Part 4

"The great number of public holy-days (as they are termed) which are generally observed, are not without their pernicious influence on the morals of society.--Was the manner of their celebration such as to honour the events they are intended to commemorate, their observance, if not useful, would at least be innocent in their consequences. But were we to judge their objects solely by the manner in which they are kept, and the effects they produce, we might be led to the erroneous conclusion, that they were instituted to subserve the causes of vice and immorality. The general suspension of useful employment on those days, is followed by an increased indulgence in drinking; and this accounts for there being more crimes committed on those days, than in any other equal period of time. On the authority of a gentleman who was on the Grand Jury which sat in the present year, I state, that far the greatest portion of the business of that Jury, grew out of crimes and disorders committed during the Christmas and New-Year holy-days. When it is observed, that the court for the trial of criminals is held once a month, and crowded with business, it would be superfluous to add arguments to such facts.

"The custom of giving wine and other liquors at funerals, is not at all calculated to increase the solemnity of those occasions. The practice is bad, and ought to be discountenanced by those whose example may influence others to follow it. Instances have happened, where the _effects_ of this _ill-timed hospitality_, have been very justly lamented. How such an absurd custom was first introduced, is not, perhaps, so evident as the impropriety of its continuance.

"To conclude--'To what purpose,' an inconsiderate though well-intentioned friend, has said, and others as thoughtless, may say, 'do you attempt to write down the use of ardent drink? Notwithstanding all you have said, or may say, people will continue to drink as usual.' In the first place, I answer, _I am not sure of that_--and in the next place, _I am sure_, that if they will continue to use spirituous liquor as _a daily table drink_, and give and receive it as the _token_ of _friendship_ and _good will_, thereby associating the _vice_ of _drinking_ with the _virtue_ of _hospitality_--if they will _accustom their children to the use_ or _witness_ the use of ardent drink, and rear them in _idleness_ and _extravagance_, with the mistaken idea of thus making them _ladies_ and _gentlemen_--if they will continue to 'have wine in their (public) feasts,' and license taverns by thousands, and create a thousand temptations to frequent them--if they will persist in the practice of giving strong drink to the working class of society, and _thereby contribute to degrade their character, and bring useful industry_ into contempt--if they will continue to celebrate their anniversaries by a course of unrestrained intemperance--then, I again repeat, _I am sure_, that notwithstanding all their professions of patriotism, morality, philanthropy and religion, they cannot escape the imputation of loving ardent spirits more than the work of reformation: and moreover, cannot avert, and will merit all the ills which are flowing, and must continue to flow, from the demoralizing influence of intoxicating drink. Intemperance, the reigning sin of the nation, will go on 'increasing to increase,' till immorality, spreading far and wide, shall debase the people, corrupt their rulers, and destroy the liberties of our country. Then dark illimited despotism, with its genial concomitant, blind superstition, weak-minded bigotry, and black-hearted fanaticism; while forging the chains, preparing the wheel, and igniting the faggots of unholy and merciless persecution, will rear its head, and impiously exult in the downfall of the only government on earth, the existence of which, is not a reproach to the common sense of mankind."

"_New York, January, 1819._"

_A view of Botany Bay._

In the 63d number of the Edinburgh Review, for July last, we find an interesting account of the settlement called Botany Bay in New South Wales, discovered by the Dutch in 1616, and taken possession of by the British in 1770. On the close of the war by which the United States obtained their independence, the government of Great Britain, at a loss for a receptacle for convicts sentenced to banishment, at last selected this remote country, and made the first settlement there in 1778. This colony, now a very flourishing one, was thus planted with the rogues of England, Ireland and Scotland, sent thither, in exile, as a punishment for their crimes--transportation to that distant and savage land being more dreaded there, perhaps, than our penitentiary is here, from which escapes are made with so much facility--the _certainty_ of punishment deterring from the commission of crime more than its _severity_. The criminals landed in this southern clime, finding themselves placed in a new situation, where little could be got by theft, and having a better chance than in the mother country of earning a comfortable subsistence, often changed their habits, and became industrious, if not honest men. They are probably destined to be a great nation, having an abundant scope of territory, 2,700 miles in length, and 2,000 in breadth, (three-fourths the extent of Europe,) and will, at a future day, in imitation of America, cast off the shackles of colonial subjection, and assert the prerogative of self-government.

The climate of Botany Bay is represented to be equal to any in Europe, but rather Asiatic than European--Favourable on the whole to health and longevity. December, January, and February, are the summer months of that country, and then the heat, which at noon is at 80 deg. is tempered by a strong sea-breeze. The winter months, June, July, and August, have very cold nights, and fire through the day is comfortable.

The Reviewer humorously calls this colony "a land of convicts and kangaroos," and sportively observes, that, "in this remote part of the earth Nature (having made horses, oxen, ducks, geese, oaks, elms, and all regular and useful productions, for the rest of the world) seems determined to have a bit of play, and to amuse herself as she pleases. Accordingly, she makes cherries with the stone on the outside; and a monstrous animal, as tall as a granadier, with the head of a rabbit, a tail as big as a bed-post, hopping at the rate of five hops to a mile, with three or four young kangaroos looking out of its false uterus to see what is passing. Then comes a quadruped as big as a large cat, with the eyes, colour, and skin of a mole, and the bill and web-feet of a duck--'puzzling Dr. Shaw' and rendering the latter half of his life miserable, from his utter inability to determine whether it was a bird or a beast. Add to this a parrot, with the legs of a sea-gull; a skate with the head of a shark, and a bird of such monstrous dimensions that a side bone of it will dine three real carnivorous Englishmen; together with many other productions that agitate Sir Joseph, and fill him with mingled emotions of distress and delight."

The colony has made the following progress:

In 1778. 1817. Horned cattle 5 44,753 Horses 7 3,072 Sheep 29 170,920 Hogs 74 17,842 Land cultivated _none_ acres, 47,564 Inhabitants 1,000 20,379

Sydney, the principal town and seat of government, has a population of 7000 souls; it has a newspaper, a bank, and many public and private buildings, that would not disgrace the best parts of London--So says Mr. Wentworth, a native of Botany Bay, who has lately published a statistical, historical, and political description of the country.

The attention paid to the education of the children, by their "larcenous forefathers," is worthy of commendation and of imitation in other parts of the world, where the morals of the parent stock are less depraved. "The town of Sydney contains 2 good public schools, for the education of 224 children of both sexes. There are establishments also for the diffusion of education in every populous district throughout the colony: the masters of these schools are allowed stipulated salaries from the Orphans' fund. Mr. Wentworth states, that one-eighth part of the whole revenue of the colony is appropriated to the purposes of education: this eighth he computes at 2500_l._ Independent of these institutions, there is an Auxiliary Bible Society, a Sunday School, and several good private schools. This is all as it should he: The education of the poor, important every where, is indispensable at Botany Bay. Nothing but the earliest attention to the habits of children can restrain the erratic finger from the contiguous scrip, to prevent the hereditary tendency of larcenous abstraction. The American arrangements respecting the education of the lower orders, is excellent. Their unsold lands are surveyed, and divided into districts. In the centre of every district, an ample and well selected lot is provided for the support of future schools. We wish this had been imitated in New Holland; for we are of opinion that the elevated nobleman, Lord Sidmouth, should intimate what is good and wise, even if the Americans are his teachers. Mr. Wentworth talks of 15,000 acres set apart for the support of the Female Orphan schools; which certainly does sound a little extravagant; but then 50 or 100 acres of this reserve are given as a portion to each female orphan; so that all this pious tract of ground will be soon married away. This donation of women, in a place where they are scarce, is amiable and foolish enough. There is a school also for the education and civilization of the natives, we hope not to the exclusion of the children of convicts, who have clearly a prior claim upon public charity."

Great exertions have been made in public roads and bridges. Toll gates have been established on all the principal roads. The general average of unimproved land in the neighbourhood of the town is 5_l._ sterling per acre. The inhabitants of New South Wales have suffered greatly from the tyranny and caprice of the rulers placed over them by Britain. There is no sufficient check on the Governor of the colony--far from the parent country, there is no Council to restrain his excesses, nor any Colonial Legislature to assert the rights of the people. There is no trial by jury. The Governor imposes what taxes he pleases.

[_Geo. Journal._

INTELLIGENCE.

Died, at Windsor Castle, George William Frederic Guelph on the 29th of January.

His Majesty George the Third, was born on the 24th of May, 1738, which since the alteration of the style, has become the 4th of June. At his death, therefore, he had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years seven months and twenty-six days. He was proclaimed king on the 25th of October, 1760.--On September 8th, 1761, he was married to her late majesty, and had issue seven sons and five daughters, of whom six of the former and four of the latter survive him. His royal highness the Prince of Wales was appointed Regent on the 6th of Feb. 1811, and from that time he has been virtual sovereign, acting in the name and on the behalf of his majesty. His majesty, from the appointment of the Regent, remained in retirement at Windsor Castle, under the guardianship of a council, who met every month, or more frequently as occasions might require, and issued a report of the state of his indisposition.

After the death of his late majesty had been formally announced, the following instrument was prepared and signed.

"Whereas, it hath pleased the Almighty God, to call to his mercy our late sovereign lord, king George the 3d. of blessed memory, by whose decease the imperial crown of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, is solely and rightfully come to the high and mighty prince, George prince of Wales: We, therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, being here assisted with those of his late majesty's privy council, with numbers of other principal gentlemen of quality, with the lord mayor, aldermen and citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and consent, of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim, that the high and mighty prince, George, prince of Wales, is now, by the death of the late sovereign, of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege, lord George the 4th. by the grace of God, king of Great Britain and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. to whom we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience, with all hearty and humble affection; beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless the royal prince, George the 4th with long and happy years, to reign over us.

Given at the court at Carlton-house, this 30th day of January, 1820.

GOD SAVE THE KING."

Then follows the signature of the Privy councillors, &c. present.

The king's fourth son, Edward Guelph, duke of Kent, &c. died at Sidmouth, after a short but very severe illness on the 23d of January. He was born November 2, 1767.

The interment of the king of England, took place on the 16th of February; and on the following day, both houses of parliament convened according to adjournment. A message from the new king was received and read, and _an address of condolence and congratulation_ was adopted in the house of lords.

A new parliament is to be summoned; and great activity every where prevails in preparing for the approaching general election.

_Ancient Custom._--On the day that the present King was to be proclaimed as George the Fourth, a procession was formed fronting the Palace of Carlton-house, and proceeded for the city, when, on the cavalcade arriving at Temple-bar they found the gates, according to ancient custom, closed. "The City Marshall was sent forward to the gate, intimation having been given to the lord Mayor that there was a loud knocking at the gate, and a demand of admittance from some persons outside. The Marshall went to the gate, and asked, 'Who knocks,' and was answered, 'The Herald King at Arms. I attend with a warrant to proclaim King George the Fourth. Open your gates.' The City Marshall answered, 'I shall inform the Lord Mayor that you are waiting at the gate.' The Marshall then rode back to the Lord Mayor, and having informed him that the Herald King at Arms was in waiting for admission, to proclaim George the Fourth, King of England, was directed by his Lordship to give the admission required, which was to be limited to the Herald King at Arms. The Marshall upon going to the gates, said to the officers, 'Open one side of the gates and admit the Herald King at Arms, and him alone.' The Herald then rode in, supported by his guards, and was accompanied by the City Marshall to the Lord Mayor. The Herald King at Arms presented the warrant.--The Lord Mayor immediately said, 'admit the whole procession into our city of London.'"

Sir Isaac Heard, the Garter-King-at-Arms, is 90 years of age.

George the 4th was proclaimed as King, at Liverpool, without parade, on the 31st of Jan. but was proclaimed there again on the 19th of Feb. with much pomp and ceremony.--There was a grand military and civil procession; and among the latter, all the mechanic professions, each with appropriate standards.

The late King is said to have given between 60 and $70,000 a year in charities.

_London_, Feb. 18.

We have received this morning the Paris papers of Tuesday. They are, of course, painfully interesting, for they communicate a variety of facts connected with the assassination of his Royal Highness the Duke de Berri. Among the most important of these is the undeniable one, that the atrocious crime was committed from political motives. This alarming truth was distinctly admitted, not only by the Members of the two Chambers, who met to address his Majesty, upon the mournful occasion but it is recognized by the King himself, in the concluding sentence of his answer to the Address of the Deputies.--"The Chamber cannot doubt," said his Majesty, "that, feeling as a man, and acting as a king, I shall adopt every necessary measure to preserve the _State from dangers, of which I am but too forcibly forewarned by the crime of this day_." The assassin himself, indeed, according to the letter of our private correspondent, upon being interrogated, avowed that he had exterminated the Duke, as the youngest of the Royal Family, "knowing that nature would soon relieve him from the necessity of abridging the days of the King."

The Duke of Berri was in his 42d year, and was, next to his aged father, Count d'Artois, heir to the throne.

"The assassin is about 30 years of age; his name is Louvel. It appears he was one of those who went and returned with Bonaparte from Elba, and has since been employed, up to the very time of the fatal deed, in his Majesty's hunting establishment.

A vessel has arrived at Portsmouth from St. Helena, which place she left on the 10th of December. Bonaparte, at that time, was well, and continued his out-door exercise, in the grounds attached to Longwood. "His new house was nearly ready for his reception, and it is in every respect a most spacious and commodious mansion; containing, with a ball room, 17 excellent rooms."

MISCELLANY.

From a late report of the Secretary of the Treasury it appears that the banking capital of the United States, including the United States' bank, and excluding all banks incorporated since 1817, amounts to $125,000,000.

A curious circumstance occurred on Monday week at Market Levington, Wilts. A person named Jane Webb attended divine service attired precisely in the same suit of mourning for our late sovereign George III. as was worn by her for king George II. The singularity of its make, attracted much notice. This venerable and frugal spinster has attained her 76th year.

An oil spring has been discovered in the county of Morgan, Ohio, which is stated to yield an inexhaustible quantity of this liquid. It sells for fifty cents a gallon. It is used for lamps, for currying leather, for mixing in medicines, &c. Whether it is calculated for mixing in paints had not been ascertained.

_Worm in a Horse's eye._--Dr. William Scott, of Madras, has extracted a worm from the aqueous humour of a horse's eye to which he gave the name of _Accaris pellucidus_.

The legislature of New Jersey has passed a law for incorporating a company for the purpose of embanking and draining the salt marsh on Barbadoes neck in that state.

In the British Quarterly Review, mention is made of a British statute now in force, in which the punishment of a certain offence is _transportation_ for 14 years; and on conviction, one half thereof is to go to the _informer_, and the other half to the _king_! Did ever an Irish parliament make such a blunder as this?

_Virginia_ is much engaged in laying out works of internal improvement; especially with a project of uniting the waters of James river with those of Kenawha.

_The Bordeaux ship of discovery_, (says a New York paper) has arrived at Bordeaux, after an absence of three years and a half. This ship has traversed the Pacific Ocean, and collected at the Sandwich Islands, some interesting accounts of the fate of _La Peyrouse_ and his companions. A London paper states, that the account will soon be published.

_Shawneetown, Illinois, Feb. 17._

_Arrival from New York!_--The Steam Boat Manhattan, from New York, arrived here this day, 30 days from New Orleans. She brings consignments for two houses in this place, from the city of New York. Freight three dollars only.

_Imports at Liverpool from the United States._

_Flour, bbls._ _Rice, casks._ _Tobacco, hds._ _Cotton, bags._

1817 540,000 195,000 7,361 314,330

1818 350,000 100,000 110,000 423,500

1819 43,000 78,000 8,790 366,000

The Maine and Missouri questions are at length settled. Both districts of country are admitted into the Union, as states; the former, from its population, requiring no restriction of slavery; and the latter admitted on the same terms--4 majority in the house of representatives in favour of the bill as it has passed. The bill, however, excludes slavery from all the territory North of 36-1/2 deg. of N. latitude, Missouri excepted.

From a respectable correspondent in Pauling, Duchess county, we have the following singular case. Mr. Luther Brownwell of Beekman, in that county having, in the month of April 1815, a sow with a litter of five pigs, and she dying when they were only two days old, he appropriated the milk of one of his new milch cows for their support. The cow was milked four or five times a day for this purpose, and the pigs were learned to drink the milk. When pasturing time came, they were put in the field where the cow with nine others was kept. At the age of two months, the pigs had the sagacity to single out this cow from the rest, and when hungry would come round her, root at her legs, squeak, and exhibit the usual signs of their wants. The cow at length learned to lay down, and let them suck what they wanted. In this way they grew very rapidly until some time in September, when they were put up to fatten, and were killed the November following. Their average weight was _240lbs._ or _1200lbs._ of pork, which he sold for $8,50 a hundred.

Aside from the singularity of this case, the inquiry naturally presents itself, could the milk of the cow have been put to a more profitable use? Is it not probable that her milk made an addition of at least _600lbs._ to the quantity of pork? [_Plough Boy._

An apprentices' library is about to be established in New York, on the same plan as the one in this city and in Boston. The library in Boston consists of about 1000 volumes, principally of books on the mechanic arts, of history, travels, and other useful knowledge, and on moral and religious subjects.

_Steam Boats._--Among many interesting articles in the second number of the German Correspondent, published in New York, we find the following:

"The steam boat Blucher was lately launched at Potsdam. Several members of the royal family were present, and Prince Albseeth conferred the name. This is probably the largest steam boat in Europe, the whole length being 200 feet. It draws but 20-1/2 inches of water. The boat contains _two_ engines, which perform exceedingly well. The utmost precaution is used against accidents by fire. As this vessel will carry merchandize of great value, and in large quantities, the hold has been divided into nine compartments by water proof partitions, so that, in case it should spring a leak, there is every probability that the vessel would not fill--besides, by means of tubes there is a communication between these chambers and the locations of the engines, which are so arranged as to pump any quantity of water out of the divisions where the leak may exist. This improvement appears to be well calculated for the steam boats on the Mississippi."

_Sagacity of a bear._--A bear which had stolen a sheep, being closely persued by several dogs, promptly resorted to a most ingenious expedient. He tore the sheep in pieces, and threw the dogs one of the hinder legs; and while they were partaking of this repast, had full time to escape.

This fact is formally certified, by a game-keeper in Transylvania, where there are a great many bears. The most remarkable circumstance was, that from that time the dogs would never attack any of these animals, but on the contrary, received them in the most friendly manner, as if they expected a dinner. The owner of the flock was obliged to have the dogs shot, that he might not have those hungry guests always about him. [_German Paper._

PHENOMENON.

_To the Editor of the Literary Gazette._

SIR,