Virginia advocate. [volume], September 11, 1829, Image 2

About Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860

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t>v request we give insertion to the fol
owiug.
[From the Culpeper Gazette.]
It will be seen in the following article
which wc extract from the Columbia (S.
C.) Telescope that, the Convention of Vir
ginia engages the uttemion ot our sister
States. The adjusting and settling the
scale of representation, is dwelt upon, in
the relation which it may bear to taxation
and population—but the important inllu
«nce which this subject tnay exercise over
the Southern States, is deep and engross
ing. It must sensibly touch the tenure
bv which a large part of thc-ir property and
'ours is held. Nor is its action exhausted
upon the sole question of property. The
means of restraining a class of population
-towards whom, there is not, and cannot
be other, than feelings of distrust, that will
invoke the most guarded vigilance, are al
so wrapt up in this measure of representa
tion. Where there is neither community
of feeling nor identity of danger and inter
est, it will be in vain to hope for that sym
pathy and assistance, which we have not
the power to coerce, by all the force ne
cessary to the creation of law. Wc yield
no credence to the rumors, that the peo
ple have already elected to the Convention,
fc majority of Delegates prepared to sacri
fice our best interests, and to abandon the
vital principles of self-preservation. Vis
ionary enthusiasts and oven-heated poli
ticians, who hope, in the fervour of their
generous misjudging zeal, to find perfec
tion in human nature, may be prepared to
surrender, into the custooy of others, our
most sacred rights—but such is not the
disposition of men in general, and espe
cially of the people in Virginia. Our own
.preservation will not he recklessly aban
doned. Selfishness when single and de
based is the cause of crime ami the source
of general mischief—hut selfishness in a
just and enlarged sense, which compre
hends the welfare of the Society as asso
ciated with individual happiness and pros
perity becomes a virtue of the highest val
ue. It is the “ silver chord” that hinds
up the welfare of the Community ; it is the
“ golden bowl” from which the Genius of
Liberty is fed. The time has gone by in
which the hug-bear of Aristocracy can he
conjured up to frighten sensible men out
of their lives or their property. Our coun
trymen are'too enlightened for this ; tliev
know their rights, (with the means of pre
serving them) and “ knowing will dare
maintain.” They may applaud the gen
erous enthusiasm of those hearts, that glow
with universal philanthropy, without being
seduced into the adoption of their schemes.
1 hey prefer Hercules clothed in the skin
of the Ncmean Lion, (though the dress he
'rude, it sheltered and defended hi m) to
the same hero covered with the beautiful,
but poisoned shirt ol’Nessus the Centaur,
which eat into the vitals of the wearer
and hurried him in torture to his grave.
\\^e advise our readers to give this ex
tracted article an attentive perusal. If
they do not concur in the views presented,
it will at least shew what has been the
practical efiect of the adoption of the prin
ciple it mentions in a sister state, of high
character for talents and patriotism.
[bom the Columbia fS. P.J Telescope.1
VIRGINIA CONV KNTION.
The Southern states cannot but feel a
deep interest in the questions which will
be agitated in the Virgiuia Convention,
which meets in Richmond in October
next. Oneol the great objects of that Con
vention is to alter the representation in
their State legislature. The same causes
which rendered the representation in
South Carolina unequal and unjust, and
required the amendment of our constitu
tion of 1808, have operated in Virginia.
The assignment of representatives to the
•counties in both states was originally arbi
trary. It was fixed on no settled princi
ple, although it no doubt had some refer
ence to the state of population and the ex
tent of surface of the election districts.—
But as the population spread from the sea
board to the mountains, this arbitrary al
lotment became most glaringly unequal
and unjust. In South Carolina the small
est seaboard had as numerous a represen
tation in the legislature, as the largest dis
trict of the upper country, which though
thinly peopled when our constitution was
originally framed, had in 1808 a more dense
population than the parishes below. In
Virginia the same thing has taken place,
though not so rapidly, nor perhaps to the
same extent. The evil there has, howev
er, been so great, that it can bo no longer
borne, and a convention is called to cor
rect it. She is about to do in 1829, what
South Carolina found it necessary to do
in 1808. Our state then adopted a
principle, which was thought correct, and
which in piaclice has been found to work
well; and if any regrets have been express
ed on the subject, they have been that the
principle had not been extended to the
Senate ae well as to the House of Repre
sentatives. This principle was presented
to the Legislature by Col. Rlanding then a
representative from Kershaw district, by
resolutions and a speech explaining the
principles of them. His plan was adopted
in the house of representatives, their being
hut one dissenting vote. In the Senate
it passed unanimously. The principle he
assumed was that in a republic the consti
tution should be so framed that the rights
of property and of persons should be
equally secured. That where the govern
ment is in the hands of the people, person
al rights are generally well protected, and
the great evils to be breaded are sectional
views and feelings, which lead to unequal
and unjust taxation. Kvery part of a state
cannot abound in the same article : and
by a majority selecting for taxation an ar
ticle of property held chiefly by the minor
ity, a most unjust burthen may be impo
sed, and one part df the community alone
taxed to the entire exoneration of the oth
er. To prevent this evil it was proposed
that taxation should form one of the ele
ments of representation, and to secure per
sona! rights, population should form the
other element. The plan offered, there
fore, was that a census of the whHW^lP^
lition of the state should be taken every
ten years, and that the direct taxes paid in
each district during the lust ten years
slmuld he reported by the comptroller gen
eral : and that for the next ten years the j
fixed representation of 124 tnemliers
should be apportioned among the several
election districts, by assigning one half of
the representatives to their white pop
ulation, and the other half tothcii' tax
tioa Ibus ascertained. The effect of this
prornRn, it was supposed, would he this:
One half of the representation being as
signed to population, personal rights would
be amply secured, and the other ball' being
assigned to taxation would prevent partial
burthens, or at least would provide the
means of removing them. Thus if an ar
ticle held in one section ol the suite alone,
should be exclusively taxed for ten years,
for tie next ten, it would transfer half the
representation of the state to the distiicts
coni loosing that section, which with its
white population would give that section
a preponderance in the legislature, ami
thus (lie unjust burthens which had beeu
imposed, would confer the power to re
move them. One part of the state might
liotd most of the slaves, and should an at
tempt he made to tax them alone, the re
sult would he that that pari of the state
would at the next appoitionmeut become
the repository of all political power and
would repeal the tax. Or suppose one
section of the country should be peopled
exclusively by whites, and the whole re
venue of tire state should he taised bv a
poll tax on tlieip, oil the system proposed,
this very act of tyranny would transfer to
them sufficient political power to cast off
the burden. In fact every unjust section
al tax would take power from those who
imposed it and confer it on the sufferers.
These were the views presented to the
legislature, and which induced ilieni to in
corporate into their constitution the provi
sion, that in distributing the representatives
among the several districts of the state
every ten years, one hall should he assign
ed to taxation, and the other half io white
population. Taxation fiere was not re
garded as the index of property, but the
contrary. It was to he represented for
tlm sole reason, that it might not indicate
wealth, but might be unjustly imposed
without regard to the ability of the person
taxed to pay it.
We are so well satisfied with this prin
ciple of representation, that vie can see
no reason why Virginia shie ld not adopt
it. It is equally applicable to that state as
to South Carolina. In fact wn consider
it the true principle of representation in
every free government. It is unfortunate,
in our opinion, that it could not form the
basis of the representation of the union ;
hut the evanescent ami deceptive nature
of indirect taxation evades the reach ol
this principle. Imposts form the system
of taxation of the general government.
These are ultimately paid by the consu
mer, although collected at the custom
house from the importer. The person,
or section of country that bears the bur
then. cannot, therefore, he designated.—
South Carolina may pay the tax which the
government collects in New York. This
kind of taxation cannot, therefore, form
lire basis of representation form the uncer
tainty of the state that pays it. But could
it he rendered certain, and be represent
ed, the south would not he long burthen
ed with the Tariff '. If the southern states
could obtain a representation in Congress
eqnal to the burthens they bear, they
would have none hut themselves to blame,
if ti e tariff continued after the next cen
sus. In fact under such a system of rep
resentation, it never would have been im
posed. The dread of loosing power,
would have restrained that injustice, which
now lays on its burthens with impunity,
and while it oppresses, destroys. Had op
pression parted with power by its exercise,
it would have held ils hand, lest in its turn
it should become weakness. The consti
tution of South Carolina, as far as direct
taxation is concerned, has this salutary
principle, and says to the oppressor, “cease
lest you become the oppressed.” It makes
justice and forbearance true policy, and
restrains the motive to oppiession, where
the indisposition to it exists.
We have been induced thus to illustrate
the principles of our state representation,
with the view to a consideration of vast
importance to the South Virginia is now
becoming the frontier of the slave holding
states ; and the security of our property
here id some measure depends on her con
tinuing to be so. Now it will be seen by
late publications, that in the western part
of that state a spirit of emancipation is
manifesting itself. Petitions to the Con
vention are circulating for signatures,
praying for the consideration of the cjues
tion of immediate or gradual emancipation.
We are not under any apprehension that
the convention will adopt either of these
measures. -Our fears are of another kind.
If population alone should form the basis
of Virginia representation, although eman
cipation should not be directly prohibited
by her new constitution—yet the time may
come, and perhaps at no distant period,
when the western part of that state hav
ing thus obtained political power, may
throw all the burthens of government on
the slaveholders of eastern Virginia, and
compel them to emancipation to avoid the
taxes with which their slaves are burthen
ed. On any arbitrary plan of representa
tion this state of things may nrise. 'Rut
on the South Carolina prinoiple, it can ne
ver happen. Let Virginia give to her e
lection districts a representation founded
on population and taxation in equal pro
portions, and every attempt to tax the
eastern part of that state into emancipa
tion must fail. The West may impose a
temporary burthen, but by doing so it
will part with power, and the east will
rise in its strength and cast off the op
pression. Rut even this supposablc case
wdl never happen. Th«? facility of the
remedy will forever prevent any attempt
to inflict the injury.
flfcom SkittdVsTRhMrtefcn Turf Rcgi-ter and
fq>orti»f Magazine.]
THE RICHMOND“»AUBACUE (or Quoit)
CLUB."
During a recent visit to Richmond, in
Virginia, I was invited to a “Barbacue
Club,” held under the shade of some fine
oaks, near “ Buchanan's ‘Spring,” about
a mile distant from the town. I there
met with about thirty of the respectable '
inhabitants of Richmond, with a few
guests. The day was a fine one, and the
j free and social intercourse of the mem
bers, rendered it peculiarly pleasant.
This Club is probably the most ancient!
one of the sort in the United States, hav
ing existed upwards of forty years. It o
riginated in a meeting every other Satur
day, from the first of May until the month
of October, of some of the Scotch mer
chants who were early settlers in that
town. They agreed each to take out
some cold meats for their repast, and to
provide a due quantity of drinkables, and ;
enjoy relaxation in that way after the la
bors of the week. They occasionally in
vited some others of the inhabitants, who
finding the time passed pleasantly, pro
posed in the year 1788 to form a regular j
club, consisting of thirty members, under
a written constitution limiting their ex
penses each day by a sort of sumptuary
! l*w which prohibited the use of wine and
I porter.
I The Virginians, you know, have always
j been great Utilitarians as to constitutiou
i al matters.—Whenever a member died or
resigned (but there have been very few
resignations,) his place was filled by bal
loting for a new one, who could not be e
lected without the concurrence of two
thirds of the club. It is said, that for ma
ny years no vacancy occurred, and a sort
of superstitious sentiment was prevalent,
that to become a member of the club, was
to insure longevity. The Arch Destroy- i
er, however, at length appeared in all his
strength, md made such havoc, that only
one of the original members (the venera
ble Chief Justice of the-United States,)
is now surviving
I lie c!u!> consists of judges, lawyers,
doctors, and merchants, and the Govern
or of the Commonwealth has a general in
vitation when he enters into office. What
gave additional inteiest to this body, some
years ago, was the constant attendance
(as honorary members,) of two venerable
clergymen—one of the Episcopal and the
other of the Presbyterian church, who
joined in the innocent pastime of the day.
They were pious and exemplary men, who i
discerned no sin in harmless gaiety.
Quoits and backgammon are the rally
game indulged in, and one of the clergy
men was for mnny years " cock of the
walk” in throwing the discus. They are
gone to their account, and have left a
chasm that has not been filled.
Some years ago, an amendment was
made to the constitution, which admits
the use of porter. Great opposilion was
made to #liis innovation ; and the destruc
tion of the club was predicted as the con
sequence. The oppositionists, however,
soon became as great consumers of malt
ami hops as their associates, and now
they even consent to the introduction of
wine at the last meeting of every year,
provided there he a “ shot in the locker.”
The members each advance ten dollars to
the treasurer at the beginning of the sea
son, and every member is entitled to in
vite any strangers as guests, on paying
into the general fund one dollar for each ;
while the caterers of the day, consisting
of two members in rotation, preside, and
have the privilege of bringing each a
guest (either citizen or non-resident,) at
fiee cost. On the day I was present, din
ner was ready at half past three o’clock,
and consisted of excellent meats and fish,
well prepared and well served, with ilie
vegetables of the season. Your veritable
gourmand, never fails to regale himself on
his favorite barbacuc—which is a fine fat
pig, called “shoal” cooked on the coals,
and highly seasoned with cayenne—a de
sert of melons ami fruits follows, and
punch, porter and toddy are the table li
quors; but with the fruits comes on the
favorite beverage of the Virginians, mint
julep in place of wine. I never witnessed
more festivity and good humor than pre
vails at this club. Bv the constitution.
the subject of politics is forbidden, and
each man strives to make the time pleas
ant to his companions. The members
think they can offer no higher compliment
to a distinguished stranger than to inrro
duce him to the club, and all feel it a du
ty to contributeto his entertainment. It
was refreshing to see such a man as Chief
Justice Marshall, laying aside the reserve
of his dignified station, and contending
with the young men at a game of quoits,
with all the emulation of a youth.
Many anecdotes are told of occurren
ces at these meetings. Such is the par
tiality for the Chief Justice, that it is said
the greatest anxiety is felt for his success
in the game by the by-standers; and on
j one occasion, an old Scotch gentleman
was called on to decide between his quoit
and that of another member, who after
seemingly careful measurement, announ
ced, “ Mister Maresball has it a leatfle,”
when it was visible to all that the contra
ry was the fact. A French gentleman,
(Baron Qaienet,) was atone time, a guest,
when the Governor, the Chiet Justice, <5*
several of the Judges of the high court of
appeals, were engaged with others, with
coats off, in a well contested game.—He
asked, “ il it was possible that the dignita
ries of the land, could thus intermix with
private -citizens/’ and when assured of
the fact, he observed, with true Gallican
enthusiasm, that “ he had never before
seen the real beauty of tepublicanism.”
To mikr Corn Soup.—Cut the corn
from the cob and boil it in water until it is
sufficiently done; then pour in new milk,
with salt, pepper and one or two eggs;
continue the boiling, and stir in flour 111
order to thicken it a little. This soup
will be superior to the best turtle soup
ever made.— [Winchester Kejmblican]
FARRIER*.
There is no treature, perhaps, so much
o be pitied as a sick horse. We mean
m this country—for in Europe tliere are
Veterinary Departments attached to the
Medical Schools, where the structure and
liseuses ot the horse are scientifically sta
lled ; where the treatment is taught on
rational priucsples ; and where the prac
tice is honorable, because it is based up
r»n knowledge. But here nothing is known
rjf farriery, except what is picked up, most
ly by accident—and may be right, or
may he wrong.— But the latter is most
piobahie, because the practice of the art
is generally confined to the most ignorant
part of the population. These circum
stances have rendered the practice degra
ding ; and that which is-quite as honorable
in its nature as the treatment of human
diseases, and much better paid for, is
wholly in the hands of quacks—a set of
men who would confer disgrace upon any
calling. Let the subject he attended to
in a scientfic manner, let there be veter
inary departments attached to our medi
cal colleges, and let only well educated
men attempt the practice of farriery, and
a Uoctor of horses will be accounted as re
spectable as a doctor of human beings ;
and he, who relieves the suffering* and
saves the life of that noble animal, will
be accounted no less a benefactor, than
he who performs the same services for that,
often less worthy, aniinnl, man.
But, as we said apove there is no crea
ture m<»re to he pitied than a sick horse.
W e will soppose the lot of the fonr-fooled
patient to he cast—not alone and far
from human aid, for then nature might
effect a cure—hut in ilie midst of an a
bundant population, where a crowd will
soon gather round him. Tliere will be
great diversity of opinion as to the nature
of the direase. One calls it the hots, ano
ther thecholic, a third a founder, a fourth
something different from all the rest—in
short, each one claims the privilege of
forming and maintaining his own opinion,
and each-one considers his reputation for
judgment concerned in supporting his own
views to the last.
As they differ respecting ’the nature of
the disease, so-they differ in regard to the
mode of cure. Even those who chance
to agree as to the nature of the disease,
arc apt to disagree about the treatment
Of those who pronounces the complaint
to he hots, one recommends milk and mo
lasses ; another, red precipitate and spirits
of turpentine, another, aloes and beef
brine; and a fourth, (O, monstrous !)a
fowl cut open alive, and the entrials thrust
down the poor horse’s throat. Think
of that, ye human patients—did you ever
swallow a live toad? Ifso you will have
some idea of a miserable sicK horse swal
lowing the warm entrails of a murdered
hen. Of those who will have the disease
to be cholic, one recornmeds gin—and a
horse, who never drank any thing in his
life hut cold water, has a quart of ardent
spirits poured down his throat ; another
prescribes castor oil, and forthwith a bot
tle of that is sent alier the gin into the
horse’s stomach ; a third thinks he has a
remedy'worth both the others, and a
pound of ground mustard seed, mixed with
Cayenne pepper, is sent to keep company
with the rest. For it generally happens,
that as whatever is recommended is carri
ed, with as little delay as possible, into
practice.; for where all are equally good
authority, it would be unfair to follow the
advice of one, and reject that of another—
besides, the owner is exceedingly anxious
for the life of the horse, and is willing to
give him at least a chance of recovery, by
making use of all known methods for ef
fecting so desirable an end.
Consider now the condition of the poor
animal. lie has (according to all accounts)
not less than half a dozen different diseas
es ; and for each disease he is compelled
to swallow something like a dozen differ
ent rtmedies !—The consequence is, that
the poor horse has not less than half a
barrel of the most various nostrums down
his thoat at the same time—enough to
kill any well horse in Christendom ; judge
then ii a sick one has any chance of re
covery ! As might be expected the ani
mal generally dies—and with his dving
breath gives evidence, that'the maxim of
Solomon — Jn 'the multitude of counsellors
there is safety, in this instance at least has
not proven true.
[Rerksliirc American.]
[From the American Turf Register and Sport
ing 'Magn7iiie.]
WASHINGTON A SPORTSMAN.
The lime which Colonel Washington could
spare from the building and agricultural im
provements, between the year 17.'»!> and 1774,
was considerably devoted to the pleasures of the
chase. We have neither knowledge or tradition
of his having ever been a shooter or a fisherman,
fox hunting being of a bold and animating char
acter, suited well with the temperamont of the
“ histy prime” of age, and peculiarly well accord
ed with his fondness and predisposition for eques
trian exercises.
Hie kennel was situated about a hundred yards
south of the family vault in which at present re
pose his venerable remains. Tim building was
a rude structure, but afforded comfortable quar
ters for tho hounds ; with a large enclosure pal
ed in, having in the midst a spring of running
water. The park was very numerous and •*
loot, tho Colonel visiting and inspecting his
kennel morning and evening, after tho same
manner as he did his stables. It was his pride,
fand a proof of bis skill in bunting,J to have hi-,
pack so critically drafted ns to speed and b'.»t
tom, that in running, if -one leading dog should
lose the scent, another was at hand immr uialelv
to recover it, and thus when in full cry, to use
a racing phrase, you might cover tl>,o pack with
a blanket.
During the season, Mount Vernon had many j
sporting guests from tho neighborhood, from
Maryland, and elsewhere. Their visits were not
of days, but weeks ; and they were entertained
in the good old style of Virginia's ancient hos
pitality. Washington, always superbly mount
ed, in true sporting costume, of blue coaf, scar
let waistcoat, buckskin brcoches. top boots, vel
vet cap and whip with long thong, took the field
it day dawn, with his huntsman Will Lee, his
Friends and neighbors ; and nonn rode more gal
lantly in the chase, not with voico more cheerly
iwakenod echo in the woodland than he who
was afterwards destined, by voico and example,
to cheer his country men in their glorious strug
gle for independence and empire. Such was
the hunting cstnblisooient at Mount Vernon,
prior to tho Uovolution.
Wo come now to events of our own times.—
After the peace of 17KI the hunting establish
ment which had gone down during tho war, was
renewed by the arrival of a pack of French
hounds, sent out by the Maiquis dc Lafayette ;
these chit ns de chasse were of great size,
“ Bred out of the Spartan kind, so llewcd, so
sanded with
Ears that sweptaway the morning dew, dcwlap'd
like
The ssalian hulls, matched in mouth like hells."
tho bells ot Moscow, and great town of Lincoln,
we should say, and from llicir strength, were
fitted, not only to pull down the stately stag, but
in fierce •combat, to encounter the wolf or boar,
or even to grapple with lordly lion. These
hounds, from their fierce dispositions, were gen
erally kept confined, but woe to the stranger
who might be passing their kennel after night
fall; idiould the gates bo unclosed, his fate
would lie melancholy, unless lie could climb
some friendly tree, or the voiro of the whip of
the huntsman came speedily, “ to the rescue."
The huntsman always presided at their iiieuls,
and it was only by the liberal application of the
whip thong, that any thing like order could be
presetved among these savages of the chase .
The habit was to hunt tlireo .times it week,
weather permitting ; breakfast was served, on
these mornings.at candle light, tho General al
ways breaking his fast with an Indian corn cake
and a bowl of milk ; and crc the conk had “ done
salutation to the inom,” the whole cavalcade
would often have left the house and the fox fre
quently unkennelled before sunrise. Those who
have seen Washington on horseback, will admit
that he was the most accomplished of cava licrs
:ti tiie true sense and perfection of the charac
ter. lie rode, as ho did every tiling, with ease,
elegance, and with power. The vicious propen
sities of horses were of no moment to this skilful
and daring rider. lie always said, that he requir
ed but one good quality in a horse, to go along,
•'and ridiculed the idea of its being even possible
that he should be unhorsed, provided the animal
kept on his legs. Indeed the perfect and sinewy
frame of the admirable man • gave him such a
surpassing grip with bis knees that a horse might
us soon disencumber itself of the saddle, as of
such a ridor.
The General usually rode in the chase, a horse
called Ulueskiu, of a dark iron grey colour, ap
proaching to blue. This was a fine but fiery an
imal, and of great endurance in a long run.—
Will, the huntsman, bctt.v known in revolution
ary lore, as Billy, rode a horse called Chinkling,
a surprising leapor, and made very much like it*
rider, low, hut sturdy, and of great bone and inus
cle. Will bad but one order, which was to keep
with the hounds, and mounted on Chinkling, a
French horn-at his back, throwing himself almost
at length on the animal, with his spur in his
flank this fearless horseman ‘would rush, at full
speed, llirongh brake or tangled wood, in a stylo
at which modern huntsmen wuuld stand aghast.
There were roads cut through tho woods in vari
ous directions, by which aged and timid hunters
and ladies, could enjoy the oxhiliruting cry, with
out risk of lifo or limb ; but Washington rode
gaily up to his hounds,-through all the difficul
ties and dangers of the grounds on which he
hunted, nor spared his generous steed, as the
distended nostrils of Blueskin often would show,
always in at tho death, audyiolding to no mail
the honor of the brush.
The foxos bunted fifty yoars ago, were grey
foxes, with one exception, this was a famous
black fox, which differing from his brethren of
“orders grey,” would flourish his brush, set his
pursuers at defiance, and go from ten to twenty
miles nn end, distancing both dogs and men ; and
what was truely remarkable,'would return to his
place of starting on the same night, soss always
to he found there the ensuing morning. After
seven or eight severe runs, without success, Bil
ly recommended that the black reynard should
ho let alone, giving it as his opinion, that he
was very near akin to another sable character,
inhabiting a lower region, and a.; remarkable for
•his wiles: tho advice was adopted.from nece-tsi*
ty, and ever thereafter, in throwing off the
hounds, cure was taken to avoid the haunt of the
unconquerable black fox.
Tho clinse ended, the party would return to
the mansion-house, where, at the well spread
hoard, and with cheerful glass, the feats of iho
leading dog, the most gallant horse or the bold
est rider, together with the prowess of tho famed
fox, were all discussed, while Washington, nev
er permitting even his pleasures to infringe up
on the order and regularity of his habits, would
after a few glasses of Madeira, retire to his sup
perless bed, nt nine o’clock.
Of tho French hounds., there was one named
I'u/ran, and we bear him the better in reminis
cence, from having often hestrid his ample hack |
in the days of juvenility. It happened that upon I
a large company sitting down to dinner at Mount
Vernon the lady of the mansion discovered tho'
the ham. the pride of every Virginia housev'
table, was missing from its accustomed ()Ht f ,
honor. Upon questioning Frank, t’l0
this portly, and at tho satr.0 time t’„0 ‘mtml polite’
and accomplished o. aP. butlers, observed, that »
bam. yes, a very fin e ham, lltl(1 becn J>rrf)rirorf.
nay, d.shetl agreeably Vo ,|,e M,dam-.
but lo and hr llold, who should come mto tho
kitchen, wo* #n tho i • •
c savoury ham ww smoking in
Us dish, but old Vulcan, tho hound, and without
mole ado f48lened his fangs into it; and «?.*
t lough tl ey, of the kitchen, had stood bravely to
su , i ns they could get, nnd had fought tin:
I ‘ spoiler desperately, yet Vulcan had finally
triumphed, and boro off the prize aye, “ cleanly,
under the keeper s nose.” The lady by no
means relished the loss of a dish, which formed
the pride of her table, and uttered sonfo remarks
by no means favorable to old Vulcan, or indeed
to dogs in general, while the Chief, having lie an I
the story, communicated it to bis guests, and
with them, laughed heartily at tho exploit of the
ting hnvnd.
In l/*7,Cieri. Washington being called t<* pre
side in tho Convention which formed the Fcder
nl Constitution, he gave aivay his bounds, and
bade adieu forever to the pleasures of tlio chase.
Non:. The red fox is supposed to havo been
imported from England, b> me Ra stern Hhoreef
Man land, by a Mr. Smith, and to have emigre
ted sefoss the ice to Virginia, in the bard winter
of 177.», when the Chesapeake was frozen over.
The Puovk \t Nkw-Oiu.kans. It nppe;irt
by the following article copied from a Ncw-Or.
leans paper, that the yellow fever, the plague of
that climate, is making appalling ravages in that
city. Nor does the paper present the worst side
of the melancholy picture, if private letters
from thence do not deceive us. Ia ono of the
morning papers wo find a letter stating that th»
deaths rango from sixty to seventy per day_.
At this rate, unless tho inhabitants fly from the
pestilcneo with ono accord, Now-Orleans wrjj
soon become literally a city of tho dead I
Ykllow Fkyfr. From all the information
thnt wc are ablo to procure, wo learn that this
usual and dangerous visitant of the city, pre.
vails to an alarming extent. If tho statements
he true, for a few days past, from thirty to fifty
have died each day, and those who it ia reported
constituted the greatest number of tho subjects,
were those Spaniards, that adopted this city, ag
a temporary asylum from tire extravagance of
Mexican democracy. To find multitudes of fc|.
low beings falling before us into the grave, a few
moments alter they have shown the liveliest and
healthiest aspect, and when we are or hope to
secure, is astonishing and lamentable. The
youthful, the aged, the powerful and the weak,
yielding themselves a prey to its rapidfy dovas
tating force. Although disposed to weep with
the mourners, who may be sprcadT ovsr- the
world, and who will nnxiously look towards
Now-Orlcans for tho communication of tho
news of life or death, wo will, in opposition to
the usual course prescribed, adviso tlmso who
aro unacclimatcd to remain in the city. That '
the disease prevails, there is no doubt; and that
the method of treatment, the advantages of at
tendance, and the ncccssasics of tho patient ara
more abundantly procured hero than elsewhere,
are truths self-evident. There is at least equal
liability to the infection by the disease in leaving
the city at this time, and double danger from
tho inexperience of medical attendants, Thoso
who arc untouched by tho searching operation
of the yellow fever, have now to stand and test
their strength with its desolating powers.
Although each year announces the multitude*
of deaths hero by the Yellow Fever; and al
though each town in tho U’uon may mourn for
the loss of parent, child, or relative, swept off by
the rapid march of disease, yet the news of the
most extensive destruction will whet the ardor
of commercial speculation, and even in the re
mote parts of hurope, the healthy inhabitants
will be calculating npon tho profits of a rcsi
donee in this city, and assuming’ ns a basis, the
decrease of population by the yellow fever. {«!o
soon as the healthful season has come, one will
hear the stranger, newly arrived, when exam
ining the dimensions and capabilities of this ci
ty, ejaculate his astonishment at tho populous
ncss of the inhabitants, and ihe difference be
tween the notion he had formed of the « city of
the dead, ' and tho life and number <?f its inhab
Hants. Thus it is however the effect which tho
news of Hie destructive prevalence of tho yel
low fever has abroad, is the increasing delermi
tion on those who hear, to become hazardous
visiters. As mnmigais of a public print, it is a
duty to announce the supposed facts of the dis
ease, to stutc out opinions, and to Icavo onr
crude notions to the examination and reflections
of those who may read, or dread, or weep at tho
fatal march of the enemy to sons of man—tho
yellow fover.
[From the London Mechanical Magazine 1
TO IMPROVE GUNPOWDER FOR BLAST
ING.
Mr. Editor—Having sometime since had oc
casion to make some trials of tho stiength of dif
ferentsamples of gunpowder, and ruminating
on the phenomenon of expansion of air, the ac"
counts illustrative of which 1 consider no way
satisfactory, the ideas 1 formed on the sudject
led me to the-eonclurion, that oil added to <nin
powder, might possibly inerrase the expansive
power of tho latter; and upon trial, this appear
ed to me to he the case. I half filled a tin cylin
drical two ounce snuffcanister with gunpowder,,
on the top of which I poured some locksmith's
oil ; then, with the cover on, I shook the pow
der until the whole had become similar in color,
and no appearance of moisture remained. On
comparative trials \ found tho oiled powder
stronger than the same powder not oiled—But
not having a regular powder proof, 1 was obli
ged to decide to tho best of my judgment, which)
may possibly have been influenced by on, incli
nation to flatter myself that I had fallen upon a
discovery that might he productive of some gen
ei;!«0wi: ,Inm of"F"ion, from tho appearance
of the oiled powder, after long keeping, and al
though excluded from air, that it deteriorate,
faster than powder not oiled. I judged 80 f
Us effects in the fire, as well as from its n .
whitish appearance, as if some small ' JVei
efllorcsence had taken place, whic’ . d06re4>t>r
bo greater in a less confined ' *•> if so, would
the conjecture bo not ah'- situation. But, if
newly oiled powder is "glhcr ima?inary, that
it is probable sono .* lml>rovcfi hy the process,
the hint in tb J a,lvan,ae° might bo taken of
particularly ■ * aPPI,cat,on in mining, but iuo»t
* in the blasting of recks
T, WF.CDOTK OF AN ENGLISH SAiLOH_
•ie following anecdote appears in a re
cent French paper :—While the 'French
troops were encamped at Boulogne, public
attention was much excited by the daring
attempt at escape made by an English sai
or. i his person, having escaped from
t te depot, and gained'tlve borders of the
sea the woods on which saved him for con
cealment contracted, Avith no other instill
ment than a knife, a boat entirely of the
bark of trees. When the weather was fair
be mounted a tree end looked on for f K
htighsh flag ; and, having at la ?t obse- .v'ed>
" B;"lf,h r“" '•> the ,1,0,
ins boat Oil Ills back, and wh en he
bout to trust himself to the r„erc
wares, he was pursued, nm „er’ 1 V, ,
ed with chains. Eve.y be ,!v ' *' ?m °ad‘'
was anxious to see the boa t p 'Vi!18 *rmy
having at length I,rani o'. \' 0,1 ^aP°,ean»
for the sailor and interr, ' ‘10, ?*,,r’ilJnt
must, said Napoleon •' t, <i,cd h»,n- Yow
desire to see your r „. AVR hnd. a Rreat
yon could resolve to n Jn*ry n2a'f,» sinco
open sea in so frai’ -tist yourself on the
you have left a sw a bark- 1 suppose
said the sailor, hr f ^heart there.” “No,” V
thcr, whom f w. 8 Poor 8nd mo*
you shall see h» J anxious to see.” “And
at the same tim ' ” Srtid Napoleon, giving,
ly and bestow e* orders to set him at liber -
sum of monr °Pon him * considerable
that she mu y f 'r *»*• mother, observing
so good a 8t ,,c a Cood "'W* 'fro l.vad
W>.