Newspaper Page Text
Fours.?.
From <ho Episcopal Watchman.
“WATCH YE.”—Mark xiv. 38.
When Sommer decks thy path with flow
ers, .
And pleasures smile is sweetest;
When not a clou t above thee lowers,
And sunshine lea Is ilv happy hours,
Thv 1' 1> an ’ lh > fleelest ’>
01 watch thou then, lest pleasure’s smile,
Thy spirit of its hope beguile.
When round time gathering storms arc
nish,
A nd grief thy days hath shade 1 ;
When earthly joys bloom but to die,
And tears suffuse thv weeping eye,
And hope’s bright how hath faded;
O! watch thou then, lest anxious care,
Invade thy heart, and rankle there.
Through all life’s scenes—tlirongh weal and
wo,
Through days of mirth and sadness,
Where’er thy wandering footsteps go—
Oh! think how transient heiebelow
Thv sorrow and thv gladness:
And watch thou always, lest thou stray,
From Him Who points thy heavenward
LlTIMORE.
miscellaneous.
Blowing vp of a Turkish ship oj tlic
line.—The Turkish licet was lying
quietly and unsuspectingly at anchor
off Soto, on a line night, in the month
of June; the hour was waxing very
late; the coffee-shops on hoard had
ceased to give out tiie chibouques and
cups; the Turks were reposing, hud
dled together like sheep, on the deck;
the Captain Pacha had retired to his
splendid cabin, his officers hod follow
ed his example; no regular watch be
ing ever kept on board a l urkish man
oi war. I, and a few Greek lads,
still lingered on the upper deck, and,
for want of better amusement, were
watching the progress of a dark sail,
•which \ve saw emerge from the Spal-
m a do re Islands, and bear down Ihe
channel in our direction She came
stilly on, approaching us nearer and
nearer, and we kept gazing at her,
without, however, apprehending any
thing until we saw another sail in
sight, and perceived that the vessel
we had lirst made out was hauling up
in such a manner as would soon bring
her right alongside of our lofty three-
decker. I then ventured to go below
and speak to one iff tlie Turkish of
ficers. This gentleman cursed me
for disturbing him, and called me a
fool, and after speaking disrespect
fully of the mother that bore me,
grumbled out that they must he mer
chant vessels fioin Smyrna, turned
himself on his other side, and fell a-
gain to sleep. Siill the suspicious
came on nearer and nearer; I spoke
to some of the men, who replied much
in the same manner as the officer had
done, wondering wh .t I had got into
my head, to be running about break
ing people’s rest at such a time of
the night. What more could ! do?
VYiu u 1 again ascended the quarter
deih, the vessel was close astern—
v\ 1,11111 hail. She was a large brig,
as black as Satan, but not a soul
cuuiu l see on boai it except the man
at me helm. Of my own accord 1
cried out to them to hold off, or he
would ue split to pieces against us. No
answer was returned but, tavoured
by a gentle breeze, on came the brig,
silent and sombre as the grave.—
Whilst fixing my eyes intently on
these incomprehensible proceedings,
I saw the helmsman leave bis post,
having secured his tiller hard a-port
—the next instant l heard a noise
like that made <y the manning of oars
—then I saw a boat drop astern from
under a ice of the brig—and ere I
could again draw breath, the brig
struck violently against our side, to
which (by means 1 could not then con
ceive) she became at once attached
like a crab, or the many armed poly-
p i#. Before one third of the slum
bering Turks were aroused, before
dozen of them had seized their spikes
anil spars to detach their dangerous
neighbor—she exploded—A discharge
—a fire—a shock, like mighty erup
tiou of some vast volcano, rose from
the dark, narrow bosom, and quickly
site was scattered in minute frag
ments, high in the astonished, but
placid heavens, wide over the
sea, and among our decks and rig
ging—-destroyed herself in the act ol
destroying, though we could sec the
hands that had directed and impelled
the movement of the dreadful engine
pulling fast away in the boat. They
might have taken it more coolly, for
fie Turks had other matters to think
of, than pursuing them—our ship was
in a blaze—the flames were runnin?
like lightning along our rigging, and
had seized on so many parts at once,
that the contused crew knew not
where todircet their attention. The
Captain i’acha rushed upon deck
like a man who had heard the sound
of the last trumpet; he did not, how
ever, lose much time in beating bis
forehead and tearing his beard; be
proceeded with great firmness of,
mind to give judicious orders, but the
fire was too widely spread, and the
consternation of the crew too exces
sive to admit of any good being done.
While he gave commands to inter
cept the flames that were already
playing down the main-top-mast, he
heard the cry from below, that the
lower deck was on lire, and numbers
ot his men rushed by him and leaped
into the sea. It was in vain lie ran
from place to place, attempting by
prayers and threats to establish some
thing like unity and purpose of action
—the fellows had lost their reason in
their extreme fear. It was all in
vain that he drew forth his splendid
purse, and scattered its rich contents
before them—w hat was money to a
man who lelt that, if lie lingered for a
minute, he should be sent into the
air on the wings of gunpowder!
Sonic of our boats had caught fire;
others were towered, and you will
not wonder that all these were
swamped or upset by the num
bers that rushed into them. Mean
while tho tire spread, & spread—at
each instc.nt it might teach the powder
magazines—the guns too, that were*
all double-shotted or crammed with
grape, began to be heated; anil as the
Hie flames flashed over them, already
went ofl'at intervals with tremendous
roar. '1 he w ild shrieks, curses, and
phrensied actions of some of the
> re tv, the speechless despair, and
stupid passiveness of others; and the
shrill, reckless maniac laugh (lor ma
ny of them were downi ight mail)
were humble to witness. People
may talk about Mahometan resigna
tion, and the surprising influence of
their doctrine of fatalism, but for my
part, i saw' littie result from their
boasted equanimity or lirmsel belief:
they seemed to be affected just as
oilier moitills would have been in a
similar trying situation, and indeed
(with the exception of a few of su
perior rank among the Turks) the de
spised Greeks showed infinitely more
firmness anil presence of mind than
their masters. The far greater
part of the latter leaped into the sea
without reflecting whether they
could swim two miles—or, indeed,
whether they could swim at all, (a-
inong nearly eight hundred Turks,) &
without calculating the certain havoc
to be committed on them in the water
by the terrible discharges of the
guns. 1 shall not attempt to vaunt
my own courage; 1 was a worn-out
spirit-broken man—1 was going to
throw myself overboard, when a
Greek, a tow nsman of mine, as brave
anil clever a lad as ever lived, caught
hold of my arm, and drew me aside.
‘What! are you mad, like the stupid
Turks? ’’ said he in an under tone of
voice; “if you leap into the water
now, you will he either drowned in
the dying grasp of some heavy Osman-
li, or have your brains knocked out
by the cannon shot—the ship may not
blow up yet for awhile; and do you
not see, that now as the cables are
cut, and the wind is towards shore,
we are every moment drifting nearer
to the Island? Come along, Yorghi!”
I followed my adviser to the bow of
the ship—here I saw a number of
Greeks, hanging on the bowsprit and
on the rigging outside of the bows.
We took our station with them await
ing in almost breathless silence the
moment when the powder magazine
should explode. I should tell you,
though, before I left the deck I saw
the Captain Pacha make an attempt
to leave the ship, in a boat that
had sustained little injury. His at
tendants succeeded in embarking bis
treasures and valuables, and he was
descending the ship’s side, when a
number of frantic Turks leaped into
the boat, and down she went, mah-
moudiers, golden coffee-cups, amber
pipes, shawls, Turl s. and all! It has
been generally said that the Captain
Pacha was killed in Ihe boats by the
fall of part of the ship’s masts; hut
this, I can assure you, is not correct
—he was blown up with the ship.
As 1 was getting over the bows. I saw
him through the smoke and flames,
standing with his hack against the
bulwark, his hands crossed on his
breast, and his head raised towards
the heavens, which looked pitilessly
and on lire; and one of my companions
afterwards assured me he saw him in
the same position the very moment
before the final explosion. Of the ex
plosion itself I can say little, but that
it was indeed tremendous—1 remem
bered nothing but a dreadful roar, an
astounding shock, burst of flames
that seemed to threaten the confla
gration of the globe, and a rain of fie
ry matter that fell thick, and hissed
in the troubled sea like ten thousand
serpents. The shock threw iH^near-
' ly all from the bows; some, though
! not many, were killed by the falling
timbers, the rest swam off for shore,
from which we were still distant
more than a mile. My limbs bail no
longer the strength anil activity that
in former times enabled me to swim
from Stanchio to Calyinna; but with
the assistance of a floating fragment,
I did very well, and was among the
foremost of the Greeks who reached
the little light-house, that stands on
Scio s ancient and ruined mole. On
looking back at the wreck, the fore
part of the ship appeared still afloat,
and thy fore-mast erect, but they
soon parted, and the next day nothing
was seen of the immense ship, but
minute and innumerable fragments
scattered on the water and on the
shore of the Island. Of about nine
hundred persons in all, who were on
board, only eighty-three escaped, and
among these, as far as I could ascer
tain, there was not one Turk! Many
unfortunate Greek prisoners or slaves
perished with the ship, and among
them three young Sciote children.
From the Savannah Mercury, May 15.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRESS,
Or the Printer and his patrons.
As we sat turning over the leaves
of our subscription list, too other
morning, we looked up and saw our
old friend Fudge Puffendorl, before
us. v
•I see you have not learnt all the
secrets ol your trade, (savs he) and
1 have called to give ytm a little
wholesome advice.”
NVe have great pleasure in receiv
ing advice—
“And too little discretion in follow
ing it, (said he)—I see how it is; but
no matter; l will open it to you—”
But here lie was interrupted by a
knocking at the door, and in a mo
ment he shrunk behind the screen, as
our patron A entered.
“1 am very sorry (says Mr A) that
you came out with that piece this
morning, it will play the devil with
your concern. 1 have heard several
people say that they mean to stop your
paper.’’
Can t help it; an editor, you know,
must speak his mind.
“0 certainly! I like to see editors
independent—But then it’s always host
to be on the right side.—And to tell
yon the truth, I have no wish to sup
port a paper which propagates
such dangerous doctrines. I just give
you a piece of my mind. Good mor
ning.”
And he went out; but the door had
scarcely closed, when in came Air.
B.
“That was a capital piece this
morning (says lie,) just the thing.
Put my name down as a subscriber.
1 like to see editors independent.
Here's a long advertisement, keep it
in a month.”
But before wc liffil time to con
gratulatc ourselves on the event, Mr.
C. made his appearance.
“Sir, (says he) I have called to tell
you that you may stop my paper
never can support an editor who en
tertains such absurd opinions.”
Certainly, sir-shall w e receipt your
bill?
“Why, as to that, another time
will do as well.-But I take the
berty of telling you that the tarifl is
ruinous to the country; and moreover
diabolical, and if you do not come out
against it, we will put you down, that’s
all. I like to see editors indepen
dent.”
4fcnd he departed in high dudgeon.
Bq^in a moment aflerj'Mr. D. came
in.
“Good morning, Mr Editor (says
he); I have just called to let you know'
that my friend Mr. Spifllikins is a-
bout to start for alderntnn, and I wish
you to give him a lift in your pa
per.”
Why to he sure, (said we) Mr.
Spifllikins is a very decent man; but
should suppose we might select a more
useful man.
“True; I must confess, there are
smarter men than Mr. Spifllikins; but
tlieii I have a reason for wishing him
elected. And certainly you cannot
refuse to support him, considering
that we have always supported you,
and as we all agree in politics.”
That to be sure, is a great matter;
but, in the selection ol public officers,
we ought to look to the public good,
and not to be governed by private feel
ing.
“Very well, sir, very well,, my
practice is to support those w ho sup
port me. Just stop my paper.—I am
for an independent editor, who 1 will
stick to his friends without regard
to consequences.”
And he turned on his heel in a great
pet. But our embarrassments were
not yet at an end. Mr D s back was
scarcely turned before in came Mr.
E.
“I understand (says he) that old
Spifllikins has been put up as a candi
date for alderman. Now 1 want you
to lay him out as cold as a wedge. It
may be done in three lines. And, do
you hear? Call him an old fool—an
old dunderhead—anil all that kind of
thing. Don’t fear consequences!
There’s nothing like independence in
an editor.”
But consider Mr. E, there is some
thing due to the feelings of a worthy
old man, even tho’ he be no Solomon.
It is not every one for whom we can
not vote, that we feel free to arraign
before the public.
“What! you wont write against
him then! Just stop my paper. I
won’t support an editor who can’t be
independent.”
You see sir, (said we toour friend
Puffendorf, who rejoined us as the
heavy tramp of our lust angry visiter I
died away on the ear,) bow impossible '
it is for an editor to please every bo
dy. These are all equally friends;
all equally admirers of the independ
ence of the press.—And yet either of
them w ould in a moment sacrifice it to-
his own convenience; w ould trample it
under foot, whenever it crossed his
own path, or interfered with his own
peculiar feelings or prejudices. You
see that the same paragraph which
excites the admiration of the one,
will provoke the hostility of the other.
And that in contested elections, the
editor is posted between two fires;
and he is sure to he scorched by one,
perhaps by both.
You have found it out then, at last
(said oui old friend Puffendorf;) that
is the very subject of, and concerning
which, I wished to give you a little
sage advice. In the first place, let
me advise you, never to commit your
selves on an subject. If you find it
necessary 1o say any thing, speak ve
ry dubiiously; first say a smart thing
on this side, and then on that. 1 If
you speak out, you will most certain
ly interfere with some of the precon
ceived notions of some of your pat
rons, and then you will he sure to lose
your business. In all eases of contest
ed elections, never support or oppose
any candidate; os yo.i will certainly
make an enemy of the party you op
pose, and perhaps also of the party
whose interests you espouse. Be
cause it is not often that a condidate
will be content with the measure of
praise that you are disposed to mete
out. If he have no character of his
own, lie will expect you to give him
one; and if your imagination be not
very prolific, he will be disappointed
in these just expectations. If he have
pretensions, he will be convinced that
you have not done him justice. If he
succeed, he will suspect that the
public believes lie owes you an obliga
tion: and he will therefore be your
enemy. If he lose his election, be
will attribute bis failure to your want
of zeal, or ability in the management
of his cause; and he will dislike you
on that account. It is always danger
ous for an editor to oppose an indivi
dual, it is scarcely less so, to support
him.”
Why, according to your policy, an
editor must say nothing at all.
“You have hit it very neatly.
There arc very few topics he can
speak out, without crossing the views
of some one. But this simple max
im will carry you thro’ every diffi
culty. Whatever may be the sub
ject, however important it may at the
first view appear—never commit your
selves. Let your editorials be like Del
phic oracles, every paragraph an enig
ma. Every reader will then inter
pret it to suit his own prejudices and
opinions. This is what has raised
many an editor into popularity, and
extended his patronage. This is what
they mean when they talk about the
independence of the press.
ESCAPE FROM A SHARE.
‘In company with Charles, one
beautiful atlernoon, rambling over the
rocky clitfs at me back ol the island,
we came lo a spot where the silliness
and the clear transparency of lire vva-.
ter invited us to uatbe. It was not
deep. As tve’ stood above, on the
promontory, we could see the bottom
in every part. Under the little head
land which formed the opposite side
of the eove, there w as a cavern, to
which, as the shore was steep) there
was no access but by swimming, and
vve resolved to explore it. Vv e soorf
reached its mouth, and were enchant
ed with its romantic grandeur and
wild beauty. It extended, we iouiid,
a long way back, and had several na
tural baths, into all of which we sue*
eessively threw ourselves, each, a?
they receded farther from the mouth
of the cavern, being colder than the
last. The tide, it was evident, had
free ingress, and renewed the water
every twelve hours. Here we
thoughtlessly amused ourselves lor
some time, quoting Aeis & Galatea,
Diana & hernympns, ix. every classic
sto'Y applicable lo llie scene.
i-At length the declining sun warned
us that it was time to take our depar
ture from the cave, when, at nog.eat
distance from us, vve saw the back,
or doisal fin ot a monstrous shark a-’
hove the surface ot the water, and liis
whole length visible beneath it. YVe
looked at him and at each other with
dismay, hoping that he would soon
take tns departure, and go in search
of other prey; but the rogue swam to
a id fro, just like a frigate blockading
an enemy s port, and vve felt, 1 sup
pose, very much as we used to make
the French and Dutch feel last war,
at Blest and the Texel.
“The ieiitinel paraded before us,
about ten or fifteen yards in trout of
the cave, tack and tack, waiting only
to serve one, if not both of us, as we
should have served a shrimp or and
oyster. We had no intention, how
ever, in this, as in other instances, of
throwing ourselves on the court. In
vain did vve look for relief from other
quarters; the promontory above ug
was inaccessible; the tide was rising,
and the sun touching the clear blue
edge of the horizon.
“I, being the leader, pretended to
a little knowing in ichthyology, and
told my conpanion that lisli could hear
as well as see, and that therefore the
less we said the belter; and the
anil sooner vve retreated out of
his sight, the sooner he would take
himself off. This w as our only chance,
and that a poor one; for the flow of
the water would soon have enabled
him to enter the cave and help him
self, as he seemed perfectly acquain
ted with the lecale, and knew that vve
had no mode of retreat but by the
way we came. We dievv back, out
of sight, and i don’t know when 1 ev>>
or passed a more unpleasant quarter
of an hour. A suit m Chancery, or
even a spring lounge in Newgate,
would have been almost luxury to
what I felt when the shades ol night
began to darken the mouth of our cave,
and this infernal monster continued to
parade, like a water-bailiff, before its
door. At last, uot seeing the shark’s
fin above water, 1 made a sign to
diaries that, coutc qui cculc, vve
must swim for it; for vve bail nolice
to quit, by Hie tide; and if vve did
not depart should soon have an exe
cution in the house. We had been
careful not to utter a word; and, si
lently pressing each other by the hand,
vve slipped into the water.
“My sensations were indescribably
horrible. I may occasionally write
or talk of the circumstance with levi
ty, but whenever I recal it to mind, I>
tremble at the recollection of the
dreadful fate that seemed inevitable.
My companion was not so expert a
swimmer as I was, so that I distanced
him many feet, when I heard him ut
ter a faint cry. I turned round, con
vinced that the shark had seized him
hut it was not so; my having left him
so far behind had increased his terror,
and induced him to draw my attention.
1 returned to him, held him up, and
encouraged him. Without this he
would certainly have sunk; he revived
with my help, & we reached the san
dy beach in safety, having eluded our
enemy; who, when he neither saw nor
heard us, had, as I concluded lie
would, quitted the spot."-Naval Offi
cer.
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