Newspaper Page Text
For the Southern Poet.
Detached Letters of a Correspondence,
COMPRISING A TALE.
Sister Eva —According to my agreement with you,
I have let no opportunity elapse without giving you in
timation of my abiding place in the far west. You
will acquit me of neglect, I am certain, after the many
preceding letters which have reached you before this
time. Being, as you know, Surgeon under Col. Dodge,
I feel i little more importance wrapping itself around
me, particularly as there is no opposition in my profes
sional line, to ferret out my malpractice or ignorance,
in dropping pills into the throats of the United States 1
Dragoons. And on account of this exclusive privilege,
and great honor, I am quite ready, at all times, to pub
lish to every body itroltT Virginia, and yourself in par
ticular, the whereabout of that great man, Surgeon De
lon, of the U. S. Regiment Dragoons. Now, if you
expect me to date my letters to you front cities or towns,
you show at once that you will never be noiorious"for
your knowledge of statistics and geography ; but a se
cond thought will tell you that the far west is resting as
silent, and in as death-like stillness of forest, as it did
when the waters of the great deluge had just subsided.
Since we left Fort Gibson we have been marching, day
after day, through the deep forest, and the hunter’s ca
bin has gradually become rarer, as we progressed, un
til we have passed the “ ultima thule” of civilization
and entered into the vast dogiain of those children of
the forest, the wild untutored Indian. Our regiment of
Dragoons are, you know, despatched by the Govern
ment to conquer and treat these Calmucks of the new
world, into respect for our laws and policy, and into
dread of committing depredations on those of their
kind, who have already come under the yoke. But to
analyze our regiment: VVliat a strange commingling
of character does it present! Some are among us, who
have lived as wild, lawless, and as rude barbarians, as
those they have come to conquer, and others with the
wild enthusiasm of youth, have dashed from the gay
and brilliant saloon of fashion, thirsting for adventure
and daring deed, and make the wilderness echo to the
song and shout, as if care and trouble were struck from
the list of human categories. The few first days of our
march were overloaded with buoyant spirits, and as
some lively joke raised the merry laugh, platoon after
platoon caught the sympathetic glow, and the long line,
as it went from one to another, made the woods re.
sound in compliment. But this mirthful tnood became
less active, the farther we receded from the busy hum
of men, and occasionally, one or another of the gay
revellers would turn to look behind and indulge in the
reminiscence of the world he had left. Night after
night we have planted our white tent in the wilderness,
and caught not even the figure of the skulking Indian
stealing from the strange and mysterious sight. When
one passes beyond the piquetle, and looks at the bold
and dauntless faces, that stand around the fires, and
hears no sound, save the bustle of the camp, he feels a
strange bewilderment stealing over him.
We are now beyond the limits of those tribes who
are subject to us, and on that ground which seems to
be unclaimed by either them or their predatory neigh
bors. Neither will occupy it permanently, because nei
fhe'- can in safety : for. one day will see a small party
overpowered and destroyed, and the next will send a
host to reak vengeance on the destroyers; so we are
“monarchs of all we survey,” in this solitude.
Not a small share of my good spirits is created by
the odd compound of the saint and savage “ cutcijess”
and cunning of the strange fellow 1 took up at Fort
Gibson, for my groom and body guard. Such a ming
ling of sense nnd stupidity, good nature and “deviltry,’’
as Katy Haines says, is rarely met with in the same in
dividual. You know I promised you, Eva, to gather
up the botanical riches of this unexplored region, and
make you famous in “ Old Virginy,” for your exotic i
possessions. I have kept you in mind, as I always j
shall in every thing, and I .*hall despatch a package to
you, by our express to Fort Gibson, from which place
an agent of the Government will depart for the Capi
tol, bearing such intelligence as our commander shall
forward, and in due time, I hope this letter will accom
pany them. ‘‘My man Friday,” I suppose, has as little
idea of physic or anatomy as his own horse, but he is
skilled in all the lore of the woodsman, and if a solita
ry star twinkles, we had as well try to destroy the mag
net, as to loose him. He is my “ man of all work,” ;
and plunders the forest of its flowers for your benefit;
his conceptions of the comparative beauty of each, and
sage disquisitions, are really laughable. Many a time,
after the absence of an hour or two from our line of
march, have the dragoons raised a merry laugh at his
expense, as he came charging up upon his little mus
tang, loaded with flowers, looking neither to right or
left, until his military exactness delivered them to me
in person. After that duty done and performed, he
is ready for repartee or sally, joke or jibe, and his great
advantage lies in this, that his simplicity and adroitness
are so much alike, that his opponents can never tel!
which side is most laughed at by the hearers. Camp
politeness plastered the title of “ Doctor,” to his back
as soon as I promoted him, and he entirely lost his pa
tronymic, “Patten.”
“WMU, Doctor,” said one of the dragoons, “have
you got more sallet for your master ?”
“ Them’s nice beautonical flowers, Mr. Hotsetail—
some folks never learn at all, by travelin —drat if they
aint so green always—question if they wernt born in a
salad patch.”
“ Where you born, Doctor ?”
“ I never axt mama, but I recken I warnt born on a
neighbor's sheep skin, as some folks is, ns I hearn of.”
“Go it my doctor —go it old horse,” says half a do
zen, as they roared aloud at the assailant—after some
time suffering under the joke, the dragoon, not willing
to submit tamely as long as he could muster an idea,
made a fresh foray upon my staff officer.
“ I give you the corn, Doctor, this time; but ax your
mama, next time you find her ”
“ I tell you, sargent; she aint as hard to find assome
people’s daddy.”
The “ Doctor” has become quite a favorite among
the dragoons, and not a little dreaded ; and they rarely
can prevail on one, single-handed, to encounter wits
with him. But in lieu of the intellectual warfare, prac
tical jokes are played off on him, and having such a
multitude to contend against, the Doctor suffers not a
little. Our whole camp was in a perfect uproar and
confusion, one morning, by one of these mishaps, which
resulted in a punishment almost as laughable.
About mess-time, one of the dragoons had stolen off
slyly, a hundred yards or so, to where the Doctor’s po
ney Seas tied, and attached a tin bucket to his tail.—
The poney was perfectly unsuspicious ns to what de
sign the dragoon had in paying so much attention to
that ornament, but was brought to active thought, when
his sword hilt knocked the bottom of it three or four!
times, and whisking round and backing his cars, kick
ed up, and commenced a regular tatoo upon the new
fashioned drum. He was vastly frighted at this ap-!
pendage, and broke loose and started with head high
up and wnving from side to side, rolling his eyes back
ward to catch an explanation for its tenacious hold. In
this array, he came thundering among our eatables,
leaping like a wild bull of Bashan. The dismounted
dragoons, run helter skelter to their tents, to keep
him from running over them —some hollowing wo!
wo! and others tugging up sapling?, lie darted for
the largest crowd of horses, and then commenced a
regular buffalo rush of steeds in every direction. Not
a little time waa consumed in collecting our horses, but
we eventually succeeded, and had even the Doctor's
poney soberly into ranks again. The dragoons gored
the Doctor sorely upon the fteetness of his horse, and
gave him the aoubriquet of “ the tin pedlar.” The per
petrator of the joke was seduced by the applause be
stowed upon it, to avow the art, with a great deal of
aatisfaction at his own ini|>ortance.
The Doctor remained moody, but very passive, for a
day or two, in which time we were entering the small
prairies, which verge those vast illimitable pampas,
where the wild herds ranee unmolested by the sound
of fire-arms. In one of these small prairies, of a mile
or so in breadth, the Doctor appeared to have a very
sudden respect or attachment for his annoyer, and ri
ding by his side, commenced a very quiet colloquy.—
He always carried a “lasso” around the pummel of his
Spanish saddle, and with perfect address and adept
ness, dashed the loop over the head and encircled the
waist of the dragoon, in an instant. He rowelled his
spurs into the flanks of “ Tin Pedlar,” and off, head
foremost, came the aggressor. The dragoon seized
hold of the long prairie grass with a powerful grasp,
and then commenced the tug of war. Tin Pedlar put
forth his strength, and the dragoon was drawn along
with his hands full of grass. Dropping that bunch, he
seized hold again and again, which yielded as before,
and thus at every time the grass drew up, Tin Pedlar
rejoiced his spirit in one or two good drags, by which
time the dragoon became “fastened to the willows” a
gain. As there was no great danger apparent, our
companions became tumultuous with mirth. One par
ty huzzaing for the poney, and the other for the dra
goon. After torturing the poor fellow for a hundred
yards or so, the Doctor released him ; but the fellow
was so hostile that he cut the lasso into fragments, vow
ing ten-fold vengeance on the Doctor.
On the evening of the same day, we saw one or two
Indians on horse-back, at a distance. I could not paint
to you the picture of amazement they presented. They
looked stupified for a moment, their long hair hanging
down and their shaggy horses raising their heads and
snuffing up the wind, appeared tremulous with fear. —
Gazing for a few moments, as we approached, to catch
some idea of the cavalcade, they touched their horses
behind with a quick stroke of a long spear, and they
wheeled, as if the most violent bit had drawn them a
round, and the riders dashed, screaming into the wil
derness. Day after day these Tartar-like horsemen
became more numerous, but as the accident-made sen
tinels had spread the intelligence, they fled with the
speed of thought, never waiting longer than to form
some idea of the mysterious enemy which was com
ing on them.
We had stopped our tents early on the Southern verge
of a large prairie, an hour or two by sun, and looking
to the Northwest, the azure hue of the boundless ocean
could alone convey to your mind the vastness of the
waste before us—not a tree sprung up as a polar star,
to direct the wanderer through it. Nothing but the low
and stinted grass which grows in the prairies of large
size, was visible, and it looked ns death-like as the Nu
bian desert. But we were camped in a kind of bay,
if it can be so called, a mile or two across, which the
prairie made, by running into the forest—and we could
look across this bay and see the trees, as they formed a
semicircular boundary to it, opposite to us, those that
stood on the verge of the pampa, becoming less and less
in the distance, until they formed a faint blue line, ming
ling with the horizon. We were lying in groups, after
the fatigue of the day, with our tents spreading their
white roofs to the sinking sun, stretching our vision in
to the vastness, and some perhaps swimming in the
memories of home.
Ah, sister! must I acknowledge that you stole me
even from the sublimity of this prospect, to bear me to
that dear delightful “home,” where every delicious me
mory, and every brighter feeling of my heart mustever
be. Eva, I sometimes think that there is nothing on
earth so lovely as my own dear sister; but then you
know what treason that would be to Camille. How is
she ? That jolt she gave me was rather hard, sister,
but—Pshhtv—l mean to forget her !
Now, I know exactly, every feature of your face,
when you read that vow; so, taking for granted that
you would say what is proper thereupon, I will go on
with my narrative, and when you finish it, I must say
that I do not know how my sister will feel or look.
Now sister, bring lorth the vast conception of your
fancy, and leaving me out, could you suppose that there
is, or ever was, a being in this wilderness, who would
claim one thought of interest in you ?
Sister—l will not say that I was astonished, but ama
zed, bewildered, even to stagnation of intellect, at the
mystery. We were lying in groups, as I have said,
running on with the current of thought, when the prai
rie presented a chase which brought us into ranks, arm
ed, and ready for a contest of life and death. But this
was not necessary, as you will discover. Across this
bay we discovered one wild denizen of the forest rush
out into the prairie, with the long spear of their country
moving first on one side of his horse, and then on the
other, to guide him, at hazardous speed, and successive
ly, five or six others.
At first we could not comprehend the nature of the
matter, as they seemed to act with no reference to us,
but in a short time, saw that one was fleeing, and the
others in close eager headlong pursuit after him.
“ Dast my toe nails,” quoth my man Frida)-, “ if that
aint a Cumanchee—that feller ahead —them bull-neck
horses aint raised on this grass, Mr. Surgeon ! Them
Injins gin me and the Santa Fe traders bringer once.
I recken lie’s been a thievin or murderin, and them’s
Paw-nee Piets atter him. They’re sulphur, on a hot
trail, I tell ye. The old wolf forgot he was inside of
Coffee's Station, and he's a goin ‘loose horse and
straight tail,’ back again. Rush it, my old sinner!
them aint terrypins atter ye.”
He leaned, or rather laid flat, to the back of his horse ;
every instant rapidly turning his head towards his pursu
ers, to measure the distance lietw-een them. Then ri
sing erect, and twisting his body round, he sped arrow
after arrow, in quick succession, and sank level with
his horse again, still urging him to his utmost stretch of
speed. His pursuers, when he rose to send these shafts
of death, sank their heads below their horses, and goad
ed them onward, screaming and yelling, with the keen
scent of blood in their nostrils, and watching with ea
ger sight, the end of his assault, sent their whistling ar
rows around the hunted victim, ns he fled ; his hair
streaming to the wind, and naked body glistening to
the sun. They were hurrying almost straight to us, and
every leap of their wild hounding horses brought their
screams of victory or defiance more appalling to eur
ears. These assaults had been repeated twice or thrice,
when one of the pursuers dropped his spear and reach
ed from his back a long carabine, and was catching a
range upon the poor victim, but the leaping of his horse
made it difficult, and he hud the breech to his face se
veral minutes before he fired. The pale blue smoke
rose up, first from the pan, and then a thick volume
from the muzzle, and the heavy report came rolling in
the air, to our ears. The hunted victim dropped his
spear, and reaching from his shoulder a bundle of ar
rows, dashed them into the sides of his horse, to goad
him on faster—every instant his hand rose up, digging
the pointed heads into him faster and faster, and seem- j
ed to look for no hope of life but in speed. Our band
raised up the wide mouth trumpet, and waked Us the
sleeping echo, (and “ well I ween," so glad a sound ne-:
ver broke on nlbrtal ear before.) Several blasts were 1
made, ere it struck the ears of these wild hunters, and !
at a sound so strange, they raised their heads one after
another—still urging onward, but looking on every side j
for the cause of the mysterious sound. -
The victim of pursuit first caught a quick harrowing
sight of an unknown enemy, as he supposed, and be- |
gan to turn in wild desperation or dismay, to look for
some otfier hope, and turning to his pursuers, discover-'
ed that they were as much confounded. Gradually
easing from their speed, pursuer and pursued stopiied
in amazement, for a moment, hut the next, he rualird
through the piquett's line, as ignorant of the huge pistol
fired at him by the sentinel, as if he bore a charmed life.
| His left shoulder bore the mark of a hall, as it gashed
i along tltc surface, and the blood ran unliceded, rippling
I down his brawny sides, with while bubbles of foam,
THE SOUTHERN POST.
sliding down with it, formed by the concussion of the
air, as he rushed with such headlong velocity in his
flight. His nostrils swelled out, white from their ten
sion, and his parted lips clung to his clenched teeth,
and every muscle quivered under the horror of his situ
ation. His pursuers stopt perhaps a hundred yards
from us, breathing and looking at us, and then behind.
Others came in their track, and rode on the wings of
the wind, urging forward to the feast of blood; but dis
covering their companions sitting on their horses, with
fixed gaze, and seeking for some cause for it, finally
settled their eyes upon our tents.
They came up in yelling crowds, and formed a has
ty and impatient counsel, the result of which was, that
the bearer of the gun rode up to the piqettc, and asked,
in good English, to be sent to the commandant.
The wounded refugee was not a little amazed, when
he discovered his enemy taking the same haven, and a
fitful g!ance on every side, his breast heaving in com
motion, as some nqw danger appeared to hang over
him. His enemy was carried at once to the Colonel of
the regiment, and after a few words, the officers con
ducted him to the Commander’s tent. But a short time
elapsed, ere the Tartar horde began to approach nearer
and give signs of impatience, and loud talking and an
occasional scream, intimated that they apprehended
some unexpected danger to their herald. The whole
party came out from the tent, and upon looking at the
man, I discovered that he was a fierce, dark-looking
white, and the exulting shouts of his companions, at
his re-appearance, drew my attention from him.
He remounted and rode off to his tawny horde, and
they closed thick around him, and in a moment or two
rode off and piled their spears, bows, and other amis,
each dropping a belt or sash on his arms, to distinguish
them. In a short time the piquets were placed at a short
distance from our camp, encircling a space of an hun
dred yards, and at the same time the Indians had put
tedders on their horses and turned them into the open
prairie. They marched into the space designated,
some with “ down-cast look,” others with their black
ferocious glistening eyes, catching every thing jn their
range. They soon formed around their fires, and look
ooked each one, as if he were in the midst of a dream,
which had no coining day, to break the enchantment.
But the respects of our sutler, manifested in the wel
come shape of piovisions and a charge of rum, threw
the electric consciousness of safety into all, and the air
of the deep midnight, often bore off their shouts and
screams, to people the forest with the echos.
Ah, sister! as these wild yells tore me from sleep,
what a train of the past, and what a prospect for the
future, did it awaken. Almost in my own time have
these rude creatures stood in the tides of the Atlantic,
and waved their hands to the setting sun, and said “ it
is mine.” And thus, driven to the setting sun, among
ing them, stand their pursuers, hunting them with a
“step as steady as time, and insatiate as death dri
ving ihein onwards, farther and farther, with frenzied
avarice, haunting their footsteps, even in the wilderness,
and forever crying “give, give !” The twinlkling star*
have looked down upon many an age, and tnnny a sin
of man and of nations; but look into the colored page
of fable, or the bloody scroll of truth, and where shall
we see millions swept like these, from the earth, and
the remnant of those millions standing on the limits of
civilization, like sufferers on the verge of a lake, where
all is buried, and where the solid earth has sunk to form
it; looking into it to divine the reality and justice of
such a calamity.
When we read of the daik ferocious Hun, and the
Sythian hordes, who shouted and screamed in the spir
it of desolation, among the pillars and the temples of
Rome, we w eep over the misfortune* of science and
morals. But let us look far on to the future. We, as a
nation, are rising like the tide of the Solway, and wealth
and luxury are hoarding up the treasures of the world
for us, and who can say that we shall not rear up the
mighty temple, and the eolonade, where lurks the pan
ther and the prowling wolf. And in the vastness of our
wealth and thesplendor of science, when the peopled
earth toils for us—these Huns arc to come upon us with
the hidden vengeance of ages of parching
their livers, and the unquenchcd thirst for blood goad
ing them on, what an appalingsound to the. ears of our
enfeebled race, will these shrill no'es become. Who
shall say nay, when we have seen the uncouth Tartar
shrieking by his midnight fire, in the garden de Tuiller
ies. My very hair stands stiff, and my flesh crawls and
quivers at the conception, and a cold horror creeps over
me, when I think that some treacherous foul-hearted
demon of our own race lends his soul and intellect, and
power and wealth, to urge on these vindictive wretches
to vengeance.
But ah, sister Eva! I know at once you are supposing
that the “ fierce dark looking white,” who was men
tioned before, is a vile apostate of that description. But
I must tell you, no !
I knew him w-ell for all that isnoble, daring and gen
erous, but at the same time ot a fevered heart and a
reckless hand, a bold, untamed, restless spirit, whose
element is danger. Judge of my amazement when 1
saw him with these wild Cossacks of the West. You
know him, if one being on the earth does. Still, I will
say more to you of Ins history in time. You reason
too much, in every thing, sister; and yet, when I see
the aptness and propriety of your reflections, I would
and could not condemn opinions so just. Now, what
shall I say to you about Camille ’ Ah the little vixen
—I mean to forget her! But don't let her get mar
ried! Farewell.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
For the Southern Post..
TO GERTRUD E.*
BY MRS. DCLANV.
Yes, hold thy hand upon my brow,
It long hath burnt, as burning now ;
With the anxious thoughts that lay
Like land coals along life’s way.
Aye, press my throbbing temples down
Beneath that hand, 1 will not frown
And if instead of useless care,
That hand was ever pressing there.
How light would be the tears I’d weep !
But what in future years w-ould be
Os this dear hand, the destiny ?
Will it but grasp at pleasure’s wreath,
Which fades as soon as mortal breathe
On its fair petals, or as now
Os pallied illness bathe the brow-,
Will it the cup of balm bestow
On lips, when parching fevers glow ;
Scatter such w reath as Heaven may give,
That suffering virtue yet may live.
And will it oil be raised in prayer
To Him, who soothes all mortal care.
Oh ! on that rock 1 feign would lay
This little hand, and bid it stay.
Though rugged, 'tis the rock of life,
And still defies the Ocean’s strife ;
And woman’s soul so frail and fair,
No safety finds on earth, but there.
*Her only daughter.
TO GERTRUDE,
AFTER HER DEATH.
When last I played with mirthful bound,
Her fairy footsteps danced around ;
When last I sang, she sat entranced.
And joy Irom her dark eves glanced.
When last I told ihc twilight story.
Os fairy love or deeds of glory.
'Twas she who gazed upon my face,
Ah ! then each tear I told she traced.
On Sabbath morn, when last we knelt.
And Sabbath prayers were said and felt,
Close by my side a cherub's head
Was softly lisping all I said,
But now, and do I live to tell,
That she is dead —I loved so well,
And yet live on, and feel and know,
In the cold earth iliey laid her low.
Yes! I with my firm grief have striven,
And bowed before the God of Heaven ;
And fainting in the heart s warm burst.
Yet owned the blow that stunned me first.
For 1 forgot the Goo wlm gave,
Enraptured with the gift, to save
Both souls, he took the bright one home—
Secure in childhood til his own ;
Wlule 1 am saved tlie soul's dread crime,
Os worshipping a thing of tune
OBSERVER, No. 1.
Under this head we commence something new
to our readers, in the form of essay writing. It will
perhaps comprise much variety as to matter, and as
much as to manner, so far as regards style. We
think that the admission of such articles as will be
placed under this head, in the succeeding No.’s of the l
“ Poet,” will be found of utility to the youthful readers
of our paper, if it extend not farther, and consequent
ly, we feel w arranted in aiding the attempt that is pro
posed to be carried on by others, by giving place to
such matter.
Saturday, April 13, 1839.
Nihil Scriptum Miraculi C'ansa.
In our daily intercourse with the world, there is noth
ing which appears more remarkable to the man of
thoughtful habits, than the general deficiency in obser
vation which is truly characteristic of the present day.
We pass by, daily and hourly, objects which, from be
ing often seen, become familiar to our eyes, and we
take no note of them—are scarce even conscious of
their having been before our sight, and, in fact, know
nothing whatever about them. When the mind is pre
occupied, and the attention absorbed by matters of mo
ment, it is not to be expected, it would not be proper,
that we should bestow any thought upon other things ;
but apart from this circumstance, I cannot but think
that the careless indifference of which 1 speak is far
from right or excusable. Certainly it curtails, in a very
great degree, our rational pleasures, and tends to con
tract the circle of our knowledge within very narrow
limits. The man who is deficient in observation, or
who, at least, is not in the habit of exercising it, does
not taste half the pleasure in his intercourse with socie
ty, does not derive half the gratification from his ordi
nary amusements that he would under other circum
stances. He cannot enjoy the charms of nature, for
they must be obseived in order to bq enjoyed : finally,
I he cannot be so useful a member of society, as the in
telligent observer —for he can neither profit by the cor
rect example of others, nor set before them a model for
imitation in his own conduct. •
In this last view,the subject is a more important one
than many would, perhaps, be inclined to believe.
When we speak of morals, we, of course, mean thosa
rules of conduct which have been dictated by Virtue,
and promulgated both by Law and Religion, which in-
the avoidance of Vice and Crime, nnd the prac
tice of Virtue. But there is a class of observances,
which, whilst they are n >t exactly virtues, yet tend to
purify out conduct, to refine our manners, and to ele
! vate our mind ; and the infringement of which, though
not amounting to a crime or a vice, is yet calculated to
detract from moral worth, lessen the dignity of human
nature, nnd even tarnish the lustre of real virtue These
1 observances the French, who are more discriminative
in all matters relating to politeness or refinement of
manner, have denominated the “ smaller morals” to
distinguish them from the other more important code
first above-mentioned. These smaller morals fall par
ticularly within the province of the critic, the satirist,
and the censor of the age. An observation made in
' right spirit, and properly thrown out, wiil, sometimes,
1 correct abuses or ridiculous practices—and thus the cor
i dial relations of social life may be strengthened, our
deportment refined nnd ennobled, nnd our mutual in
j tercourse made more in accordance with what should
i be expected of rational and thinking beings.
Moved by these reflections, and thinking it might
not be altogether amiss to make. a» !«»«*, endeavor
to improve not only ourselves but others, some friends
have united with me in the project of arranging our
several speculations on men, manners, nnd things, in
such a way as may suit the public taste : and we shall
j from time to time, lay these our lucubrations before the
j readers of the “ Post.” Our plan will embrace within
| its general scope, a great variety of topics—ethics, the
smaller morals, history, science, literatnre and criticism;
] ji, short, any thing which may attract our observation
! and appear worthy of the notice of ourselves or our
I readers.
We ’ observe, however, that in thus„nndrrta
king th< nk of improving and enlightening our fellow
mortals, we must not be understood to set ourselves
forth as superior to all other men in talent, knowledge,
or wisdom; we only wish to show the way, to lead
others to observe, and speculate, and to afford them an
opportunity and inducement to lay such observations
and speculations bafore the world. W e shall be very
happy to correspond with any of our friends and read
ers on such topics as may have called their attention ;
and to facilitate suoh correspondence, I hereby give no
tice that any communications, or parcels, addressed to
“ The Observer” may be left at the Post-Office, direct
ed to the “ Post,” when they shall meet with all the at
tion they deserve.
It might be expected that here some account would
be given of the individuals composing our club—l must
inform the public that the matter was under considera
! ti on at our last symposium, and has been referred for
further deliberation. Perhaps in some future paper we
j may introduce ourselves individually, as we now do
| collectively—but for the present we prefer to remain as
i we are—unknown. We are a knot of rather eccentric
old fellows, various in age, person and disposition, but
agreeing in this one point: we like to keep ourselves
i to ourselves, to take notes and observations upon eve
' rv thing—but, at the same time, remain perfectly quiet
and say nothing. If we laugh, it is in our sleeve, and
offends no one. Tne experience which we have thus
gathered from long observation of the world, we will
endeavor to make useful to others, and that is the ob
ject of our present undertaking. If we do not effect all
the good we desire, it will lie for want of power, not
! want of inclination—and in this sense let us be judged.
J Our object is to purify the thought, e'evale the mind,
] refine the manners. He who does this, deserves well
of his race, and though he should not succeed, the en
deavor alone is worthy of praise. An elegant writer
; has observed that, “ The mind that lies fallow but for
a single day sprouts up In follies that arc only to be kil
led Ity a constant and assiduous culture. It was said
of Socrates that he brought philosophy down from hea-
I ven to inhabit amongst men.” We will endeavor to
bring it “ out from el,.sets and libraries, from schools
and Colleges, to dwell in clubs and assemblies, at tea
tables and in coffee-houses” ; and to contin le in the
words of the same author, if we can in any way con
tribute to the diversion or improvement of the country
in which we live, we shall leave it when summoned
out of it, with the satisfaction of thinking that we have
not lived in vain. THE OBSERVER.
P. S. To the Curious Reader : As the task of re
ceiving and replying to correspondence, and of arrang
ing our papers, has been imposed upon me, some may
be curious to know what manner of man I am. For
; the satisfaction and contentment of all such persons,
and lest they should lose themselves in a maze of con
jectures, none of which could, by any possibility, come
near the truth, I will, to save them much trouble and
| nnxiety, give this much information. When the hour
of twelve, meridian, is indicated simultaneously, by the
four faces of the town clock, they may perceive some
where in the neighborhood of that fine specimen of ar
chitecture, yclept the market house, an elderly gentle
man, not very tall, nor yet very short, moderately stout,
in a dress composed of ambiguously colored unmention
ables and a coat of indescribable hue, with a hat of
no particular shape. That individual ia their humble
servant, THE OBSERVER.
KT We «re authorized to announce NA*
j THAN IEL KELLS as Candidate for CIMU or THr.
Inferior Court, at tire election in January next.
| April 13 ‘do It
For the Southern Poet.
Lines written in a Lady’s Album.
Sweet Caroline
Come woo “ the Nine,”
Thy thoughts with holy fire rqfine.
And wake thy tender soul to song:
Come strike thy lyre
Os golden wire.
To inspiration's boon aspire.
And roll the mellow strains along.
’Tis spring-time now,
Come plight thy vow.
Then wreath thy bright and benut'ous brow
With early flow’rets fresh and fair —
These flow’rs combine
With sweets of thrine.
As incense for the Muses shine.
And breathe the mingled fragrance there.
On fancy’s wing
Come soar and sing.
And hear the thrilling pulses ring:
What higher boon to mortals given ?
With choicest lays
Sing virtue's praise:
And when life numbers all its davs,
Thy soul shall strike the harp of Heav’n. #
Mount Zion, April, 1839. STAFFORD.
aOMtfjfPM flosit.
OFFICE, ON THIRD - STREET, ONF. DOOR FROM MI'I.BERRY
STREET, AND OPPOSITE THE CENTRAL HOTEL.
MACON:
SATURDAY. APRIL 13, 1839.
ICr We would like to hear from our correspondent
“Nemo” on any other subject than politics.
Kr Several original articles, already in type, are
crowded out, for want of room.
OCT Our subscribers residing in East Macon are in
formed that in future their papers will be left at the
Store of Messrs. Flanders & Cook, for distribution.—
Orders left with those gentlemen, either for subscrip
lions or job work, will be promptly attended to by us.
HOT With regard to the allusion of “ Ireneus,” in our
last, to former celebrated authors, it would seem, at
first view, that the name or phrase “Anon, ’ had been
used as the name of a person, and that our correspon
dent was under such impression, as is implied by n wri
ter in this day’s paper. This, however, cannot be the fact,
from this circumstance, if no other, that it is so glaring
an error, and one of which ave think our correspond
ent could not have been guilty. It would have been
much plainer, certainly, to have expressed the conclu
ding part of the sentence thus : other Anons, or other
anonymous writers, this being the simple meaning or
allusion ot our correspondent. After enumerating se
veral distinguished authors, he thought proper to allude
to those whose names were unknown to the world,
thinking, as in all likelihood, that some might prefer to
communicate is this manner —he very property chose
one, which lias been frequently used by the most dis
tinguished authors. Nothing could be easier than to
fall into such an error, if error it may be called ; and
then merely in the mlHe of expression; it not being
sufficiently definite to suit the fastidious tastes of fault
find* rs and objectors. We are well satisfied, however,
that the correspondent of to-day’s paper dictated his
remarks in a proper spirit, and consequently, with cheer
fulness, we give them a place.
The original piece of poetry, published in
the Southern Post, “ ’Tis not tor me to love j
thee,” was originally published in the Mirror,
to whieh it was contributed by the author,
arranged to the Greek air, “ When I left tliy
shores, O Naxos.” We do not think our very
courteous brotlier of the Post would inten
tionally do us injustice, and we only mention
it, in order to put him on his guard; as we
have recently seen another piece, from the
same gifted pen, published in his paper as
original, which first saw the light through the
medium of a popular northern magazine.
Augusta Mirror.
‘courteous brother’ of the Mirror has very pro
perly informed us that we had intruded upon his rights.
It was unintentional on our part, inasmuch as the pub
lication he alludes to, escaped our notice. It hav
ing been sent to us in MS. form, purporting to be ori
ginal, not however by the author himself, hut by a friend
of his, who obtained his permission to publish several
of his articles in the “ Postand this, througn some
mistake, was sent with other pices that been
published. In like manner with the other piece he al
ludes to.
ATtRIVED.
April 10, Steamboat Sam Jones, from Charleston,
full cargo merchandize to Wm. Fort & Cos., H. G. La
mar, Jewett &. Birch, Fort, Sinclair &, Cos., Fort &.
Clopton, W. A. Ross, G. Kimberly, Hardeman,
Graybill &, Cos., E. Sinclair, Isaac Scott, Charles Col
lins, L. &. VV. Cowles.
GEORGIA COURT CALENDAR.
Our Georgia Court Calendar, for 1839, is now ready
for delivery. It con'ains the correct time for holding
the Superior and Inferior Courts in the different Coun
ties of the State — : the days of the month—and the Re.
turn Days for each Court.
It will be found very useful to Attorneys, Corporate
Institutions, Clerks, and others having much business
with any of our Courts.
The following is the opinion of several gentlemen
(members of the Bar) in this city, who have examined
the Calendar :
Macon, March 21, 1839.
To C. R. Han letter :
We have examined your “ Georgia Court Calendar,
for the year 1839,” and find it generally very correct,
and recommend it to the patronage of the Bar most
particularly. It is the most complete reference sheet ol
the same character printed in the State,and weearuest
ly hope that your Calendar may he profitable to you in
proportion to its very high merit ns a Court Index.
McDonald, Powers &. Franklin,
Poe & Nisbet,
Tracy Sl Gresham,
James Smith,
John Lamar,
I. O. Seymcur.
KrSingk- copies, • !—or *8 per dozen.' <lrders from
a distance, nutating the cimA, a.id l**t /«<d, respeot
tally solicited and promptly attended to.
MACON VOLUNTEERS!
APPEAR on your Parade Ground,on TUESDAY,
the 16th instant, at 9 o'clock. A. M., in full uat
fiirm, prepared for inspection. By order,
DANELLY, Ist Sergeant.
April 13 23
ATTENTION RIBB CAVALRY.
YOU are hereby ordered to appear on your Parada
Ground, in front of the Court House, on Tuesday
the Kill instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M., in full uniform,
tor drill and inspection. By order of Capt. Eckley.
LEE, Sergeant.
April 13 25
MACON MECHANICS’ SOCIETY.
THE Macon Mechanics’ Society will hold a Called
Meeting, THIS EVENING, at 7J o’clock, at the
Old Mansion House. By order,
I. F. BROWN. Secretary.
April 13 23
NOTICE.
DR. E. L. STROHECKER offers his professional
services to the inhabitants of Macon and vicini
ty. Office Commerce Row, over Levi Eckley’s.
April 13 23b
ew>*fi For Norfolk, Va., Direct—and
-vae 1 passage thence to Richmond, Va., Wash
ington City, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The superior und well known sea steamer SOjjjTH
CAROLINA, Capt. Coffey, is now receiving passen
gers at, and will leave the Atlantic Steam Packet wharf,
foot of Da ure ns street, immediately after the arrival of
the Rail Road Cars, on Siturday Afternoon , 13th inst.
Passage ami fare, 825, to Norfolk. Apply personally,
or by fetter, to WILLIAM PATTON, Agent,
6 Fitzsimons’ wharf.
N. B.’The GEORGIA succeeds the South tfarolina,
nnd will leave on Saturday, the 20th April. After which
these boats will run regularly, one leaving as above ev
ery Saturday afternoon, as soon as the Kail Road Cars
arrive, not earlier than 4 or later than 5 o'clock, P. M.
lO" The Augusta, Savannah, Macon and Columbus,
Geo. papers will each please insert the above 3 times.
April 13 25p
JUST RECEIVED,
ON CONSIGNMENT, 20,000 fine HAVANA CI
GARS, for sale low for cash, bv
C. L. HO WLAN If
April 13 25
New Spring and Summer Goods.
L. & W. COWLES
ARE now receiving at their Store. No. 4 Commerce
Row, adjoining Mr. Levi Eckley. a general assort
ment of Spring and Summer Goods, selected with care
front the New York, Philadelphia and Charleston mar
kets, to which they respectfully invite the attention of
their friends and the public generally—in their stock
will be found—
Light Summer Silks plain and figured,
Handsome French Muslins,
Printed Lawns, French Cambrics,
British and American Prints,
French Worked Colin sand Cuff*,
Fancy Handkerchiefs,
Silk Nett Shawls und Scarfs,
Bonnets, Ribbons, Artificial Flowers,
Curls, Laces, Hosiery,
Printed Satteens for Children’s Dresses, with Coron
ation and Victoria Braids to suit,
Irish Linens, Table Damask and Diaper,
Linen Sheetings, Bombazines,
Linen Drillings, Vestings,
Cravats, Stocks anil Collars,
Gentlemen and Ladies Umbrellas nnd Parasols,
A large supply of Domestics ot all kinds.
Macon, April 13 23
NEW HOOKS.
THE Bench anil Bar. by the author of Random Re
collections. The Women of England, by Sarah
Stuekney Ellis. Oliver Twist, complete, illustrated.
Jack Adams, the mutineer, bv Capt. Cramier. Neal
'Malone and other tales*of Ireland, by W. H. Carter >u. .
Cobh's Silk Manuel. Treaties on the Culture of Silk
and Mums Multicaulis. Prince and the Pedlar. The
Wise Men of Gotham, hv Paulding. Third part of
Public and Private Economy, by Sedgwick. Elvira,
the Nabob’s Wife. Hume, Smaller, and Miller's His
tory of England, brought down to George IV., with il
lustrations, a beautiful Library edition, for sale at the
Book and Music Store of C. A. ELLS.
April 13 25_
, Exchange on Tennessee and Kentucky.
/"'’HECKS on the Branch of the South Western Rail
A-'' Rond Bank, at Knoxville, constantly for sale at the
OC MU LG EE BANK.
March 16 21c
{Q“ The Messenger and Telegraph will insert in the
| inner form, 2 months. (
; "
New Clothing Store.
R. W. MORRIS & CO
HAVING located themselves in the store formerly
occupied hv Wtn. ri. Johnson & Cos. (east side
Vlulherry street,) are now opening an extensive assort
! uient of
Ready-Made Clothing,
of the latest fashions, anil of superior workmanship
which will be SOU) CHEAP FOR CASH. There
stock consists in part of the following, viz :
Super blue Cloth Clonks,
Goat’s hair Camlet Wrappers,
Brown and mixed Cloth Overcoats,
Invisible Green do.
Mohair and Beaver Cloth do.
Pilot Cloth do.
Blanket Hunting Coats,
Kentnckv Jeans] rock and Dress Coats
Beaver Cloth Frock do.
Pilot Cloth Hunting Coats,
Super blue Cloth Frock and Dress Coats,
Do. black do. do. do.. do.
Do. invisible green and brown do.
350 Vests, comprising all styles and descriptions,
Victoria and Coronation Cassimere Pants,
Black and Blue Cassimrre do,
Fancy Striped and Ribbed do.
Satinet and Kentucky Jeans do.
ALSO,
A general assortment of Stocks, Collars, Suspenders,
I Gloves, Iloisery, Linen Shirts, Cotton do. with Linen
Bosoms,
A general assortment of Boots, Shoes and Pumps.
Super Silk and Cotton Umbrellas,
Leather Trunks and Carpet Bags,
Purchasers are invited to call nnd examine ourstock.
October 27 3ml
Prospectus of the CORSAIR,
a GAZETTE OF LITERATURE, DRAMAT-
I\ If, NEWS and CRITICISM, FASHION and
NOVELTY. —N. P. Willis and T. O. Porter propose
to issue, weekly, in the city of New York, a paper of
the above designation and character. It is their design
to present as amusing a periodical as can be made from
the current wit, humor, and literature of the times, to
collect the spirit not oniv ol English, but of French and
German belles letters : to give dramatic criticisms with
vigilant impartiality and care: in shorf, to picture the
age in its literature and fashion, its eccentricities and
amusements.
As the practical law of copv right secures to tliem,
free of expense, the labors of Boz, Scribe
and Balzac, with die whole arm of foreign writers, they
cannot at present, (consistently with pocket wisdom so
well understood by American publishers) offeranv thing
for American productions. Their critienl department,
however, will lie always on the nlert for native litera
ture, and to the best of their ability thev will keep a
running gnage of the merits to compatriot authors.
They see their way verv clearly without crowding
upon the track of nny weekly periodical, and abstain
ing from more particular professions, they take leave to
nsstire their friends, that it the harvest of event, wit.
genius and pnetrv, fail not over the world, they can
hardly fail to furnish them with an agreeable pHper.
Terms.—Five dollars per annum, in advance. Ad
dress the Editors, by until.
Tlie CORtiAIR will appear early in the iiioti'li of
Msreh IK'Xt.
New York. J,.n. M3O.