Part 5

A pear tree, brought from Holland, and planted in the year 1647, is now in full bloom, standing in the Third Avenue at the intersection of Thirteenth Street, New York. This is probably the oldest fruit tree in America. About 70 years ago the branches of the tree decayed and fell off, and at that time it was supposed the tree was dying; but without any artificial means being resorted to, new shoots germinated and gradually supplied the room of their predecessors. The tree now is in full health and vigour, and appears to be not more than 30 years old; the fruit ripens the latter part of August, has a rich succulent flavour, and has been known by the name of the spice pear.

[_Evening Post._

_On raising young Potatoes in the Winter months._--In the beginning of May, lay a quantity of the largest ox-noble Potatoes, on a dry cellar floor, two or three deep, and turn them over once in about three weeks, rubbing off all the white sprouts as they appear, but not the spawn or rudiments of the young potatoes. At the end of September, have ready a few boxes; at the bottom of each put six inches of decayed leaves, dried to a vegetable mould, and place upon it a single layer of potatoes, close to each other; then put another layer of the same mould, six inches deep, then another of potatoes, and so on till the boxes are full.--Set the boxes in a dry covered place, free from frost, never giving them any water.--They will produce good fine young potatoes in December; and those which are ready may be taken off, and the old potatoes replaced until the remainder of the produce shall be ready.

_Cure for foundered horses, by a surgical operation._--"The operation has succeeded admirably and will probably lead to a similar practice in the human subject. It has hitherto failed frequently in the _Tic Doloureux_ and other diseases, either from the regeneration of the divided nerve producing a union and restoration of sensation, or from the effect being produced by the swelling of the ends of the cut nerve sufficient to effect the union. But the excision of two inches in length effectually prevents such a restoration of feeling. Mr. Sewell, the well known assistant professor at the Veterinary College, who has the exclusive claim to this improvement, in the course of the last eighteen months, performed this operation on above 100 horses, with uniform success, except perhaps two or three cases, in which there was great organical disease of the foot. Although the operation requires the skill of Mr. Sewell, it is very simple. It consists in cutting down upon the trunks of the nerves which enter the foot in contact with the arteries, on each side of either the small or large pastern joint, and then removing a piece of the nerve. A few minutes after the operation, the animal walks and trots like a sound horse, which just before could scarcely move at all, and then in extreme pain. The principle is obvious--it is that of removing the conductors of sensation from the seat in the disease to the brain. The division of the arteries accompanying the nerves is carefully avoided."--_Journ. Arts and Science._

_To destroy insects which infest fruit trees._--Take a small quantity of unslackened lime, mix it with soft water, to the consistency of very thin whitewash--apply this mixture with a brush, to the trees, as soon as the sap begins to rise, and wash the stems and large boughs with it, taking care to have it done in dry weather, that it may adhere and withstand rain. In the course of the ensuing summer, this will be found to have removed all the moss and insects, and give to the bark a fresh and green appearance. The trial is simple, and not attended with much trouble, expense, or danger.

AGRICULTURAL MEMORANDA.

_Oranges, &c._--If the cuttings of _Lemons_ or _Oranges_ are placed in a pot, or box, so as to _touch_ the bottom of it, it will considerably facilitate their growth.

_To preserve Peaches from frost._--After a cold night when there is any appearance of frost on the _bloom_, or _young fruit_ of peach trees--wet it thoroughly with cold water. Even if the blossoms are discoloured, this operation recovers them, provided it is done in the morning before the sun shines upon them.[10]

[10] This seems to be analogous to the condition of a frost bitten joint or limb, which is recovered by the application of cold water; but injured, sometimes destroyed, by being brought near a fire, or the influence of sudden warmth.

_Method of forcing Fruit Trees to bear fruit._--With a sharp knife make a cut in the bark of the branch, which you mean to force to bear, and not far from the place where it is connected with the stem; or if it be a small branch, or shoot, near where it is joined to the larger bough. The cut is to go round the branch, or to encircle it, and to penetrate to the wood. A _quarter of an inch_ from this cut, you make a second cut, like the first, round the branch, so that by both encircling the branch, you have marked a ring upon the branch a quarter of an inch broad, between the two cuts. The bark between these two cuts you take clean away, with the knife, down to the wood, removing even the fine inner bark which lies upon the wood; so that no connection whatever remains between the two parts of the bark, but the bare and naked wood appears white and smooth. But this bark ring, which is to compel the tree to bear, must be made at the right time, that is, when in all nature the buds are strongly swelling, or are breaking out into blossom. In the same year a callus is formed at the edge of the ring, on both sides, and the connexion of the bark that had been interrupted, is restored again without any detriment to the tree, or the branch operated upon, in which the artificial wound soon again grows over.

_New mode of preparing Indian Corn._--Take the corn in its green state, when it is fit to eat; boil it; then cut it off the cob--spread it on a cloth in the sun to dry--put it in bags, and when boiled again, it is as sweet and good as when first pulled.

THE GREAT LAKES.

A Table, shewing the quantity of water contained in the St. Lawrence, and all its tributary Lakes and Rivers. (From Darby's Tour.) ---------------------+-------+-------------------+-------------------- |_Medium| | LAKES |depth._|_Superficial Area._| _Solid Contents._ ---------------------+-------+-------------------+-------------------- | Feet. | Feet. | Feet. ---------------------+-------+-------------------+-------------------- Superior, | 900 | 836,352,000,000 | 752,716,800,000,000 Huron, | 900 | 527,568,000,000 | 501,811,200,000,000 Michigan, | 900 | 376,898,400,000 | 59,208,560,000,000 Erie, | 120 | 418,176,000,000 | 50,181,120,000,000 Ontario, | 492 | 200,724,480,000 | 98,756,444,160,000 St. Lawrence, and } | | | other rivers and } | " | 41,176,000,000 | 83,520,000,000 smaller lakes, } | | | ---------------------+-------+-------------------+--------------------- | | 2,430,894,880,000 |1,742,757,644,160,000 ---------------------+-------+-------------------+---------------------

Lake Superior, in its greatest length, is 381 miles; its breadth is 161; and its circumference is little less than 1152 miles--it is as remarkable for the transparency of its waters as for its extraordinary depth.

Lake Huron, from west to east, is 218 statute miles long; at its western extremity it is less than one hundred miles broad; and, at about one hundred miles from its eastern shore, it is barely 60 miles broad; but near the centre it suddenly bends away to the southward, and is a hundred miles in breadth; making a circumference of little less than 812 miles.

Lake Michigan deepens into a bay of 262 miles in length, by sixty-five in breadth; and its entire circumference is 731 miles.

_Slave Trade._--A letter from Sierra Leone, dated Dec. 14, states, that there was more slave-dealing carried on at that period in the neighbouring rivers, than when it was allowed by the British government.

From the Boston Gazette.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES, &c.

The first Americans who are known to have visited the Western country, were James M'Bride, and several others, who in the year 1754 descended the Ohio river, as far as the mouth of Kentucky river.

In 1769, Colonel Daniel Boon, and a few others, undertook to explore this vast wilderness, then so little known. After many hardships and fatigues, they reached the neighbourhood of Lexington, where they remained until 1771.

In 1775, Colonel Boon, with a party of soldiers and emigrants, built fort Boonsborough, which was the first settlement made in the state of Kentucky.

Notwithstanding many obstacles, the inhabitants of Kentucky were estimated, in 1784, at 12,000 souls.--No settlements were made north of the Ohio, until three or four years afterwards.

On the 1st of March, 1786, the "Ohio Company" was formed at Boston, consisting of officers and soldiers of the Revolution, who, by an act of Congress, were entitled to a military grant of land, in the territory northwest of the Ohio. This company completed a contract with Congress for one million five hundred thousand acres, on the 27th of Nov. 1787. An association of 46 men, under Gen. Rufus Putnam, proceeded to take possession of the purchase; and on the 7th April following, they pitched their camp and cleared the ground where Marietta now stands.

In 1788, Congress passed an ordinance establishing a colonial government over the Northwest Territory. Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor.

Cincinnati was first called Losantiville, but Governor St. Clair, in 1790, altered its name. In 1789, the population of this place consisted of only eleven families.

In 1792, a Presbyterian church was erected at Cincinnati; and the citizens were compelled by law, to take their fire arms with them, when they attended church. The first school was also established this year, and consisted of about 30 scholars.

In 1792, the small pox broke out among the soldiers at Fort Washington, and one third of the citizens and soldiers fell victims to its ravages.--[This was the same year it spread throughout Boston.]

Since the above period, the western country has increased in a ratio "truly astonishing."

In 1810, the population of Cincinnati was estimated at 2300; in 1813, at about 4000; and in 1819, at more than 10,000; "an increase truly astonishing." The greatest part of the population are stated to be from the middle and northern states; but there is also a mixed assemblage of emigrants, "from almost every part of Christendom; and it is not uncommon to hear three or four different languages spoken in the streets at the same time."

In 1819, in Cincinnati, there were 1890 buildings, many of brick and stone, of two stories and upwards; 10 places of public worship, a college, five banks, court-house, jail, two market houses, several manufactories, &c.

Some of the religious societies were formed in Cincinnati, with only ten members; and all have been created within 16 years. There are also several Bible societies, Sabbath school societies, a medical society, humane society, &c.

Since the introduction of steam-boats, considerable attention has been paid at Cincinnati to exportation; and from October, 1818, to March, 1819, it amounted to $1,334,080, and consisted of flour, pork, bacon, lard, tobacco, &c.; while the amount of imports, for the same period, amounted to only $500,000. In 1817, the imports amounted to $1,442,266, and in 1818, to $1,619,000! They seem to be convinced that the only way to relieve the western states from their "present embarrassments," is to _export more and import less_, which will soon effect a rapid change in their affairs.

About 60 steam-boats, from 25 to 700 tons, and many of them finished in a style of elegance and taste, are now in successful operation, and most of them have been built within two or three years.

There are three auctioneers in Cincinnati, 25 attorneys, 22 physicians, 3 companies of "Independent Military," handsomely uniformed, whose appearance is "nowise inferior to the Eastern Military."

Three newspapers are now printed at Cincinnati, all upon an imperial sheet.

It is estimated, that 120,000 bushels of salt are sold annually at Cincinnati, which at $1.50 amounts to $180,000. The various kinds of lumber sold are estimated at $150,000 a year.

We might enlarge these items, and several other articles worthy of record, but our limits will not permit.

THE ROBBER DISAPPOINTED.

A few months ago, a farmer living a few miles from Easton, sent his daughter on horseback to that town, to procure from the bank smaller notes in exchange for one of one hundred dollars. When she arrived there the bank was shut, and she endeavoured to effect her object by offering it at several stores, but could not get her note changed. She had not gone far on her return, when a stranger rode up to the side of her horse, and accosted her with so much politeness that she had not the slightest suspicion of any evil intention on his part. After a ride of a mile or two, employed in very social conversation, they came to a retired part of the road, and the gentleman commanded her to give him the bank note. It was with some difficulty that she could be made to believe him in earnest, as his demeanour had been so friendly; but the presentation of a pistol placed the matter beyond a doubt, and she yielded to necessity. Just as she held the note to him, a sudden puff of wind blew it into the road, and carried it gently several yards from them. The discourteous knight alighted to overtake it, and the lady whipped her horse to get out of his power, and the other horse who had been left standing by her side, started off with her. His owner fired a pistol, which only tended to increase the speed of all parties, and the young lady arrived safely at home with the horse of the robber, on which was a pair of saddlebags. When these were opened, they were found to contain, besides a quantity of counterfeit bank notes, _fifteen hundred dollars in good money_! The horse was a good one, and when saddled and bridled, was thought to be worth at least as much as the bank note that was stolen.

As this story is somewhat wonderful, I enclose you my name as a voucher for the truth of it, and am yours, &c.

[_Nat. Recorder_.

MARIVAUX.

The following anecdotes from _Esprit de Marivaux_, a book, probably, not known to many of your readers, may serve to amuse some of them.

Marivaux was scarcely less remarkable for his indolence than his wit.--He was said to be "by nature the laziest creature in the world;" but his goodness appeared on the most trifling circumstances. He was one day setting out for the country with Mad. Lallemand de Bez. Marivaux and the lady's sister were already in the coach; she staid behind to give some orders to her domestics. In this interval, a sturdy young fellow, about eighteen or twenty, plump and fresh coloured, came to the coach door begging. Marivaux, struck with the contrast between the appearance and profession of the man, looked out, and reproved him. "Are you not ashamed," said he, "a young fellow in perfect health and vigour, to have the meanness to beg your bread, when you might procure it by honest labour?" The fellow, struck with this rebuke, was, at first, confounded and silent; but presently afterwards, scratching his head, exclaimed with a shrug and a sigh, "_Ah! sir, if you did but know--I am so lazy!_" Marivaux, who was himself sensible of the pain of labour, was so pleased with the fellow's confession, that he gave him a crown.

Fontenelle having heard that Marivaux was sick, and having just reason to fear that he, who never laid by any money, might be in want of it at such an exigence, went to him, and when they were alone, told him his suspicions. "Perhaps," says he, "more money may be convenient to you than you have by you.--Friends should never wait to be solicited; here is a purse with a hundred louis d'ors, which you must permit me to leave at your disposal."--"I consider them (said Marivaux) as received and used; permit me now to return them with the gratitude that such a favour ought to excite."--"What benevolence and generosity, in one of these friends," says the author, "what delicacy and greatness of mind in the other!"

[_Nat. Gaz._

_A curious phenomenon._--Extract of a letter dated May 4th, 1820, from a respectable physician of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, to an eminent member of the faculty in this city.

"About twelve years ago the wife of the parish minister had twins. She was a debilitated nervous woman. Her mother a healthy old lady of seventy-five, who firmly believed the prayers of the faithful could remove mountains, began to think what a comfortable thing it would be, if she could nurse one of the twins. The consequence was, that her breasts filled with milk, and she nursed it for twelve months, affording all that time an abundant supply, to the great relief of the mother.

"This story cannot be contradicted; for the most respectable persons in Northumberland have related it to me, persons who could not be deceived, and would not deceive me. They say that she often carried the child abroad in the course of her visiting, telling the wonder wherever she went, and giving her friends ocular demonstration of the lactiferous miracle."

[_Ibid_.

_Works of Fiction._--Hannah More, in her last work, remarking on the subject of "unprofitable reading," observes, "many works of fiction may be read with safety, some even with profit; But the constant familiarity even with such as are not exceptionable in themselves, relaxes the mind that wants hardening, dissolves the heart which wants fortifying, stirs the imagination which wants quieting, irritates the passions which want calming, and, above all, disinclines and disqualifies for active virtues, and for spiritual exercises. The habitual indulgence in such reading is a silent, mining mischief. Though there is no act, and no moment, in which any open assault on the mind is made, yet the constant habit performs the work of a mental atrophy; it produces all the symptoms of decay, and the danger is not less for being more gradual, and, therefore, less suspected."

GREENSBOROUGH, _(Pa.) May 5, 1820_.

_Law Case._--JACK VS. MAUNS.--The plaintiff brought suit against defendant for a rifle gun, which defendant had exchanged for a horse. The defendant insisted on the bargain being annulled, on the ground of a special agreement, that if he did not like the horse, he should be returned within a stipulated time. The cause was referred to arbitrators, who awarded, that the plaintiff should take back the horse, and the defendant his gun, the spectators pay the drink, and the justice the cost of arbitrators. Judgment on the award--_parties satisfied_.

THE SPANISH INQUISITION.

During the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, and in the Pontificate of Innocent VIII. the Inquisition was established for the prosecution of heretics. It was originally intended to take cognizance of only the Jews and Moors--but so rapidly did it extend its influence, that during the sway of Torquemada, the first Inquisitor-General, it was calculated that 6000 persons were burnt by his order; and upwards of 20,000 fell victims in various other ways. From the above period to the present time, it is impossible to calculate the number of persons who have fallen victims to its horrid cruelties. The late revolutions in Spain have abolished the Inquisition, opened the doors of its prisons, and set the captives free. This measure alone is a subject of the highest congratulation to the friends of freedom throughout the world.

[_N. Y. D. Adv._

_Mr. Ellery._--The venerable Mr. Ellery, the subject of the extract which we give below, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and upwards of ninety years old when he died. The writer of the letter is a gentleman of Rhode Island, of much distinction, who was intimately acquainted with the deceased.

_Extract of a letter, dated Newport, (R. I.) March 14, 1820_.

"Old Mr. Ellery died like a philosopher. In truth death, in its common form, never came near him. His strength wasted gradually for the last year, until he had not enough left to draw in his breath, and so he ceased to breathe. The day on which he died, he got up and dressed himself, took his old flag-bottomed chair, without arms, in which he had sat for more than half a century, and was reading Tully's Offices in the Latin without glasses, though the print was as fine as that of the smallest pocket Bible. Dr. W. stopped in on his way to the Hospital, as he usually did; and on perceiving the old gentlemen could scarcely raise his eyelids to look at him, took his hand, and found that his pulse was gone. After drinking a little wine and water, Dr. W. told him his pulse beat stronger. "O yes, Doctor, I have a charming pulse. But," he continued, "it is idle to talk to me in this way. I am going off the stage of life, and it is a great blessing that I go free from sickness, pain and sorrow." Some time after, his daughter, finding him become extremely weak, wished him to be put to bed, which he at first objected to, saying he felt no pain, and there was no occasion for his going to bed. Presently after, however, fearing he might possibly fall out of his chair, he told them they might get him upright in the bed, so that he could continue to read. They did so, and he continued reading Cicero very quietly for some time; presently they looked at him and found him dead, sitting in the same posture, with the book under his chin, as a man who becomes drowsy and goes to sleep."

_[National Gazette_.

_Benjamin West._--This distinguished American artist died in London at the advanced age of 82, being born on the 10th of October, 1738, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His genius and industry as a painter have never been surpassed, and his productions will long be admired for their great and unrivalled merit. He was much attached to his native country, and took great pleasure in conversing with his fellow citizens, and giving every facility to American artists--he viewed our progress in arts and in science, with deep interest, and his long absence did not alienate his affections from his native land. "Yesterday," said he to an American, "was fifty years since I first arrived in London--I remember travelling on the top of the Canterbury coach, and stopping about two miles from London, at a mean tavern, and taking a dinner before I entered the metropolis to seek my fortune; and I could not avoid yesterday going to the same tavern, calling for a dinner alone in the same room, looking back on the fifty years I had spent, the progress I had made in my profession, the friends I possessed, and the adventures I had met with." This was a singular epoch in the life of an individual.

[_Nat. Advocate._

MISCELLANY.

_Other people's eyes the cause of ruin._--Almost all the parts of the body, says Dr. Franklin, require some expense. The feet demand shoes; the legs stockings; the rest of the body, clothing; and the stomach a good deal of victuals. Our eyes, though exceedingly useful, ask, when reasonable, only the cheap assistance of spectacles, which would not much impair our finances. But the eyes of _other people_ are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine house nor fine furniture.