Newspaper Page Text
THE COUNTRYMAN.
27
Good News.
I have heretofore omitted taking any no -
tice of the reported death of Lt. Col. Nis-
bet, because the rumors all along were so
conflicting that nothing definite or certain
could be said on the subject. His family
and friends have all the while entertained
hopes that he might he still living. On
Sunday, 12tli, a letter was received in Ea-
tonton directed to Mrs. Nisbet, which sent
a thrill of joy to the hearts of all of Col.
Nisbet’s friends. The letter was in his
own hand-writing, and upon opening it, it
was seen that the Colonel was a prisoner in
Hagerstown, Maryland. Mrs. Nisbet was in
Macon, at the time, and the letter dated
25th Sept., was sent in haste to her, by a
messenger. Who can know the depths of
her feeling, when she saw her husband’s
handwriting, and knew that the lost was
found, and the dead alive ? And the Col
onel’s Httle son—his only surviving child
—who can know what delight filled his
little bosom, wheu he knew that pa lived 1
Col. Nisbet is wounded in 2 places, the
thigh and the leg ; “ was carried a mile
from the field of Sharpsburgh, on the back
of a Federal soldier, and fell into the hands
of army surgeons who were old medical
class-mates. At writing, he was domiciled
in the house of a lawyer at Hagerstown—
his wounds rapidly healing, and he hoped
to be able to travel, on parole, in 4 weeks.
He had met With nothing hut kindness from
the enemy.”
Such is the account given by the Macon
Telegraph of the contents of Col. Nishet’s
letter, which I learn also to be correct*Trom
friends here who had the pleasure of read
ing that letter before it was sent down to
Macon.
Pryne and Brownlow.
“The Bulletin says Rev. Abraham
Pryne, who made himself notorious by a
public discussion with the blackguard
Brownlow on the slavery question, in Phil
adelphia, a few years ago, committed sui
cide by cutting his throat on the 24lh Sep
tember, at Ins home in Williamson, N. Y.
He was insane.”
The probability is that Abraham Pryne,
finding Abraham Lincoln, and old Brown
low both surpassing him in the race of ab
olition villainy, couldn’t stand it. He
couldn’t beai to see his fame in sconndrel-
ism on the same side, eclipsed by his form
er rival. And so he committed suicide.
If old Brownlow would make himself as
immortal by one virtuous act, as he has
rendered himfcolf infamous by uninterrup
ted villainy, let him emulate the only good
example set him by his former competitor.
He yet has it in his power to do one good
deed.
Law Latin.
“ In the debate in the House of Lords,
in the year 1732, on a bill for having law
proceedings in English instead of Latin, as
formerly, the Earl of Ilay moved an
amendment, which was carried, ‘ That the
proceedings in the Exchequer of Scotland
be also wrote in a plain, legible band.’ His
lordship said, ‘ that in Scotland they had
come to that pass, that writs which were to
be executed by sheriffs, were wrote in
characters so hard to be read, that the sher
iffs knew nothing of the contents.’ Lord
Raymond said, ‘ if the bill passed, the law
must likewise be translated into Welch
on which the Duke of Argyle remarked,
‘that he was glad to see that bis lordship,
perhaps as wise and learned as ever sat in
that House, had nothing more to offer
against the bill than a joke.”
Michael Aclanson.
“ Michael Adanson, a celebrated botan
ist, was born, in 1727, at Aix in Province.
His whole life was devoted to the improve
ment of botanical science. He sacrificed
his patrimonial property for the purpose of
exploring Senegal, where he remained 5
years, and made a multitude of observa
tions in all the departments of natural his
tory. In 1775, he presented to the Acade
my of Sciences 120 MS. volumes, and 75,-
000 figures of plants, intended to form the
basis of-an immense work which he had
planned. The revolution reduced him to
penury, ani in his latter days he was partly
indebted for subsistence to the devoted at-,
tachment of a female domestic and her
husband. Napoleon, however, heard of
his situation, and snatched him from want.
Adanson was small in stature, and at first
sight his countenance was not pleasing.
He was, in the highest degree, disinterest
ed : hut, towards the close of his life, his
temper was somewhat soured by misfortune
and age. He died in 1806. His chief pub
lished works are his Voyage to Senegal,
and his Families of Plants.”
B. F. Ilallett.
“ B. F. Hallett, the great platform-ma
ker and creed-constructor, died in Boston
last week.”
And may the Lord have mercy on his
soul!
“ Dishonest men conceal their faults from
themselves as well as others : honest men
know and confess them.’’
Moral Sublimity
“ In the House of Commons, Wilber*
force said ; 4 1 do not know a finer instance
of the moral sublime than that a poor
cobbler, Dr. Carey, working all day in a
stall, should have conceived the magnifi
cent idea of converting the world. MilfOn
planning Paradise Lost was not a nobler
spectacle than Carey planning the conver
sion of the heathen.’ "
No doubt Dr. Carey’s idea was a very
stupendous, as well as a very magnificent
one. The idea was entirely too magnificent
and stupendous to be carried into execution.
Such energies as have been wasted upon
foreign missions, would, rightly expended,
have made many a poor woman and child
rejoice, at home. But poor Christians
have been left to starve at home for the
sake of heathens abroad, who have never
been benefitted by missionary operations.
—I think I would hardly accept Mr. Wil-
berfovee’s ideas of ‘moral sublimity,’ any
way. He was one of those who originated
the abolition idea, which has culminated in
this nefarious war. Here is ‘ moral sublim
ity’ for you with a vengeance!
A Card.
“ Having learned that a report is in cir
culation in this community to the effect that
I obtained my discharge from the army by
claiming Russian protection, I take the lib
erty to state that I never intended, or in
tend, to claim Russian protection, uuless it
is against the gossips and slanderers of La
Grange. Very respectfully, Richakd S.
Poppen.—La Grange, Oct. 7th, 1862.”
That is right, Richard S. : keep on Pop-
pen away at the gossips and slanderers of
La Grange:' and when you get through in
La Grange, come ever to Putnam, and do
some Popped away over here. When you
come, bring your trunk, and be prepared
to stay sometime, for it will take you a
good while to get through, over here.
ITofanencss.
“General Washington was once dining
with several of his officers, when one of
them uttered an oath. He instantly drop
ped his knife and fork, and in a deep tone,
with characteristic dignity and earnestness
said, ‘ I thought we all regarded ourselves
as gentlemen.’' Patrick Henry once said,
* All the pleasure in the word is not worth
an oath.’
Yet it seems Gen. Washington swore,
sometimes. If a man swears at all (which
he ought not to do) he ought to .do it in a
genteel way, and not be rude and vulgar
in it.