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IMQ^©ELL^MY a
Madame Catalani and the Murderess. —
In Mrs. Trollope’s work, entitled “ A visit
to Italy,” we find, among other horribles,
the following remarkable description.
“On another evening we again forsook
the Cascina for the purpose of passing a few
hours with Madame Catalani Valabrique,
and very delightful hours they were—for
Mot only did she again sing to us—and still
as no body but her charming self can sing
—but she recounted to us an adventure
which had befallen her some 24 years nan,
with a degree of spirit and dramatic effect
that was delightful.
It seems that while making a profession
al visit to a certain city in Germany, she
heard in every circle of a horrid phenomenon
at that time enclosed within its walls, name
ly, a Woman who had been convicted of hav
ing committed above GO murders! The
monster, though still a young woman, had
for several years followed the profession of
n garde maladc , and from the evidence upon
her trial it was proved that beyond the pos
sibility of any doubt, she had been in the
habit of making away with her miserable
patients, by means of poison, which she con
stantly carried about her in her curling pa
pers, and which she had never scrupled to
administer whenever the poor sufferers ap
peared to her to linger too long.
On hearing this tremendous statement, a
mo t vivid feeling of curiosity seized upon
our cancatricc to behold a creature so aw
fully marked out os a terrific variety of the
human species—whether this wish to see
her arose from the same impulse as made
Garrick visit Bedlam—whether she thought
that any index lines of her countenance
might create ideas that should become pro
fessionally useful, I know not; but so strong
was the wish that she mentioned it to sever
al influential people in the place, in the hope
that by their interest she might obtain it.
A day and hour were fixed, when she
might repair to an appointed place, and be
led where she wished to go. The appoint
ment were punctually kept on both sides;
and. now, trembling at finding herself on the
eve of doing the thing she had so earnestly
desired to do, the fair philosopher commit
ted herself to the care of the official digni
tary, and proceeding with him to the prison
reached the small chamber in which this un
paralleled homicide was confined.
The solitary wretch was weeping bitterly,
an.l the lower part of her face was wholly
concealed in the handkerchief which she held
in her hand ; but the upper part of the coun
tenance was visible, and the animated nar
rator declared that she thought she had nev
er looked upon a lovelier face. The brow
wa3 large, finely formed, and delicately fair
—the eye was long, having a rich black silk
en eye lash, from beneath which the big
tears rolled slowly down her pallid cheeks.
Madame Catalani said that she looked at
this beautiful sad face till the memory of her
crimes was actually forgotten, and she her
self wept too, for company.
“ Nunez pas pitic dc cetlc scclcrate afroce,
Madame?” exclaimed the judge. The crim
inal removed the handkerchief from her
mouth and in an instant every thing like
beauty disappeared, leaving an expression
of haid villanyjthat it was impossible to look
upon without a shudder. A strong confirm
ation this of Lavater’s theory, that though
intellect speaks through the eye, moral pro
pensities are indicated by the mouth. Ma
dame Catalani told us that before her exe
cution this wretched creature not only con
fessed her crimes, hut explained as clearly
as she could the sort of infernal impulse
which led her to commit them. She liked,
she said, to see the spirit pass away, and it
was where this result was doubtful among
the unhappy ones whom she was employed
to watch that she took means to render it
certaiu.”
The Yeoman. —The man who stands up
on his own soil; who feels, that the laws of
the land in which ho lives—by the law of
civilized nations—he is the rightful and ex
clusive owner of the land which ho tills, is,
by the constitution of our nature, under a
wholesome influence, not easily imbibed
from any other source. lie feels—other
things being equal—more strongly than an
other, the character of man as the lord of
the inanimate world. Os this great and
wonderful sphere, which, fashioned by the
hand of God, and upheld by his power, is
rolling through the heavens, a portion is
lii a —his. fmm the centre to the sky. It is
the space, on which the generations before
him moved in its round of duties; and lie
feels himself connected, l>y a visible link,
with those who preceded him. as he is also
to those who will follow him, and to whom
he is to transmit a home. Perhaps his farm
has come down to him from his fathers.—
They have gone to their last home; but lie
can trace their footsteps overthe daily scene
of his labors. The roof which shelters him,
was reared by those to whom he owes his
being. Some interestingdomestic tradition
is connected with every enclosure. The
favorite fruit tree was planted by his fath
er’s hand. Ho sported in his boyhood, Ity
the side of the brook, which still winds
through his meadow. Through that field,
lies the path to the village school of his ear
liest days. He still heats from his window,
the voice of the Sabbath bell, which called
his father to the house of God ; and near
nt hand is the spot where he laid his parents
down to rest, and where he trusts, when his
hour is come, he shall bo dutifully laid by
his children. These are the feelings of the
owner of the soil. Words cannot paint
them ; gold cannot buy them ; they (low out
of the deepest fountains of the heart; they
are the lifespring of a fresh, healthy, gene
rous national character.
Widow Grizzle, whose remarkable con
jugal affection was chronicled in the Post
some months since, had an only sister.
That sister is now a widow also. Her lord
died lately of the cholic. In the midst of
his most acute bodily pain, Bf'ter the hand of
death had touched him, and while withering
in agony, his gentle wife said to him—
•< Well, Mr. Schlook, you needn’t kick
round so and wear the sheets all out, if you
are a-dying!”
Woman. —The study of women, if not
the most difficult, certainly is not the least;
for none can divine their ways. No system
can he devised by which we may arrive at
a positive conclusion with regard to them ;
unless by observation we may approach it,
the task might as well he given up at once
as hopeless. Were not a study forced on
mo by nature, habit, or circumstance, I
would never give it a thought; or else that
there is a principle involved with it which
will not allow me to so far neglect so neces
sary a poitinn of tlio human family—but
somehow when the mind of man is not more
profitably employed.it unconsciously reverts
to this subject. Some may sneer and laugh
in scorn upon them, yet is there an instinc
tive power dwelling within which gives
these creatures the key to our hearts, and
in spite of the vain boastings of man, she
can humble him in the dust before bet —
such is the subtlety of woman. I hate the
very name of woman, and yet my mind
dwells with an instinctive reverence, and
fear upon so artful an enemy and benefac
tor of mankind. Strange inconsistency!
but no less wonderful than true. They are
the offsprings of opposites jointed—the es
sence and abstracts of contrariety and in
consistency. She may bold the destiny of
nations; and yet the force of a single im
pulse of her mind will cause a sacrifice of
all for its accomplishment. She is strong,
yet weak. Pure in her devotions, sanguine
in her temperament, but a whirlwind in her
rage. To excel is her glory. Though Pride
is hershield, she too frequently casts it aside,
choosing strange things rather than follow
in the ways of peace and happiness. Tlint
which scemeth fairest to the eye bringeth
speediest destruction.— Seldon.
Neicspajtcrs. —Much depends on the sup
porters of a newspaper whether it is cr n
ductcd with spirit or interest —if they are
negligent in their payment, the Editor’s
ambition is broken down—he works nt a
thankless and unprofitable task—he be
comes discouraged and careless—bis paper
looses its pith and interest, he dies. But on
the contrary, if his subscribers are of the
right sort—if they are punctual, liberal
hearted fellows —always in advance in the
subscription list—taking an interest in in
creasing the number of his subscribers —
now and then speaking a good word for his
paper —cheering him in his course hy smiles
of approbation ; with such subscribers as
these, one would forswear comfort, ease,
leisure—every thing that could possibly
step bet ween him and gratification of every
laudabledesireon the part of his subscribers:
the editor would know no other pleasure
than their satisfaction. How much then
can the supporters of a newspaper do to
make it in'eiesting and respectable, indeed,
without concurrent efforts on their part, the
publisher of a paper will not, cannot bestow
the attention which is necessary to make it
what it should ho.
Perhaps our readers may have noticed
that some times we make a much better pa
per than we can make lit other times. And
what is the reason 1 Why because some
times we are encouraged to do it. Some
one pays us his subscription in advance, and
perhaps brings orsends us a few subscribers.
That’s the secret —that is the true way to
suppoit a newspaper.
An Areial Steam Carriage. —This is the
name which has been given to anew ma
chine, for which a company has taken out a
patent, and which is to convey passengers,
goods and despatches through the air, per
forming the journey from London to India
in four days! and to travel at the rate of from
75 to 100 miles per hour. Absurd and chi
merical as this scheme appears, we under
stand that a company bus been really form
ed to carry it into operation, and that the
patent was formally sealed on the 29th Sep
tember last. The believers in the practica
bility of theundertaking, point to the inven
tion of gas and railway traveling, as rea
sons why the incredulous should suspend
their judgment. In January the machine
will he thoroughly organised, and until then
we take leave of the subject and only trust
this alledged invention is neither exaggera
ted nor au Utopian project.
Abolition in Massachusetts. —The Puri
tans of the Old Bay State ate circulating a
curious abolition Petition. It prays :
1. To forbid all persons holding office
under any law of this State, from in any
way officially, or undercolor of office, aid
ing or abetting the arrest and detention of
any person claimed a as fugitive from slavery.
2. To forbid the use of our jails or public
propeitv, of any description whatever, with
in the Commonwealth, in the detention of
any alleged fugitive from slavery.
3. To propose such amendments to the
Constitution of the United States as shall
forever separate tho people of Massachu
setts from all connection with slavery.
The little that l have seen of the world
and know of the histoiy of mankind, teaches
me to look upon the errors of others in sor
row, not in anger. When l take a history
of one poor heart that has sinned and suffer
ed, and represent to myself the struggles
aud temptations it passed through; the brief
pulsation of joy, the ferverish inquietude of
hope and fear ; the tears of regret; the fee
bleness of purpose ; the pressure of want;
the desertion of friends; the scorn of the
world that has little charity ; the desolation
of the soul’s sanctuary and threatening vices
within ; health gone ; happiness gone ; I
would fain have the erring souls of my fel
low men with Him from whose hands it
came. — Longfellow.
“ Landlord,” said a shrewd fellow, as he
seated himself in the bar room, and bore
the silent gaze of the surrounding advocates
at the bar, “do you know of any body that
has lost a handsome ivory handled jackknife,
with four blades—two largo ones and two
small ones—having a piece of silvet on one
side and brass at the ends 1” “ No,” replied
the veteran landlord, whose proboscis re
sembled a ripe strawberry, tipped with a
pearly drop of dew, “ why, have you found
one 1” ‘* No,” said the wag, but I thought
I would inquire, so that if I should find one,
I might know whose it was.”
3 lli Lfc St QIIIStDIBIbtbAN'V?
Warts. —These troublesome and often i
painful excresences, covering the hands
sometimes to the number of a hundred or ;
two, may be destroyed by a simple, safe and
certain application. Dissolve as much com- !
mon washing soda as the water will take up
—then wash the hands or warts with this for
a minute or two, and allow them to dry with
out being wiped. Thisrepented for two or
three days, will gradually destroy the most
irritable wart. Its theory appears to he
that warts having a lower power of vitality
than the skin ; the alkali is sufficient to pro
duce tho disorganization of the former with
out affecting the latter. The warts never
return.
A Fracas. —The Miner’s (Pa.) Journal
states that quite a serious affray occurred
in the borough of Wilksbarre, on Tuesday
night last, in consequence of an attempt
made hy a gentlemen of Maryland to recov
er two slaves who absconded from him a
few weeks previous. Upwards of one him*
died blacks, and nearly the same number of
whites were concerned in the fracas—the
blacks having at first resisted the attempt to
recover the runaways, when the whites vol
unteered to assist the owner in capturimr
them. Many pet sons were injured on both
sides,so much so,that some are not expected
to live. The owner was finally beaten of!',
and returned home after having offered a
reward for the alleged slaves.
Poetical. —l sat by the open window on
a fine dewy evening. The stars.shone out.
and the moon Anna her mild beams over the
high rocks that bound my view. The birds
had retired to rest, but the wakeful frogs
made music in the neighboring marsh ; and
the fire flies bespangled the darkness. I
looked out upon the charming scene ; 1
raised my eyes to the milky way, and recol
lected that I had no clean shirt for Sunday.
Woman's Sympathy. —The New Haven
Herald relates that as a runaway horse,
dragging a wagon with a young lad in it,
was suddenly brought up with a crash in
the streets of that town, but fortunately
without injury to the boy, an old lady in
great agitation followed in persuit of the
wagon. “ Mother, mother,” exclaimed
her daughter, “ where are you going ?
Dont get. into the crowd ; you can’t do him
any good.” Seeing her agitation, a lady
who happened to be passing at the moment
kindly inquired, “Is he your son ?” Oh
no,” replied the good old matron, “ hut he is
somebody's son.”
Singular. — Ephraim says, that when
young gentlemen go a courtin, and the time
comes to go away, it takes half an hour to
get from the sitting room door to the front
door—and in a particular case, reported to
him, from tlie highest authority, it takes the
parties another half hour to get from the
front door to the porch pailings, where they
reluctantly part. -This surely is a very mys
terious fact, in hieroglyphics and locofnotion.
Can the damsels enlighten us as to tho why
and wherefore thereof]
“No Compulsion.” —“ Gentlemen,” said
a French officer, addressing his men,
just after the landing of Napoleon from
Elba, “ opinions are free, and you may
declare for the Emperor or not, just as you
please. There will be no compulsion used,
but I think it my duty to inform you that
every man who does not cry Vive L'Empc
rcur, will he shot in five minutes.”
A young lady once remarked that there
was but one word in the Bible she wished
altered; and that was in the passage,
“ Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right
cheek turn to him the other also.” She
would have the word smite changed to kiss.
How boy-stir-ous ! as the man said when
a troop of urchins rushed out of the school
house, at recess time, and ran over him.
©UQ©Q M A L □
For the “ Southern Miscellany.”
STATE LITERATURE.
Mr. Editor, —I undertook to prove in the
preceeding number, the evils consequent
upon that unmerited patronage we most un
wittingly lavish on Northern Periodicals
and Foreign publications, and flatter myself
that I succeeded in pointing out the multi
farious ad vantages afforded by the soil and cli
mate of our State to the development of ge
nius. I shall in the present number crave
the attention of the indulgent reader, to an
other branch of inquiry closeiy allied to the
subject before us, and attempt to demon
strate that we are the despicable slaves of a
mental bondage, more insufferable than the
servitude of the Polish peasant, to whom
hope is denied, and
Tears
Are a forbidden luxury.
The poor-school laws of our State I pro
nounce absurd and defective. I appeal to
that unvarying standard—experience. It
is known to all that an enormous sum flows
annually from the public treasury, for the
education of the indigent youth of the State.
The appropriation must spring from a no
ble motive. In what manner is it disburs
ed ] Do the intended beneficiaries of the
laws derive the least aid from its adminis
tration ] Ask the numerous illiterate wretch
es that throng our principal towns. Those
who are confided with the management and
distribution of these funds have defeated the
honorable intentions of the legislature and
dissipated them hy unpardonable malversa
tion or criminal neglect. I make no person
al accusation, but the fact as charged is too
obvious to elude detection. We now pre
sent a spectacle, disparaging alike to our
foresight and prudence, of a State expend
ing tens of thousands per annum to no.pur
pose. This readily accounts for the disrep
utable hut faithful disclosure made hy the
last census, of the intellectual condition of
the State. Twelve months before it was ta
ken, if an individual had asserted that we
were really in this situation he would have
been pitied for his ignorance, and lie who
relied upon his assertion would have been
exhibited in the public squares, as the per
sonification of credulity. But true it is, that
every tenth man in tho State is incapnblo of
Reading or Writing. How great the con
trast between Connecticut and Georgia.—
Judge Reeves, an eminent Jurist of the for
mer State, affirmed that during an extensive
practice of twenty years, in his own State,
he had never seen but one individual that
could not write. These blessings are se
cured to Connecticut with a small expendi
ture, hy the instrumentality of vigorous and
energetic laws. If the poor-school laws be
as radically and intrinsically erronious as I
have ddtribed them to he, it behooves is as
philanthropists and well-wishers to society,
to model our system on some more eligible
plan. Let us pass fiom this topic to the
consideration of the provision that has been
made for the cultivation of the higher branch
es of /earning. The importance of some
reasonable provision on this subject was felt
as early as 178-5. The immortal founders
of our State government were duly alive to
tlie incalculable necessity of a thorough dif
fusion of intelligence amongst all ranks. In
an act approved January 27th, 1785, it is
emphatically declared that “ It should be
the first objects of those who wish well to
the national prosperity, to encourage and
support the principles of religion ard moral
ity, and early to place the youth under the
forming hand of society that hy instruction
they may be moulded to the love of virtue
and good order.” After this self-evident
declaration they proceeded to digest a plan
hy which these desirable ends could be at
tained. It is very apparent that these early
acts had a direct reference to the Universi
ty of Georgia, which was then in embryo,
but which was subsequently created, and in
1803 went into operation at Alliens. Its
funds at first consisted of SIOO,OOO bank
stock, and 50,000 i cres of land. The in
come from this fund proved insufficient to
defray its current expenses, and the fire of
1830 having consumed the College edifice,
the mathematical instruments and library,
an act, approved 21st Dec. IS30 —the pre
amble of which states that the College is
and will he useless without legislative aid is
afforded—makes an annual donation of $6,-
000 to enable the College to repair its ‘ow
es, and meet its engagements. Under these
circumstances it piospered beyond the most
sanguine anticipations. But when in an evil
hour, this handsome endowment was with
drawn hy an infatuated majority, it experi
enced a shock which obliged it to dispense
with two professorships, and from which it
probably never will recover. Many de
claimed in the most unmeasured terms a
gainst the endowment, in the discussion of
whose conduct I shall practice upon that
Christian like precept —
“ Nothing extenuate
Nor set down aught in malice.”
They must have seen that their policy
would materially contribute to the irretriev
able overthrow of the university, and com
pel parents, who otherwise would have
educated theiroffspring at Franklin College,
to send them to Colleges at the North or to
Europe, there to imbibe sentiments hurtful
to our political establishment, and not only
| become negligent worshippers of our Dii
penates, but indefatigable votaries of strange
idols. But there is another source of inju
ry—it would create a dependnnee on other
States or foreign countries, that would in
time he considered a necessary evil that
could not be shaken off. If these evils were
perceived by the opponents of the College,
what condemnation would be too severe ]
What citizen who cherishes a spark of loyal
ty to the State, would not exert every fac
ulty to turn aside this heavy blow to our
prosperity I
The period has arrived when Georgians
can no longer evade the question, whether
or not this iron shaft, forged in the kennels
of ignoble profligates, (yclept law-givers,)
and launched at the very vitality of our lit
erature shall be averted. lam convinced
that if they could be persuaded that its de
cision involves their dearest interests, they
would not parley with an investigation. But
as visionary as it may appear to the thought
less, it is too true. Let misguided states
men crush to atoms the already prostrate
energies of Franklin College with indiffer
ence, but let the truly patriotic cease not to
reproach them for their base and unprinci
pled disregard for the most inviolable inte
rests of the State. Let them know that in
its downfall it will drag into ruins the pillars
of the constitution. That sacred and ven
erable instrument makes it obligatory upon
the Legislature to patronize one or more
institutions of learning, yet in bigoted and
premeditated defiance of their oaths, and
this constitutional injunction they have de
prived the only institution, that ever receiv
ed a farthing from its bounty of its sole stay.
The consequences of this dastardly deed,
unless the former appropriation is speedily
renewed,are too forbidding for me to portray.
The mild and humane laws under which we
have flourished, “as a green bay tree,” will
be supplanted by a code as bloody and mer
ciless as that of Draco. r ice will reign in
the stead of virtue and mercy—the well-dis
posed of community will become the hope
less victims of a furious, disorderly and li
centious rabble. These consequences are
the legitimate offspring of the existence of
the fact I have mentioned. That they may
not fall upon the State, tho Legislature
should hasten to acquit itself of the injustice
it has perpetrated by withdrawing its sup
port and fostering care from a College, that
should be tiie pride and boast of Georgia.
• PERTINAX.
December 18, 1812.
ENIGMA.
For young Students in Geography.
I am composed of nine Letters.
My 1,7, 9,8, is a town in Switzerland.
My 8, 2, 7,6, 3, is a town in Scotland.
My 4,5, G, 7,9, 8. is a town in Mississippi.
My 9,8, 7,9, 3, is a river in Vermont.
My 5, G, 6,5, 3, is an island belonging to
Scotland.
My 7,9, 2, 7, 2, is a town in Michigan.
My 8,9, 9,3, is a town in ono of the Barba
ry Slates.
My 2, G, 9,5, 3, is a town in the Great Des
ert of Sahara.
My G, 7,4, 7,8, 7, is a town in Europe.
My whole is the name of the Oldest Re
public on earth. E. H. S.
Madison, Georgia.
For the “ Southern Miscellany.”
INTERCEPTED CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER NO. 111.
Oakville, RenbonefCounty, Ga. I
Dec. 26, 1842. f
To Miss Julia Claringdon,
My adored Julia —ln yours, dated De
cember 19tli inst., you requested my views
upon the constitution of the human mind.
In obedience to this request I would say,
that I understand by the term constitution,
the abstract nature, or all the elements of
which the mind is composed, a part from its
operations and effects considered. The
mind in its constitutional form is a thinking
unit, or entity, destitute ofpossessory powers,
and ought to be divested of all nominal
powers. The opinion which identifies plu
rality of power with the constitutional iden
tity of tlie mind, is unphilosophical and per
fectly unreconcilalrle with the character of
a thinking entity. For unity and plurality
of essence can never exist at the same time
in the same identity, and yet sustain the
character of the same independent being.
Then if plurality of power, as in hearing, in
the constitutional identity of the mind be
admitted, unity of power upon the same
principle should be likewise admitted. This
however implies a positive contradiction. —
Now you may numl er the powiri of the
mind from one to five, or ten, if you please,
and the first one would be a unity of power,
the second, individually considered, a unity
of power, and soon with all, until the whole
catalogue would resolve unity and plurality
into an indivisable mental identity, which
involves a double philosophical absurdity ;
for if the cause employed in the destruction
of any one of the nominal powers of the
mind, as is frequently the case in partial in
sanity, be only adequate to the accomplish
ment of that fact, then plurality of power
can never be destroyed by an attack of the
same cause, except by successive applica
tions of that cause to the powers of the
mind individually, but not collectively consi
dered. This process of successive destruc
tion going on in the nominal powers of men
tal identity, would subject the mind to te
lutive annihilation, and of course absolute
non-entity ; destroy the pescipiency of its
nature, and immortality of its being.—
Whereas if plurality were stricken from the
classification of the mind,(and unity embrace
all the nominal powers, as existing in its
constitutional identity, then the mind would
stand and flourish in immortal youth forever,
unhurt amidst the wreck ofonatter, and de
cay of human organization. White again.
I remain
Your’s affectionately,
EDWAR D WOODLEY.
MasooMaimjo
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING AT
THE VERY LOW PRICE OF TWO DOLLARS
AND FIFTY CENTS PER ANNUM —ONE DOL
LAR AND FIFTY CENTS FOR SIX MONTHS
ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.
MADISON, GEO :
Saturday, December 31, 1813.
Mr. Jackson Barnes, Book-seller
and Stationer, East side of Mulberry-street, Macon, is
our duly authorized Agent in that city.
TRAVELING AGENTS.
The following gentlemen are authorized Traveling
Agents for the “Southern Miscellany.”
Mr. William M. Day.
Mr. Russell jAiMiller.
Mr. Diford A. Chaney.
A HAPPY NEW year!
Is our sincere greeting to the readers of
the “ Miscellany” to-day. Yes, were it in
our power it, should indeed be a happy New
Year, to all within the reach of our influence.
Merchants should not lack for business, law
yers should have no need of clients, nor doc
tors of patients ; Planters should have abun
dant crops and good markets ; Mechanics
plenty to do, and good wages ; the Ladies
should have fine dresses, fine furniture and
good children ; the boys should have sweet
hearts and the girls should have beaux, and
the babies should have lots of’lasses candy.
But, alas! for poor mortality, how seldom
does the power accompany the will to do
good. The past has demonstrated to us that
we can scarcely achieve our own happiness,
with all our enterprizr, with all our indus
try, and all our amiability of temper —there-
fore we can only wish our friends a happy
New Year; and that we do from the bot
tom of our heart.
The Past is the great teacher of Wisdom,
and in the ratio that we profit by its expe
rience do we increase our earthly happiness.
When, in the twilight of the departing year,
we can look back through its varied history,
and conscientiously approve the course we
have pursued, we will have secured as much
of that heaven of the heart—happiness—as
this poor earthly tabernacle hath room for.
Then, let us as we close tho book of the
old year, turn over the leaves of memory,
post up the moral account, and strike the
balance with conscience, and it errors have
been made which may not now he rectified,
let us avoid similar errors in the business of
the year to come—so that, having our ac
counts rectified at the final dissolution of soul
and body, we may he happy in the Neu)
Year of Immortality f
We give place to the communication
of our correspondent, “ Pertinax,” without
entirely agreeing with him in all his views
We would rejoice to see the State able and
willing to extend a helping hand to every
College in Georgia; but we must confess
that we had rather see the public funds
employed in the endowment of common
schools, for the education of the poor, than
in the support of institutions that areaccessi
ble oidy to the children of those who are
abler to provide for their mental improve
merit. Without first enjoying the advan
tages of a common school education, f evv
pool-men’s sons find their way to College,
while most who do enter our higher institu
tions of learning are well able to remuner
ate the professors who teach them. Let our
common school system be first perfected
let the rudiments of education be first plac
ed within tire reach of tire mass, and we
will soon have no need to deplor e the apathy of
Georgians on the subject of “State Litera
ture.” Premary schools are the roots, the
College the tree, and knowledge and virtue
the fruits we seek.
MASONIC CELEBRATION.
Tuesday last being the annual Festival
of St. John the Evangelist, the day was cel
ebrated by the members of the Madison
Lodge in a very appropriate manner. The
procession having repaired to the Presbv
teiian Church, after an appropriate prayer
by Rev. John G. Duncan, a very chaste and
eloquent Oration was delivered 4>y our
friend A. A. Overton, Esq., which was lis
tened to with gratified interest by a numer
ous audience. The exercises were relieved
by the very excellent music of the Eatonton
Military Baud, and closed with the impos
ing ceremony of the instalation of the offi
cers of the Lodge, for the ensuing year.—-
This was the first ceremony of the kind we
ever witnessed, and wc must confess that
we were very favorably impressed with the
manly sentiments of charity, benevolence,
and practical virtue inculcated in the Ma
sonic forms read to his successors by there
tiring Worshipful Master.
We understand that a copy of the Ora
tion has been solicited for publication.
THE LEGISLATURE.
The L ogislature adjourned on Tuesday
last, after passing a Tax Bill which increases
the present rate of taxation about 23 per
cent. Some will doubtless find fault with
the members for so doing, hut when it is re
collected that they absolutely refused to
pass a bill increasing the burthens of the
people, until it was ascertained that they
would stand but a poor chance of getting
paid for their own services—which they
valued at 84 50 per day—unless something
was done to resuscitate the treasury, they
will he excused for this proof of their disin
terested patriotism.
The resolutions instructing Judge Berrien
to resign his seat in the Senate were also
got through the house. We say got through,
for they were not passed in the ordinary
course of legislation. Upon the application
of the previous question the naughty Whigs
obstinately refused to vote, and the resolu
tions were passed without a quorum voting.
It is generally’ understood, however, that
Judge Berrien will respect his obligations
to the country, end hold the dictates of his
own conscience quite as imperative as those
of the majority in the legislature.
A Bill was passed by which the lime of
holding Justices’ Courts has been changed
from once a month, to once in four months.
We presume this is intended as a relief
measure ; hut we must confess our inability
to discover the policy of such a law. How
ever, debtors and creditors will entertain dif
ferent opinions on the subject. The latter
class, who we presume are in the majority,
will of course glory in “ the law’s delay
and it is a very plausible principle of legis
tion, that, which seeks “ the greatest good
of the greatest number.”
We would like much to see an intelliga
ble review of the past session, setting forth
clearly what has been done for the benefit
of the commonwealth. But we leave that
task to the political papers, fearful that a
synopsis by us, would be construed into an
indication of our political bias, or rather that
of the “ Miscellany.”
MORE OF ABOLITION.
There is much excitement prevailing in
Virginia on the subject of abolition, ‘i lie
recent case of rescue in Boston, together
with the irritating movements of Mr. Adams
in Congress, and the late action of the Ohio
Legislature—which body have repealed the
laws enacted by them some years since, to
facilitate the recovery offugitive slaves—has
aroused a spirit of resistance to the encroach
ments of abolition fanaticism, that will ho
very apt to bring this gieat and vital ques
tion to the South, to a speedy issue.
That the South should, regardless of all
minor questions, “enter into conclave on the
subject,” is a truth that cannot be too strong
ly urged. No power but the strength of
union can preserve the institutions of the
South. Let not Georgia battle single hand
ed with Maine, Virginia with Massachusetts,
and Kentucky with Ohio, as heretofore, but
let the Southern States make common cause
—let them be united in their resistance, and