Southern post. (Macon, Ga.) 1837-18??, February 10, 1838, Image 2
mu cal the;# places is exceedingly line, tncre
Lcii-.cr a get -t variety of winil insti ument.-,.
V aicii p \ c peculiar-effect to the beautiful Span-
L’i a>rs. Not only do the hig'iest and weal
liiicst abandon their houses for the night, foi
these purposes, bat the of the city and
neighborhood, attend with their families, ane
the proudest grandees might be seen mingling
in good humor and affability with their trades
people and others, few persons being refused
admission who arc well dressed and of “ good
behavior.”
1 had waltzed several times during the eve
ning, not having found the slightest difficulty
in procuring partners, the Spanish women be
ing passionately fond of the waltz, although
chary in getting up with a stranger —whom
they are not assured is practical in it. The
contra danza , however, 1 had as yet never at
tempted—il not being so well known in Eng
land twenty years ago as it has since become;
and having expressed my desire to make a l>e
ginlng to a “ charmingcreetzure ” with whom
1 had waltzed more than once, she good na
turcdly offered me her hand, and in another
moment I found myself much more au fait to
it than l had imagined. It was the beauteous
and accomplished Pepita de Perulto, or La
Marquisita, as she was designated by her
friends.
Some time later in the evening I was sitting
beside Pepita, her father being on the other
side of her, and her mother, the marquesa, on
my right, conversing with them about some
relatives of theirs with whom it happened 1
was well acquainted, when suddenly all eyes
became riveted to the grand entrance of the
salon in which we were, within which stood a
figure whose appearance was strangely at va
riance with the surrounding scene. “El loco /
cl loco ! —the lunatic ! the lunatic !” was
whispered from one to another ; but while
every one appeared supprised, no one seemed
alarmed at the aparition. It was a young man
about thirty.three or thirty-five years of age—
of a tall, slender figure — straight us an Indi
an—with long flaxen hair, curling clown each
side of a pale, handsome face, which looked
as if carved in marble. Mis eyes were exceed
ingly large, and of a light blue color, uscually
dimmed, I was informed, front want of “spec
ulation,” but on this occasion lit up with pe
culiar brilliancy, and in a fine ‘frenzy rolling.’
He was habited in a blue-checked shirt and
trowsers, the latter unaccompanied by any fast
ening except a pink-checked handkerchief
round the waist. He was without coat, waist
coat, cravat, stockings, or shoes. In his left
hand was a broad-brimmed straw-hat.
He had been a colonel in the Austrian ser
vice—l was informed by Pepita and her pa
rents—and had distinguished himself signally
in various engagements. The tale of his sor
rows >yas a melancholy one. Ile had hasten
ed home after the abdication of Napoleon, and
found his paternal mansion burnt to the ground,
and his wife and children some time in their
graves. He scarcely ever spoke after Col
lecting together the small remnant of his sliat
ered fortune, lie left his native country, and
was on his way to one of the West India Isl
ands, when the vessel in which he had embark
ed was captured by pirates, and after being
severely maltreated, and robbed of every thing
lie possessed in the world, he was put on shore
on the coast of Cuba, in a state of utter des
titution. Finding his way to Matanzas, lie en
gaged as a laborer in a tan-yard, the proprie
tor of which had ever since treated him with
the greatest kindness. A short time afterwards
he exhibited signs of insanity, but being gen
erally perfectly inoffensive, was allowed his
liberty, except at the times when he became
rather outrageous, when he was sent to the
mad-house. When the paroxysms ceased, he
was discharged, when lie would invariably re
turn to the tan-yard, where he was chaiitably
provided for. He might be often seen stalk
ing about the streets and country, erect as an
arrow, in foul weather and fair, but was never
known to have committed the slightest injury
or offence. He would walk into any house,
and ask for food and drink, and stop any one
in the streets or on the road, and ask for a se
gar, or a light for one, but nothing could ever
induce him to accept money, or indeed any
thing beyond the supply of his immediate
wants, ilis speech, too, was altogether con
fined to such requests. From his well-known
misfortunes, his gentleness and perfect inoffen
siveness, the elegance of his manners, the beau
ty of his features, and his independent spirit,
he was a universal favorite.
While these particulars were being hurried
ly related to me, the unhappy object of them
was leaning against the door-post, surveying
all around with a degree of excitement that
seemed on the eve of breaking out every in
stant in some wild paroxysm: but to the as-
.onishmeut of all, on the band striking up a
favorite German waltz, the excited lunatic
bopping his hat, and taking a rapid survey
round the salon , stepped across to where we
were sitting, and bowing gracefully to Pepita,
offered her his hand! For a moment the
startled maiden shrunk back in her seat; bm
finding the poor fellow laboring under some ir
resistible impulse, was really anxious to dance,
pitying his misfortune, and regardless of nl
consequences to herself, and without even con
sulting her parents, she accepted his hand,
soiled and unwashed as it was, and, rising
from her scat, suffered him to lead her off at
once round the circle ! The effect was elec
tric ! All eyes were turned upon them, and
those who had stood up for the waltz stept
without or within the circle, and became spec
tators, while the doors and windows were
crowded with persons anxious to get a sight
of a scene so extraordinary. The prelimina
ry pas, before twirling, were executed with
ease, grace, and precision by the excited mad
man, and round and round they went, quick
ening their steps with the music, until they
seemed to fly around the room, when, in the
midst of the extremest velocity, he stopped
suddenly, but gracefully, opposite Pepita’s chair
and twirling her round two or three times to
lessen and break the speed, dropped her gent
ly into her scat and bowing his head until his
lips slightly touched the hand he still held, turn
ed and darted out of the salon like lightning,
amid the clapping and cheering of the wonder
ing company—above which, however, I could
distinctly hear the shreikings of the maniac as
he fled wildly up the street !
Angelic Pepita! who but thyself, in such a
dilemma, would have done as thou didst ? Did
I not tell thee truly, that for thy kindness to
the poor madman, some fairy would recom
pense thee by a more costly dress, for the one
so soiled ? And didst thou not archly bid me
convey to the suspected fairy the acknowledge
ments for certain Parisian finery and jewels
sent to thee soon after, in some of which I
have seen thee so becomingly decked in thine
own gav halls? The identical gloves I halt
robbed thee of, are now before me on the table,
while I trace this little narrative of the wild
and whimsical incident.
N. Y. Sunday Morning News.
Henry Smith, of Franklin Cos., Georgia.
The history of the revolutionary war affords
many interesting incidents, that are recorded
of the intrepidity and valor of those, whose
lot it was to bo actors in that scene; and
there are many whose lofty bearing and patri
otic devotion, remain untold in history’s page;
but they are not less deserving the perusal of
tiie present generation, though given as the
narativc of those who live witness to their
truth. Os such is the following interesting
narrative of the chivalrous and energetic con
duct, and patriotic zeal of Henry Smith. He
I entered the service at about 15 years of age —
was a member of an independent company of
mounted volunteers, he was often in great per
il, made many narrow escapes and bold ad
ventures. lie joined Gen. Williamson’s brig
ado, and served under bis command until he
was attached to Muj. Ross’ battalion, while
thus engaged in the service of the country,
Mr. Smith and about thirty others, were sepa
rated from the main army, at the mouth of
Brier creek, and whilst they were out perform
ing duty as a scouting party, the main army
was attacked by the British and defeated, the
whigs having retreated and left their ground
to the enemy, tiie British occupied the same
place, posted their guards at the same posts
which were before held by the Americans. —
Smith with his scouting party, returned in the
night, were fired on by the sentinels, but not
being apprised of the change, the scouting
party supposed that the guns were discharged
by their friends, as signals of joy at their return,
and proceeded until they had gotten into the
British lines ; now their cannon was let loose,
and the red coats began to array themselves
for battle. To their astonishment they found
themselves surrounded by enemies, instead of
receiving the welcome greetings of friends, &
were necessarily compelled to release about
twenty prisoners whom they had taken. The
scout being all well mounted and though in
great danger, with more presence of mind than
is usually evinced on such precarious occasions,
Smith and his company made their escape by
the same direction in which they hud entered
the enemy’s camp, without the loss of a man-
The British artilerv being placed on a high hill,
they made good their escape, by pursuing the
valley to the Savannah river, here they crossed
by swimming their horses ; but in this hazar
dous undertaking Smith’s horse sunk and was
drowned, Smith, however, with that nerve and
. ui'eihought, suited to the occ;. :o£, sv.am
j (shore, upon landing bis comrades enquired,
‘ well Smith you are without a horse, you have
often said you would not walk,” “and so say
l yet,” replied the undaunted Smith, “ let’s re
am and I’ll yet have a horse.” '1 his request
was seriously objected to, and every persua
sion used by the men under his command, but
to no avail.' One equally daring, proclaimed
ais willingness to go; and they found a ca
ioe and returned. hen they had arrived
n about six hundred yards of the British line,
they found a horse, saddle and bridle, which
they took, recrossed the river and made their
escape before day, and reached the head quar
ters of Gen. Williamson. The Indians hav
ing taken, plundered and burnt the fort in the
neighborhood, Smith, under Maj. lloss, went
in pursuit of them, a hard fought battle ensued,
in which the Americans were successful, and
sustained but little injury, other tlmn in the
death of the commanding officer, the brave
Major Ro.ss, who was wounded in the engage
ment, and afterwards died of the wound ic
ceivcd. Smith then returned home; but the
ardor of his spirit and his patriotism, did not
permit him to remain useless when his coun
try demanded his services, he soon again en
tered afresh in her cause, and under Col. Wat
son, repaired to the battle at Stono ; this hard
fought battle was over before our hero reached
within the roar of cannon and the flash of
musketry, in that engagement. A brother
whose spirit glowed with equal love of coun
try, was there so unfortunate as to be wound
ed, and was sent to the hospitle at Charleston,
S. C., where Smith accompanied him, and ad
ministered a brother’s attention, until from thc
wounds he had received, Smith witnessed the
painful and melancholly spectacle of his broth
ers death. Warmed with the feelings of the
soldier, & inspired with fresh zeal inthecau.se,
Smith immediately united himself to General
Sumpter’s command, was at the taking of the
fort on Conjroree. At Blackstock’s mills, he
again encountered the Tories, where a severe
ly contested battle was fought, and in which
Gen. Sumpter was wounded, but not mortally.
He then served under Morgan, and as a guide
and spy, performed many acts of benificial
service in tiie army, among which, was the pi
loting of Col. Washington to the Tories com
manded by Cunningham, where victory crown
ed the arms of the Patriots, and defeat and
slaughter was the fate of the vile Tories. In
o
the charge that was made on the Tories, a
muscular, large ruffian, who had fattened on
the spoils of his countrymen, and too lazy to
make his way before the troops, endeavored
to shelter his greasy skin and base heart, from
the revenge of freemen, by hiding himself be
hind a large tree, but finding himself discovered
he cried and called for quarters —-just at this
moment Smith dashed upon him with drawn
sword, and exclaimed, “I’ll halve you now, A
quarter you bye and bye,” and made good his
word. From this time Smith was in many
hazardous undertakings, and performed ser
vice in different parts of the continental army
until the close of the war. He was frequent
ly solicited to accept offices, but lining more
enlisted for his country, than actuated from
selfish feelings, he remained a private. lie
yet lives a private and is a respectable citizen
of Georgia, in the county of Franklin, with
whom the fire of freedom is not extinct, and
the name of a Tory, excites the spark of in
dignation. The tear of sympathy still lingers
on his cheek, in recounting his suffering and
privations in the war of the revolution ; but he
j has the abiding consolation, that lie too, was
instrumental in his country’s independence,
and aided in the glorious struggle, which achiev
ed a nation’s freedom. C. D. H.
Federal Union.
A CONCIENTIOUS YOUNG MAN.
There is no moral object so beautiful to me
as a concientious young man ! I watch him
as Ido a star in the heavens: clouds may be
before him, but we know that his light is be
hind them, and will beam again : the blaze of
others’ prosperity may outshine him, but wc
know that, though unseen, he illumins his true
sphere. He resists temptation, not without a
struggle, for that is not virtue, but he does re
sist and conquer; he hears the sarcasm of the
profligate, and it stings him, for that is the tri
al of virtue, but he heals the wound with his
own pure touch; he heeds not the watch
word of fashion if it leads to sin; the atheist
who says, not only in his heart but with his
lips, 4 There is no God,’ controuls him not, for
lie sees the hand of a creating God and rever
ences it; of a preserving God, and rejoices in
it. Woman is sheltered by fond arms and
guided by loving councel; old age is protect
ed by its experience, and manhood by its
strength ; but the young man stands amid the
, temptations of the world fike a self balanced
i tower. Happy he who seeks and gains the
! prop and shelter of Christianity.
True greatness consists in that faculty which
wc mav obtain by habit or practice, of mn,
manding the passions. ° m *
The man that can forbid the rebelious storm
;to arise within his bosom, and calmly, but firm.
!v cast ficm him temptations, is the trulv
[great man. And it is lie alone, that is entitled
to that enviable name, greatness. To be great
is to be good. \ irtue is a more essential re!
quisite, than even wisdom itself. Indeed, wis!
dorn is the mere superstructure of greatness
and if not based upon that surest of all foun!
•lations, virtue, it must come to the ground, and
j will soon find its level with other ploding things
of earth. Wisdom is the polish put upon
I virtue. Its intrinsic w orth is of such a depth
that it ever keeps bright. And the corroding
touch of adversity looses here its usual effect
and but adds a lustre to the burnished glow
that glitters from its surface, and ieffects from
its centre. Boldness is no property of rrreat
ness. But firmness unquestionably is; mid
jtn fact, is its Lest and most suic and certain
test. But all these many requisites to form a
great man, have their origin, and may be traced
back to the one grand and essential requisite,
a command of the passions. Decision and*
firmness are the mere results which flow natu.
raly from this prolific source, from whence
;alienate so many virtues. If you wish to
sow the seeds of wisdom and greatness in
your child, teach him while yet an infant, to
command his passions, to restrain them until
reason can come to his aid, and he will soon
learn the value of such command or restraint,
and exercise it accordingly. And remember
that more is learned by example than pre
cept.
A CURIOSITY.
We have on our table a curious specimen of
the freaks which Old Neptune, in his coral
caves, plays upon the treasures, which have
from time to time, been snatched by him, with
the aid ol yEolus, from the cluteb.es of man.
We should be glad to form an alliance with
the God of the sea, and divide with him the
spoils which wrecks have emptied into his do
main ; at any rate, to pay him a visit, “on the
dolphin’s back ’ to those caves, wherein are
hoarded those glittering treasures of the deep.
But we fear that he is rot willing to trust a
needy editor in his dominions—and that, un
like the lover, he puts no faith in the lines of
the poet, that
“ The treasures of ;he deep ere not so precious
As arc the concealed comforts of a man
Lock’d up in woman’s love.”
If he did, he would invite all bachelors to help
themselves, and thus equip them with
Diamonds bright, and pearls both rich and rare,
A brighter jewel at his side to wear.
But wc think we hear the reader ask—what’s
the curiosity / ’Tis nothing, more nor less,
gentle reader, than four silver dollars, so rare
in these “suspension-specie times”—locked
together in a close embrace, but as unnatural
as tiie Siamese connection, and covered with
little shells, and stones thrown upon them, we
presume at the beck of Neptune, by the nymphs
of the sea, in their fantastic gambols, when is.
suing for a frolic, from their grottos. Some
of these shells are beautiful, and must have
been the result of those nymphs’ curious search
es in “the deep bottom of the ocean” where
they were buried .
But to the narrative.
A Spanish ship was lost on the Borlings,
coast of Portugal, about 55 years ago; bound
from a port in Peru, to a port in Spain.—
When wrecked, she had 15 millions of spe
eia (so says our informant) on board. Two
English captains, Capt. 11. Abpinnette, and
! brotner, last year obtained permission from the
owner in Lisbon, to fish for- the money, and
i with india-rubber dresses dived into G fathom
j water, and obtained some days £ 1500—$8,
000.000 had been previously fished up.
Capt. of the to whom this curiosity
was presented, while at St. Übes by these
fishers of dollars, saw some doubloons which
they succeeded in getting up a few days pre
vious to his leaving that port, just as bright as
when they come of the mint.
These money fishers are the same who blew
up the Royal William at Spithead. The cu
riosity can be seen nt our reading room.
Savannah Georgian-
AWFUL.
A young lady in the Wisconsin Territory
was recently drummed out of town by a squad
of young men, for expressing a determination
to remain in a single state.