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jtUgcelUnfg. History of Hats.— At a recent meet ing of the Society of Antiquaries, J, A. Rvpton, Esq communicated a very cu rious and inieie&ting paper on the his lory oi hats, accompanied by 8 sheets of drawing of hats and caps, in an infin ity of shapes and fashions, from the time of Richard 11. up to 1784. He observed, the name hat was derived from a Saxon woid, meaning a covet ing for the head, in which general sense it has been used by early authors, and applied to the helmets of steel. Hats and caps were anciently made of felt, woollen, silk, straw, and various other materials, and were as diversified, in ffipir colouts. In the time of Eliza bath the rommon pj>lo gt ncially wore woollen caps ; and some acts were passed in her reign to encourage the manufacture of them. The bioad brims were introduced by the catdinais to their scat let hats and followed by the clergy. The inconvenience of the bioatl brim all round caused the turn ing of one side up ; then wo sides w ere turned up, and, at last, turned up three Sides introduced rucked hat. The high crown hat was first worn in the lime c>: E z irieth, and det lined in the reign of Cnarles 11. Mi Repton then noticed the ornaments of hats, such as feathers broar hes, and bands. Henry VIII. is desi ribed, on his entry into Calais, wearing feathers from India 4 feet long; and men wore feathers in their hats as late as the reign of Queen Anne. Yew is mentioned as placed in the hat to de no'e mourning for a deceased relative or friend. The paper contained nu merous < ut'ous and amusing quotations on the subject from a great variety of authors.— London fiafier. GOLD CURRENCY. Tben .wlaw, egulaiing Gold, goes into existence on the 31st. inst. The old and new coinage now will pass as follows: Old New. An Eagle, $10,66,} $lO j do 533 1-3 5 i do *2.63 2-3 2,50 Foreign Gold— Guinea g 5, 1! ; Patriot $16,3 , lo Guilder $4,2 ; Moi dore $6,56 ; 20 Ftancs $3,86; F; eder ick d’or $3 97 ; —all these values sup pose full weight—Spanish and Patriot Doubloons are by taw the same value for ,'icy are the same weight and fine ness, but the Spanish will generally be above rhe legal rate sot the purpose of exportation to Cuba, where it is woith sl7. The amount of Gold now in ihi count’ v, is equal to about one million and a half of dollars. There was coined in England, Go and to the value <>l 28 millions of Pounds sterling in 6 years after she refo'med her currency. France coined 195 mil lions of gold since Bonaparte reformed her currency in 1808—between the year 1822 and 1828 England coined 40 million of silver—and France 499 mil lion of dollars in silver since Bonaparte bani .hed paper monev * The Globe erroneously states the value of a i Eagle at $2,31 1-3 ; it should be as above. Aiguielettes’ — A French periodi cal t ms accounts for the origin of the military costume of aiguielettes. The Duke of Alva, to revenge hirhselffor the defection of a considerable corps of Belgians, gave orders that each individ ual of the body, whatever rank he held, thou id, if taken, be hung immediately The answer of the brave denounced vras.that in order to facilitate the Duke’s intention, they would thenceforward wear a rope with a not attacked to their necks. They distinguished themselves gteatly duting the ensuing campaign, and the cord became a mark of honor, and was soon replaced by the present aiguielettes.— Ga. Constitutionalist. Lord Bacon was asked by King J tries the First what he thought ot Mr. Caderes, a very tall man wfjo was sent on an embassy to the King of France He said : “ Very tall men art like lofty hous es, > e e the uppermost rooms a-e coraujonly the most meanly furnished.” An elderly ladv, at a village in Nor folk, has adopted the singular idea that she is sn old hen. Her restlessness and vexation were excessive so long as her ft Lends contradicted the notion ; but after a time, they ceased to do so, and, at the recommendation of her medical adviser, suffered her to think and act as she pleased. In consequence ot this indulgence the good damo is more positive than ever of her feathered state, and has even gone so far as to make hetself a nest in the clothes basket, where she sits a great part of the day with most praiseworthy patience on three Dutch cheeses, asserting that thty will be ha'ched in 7 week’s time. —Suffolk Chron. TliJlts to llou \Vlcn ivory handle kn‘.*es turn yellow, rub them with nice said paper, or emery, it will take off the spots, and restore their whiteness. When a cu pet is faded, I have been old that it may bo restored, in a great measure, (ptevided there be no grease in it,) by beinj dipt into strong salt and water. I never tried this; but I know that silk pocket handket chiefs, and deep blue factory cotton will not fade, ts dipped into salt and water while new. Tortoise shell and horn combs last much longer for having oil rubbed in to them once in a while. Spots in furni ere may usually be cleansed by rubbing them quick and hard, with a flannel wet with the same thing which took out the color; if rum wet the cloth with rum, &c.— The ve ry best restorative for defaced varnish ed furniture, is rotton stone pulverived and rubbened on with linseed oil. Sal volatile, or hartshorn, will res ore colors taken out bv acid. It may be dropped upon any garment without doing hatm. RESPECTABILITY. We apprehend that there is no one thing that occasions more misory in this world thatitho wrong meaning that has been given to this on* word respecta bility. What is respectability ? Is it in being a lawer, a doctor, a merchant, or a minister ? Does it consist in wear ing the “ best broadcloth,” or in being able to dance gracefully or jabber French fluently ? Assuredly not All thrse may, and do exist, and yet their possessors are far from being respecta ble as they are from being useful mem bers of society—which, by the way, is as far as you can possibly get by way of comparison. True respectability consists in adorning the situation in life in which Providence has placed us—in striving with s.ll assiduity to make our selves wiser—and better, in doing ail that is in our power to enhance our own happiness—and the happiness of our fellotv beings. The man who by his honest industry, gains himself and family a comfortable subsistence by tilling the soil, is far more respectable, than rhe lawyer who has amassed his thousands by grinding the lace of the poor, and wrenching from the hand of the unfortunate his only support in the shape of fees, or the (doctor who pre scribes his nostrums, which oftener kill than cute, or the merchant whose woithless limbs are covered with cost ly apparel. Men from false estimates from outward show, costly apparel nor difference of calling that make men respectable. There is a certain class in society—mere buttei flies it is true, lay claim to respectability, and who af fect to treat the common people—those who do not choose to deck their per sons in gaudy attire and to spend their time in idle frivolity and senseless mirth —with great indifference. But when we become acquainted with these crea tures, we shall look upon them with very cJiffeienr feeling than those of en vy. VVe shall view them with pity and contempt —pity because they thus ef fectually by folly blot out of existence the mind, the sole principle in them which can afford them lasting happi ness and make them useful in the world in which they ate determined to stay — ts live, such beings do not—and con i'mpt, that those who have the power thus to make themselves really happy and useful, should thus render them selves complete drones—yes, complete nuisances in society. Let the honest farmer or mechanic CQiilcni himself, and act consistently with this reflection, that they are doing more for the good of their country —for mankind and their own happiness while engaged in their useful employments, than a host of indolent lawyers, ignor ant doctors or insolvent merchants, and let i hem teach these things diligently to their children, artd we shall sec less guilded poverty —fewer brainless dan dies, fewer effeminate and useless fe males, and more true- respectability than we now meet with. THE WINTER’S COAST. When seated by a good hard wood or anlhraiite coal fire, apeison can en joy a tolerable share of comfort, not with; slanting the severity of the weath er, and oie will not suffer & gieal deal in attending lo a little out-of-door bust ness, when well guarned against the cold by a Petersham great coat, a fur cap and India rubber overshoes, even though the theimometer should beat zero. A landsman may Inten to the wind with indifference, when it howis mournfully out-of-doors, or even brave the bitter blast with impunity, but un der no circumstances, unless from ex perience, can he form any correct idea of me sufferings of the Seamen on the coast of New England in the winter’s s :ason. It is well kriowui that westerly winds prevail in this climate throughjthe win ter months, and frequently blow with great fury. Mercnant vessels teturn ing f>om’Europe ui the West Indies, pc haps deeply laden, and not sufficient • ly mount'd, alter a long and tedious passage, arrive on the coast, and en counter these furious and almost into minabie north-westers. It is often the case that after arriving within sight oi tbcit long wished sot haven, they have again been driven to sea, and compeil ed to submit to the intense severity ol the wenlher for many days. Several instances have been known within the last few year* of vessels which have been for thirty or forty days beating about in Massachusetts Bay, exposed exposed to all the horrors of the wintet, after having fallen in with the land.— But few of these vessels possess the mean* of having a fire in the cabin, and probably none have any fire in the fore castle, which is the ordinary residence of the crew the whole of that time. The deeply laden vessel when ap proaching the coast in this inclement season, is inundated with spray, which freezes as it falls, and covers the deck and bulwarks with ice—the garments of the crew are drenched and frozen, and they have not the means of drying them ; the straining of the vessel in the heavy gales not unfrequentiy causes the forecastle to leak—and thus ‘he matrasses and bed clothes become sa turated with salt water: the sails are frozen stiff, particularly the courses, which are usually covered with spray, and are thus rendered unmanageable; and the rigging is covered with thick coats of ice. But the duties of the sea men must be attended to —the preser vation of the property and lives on board require it. The pumps must be thawed out, and worked ; various evo lutions must be performed ; —the sails must be properly trimmed and taken care of—and not unfrequentiy the men are compelled to remain aloft for hours hauling or reefing sails, thinly clad in their wet and frozen garments, when the weather is intensely cold. Their provisions are by this time nearly exhausted; and they must be satisfied with a pittance of salt beef, bread and water, served out with a sdaring hand ; and it not unfrequentiy happens, that to add if possible to their distress, the cooking galley is washed overboard, or otherwise rendered un tenable, and they are deprived of the means of dressing their scanty share of provision. Exhausted with fatigue, and debilitated with cold and hunger, they are no longer able to execute the orders oftheir commander with prompt ness and effect. The sails are soon blown from the yards end the freight ed bark is driven about at the mercy of the winds and the waves. It is then surprising that after a tinye, these ma rines become discouraged, and reckless of their fate ? Their frost-bitten limbs grow painful in th,e extreme: their evil accumulate until they seem too numerous and tormenting to be borne —and Deeth is welcomed as relief. \ This is not a fancied picture. Such j scenes occur in the course of almost! every winter. Probably at this timej many vessels after protracted passages ! have arrived on our coast with exhaus- j led and frost-bitten crews—and have j been sadly crippled in severe contests; with the boisterous elements., At this | moment, hundreds, perhaps thousands, brave and generous human beings ate suffering from the ills, which we have attempted to describe. At such a time as the present, some- j thing should be done for the relief of the unfortunate beings, who are in this situation. The Revenue cutters, in particular should be on the alart, and providded with the means of furnishing assistance. And we believe it has been* usual alter a continuation of extremely j cold weather, for the Insurance offices j in out populous cities to fit out small vessels to cruise along the coast, and j tender asiistance to such Merchantmen j as may require it. Congress* From he Correspondent of the Courier. “ Washington. Feu. 25. 11 Tbeie is nothing which causes more exntement at this moment than, the pendng inquiry on which the Spe cial Coirmittee of the Senate is at this moment engaged. The Committee met again this evening at 5 o’clock, and are now sitting. 1 understand that Mr. Dutee J. Pearce admits that he made a mistake, when he intimidated so dis tinctly that there were three depositions shewn to him. He can now only remem ber two. and he is now just as positive that thete were but two. The rent uiitiee has received testimony dis; u ting the statement that lias gone abroad! that Mr Ewing, of Ohio, and Dcff Green had called op Foy or Stewart, to prevent him from giving his testi rnony. It is said that a report cannot be made before Friday or Saturday “ The Senate met at 5 o’clock this evening. The resolution offeted by Mr. Smith, which have been for some time on the table, declaratory of the opinion of ihe Senate of the condition of the General Post Office, and the character of its Administration, were the first special order, but as Mi Smith was engaged in the Special Committee the resolutions, were, for the present Lid on the table. Mr. Hill’s resolu tion on the same subject, but exculpa ting the Administration of the General Post Office, were next in order. He inadvertently said, that he was ready to goon with the discussion, but one of his friends, (Mr. Talmadge) wished to lay them on the table. This motion was withdrawn, and Mr. Hill moved the following additional resolution:— “ ‘ Resolved , That no eviden- eap pears in the report of any committee of the Senate, which goes to impeach the private or official integrity of Wm. T Barry, Post Master General ; that the extra allowances under his direction made to Mail Contractors, and the me thod of receiving contractors bids on advertised proposals for cartying Mails are a continuation of the former prac tice of the Post Office Department,and that the defects and irregularities of the Department have been a natural consequence of the want of a due or ganizat.on of the Department by Con gress.” “ After this proposition was of fered, the resolutions were laid on the table. The bills relating to the Public lands, which stood next on the special orders, were laid on the table in conse quence of the absence of Mr. Clay who had introduced them. The Sen ate then went on to Mr. Calhoun’s Bill reported from his Select Committee, to regulate the Public Deposites. Mr. Calhoun filled up the blank for the rate of interest to be paid by Banks holding the Public Deposites, by inserting two per centum. Mr. Preston then moved a proviso that where the deposites in a Bank were less than SIOO,OOO quarter ly, the Secretary of the Treasury should have a discretion vested in him to re duce the per centum It was *ben mo ved to strike out 100,000, and insert 50,000. While this motion was pend mg, Mr. Webf.ter made some remarks on the inconvenience which would re sult to the Government from the want of power to transfer its drafts from place to place, without cost. The U. S. Bank had acted in that capacity,and had given these transfer drafts, but no such duty could be imposed on the State Banks. Mr. Buchanan stated, that at this day, money was transferred for the U. States from one part of the Union to another, without any cost to ‘he Go>enment, as was done by the United States Bank. He said that he was nut prepared to go into a discus sion of this question to-night,|and he de sired to obtain information as to the precise regulation of the ‘Treasury. — Mr. Webster said, in reply, that he had only stated that the Bank of the U. States was bound to transfer thegioney without cost, and the Senator from Pen sylvania bad stated that he (Mr. W.) I was mistaken, because it was still su transferred. Mr. Webster said he was discussing a law, and he saw no provi sion to compel the Banks to do it, and be did not know that there could be such provision. If the Banks now did by regulation with the Treasury, what the U. S. Bank was bound to do, there was no compulsion upon them to do it by law, and this was ihe difference be tween the past, and present state of things. The Senate adjourned before any derision was made.” “ Washington, Feb 26. “ As soon as me Senate met this morning, Mr. Donehon appeared with a Message Loin the President. L was so earlv that the Senate was only half full, and Mr Naudain, who was sitting close to the Secretary, had moved the printing, and the motion was agreed to, before it appeared to strike any one, that tlic Message was of rather too in teresting a character to be disposed of in this sui silentio manner. Mr. Pres "■n then uok up tlie report, and look ing hastily over the leaves, asked fox the reading; of it. The Secretary had made somt progress in the r eading, before Mr. Clay, who is the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign relations, and Mr. Webster came into the Cham ber. The fi st letter of Mr. Living ston is dated January 9, (I think,) and states that the message had been recei ved by him in the morning, in conse quence of his having gone to the ex pense of keep a courier in readiness to bring it on from Havre, while the French Government did not receive copies of the Message until the even ing. He refers to the great excite ment which had been produced in Par is on its arrival, and expresses his fears Inal ihe Chambers would not act in passing the appropriation, while this menace was hanging over them His next letters are of the 14th and 16th, in which he speaks of ihe continuance of the excitement; of the character and result of his conferences; of the note of Do Rigny informing him that the King had recalled M. Serrurier, and that his own passports were ready for him, if he should think that his sense of duty would require him to send for them. In reply to the last intimation, he declines availing himself of them under existing circumstances. Mr, Forsyth writes Mr. Livingston that, if he had taken his passports at that nti fication, the President would have at tached no centure to him for the act. In the letter of Mr. Forsyth of the 13th inst. it is stated for the instruction of Mr. Livingston, that if the French Chamber should refuse to pass the Ap propriation Bill at this session, he is forthwith to withdraw himself and the entire legation from Paris, and proceed to Havre, where he will find a U-S. Frigate wiling to bring them away. In the first letter of Mr. Livingston, he at tributes a good deal of the excitement prevailing in Paris, to the tone of the National Intelligencer , and a N. York paper, and intimates that if war should ensue, those papers may assure them selves that they have had some partici pation in bringing it on. In the house there was a still greater sensation than in the Senate, when these papers were read, and resolutions were offered, and a report of the majority on Foreign Re lations made but n was afterwards with drawn to he presented to morrow, to gether with the report of the minority, “ There was a report made by the Special Committee, on Mr. Poindex ter’s case, this morning, in the Senate. It was merely an expression, in which every member joined, of the opinion of the opinion of the Committee that n^t