Newspaper Page Text
mn m*s mipjumieOTo
ATHENS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 12,1848.
The City of Savannah.
We have too long neglected to express our ac
knowledgements to Joseph Bancroft, Esq., for a
copy of his valuable pamphlet, embracing the Census
and General Statistics of our seaport; and we now
congratulate him and our friends in that city, on the
encouraging report which he has been enabled to pre
sent. We have already stated in our columns that
the present aggregate population of Savannah, is
13,573 —which is an increase of nearly 2400 in eight
years—and, according to the tabular view presented
by Mr Bancroft, is a gain of 116 per cent during
thirty years, from 1810 to 1840. In the same period
Charleston, including her extensive suburbs—known
as the “ Neck,” has increased her population only
66 per cent; while in the city proper, this rate of in
crease is diminished to 18 per cent. This compari
son of increase is made also with the Northern cities,
and we are almost surprised to learn that the city of
Philadelphia can exhibit only 21 per cent advance
on our seaport; that of Boston 35 per cent—of Bal
timore 71—of New York 108; while New Orleans
shews the immense advance on Savannah, of 376,
making her actual rate of increase, in thirty years,
not less than 492 per cent!
We learn from the “ Census,” that the proportion
of white persons to colored, in every hundred, is as
54 to 46, which is a change from the previous census,
in favor of the white population. There are in the city
1,796 voters. Out of 2400 adult males, only 552 are
natives of Georgia. The rest are of a northern or
foreign birth ; of the latter there is a large majority.
The principal occupations of the city of Savannah
are Commerce, Trades and Manufactures; these
three embracing fully three-fourths of the business
population. There are over 200 connected with the
marine ; 15 clergymen and as many teachers.
Our limits will not allow us to present a view of
her Commerce, which, however, we are proud to see,
exhibits a gratifying increase of late years.
We congratulate our friends in Savannah on the
probable early completion of the arrangements for
direct steam communication with New York. Two
splendid vessels are in progress ; one of them is al
ready launched, and next year the two will run in al
ternate weeks between the two cities. These ships
will cost about $350 000, and will have a tonnage of
1200 each. They must greatly increase the Com
merce and importance of our beautiful seaport.
In Charitable Societies, Savannah is certainly not
a whit behind her sister cities. They are numerous,
comprehensive and efficient.
In Education, she has done well, though we do not
think she should be content with the present, but ra
ther press on. Os her children, one third receive no
education; w T e mean, at any of her public or private
schools. In Boston, it appears that in 1545, one
fourth of the juvenile population of that city did not
attend any school.
Under the head of “Pauperism,” that fruitful
theme of report in many cities, Mr. Bancroft says,
with becoming pride, “ Savannah is blessed with al
most an exemption from this calamity of human na
ture. And little or nothing can be said of her mis
ery. Under her “peculiar institution,” har slaves
are taken care of. Thc.free blacks are generally in
comfortable circumstances ; and for the relief of the
poor and destitute whites in her midst, institutions
abound which charge themselves with alleviating
their wants. A beggar is rarely seen in her streets;
public charity is always ready, and private charity
never lacketh.”
A word of the health of the city, and we shall close
our notice of Mr. Bancroft’s Report. From the
year 1840, there appears to have been a regular dim
inution of the mortality of the city—and the actual
amount in the last eight years is only as 1 in 33 of
the average population. As figures do not deceive,
this will probably be conclusive evidence of the
.healthfulness of our sea-port.
To the “ Statistics” are appended valuable histor
ical notes of the city from its settlement in 1733 to
the visit of LaFayette in 1825.
VV e have devoted some space to Mr. Bancroft’s
pamphlet because we feel a deep interest in the evi
dences of the prosperity of Savannah, and we should
rejoice to see them increased tenfold. T° she pro
& a ITS tE A& H ®AS [§ TIF & *
verbial hospitality of her citizens—to their generous
feelings and noble enterprize—to their public and
private virtues, we delight to bear testimony, and
we sincerely hope that peace may be within her
walls, and prosperity within her palaces!
rtjc £&’orUr.
The Latest Intelligence.
Having received no letter from our London Cor
respondent, at the expected period, wo condense from
our exchanges the news received by the steamers Eu
ropa and America. The general indications from
the “ old world ” are of the subsidence of the spirit
of revolution, and the return of law and order. Things
are certainly assuming a more favorable aspect and
the tone of the English Journals is becoming more
cheerful. The condition of affairs in Ireland, is how
ever a lamentable exception, and casts a deep gloom
over the otherwise brightening prospect in Europe.
The crisis appears to be at hand, and the next Steam
er may bring us startling news of civil war and con
sequent carnage in the “green isle.” While we
hope for the best, we tremble, and apprehend the
worst. The prhicipal cities of Ireland are “pro
claimed” as it is termed—a process which does not
subject the people to “ martial law,” and its rigo
rous provisions, but which, nevertheless, gives the
legal authorities great facilities for the exercise of
their power. Orders have been issued also, by the
Government, for all persons having arms and ammu
nition, to surrender them at the police depots, within
four days, under severe penalties. The Dublin po
lice were disarming the people of guns and pikes.
These measures have, of course, deeply excited and
exasperated the reformers, and their organs are call
ing upon the masses to resist unto the death. The
tone of the “ Nation” a leading “ rebel newspaper,”
utters boldly, the unmistakeable language of sedi
tion : offers instruction in military operations, and,
in every possible way, stimulates the disaffected to
decisive action. Every where the insurgents appear
to be arming—many, of course, to be disarmed by
the police, but thousands and thousands, probably,
only on the field of sanguinary conflict. The mili
tary power of England will be arrayed against im
mense masses of its own subjects, and if it eventually
crushes them, the destruction of life will be fearful;
and the moral consequences appalling in the extreme.
Poor, suffering, degraded Ireland —our heart bleeds
for her desolate condition —the fruit of the recreancy
and the misrule of her own unworthy sons !
France, or rather Paris, that wonderful epitome of
France, is apparently tranquil under the military
dictation of Gen. Cavaignac. The state of siege had
not been discontinued at our latest dates, nor had the
interdict on the public journals been removed. Both
these arbitrary measures seem essential to the main
tenance of quiet in Paris. Some journalists, in the
face of these things, continue to call France a Re
public. For our own part, we think she is anything
else, and her government looks to us wonderfully like
a Military Despotism! Possibly, however, some
thing more like a Republic may grow out of the cha
otic materials now fomenting in the National Assem
bly. Nous verrons. There are frequent arrests in
the city, and occasional assassinations; affording ev
idence of the still smouldering fires of revolt . Cav
aignac continues popular. Thiers appears to be
gaining on the good will of the people. Lamartine
has spoken out boldly in vindication of his public ca
reer as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
°
The German-Danish war is, in all probability, en
ded, and the election of John, Archduke of Austria,
as President of the Confederacy, is a popular event.
The war in Lombardy gives token of cessation.
Sicily has added anew Crown to the European gal
axy. It has been presented by the Chamber to the
Duke of Genoa, the younger son of the Sardinian
monarch We have thus glanced at the prominent
aspects of Europe, the great theatre on which are
presented dramas, comedies and tragedies, in which
the players are nations instead of individuals ; and
of which the world is the spectator.
JTljc 3Lttcrar iKUorRr.
New Works Announced.
Mr. B. Perly Poore’s new book, “ The Rise and
Fall of Louis Phillippe” is now in the hands of the
binder, and may be looked for in a few days.
De Vericour’s great work on Modern French Lit
erature, prepared for the American press by W. S.
Chase, is announced as ready by that enterprising
house, Gould, Kendall &. Lincoln of Boston.
Mrs. Gilman of Charleston has a volume of Poems
in press, under the title of “ Poems of a Life Time.”
Rev. Dr. Sprague of New York proposes a History
of all Religious Denominations in this country, from
its earliest settlement.
Col. Henry R. Jackson’s Address at the late
Commencement of the University of Georgia, will
shortly appear.
€>ur gjosstp Column,.
It will certainly not be a matter of regret, we take
it, to any of our readers that our pleasant correspon
dent, “ Flit,” has left the broiling city and gone to
the green haunts about tho silvery Horicon. We
certainly do envy him those delicious trout-break
fasts of which he writes so much as a matter “of
course.” .Go where thou wilt, most excellent Flit,
but wherever thou art, remember the ten thousand
readers of the Gazette and “ hurry up them letters.”
. . . . Bev. Dr. Church, the esteemed and venerat
ed President of our State University, has left our
town for the North, the Trustees having granted him
some months’ leave of absence, that he mightrecruit
his health by travel. We earnestly hope he may find
thejbenefit he seeks, and enjoy his intercourse with
strangers—who will but honor themselves in bidding
him “ welcome.” .... Tho moral tendency of a
recent popular fiction under tho name of “Jane
Eyre,” seems to be called in question by some grave
critics. We are surprised that any one should sup
pose himself to have discovered anything immoral
in the book, for not the faintest shadow of such an
idea came across our mind while we were perusing its
fascinating pages; nor can wo at all assent to tho
charge .... Will some of our young college read
ers give us a fair translation of tho annexed Latin
sentence. “ Novus homo ibat ad suam caudam-vel,
habere vestes homines mortuos 1” . . . Tho cele
brated Professor Porson being, on one occasion, at
a convivial party in Cambridge, boasted that he
could pun upon anything, whereupon he was chal
lenged to make a pun upon the terminations of tho
Latin Gerund. After a very brief pause, the learn
ed linguist recited the following distich :
“ When Dido found that .Eneas would not come,
She wept in silence and was Di-do-dum (b)!”
Speaking of puns reminds us of that admirableyeiz de
mot attributed to the amiable Bishop Heber who
was dining one day at a very elite party in Oxford.
When the servant removed the white linen table
cloth from the green baize covered table at the close
of the repast, the Bishop instantly exclaimed in tho
words of Horace —
“DiflTugere nives: redeunt jam gramina campis!”
.... We had accidentally mislaid the poem of our
much-valued correspondent, “Inez,” or it would
have appeared a fortnight ago. Having recovered
“ the document,” we give it place in this “our own
peculiar,” where we put not only trifles but gems—
of which the following is one:
FAREWELL.
I did not think so soon to say
The bitter word
I cannot chase the gloom away
Which on my spirit fell
When thy dear lips to me revealed
The truth I would not see;
And now with breaking heart I yield
My will to destiny!
Farewell, oh sister of my heart!
I weep but dare not chide ;
With mingled smiles and tears we part
Thou as a cherished bride
But 1, companionless—bereft—
Os her I loved too well;
What joy on earth to me is left—
When I have said—Farewell!
Roseland. INEZ.
Inez cannot let us hear from her too frequently. . . .
Mr. Punch’s idea of a “melting sight” is a prize
cattle-show during Dog-days! This is certainly rich!
We learn from the same funny gentleman that two
hundred chairs have been placed in St. James’s and
Hyde Parks, which he supposes are intended by the
Government to console the laboring classes for not
being allowed a single seat in Parliament. Truly
does Punch call it a chary government ! Sundry
good swallows will be found in our Bowl of Punch
this week.
Notices to Correspondents.
C. L. H. Many thanks for your last favor, and
the kind congratulations of your letter. We shall
write soon.
J. A. T. The above remark will apply fully to
yourself.
J. L. B. Your paper is written with entirely too
much haste to be admissible. The subject is sus
ceptible of capital treatment, but we trust you will
excuse us if we decline your article in its present
‘shape.
J. H. N. We will find a comer in which to pre
serve your “ Forest Flower.”
Juvenis. Y’our “Apostrophe to Hope” is on file
for insertion.
E. M. T. There is positively nothing in your
“ verses” to entitle them to publication. Excuse us,
if you please.
J. A. H. The price of the History is $2,50. —
With regard to the other matter, we cannot consent
to it without injustice to ourself. You will see this
at once upon reflection. Letters should be p. p.
Out 33 ook &<ibu l —.
rr- Publishers and authors who may wish to L -
Books noticed in the “ Literary Ouzette,” will please?®®*
copies for the editor to Burges, Stringer k Cos., New York-'’
who will send a parcel to him every week by express.
History of England, by Thomas Keightly. Re
vised and edited with Notes and Additions by
Joshua Tolmin Smith. 2 vols. ; 12mo, pp. 1109.
New-York : Leavit, Trow & Cos.
Mr. Koightly is regarded as a very able and gen
erally impartial historian, and his histories of Greece
and Rome are much esteemed. The Volumes under
notice contain tho political history of England, and
aro undoubtedly worthy of implicit confidence as to
facts, for Mr. Keightly is a rigid advocate of truth.
With regard to his conclusions concerning many grea t
and striking facts in their developments and results,
there will be necessarily variance of opinion, though
wo think they are always stated with candour, anil
remarkable freedom from party bias. The Ameri
can Editor, availing himself of the liberty which the
non-existence of an international copy-right law al
lows him, has altered, amended, suppressed and mod
ified any portions of the work which seemed to him
susceptible of such change to the extension of its pop
ularity this side of the water. We totally object to
such mutilations, but as it is the fashion of the day,
it i3 perhaps vain to protest, and we are not sure that
even if Mr. Keightly would object to being re-edited
and Americanized, it will not make his valuable and
graphic history of the mother country moro saleable
among us. If so, all is gained which is sought, and
so it must be until abetter counsel prevail in our Na
tional Assembly to tho enactment of a law for regu
lating international copy-rights. Mr. Smith has
edited the boox, despite our strictures on the princi
ple it involves, with judgement and ability, and it
is certainly a valuable work.
Principles of Zoology, for the use of Schools and
Colleges: Part Ist. Comparative Physiology :
By Lewis Agassiz and A. A. Gould. 1 vol.,
12mo; pp. 216. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lin
coln.
It is a £ood augury for tho intellectual progress of
the age that the various departments of science are
now so thoroughly explored, and that the results of
such investigations are constantly given to the world
in beautifully illustrated treatises from able pens.
Especially is it gratifying to see text books, publish
ed in the best stylo of typography on fine paper, and
with fine engravings, liko the one before us. This
is the only treatise of the kind now published in this
country, and it will doubtless be highly acceptable.
The subjects embraced in tho volume aro very nu
merous, and those of Embryology and Metamorpho
sis, especially are rare and curious.
Professor Agassiz is one of tho ablest naturalists
in the world, and his associate in the preparation of
the work, has an enviable reputation. They have
certainly made a charming book—considered merely
as a table or library volume. That it is well adapt
ed for elementary instruction we have no kind of doubt
from the perspicuous and didactic style in which it
is written.
Every valuable contribution to the great depart
ment of Natural Science we hail with pleasure, sat
isfied as we long have been that in the ample and ex
haustless fields of Nature, *ho human intellect will
yet achieve its proudest triumphs.
The First Step to Crime, or, The Bottle, illus
trated by Cruikshank. New York: Burgess,
Stringer Cos.
Temperance Societies ought to circulate this book
as a tract. We venture to say it would do more to
wards arresting the progress of the foul fiend Intem
perance, than half a score of homilies or dry lectures.
The History of the Bottle! Illustrated by a graph
ic and affecting narration of ruin—and pictorially il
lustrated by the immortal Cruikshank ! Is there
need to say that more vivid daguerreotypes of the con
sequences of drunkenness could not be produced.—
Let the moderate drinker, tho genteel tippler look
upon them, “ consider his ways and be wise.”
The Life and Adventures of Col. Monroe Ed
wards, the accomplished Forger and Swindler,
with twenty graphic descriptive engravings. New
York: 11. Long & Brother.
“ To be great it is necessary to be good,” says
some writer, and the sentiment, strictly considered,
i3 true ! But, in the book before us, is delineated the
life of a great scoundrel —or as his Biographer polite
ly terms him “ the accomplished forger and swind
ler.” What a long list of “ modem accomplish
ments.” there must be, if forging and swindling, et
id omne genus, are included! The daring, the cun
ning, and the skillful address of Edwards are well
shewn up in the pages of this book, and if any one
will read then with a constant remembrance of the
fatal consequences of his brilliant career of crime—
he may be benefited thereby. We must call into
question however the propriety of exhibiting such
pictures of immorality and villany to the public gaze
—so ready to be fascinated by evil example. The
same remarks apply to the lives of Murrell and Hare,
by the same writer, we believe.