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JK I’ S’ C E % It IHf From the ERinburg Magazine, of April, 1<97. DESCRIPTION OF ARERICAN WHITE WASHING. EY DR. FRANKLIN. Written in the Chnracftr of a gentleman who corres ponds with his Friend in England . Mv wish is to give you some account of the peopleot these state's, hut Tam far from being qualified for the purpose, having as yet seen little more than the cities of New York and Philadel phia. * 1 have discovered but few national singu larities among them. Their customs and rnan nersare nearly the same with those of England, which they have long been used to copj. tor, previous to the revolution, the Americans were from their infancy, taught to look up to the Eng lish as patterns of perfection in all things. I have observed, however, one custom, which for ought I know, is peculiar to this country. An account of it will serve to fill up the remainder of this sheet, and may afford you some amusement. “ When a young couple are about to enter into the matrimonial state, a never failing article in the marriage state is, that the lady shall have and en joy the free and unmolested exercise of the rights of white wishing, with all its ceremonials, privi leges, and appurtenances. A young woman would forego the most advantageous connection, and even disappoint the warmest wish of her heart, rather than resign the invaluable right. — You will wonder what this privilege of white ivash inv is. 1 will endeavor to give yon some idea of the ceremon}’, as 1 have seen it performed. There is no season of the year in which the lady may not claim her privilege, if she pleases; but the latterendof May is most generally fixed upon for the purpose. The attentive husband may judge by certain prognostics when the storm is nigh at hand. When the lady is unusualty fretful, finds fault with the servants, is discontented with the children, and complains of the filthiness of everything about her—these are signs which ought not to be neglected ; yet they are not deci sive, as they sometimes come on anti go off again, without producing any further effect. But if, when the husband rises in the morning, he should observe in the yard a wheel barrow with a quanti of lime in it, or should see certain buckets with lime dissolved in water, there is then no time to be lost ; he immediately locks up the apartment or closet where his papers or his private property are kept, and putting the key in his pocket, be tikes himself to flight ; fra husband, however beloved, becomes a perfect nuisance during this season of female roge ; his authority is superse ded, his commission is suspended, and the very scullion who cleans the brasses in the kitchen, be comes of more consideration and importance than him. He has nothing for it, but to abdicate, and run from an evil which he can neither prevent nor mollify. The husband gone, the ceremony begins. The walls are in a few minutes stripped of their fur niture ; paintings, prints, and looking-glasses ; the curtains are torn from the testers, the beds crammed into the windows ; chairs and tables, bedsteads and cradles crowd the yard; and the garden fence bends beneath the weight of carpets, blankets, cloth cloaks, old coats, and ragged breeches, litre may be seen the lumber of the kitchen, forming a dark and confused mass; for the foreground of the picture, gridirons and fry ing pans, rusty shovels and broken tongs, spits and pots, joint-stools, and the fractured remains of rush-bottomed chairs, There a closet has dis gorged its bowels, cracked tumblers, broken wine glasses, phials of forgotten of unknown powders, seeds and dried herbs, handfuls of old corks, tops of teapots, and stoppers of departed idcanters ; from the rag-hole in the garret to the rat-hole in the cellar, no place escapes unrum maged. It would seem as if the day of general doom was come, and the utensils of the house were dragged forth to judgment. In this tempest, the words of Lear naturally present themselves, and might, with some alteration, be made strictly applicable : ‘ Let the great gods, That keep this dreadful pudder o’er our heads, Find out their enemies now. Tremble thou wretch, That hast within the undivulged crimes Unwhipt of justice ! ’ . ‘ Close pent up guilt, Raise your concealing continents, and ask These dreadful sommoners grace ! ’ This ceremony completed, and the house thoroughly evacuated, the next operation is to smear the walls and ceilings of every room and closet with brushes dipped in a solution of lime, called white-wash ; to pour buckets ol watei ovet every floor, and scratch all the and wainscoats with rough brushes wet with soap-suds, and dipped in stone-cutters sand. Ihe windows by no means escape the general deluge. A ser vant scrambles out on the penthouse, at the risk of her neck, and with a mug in her hand, and a bucket within reach, she dashes away innumera ble gallons of water against the glass panes ; to the great annoyance of the passengers in the street. I have been told that an action at law” was once brought against one of these water nymphs, by a person who had anew suit ol clothes spoiled by this operation ; but, alter long argument it was determined by the whole court, that the action would not lie, in as much as the defendant was in the exercise of a legal right, and not answerable for the consequences; and so the poor gentleman was doubly non-suited ; for he lost not only his suit of clothes, but his suit at law. These smearings and scratchings, washings and dashings, being duly performed, the next ceremonial is to cleanse and replace the distracted furniture. You may have seen a house raising, or a ship-launch, when all the hands within reach are collected together ; recollect, it you can. the hurry, bustle, confusion, and noise of such a scene, and you will have some idea of this cleaning match. The misfortune is, that die sole object is to make things clean ; it matters not how many useful, ornamental, or valuable articles are mu tilated, or suffer death under the operation ; a mahogany chair and carved frame undergo the same discipline ; they are to be made clean at all events ; but their preservation is not worthy, of attention. For instance, a fine large engraving is laid flat upon the floor ; smaller prints are piled upon it, and the superincumbent weight cracks the glasses of the lower tier; but this is ho con sequence. A valuable picture is placed leaning against the sharp corner of the table, others are made to lean against that, until the pressure of the whole forces the corner of the table through the canvass of the first. The frame and glass of a fine print are to be cleaned ; the spirit and oil used on this occasion, are suffered to leak through and spoil the engraving ; no matter ; it the glass is clean and the frame shine, it is sufficient; the rest is not worthy of consideration. An able arithmatician has made an accurate calculation, founded on long experience, and has discovered, that the losses and destruction equal to two white washings are equal to one removal, and three re movals equal to one fire. The cleansing frolic over, matters begin to re sume their pristine appearance. The storm abates, and all would be well again, but it is impossible that so great a convulsion, in so small a commu nity, should not produce some farther effects. — For two or three weeks after the operation, the family are usually afflicted with sore throats, or sore eyes ; occasioned by the caustic quality of the lime, or with fever colds from the exhalations of wet doors or damp walls. I knew a gentleman, who was fond of account ing for every thing in a philosophical way. He considers this, which I have Galled a custom, as a real periodical disease, peculiar to the climate.— His train of reasoning is ingenious and whimsical; but lam not at leisure to give you a detail. The result was, that he found the distemper to be in curable ; but after much study he conceived he had discoveiei a method to divert the evil he could not subdue. For this purpose, he caused a small building, about twelve feet square, to be erected in his garden, and furnished with some ordinary chairs and tables ; and a few prints of the cheapest sort were hung against the walls. — His hope was, that when the white-washing frenzy seized the females of his family, they might re pair to this apartment, and scrub and scour, and smear to their hearts content; and so spend the violence of the disease in this outpoll, while lie enjoyed himself in quiet at head quarters. But the experiment did not answer his expectation ; it was impossible it should, since a principal part of gratification conflicts in the lady’s having an uncontrolled right to torment her husband at least once a year, and to turn him out of doors and take the reins of government into her own hands. There is a much better contrivance than this of the philosopher’s, which is to cover the walls of the house with paper ; this is generally done ; and though it cannot abolish, it at least shortens the period of female dominion. The paper is deco rated with flowers of various fancies, and made so ornamental that the women have admitted the fashion, without perceiving the design. There is also another alleviation of the hus band’s distress; he generally has the privilege of a small room or closet for his books and pa pers, the key of which he is allowed to keep. — This is considered as a privileged place, and stands like the land of Goshen amid the plagues of Eg} f pt. But then he must be extremely cau tious, and even on his guard. For should he in advertantly go abroad and leave the key in his door, the house-maid, who is always on the watch for such an opportunity, immediately enters in triumph with buckets,brooms, and brushes; takes possession of the premises, and forthwith puts all his books and papers to rights ; to his utter con fusion, and sometimes serious detriment. For instance : A gentleman was sued by the executors of a tradesman, on a charge found against him in the deceased’s books to the amount of <£3o. ‘ The defendant was strongly impressed with an idea that he had discharged the debt and taken a re ceipt. The suit went on in course, and the time approached when judgment would be obtained against him. He then sat seriouslv down to ex- O ** % amine a large bundle of old papers which he had untied and displayed for that purpose. In the midst of his search, he was suddenly called away on business of importance ; he forgot to lock the door of his room. The housemaid, who had been long looking out for such an opportunity, immediately entered with the usual implements, •and with great alacrity fell to cleaning the room, and putting things to rights . The first object that struck her eye was the confused situation of the papers on the table ; these were without delay bundled together, like so many dirty knives and forks; but in the action a small piece of paper fell unnoticed on the lloor, which happened to be the very receipt in question ; as it had no very re spectable appearance, it was soon after swept out with the common dirt of the room, and carried in a rubbish pan to the yard. The tradesman had neglected to enter the credit in his book ; the defendant could find nothingjto obviate the cliaige, and so judgement went against him for the debt and costs. A fortnight after the whole was set tled, and the money paid, one ol the children found the receipt among the rubbish in the yard. There is also another custom peculiar to the city of Philadelphia, and nearly allied to the for mer. I mean that of washing the pavement be fore the doors every Saturday evening. lat first took this to be a regulation of the police ; but on further inquiry find it is a religious rite, prepara tory to the Sabbath ; and is, I believe, the only religious rite in which the numerous sectarians ol this city perfectly agree. The ceremony begins about sun-set, and continues till about ten or eleven at night. It is very difficult for a stran ger to walk the streets on these evenings ; he runs O* . # a continual risk of having a bucket ol dirty wa ter thrown, against his legs ; but a Philadelphia born, is so much accustomed to the danger, that he avoids it with surprising dexterity. It is from this circumstance that a Philadelphian may be known any where by his gait. The streets of New York are paved with rough stones ; these indeed are not washed,-but the dirt is so thoroughly swept from before the doors, that the stones stand up sharp and prominent, to the great inconvenience of those who are not accustomed to so rough a path. But habit reconciles every thing. It is diverting enough to see a Philadel phian at New York ; he walks the streets with as much painful caution, as if his toes were covered with corns, or his feet famed with gout ; while a New Yorker, as little approving the plain masonry of Piladelphia, shuffles along the pavement like a parrot on a mahogany table. It must be acknowledged that the ablutions 1 have mentioned are attended with no small in convenience ; but the women would not be in fluenced, from any consideration, to resign their privilege. Notwithstanding this, I can give you the strongest assurances, that the women of America make the most faithful wives, and the most attentive mothers in the world ; and I am sure you will join me in opinion, that if a mar ried man is made miserable only one week in a whole year, he will have no great excuse to com plain of the matrimonial bond. I am, &c. WONDERFUL ADVANTAGES OF DRUNKENNESS. If you wish to be always thirsty, be a Drunk ard ; for the oftener and more you drink, the oft ener and more thirsty you will be. If you seek to prevent your friends raising you in the world, be a Drunkard ; for that will defeat all their efforts. If you would effectually counteract y-our own attempts to do well, be a Drunkard ; and you will not be disappointed. If you wish to repel the endeavours of the whole human race to raise you to character, credit, and prosperity, be a Drunkard ; and you will most assuredly triumph. If 3 t ou are determined to be poor, be a Drunk ard ; and you will soon be ragged and penniless. If you wish to starve your family,be a Drunkard for that will consume the means of their support. If you would be imposed on by knaves, be a Drunkard; for that will make their task easy. If you would wish to be robbed, be a Drunkard;; and you will soon be more stupid than an ass. If you would become xx fool, be a Drunkard ; and you will soon lose your understanding. If you wish to unfit yourself for rational inter course, be a Drunkard ; for that will render you wholly unfit for it. If you are resolved to kill yourself, be a Drunk ard; that being asure mode of destruction. If you would expose both your folly and se crets, be a Drunkard ; and tiiey will soon run out as the liquor runs in. If you think you are too strong, be a Drunk ard; and you will soon be subdued by so pow erful an enemy. If you would get rid of your money without knowing how, be a Drunkard; and it will vanish insensibly. If you would have no resource when past labo but a workhouse, be a Drunkard; and you wilr be unable to provide any. If y r ou arc determined to expel all comfort from your house, be a Drunkard; and you will soonl do it effectually. If you would be always under strong suspi cion, be a Drunkard ; for little as you think it, all agree that those who steal from themselves and families will rob others. If you would be reduced to the necessity of shunning your creditors, be a Drunkard ; and you will soon have reason to prefer the by-paths to the public streets. If you would be a dead weight on the commu nity, and “ cumber the ground,” be a Drunkard ; for that will render you useless, helpless, burthen some and expensive. • If you would be a nuisance, be a Drunkard ; for the approach of a Drunkard is like that of a dunghill. If you would be hated by your family and friends, be a Drunkard ; and you will soon be more than disagreeable. If you would be a pest to society, be'a Drunk ard; and you will be avoided as infectious If you do not wish to have your faults reformr 1 continue to be a Drunkard ; and you will notrT I for good advice. If you would windows, break the p enrY get your bones broken, tumble under carts j I horses, and be locked up in watch houses, k’ Drunkard ; and it will be strange if you do * , ° - J Hot I succeed. If you wish all your prospects in life i 0 ; n I clouded, be a Drunkard ; and they will soon dark enough. If you would destroy y-our body-, be a drunkard as drunkenness is the mother of disease. If you mean to ruin your soul, be a Drunkard }hat3-011 maybe excluded from heaven. Finally, if 3-011 are determined to be utterly destroyed, in estate, body and soul, be a drunku, j. and 3-011 will soon know that it is impossible u, adopt more effectual means to accomplish your END. \ Farcntal Example. —There is often a great dcr I more conve3-ed through a single sentence, ihanwel are apt to imagine. Our future destiny mny 1 I swayed l>y r the hearing ol* one little word, and I that word may be spoken in our hearing at a very I early period of our lives. Many a father, whed I 3-ears began to sober the buoyant tumult of his| spirits, lias worried and grieved over the disposi-1 tions and actions of bis son or daughter, marvel-1 ling whence they 7 came ; whereas the son ordaugfj. I ter received the feelings which gave birth to such I actions, while they were but infants, from the lips I of their father as they heard him recount the deeds, the exploits, the feats of bravery of his voun-r boyhood. From the hour that a child begins to notice the objects around it, or to be sensible of kind or harsh treatment, from that moment every one who lakes it in his arms, and every object around it, becomes its instructor. All children arc inquisitive, and this anxiety for more knowledge should be encourged rather than repressed. A child’s oft-times curious inquiries should never be I met with repulsive, chilling answers, which is so I often heard—“ Children should never ask ques- I tions.” Would not the mistaken parent* hesitate 1 in replying thus, if he reflected, that what he terms idle curiosity is the restless, never-ceasing 1 yearning of the immortal spirit that will never be d entirely satisfied ? The great plea urged by those who neglect these important duties, is want of time. But God never imposed upon any of J his creatures a single duty without giving time l for its performance. Evenness yf Temper. —Madame Ncckcr relates 1 the following anecdote of M. Abauret, a philoso* I pher of Geneva: It was said of him that lie I had never been out of temper ; some persons, by J means of his female servant, were determined I to put him to the proof. The woman in ques- 1 tion stated that she had been his servant for morel than thirty y r ears, and she protested that during I that time, she had never seen him in a passion.—j They promised her a sum of money if she would! make him angry-. She consented; and, knowing J that he was particularly fond of having his bed || well made, she on the day r appointed neglected [ to make the bed. INI. Abauret observed it, and j the next morning made the observation to his scr- k| vant; she answered him that she had forgotten I it; she said nothing more, but on the same even-! ing she again neglected to make the bed. The I same observation was made on the morrow by the jihilosopher, and she again made some ex cuse in a cooler manner than before. On the third day he said to her, “ You have not yet made my bed—you have apparently come to some resolution on the subject, as you probably found that it fatigued you, But, after all, it is of no great consequence, as I begin to accustom myseli to it as it is.” She threw herself at his feet and avowed all to him. A Genuine Irish Bull . —“ The fare to Lawrence by railroad for two of us, and who! is it ?” asked an honest Hibernian at the Boston railroad station. One dollar and twenty cents, was the answer ol the obliging ticket-seller. “ An’ can’t you be taking less?” “ Not a penny.” “Then just give us two tickets lor a collar 1 and we’ll walkout the baliuncc /” was the earnest I demasd of Patrick. Sensuality. —The wicked and sensual part of the world are only concerned to find scope and j room enough to wallow in ; if they can but have r it, whence they r have it troubles not their thought; saying grace is no part of their meal: they fed and grovel like swine under an oak, filling them selves with mast, but never so much as looking up cither to the boughs that bore, or the hands that shook it down.— Dr. South. A Brave Jew. —ln the ranks of die glorious Hun* ganan army fighting tor their liberty is a Jewish officer ol high merit, M. Danneberg, who b aS served under the Americans in the Mexican war? but no sooner did he hear of the struggle again? l oppression in his native country, (Hungary,) tlw 1 * he proceded from New York to Bremen, and thence to the scene of war where he is now earn* ino 7 golden inurals.— Jew Chronicle, Dr. Fuller quaintly but truly say r s : “An ounoj of mirth, with the same degree of grace, wij } serve God farther than a pound of sadness. We agree with the doctor on that point.