The independent press. (Eatonton [Ga.]) 1854-????, September 16, 1854, Image 2

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with a forehead, white as a woman’s. When his features were not lit up by conversation or by his beautiful smile, it wore an air of extreme gentleness ; and repose. This was the prevailing expression, at least. In addition to this however, occasionally a shade of the deepest melancholy passed over it-—or there sat upon it an expression of stern and haughty misanthropy.— Besides these, another and still differ ent expression sometimes characteriz ed that countenance-—one of sneering, mocking bitterness. As I have already said though, the prevailing expression of his features was gentle and pensive. But at all times there was evidence, in the cut of his mouth and the glance of his eye, of firmness and decision which nothing could shake. His whole appearance, taking into consideration his pale, well cut features, his exquisite dress and his subdued and imperturbable man ner, indicated high breeding, refine ment and fastidiousness. Most people would have immediately pronouuced him an aristocrat; and this he un -doubtedly was. But his aristocracy did not manifest itself, as most men think, in insolence and puppyism, but an the manner already described. When first seen by the party from Bentwold, the stranger was conversing with some animation and considerable gesticulation, lie continued thus to •converse till within a lew paces of those he was meeting when he per ceived them for the first time, and his voice suddenly ceased. The two par ties coming to a halt when they met, Frank, advancing said, “Father allow me to introduce a friend who did me a very essential sendee last summer, of which I will tell you by and by. Mr. Fitzwarren of Georgia.*’ “After such an introduction Mr. l'itzwarren," said Mr. Bentley riding forward, “you will allow me to shake hands with _you, and thank you for the service you rendered I rank. “I am very proud to shake hands with the father of Frank Bentley, said Fitz warren, shaking the proflered hand; “but he greatly exaggerates the service I rendered him. It was only what an}' gentleman would have done under the same circumstances, and de serves no thanks.” “You cannot do away with my sense of the obligation,” answered Frank. “But let me introduce you to my mother Mrs. Bentley—and Miss Bentley.” —p'p ZVi - arren bowed low to the ladies, while they were also expressing then thanks for the service rendered Frank. When he raised his eyes, he encounter ed those of Ifelen fixed full upon him. He started —and well he might; for never, in all his many wanderings had ike encountered such a vision of love liness as that he now beheld. To see the eyes of one so lovely gazing upon him with the interest and kindness in cident to the favorable introduction lie had received, was sufficient to awaken •and bring into play all the emotions which his pride generally kept hid un der the veil of conventionality. And Helen, when she perceived the deep and earnest gaze which she her self had awakened, could not avoid a very slight heightuingof color. Few girls of her age could have met With I entire calmness the gaze of Walter Fitzwarren, when hjs soul was awa tkened and looked forth through his eyes. A short moment the two gazed on each other as if fascinated, when Mr. Bentley, turning his horse’s head home ward, the movement awakened them HH . j to a consciousness of the awkwardness j *©f their position. Fortunately, no one remarked their little by-play and they turned toward Bentwold. For a short time they rode together and the conversation be-ame general. At length Mr. Bentley fell behind to con verse with Frank on the business which carried him to St. A—: and somehow,’ mythc pairing off which took place among the rest of the party, IlelenandFitz warden found themselves side by side. “And now,” exclaim some of my readers, “now for fa love-scrape. Os •course Helen anil fitzwarren are to fall in love with Afeatlr" other, have sweet communion, injdulge in 'moon light rambles tftrifwh the orange groves, talk sentimeiit, quote Moore, have lover’s quarrel!, arid .make them up again. Finally fee delightful cli mate is to restoreJmzwarren to health and he and Hejcn will be married, and dfljjjpT to making corn and cotton anipraising—ducks and chick fClltS.” ‘feufjßoftly my dear sir—or madam, as the 'ease may be. Don’t precipitate Shatters! so. I fear you are a great match-maker, and that you belong to that Claris of people who imagine a tale writerjfto be nothing more nor less than J? match-maker on an extensive «eH|Jr I beg to enter my solemn pro- being so considered. So ' far fr<S|> being a match-maker, I detest flie whole class of match-makers. Thjf eharactci excites my most unbounded land contempt. And why two young people fall in lore? nn atyral that a handsome young man and a beautiful young lady should be so struck with each other’s appearance as to stave a little harder at each other than strict politeness would warrant on a first meeting? And does it follow because they arc so struck, just as one is struck by coming suddenly upon a fine paint ing or a good piece of statuary, of whose existence lie was before un aware—does it follow from this that they are bound to— gd married? “Oh but,” says the match-maker, “they are so well suited to each other. They are both so handsome, and so intellectual, and so refined and so— and so—so — so— wealthy !'' Ah! now the murders out. But stop my dear madam —ladies are of tencst match-makers —how do you know Fitzwarren is wealthy? Why, didn’t you say he was very aristocratic and distingue ?—and wore fine clothes ? llow could lie he and do all tins without being wealthy ? 1 did say lie was aristocratic and distingue ; but I did not say lie “wore fine clothes.” True I said he dressed in exquisite taste, but that I fancy, is very far from saying he wore “fine clothes.” But avc admit, for the sake of argument that he is wealthy. And now tell me what is to become of Tom Butler—the gay, dashing, impetuous, fascinating Tom ? lie is fully Helen’s equal in poii.t of wealth, and I assure you, almost any lady of your acquain tance would do well to marry such an one as Tom; for lie is the very soul of honor—the very model of a chivalrous, high-bred, aristocratic young southern er. Why could we not make up a match between Miss Helen and him ? Besides, I have by no means brought on the stage all the gallant cavaliers whom I intend shall contend for the hand of Helen. Wait a few chapters, and you will find it difficult to choose from the unexceptionable array I shall present, the one whom you will pro nounce most worthy of the high honor of leading to the altar the beautiful Miss Bcntly. But reader, no doubt you are tired of this interruption of the narrative ; nor do I find fault with you for it. In reading tales, I always skip such places and I advise you to do the same. — Writing a tale, however, is very differ ent from reading one. A ears ago, when I was a great novel reader, 1 determined if I ever should attempt to write a talc, I would go straight on with the narrative, without indulging in any kind of episode. I find, though, that it is utterly impossible, entirely to l’csist the temptation. In novel writing, episode is a necessary evil— with which I will weary the reader as little as possible; and if you, at any time feel indisposed to wade through it, do as I told you I do myself— skip. As Fitzwarren and Helen rode along the deeply shaded road, the former gazed around him with inter est, and said, “I should think your forests here, Miss Bentley, would always present points of interest, even to one who sees them every day ; and to me they certainly present a novel and singular appearance.” “I conclude then,” said Helen “you are on your first visit to this State?” “I am ashamed to say I am. I have been something of a traveller in oth er parts of the Union, but never visit ed Florida before. Os course every Georgian has seen pine trees, and 11 have seen a few stunted live oak.— j Here however, I cannot help thinking of and quoting Jackson’s lines on the noble tree — I “With hhi gnarled old arms, and liU iron form, ****** With the gray moss waving solemnly From his ihaggy limbs and trunk." Helen’s eye brightened as she heard these lines quoted from her favorite book—written by a southerner ; and she answered with animation, “And so you read Jackson, do you ? Those lines certainly give a most ex cellent idea of our tree.” “ You ask me if I read Jackson,” was the reply. “The Georgian who pretends to read at all, and who does not read Jackson’s poems, it seems to me is strangely recreant.” “Why some, even in Georgia who do not read Jackson’s collection of po ems can find a very good excuse in the scarcity of copies. I dare say, there arc some m Georgia who pretend to read, who have never seen a copy of the hook—perhaps who do not know such a work was ever published.” “I am afraid that is but too true,” was the reply, “ft is all owing to llie fact that our people will not make for themselves facilities for publishing books and bringing them before the public. If Jackson’s book had been published by a Northern house of es tablished reputation, there can lei bio doubt but it would have met with a warm reception, arid had' an extensive circulation.” “I have noticed such caries frequent ly, answered Helen, “and wondered at them. 1 cannot comprehend them.— It seems to me that Jackson’s luirne has enough of reputation attached to it to draw attention to any work written! t.y him.? “You are fully aware of the fact as it exists though ?” “Certainly. But it is a great mys-i tery.” “Why” said Fitzwarren, “the very name of Calhoun—a name which ought and; docs possess a magic charm for every southern ear—even that hon ored name, was insufficient to give cir culation to his “writings,” published in Charleston. The fault, in this in stance though, lay not in the want of machinery for getting out books, but in the sordid disposition of some who are loudest in their protestations of rever ence for Mr. Calhoun and his doctrines. L can almost venture to say there are thousands in his own and the adjoin ing states, who profess idolatry for Mr. Calhoun on account of the labors he has performed for the South, who are too stingy to spend a paltry sum in the purchase of his “writings.” “In view of these facts then,” said Helen, “why did not Jackson have his book issued by a Northern pub lisher?’’ • “I have never heard him assign any reason ; but judging from the charac ter of the man, I should say there can be but one reason for it —his excessive love for Georgia—her people, institu tions, and every thing connected with her ?” “Well, I can appreciate his motive, at least.” “But are we not riding rather too fast for you Miss Bentley ?” “Not exactly,” answered Helen, laughing. “You said the Georgian who failed to read Jackson, was strange ly recreant. Well, the southern lady who can afford it, and who is not a proficient in horsewomanship,is strange ly neglectful of the blessings showered upon her.” “I wish all ladies entertained your sentiment. 1 hope it will come to be tlie ease that it will be considered a matter of course for a young lady to be an accomplished horsewoman.” “In our neighborhood,” said Helen, “it is the case now ; and we will have some visitors next week who are all fond of the exercise, and proficients in it.” “I am glad of it—but why ? 1 must be gone before then.” And to Fitzwarrcn’s own surprise, he felt sad at the thought. “And why must you be gone?” “Business,” muttered Fitzwarren. “Allow us to persuade you to par take of our hospitality longer,” said Helen. “Letus show you how grate ful we can be for the service you ren dered Frank.” Helen said this in so kind and ear nest a tone, that Fitzwarren turned to look upon her. Again their eyes met in earnest gaze ; and for a moment Fitzwarrcn’s countenance assumed an expression bright and hopeful. A moment more and he half drew a sigh, and turned his eyes away with a pro found expression of melancholy. And then lie started up suddenly, and that bitter, sneering smile flitted rapidly across his features ; after which they resumed their accustomed proud and reserved, but gentle expression, as he answered, “It is impossible for me to stay long er than a very few days Miss Bentley— however anxious I may be to do so.” A short time, and they had arrived at the house, where Helen was Assist ed to alight by her cavalier, and the party entered the house. [to be continued.] The Saxon Serf a romance from the pen of Henry AYrn. Herbert, is now in our hands, complete, and its publi cation shall be commenced in our first issue in the month of October. As it is impossible for us to promise to fu-‘ ture subscribers all the back numbers containing this, in the opinion of its author, the best production of his pen, it is hoped that all who contemplate becoming subscriber! to the Era will send in their names at once. \\ r c malty months ago not only an nounced this work as immediately forthcoming, but on one occasion un wisely commenced its publication, and by the early cessation thereof were compelled to disappoint our readers, and subject ourselves to grievous mortification. In matters wholly de pendent upon our own efforts we have never broken a promise,, nor failed to perform whatever lues been reasonably expected of us ; but we arc not afflict ed with any of the “inlirmiticsof genius,” nor, it may be, with the genius pre sumed to be indicated by such infirmi ties. With our gifted author it is oth erwise. In his sylvan retirement lie pursues the inclinations of his literary tastes, and, perhaps, the caprices of his fancy, in the most admirable disdain of the precision exacted by the people of this every-day business world. Thus, in a matter requiring the earnest labojr of but a comparatively brief season, he has fallen more than a year behind his own appointment. It would be un just were we to omit stating that the depressing influcu ce of enfeebled health has been Mr. Herbert’s apology for this delay ; but, since that same every day business, world waives no protests and makes no concessions to its delin quents upon the presentation of such apologies as this, so also should our author be held;to a rigid iiccouiitabiji ty, in total disregard lhereof! Now that the entire manuscript is be fore us wo shall present the whole work in connection, by republishing the chapters already printed. ■ ■ ■ pffrji. ■ I>’oH THE independent PRESS. : (No. 15.) FRAGMENT. Late I beheld an eagle strive to scale Tlie azure vault. Ilia pinion yet was young, But in his heart there burned a royal dame Which glistened in bis quick and eager eye, As ho essayed to burst the cloudy shoot Which hid the solar splendor from his sight. He knew’Uvas his to catch the burning ray Upon his lens, that thorp its lire and that Which burned within his regal breast might meet, And hold a converse, such as equals hold. He longed to leave the mountain peak where oft, Within his eyrie perched, he saw tho flamo Os lightning rend tho lowering sky, and loud Its plumes to guide tho deadly thunder’s bolt. His siro had taught him this was not his home, But ’twas above, and proudly boat bis heart To wing its passage to congenial climes. The pinion of tho tempest saw with rage His plumes preparing to essay its blast, And, big with envy, beat His pinions back. Once more he poised Ids wings, and from defeat Wrung triumph, such as power can over wring. He from tho tempest stnatched away its rage, And used its fury to assist his flight. His beacon gained, ho eyes his parent sun, And with his open pupil drinks tho solar gleam. With frenzy mad, the tempest vents its spleen Upon the mountain peak, that bathes its head Within the thunder’s home, where lightnings gleam, And-pour the vials of their wrath in vain. Kutonton, Spring of ’4B. n. l. miscellaneous. Crimes of our Negroes and their S*unishmeut. The public have been recently hor rified by the revolting details of the murder of Dr. McDonald, of Mount Meigs, Ala., by his own slave, and by the awful punishment inflicted upon the murderer. A mode of execution so shocking and appaling to the hu man heart, as that by the faggot and stake, must have the most overpower ing necessity growing out of the state of things among us for its justification. \Ye should be loth to feel that our own misconduct in reference to the state of of crime and insubordination among our negroes should have entailed up on us the necessity of committing bar barities which have not elsewhere had a counterpart on this continent, except among Indian savages, and the witch burners of New England. Butin reflect ing on the subject, we are forced to the conclusion, that the blame of this de plorable exigency lies, in some meas ure, at the door of the whites them selves, the owners of slave property. The negro who committed this murder at Mount Meigs, for which he was burnt, confessed, that lie had on a previous occasion, murdered his then owner in Kentucky, and that he was run from that stale, and afterwards sold in Alabama. These words that we have italicised contain the key to much of the arsons, rapes and murders perpe trated by our slaves. The sordid love of money, rising superior to indigna tion for outrageous villainy and foul murder, has been the means of the es cape of many a guilty negro from the gallows. Tho owner preferred to as sist his escape, in order to save his val ue in dollars and cents, to the dis charge of his duty to the community, by delivering him up to condign pun ishment. Instances of this kind, in cases of the highest grades of offences, are compar atively rare. But in cases of minor felonies and misdemeanors, nothing is more common than for the offences'’ ty be compromised on condition, Unit the owner will scud the negro out of the com munity, arid sell him in a distant state; and it is also not uncommon for the owners to spirit the negro off clandes tinely, and sell him in order to avoid trouble and expense. Now, this whole system is radically wrong and if owners cannot be held up to their full duty to the public from proper iriotives, they should be com pelled to do so by rigid laws, rigidly enforced, to punish the crime of com pounding felonies, and of harboring and concealing negro felons, and aid ing and abetting their escape. The law which is a just and righteous one,provides slaves the benefit of counsel and legal defence. The great law of interest, apart from humanity, will al ways prompt the owner to see that in justice is not done his slave. This will almost inevitably protect an innocent slave from an unjust verdict. The ten dency has been and is to the other ex treme, —of guilty slaves not being found guilty, owing to the extra efforts of the owner to shield him from the consequences of his crime,—where the victim is a stranger to the owner, arid no feeling of vengeance comes in to counteract the promptings of self-inter est. Two remedies, in addition-to what is above suggested, occur to us. One is, to provide by law, to owners of ex cxecuted slaves, remuneration in whole or in part for their value. The other is, that when a negro commits a grave offence, not punishable with death, but sufficient to make it proper that the community should be put upon its guard against him, lie should be bran ded on the check or forehead, as a sign and a warning. The first of these two remedies'll as often been discussed in our Legislatures, but has hitherto, we think mainly, been defeated. The other has for it scripture authority, as far back as the days of Cain and Abel. It is true, the offence of Cain was mur dewand fratricide. His punishment, according todater Mosaic law, and that of modern times, would have been death; but with the curse and the brand upon him, it was, perhaps, a pun. ishment as. salutary, and worse than death. We think it might be intro duced with advantage among our ne groes, as, it might sa\x the necessity of occasionally burning one alive. T VomliMiondUl, Professor I I ark. —W e were pleas ed to meet with this brother on our return from Boston, as he is always ready -to talk of Spiritual progress, and give a reason for his hope of bn rnortality. If there is cause for regret in the lack of discrimination, sometimes com plained of, as a common fault among the modern Spiritualists, we think, there is some consolation in the fact, that men of the most critical and cau tious methods of investigation, have been forced to a like conclusion with the unsophisticated man ot faith. As a proof, we cite the names of Robert Owen, of England, and Prof. Hare of Philadelphia.. These two men have been skeptics of the old school, for many sf trie best years of their lives, but experience, sciendej skepticism, and the pride of consistency, have had to give way to the Spirit of FAITH, as developed by modern Spiritualism. There arc others, equally well known to fame, who, after using the most critical and cautious methods of inves tigation, are rejoicing in the hope of Spirit life and immortality. We do not wish to make public the name of any person/who may think it proper to enjoy his faith in private, since eve ry person must be the best judge of the proper time to make the needful de claration of faith; but we know there are conversions going on, which, when known, will surprise many and we hope awake them from the sleep of ages. What we wished to say, however, about Prof. Hare is, that lie is in full sympathy with tiro efforts about to be made at Boston, and expressed his willingness and determination to be there. We wish the Bostonians to consider him as one of the speakers likely to be present when the great meeting of October takes place. [ Christian Spiritualist. “As might be expected the busi ness of the city is almost suspended. The leading ancUlargest hotel, the Pu laski, closes to-day. It is intimated, (we hope erroneously) that the Mar shall, next in size, will soon do the like. Half the boarding houses, (our own among the number) have been de serted by their proprietors. “ Our reporter tells us that lie lias counted west of Bull street, 95 busi ness houses all shut up. “ Closed on account of sickness,” meets the eye at every turn as we walk through our bcautifnl city. Yes “beautiful”—for never seemed its outward aspect more lovely. For as lie looks upon its squares, mantled with green —upon its trees in all the richness of their foliage, with soft breezes sweeping through their branches —who can realize that he is in the midst of death ? It is only as the hearse, with its mournful train slowly passes, that he is aroused to the sad reality.— Sav. Georgian. New York, Sept. 1. —The Tri bune appears this morning very much reduced in its proportions. It ignobly confesses that its advertisements have fallen off so fast, that it was obliged either to reduce its cost or increase its price. The former alternatively has been chosen. Ido not know that we should exult over the decaying influ ence and popularity of this most radical of Northern journals. As open enimies are always to be dreaded less than trai torous friends, the extinction of such a paper as the New-York Tribune is not to be desired. The editors, in making the announcement of its curtailment, boastfully remark that in its reduced dimensions, it is still larger than either of its immediate competitors—the Her ald and Times. H wo look at InO Contest these pa per:; ;u'C waging, we must confess the Tribune has acted with more independ ence than cither of the others. It was evident to the proprietors of them all some months since that they were sup plying news at unremunqrative prices. The Tribune and Times were willing with the Herald, to raise the price from two to three cents a copy, but the Her ald, with its love of singularity and in obediene to its Islnnaclitis’i instincts, refused to enter into any combination. Soon after, solitary and alone, it took the bold step of raising its price to three cents, as if to shame its contem poraries for their timidity, expecting that the Tribune and Times would be only too glad to follow in its illustri ous footsteps. But they refused the bait offered, and made a great glorifi cation at the Herald's expense. The next day the Herald concluded not to advance its price at all! So the Tribune is the only one of the three papers that had the courage to confess that it is not making money, and is thereby compelled to retrench its expense. That, Rosso m lluxter. —We know not who the follow is, but some one has taken a notion to posSoiii hunt it all around us for the last live or six nights. “Toot, toot, toot,” goes his little water faced bull’s horn —“ How wow, wow,” barks his dog, and “ Wlioop-ee,” shouts he every evening about 9 o’clock. Then all our own dogs get into an uproar, charge about and become furious, and its generally midnight before every thing is settled down so that we can enjoy sleep. Now we like possum hunting in its proper })lacc and time well enough. The fact is there is something a little an imating and enlivening about the sport in the cool, frosty nighty of the later Fall, when “eimmons” are sugary and “ roast tutors” are plenty ; because then we have associated with it an idea of a good, fat supper for the ensu ing evening. But to be vexing the drowsy car of a real summer night, with your pos sum-hunting fuss is abdmi liable—-as the Frenchman remarked, “It is ridi cule,” Hold on, boys, until the season is ripe for the fun and then, (instead of grumbling at) we’ll join you. ...... ~ ♦♦♦- j Biogenes being asked the . biting, of which beast was most dangerous an. swered : “If you mean wild beasts, tis the slanderer# —jf tamo ones the flatterers," , '"Sf-Sfib V The South and her People, John Mitchell, the Irish patriot, takes the following just and liberal views of our section:-y-“In the chival rous South the individual in vindica tion of his honor, of which the law of the land takes no cognizance, practices a code that violates alike the statute and the common law. The consequences for the most part, rest with the individual. But you will rarely sec mobs asemb* ling to burn churches or to violate the constitution, south of Mason and Dix on’s line. The true majesty of the law is respected and upheld by the aggre gate people. There no Angel Gabriel sounds his horn, disturbing the quiet Sabbath and calling together bands of of rowdies. There, no Salem witch craft nor Blue Laws, nor Bloomcrism, nor Woman’s Rights, nor Mormonism, nor Millcrisrn, nor Anti-Popery, nor Spirit Rapping, nor Socialism, nor oth er monstrous productions, have sprung up to choke the healthy growth of free dom. The poisi nous weeds and fungi belong to the North, and arc cultiva ted to the highest perfection by the wise men of the Fast. In the South there is no persecution for conscience’ sake. It was the South —the Catholics of Maryland—that first set the exam ple of religious toleration to Northern men and to the rest of the world ; and Bancroft, whom England claims as its own, eloquently dwells upon the fact. And still the North not only lags be hind the South in a true estimate ol this, the first principle of human free dom, but is retrogading to the channels of the Roundheads in quest of the dry bones of a decayed fanaticicism.” Rev. T. P. Hunt. —W r c have heard many good things that emenated from the keen wit of this Rev. Gentleman, but the last one threw us down entire ly. A man recently passing Mr. I Hint, was accompanied by a small dog; and the little scoundrel took a sudden fan cy to stick his teeth in the old gentle man’s leer. This physical manifesta tion not proving satisfactory to the clerical victim, he determined to vic timize the dog in turn, and drawing the big end of his cane, soon added another subject to the dog tombs.— This began the dramatic tragi-comedy. Stranger—“ Why did you kill rav dog?” Hunt—“ Because he was going to bite me.” Stranger-—“ Why didn’t you use the small end of your stick? —you could have frightened him and not killed him!” Hunt (excited) “Why didn’t your dog come at me tail first, then ?” Family Connection.— A Persian merchant complaining heavily of some unjust sentence, was told by the judge to go to the Cadi. “But the cadi is your uncle !” urged the plaintiff. “Then you can go to the grand vi zier. “But his secretary is your cousin !” “Then you may go the Sultan !” “But liis favorite sultana is your niece !” Well then go to the devil!” “Ah, that is a still closer family con nection !" said the merchant, as lie left the court in despair. An effecting scene took place at Windsor. When the 40th regiment was about departing from the town for service in the East, a little mother less child was observed clinging to the legs of its father, who was a private in the regiment. The poor man refused to drive it away when ordered, and, by “one gentle touch of nature,” suc ceeded iu exciting the sympathy of Lieut. Hutton, who put ,£l.O into the child’s hand, and afterwards induced his mother to adopt it. For Benton's thirty years in the Sen ate, it is said in the National Democrat that the Appletons, who received the copyright of this work, gave for it a check for the substantial sum of §SO - 000. " No Moxoply.—Fanny Fern objects to a mail shedding tears". She says it is an infringement on one of woman’s most valuable “ water priveleges.” The Savanxaii News.—This of fice has been very unfortunate. We learn that since the Yellow Fever made its appearance in that city, four of its employees have died of that fa tal disease. The Editor also, had a brush with Yellow Jacket, but he is now in our midst, and we are happy to inform the numerous readers of the Xews that he is daily improving. [Constitutionalist. ‘Jenny, what is the mean temperature of the summer weather in Ireland ?’ asked a ankee of an Irish girl re- '■Mane sir? There’s nothin’ mane about Ireland, bad luck to yees, for a dirty spalpeen!’ A\ e see it stated in the Boston Post that in the British House of Lords on the Uth insfang Lord Clarendon laid on the table a dispatch from the Brit isli. Consul-General at Havana, de scribing the measures adopted by the Government of Cuba to put down the slave trade, on which occasion Lord Clarendon took the opportunity of dc nying a report circulated in the United States, that Great, Britain had ever con templated or intended to Africanize C üba or establish a black republic there.-—Y at. Ini. Witty RepeyJ— What are you go -lUp so tW 0 llle for a Christmas present? asked a gay damsel of her lover. i \ ,f], e n °bUing to give but my hum ble self,” was the reply, 1. he smallest favors gratefullv re ceived, was the merry response of the hidy. Newspapers are life-preservers that jeseue those' who would otherwise sink into oblivion, especially politici cans, . ~ ■ •f>* Eventful Career, At a late term of the Superior Court of Lowndes county, Ga., a man bv the name of Graham was convict ed of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary at the age of nineteen years. The Wakullah (Florida) Times; t gives a few incidents in the life of this young man, which are well calculated to excite sympathy for his misfortunes : —“At the age of thirteen he was at tacked by a tiger, who, after tearing him badly and crushing both his jaws, left him for dead under a covering of leaves which he had piled on him. Subsequently lie was caught in a su gar mill and lost one arm, was bitten twice by rattlesnakes, and struck senseless by a flash of lightning. 11 is greatest cal amity occurred a few months ago, when he killed one of his neigh bors in a drunken frolic, by stabbing. Since then he has laid in -prison, and has now a term of years to serve at some trade suited to his peculiar physi cal condition. If there be any exten uating circumstances in his case, wc should be glad to sec them brought to the notice of the Executive for th.o ex ercise of official clemency. We doubt very much whether any man living ever encountered similar perils. This is said to be a true record without the. least fancy or invention. Philadelphia promises to be quite lively the coming season. Besides three theatres, an illuminated Garden,, and the Academy of line Arts, which arc in operation, anew Museum and. Theatre will open at Fifth and Callow hill streets on Monday evening next,. Besides, the Opera House building will* shortly be commenced, and a splendid 1 Museum and Family Theatre will soon er or later, be undertaken in some cen tral position. Philadelphia has been considered an insufferably stupid place as regards public amusements; but I think the old place is retrieving her reputation rapidly in this repect, and may soon even rival “Gotham” in the possession of what wc Americans term “life.” Progress. —Geo. W. Clinton, Esq., the “hard shell” candidate for the of fice of Secretary of State in NcwYork. closed his speech in the Park on Mon day evening by expressing the hope “that not only this Continent but the isles of the sea, and Cuba and Ireland shall be embraced in our arms." 1 lleniiy ‘Clay on Fusion. —“But if it (the whig party) is to be merged into a contemptible abolition party, and if abolitionism is to be engrafted upon the whig creed, from that moment L renounce the party and cease to be a whig. I go yet a step further. If lam alive, I will give my humble sup port to that man for the presidency who, to whatever party he may be long, is not contaminated by fanaticism, j rather than to one who, crying out all I the time that he is a whig, maintains I doctrines utterly subversive of llm constitution and the Union.” “Does this razor go easy?” asked a bar ber of a victim who was writhing under a clumsy instrument, whose chief re commendation was a strong handle.— “Well, that depends upon what you call the operation. If you are skinning me, it goes tolerably easy ; but if you are shaving, it goes mighty hard.” A bluff country farmer meeting the parson of parish in a by-lane, and not giving him the road so readily as he ex pected, the parson, with erect chest, told him “he was better fed than taught.” “Very true, indeed, sir” said the farm er, “for vou teach me and I feed my self.” ‘Pa, what is punctuation I’ ‘lt’s the art of putting stops.’ ‘Then I wish you would go down in the cellar, and punctuate the cock of the cider barrel, as the cider is running all over the floor!’ Mr. James Maples, a respectable cit izen of Huntsville, Ala., hung himself, a few days ago, in consequence of his fears that the drought would prevent his raising corn enough for his family to cat during the winter. A little boy on coming home from a certain church where he had seen a person performing on an organ, said to his mother— “O, mammy, I wish you had been at church to-day to see the fun—a man pumping music out of an old cup board.’ A man says that the first thing that turned his attention to matrimony was the neat and skillful manner in which a pretty girl handled a broom. He may see the time when the manner in which the broom is handled will not afford him so much satisfaction. Meax Spite. —-Russia, enraged with Turkey for having been the cause of depriving her of her markets for tal low, revenges herself by stirring up Grecc cl-Ihmbh. The following is a true copy of a sign upon an academy for teaching in one of the W esteru States: “Freeman & lluggs, school teachers. Freeman teaches the boys and lluggs the girls" A Hard Hit.—Henry Ward Beech er Sityg ho means to vote against the Nebraska bill, though the ballot-box should be placed in the jaws of h—ll. To this the Wheeling Argus replies, that every man lias aright to vote in his own precinct. “Boy, what is your name?” Robert, sir.” “Well, what is your other name?” “Bob.” Spirit Rappixg.—Gents knocking at the different doors as they go home late at night. Miss Prim recently refused to wear a watch iu her bosom, because it had hands on it.