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THE OBSERVER, No. 15.
Saturday, July 13, 1838.
Some of my readers may be a little surprised at the‘
of my having said nothing touching the
Y-elebration of the Fourth of July by my fellow citi- 1
’zens, seeing that I call myself an Observer. It is fit
■that I should inform them of the reasons of my silence ;
first, my friend, the Editor of the “ Post,” has already ,
■•discharged that duty, and thereby rendered it unne
cessary for me to say anything : secondly, I had been
invited to spend the day at the residence of my cousin
Ermine ; an invitation, which, sustained as it was by
-some urgent reasons why I should accept it, 1 did not
feel at liberty to refuse or decline. At my departure,
however, I empowered mv coadjutor, Mr. Jacinth, to
'■note down whatever might strike him particularly in
s the events of the day, and publish the same for the
benefit of our friends at a distance.
1 should, indetd, have been very glad to spend the
■day in the midst of my townsmen, and to see them,in
the fulness of their hearts, enjoying their short respite
from the toils and cares of business, and the turmoil of
party politics, smothering all heartburnings and ani
mosities, and uniting, as a band of brothers should, to
celebrate their general birthday. But my pr scnce in
the country was earnestly desired, in order that I might
render all the assistance I could in the satisfactory ar
rangement of some family business of an interesting
and delicate nature.. The truth is, Will Ermine, my
cousin Jasper’s youngest brother, has been, for some
time past, under the influence of “la belle passion ”
The young lady. Miss Sarah Marten, is a distant rela
tion of the Ermines and Weazles, and is a general fa
vorite with both families, on account of her amiability
and sweetness of disposition, as well as her personal
charms. I have long seen which way Will's wishes
pointed, and thought he would have brought matters to
a close ere this ; but Will is one of those persons, such
as we occasionally meet in this world, who, though
possessed of great talent and many excellent qualities,
has not a grain of self-conceit, but is withal modest,
and even timid : he sets too low an estimate on him
self, (a very rare thing now-a-days) and thinks that ev
ery one else must do the same This very often hin
ders him from undertaking things which he might do
with credit to himself and benefit toothers, fearing lest
he be thought guilty of presumption for making the at
tempt. He has indulged these notions so long that he
has at last become the victim of a morbid sensitiveness,
which makes him shrink from every thing that may,
by the most remote possibility, draw upon him the no
tice of others, and of late he ha3 withdrawn himself
from the society of his friends, to brood in solitude over
his fancied miseries and imperfections, and to cherish
in silence that deep and devoted passion which fills his
heart, and which he peftists in considering utterly hope
less. Os course, as most men deeply in love have pro
ved to be, he is made up of inconsistencies and con
tradictions. He would be glad to talk of the affair of
his heart to one in whom he could confide, but fears
that even his best friends would laugh at him for being
such a fool as to be in love at all, as it that circumstance
were an infallible and incontrovertible proof of want of
sense. It is no use to attempt to console or encourage
ihim, for he is as ingenious as a madman in discover
ing answers to every thing you may say for that pur
pose, and he will most strenuously controvert every
thing you advance, whilst in his inmost heart he is
more than half inclined to believe you. The latter part
of the following letter will give the res'ler some idea of
this morbid disposition of Will’s, in his answers to some
of Mrs. Ermine's remonstrances. t
To Solomon Weazle, Esq, Macon.
Ermine Hull, July Ist, 1839.
Deai Cousin Solomon —We are going to have great I
doings on the fourth; but as Jasper expected to go to
Macon every day, I have delayed this invitation as long
as possible, to save postage. You know you always j
used to be repeating Dr. Franklin’s motto to us: “A,
penny saved, is a penny got”—hut to the point. You
must come with John, who will convey this to you, and
whom I have sent down with the carriage on purpose
to bring you to us. We shall have a great party, but I
in the midst of them all, if you are not here, it will, I
assure you, be to me as a desert; and so say the whole
family. For my part, I cannot see why you will spend ;
all your time in that dusty, scorching town of Macon,
when it is so much pleasanter out here in the country, j
We have plenty erf fresh butter and milk, cool spring
water, water-melons, fruits, and vegetables of all kinds,
and, what I should think you find scarce in town, good
clean beds, and wholesome air.
I am aware of your dislike to be exhibited as a Lion,
and I assure you, there is not one out of the family that
know s, or shall know, of this invitation ; and if you do
not wish to be seen, you may have the little back par
lor all to yourself, where you can observe all that is go
ing on, from, as it were, behind the scenes. 1 have
heard several of the neighbors enquiring, lately, with a
great deal of solicitude, where uncle Sol had hid him
self; whether he was sick; and why he did not call
and see them, &c.
I have got a great many things to tell you and to talk
to you about; so I shall take no denial on any account.
You know the match we have so long desired to see
brought about between brother Will and cousin Sarah.
Well —it’s no nearer accomplished than ever —I can’t
see, for the life of me, what’s got into them. It never
took Jasper so long to court, and yet I will confess 1
did not think he popped the question any too soon. (I
don’t mind telling you so, cousin Sol.) But Will keeps
just at such a distance—and they w'ork like contrary ]
cattle, hanging off and hanging off. She acts towards
him just as though she did not care a fig for him, when]
I know she docs; for she has told me so adozen times ;
and when he has not called upon her for some time,
she is sure to be in the dumps, and I have caught her
crying all alone by herself, two or three times. Now,
.if you will come, I think I have a plan in my head, by
which we can bring them to an eclnircisscment, without
offending the false sentiment of either. Ido believe a
great many veiy suitable matches are hindered by a
false delicacy and an interposing cobw'eb of sickly sen
timent, produced in a great measure, by the light read
ing of the age. True love is no crime, that it should'
sneak away into the shade, and be afraid of open day
light. I like the good old times and manners a great
deal better than this sighing, milksop generation. I,
told Will so; he pretended he never meant to marry;
■said he was too poor, &c. I said to him, “ Willy, do
you go right off, and get you a good wife—one that you
love and respect, and she will make y6u become rich ;
your very feelings towards her will cause you to exert
yourself, and you will lay up what you do cam, instead
of spending it, and your spare time among the unwor
tthy. All your leisure hours will be but too few to spend
at home.” I thought he seemed more than half co n .
vinced;,but suddenly he turned away with a sigh, and
after a pause he said, he never would unite his fate
with one he really loyed, for his lot, he felt, was destin
ed to Ire too miserable, and he should consider himself
as doing her an ittjury to ask her to share it, ruining
her prospects for lile, and all that —He said there were
so many better men in the world that she might have
her choice out of, Slc. I told him those very feelings
proved that he would make a kind and excellent hus
band. 1 pity the woman whose husband lias married
Iter without some consideration of his own faults, some
doubt of his own perfectness. Much similar convcrsa- i
Uon 1 had with bint, to but little purpose—and yet—l
do really Intpe this match will ** come off" shortly— tas j
Jasper says of Ins races),
1 send you, by John, a jug of our rider. You will
ate wt have cla rifted it in ilia new way you pointed .
nut to ua—i aby adding milk and atoppmg it clua#.— li
My paper is out. The children say, * tell uncle Sol to
bring us some goodies.’
From your affectionate cousin,
ELLEN ERMINE.
There are some remarks in this letter which are ve
ry just. At present I shall touch on only one of them,
: Mrs. Ermine s answer to Will’s objection
riage, on the score of his being too poor. “ Get,” says
the good lady, “get a good wife ; one that you love and
respect, and she will make you become rich ” This is
a truth which few young men will believe, but it is not
the less a truth on that account. A young man who
can manage to live as most young men do now-a-days,
can also manage to support a wife. He is not too poor
to marry, if he make a judicious choice. He will have
one in whom he can confide, whose interest it will be
to watch over his interests, who, whilst he is occupied
in earning the moars of subsistence, will make it her
whole study to employ those means to the best advan
tage, to take care of his property and save w hat he
earns. I have seen many examples of the good effects
of these early marriages, and I have known many
young men be much surprised to find that their expen
ses of living after marriage, were less than the amount
it had previously cost them to live as bachelors. Yet
such is a natural result in most cases, for the reasons
above stated. Franklin recommended early marriages,
“from the idea” (and a just one it is too) “tiiat those
who married early, set themselves more earnestly, at
once, to the task of accumulating property for the sake
of their families and that, “in consequence, young
men were saved from the evils of profligacy.” “ Whoso
findeth a wife, fiudeth a good thing,” saith the Pro
verb v and take an old Bachelor’s word for it, young
gentlemen, you cannot do a wiser thing, under all or
dinary circumstances, than toget yourselves good wives
as soon as you can: yuut not being absolutely rich, is
not a valid objection, and if this is all that has deterred
you, let it do so no more. “ Show me,” says Bishop
Hall, “one couple unhappy merely on account of lim
ited circumstances, and 1 will show you ten who are
wretched from other causes.” Limited circumstances
are no source of unhappiness to a man in the married
state, if he have that best of treasures, a good wife.
I fancy I hear you ask me—
“ How are we to be sure of getting good wives ?” I
will give you a good general rule, in answer. When
you go to choose a wife, look not to personal charms
alone, leave money out of the quesuon, (your business
is not to sell yourself, but to choose a wife,) and select
a lady who is possessed of sound judgment and good
sense : (this every sensible man can judge of—and a
fool has nothing to do w ith it). If you get a wife pos
sessing these qualifications, she will be just what you
make her ; and if you show yourself a good husband,
depend upon it, she will prove a good wife.
In one of the exchange papers of the “Post,” I have
met with a little sketch which presents a case in point,
and may serve to illustrate some of the above remarks.
Accordingly, I will here relate it for the instruction of
my young friends. The parties are a young husband,
and a wife, who is thought by the former to be a little
extravagant. _ ,
“ My dear,” says the lady, “ I want some money for
a shopping tour.”
“ My love, I cannot afford it,” replies the Sposo.
"I do not call often,” remarks the lady.
“Only six times a week,” says the gentleman.
“That is but once a day at any rate—but if I can
not have it, I cannot. I suppose I can fudge through
the summer with the spring fashions.”
“The discussion had become somewhat in earnest —
auu !m!f a pout gently furled the young wife’s under
lip. The husband was tonu, ut not foolish—
some will have it that the terms are synonymous. He
proposed the terms of a compromise, lo witiohthe wife,
glad of new employment, acceded. He told her what
he could appropriate for the whole household expenses,
rent excluded, and putting the week’s allowance in her
hands, installed her chancellor of the domestic exche
quer, and keeper of the purse.
“ ‘Now,’ said he, ‘if you can manage to feed us all
comfortably, and still do your private shopping, try it.
Here is precisely the sum I have used weekly for house
keeping alone, and it is as much as I can spare.’
“Thelittle wife soon discovered that the price of
beef was abominable, and provided a cheaper substi
tute. Sir Loin was uo longer deemed essential three
times in a week, and some very worthy .commonets,
Messrs. Mutton, Lamb and Veal, were raised to the
peerage. The wife's Mother Glasse’s lore was put in
requisition, and the table'was graced occasionally with
very clever rifucimentos of the fragments of yesterday’s
dinner. Al' the mysteries of pudding, pie, and domes
tic confectionary and fancy bread, filled up the cor
ners, and used up the unconsidered trifles which are too
apt to he forgotten in a family not actually starving. ,
“ And how did they live ? Most comfortably. The
husband declared that he never fared so well in his
lift —bat asked no questions. The wife wanted no
thing but time to go a shopping in. Women are al
ways better sub-treasurers than men; and the money
she managed to abstract, and still leave no apparent
hiatus in the daily fare, would have astonished any one
of the great departed servants of our friend Uncle Sam.
“ Having no occasion to go shopping for amusement,
she went just twice in the week, for actual purchases;
and those she made at a fair price- The mere say-so
of a fashionable milliner, ora dry goods' clerk, did not
induce her to believe an article worth a hundred per
cent, more than its value. She pinned them down to
their facts and figures, and made her purchases as if
she wished to save money, rather than spend what she
had, and assault her husband for more. So slipped
the week—the happiest one for both parties to the ma
trimonial copartnership, they had ever known. Heat
tended to his proper business down town —she had em
ployment about the house, which relieved her of ennui,
and cured her of all inclination to extravagance.
“ At the week's end there was something over, which
she tendered to her husband. * But you want anew
hat, my dear.’ 4 Oh no, not at present. This can be
re-trimmed, and will answer till the summer style is set
tled.’ ‘You told me last week you must have some
new frocks.’ ‘I know I thought so—and have made
some purchases this week—but my wardrobe is, on the
whole, quite respectable, and 1 am sure I ca t manage.’
‘So you have learned to manage, have you—but I don’t
want this money.’ ‘ What shall I do with it then.’
‘Oh, there are rent, fuel,clothingfoYchildren,servants’
wages, and other matters, all coming due in their sea
son. You must put this to next week’s share—and
meet all your expenses, as they fall.’ ‘Then I am to
be permanently in office ?’ ‘ Certainly, until you Swart
wout —and with no oilier bond than this.’
“To make too long a story short, our friend finds
this an excellent domestic arrangement. Women, to
be prudent in money or in secrets, require only to be
trusted ; and many a lady gads expensively for mere
lack of employment.—Try them, husbands ’’
Recommending the lesson here inculcated to the at
tention of my young married readers for their present
advantage, and advising unmamed ones to store it up
for their future use and benefit, when occasion may
serve* 1 will take mjr leave of this subject for the pre
sent. 1 find that I have n good deal of business on my
bunds sinee my arrivul here, (at Ermine Hall,) for 1
could not but comply witli my kind cousin's invitation,
and accordingly came lu re on the 31 ins'ant; and the
prospect at present seems to be that I shall be detained
lu re some time. But this shall not make me unmind,
ful of what l owe to my readers—the country as well
us the town presents subjects lor reflection, and aflurda
us means both of instruction ami amusemeur t and hu
man nature, in all tune* and in ail places, ia still the
•an n. R-
THE SOU T IIE
In compliance with Mr. Weazle’s high behests, I
nade it my duty to be present at the celebration of the
ast Fourth of July, in order to note down such things
is might appear to me worthy of notice. As an ac
count has already been given of the celebration in gen
eral, I shall confine myself to a few remarks on a part
>f the procession which has been passed over. Many
if the spectators near me were as much surprised as 1
was to see a considerable number of (mostly) young
temlemen, wearing a white and blue satin ribbon scarf
on the left shoulder, who formed a conspicuous part of
the procession. Some took them for a lodge of Free
masons ; but on enquiry, I learned that they were part
of the association styled “ The Benevolent and Mu
tual Aid Association." This excited my curiosity,
and I was anxious to acquire some further information
respecting this body, the object of their institution, &.c.
The result of my enquiries I will now lay before my
readers.
This institution originated in the following circum
stance. Some time ago, a young man, a stranger in
the city, though he had been in employment, fell sick
and ultimately died during the summer. He had no
relations or connections here, and seemed, at one time,
to have even no friends. But as soon as his precarious
situation became known to some of his daily associ
ates, they flew to his assistance, administered to his
w-ants, tended him during his illness, and when the dis
ease took a fatal turn, they remained by his bed-side to
soothe his last moments, and smooth the pillow of
death. Their charitable attention did not cease here—
they took care to see him decen'ly and properly inter
red. Some of those who had been assiduous in their
attendance during these melancholy scenes, impressed
with what they had witnessed, and becoming sensible
of the inconvenience and want of comfort, to which
young men are liable, when seized with dangerous or
fatal disorders at a distance from their home and friends,
proposed to associate themselves for the purpose of
waiting on the sick and dying, and burying the dead,
under such circumstances as those above stated. This
excellent idea was immediately Carrie and into effect, and
thus originated the “ Benevolent and Mutual Aid As
sociation” of the city of Macon.
I cannot, perhaps, give my readers a clear idea of
the object and end of this most praiseworthy Associa
tion, better than by offering some extracts from their
Constitution, Sec. Their preamble opens thus :
In a population like our own, where there
; are eng iged in business, many young men
from different sections of the country, most of
whom am remote from relatives and friends,
and in case of sickness have none to depend
upon for necessary care and attention—and
'considering that, foi want of such care and
| attention, not unfrequently, cases of protract
red illness, find even death, ensue; therefore,
for these and other plausible reasons, it was
thought expedient and highly necessary, and,
j accordingly, there was formed among the
| young men of this city an association, the
| sole object and tendency of which has been,
land continues to be, mutually to ameliorate
the condition of each other in sickness, aiding
and rendering all assistance necessary in such
event—being ready at all times, in a sph it of
reciprocal benevolence and mutual depend
ence, to extend the hand of relief not only to
each other, but also to strangers and sojourn
ers who may be taken sick among us. Each
member of such association being considered
bound by the laws thereof, by bis own high
sense of honor, and every principle of humani
ty, not to see a brother member or a fellow
being suite.' for want of proper a”!, without
giving to the ass relation, through it* officers,
due notice of the same, and never to desert
such an one while bis arm can support, or his
right hand minister to the wants and comfort
of the afflicted, but to render all the assistance
in bis power, while there is the slightest glim
mer »f hope in life’s horizon, or any prospect
of relief to the sufferer—claiming and expect
ing like favor and kindness, under like cir
cumstances.
When the last fleeting moments of men’s
earthly existence are brightened and rendered
more precious by the attentions and endear
ments of friends, like the glow of a cloudless
sunset in summer, it seems to shed o’er the
closing of lile. sweet promises of rest lo the
soul, and a glorious to-morrow. But the ap
prehension of dying alone and unbefriended ;
there is a something, nil undefinable feeling of
sadness connected with this idea, revolting to
the social and better feelings of the human
heart, and it should be inducement enough, of
itself, to can e such as a e remote from their
natural friends, to secure the reqtt site kindness,
while it is within their teach.
And again—
The main, governing principles of this in
stitution, are charity and benevolence, without
which, the whole fabric of finer feelings in
the heart of man, must crumble and fell into
ruins ; they, with religion, are the connecting
links to hind and cement civil society, produc
ing amongst mankind a reciprocity of feeling
and action, unattainable without their influ
ence, harmonizing and smoothing the rough
passages of existence, promoting sociability,
good will and kindness of manner and bear
ing towards oiie another.
By joining this Association, we are pledged
to each other as brethren and friends, laying
By all private feuds and animosities, becoming
to eacii other as children of one great family,
assisting willingly and demanding assistance,
not as a remuneration, but as a mutual right.
The sth section of the first article of the Constitution
informs us that “ the object of this Association shall
be, to render unto all its members, regular and honora
ry, mid to strangers, all possible aid and attention in
sickness.” •
And article 3, section 4—“ The Association will, in
every instance, attend the funeral of a deceased mem
ber, w it h the badge of the association and crape, as
may be directed.”
These few extracts will be sufficient to show the no
ble object which is had in view by those who compose
this Society. The young men of Miicon, to whom
alone is due the credit ol its foundation, deserve every
praise for the spirit which prompted them in the be
ginning, and which still animates them. The associa
tion numbers now upwards ol one hundred members,
the greater part of them being young unmarried men.
I do lint know of any oilier eity m the Union in which
such an Association exists, and it must redound greatly
to the honor of the young men ol this city, to have con
ceived the idea of, and to have carried into effect, an
Institution so laudable in every respect and so welll cal
culated to foster and cherish the best feelings of die
human heart, and to draw closer together those bonds
of brotherly affection, which should, (hut,alas! do not)
unite all men as the children of one great latiikr.
II JACINTH.
THE GEORGIA HAIL ROA 11.
A friund Ims drnwn our uttuntion so the te
port of I tie Cfityf Engineer of ilie Georgia Bail
Hoad. It shows a flourishing stute of uffurs.
The number of passengers travelling on the
road from May I,IHHW, w«ießl,o9l—amount
received for passage ulone @0(1,1.40 07—-a.
mount offru'ghl, foraatno |>«riod, @00,97.1 4'J.
Tins speaks velume# for Georgia cnlcrprize.
It N POS T.
Sowtirrn flost-
OFFICE, ON THIRD-STREET, ONE DOOR FROM MULBERRY
STREET, AND OPPOSITE THE CENTRAL HOTEL.
MACON:
SATURDAY. JULY 13, 1839.
On the return ot the Editor, from the country,
the matter referred to in our friend F. G. A.’s letter
will be attended to.
NOTICES OF PERIODICALS.
We always hail the arrival of the time when these
entertaining publications may be expected to appear
on our table. We have received, during the past week,
a portion of our monthly supply, and we will proceed
to notice them individually, taking them in the order of
their age.
THE new-tork mirror.
This highly and deservedly popular weekly journal
introduces itself to us this week ns No. 1 of volume the
seventeenth. Sixteen years has this paper gone week
ly forth to ndminisf r to the instruction and amusement
of a large portion of the good people of there S'ates,
during which time it has been the especial favorite of
the fair sex. It offers higher claims than ever to the
favor of the public. From its commencement to the
present time it has gone steadily progressing (to use an
Americanism) in excellence. Tbe contents of the No.
before us are wholly original. We notice a sketch by
W. Cox, Esq., one of the old contributors; some lines
by Fitz Greene Halleck, Esq., whose muse’s visits are
really like angels’, “few and far between,” and al
ways as acceptable ; and a number of other good things.
Tbefr are also two fine enpravings in this No ; one a
very beautiful title-page, the other a finely engraved
likeness of P M. Wetmore, Esq., from the burin of
Parker, painted hv Inman. Several other engravings
are promised before the close of the volume, besides
| wood-cuts. The Mirror is the best ‘weekly’
in this or niff’^ountry.
THE KNICKERBOCKER
This admirable monthly has reached its fourteenth
volume. After having met with many and serious ear
ly difficulties, against which il has manfully struggled,
it comes to us hacked by “ troops of friends,” as may
be seen by the immense list of contributors published
at the end of the last No. Amongst the names there
set down there are many, any one of whom would
| prove a host in himself—almost all of them are “known
to fame;” and of late, the admired, the beloved “Geof
frey Crayon” has proved to be redivivxs, or, at least,
not dead ; for he has poured forth some of his own in
; imitable spirit through the later numbers. Our readers
will find, in another part of this day's paper, a reprint
of his “ Abcnci r.age,” taken from the June No. of the
Knickerbocker. In speaking of Geoffrey, we have used
the term “ beloved" advisedly—who, of all his readers
(and their name is Legion, for they are many !) does
not feel that he must love the man, for that overflow of
kindly sympathies and genuine good feeling which lie
entertains for ct’erV '' 11 n ” 'hat breathes?—Then too,
; there is “Boz”—Momtts luv-nmie, m us
Dickens, F.sq.; but who sometimes leaves off laughing,
and will make you weep in spite of your-elf. But we
should never have done, were we to continue these re
marks as long as the subject held out. The Knicker
bocker is meeting with the success which it so well de
serves, and we only wish to add our voice to the gen
eral chorus which is raised in its praise from one end
of the Union to the other.
THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
J If any paper in this country birds fair to rival the
Knickerbocker, it is the “ Messenger.,’ Its character
has long stood deservedly h’gli; and it is rising with
j every No. We have now before us No. 7 of vol 5,
which contains, amongst other valuable articles, a pow
erful tale entitled “ Judith Bensaddi,” from the pen of
a clerical gentleman. The author of the “ Tree Arti
cles,” and “ Currente-Calamosities,” continues his ra
cy correspondence. This journal is moreover our own :
it is Southern in feeling, and the unflinching champion
of Southern rights and Southern principles. We will
draw from it next week.
THE BALTIMORE MONUMENT.
This is another periodical which we are always glad
to see. It is rising in merit, and wc huve already show
ed our sense of its excellence, by transferring extracts
from previous No.’s to ourcolumns. The number now
before us is a good one. “An hour with newspapers”
suits our taste, and will, we hope, be continued. We
agree with the writer, that there are many things scat
tered through newspapers, which are too good to be
lost. “ Scenes front real life,” by one of the editors, is
a painfully faithful sketch. “ The Last Arrow,” is a
rechauffe of what was published in the New-York Mir
ror, (we believe) a year ago.
THE SOUTHRON.
Published at Tuscaloosa, Ala., No. 5, for May, 1839.
i The Editor has started a little behind his time, but he
.is “pulling up fast.” We like this publication. It
■ speaks well for the enterprise, spirit and literary taste
of our sister State. We have seen some very good ar
ticles in the Southron; and we will probably make
some drafts from its pages. We have been much plea
sed with a biographical sketch of the Western Poet
ess, the Amelia of the Louisville, Journal, with a good
ly selection of her poems, some of which we have al
ready marked for insertion. If she prove (which we do
not doubt,) as good a wife as she is a poetess, Mr. Wel
by is a happy man, and we wish him joy.
It is really delightful to see in our yet young country,
periodicals of the character of those here mentioned,
and of others which might be named. They are, slowly
perhaps, but at the same time surely, building up for us
a National Literature, which will not suffer by a com
parison with the happiest efforts of our “Transatlantic
brethren,” in their best days.
We had intended to have said something touching
1 our esteemed • otemporary and neighbor, the “ Augus
ta Mirror,” the last No. of which came to hand some
!days ago; but before we had a chance to examine it
as wc wished, some kind gentleman (query ?) took the
liberty to walk off with it from our Reading Room.—
We really must beg this person not to put himself to
the like trouble in future. We will endeavor to disco
ver the individual, at and if we succeed, we will try to
prevail upon him to subscribe for the paper; by which
process two parties will he benefited: our brother of
the “Mirror” will gain a subscriber, (we trust lie will
take pay in advance,) and we will he able to retain the
copy sent us, for our ow n use.
Seriously—this husiiiesa of taking papers from our
Reading Room without saying “by your leave,” ia not
j.particularly agreeable, and we do wish we could in
duce some people to tuko the same view of the subject
dial we do. We do assure them, in cracker phrase,
ihat ’’ it'* uat the thing it’s crack’d up to he." We do
net wish to say or do uny thing harsh, but if the prac
| tica does not cease, wo shall be forced, m self-defence,
! m close (lie Reading Room.
£0" Our readers will have observed that our last
week’s sheet contained the conclusion of the interest
ing and spirited letters from the West Indies, which
we have been publishing for some time past. We have
no doubt that they will regret that there are no.more of
them. They are from the pen of a gentleman in this
city, who recently returned from a tour made through
all the places which lie has described, with a view to
the restoration of his health. We are happy to state
that his pursuit has not been a fruitless one. His sketch
es of men and things are very spirited and en’ertain
ing, and the style is elegant and well suited to the char
acter of the sketches. They have given very general
satisfaction to our readers, and we are only sorry that
j they are concluded.
! StCr In one of our late papers we alluded to the false
impressions which*had been spread abroad in relation
:to the old Baptist Church. We now learn that it has
been said that the Baptist community in this place were
dissolved in consequence of their pecuniary difficulties,
which had become so great as to reduce them to the
necessity of selling their Church to the Managers of a
Theatre, knowing that it was to be appropriated to such
use. We repeat that this statement is utterly false. —
There is not a particle of truth in it. The old Church
was sold, only because it was old and unsuitable as a
place of worship. Neither those who sold nor those who
purchased it, had, at the time, the most .remote idea of
its being converted into a Theatre : it was turned into
n workshop, and the further change, into a Theatre was,
as we before said, “ an afterthought of the purchasers .”
Moreover, the Baptist community in this city is neither
broken up, nor insolvent. They are now engaged in
building anew and handsome house of worship, on
First street, and the work is going on rapidly. We
have endeavored to set this matter lit a proper light,
not that we have any interest in it, (for we are not a
Baptist,) but because we are desirous- that the truth
should be known, since it has been talked of; and we
wish to check the propagation of a false and injurious
rumor.
STATE OF THE MARKET, &c. &x.
We have received, within a few days, a tolerably
good supply of rain of very fair quality, but not suffici
ent to meet the demand, which is still considerable,
though not quite so great as it was. This seasonable
arrival has had a very favorable influence on the state
of things generally— cotton and corn are looking up,
and vegetables generally are on the rise. The river al
so rose a little; but the supply was not sufficient to
produce any very permanent effect in this article, and
it has since gone down to what it was before.
Avery small, but choice lot of cool pleasant weather
came in a few days ago, but it was all taken up im
mediately, and the demand for this article still contin
ues very great.
Heat and Dust —The market is glutted; no purcha
sers.
J Loafers, dogs, hogs, et id omne genus, are at a dis
count ; they may be picked up in the streets.
Paying Subscribers—Stock entirely exhausted, de
mand very great.
Duns are very plentiful: the market is overstocked,
and nobody wants ’em. We would be glad to send
off a few to certain of our friends.
On our first page may be seen the prospectus of
the “Southern Bee,” spoken of in our last, together
, with that fi.r the new volume of the “New-York Mir
ror.” In a week or two we shall endeavor to find room
! for the piospectus of the “Knickerbocker.”
iCr We notice the enlargement of the “ Georgia
(Milledgevilie) Journal.” It is now printed on new
j type, and makes a very creditable appearance. The
! “ Journal” ia one ol the oldest papers in the Siatq. \
{Kr I.i these hot, lounging, lazy times, we know of
I no place where an hour may be spent more agreeably, I
more comfortably, or more profitably, than the Paint
j ing Rooms of our friend Comfaxet, the Artist. He is
: really and truly TnE Artist, of Macon. His portraits of
j some of oar fellow citizens are to the very life: it is im
j possible for any one who has ever seen the originals to
mistake their semblances on canvas. As works of art,
independently of the fidelity of resemblance, they are
entitled to very high praise. They are very much in
die style of some of the old masters. Comparers draw
ing is perfect, and as a colorist, he ranks as high as any
artist we ever knew. His colouring'is not gorgeous,
not glaring, but it is faithful, it is deep ; above all, it is
true to nature. Unlike many self-styled artists, whose
portraits are all indued with flesh of the self-same co
lor, Comparet’s portraits show you at once whether his
original was a brunette or a blonde; whether the indi
vidual was of a florid or of a sallow complexion. The
likeness ol the Rev. Air. Pierce, President of the Geor
gia Female College, will be known by every one who
has ever seen him : so of all the others.
Besides these, he has several fancy pieces in hand,
which will repay the visitor for his call. The “ Sleep
ing Beauty” is really a beauty. The drawing is ex
quisite and the rhiaro-oscuro beautifully managed. Her
Majesty of England has been seen by most of our citi
zens Then there are several of Byron’s beautiful cre
ations. Gulnare, with dagger in hand, proceeding to
execute her fell purpose ; Therese (in Mazeppa) sitting
pensively before a chess-board ; Leonora, and last, not
least, Dudu, the lieauty of the Harem, “ the Sleepy Ve
nus, fit to murder sleep,” &c. These last named are
yet unfinished, but we would recommend to all those
, who wish to cultivate a taste for the Fine Arts (and ev
ery one should do so) to go and observe the progress of
the paintings. Those who go to the rooms, will derive
profit from the judicious remarks of the urbane and
courteous Artist, who converses freely with his visitors
on the merits or demerits of the paintings before them.
83“ Our merry brother of the Picayune tells of a man
who recently fell down in Canal street (New Orleans)
from the effects of a cour d’ieil ! Probably a lightning
glance from the bright eye of some fair one—eh, Mr.
Pic?
THE LAST WELLEftISMS.
“ Werry warm we[u]t\er,’’ as the salamander said to
the mutton as vas a-roasiing.
“ Some of* hour Transhatlanlic bretheren’ does pret
ty veil, hut I’m Veller" as Mr. Samivel said when he
saw so many Wellerisms in the American papers.
“Not as you nose on,” as the barber said, ven he
shaved the man as hadn’t no nose.
83“ “ Lady Chcveley, or the Woman of Honor,” is
the title of a satire by some friend of Bulwer’a on Lady
Bulwcr and her late novel.
OUR DAILY.
We again call the attention of our citizens to the
Prospectus of the “ Macon Daily Advertiser,’’ to be
found on the first page of this day's impression. Should
we fail to establish (for want of patronage at the hands
of our business men,) a daily print in this city, we feel
confident it will be several years before a like attempt
will lie made by any one. Every one appears to be
anxious for its success, and yet a number have refused
to place their names upon the list until the publication
is commenced. We arc not disposed to undertake so
arduous a tusk, without some proof of success—and
take occasion again to repoat that unless two hundred
subscribers are guaranted to ua in the city, it will be
impossible for us to attempt its publication. The Proa-,
pectus can lie found in our Resiling Room, to wtuch '
we respectfully invite all who feel an interest in the un- j
dtMaking, to attach their names
For the Southern Poet.'
Specimens of Modt'rn Poetry,
Being fragments from a not-hkely-to bc-published
Poem, by .
Hie day was past, and now night’s gloomy reign
Had spread her sable wings o’er all the Heavens—
Dewy, and dark, and dank; the heavy pall
< >'er*hadowed all things earthly, brooding o’er
The world, as sits the ominous bird—
Upon her hideous offspring who with
•Screeching* loud, discordant fill the vault
Os Heaven’s cerulean ether and appal
The heart of traveller benighted under
The trees, whose interlacing boughs
A matter! tangle form of leaf and branch
And twig, high spreading to the clouds
That darkly ride the deep blue vault
Os space immense and shadow o’er the scene—
The fireflies soon began to light their lamps—
.So watchmen, Charlies hight, in great New York,
Apply thsir flaming oil-cans to the pipes
W hence issue forth the phlegethontic streams
Os subterranean vapors, which straightway
Ignited, pour their flames on night’s dull ear,
Illumining all the dark expanse of
Narrow streets and miserable tenements, , rS. :<
Retreat of hordes innumerable
Os Loafers, drabs and such like wretched thing*— jyg.
* * * *
On such a night as this, when no
Illumed the vault of Heaven’s cerulean azure,
And when nocturnal monsters from the miry fens
Croaked discord harsh in hordes innumerable,
A mighty llrosier and a Wolverene went
Out to hunt the “ Opossum on a gum.”
Benevolent and Mutual Aid Association*
To the Citizens of Macon—The objects of this As
sociation, we deem proper you should be thus publicly
informed, are strictly and most sacredly to exemplify
in our practice, what we have taken as our name—•
‘ Benevolence and Mutual Aid.” In the distribution of
our Benevolence, we have an eye single to the one ob*
ject of ameliorating the condition of all— without re l
spect to persons, sects, sex or condition—who are iri
distress by sickness and poverty, so far as our limited
means and personal exertion arid attentions will in the
least alleviate. We trust in Providence to guide us a*
right, and where we find affliction, there do we wish to
render our aid, feeble as it may be—to obtain the ad
vice of a Physician and care of a Nurse, in sickness—
to calm and sooth the dying body and departing spirit
jof our fellow creatures—to comfort the widow and pro
tect the fatherless, and obtain employmont for her that
she may support and educate her children—and as the
vignette of our badge portrays, we- wish to act the part
of the Good Samaritan, in extending the hand of relief
to the stranger and sojourner who may be taken sick
among us. Our “Mutual Aid” is sufficiently appreci
ated by every member of the Association to make any
other public mention than that the Society exists.
Such, fellow-citizens, are the prominent objects of our
Association in your city—and we now request, that an/
object ofcommisseration that you or any of you may
find in our city, would be communicated to the Stand'
ing Committee, or any ot its members personally, or
by letter, and we pledge ourselves to give it immediate
attention.
Citizens wishing to become members, and actively
engnge in “doing good,” can, by application to the Se
cretary or any member of the Standing Committee, ob
tain a copy of the Constitution of the Association, and
leave their names.
Contributions in money, clothing, (male and female,
boys and girls,) books, (such as bibles, psalms &, hymns,
and prayer books only are wanted,) are respectfully re
quested to be left with the Secretary, at Graves’ Store,
or with Mr. Ir?'Hcy, at his Furniture Ware Room,
! Cotton Avenue—all, or any thankfully received. “ The
j widow’s mite” was not rejected.
OFFICERS.
S. J. RAY, President,
DAVID REID, Vice-President,
B. F. ROSS, Treasurer,
11. D. STARR, Secretary.
STANDING COMMITTEE.
J. P. Bradley, W. A. Greene,
> C. A. Higgins, P. C. Pendleton,
J. B. Ayres, A. G. Butts,
E. J. Johnston, H. C. Freeman.
83" The city papers will please publish the above.
; ;• ; a
83" We are authorized to announce EDWARD D.
i TRACY, Esq. as a candidate for the Senate, from
Bibb county, at the Election In October next.
nYeiv Soda Fountain ,
COTTON AVENUE.
SBODA WATER and CARBONATED MEAD,
of the first quality, for sale by
J. H. &. W. S. ELLIS.
July 13 38
LIME, LIKE, LIME.
4 QUANTITY of good LIME, for sale by
A M. M. & C. H. LOCKHART,
July 13 38 Cotton Avenue.
SILK CULTURE,
rjlO THE GROWERS of SILK IN 8188 COUN--
-R- TY.—The undersigned will cheerfully give Cer
tificates to all growers of Silk in this county, to obtain
the State Bounty of 50 cents the pound for Cocoons,-
and 10 cents the pound for Reeled Silk, free of charge,
and will attend to the weighing of any quantity, (ever
so small) and examination, according to the act of the
Legislature made and provided for the encouragement
of the Silk Culture in this State, at his office in Macon,
every day, at the hours of 7 to 9 A. M., and 1 to 3 P. M.
C. A. HIGGINS, Justice of the Peace.
July 13 38_
W. COWLES,
HAS this day received a fresh supply of FANCY
GOODS, consisting of Nett and Grenadeni
| Shawls, Scarfs, and Handkerchiefs ; Muslin and Lace
: Capes and Collars, Black and Lead Colored Grenadeni
j Silks, do. do. Lawns, Fancy French Drillings, a great
variety of Gloves and Hosiery, Gentlemen’s Suir.mea
! Stocks, &c.
June 29. 36
Foundry and ullachine Shop !
THE above business will be continued by the sub
scribers, at their old stand, corner of Walnut and
! Fourth-streets, opposite the New Presbyterian Church,,
where they will always be found ready and willing to
accommodate the public with any thing in their line,
such as Elucksmithing, Coppersmithing, Erass & Iron
Costings of every description, and Mas Spindles, Gnd~
treons, Inks, &c. &.c., on favorable terms, and of the
j verv best quality.
The utmost reliance may be placed on the exertion*
:of the Proprietors, and all in their employ T to merit and
retain the confidence if the public.
83" A lot of Suv-SEll Punches, of their own Cast*
I ing, on hand and for sale.
SMITH & McELROY-
June 1 32yl
lIOMrtLIKR SPRINGS.
Ijj* VERY preparation is going forward to make thi*
-4 one of the most desirable and fashionable yvater
, iug places in Georgia On or before the lOth of June
; tlte (louse will be ready for the reception of visttess- —
The proprietor flatters himself that from long observa
-1 tion in the best eating houses in the North, to give en
tire satisfaction.
This Medicinal Spring is located 16 miles west of
Macon and 6 miles from the Rail Road to Forsyth, and
is celebrated for the cure of a great variety of complaints,
which it would be unnecessary here to enumerate.
The Baths, which in ancient times were so much
admired, are in fine order. Visiters from below and
about Macon, will find it most pleasant to go by Ra3
Road ami Carriage, which wilt run dailv to and from
the Springs. T. B. GORMAN.
May 25, 1839 31tf
CHAPIN'S ORNAMENTAL M AP
OF THE UNITED STATES, for sale at the
Book Store of C. A. ELLS.
June 29 36