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ATHENS,....SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1848.
Puns and Punsters.
It has become a fashion of the (lay to (leery the
punster —perhaps because he aims to make others
laugh, and there are many in this world of ours who
affect to consider mirth as unbecoming—though this
may possibly arise from the fact that it never comes
to them. There are doubtless some who really regard
this art as a nuisance, while we are inclined to think
that it should take rank with the other faculties—
those of seeing, tasting, &c., for punning has much
more sense in it than is generally conceded; nor can
we understand why any should turn up their nose at
it.
Os the professed pun-haters, however, we consider
very few sincere in ranking it as a sin ; and'are rath
er disposed to class them into two divisions —the first
too dull sighted to see the point of a good pun—and
the second, while distinctly seeing it, unwilling to ac
knowledge it because they cannot be equally sharp !
If we had leisure to go deeply into the history and
philosophy of punning, we could prove that it is not
quite so superficial an accomplishment as some sup
pose. Its antiquity is so remote and unquestioned
that this alone would refute the charge of its being a
new-sense. The practice of punning has been in all
ages of the world so general among the learned that
it ought to be elected commander-in-chief of literary
forces, thongli the major part of its performances of
late days are not worthy of high rank.
The prince of modern punsters, so lately passed
from the gay to the Grave, exhibited from his earli
tst child/motZ a peculiar tendency to this species of
wit, and yet he was so amiable and gentle in his dis
position that his irony was not considered hard, and
he could punish folly and vice with impunity. Alas,
poor Hood ! thy shining qualities of heart and soul
dazzled our eyes and to thy foibles they were hood
winked !
We have no fellowship for the fellow who hates a
pun. As Shakspere said of the man who had no mu
sic in his soul (not sole) —
“ The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus;
Let no such man be trusted!”
Give us your hearty, cheerful appreciator of a del
icate touch of the luminous pencil of wit; one who
can take a joke without its being in so coarse and
nauseous a dose as to produce a choking sensation. —
We love to hear a pun uttered, and to watch the
effect upon the auditors —how it reaches one with
electric speed, making the muscles of his face to vi
brate, and telegraphing the wit to his soul; how it
shoots with a cannon ball rapidity and force to an
other and when it strikes, tells quickly in the loud
explosion oTf laughter—how a third receives it by the
Hail Road—when it has been endorsed as genuine by
quicker wits than his, and so he can laugh without
fear—and how a fourth takes it only as an unwilling
debtor receives the visit of his tailor when he is in a
place from which there is no egress but into his pres
ence—unwillingly and with the conviction that it is
a terrible bore!
Wc meant to write a paragraph, and we have pun
ished our readers with a long article, which may not
be as pointed as a White-chapel needle it is true,
but which nevertheless will do pretty well to go in !
Franklin College.
Ihe annual Commencement of our State Univer-
R, ty will take place the first week in August, and we
doubt not will attract a multitude of visitors. The
graduating class numbers twenty-six : and we feel
assured that they will do themselves and their Alma
Mater credit on the occasion of their valedictory.—
bhe following gentlemen have been appointed a
Hoard of Visitors, to attend the Examination of the
classes on the 27th instant:—
Hev Kichard Johnson, of Talbotton.
i,; Edward Coppee, of Athens.
p°{* Uenry G. Lamar, of Athens,
r i U avid G- Campbell, of Milledgeville.
p Ol - Miller Grieve, of Milledgedille.
p C;> E- P- Rogers, of Augusta.
; ( * v • Isaac W. Waddell, of Marietta.
n° ‘ L a “J uel Eraeman, of Camesville.
Ur. A. Means, of Oxford.
M H. Baxter, of Sparta.
D r \ 3 n V VSq '’ ° f grange.
{v- L : Mercer, of Palmyra.
Lon. Marshall J. Wellborn, of Columbus.
John Ray, Esq., of Newnan.
tev - C * Gibson, of Thomaston.
IF SIS IB El 1L UTF &IB & IB ® ABISIF 13 ♦
€>ur (Sosstjj Column.
The heats of the summer are driving the denizens
of our “low country” into the mountain regions, and
our town being on the direct route to the Habersham
lions—superadded to its own attractions, which are
second to none—by the way—in the South, is natur
ally the transient home of many strangers whose ap
pearance enlivens our streets and animates our spa
cious hotels. The rail road places us within 20 hours’
travel of Charleston, and we ought to be within 24
hours’ of Savannah if due enterprise were bestowed
upon the connection of Augusta with the Central
Rail Road by stage. From both these cities we
have already representatives among us, and doubt
less many more will visit us “ere the Summer fail.”
The intimation afforded us by our esteemed friend
and contributor M. E. L. of a possible visit is very
welcome, and we hope it may be realized. The
Madison Springs under the excellent management
of Morrison, are now again open ; and visitors are
gathering rapidly at their well known and quiet lo
cale. The accommodations at the Southern Sarato
ga are now ample and unsurpassed We re
publish in this number Judge Charlton’s amusing
story of his adventures in New York in pursuit of
Life Insurance —and while we can vouch for the ver
ity of the incidents there narrated,we can testify also
to the existence at the present day of a more liberal
state of feeling in Gotham towards our State and
its citizens. From an advertisement in our present
number, it will be seen that the N. Y. Mutual Life
Insurance Company has just reduced the premium
on “ Georgia risks” one fourth of one percent. We
think it quite doubtful if Mr. Nicol would now add
those clauses to a policy issued to a Georgia Judge!
. •. . .We have heard many amusing anecdotes of
strangers being mistaken for deacons or preachers,
and being called on to say grace at the breakfast or
dinner table, with the laughable consequences at
tending such mistakes, but the following incident is
certainly the best thing of the kind we have ever
met with, and we hardly think it is familiar to our
readers. The way Oliver got out of the dilemma is
worthy of all admiration. But to the fact: Oliver
Ditson, a music seller in Boston—a grave, serious
man with more fun in his heart than in his face, was
once travelling in New Hampshire, when being mis
taken for a minister, he was asked to “ say grace.”
It seemed an easy thing, and up rose Ditson. But
the subject seemed to open before him, and he went
on as if there was no end to the reasons for thankful
ness. Plates rattled, knives were dropped, and hun
gry men fidgetted, but on went Ditson. He had
forgotten the end, aud was desperately striving to
recall it. At last matters were growing serious.—
He came to a full stop, looked round the table, and
concluded with “ Respectfully yours, Oliver Ditson.”
. . . . We have received our allowance of Punch, —
dated May 27, —too late to divide it with our read
ers this week. Here is a single sip, however, which
they may imbibe. Speaking of the Irish trials, the
witty gentleman has the following :“ A Watch that
needs Repair. —The jury has been called the ‘watch
of English liberty.’ This watch seems to be regu
lated in Ireland, by an ‘ escapement movement,’ if
we may judge from the winding-up of the late Dub
lin trials.”
Notices to Correspondents.
L. S. D. We appreciate your kindness, but we
would prefer to publish something from your pen —
written for the Gazette.
“ Southern Bard.” We hope not, really, for the
credit of the South—for if the subjoined stanzas are
fair specimens of your poetical abilities, we certainly
think the South will disclaim you, bu; you shall have
a hearing.
TO HER I LOVE BEST.
“ Witness, ye fairy-crested stars of night,
That roll majestic in your heavenly flight;
Witness the tender feelings in my breast
For her, who of all others I love best!
“Witness, ye birds which in the trees do sing,
How most I praise her smile of everything :
Her voice is sweeter than your warblings be-r
Ask me who 1 love best—it is she.”
E. T. L. We have not had time to read your
articles, and must therefore defer our decision. We
receive more manuscript than we can easily read.
J. A. T. We shall publish your last favor, (the
tale,) in an early number.
“ Juvenis.” We fear we should add nothing to
the reputation of our paper, and as little to yours, by
printing the lines entitled “To my first Love.”—
Juvenis ought not to have a second love so early in
his career, as we are led to suppose he has from his
stanzas.
T. T. Your proposed article will be welcome.
“Viola.” We will do so if we possibly can; but
we doubt.
Leila Cameron. Thanks for your favors, one of
which we hope to print next week.
J. D. L. We trust to have more contributions
from your pen.
To all others : We have to defer answers till our
next.
Ojc American CUTeettfi? JJrcss.
The Spirit of the Times. New York: John
Richards.
This admirable Journal cont inues it s career of pop
ularity under the editorial care of Wm. T. Porter,
Esq. It is devoted, as our readers must know, es
pecially to the Turf and Field Sports, but its ample
pages afford every week, as rich a collection of tales,
humorous sketches, anecdotes, and bon mots, as can
be found in any American journal. The Editor’s
fine perception of wit and humor —added to his skill
with the pen, render him well qualified for the post
he occupies. He certainly makes a spirited paper,
and one which is not “ bad to take!”
The Yankee Blade.
Some blades are green, particularly at this season
of the year, but not to this class does our Yankee
llladc belong. He is a blade of the brilliant genus
—a bright, flashing, keen-edged blade, that makes it
self both seen and felt in the great field of literature.
As the true Damascus steel flashes in the sunlight of
the battle plain, as it is moved by the arm of the he
ro, so our Yankee Blade flashes out upon the public
gaze with gleams of wit and fancy, at the will of its
manager, winning laurels for his brow, and we hope,
gold for his pocket. So, at least, it ought to be.
Subscriptions, at $2 per annum, received at the Uni
versity Book Store.
&f)e <Dltr
The News by the Acadia.
England and Ireland. —The principal item of
intelligence by the lat t arrival, is the conviction of
John Mitciiel, one of the leaders of the Physical
Force Repeal, of felony. This verdict has somewhat
dampened the enthusiasm of the people, excited by
the acquittal of Meagher and O’Brien. The pros
pect is regarded by all as still gloomy in the extreme,
and the English Papers are filled with expressions of
apprehension as to the issue of affairs.
France. —The Great Festival at the Champ de
Mars came off on the 21st ult., and is described as
having been a very imposing spectacle. One writer
describes it as a Lord Mayor’s show in London, on a
vastly magnified scale. The procession was of im
mense length, and embraced the various trades and
agricultural interests of Franee. The ceremony last
ed nearly all day, and consisted chiefly in the defiling
of the troops and deputations before r the National
Assembly and Provisional Government. At Lyons,
there was a tumult on the 17th ult., and subsequent
ly a large body of insargents deposed the authorities
of the city. On the 22d the condition of affairs there
was truly deplorable and alarming. There had been
a bloody riot also, at Toulon.
Thiers is said to have in Press a work on the po
sition and prospects of France, in which he avows his
preference for a Constitutional Monarchy, and his
conviction that it is what France requires.
Schleswig Holstein Affairs remain in statu quo.
Naples has been the theatre of an insurrection, in
which many of the inhabitants were slaughtered.
£fje Ncto 3®?orl&.
The Whig Nominations.
Little else has occupied either the public mind or
the press for the last few days, than the nominations
of candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency
by the Whig National Convention, held in Philadel
phia last week. We have simply to chronicle the
fact already gone on the wings of the wind, to the
remotest sections of the Union, that General Taylor
received the nomination for the Presidency, and Mil
lard Fillmore of N. Y., that for the Vice Presi
dency.
The Treaty of Peace.
The important treaty which restores peace to our
borders, and which had prevailed, as we stated last
week, by a decided majority in the Chamber of Dep
uties, has been ratified in the Mexican Senate by an
almost unanimous vote ; a result deeply gratifying
to every true and honest patriot. We again congrat
ulate our readers upon the advent of Peace !
Literary Intelligence.
The Works of Washington Irving. We are
happy to inform our readers that a complete and uni
form Edition of these admired Works is about to be
published by Mr. Geo. P. Putnam, of New York,
whose name is a sufficient assurance for the elegance
and perfection of the work. It will be issued in
twelve duodecimo volumes, commencing with the
Sketch Book, and embracing beside all his published
works, three or four new ones, including a Life of
Mahommed, a Life of Washington, and a collection
of Miscellanies.
We congratulate the American reader on this an
nouncement, and we have no doubt that Mr. Putnam
will find his enterprize nobly rewarded, for never was
anew Edition of any works more needed than this.
Thd Harpers announce anew Novel by Bul
wer—The Last of the Saxons.
ouc Uoofc Gallic.
HP* Publishers and authors who may wish to have their
hooks noticed in the “Gazette,” will please send copies
for the Editor, to Messrs. Burgess, Stringer & Cos., New
York, who will send a parcel to him weekly by express.
Observations on the Aboriginal Monuments ok
the Mississippi Valley, with illustrations, by
E. G. Squier. Pamphlet Bvo. pp. 79. New
York: Bartlett & Wellford.
We tire indebted to the author for a copy of this
interesting work, which ispublished as a sort of avant
courier, to a large and elaborate volume, in quarto,
on the same great subject, and which will be issued
under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution,
and constitute the first volume of its “ Contributions
to Knowledge.” This fact is warrant sufficient for
the value of the work, for without extraordinary merit
it could not have been accepted by the Committee ot
Examination appointed by the Smithsonian Society.
The pamphlet under notice is intended to give some
idea of the scope and character of the complete work,
not embracing, however, any of its grand discoveries,
or most important details. We have received also,
through the courtesy of ourfriend, the author, a spec
imen sheet of the prospective volume, which will be
superbly printed on fine paper, and illustrated with
very numerous beautiful engravings on steel and
wood, much in the stylo of the quarto copy of the
Exploring Expedition.
The subject of the work is in itself so deeply inter
esting, and the field so vast and new, as to invest the
enterprise with a deep interest. The labors of Mr.
Squier, and his associate, Mr. E. H. Davis, have
resulted in the noblest contribution yet made to Amer
ican Archeology ; and we congratulate our country
men that there have been found private gentlemen ot
adequate zeal and generosity, to the accomplishment
of such a labor as they have achieved.
The work will be published for subscribers exclu
sively, and is now passing through the Press. We
shall be very happy to secure copies for any of the
public libraries of the South, or for any gentleman
who would desire to place it in his own library.
1. First Lessons in \rithmettc ; 2. School A
rithmetic; 3. The University Arithmetic;
4. Elementary Algebra ; 5. Elementary Ge
ometry ; 6. Elements of Surveying, by Chas.
Davies, L. L. D. New York : A. S. Barnes & Cos.
We have enumerated above, the titles of the most
complete sories of Elementary Works in Mathemat
ics issued from the Amorican Press; and we have no
hesitation in pronouncing it as excellent as it is com
plete. A familiar acquaintance with these books,
enables us to bear unequivocal testimony to their
great merit, and our verdict is sustained by the
judgement of thousands of the ablest teachers in the
land. The author was long connected with the West
Point Military School, and his system is still pursued
there. It is in use in many of the first colleges of
our country, and indeed constitutes,with his advanced
series of works, our National System of Mathemat
ics, and it is certainly unnecessary for us to enlarge
upon the merits of the separate books. We com
mend them to the attention and immediate adoption
of every Teacher who desires to afford his pupils the
best possible aids to rapid advancement in the noble
science of Mathematics. They are all handsomely
printed, and furnished at a cheap rate.
S’!je American
The Southern Literary Messenger for June.
Richmond. Va.
We should have noticed this Magazine at an ear
lier period, but that we received the May number
rather late in the month, and thought it best to wait
for the June issue. That is now before us, and we
give it a liearty welcome. It was our pleasure to
receive it regularly while Mr. White, its founder,
was at the helm of affairs —and frequently then did
we notice it with high approbation in our Magazine.
From that time until now, we have watched the on
ward career of the Messenger with pleasure and in
terest ; and wc are free to say, that at no period of
its history has it been more worthy of the public sup
port than now. It is a liberal and polished organ
of Belles-lettres, maintaining a high and just regard
for the principles of the South, while it labors for her
intellectual advancement. Asa public journalist,
we feel bound to commend this Magazine to every
friend and well-wisher of Southern Literature. It
ought unquestionably to be sustained, and wo ear
nestly hope it may be.
Os the number before us, we will simply remark,
that it presents a rich variety, from grave to gay ;
and contains articles that weuid do credit to the pa
ges of Blackwood. We notice a poem from our val
ued friend and whilom contributor, Mrs. Maria
G. Buchanan. The “ Two Country Houses,” is a
pleasant serial from the pen of Mr. Cooke of \ a.
Other papers deserve special notice, but our limited
space forbids it. The Editor’s Table contains nu
merous spirited bibliographia. We will forward
subscriptions to the Messenger with much pleasure.
Magazine for May, was prompt
ly re-issued, but our number failed to reach us, much
to our regret.
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