L

A SMALL TREAT FOR THE GRAMMARIANS.

We have seen a proof of part of the plate, and as far as our knowledge of the originals extend, we can safely pronounce the likeness to be exact, and will be one mean to transmit to a grateful posteri-land and America spoke generally uncorrupted ty the features of the founders of the nation.

Cent.

About 50 years ago all men of education in EngEnglish. A foreigner, Sheridan, published a dictionary. He was connected with the stage-In his dictionary, dukes were jukes, tunes chunes, tuesday chuesday, tutors chutors, the dews of heaven EAST, OR LOST GREENLAND. the jews of heaven, a duel was a jewel, and there This is known to have been once a flourishing was no turning without churning. The actors colony; but for the space of three centuries past were instructed how to put the whole language no vestige of the country has been found, though into chumult. It was quite the ton for ignorance great search has been made for it: "The loss of and affectation thus to murder the king's English. this colony is one of the most singular events in In process of time a mangler, but not so absolutehuman history; their loss, it may be literally cal-ly a murderer, whose name is Walker, published led, for to use the words which Montgomery has so well applied to a different occasion,

"This sole memorial of their lot Remains; they were-and they are not." The last authentic accounts of their existence are towards the close of the fourteenth century. The pestilence which, under the name of the Black Death, devastated Europe in the middle of that century, is supposed to have reached this remotest region of the north. In Iceland two-thirds of the population were cut off by it-It is, therefore, scarcely to be imagined, that their neighbors should have escaped the same dreadful visitation, especially as, unlike other pestilence, the farther north it proceeded the more destructively it raged. But the room made by such ravages would soon have been filled up, and there is reason to attribute the loss of East Greenland to a more permanent evil. During the winter of 1348, the whole of the coast of Iceland was frozen, so that a horseman might have ridden from cape to cape round the island. Such a circumstance never occurred before, since the country was discovered; and it seems probable that in this winter the accumulation of the ice began, which has blocked up the coast of East Greenland.

ETYMOLOGY.

Conn. Courant.

another dictionary, prefaced with abundance of rules, some drawn from analogy, some from custom, some from whim, and some from no one knows where. He pretended to correct Sheridan in many instances. Attention will now be paid to the sound of d and t before x, ua, uo, eu, ie, ia, &c.

Walker does not justify juty for duty, nor chutor for tutor, saying that sound should not be used unless the preceding syllable be accented, as pet-tchulent, nat-tchural, ob-jurate, &c. He appears ashamed, however, in many cases, to use the rule he himself proposed as invariable. Thus nat-chural, but not sat-churday, obejient but not come-jian, for hence would come tra-jejiam. ventchure to give you a compen-je-ous account Having a commo-je-ous opporchunity I shall of my o-je-ous and unfor-chunate sitchuation, which is really most hid-je-ous. I know not what are its ingre-je-ents, but love is certainly an impet-tchu-ous passion. When your ra-ge-ant eyes and gran-jure of deportment caused a fix-chure in my nat-churally fluc-tchuating heart, I con-gratchulated myself with the hope of being even-tchually the most for-tchunate of individuals, though perhaps not imme-je-ately. And that if there was nothing in-sid-juous in the constit-chuant parts of my na-tchure, if your heart was not ob-ju-rate but of a pit-cheous make, by being obe-ji-ent and assid-juous, stu-jeous and se-julant to please, and du-tcheous and court-cheous in my behaviour, unCaucus. I find a great dispute exists among less you were a pet-chulant crea-tchure, I might etymologists about the orgin of this word. The gradually gain your heart. But your present coldmost plausible opinion is, that it is derived from ness swells me up with all the flat-tchulency of the thief Caucus who lived in a den. This opi- sorrow. Oh most vir-tchuous miss, let me entreat nion is ably supported by a correspondent of the you, Oh most fair fea-tchured miss, let me beg of Columbian, but I flatter myself, that I can give a you to be pit-cheous towards me, or I may take more plain and satisfactory derivation of the word to being pet-chulent with spirit-chous liquors, unthan any hitherto presented to the public. Cau-less I can find a cor-je-al in the rit-chual, or the cus was at first spelt caulk us, as I will presently demonstrate. A state has been called metaphorically a ship, time out of mind Horace addresses a whole ode to his country under the title of a ship, and we constantly speak of the helm of government and the vessel of state. Whenever our ancestors discovered the vessel of state to be out of repair, they cried out to their wise men and rulers of the land-" Caulk us! Caulk us," until the convention of their rulers was so called. Hence it is evident, that the body in Congress is so called for the same reason, and we find that whenever we, the vessel of state, become crazy, they began to caulk us. Now as the vessel of state was never more crazy than at present, there was never greater necessity for them to caulk us-so, pray let them caucus.

N. Y. Courier.

spirit-chuality of the scrip-tchures.

Such is exactly the pronunciation of Walker, who by some has been recommended as a standard. But such pronunciation is not and never was English. A few literary fops in England and America, have adopted Walker's plan, a few still follow it, from affectation of superior accuracy, but neither the scholar nor the great body of the people, will ever so far forget their mother tongue, as to follow the precepts of Walker. The love of novelty has had much effect in spreading this vicious, this disgusting, this nauseous manner of utterance, but the fashion of it will soon pass away. Neither the learned nor the illiterate will submit to it. Not one in a thousand, of the English or Americans, speak in this manner; and never ought to do so; and never will.

N. Y. Courier.

NEW INVENTED CHURN. A churn has been for some time in use in Wales, which saves both time and labour. It is called the cradle churn, being made upon the principles of a common rocking cradle; and can, with ease, be worked by a child five or six years old. Sir Robert Vaughan, member for the county of Morioneth, is well convinced of the superiority of this churn over every other, that he has had many made, and distributed among his tenants. The shape is of no consequence, provided it may be made considerably wider at top than at bottom, that it may churn either a large or small quantity of milk equally well.

The usual form is that of a canoe.

Mock Moons.

cleared, by a contract with his government, 5,400,000 florins.

England.-The Prince Regent has officially reprimanded Messrs. Bruce, Wilson, and Hutchinson, who assisted Lavalette to escape-Lavalette is said to be still on the continent. The prince's lady, the princess of Wales, sen. has lately paid a visit to the dey of Algiers and has been gratified by a view of all his curiosities. She is said to have purchased an elegant Villa at Come, in Italy, where she intends residing-500 men have been at work on it. English and American vessels have been put on the same footing in relation to the transportation of passengers. It seems from the Journal de la Belgique, that lord Byron has taken French leave of his coach maker, to whom he was indebted 1,035 francs.

France. The national income of France, it appears by the budget is 570,464,940 francs, and the expenses 548,252,529. Gen. Drouet has devoted the remainder of his days to the service of his God. Massena was dangerously ill on the 9th of Sweden.-Bernadotte has sent an ambassador to the court of some German prince in order it is said to ask the hand of some German princess

May.

On the 12th ult. there were seen from the observatory at Prague two Parasclines, or mock Moons. The moon was at an elevation of 17 or 18 sec. and had a pale halo of 30 deg. in diameter.The first Parasaline appeared to the west of the|| Moon, on the circumference of the halo; on the second a little later on the east. The elevation of each was the same as that of the moon, the side turned next the moon shewed prismatic colors, and on the opposite side they threw out each a cone of light, about 2 degrees in length, and paral- Italy-A great scarcity of corn has been expelel to the horrizon. The whole of the phe-rienced in this country. An unexampled dearth nomenon lasted about 50 minutes, but neither of extends from Calabria to the Tyrol, and several the mock Moons obtained such a degree of splen-persons have died of hunger. dor as to have been mistaken for the real moon.--The cones of light were like the tail of a Comet, but more defined and tapering.

To prevent Divorces.

for his son Oscar.

DOMESTIC,

The Macedonian, Capt. Warrington, has arriv ed at Annapolis from South America, and has brought all the American prisoners found at Carthagena-they released also several English and One of the Paris Journals has published the fol- French prisoners, whom they found in confinelowing anecdote, to which the law for suppressing||ment there, and who state that they were treated divorce gives a certain appropriateness. "In Zu- with great cruelty--the Spaniards refused to rerich, the husband and wife who applies for a di- turn their property. The Secretaries of State and vorce on the ground of incompatibility of humour, War are at preset absent from the city. Thomas are shut up together for a fortnight in a Tower on Gholson, member of congress from Virginia, and the Lake. They have only one apartment, one Paul Hamilton, former secretary of the navy, are chair, one knife, &c. so that for sitting or sleep-both no more. A severe hurricane has been exing, eating or resting, they are completely depen-perienced in Pennsylvania-a hail stone was pickdent on each other's complaisance. It seldom happens that they are not reconciled before the fortnight expires."

English Artizans.

The London Gazette of May 11th, contains a notice, that if any person is convicted of enticing the artificers of this kingdom to go into foreign countries, he will be fined 1001. and imprisoned three months; and for the second offence fined at the discretion of the court, and imprisoned twelve months; also for seducing any person connected with the manufactures of Great Britain to settle abroad, 5001. and twelve months for the first of fence, and for the second 10001. and two years imprisonment.

SUMMARY-FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN.

Russia.-The emperor Alexander has published a declaration alledging that the alliance of the three continental powers is not directed against the Otterman Porte-A Russian merchant has

ed up in Chambersburg which after being carried in the hand 20 paces, weighed 132 grains-near 1000 acres of wheat and rye were totally destroyed near Berlin, Pa. on the 4th of June-the hail was generally, as large as hens eggs. Thomas Burnside, Esq. member from Pennsylvania, has been appointed judge of the 11th judicial district. A very rich mine of copper has been discovered in Mifflin, Pa.

Alterations. We understand that Mr. Lowndes is to be the secretary of the treasury, vice Mr. Dallas, who retires in October next. It is also understood that Mr. R. J. Meigs, postmaster general, will retire at the expiration of Mr. Madison's term

ERRATA.

The following errors in our last number es caped correction in the proof: In the article headed Fourth of July, the first word in the fifth line, for Roman read Nemean. In the ninth line from the bottom of the same column, for restrain read sustain. In the first line of the second column, same page, for sense read source: and in the eighth line from top of same column, for cross read Cerss.

NO. 21. VOL. I.]

WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1816. [WHOLE NO. 21.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAT, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

THE ABORIGINES.

Our attention has been often turned towards

prac

the sensations of Smollet, if he had been a wit ness of this conversation, and have heard his pen of North-America. In the course of his turning censured for its indecency by one of the savages over the leaves of the book, he discovered a Latin passage, which he translated without difficulty, and with elegance. He informed us that the perusal, as the poems of Ossian. Fired by no book seemed to come home to his feelings on the recollection of his paternal wig-wam, he recited, with great emphasis, sundry passages descriptive of battles and of victory. At these moments the lady was forgotten, his civilized manners were thrown aside, and his eyes flashed with all their native and terrible energy. After, this ebullition of his feelings had subsided, he would recite some tender and affecting passage, in a delicate and silvery tone, and assume the character of the timid lady again.

the aborigines of this country. Various attempts have been made, and with various success, to reduce these rude sons of nature to the yoke of civilization. How far this experiment is ticable, we do not presume to determine. One fact, however, scems indisputable-that a practical acquaintance with agriculture must precede the blessings of civilization. If these tribes of savages still retain their attachment for the woods, vory little progress can be expected to be made in the inculcation of any truths, moral, political, or divine. Confine these wanderers to the soil in the first instance, and all the other blessings of civilization will follow. Mankind cannot exist in social communities protected by no other law than that of physical force. When municipal regulations are once established, when property is once protected, a great and fundamental point is gained. Property is the pedestal on which still higher gradations of civilization may be built; each advancing, like a spiral stair-case, more lofty, until the last round, like the ladder of Jacob, terminates in the heavens. But we refrain from considering a subject no less copious than delightful. We once enjoyed an acquaintance with one of those sons of nature who had received an education at the expense of our government. His conversation was sprightly, interesting, and full of anecdote; his manners were soft and engaging, and almost bordering on feminine delicacy. Afraid of displaying to the eye of civilized humanity the rough asperities of his native character, he assumed an unusual softness of manner, far beyond the usual medium allotted to social This constrained and artificial delicacy would, in an unguarded moment, give way, and his eyes would flash with all their native and terrible wildness. Suddenly recollecting his trespass, his voice would assume a soft and gentle tone, like the language of a diffident and retiring girl. He was at every moment a simpering miss The object of this address is to stimulate pubor a frowning and indignant savage; and this playlic curiosity to the investigation of this interestof the two characters gave to his manners a strange and ludicrous incongruity. A volume of Smollet laid upon the table, and he entered into a critical analysis of the merits of that author. He censured very freely the licentiousness of the ideas of that novelist, and found much fault with the indelicacy of his language. We were then endeavouring to imagine what would have been VOL. I. Y

man.

We ventured to remark to our Indian friend, that his admiration of Ossian must be a very limited admiration indeed; that he could be delighted with such passages only as revived the memory of his early associations; that we gave him full credit for the delight which he manifested in the recital of the songs of battle, or in those passages that celebrated a victory. Here he was perfectly at home: but it was observed that the pages of Ossian were likewise replete with the most tender and delicate sentiments; all the fond and endearing affections of the heart, to which the poetry of his native forests bore no sort of resemblance. He surprized us by a declaration, that we were mistaken in all points, that the bards of the wilderness breathed the same tender strains; that their songs were replete with the same images as pervaded the poems of Ossian; he declared, moreover, that the images and the sentiments were in many points so nearly allied, that many passages of Ossian might be taken as translations from the poems of our native bards.

ing subject. What is there incredible in the tale of this Indian? We are not driven now to contend for a principle so absurd as this, that man,' however diversified by habit, does not inherit the same feelings from the great and beneficient parent of nature. These feelings are equally ne-, cessary for the support and preservation of the human race, whether considered in a social, or

Much

savage state. We know that by their songs they derived from an acquaintance with the civilized animate their countrymen to battle, and is it in-mode of warfare, it would be difficult to imagine credible that love and affection, in all their neces- a race of men more truly formidable. sary modifications, likewise should animate the ridicule has been thrown upon our attempts to poetry of the wilderness? Figurative language || civilize this rude people; but if motives of huis prone to a savage state. The Indian employs manity did not influence us to make the trial, his rocks, his streams, his hills, and his vallies, motives of the soundest policy should. To attach as the sailor uses the phraseology of his art to them to the United States by other bonds than illustrate his meaning, and on the same principle those of fear; to cultivate their confidence by precisely, because they are both acquainted with || fair dealing and a frank intercourse; to teach nothing else. That the natives of the forest have them to look to our countrymen as their natural a bold and vigorous imagination is abundantly friends and protectors is no less a dictate of policy proved by the speeches of their orators. Does it than of benevolence. They would be then stanot follow from hence, that we have been hitherto tioned by the hand of nature as centinels on our but very imperfectly acquainted with the abori- frontiers, always upon the watch, always ready gines of this country! Our intercourse with the to communicate intelligence, and always ready Indians has been hitherto unpropitious to this to act on the offensive against our enemies. kind of investigation. It appears to us every We have been drawn aside from our immediate way probable, that there are, in the depths of object, by contemplating the character of our our forests, abundance of objects still remaining Indian friend, which is this-to endeavour to make to tempt curiosity and enterprize; objects that || ourselves more intimately acquainted with Indian would amply reward the labour of investigation. literature. To preserve and to record their traThis information we derived from a native of theditions, m naers, customs, and habits, may throw wilderness, who has now returned once more to a blaze of light on the dark and benighted history explore the glooms of his paternal forests. He of man. In this point of view alone, it becomes stated, that when he returned to his father on a every hour more important. Again, the language visit, he was contemplated with. jealousy by the of the different tribes differs from each other as eye of the aged chief. He stated that he was much as the language of civilized life. The Inprescribed the severest exercises, and doomed to dians have their interpreters, as well as social undergo all the austerities of an Indian life, by man. Of these various dialects, which is the most way of probation. During his vacation, as he copious, which the most ancient, which bears the termed it, he was compelled to hunt the deer; clearest affinity to the language of civilized nato lie upon the cold snows; to deny himself any tions? The customs, the religion, the laws of the species of repose; to endure all sorts of priva-various tribes display the same variety as their tion; to encounter hunger and thirst, without language. Of these various customs, again, complaint, before his parent could be brought to || which bears the nearest resemblance to those of believe that he had not degenerated from the other nations, civilized or savage, ancient or hardy spirit of his ancestors. In short, we re-modern? Language and tradition are testimonials garded this man as a curiosity. It would be difficult to conceive of a more formidable race than our Indians, if they were, one and all, impressed with this character. In a state of war, what examples they would afford us of patient endurance-with what fortitude would they endure the most long and painful marches, either in retreat or while preparing to attack. The cold earth would serve them for a bed, and their covering would be the canopy of heaven. How valuable would such a body of men be in scouting parties! How competent to obtain and communicate the earliest intelligence of the strength and force of an advancing or of a retreating enemy! With their knowledge of all the recesses of their native woods, how competent would they be to annoy or to elude an invading army. If we join to these properties of the Indian all the advantages to be

invaluable in discussing questions appertaining to the origin of nations. Mounds of earth, such as have been discovered in the depths of our wildernesses, only serve to perplex inquiry, and to elude investigation. We despise that childish impertinence, nicknamed philosophy, that, in opposition to all fact and all history, cither sacred or profane, declares that America is the oldest nation on the globe, and cites a mud bank in proof of the assertion.

Still we admit it to be a subject worthy of a manly and of philosophical inquiry. If these banks were connected with a tradition, we should have a key to unlock the recesses of this mystery at once. Tradition is the great link which connects the fleeting generations of man-it is the link between the dead, the living, and those who are to be born. All history, even inspired his