Public Leger, Volume 2, Number 61, Richmond, Wayne County, 21 May 1825 — Page 4

OIUGINAIi POETRY. "To catch dame Fortune's golden smile Assiduous wait upon her, And gather gear by ev'ry wile That's justified by honor." Burns. Why, Fortune, dost thou flout me so? lve sought thee early, sought thee late, And wilt thou all thy gifts bestow On those already rich and great? Yes! ! have bowed before thy shrine, Sincere was my devotion too; And I have made that homage thine, Which was to Heaven only due. The day-dreams of my youth were fraught With expectations fixM on thee, I trod on roses while I thought Thy darling minion I should be. Oh! could I realize an hour Such joys as my young fancy drew, I would contemn imperial pow'r, With nil the wealth of rich Pr ru. But the illusive rbnrm has flown, That bound the sanguine hopes of youth; And s.ul experience has shown, The naked, the unvarnih'd truth. No more the tkkl dame I'll trust, For her pccentric wheel I find, Is guided by a hand unjust. And she is partial, false, and blind.

THE FOOL'S-CAP, BY SIMON QUILL.

NO. III. "A book the stealing hour secure?, And mark it down lor wisdom." Youno. In my excursions through different parts of the country, I have always made obserations upon the peculiar manners, custom?, characters ar d hi timents of the people. I have found much to admire; but, I mu'l also add, much to censure. It would appear too invidious were I topic a catalogue of every thing which, in my opinion, was reprehensible. I should, in euch a case, seem too much like thoc pcr10ns who always view every thing on the dark side, and thence draw mfe reneo, and make deductions, which not only lend them wide of the truth, hut make their whole lives nothing hut a tissue of fearful apprehension, and phlegmatic discontent. On the contrary, I always endeavor to set before me every thine in its most favorable light, and, if poVible, overlook all defects;

but if these are too glaring to escape no;Jh a- w . i - r . I LT

lice, I cannot shrink irom me ia?K 01 punning them out, and that w ith a steady hand. J do not do this f r the unworthy pleaeur of finuinS fault ; I do it from motives s hi h would bear the scrutiny of the purest jude and good motive", if they will not in every case justify the means, will at least subtract much from the criminality of the wor-t. I have often, when travelling, been obliged to put up at private houses, and thee of every different cla in the country. This has given me a good chance for observation. 1 general! wish, before reti

ring to bed, to read a little, and according- j lv ennui r for hooks: but ver often there!

is not a single one in the house, with the , exception of a school-book or two, and Ij am compelled to content myself by re- j flectiny on the great value of good books," and the sterility of spirit w hich can make j a mar: contented without them. At other; times I am fortunate enough to get a few; j but too often these very frze are scarcely j better than none they are absolutely not j worth the reading and if read, many of, them are of the most pernicious tendency. ! I must confess that I have sometimes found

UOOK OI Mill ILL HUM 'i uu i:vjvi r, . i I 1 i

his conclusion perhaps we may be able to

which does tiot spend something every year for mere superfluities, and almost every one spends something Jor whiskey (the greatest enemy to the moral improvement of this country,) which if judiciously laid out in books, would be of infinite service in the formation of the character and in the developement of the talent of their readers. I am convinced that if people would be a little more frugal, temperate, and industrious, there is not one family in a hundred, which could not in a very few years have a valuable collection of books. For mv own part, I would rather deny myself

of many things which are called necessaries, for the accomplishment of such an object. I have experienced the utility of hooks, and know their worth. Without some excitement from them, or from the

I oral instruction of other, the mind of man

seldom makes any progress in improvement; but sunk to abject baseness and ignorance, it grovels, unconscious of its own

innate pow ers. Mv pnper is getting long,

and though I could say much more on this

important subject, I must close it. T From !he Saturd.ij Kveninc: Tost. The black professor of the black Art A Irue Idle. How common it is for our countrymen to boast of the superiority w hich the lower

class of our inhabitants evince, above the corresponding class in Europe, in regard to superstitious prejudices. Y et I doubt not, if these were but to investigate the opinions of those amongst us, who have not received the benefit of a liberal education, they would find a truly transatlantic belief in the reality of witchcraft, and of death tokens. The follow i rig tale, of which the leading facts are all true, w ill serve to elucidate

one particular trait of that weakness, which I believe to be very prevalent in some places. It was one of your calm, pleasant, summer days, when there is just sufficient of ' gentle airs, abroad, to cool the heat of a July sun. Day was declining but the sun wa leaving behind him, as Moore beautifully expresses it, "the mantle of departing light.'' The clouds, floating in the west, were flushed with the crimson glow; from transparent breasts thev reflected it to

earth, and all nature basked in its brightness. The forests seemed rolled in fire,

but you could scarce perceive its lustre

on the fields ol wheat, yellow and ripe, as i

they waved their pendant heads. The spot to which we would direct the mental eve of the reader, was w here start

ling from the margin of a creek, half a I mile asunder and running parallel to each other, two strips Df heavy timbered wood- : land was seen. The height to which these ; towered gave to the fallow land bet.veen t them the appearance of n valley. Thro1 j this the public road wound; and at the I time the scene opens, a negro with a bun- ' file sw ui g oil a stick, was advancing up it. - His ejolhes were decent, and a hat with half a brirr. surmounted his head, cocked in the true "what care I' style. This formidable personage appeared deeply suik in 'thought. Was it in visions of ambition he was engaged? No! Ambition shows not her visions to tbe i grot s of this country. Was it love? No! Bob cared not for the fair sex: and their white teeth and eyes

had remained forever unsung, if they had not had a greater admirer than him. The true subject of his thoughts was this: How he could get the best pay in the en

harvest for the least work, x his

ces have been "Like azure spots in a cloudy ?kj. Like sunny inlands in a stormy sen," f Now, I am willing to believe what every body says is the case, that the American people, taken in the aggregate, are more enlightened, nnd better informed, than any other under heaven; but I must, in justice, say, that there is even in this country a melancholy prevalence of ignorance and error. And this is in a great degree occasioned by the deficiency of useful books; which deficiency might be so easily reme

died, that it makes those whose duty it is to do it, appear most culpable. I do not suppose that it will be to much purpose to remind surh people of the great obligations our inimitable government lays them under to 4 teach the young idea how to shoot' in a proper course, and direct its energies to the best results. Such arguments would have no effect upon them, for they do not feel, and therefore cannot appreciate, the great responsibility of an Americgn citizen. But even their scltih and personal feelings ought to prompt them to the improvement of their own minds, and those of their children. To themselves, it would be a source of invaluable pleasure; and to their children, a better inheritance than piles of gold. It mav he thought that as I condemn the present practice, that I should point out a better. A better course is so obvious, that .all mutt see it. I believe that there are very few families in this happy comitrj,

elucidate' in the course of our narrative.

He was at length aroused from his re-

, verie bv the tramp of a horse behind him;

and in a few moments ayoung man rode up. There was then a nod of civility, and the horseman would have passed on, had not the negro began thus: Now look here, master, do you know any one that wants a man to help them in the harvest field? Yes, I am in want of one myself do you wish to hiie? The negro replies in the affirmative, and

a bargain was soon struck. As they rode along together, the negro showed by his remarks considerable learning; and his n w employer inquired how it happened that he bad been so instructed. But he only shook his head mysteriously, and replied that he dared not tell. This whet the curiosity of the other; but his petulence and his solicitude were equally in vain. Until the negro, who obviously only wished to raise his interest with him, began to perceive the shadow s of fear, and an undefined apprehension creeping across his countenance. This he evidently wish to increase, for looking around, apparently fearful that another might hear, he whispered in a low and strained voice, "my mother was a fortune teller." The young man started, but eager to hide the fear which palpitated at his heart, he thus u( dressed the negro; "Where have you last

resided ?" tn Philadelphia." "ttenyou ever in these parts before ?" "No. I was neve i more than ten miles from Philadelphia before, and yet I have either dreamed ofsuchahouscasyon to the left of the road, or I certainly must have been in it. Yes, yes! 1 certainly must have seen it." "Seen it, and never more than ten miles from Philadelphia! Impossible!" "Impossible!" said the negro, in a solemn tone, fcinothing is impossible to " He did not fill up the sentence; but apparently following the train of his own thoughts, he continued,"Yes, it was the very night that

I learned the last page of the Black IJook,

J nrtsfor. and hia friends nc fruJ r.

r-' vi3. i . 1. i I I llV-

As soon however, as hc had ir mnnpr. lu lf k '..1. . "

....... . . .Mum.-, wns a 'ti I . evening, the night before Bob s tirn out, and his wages paid. That da

there, and could not help wondering!?' impudence with which he still rnairlt V-

i come.

j cei ved the money, he left the place, Ti j night there came a very hard rain u T llorl tho lirrlo

j swept the magic wheel awav from jj ?c jation, and of course destroyed the wh I A1

poor woman sued, tor she had ab

tl,c

-- . I III . ... ""'Jit' ?

that I was here." Here he again ceased, worked lierseii up, uniil her fail!, J

and walked silentlv along as though wrapt as hrm in the negro's promises as it u,!

in his own thoughts. His companion, ior in ner own exigence. uut though tU awhile, was in no condition for questioning a mourner, she didtiot give way 'to Ua him; he remembered well that the house ; vailing despair, but immediately irStiiuy which the negro pointed out as the place a search round the neighbourhood, where he had been, was" known all over j der that Bob might he brought back the neighbourhood to have been haunted, begin the charm again. But the search And crow ds of well authenticated stories j was in vain. Doubtless I e had a prtentj. came knocking at the door of his memory, j' merit that a Search would be made adding fresh proofs that his fear of this him for a vifry different purp. se; and uj. Grange personage, had some foundation. , wishing to trouble them again ith 1;3 But the negro, who was not willing that company, he had made no stay i t), hi companion should be left too much to ! P'rts. After his flight had heroine cerkk

hi fearful thoughts. lest he should ride off much controversy arose concerning Us rt

leave him, now began to sing a merry puted talents; but to this dav, mm , and after finishing it, kept up a lively ' thv inhabitants believe in t..e HUfc tfi elation, in which he talked of for- j ard. FLRAMORZ.

and 1

song

conversa

tune-telling, as though it were a very good

ioke. Bv this means, he had raised the

pints of his companion to tneir u?uai now, . . . i ri

Of

MAXIMS Jco. A decisive proof in favour of the attra.

by the time they reached the pl.ice of de-- tions of women, is, that though they Uve tination. Here let them rest for the night. every thing aganM them, butli the In the mean time, it mav not be amiss to ii i and pow er, they continually maintain tin-ir

intiucncc.

The consciousness of our powers sirments them.

Next morning broke fair and beautiful, ; M omen till the intervals of convert

formmv readers, that the name of the horse

man was Joseph Watson, and that of the

black man, Bob Manly.

and round the farm was heard the pre par

ation for harvest. Some were grinding their cradling scythes; others preparing rifles to whet them with. Busy among them, yet doing nothing, was Bob; but though he had a joke for every one, they seemed little disposed to make free with him, fr his wondrous speeches had lo?t nothing in having Joe to report them. And yet with that anxiety and dread of him on their minds, they still determined to see him show his power; and when noon gave them a release from their labours, they desired him to exhibit a specimen of his art. He, nothing daunted by their wish seiz ed an axe, and after muttering something over it, whirled it three times round his head, and then struck it with his full force into the body of a tree. Then drawing a magic circle round the tree, he bid any who dared to doubt his power, to enter that ring and bring out the axe. The scorr.ful and determined voice in which he spok

so far frightened them that there was not one among them would venture in, and having gazed on him for a while, they retired, fully persuaded that all he pretended to do, he could do. His fame spread far around the country; the neighbourhood appeared seized with the fortune-telling epidemic; they flocked to the house, and the employer of the black had, out of civility, to allow him to stop his work, to answer the inquiries of his neighbour's wives and daughters, w ho all w ished a page of futurity opened to them. By means of these interruptions the negro had many a time of rest to himself, and seemed to have found out t'ne method of living well with the least w ork. He did not ;onfine himself to fortune telling. No. He pretended to have studied every pa'ie of the black or, as he termed it. N iy, I, who was then a resi

dent ol ihosf parts, was told by one of the party concerned, that he related to them a conversation w hich had taken place at a great distance from him. But however this might be, it is certainly true, that a poor woman, whose husband had been absent from home 4everal years, came to him in her! distress, to know what had become of her rambling rib. Boh set to work with hi? incantations, and at last, having brought them to a head he informed the woman that her husband w as still alive. She queried where? This he professed himself unable to tmswer; but declared he was at that time just two hundred miles off, although thV exact course

he could not tell. "But" he kidded, "I possess sufficient skill to construct a magic wheel, w hich shall bring him h ome at the end of twenty days from the time of its first movements." The magic wheel of course must he made, and he si;t ab ut three or four days, making calculations, and putting it together; he then f:xed it in a small stream near the house, here the water had sufficient fall to turn it round. The neighbourhood waited in anxious suspense to see the event. These who wavered in their belief of his powers, set their determinations upon this test. His believers looked for the event as cer

tain, and already began to triumph ov r ii those who laughed at the cegro as un in.-

tion, and life is like the cotton ai d

put into chests in which chii-.a and ;l;:rj are packed. The cotton i not rcfk-.ntd in the account, yet every thing would be broken without it. The art of educating a chill co:.sits greatly in making an an uiv.tr tlivirtti, between the faults into w hit b be i' led hv 0 constitution or ignorance, and tv? he commits from a perversity o!YiijostM As:lolh seldom produces gv d actinr.e, so rashness always destroys them ere wei r i

' lormt'U.

J 'Instead of attempting h rival the !cr tiful Ceplis i," said a lady of good 5nv, ;iI w ill endeavour to employ the tinnvu ! which she is more handM-ir.e than 1 ' . . .. - ,A

; m such a manner mat i may .tppeta u.w

haed.-ome than her ten year? ;ti.

Simplicity of dros U nccctirv t h;u !

: some women to render them more ire

ful, and to the homely to render tin in k t it

cisagreeanie.

The ill-humour of others ought tv?r

lf niTMcinn the .-ame in u: that w o'jbl 't

like blacking our faces because we nu a negro. Men would commit fewer A llies to pre

mrn ihn iS-i.tra llwv deirt CCull ti.O'

foreknow the sentiments they will tiltr tain of them when i their po;svir. Those who are aide to roit tht im

passions, are frequently hurried away

the passions of others.

i- i. ii.. .i:,..r,l lit aM-

ii you ne r.aiuraiiy frequent the company of the ptici'1'thi mean, without anv labor, yc-uu; .

tain a fit temper; for cor.v rsitiof

great moment; manners, burners. 1 f'j ions,are thereby insensibly commit: uv. A man cannot he truly happ) '.im'w out a well grounded hope of being U lie rcci Ttt r Envy is fixed only on merit; ardl8

isore eye, is onenaeu wnu -

is bright.

Inhumanity. This illu.tmticn c , etlects of slavery on the hearts ol i, J

c i. : is ri'DU u "

wno eniorce us crueim ?, i- Vai "Letters from the South and 1 '

lication of great merit. j

A ncn planters i.iuj ' -. consumption, and was row in ti e 'rli of lif- wIkm.. one day. one of the ew ,

came to the gate, neat ly limid' al:,(nM.sa ingdown under the burthen el

hundred vears ot taiiimn v ,i:

t ' i.r. i-lt hint: ttt ,

ner. jjis rniniiiuis - tell' natched. that vou could hard!)

r -: ' . i ... r sunn"'

patch was ever of any colour or s ' On his woolly bead, all grc

a cap of Mraw ot h.s own jt stood weeping like a child, nM c.

he had crept up once im' fl.r:r ton field and had been three d - ..

to see his sick mistress dci - lfi ... . . , r I . ci:nlL'il,u '

IJ is mistress sent ior mm l.i kindly unto him, and when lC 'a to tr to walk back again, he ( jr,

begged ol his sick nnsu ; - W)

little salt to put into bis grU - my of rice "13c gone," crltd " rig dving mistress, tying into a

"hegone, out this insiam, j pjj 5E. woolled skehton; out, 1 s) c you to the driver.''