Western Sun, Volume 8, Number 30, Vincennes, Knox County, 28 June 1817 — Page 2

Communication",

Mr. Editor, To correct and restrain an assuming arrogance, of sole learning and snle judgment, in his wanton attacks and insidious Eliminations, may justly be termed the duty of every man who does not desire this" community" to receive a 4 stigma.' Philo Reflector in the Centinel of last cek, savs that " people at a distance" Judge of the merit & demerit of the whole Community by advertising puffs tingramatical expressions, and the absurd pretensions of some silly quacks, who have lately come amongst us ! I theicfore very naturally feel anxious u to cfFacc the fetigma" such whimsical vagaries might M sometimes" be intended to produce, 8c enquire whether the opinions of that wiitcr will accord with public sentiment." Indeed sir, I view this as an imperious dutv for when a writer whose 4 self sufficiencv" M disgusting declarations" and scientific acquirements" are so obvious will come before us with such absurd Sc arrogant Jftelioftt, they might if tolerated to pass, cast a stain that would carry on the M very" back M of it" a degree of preposterous 44 indelicacy.' The many 44 petty attempts at witty" perversions, which this mr. Philo has indulged in, caused me 44 seriously to consider" (for I really doubted) in what manner his ignorant but 44 grea?J'ul service could be most becomingly repaid 1 at last, concluded that it might be best to indulge an idea of his kk extensive knowledge" fcc disinterested 4 practical" acquirements, and to leave others to 44 disclaim the idea of its being possible for man to obtain such unbounded medical and grammatical abilities." 1 would not dare for the world, to insinuate, that 4- blasphemous profanity" was the darling aim and object of mr. Puilo or that his aim would in any degree even if it did exist, aid him indirectly to throw a cloak over mr. Jennings's views in the establishment of the Centinel, or weaken the force of any late discussions respecting it ; such a weak idea could no! have existed in Ins Herculian mind. His aim and object must have been to correct our taste, enlighten our judgment, and save the Community from a 44 stigma" ! There's no doubt of it as mr. Philo carefully avoided all remarks that might be calculated oniv to wound the feelings of certain individu lis. and instructed the public at the same time. Actuated as he declares, by" philanthropic motives1 and that too without any reference to M public champions" 44 impostors''" unmeaning phrases" 44 profane allusions" A our character abroad" M ignorant quackery,11 kc. bee. Some have thought that he was a second Joshua, k sent to save nations, tongues and people " but as he has judged so correctly and logically, of some physicians, and cured two of them so judieiouslv with the same prescription, Others think, he should himself be dub'd a Doctor but alas 1 he so fully displayed a total want of that enlightened liberality of sentiment, which the study of physic, w ith its attendant branches, are so well calculated to bestow, 1 would infe; if he claims that (until of late) honorable appelation, he is yet wanting in the first essential char acterestic of his profession and emphatically, nothing but a quack tk fair and softlv" let me only do one thing at a time with the same dose Philo can cure a doten but I'll only prescribe for one, until I know exactly, the complaint. As a professional character, I may not be unlike others, I judge every thing through the media of my own pursuit therefore I must be expected to express myself accordingly. To exemplify what 1 mean bv this I'll give you an old anecdote One Friday evening a certain gentleman was thrown down by a mad bull, as he was going to pay his respects to the governor -he had the misfortune to break one of his W, and dislocate his shoulder a croud instantly collected around where he lay, in winch were an K ii'or, a Painter, a Mcthamatician, an Office-Hunter, an Vpnothecary Quack Doctor, a Lawyer and s Clergyman Poor unfortunate fellow," said the Editor had he not been to busy going about to serve me, and instruct my employe?, this cursed bull would not have horned bi n" how finery his figure was to reshortened in falling" said the Painter. u be m ule a parabolic curve b fore he touehed the ground" said the .Mathematician. - I'm truly sorry said he Office Hunter 1 be can now do do more tor me 1 with only, I could get the office he will soon vavAlc" M It is

ten thousand to one" said the Lawyer k4if he made a will." I'll send him physic immediately" said the Quack 44 We'll have none of your physic" said the C lergyman, 44 but d'ye hear, run for a surgeon, and let us in the mean time assist the poor man in getting home." Now for the game leaving all grammatical blunders made by mr. Philo and there are not a few to prescribe for themselves instance 4 things he has a knowledge of the cause" &c. Sec. kc. Ki diverse to pamiered Gnd highmcttlcd steeds, His tmm Upon chopt-straw An arofeds ; fired in his stable in hi fiaddnck born, What vast ideas they muni have of corn." 44 Pray tell me Philo, which of you was it that died some weeks ago, you or your brother :" My Grandmother. The old lady said so, yet I could not believe it, but I took up her spectacles, and having saddled my nose with them, I peeped at Philo Reflector, that renowned defender of Jennings's C entinel, and a famous disriple of Esculapius too, as he went dashing along. He was mayit please you, a pcrsonago who had just begun to make some noise in town very reputable in his way he could bleed, and nresciibe a elvster with the air of a

lucky dog, who had always been successful from his great knowledge of causes. Yet still whenever he protruded fiom the sphere for which education and habit had fitted him, he become like one possessed of nine devils and as for pushing every thing to extremities. At the time I first saw the gentleman he was upon horseback, handsomely mounted indeed, talking about the " letters of introduction" and M liberality" of Jonathan Jennings but I could perceive a kind of impatience about him, which caused uneasiness on the saddle he was ever thrusting his head forward, with an eager eve seemingly as if he wished to get on faster than his horse could carry him I could not help eyeing him thro' the old ladys Bfiecs by ti e way she was my grandmother until he had got quite out of sight. What reflections then rushed upon my brain flash ! flash ! they come like lightning, and I immediately cast about in my mind for a thousand individuals whom I had once known then u thinks I to myself." how many, yes, how very many, strain forward beyond the power of their horses, and. sad to tell ! how many in this coursing get their legs and shoulders broke. But again M thinks I." we must ail die once, and then if any of us want to live again, there are quack doctors who can tell the 4 cov.ve" of our death, yes, and write M grammatically " too one of them WOUld surely take a fee remove the cause, the etTectof course will cease, and 44 Jack's alive again '." I wouldn't believe a word of it Those 14 grammatical" doctors who profess to judge M bv advertisements" to know causes, and at the same time, condemn a reference to holv writ, certainly sit uneasy on their saddles They want to go faster than their horses, and will cure each othcr quicker by writing, than they can other folks by physic. I got tired at this moment of grandmothers sfiecs, which were above twenty years old and very heavy naturally concluding that a new pair, not so heavy, with glasses of the best manufacture, must afford sights and thoughts, vastly superior. I therefore went, and immediately procured a pair. They suited exactly, and as it happened Philo Reflector, the same personage 1 before glanced at, was the first to protrude himself in my view. He had shaved himself since I before looked at him and changed his dress : he appeared very warm indeed, haranguing a crowd which his singular and unusual appearance had caused to collect at the distance I stood from him, onlv broken sentences readi ed my ear I could distinctly hear him say however, in an elevated voice, that people at a distance" had neither judgment nor understanding ; tor if any empiric k or silly fool, were to publish a puff, setting forth even in the most laughable manner, great medical talents or were anv person in the most serious manner, to refer or allude to, such M blasphemous" profane things as u sacred history" or u scriptural precepts," or even to such trifling matters as shoe nails," or 4t shavings," or even to "encumbers," that this whole community1 would be suspected of being " impostors 1" 1 also heard him hint with a degree of refined feeling that carried k on the very face of it" no k4 absurd indelicacy" (), no, it really had every appearance of m scientific acquirements,"

that if the peopie would fbliow l is advice, as he possessed 4 medical & gram matical abilities" as he had 4 an extensive knowledge of causes," having been the first person todiscover 1 fever and agues," and was in audition, a rery able and learned stickler for ennings and his ( entinel, he would he said k no cure, no pay," prevent all fools 44 at a distance" fiom forming such a piaposterous opinion, simply by display ii.g himself ! About this time he become quite uneasy in his saddle and spoke very low yet he was apparently desirous to say something he feaicd to utter. I onlyover heard a sentence about u palming himself upon the world as possessing knowledge and abilities supenor to the rest of mankind," and though it might well excite suspicion" he said, yet 41 his pretensions were iv 11 founded." Here the appearance of a numerous cavalcade of tiavellers attracted my attention they approached where i was standing, seemingly indifferent to all but themselves. I heard them laugh, and talk aloud about college-lectures pro ftssors and yankee-town but the precise words i could not hear. When they had come close to where 1 stood, they halted, and one who was next to me, spoke in a smooth glib tongue, very soon I e enqui.ed why so many people were here collected, Sec. &c. In the course of a long conversation with him, 7 gleaned that his companions and himself were phytic ians, who understood 44 causes" and could k4 write grammatically," and that their names were, 4 I octors uno and Jupiter, Tinker and Trotter, Nimrod and Oxford, Marcus Sc Thotter,

Sing well k crryboy. ( aptain Sc fryer, Gangwell k Ginglebell Fairmaid 5c Fryer Beauty Sc Bonylass, Tanner 8c Trouncer, Foamer & Forrester Philo Sc l ouncer, Gander Sc (lundamore Jowler Sc Jumper Tarquin and Tamerlain, Thunder and Thumper." He said that his fellow adventurers were all men of great 44 scientific acquirements" and pointing to Philo who was yet talking to the crowd sir, said he to me, k that man is nothing but a carping verbal critic and a very ludicrous one, he can have no relish for any writing unless to discover passages on which lie can try experimt -his long talk to these people brings to mind a noted occuiist one of our late professors this occulist was asked; was it not a pity a certain lady of his acquaintance squinted? Squint sir t replied he there is not I assure you a man in the st tte can cure squinting but myself." After this we began talking upon a variety of subjects in succession, and 1 found mv new acquaintance very inquisitive he became so much so, that his company was tiresome Knowing the country he came from, I at first followed the plan of doctor Franklin I told him my name, my age, my politicks, my religion my trade where I came from, and where I lived, without waiting for him to enquire I was aware he would have his curiosity gratified, and therefore he got all together. But I soon found he must have more ; he wanted me to inform him of all the gTt at men in the state, and who their friends were, and all about them which was really more than I had learned myself after full four years residence I therefore turned his attention again to Philo, who was earnestly talking to one of the new doctors they were speaking of the various difiinitions given of man Philo contended tor Plato's, that 4 he is a two legged animal without feathers" who might be tempted to support any set of great men and he affirmed this was the greatest discovery Plato had ever made indeed lie seemed to plume himself on having a knowledge of it. The new doctor doubted, and thought mr Burke worthy of more praise, as he had determined man to be tk a rational cooking animal" fond of discoveries. This last definition brought to my mind the story told of a celebrated physician in N. York, who always went into the kitchen when he visited his rich patients, and shook hands with the cook saving if it were not for good cooks he should be barefooted and starved. My new acquaintance and 1, talked about this I told him that verv few of the diseases incident to this country proceeded from cooking that he would have but verv few rich, and luxurious patients, Sc consequentlv the prevailing diseases here were different, from those he may have been aceustomed to treat in another climate and under other circumstances M O" he replied he knew better, for he

la stu ait d tl se mattei -: t i ; c ; i.man

System he a.u k was tttct;. hi ; samecau.-.cs, and cured b n e means everv where.1 This he c... ro strated ' hi oxvnsui fk ti n, - mg that if i ma' were to avoid'" - Lee nana and ha -u.gs ai d 'ur u , y and criptund preeefit o would i- y climate, be a cer;a;n i erne, a t r i . r anil that grammatu a i i s wul in any ciimate shield J .. , uphold ins I entinel, and cure ti e ague anc. fever. Like ah otner pretender s, he said a great deal, and thoiigi 1 ead become tired listening, lie wcuid ta;k n stiii until ..t last, quite fatigued I .eft him and Philo engaged, aid went heme to shew my grandn other the new tpet I had bou.t. ust as I was al out starting i caned Pi no aside; krtC toid him he was unquestionably a doughty defender cl physic, politicks, literature, aj c: morality and to reward his mighty exp orts I promised to h u e him decreed at the first convocation of the muses an unfading wreath of hay, at , cucumbers, shoe nails and thristlett, s mboiical of the delicacy of his taste & in immortal remembrance of his glo'ious atchicvements in the fields of science 1 then bid him 4 good bye and desired him to 44 call to-moi row." MARC e S. To the Editor of the Western Sun. Claims for Property lost, &c. Din the lute ll'ur. Military and General Agency, 11 ashington City, u.h March 1817, sir For the information of ) our readers, should you think propor to pubdsh it, I take the liberty to appiie you that the act passed on the 9th day of April, 1816. entitled 4 an act to authorize the payment tor property lost, captured or destroyed while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes," has been amended by an act of the late Congress, so as that the 1st Section limits the provisions of the 9th section of the former act, to buiidings occupied by order, as a place of deposit for military and naval stores or as barracks for the military forces. C laims under this and the 9th section aforesaid, to be investigated by the Commissioner and reported to congress. 2d Section provides for the appointment of special Commissioners as formerly who are requested to take an oath of office. Commissioners authorised td appoint an agent in behalf of the Unitco States, to join with the special Commissioners, when he may deem it expedient. 3d Sec provides for payment of any horse, mule, ox, waggon, cart, sleigh or harness lost in scrx'icc. except when the risk was to have been incurred by the owner. 4th Section extends the provisions of this and the former act to cases of property lost, captured or destroyed in the wars with the the Indian tribes subsequent to the 1 8th February, and prior to the first day of September, 1815 and the 5th and last section, provides that all claims of 200 dollars or upwards, shall be reviewed bv the secretary of War, and may be confirmed or rejected by him I am sir most respectfully, JOSEPH WATSON'. This agency will undertake to collect claims of the above description, and all others on government. CHEAP GOODS! ! SAMUEL HILL, h Co. Nearly orrosiTE C. H. Greater's Tavern, have jlst recei ved from Baltimore, A Large Assortment of DRY GOODS, . HARDWARE QUEENS WARE, 31 SC OOL SI AIOXARY, BOOKS, LIQUORS, & GROCERIES ALSO 1 Case Elegant Straw Bonnets. These Goods were selected by themselves, and will be so!d very- low FOR CASH. Vincennes, June 6, 1817 27-tf LA W NO TICE N AT 11L.HU N T I Ci TOW Attorney at Lata S Conveyancer. H Ab opened an ofhee, under th same roof of Messers Hale an WoodN Apothecary Store in Vincennes,

where he will be generally found readyto attend to the business of his profession. tt-5 Vincennes, January 2,1 SIT, m