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ts rmed the bay of Eiham, coasting the foot
of the mountain, till they should weather
the promontory formed by the extreme
point of the ampilheatrical chain of the
mountains of Torah; which having doae,
you immediately enter a wide and spacious
valley, which after bearing a little to the
north, takes a sudden turn to the east, and
terminates in the plain of Bede; which as I
before observed is the low flat land imme
diately on the shore of the Bed Sea. This
circuit I myself examined on the spot, and
laid it down exactly in a little map which I
made to illustrate my observations, and
Vt*tlich vrill Jv nctl to
reed my letter. The addition which this
circuitous road would occasion is just oue
league; so that including this deviation,
the day’s journey would be only nine
league*, which is precisely the same with
the two former ones. The plain of Bede,
which in the Aeabick signifies the plain of
the unparalleled prodigy, extends six leagues
along the shore of the Bed Sea. It is ter
minated on the northern extremity by lofty
and precipitous mountains of bare and crag
gy rocks; the most elevated of which is
called Baal Zephon; which in Hebrew sig
nifies Lord of the north , or Lord our watch
man or protector. This mountain was so
called both from its northern situation as it
respects the plain Bede; and from its posi
tion as the Egyptian frontier. For in ihis
elevaied height which overlooks the Bed
Sea below, was placed with incredible la
hour, a huge and gigantick idol, called Baal-
Zephon, which was adored by the Egypt
ians as their great protector, and as the <ii
vine guardian of their frontier. This
rionntain is now called Eutaqua, which al
so signifies north as well as the place of de
liverance. —At the southern extremity, and
just opposed to the huge granite rocks of
Baal-Zephoo, the plain of Bede is inclosed
by a lofty and rocky range of mountains,
the most elevated of which is called.Mag
dalum, or Migdol; so called from hs im
prenagble and elevated situation. Its pre
sent Arabick name ot Kouiahe signifies
the same thing. Formerly this steep
promontory was the site of a strong for
tress. —From the foot of this mountain pro
cceds a torrent of hot saline mineral water,
which precipitates itself into the S'a.
Strabo pat iicuUrly mentions this circum
stance, ami I am inclined to think that Dio
dorus meant to allude to this hot sprmg. 1
when he says that those coming from the 1
town of Arsinoe, and passing the plain of ‘
fii iie, meet several hot springs.
It was at the extremity of the plain of
fieile, near these hot springs that the hosts 1
of Israel encamped, close to the sources of ‘
Thon.iirerq. Thi* is the place called in I
Scripture Phi Hahiroth, anil which was the 1
third station of the Israelites. The name (
of this (dace in Hebrew signifies the Mouth !
of the holes, and Thouairecq in Arabick ig- :
nifies gaping holes, or conduits. This place ‘
lias probably been o denominated from ten j ‘
or twelve little sources of salt, or brackish i *
water issuing from reservoir- nriifioinlly cut j
in the rock, but now nearly choked with I
sand. The plain of Bede is, as I have oh-1 1
served, six leagues in width. The Israelites j ‘•
extended the front of their army as widely •
as possible towards Migdol, which is the ’
position opposite which the sea is narrow- 1
est. The Egyptians on the contrary, ‘
marched towards Baal-Zephon, in order to |
take possession of that post, nod to prevent j t
even the impossible chance ol the escape of j t
nny part of the HeA.ew army by turning up | -
the narrow defile which winds round that i 1
mountain on the sea coast, and by a path! <
scarcely wide enough for twenty men to ‘
stand abreast, leads dnectly to Suez, or the <
ancient Arsinoe. One view of the little ‘
map sot joined, will show yon that the army ‘•
of the Israelites was now completely hem- 1
med im—Enclosed hy the impassable bar-,
Tiers, formed of the inaccessible crags of
Daai-Zephnn, and of Migdol on either side,
limited by the ocean in front, and pent in
by the troops of Egypt behind, they were
circumscribed by a iioe of circumvallaiion
which was, humanly speaking, absolutely
impenetrable. In the horrours of so hope
less a situation, the unbelieving Israelites
could no longer contain their murmurs.
They saw themselves apparently lost with
out resource.. Dismay and consternation
pervaded the whole camp, and they began
with one voice to reproach Moses with
bringing them to perish in that wilderness,
a* though there had been no grates in
Egypt.
Then Mose* well knowing in whom he
bad believed, with unmoved constancy com
mantled the perturbed multitude* in the
memorable word*, Fear not , stand still
and see the salvation of God ‘' l (Exod 4,
13.) Then God shewed that he alone was
tiie supreme Lord of nature and the ele
meets, an all -uflirieot, a complete Saviour;
and at the same time plainly demonstrated
to the Egyptians, that he, nut the vain idol
Baal Zephon. was the only true and mighty
G< and. the only guardian and protector of his
people. At his command, Moses strikes
the waves with his rod. The waters di
vide; and receding on either side, leave a
firm and dry bottom in the midst of the
ocean. Me commands, and the astonished
sirthy march between the wall of waters
. which flank them on either side. All march
wiih confidence and without the loss of a
moment's time. TtiP couunaod of God,
the etupendnoii? prodigy of their deliver
ance. the novelty of the road, their joy at
ro unexpected and unhoped-for an escape,
Hie assurance, of freedom, all contributed
to inspire them with alacrity and exultation.
The Israelites probably began their march
close to Phi Hahiroth, which is only half a
mi|o from th” shore. —The sea being there
only about fifteen miles across, whereas
lint a very little farther to the south, the
passage is at least thirty miles, and conse
quently more, than it wculd be possible to
achieve in onp night’s march. The sacred
text expressly informs us, that the Israelites
readied the opposite sliore at thiee in the
morning. They must therefore have be
gun their march between six and seven m
the evening, which is after sun set, since n
was in the equinox ot March 1 bl !J'®®
would have been amply sufficient for
passage, which is perhaps a little more
than five, and decidedly much under six
leagues. Allowing for the mixed multitude
of women and children, their numerous
herd-, and heavy baggage, it might
occupy that time. But assuredly that time
is amply and abundantly suflicient.
Before the hosts of Israel entered the
bed of the sea, they probably drew up a
,iOk.c ui Wl legates, eavli
tribe marching in it* columns; whilst as
they advanced, a hot and dry wind from the
Lybian desert, dried up the sea before them,
and at three in the morning they arrived in
the wilderness of Shur. The army thus
divided into tribes, each marshalled into its
respective houses and families, and march
ing in a regular order, would present a
broad front of two or three leagues in ex
tent. In front, Josephus assures us, their
venerable law giver led the way, reassur
ing the multitude by fir.-t tempting bimsell
this unheard of N*-Xt to him, the
sacred deposit, the hoses of the patriach
J. s p ph, was accompanied by princes of all
the tribes of his brethren, who had sworn
to take them hack to the land of (heir fore
fathers, and to deposit them in the sepul
chre of their ancestors at Hebron; where
they had several centuries before placed
the remains of his brethren. Then follow
ed the hosts of Brael in their respective
columns, marching in order, and with per
fect ease; the moon being now’ at the. full,
and giving in that dry climate a light mfi
nitely bi igliter and more serene then in
ours. Their march was also illuminated
by the lofty pillar of five, which followed
the camp as its rereward; and which low
ering to the very heavens, filled the whole
horizon with hgbt, and was reflected lar
and wide, upon the vast expanse of the a
ter. The strand on which they trod was
hard, firm and even; yet not rugged, and
interspersed with abundance ot soB green
plants. A large army, with all these cir
cumstances in its favour, might ea-ily
march -ix league* in seven or eight hours. ,
I now proceed to the last circumstance of
(his miracolon* passage. Pharaoh I have
beforp observed, must have encamped be
hind the mountain of Baal-Zephon, in order
to cut off the only chance of escape towards
Suez. In this position, especially after
evening was closed in. he could not distinct
ly discern that the sea opened, and that the
fir*t troops of the Israelites were already
filing off. Secure in the idea that the He
brews were completely hemmed in and had
no possible chance of escape; Pharaoh
(we are told by Josephus) deferred all
thoughts of attacking them till the morrow,
and only thought of letting his troops rest
from the fatigues of (heir forced march,
that they might be refreshed against the
next day’s rencounter.
Night came on, anil we oi.-.y suppose the
Israelites to have made pro
gress; when at length the motion of such
an immense multitude of men, women, chii
dreD, herds and baggage, redoubling on all
sidr, was heard by the Egyptian*. Phara
oh’s first idea must have been, that notwith
standing the undue hour and Ibe utter im
possibility of effecting their escape, the Is
raelites, urged by necessity, had attempted
to gain the back of the mountain of Raal-
Zephon; a defile through which scarcely
twenty men could walk abreast, hut which
offered the only chance by which any indi
vidual of the hosts of Israel could hope to
escape to Suez, and tell the tale of hi
slaughtered brethren. Pharaoh im'Pfd.
atelv sounds the alarm, rouses his sleep! >
troops, and resolves to pursue the IsCaefi > *
wherever they might bend their course
His orders are no sooner issued, than tti |
Egyptians prepare to execute them with
all possible despatch. Avery coosidera
tde time, however, Josephus informs n,
(Jos. Antiq lib. ii- chap. 7) elapsed befo.re
they were r p ady to set out. Aod in the ve
ry nature of the circumstances, it would p
pear that it must have been so. Six hun
dred armed chariots were to be prepared,
and fifty thousand horsemen had togr and
fetch and get ready their horses, which
were piquetted in the plain. For there
alone they could have found food ; since it
would nave been utterly impossible to en
cumber themselves with forage on their
forced march. Two hundred thousand in
fantry, most of them asleep, had also to be
roused, dressed, armed, and arranged be
neath their standards. All these occupa
tions could not fail to occupy < very consid
erable portion of time ; and Josephus ac
cordingly informs us that it did so. How
ever this may be, Pharaohsat out with this
prodigious armament. He soon perceived
that the voices of the multitude before him,
conducted them not towards Baal Zephon,
but towards the shore; and imagining that
fear had absolutely distracted the hosts of
Israel, and led them in the depth of despair
to plunge themselves into inevitable death;
they hastened their march in order, by
pressing on their rear, to complete their
absolute annihilation. At least such is the
account of Josephus. Meanwhile Pharaoh
rapidly approaches the shore. When the
great Argel of the Covenant, who had hith
erto marched in a pillar of fire at the head
of the camp of Israel, now suddenly trans
ported it to the rear, and by anew prodigy,
the very same pillar which shed a bright
light over all the camp of the Israelites,
over all the expanse of waters, and over
the whole forward horizon; presented a
black and menacing column of lurid clouds
to thp Egyptians; and enveloped in dark
ness and in dense mists and fog the whole
1 backward horizon towards Pharaoh and his
army. Pharaoh, bewildered in a darkness
■that might be felt,no longer distinguishes
the heavens or the earth, and no longer
discerns the road he is about to lake. He
hears indeed the voice of a mingled multi
tude before him; the bleifng of flocks, (he
lowing of herJs, the* rq/bling of heavy
baggage, and the tramplii of many feet.
He is then assured Ihutfis safety canuot
be endangered by folloskig where they
lead the way. He thrfdbro urges hi*
troops, ami goes straight tfvards the sound-;
his cavalry, as Josephus dlares, taking the
1, nd, the infantry ami the cha
riots closing the rear; 11, without per
ceiving it, the whole nrnjenter the bed ol
the sea, and are fully helmed in between
the double wall of so-peijed waters.
Many persons Lave her) supposed that a
miracle was necessatytoprvveiitthe Egyp
tians from discerning the soft tad oozy bed
of the ocean: but this is no! V all requi
site. I have myielt examine! the bed id
the Bed Sea on ihis very spa, with the
sole view to the niraculous paiage of the
children of Israel; and can fu y declare,
! that it is in all respect* perfecll similar to
the plain of Bede, and only presets a con
tinuation of the sae firm, even and, with
out the least mud ir ooze, and hickly in
terspersed with soft green salne plants.
In short, it is in n> respect wlitever, dif
ferent from the pliinin which t|ey had en
camped the nig t before. Hence the
Egyptians, envelcped in darknfss, and ea
ger id the put-suit, could not 1 distinguish
where toe plain tvrrainated, anJ the bed of
the sea begun. And when m length, the
distance must have convinced them that the
water was unusually tor, they still, Jose
phus informs us, conceded themselves in
perfect safety, whilst pcceded by the hosts
of Israel. Hence they marched forwards
with all diligence, tj. near the fourti.
watch; that is, tifl neir three o’clock in
the morning; towards ihich time the rear
of the army ot the. Hebrews was about to
gain the opposite shore
The God of Israel, who till that time had
onlv declared himself iguin-t Pharaoh, by
the thick darkness which enveloped hi ar
my, now H once dissipated that darkness,
and unfolded the treasures of his wrath.
The miraculous column opens, and shoots
forth a blood-red and baleful fire. Thun
der, whirlwinds and tempests burst from its
portentous womb; and vivid lightning, in
lung and reiterated sheets, or in pale and
livid fla*h sbo'tV the terrified hosts of
Egypt the full extent of the impending dan
ger. Their hi-rse* become unruly, and the
terrified infantry in vain seek to escape
from the trampling of their cavalry : whilst
the chariots,overthrown and unmanageable,
completely hem them in behind. God
bears throughout the army of Egypt, hor
ronr and dismay. Pharaoh in the last con
sternation, beholds the waters of the ocean
suspended like the yawning jaws of huge
mountains, ready to close upon him on eith
er side, and to submerge his aruaj both on
the left and on the right. He sees no
chance of escape but in a precipitate flight.
All his hosts, seized with the like paiuck,
fl-e in dismay, crying aloud, “Flee, flee
from Israel! the Lord fights fur him and
against us!” Bijj it wasuo longer time: the
Iniquities of Pharaoh bad attained their ut
most veige. The hour of mercy was past,
and ihat of judgment was at baud. The
last rank of th arm\ <f the Hebrews had
gained the shore. Ffce Lord coinmaud*,
and at the words ol his mice Moses stretch
es forth his wonder working rod ; and the
mountains ■ f waters descending as a cata
ract, rush together to unite their closing
fl. odi. The roar of mighty waters, the
thunders of heaven, the rebellowing of
struggling tempests, th-* piercing shriek ol
the engulphed army, anidst warring wind
end waves, complete the signal and iremen
! >us catastrophe. After an interval of
bead suspense to the Hebrew army, a
e ith-like silence succeeds. Day begins
i ■ break, and the astonished multitudes ot
l-rael who line the shores, see the first
i beam* of ih p morning sun smile upon a
’ clear expanse of peaceful wave. They
culd scarcely believe the reality of the
astonishing miracle which had just been
wrought in their favour, did not the sea,
covered with the bfldies of their enemies
and the wrecks of chariots flouting at the
mercy of the waves, bear the spoils of the
Egyptian hosts even to their feet on shore.
Then, penetrated with the most lively emo
lions of gratitude and awe, at a deliverance
so mighty, so tremendous, so unheard of
and stupendous; the whole host of Israel,
with all its mingled multitudes, with one ac
cord, burst into that noble anthem of praise,
—“ / will sing unto the Lord , for he hath
triumphed gloriously /?
RELIGIOUS.
Washington Citv, May 3, 1823.
BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION.
On Wednesday last, the Baptist General
Convention commenced its feurth triennial
session, at the meeting house of the First
Baptist church in this city.
At 11 o’clock, the President of the Con
vention, the Rev. Robert B. Semple, open
ed the session by prayer.
The credentials of the delegates from
the several societies, &c. were then called
for, and presented. It appeared, that in
consequence of misapprehension, several
societies had not sent fbe requisite sum to
entitle them to representation in the Con
vention. In several instances, the sum of
fifty or sixty dollars only had been sent,
from a supposition, (bat this sum was sufli
cient to entitle a society to one delegate.
The Constitution of the Convention re
quires, that 100 dollars per annum he paid,
to authorize the spodiug of tarn delegates
On motion, it was resolved, to appoint a
Committee of Elections, to examine thp
credentials of the several delegates, and re
port, at the opening Os the session, tomor
row morning, a list of delegates duly em
powered to Sit in the Convention.
Brethren ‘Baldwin, Bolles, Cone, Davis,
and Stokes, were appointed the Committee
of Elections.
On motion, the Constitution was then
read, together with the charter of incorpo
ration obtained from the stale ol Pennsylva
nia, since the last triennial sessiun. Thu
Charter was then referred to the Commit
tee of Elections, for examination.
At 4 o’clock, (the Bev. Mr. Mercer, who
was appointed to preach, not being pies
ent,) the Bev. Dr. Staughton preached from
Acts xxviii. 15. “ And from thence, when
the'brethren heard of us, they came meet
us, as far as Appii Forum, and the 1 hree
Taverns j whom, wheu Paul saw, he thank
ed God, and took courage.”
After considering the nature of thankful
ness to God, and of Christian courage, and
pointing out their reciprocal influence iq
exalting and strengthening each other, the
Doctor dwelt on the effect of Christian in
terviews to cheer and encourage the serv
ants of God. We cannot now comment on
the delightful range of thought which the
subject, in immediate reference to the oc
casion, presented to the mind. The Con
vention, we doubt not, felt the full weight
of all the motives which urge them to
“ thank God, and Hike courage.”
After the sermon a collection for Missions
was taken.
The Convention proceeded to ballot for
President and Becordmg Secretaiy, when
Rev. Bobert B. Semple was re-elected
President, and Enoch Beynolds, Esq. was
chosen Becording Secretaiy.
The reading of the Minutes of the Board
was then fini-hed.
Resolved, That brethren Sharp, Bryce,
Gano, Baldwin and Staughton, be a Com
mittee to inquire into the circumstances of
the mission in Burmah, and concerning the
station in Arracan; and, also, to wait on
our sister Judson, to express to her the
pleasure of the Convention at being per
milted to have an interview with her, and
to sympathize with her under the affliction
which tins rendered her temporary absence
from Burmah necessary, as well as to con
fer with her, on the general views which
she may entertain. The Committee was
instructed to make a distinct report on each
of these subjects.
The Treasurer’s accounts, and the re
port of the Committee appointed to exam
ine them, were presented, approved, and
accepted. [A summary statement of the
Treasurer’s accounts is deferred till our
next.]
Resolved , That the mission station on the
St. Joseph’s, in the Michigan Territory, be
known by the name of the Carey Mission
Station , as a small token of our fraternal
action for the character, and respect for
and talents, and labours of the
Bev. Dr. Carey, Missionary at Serampore.
The following Committees were then ap
pointed, viz.
On the Misisons at Fort Wayne, and the
Carey station —Brethren Allison, Sommers,
Boper and Peckworth.
On the Mission at the Valley Towns —
Brethren Cook, Going, Ashton, and Sher
wood.
On the Mission established in the Creek Na
tion —Brethren Davis, Keeling, Bennet and
Cook.
On Agencies for collecting funds for the
support of beneficiaries in the Columbian Col
lege—Brethren Cornelius, Malcom, Willey,
Sharp, Galusha, and O B. Brown.
On the subject of a contingent fund for de
fraying the expenses of members attending the
Convention and the General Board —Breth-
ren Chase, Lynd and Harrison.
To confer with the Publishing Committee
—Brethren Baldwin, Bolles and Wilson.
On the subject of Domestick Missions —
Brethren Bice, Kimball, Maylin, Semple
and Chase.
To prepare a nomination of 50 persons ,
out of whom 31 Trustees of the Columbian
College shall be elected— Brethren O. B.
Brown, Beynolds, Bice, Semple and Siaugh
ton.
Col. Star.
AMERICAN JEWS SOCIETY.
The mission of Mr. Frey is attended with
gratifying success; notwithstanding the
sinister efforts of persons in this city and
elsewhere, to cast suspicion on his charac
ter, and to impugn the objects of the society,
by sophistical reasoning, indicative merely
of decided indifference to the spiritual in
terests of the Jews, and a total ignorance of
the true merits of the question. It is staled
in the Charleston Intelligencer, that Mr.
Frey has been well received at Beaufort
and Savannah. At the former place, after
a collection amounting to SSO, an Auxiliary
Society was formed and upwards of SIOO
subscribed on the ‘pot. At Savannah; from
30 to 50 of his Jewish brethren atteudeJ
each time. Amount of collections and
subscriptions in that place not particularly
mentioned. He was to proceed to Darien,
Milledgeville, Athens, and then to Augusta
and Columbia.
The trustees of the society have resolv
ed to accept the bequest of SIOOO, by the
late Dr. Boudinot, instead of the 4000 acres
of land in Pennsylvania, which, by the terms
of the will, it was at their option to prefer.
The lands are not favourably situated, nor
in a proper condition to receive a colony of
Jews, unaccustomed to agricultural toils. It
is, moreover, the wish of the trustees, that
the colony be established in the slate of
New-York ; where many superiour advan
tages exist, and where the colony would
be under the more immediate control of
the parent society. Measures are now in
train, for the* purchase of a suitable tract of
land, preparatory to the immediate intro
duction of emigrants from Europe.
Mr. Webster, in his oration in commemoration
of the first settlement of New England, observes
that “in England not more than one child in fif
teen possesses the means of being taught to read
and write; in Wales,one tn twenty; in f ranee, un
til lately, when some improvement has been made,
not more than one in thirty-five. In New England
every child posretter such means.”
In the North American Review of one or
the last volumes published by the Acade
micians of Portici, are some facts and re
marks respecting Herculaneum, which e
purpose to embody. After regretting
disappointment which the literary world
has experienced from the works yet pub.
lished, the Reviewers say—“ Yet there
remains the certain fact, that more than a
thousand MSS. are in existence from an
age far older than the eldest , winch haie
otherwise come down to us, and which
however difficult to decipher, Hre still pro,]
ed by experience to be legible. This ii
beaming a delightful hope on the world if
letters, and we cannot but expect that 5 U
able, attentive and laborious a man Os Si r
Humphrey Davy, Will give the world son, o
of (hose MSS. It was the discovery of a
library of MSS. among those ruins which
was heard with the most interest by the
literary world.
Herculaneum was a city on the Italic
coast, of some note, which, in the time of
Pliny the elder, A. D. 79, was buried be.
neath an eruption from Mount Vesuvius-
The city of Pompeii and some sai:ill er
places were buried at the same time. Her.
culaneum was covered in the first instf-nce
by showers of cinders and hot ashes, up,, B
which the burning streams of lava poured
and filled the city with a mass, which, us it
cooled, passed into stone. That the inhab
itants had time to save themselves and their
most valued possession, appears from Ilia
circumstance that few skeletons, jeweiso r
precious articles of any kind, have ben
found. “At Stabi®, 3 female figures we, e
discovered, one of which was apparently
servant and was carrying a wooden casket
the two other figures had golden bracelet)
and earrings, which are preserved in ll*
museum at Naples.” At Pompeii, accord
mg to Eustace, about sixty skeletons be
been found. ‘
The reviewers give an interesting ml
elaborate account of the various mean
devised to enrol and decipher the M3S.-
They were found in cases ; the wood ii
which the cases were made was in a state tl
coal, and dropped to pieces when it ivs
touched. The cases were filled with bia.k
rolls, which at first were thought to lie bin
of wood of no value, aod many of them
were thrown away or trodden under fuolai
such. The regularity, however, of their
position, awakened the suspicion of what
[they were, and they were carefully codec
j fed to the number of 200, and deposited in
j the museum of Portici. These manuscripts
j were on papyrus, mostly of uniform dimen
| sions, viz: a *pau long and three or four
| fingers thick; some were but half a spun
| long So thin was the paper originally,
j and so frail was it made by the operation ot
| ‘neat anil time, that a breath affects it.
The blacker the rolls are, and the more
1 perfectly charred, the more easy are they
to be unrolled and deciphered.
Col. Star.
AGRICULTURAL.
GUINEA GRASS.
The following article is of the first im
portance to the agriculturist. It has been
handed to us by a gentleman of this town,
ivbo ha 9 himself imported a small parcel ot
the seed, with a view to test its utility by
experiment; and who has requested its
publication in our paper, that others inter
ested in the promotion of agriculture, nwy
be induced to follow his example.
We recommend to our readers the peru
sal of the following communication. There
can be uo doubt of the correctness of the
statement. Its importance, especially t*
this section of the country, must bqwll
evident. Cape Fear Recorded
Mr. Smith:— l am o much convinced of
the immense importance ol introducing the
culture and propagation of the Guinn
Grass , and of the highly beueficial conse
quences that will reward those, who will
take the little trouble of trying, faithfully,
an experiment, that 1 canto! resist lln
temptation of making oDe more effort to
bring it into notice. The paper published
was too long for the attention of many
readers, and the facts tq scattering to ob
tain their particular notice and recollection-
I therefore afford you an opportunity ol es
sentially serving your customers and com
try, by’ sending you a short but distinct view
of the important subject from the
publication, and an account of my own *•
cess.
If it be found to succeed io North Cure
lina, it will be more valuable than the dis
covery of a gold mine.
Sir Bryan Edward—ln Jamaica, it is con
sidered next in importance to the sugat
cane. Most of the grazing farms through
out the Island, were originally create ,
and are still supported, chiefly by mean* 11
this valuable herbage. Hence the plea'.’
of horned cattle for the butcher and plw
ter: which is such, that few markets in
Europe can furnish beef at a cheaper ra m
or of a better quailty, lhan Jamaica.
It yields a quantity of grass almost excee
ding belief. . ■
From not more than six plants, a pinto
seed was given to one person. No dou
but a small proportion of the product.
In the East Indies it grows to the heign
of seven feet—admits of being frequent/
cut—makes excellent hay. Cattle eat l
both in a fresh and dry stale, with grea
Col. Laurens, formerly President ofCo l1 ’
gress, Ambassador, sowed one-fourth 0
an acre, of very indifferent land, in dril*.
Seed sprung, and soon covered the f> rolll j
with gra'-s four feet high and upwards.
August, lie divided one of the roots in
twenty-eight parts, which were iromeuia®
ly replanted. Every part ’took root an
grew tiaely. _
Dr. Brown sowed the seed, in the c |;
of Natchez in the month ol April, in \
two feet apart. When the plants attaint 1 -