in their sweet
est smiles, and garnish their tables with
fruits and flowers and what else of good
cheer they please.
. Not that we would encourage excess,
nor in these days ol teetotalism, do we
think there is much danger of that.—
| Though we have a reverence for anti
”qni%*Ch(iutinn pations have done well
by dropping what one of the sturdy old
l| Puritans calls ““a meere relique of pa
‘gani=m and idolatry, derived from the
‘heathene Romans’ feast of two-faced
iJunus, which spent in mummeries, stage
‘playes, dancing and suchlike enterludes,
‘wherein fidlers and others acted lascivi
‘ous efleminate parts, and went about the
'towns and cities in women’s apparrel.”’
- No. We would have no festivities
like these ; no PPagan associations or su
'perstitious rites. Yet we would have it
a gladsome festival, evincing love to our
fellow men, and gratitude to Heaven ‘or
its bounties. lo anticipation of which
we wish our friends “‘A marry New
|'YEAR.”
|\ The General Assembly of this State,
"will convene in Providence, by adjourn
ment, on Monday next, the 6th of Jan
‘wary. Atthis session of the Legisla
‘ture, a Senator in Congress is to be
chosen in the place of the Hon. John
Brown Francis, whose term of oflice
will expire on the 4th of March next.—
The subject of “Governor” Dorr’s lib
eration, among other matters, will un
doubtedly, occupy some considerable
portion of the session, unless the minds
of the members be [ully made up, and
they are prepared to act, previous to
their meeting. The subject will proba
bly be brought up on the two petitions,
which were referred to committees the
‘\lust session, or by bill; or resolution,
from some member of the upper or low
%cr house.
| ““""““"‘ d
The case of “Governor” Dorr before the U
N Supreme Court,
The Supreme Court has refused to
grant the writ of errov, applied for in.
the case of “Gov.” Dorr, and decidcd!
that oy had nothing to do with hisl
‘casu, inasmuch as he was not imprison
‘ed under or by authority of the United
'Slutcs. Judge McLean delivered the
iopiuion of the Court. The learned
Judge took the ground that l
l “Neither this nor any other Court Ori
‘the United States, orJudge theveof, can
‘issue a habeas corpus to bring up a pris-l
roner who is in custody under a sentence |
!()l‘ execu'ion of a State Court for anyl
‘other purpose than to be used as a wit
ness. Aud it is immaterial whether the
Amprisonment be under civil or criminal
process. As the law now stands, un
individual who may be indicted in a
Circuit Court, for treason against the
‘United States, i 3 beyond the power of
I'ederal Courts and Judges, it he be in
custody under the authority ofa State.”
' Redress, it will be perceived, can
| . .
‘uow only be obtained from the State, by
applying for a pardon to the Legisla
ture, which it is very probable would bci
granted the “‘Governor,” on his promis
ing allegiance to the new Constitution.
It is very doubtful, however, whcthcr'
he will consent to act at all in the prc-!
| . . . |
‘mises, not possessing, as is pretty well
known, the most yiclding disposilion.-—-;
The Legislature, of course, have the
power to liberate him unconditionnlly,!
and may, perhaps, now feel more dis
posed to do so than they would while he|
had a case pending before the Supreme
Court, and especially as the cfiorts of
his fvicnds there, in . his behalf, have
proved cutirely unavailing. i
- CoMMlssioN FOR THE SETTLEMENT
or I'rexcun Craims,.—NMr, Choate has
veporied a bill to the Senate, for the
ascertainment of claims of American
citizens, for spoilations, prior to July“
31, 1801, by means of a commission of:
three persons, who shall meet at Wash
ington, and within two years determine
fu!l such claims as have not been settled
by the treaties of 1803, 1819, and 1831,
between France and the United States.
CThe rules which shall govern the Con
:!'\'cmiun shall be the law ol nations, the
former treaties of amity and commerce
l, between the U, S, and France, and llw:
Iprinciples of Justice. I'he commission
florn, it is proposcd, shall receive 35.3,()0([|
:onch,nml 12,000 are appropriated to
‘carry the provisions of the bill into ef
feet, Justice to these claimants has)
bheen long delayed, and it s to be Loped
!!In's Lill will pass atl the present session |
Waverey lHouvsg, New-Yonk.="This|
well-known establishment, has been lnkcm:
by Willard Whitcomb, g, late of the'
Franklin-House, Providence —one of the bvnl;
landiords we know of. We doubt not he will|
be remembered by all his old friends if they |
shonld happen that way, and gain many ad ‘
ditional anes 11 Lie pew Joention.
Congressional.
Ia the SexaTe, on Monday, Dec. 23,
Mr. Berrien, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported the one day election bill
from the House, with amendments. Al
so, a bill for the relief of the suretiee of
Samuel Swartwoul,
Mr. Choate, from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported a bill for the
payment of claims for I'rench Spoliations
prior to 1800,
A resolution, moved by Mr. Berrien,
calling for information of the number of
foreign paupers and criminals imported
into this country, and of foreigners arri
ving, was adopted. Also, resolutions
relative to naturalization, moved by M.
Barrow and Mvr. Johnson.
Mr. Evans’s resolutions, calling for
information relative to duties refunded
by order of the Secretary of the Treasu
ry, and for copies of all circulars issued
by him on the subject of remission of du«
ties, ware agreed to.
Mr. Merrick gave notice of his inten
tion to introduce three bills relative ta
the mails.
A messago was received from the Pres
wdent,communicating the correspondence
with the French Government on the sub
ject of Texas, and another, communica
ling a proposed treaty with the Govern
ment of Texas.
The Senate ndjourned to Thursday.
Houvse or Rerresentarives,—-Mr.
DouGiass submitted a proposition for the
annexation of T'exasto the United States.
It was objected to; and Mr. D. moved ta
suspend the rules, to enable him to bring
the subject befare the House. ‘The mo
tion was out of order.
On motion of Mr. A. V. Brown, the
bill to establish a Territorial Government
in Oregon was read twice and roferred.
The rules were suspended for one
hour, for the reception of bills, resolutions
and notices, which should not give rise
to debate.
The Chair then proceededto call on
the Commiittees for reports
Mr. Cons reported a bill to regulate
the mileage of members of Congress.
The object of the bill is to compute the
mileage by the most direct route from the
scat ol governmeiit to the residence of
cach member.
The bill was read twice and the ques
tion was put upon its engrossment. The
previous question was then demanded
and secouded, and the billwas ordered
to be engrossed ;—yeas 171, nays 8.
The third reading of the bill was ob=
jected to and then passed over and refer
red to take its regular course.
A great variety of resolutions direct
ing inquiry into the expediency of par
ticular measures, were offered,
Mr. Monnis of Pa. offered a resolution
directing the Committee on Judiciary to
inquire into the expediency of umending
the Naturalization Laws aud of extend
ing the time of residence of foreignera
before they are admitted to citizenship.
‘ This gave rise to debate and had ta
lie over.
Mr. Douglass submitted his joint res
olution for the unnexation of Texas, ac
cording to the purchase of that Territory
by the Treaty of 1803. It was read
twice and referred to the Committee of
the Whole.
Professor Morse’s report on the Elec
tro Magnetic Telegraph was submitted
to the House in the course of the morn
ing, and 5,000 copies ordered to be print
ed,
Mr. Vance, from the Committee on
Claims, reported the Senate bill for the
payment of the balance of $lOO,OOO to
the heirs of Robert Fulton, and it was
referred to the Committee of the Whole,
and ordered to be printed.
’ “Mr. Davis, of Indiana, offered a res
olution to instruct the Committeo of Ways
and Means to inquire into the expedien
cy of repealing the duty on Salt. It was
laid on the table by a vote of 71 to §B.
A large number of unimportant reso
lutious were presented, and several were
adopted, and others luid on the table, and
the House adjourned to Thursday,
In the Senave, Thursday, Dee, 26th, a
bill passed authorising a compromise with
the sccurities of 8. Swartwout, late Collector
of the port of N. York.
Other private bills were disposed of, and
out little business of a public nature was
taken vp,
Mr. Siinmons, of R. L. appeared for the
first time and took his seat, .
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
Inthe House, Mr, C. ). Ingersoll introduc
ed a bill providing that children of American
citizens born in foreign countries be entitled
to all the privileges of citizens of the United
States.
I An ineffectual attempt was made 1o take
up the subject of the annexation of Texas,
'am-r which the House ndjourned,
‘ lu the House, Friday, Dee. 27th, an in-
Guiry was made when the Texas question
'wmuld be taken up, and it was decided that
'v; be taken up on Monday next,
The bill to graduate and reduge the price of
he pubiic lands, was taken up, Neveral
’mrmhcn addressed the Committee, A variety
ol bills from the Eenute were read and refer
red. T'here beng a thin stiendance of the
members, owing o the inclemeney of the
weather, the House, ot 45 minotes past 9 0"
¢ lock, adjpouined to Mondey. 4