THE Worcester Talisman. NO. 19 DECEMBER 13, 1828. POPULAR TALES. FOR THE TALISMAN. A FRAGMENT. DISCOVERED IN COUSIN CALEB'S TABLE DRAWER. Thomas Davis was always a firm and staunch friend of mine, notwithstanding his peculiar character. He was rather eccentric withal; having a decent opinion of himself, (who has not?) and a great admirer of the ladies. Tom, being human, necessarily had his faults; but they were not of so glaring a character as to cause the enmity of any person living, but rather were of that kind which generated sport among his associates; and consequently, he was often the laughing stock of the company when absent, although his presence was greeted with glad smiles and similar bearts. We all were delighted with his company, and certainly, a better hearted fellow never lived. But Thomas was led astray by "That passion which springs in the depth of the soul, Whose beginnings are virginly pure as the source Of some mountainous rivulet, destined to roll As a torrent, ere long losing peace in its course.' VOL. I. would wander away alone to enjoy some lonely solitude, and often has he been known to stand by the hour together, wrapped in a profound reverie, gazing at the translucent ripples of a bubbling brook, or the broad expanse of a mighty river. But where am I wandering? It whole character when I commenced, neither was not my intention to delineate Thomas's should I have ventured to say any thing concerning him, had it not been for one incident in his life, the occurrence of which delighted Thomas was a dupe to flattery, and by flattering himself and being flattered by others for their own diversion, he had wrought his mind to believe that the lovely Miss Waterman whose me. "rich soft hair, In radiant ringlets down her bosom fair was to be his partner through life, and share joys and its sorrows. Diffidence was a family failing among the Davis's, and in truth,Thomas inherited no small portion of it. This hung as ponderous a weight upon his mind as time does upon the hands of the indolent. His case was desperate, but he eventually acquired' confidence to go upon an adventure in which he considered that his whole happiness for life was staked. This was the very circumstance that spoiled It was a beautiful evening in the summer. Thomas; he believed females, to be a race of The moon was walking majestically in brightbeings entirely distinct, and in most points ness beyond a light and fleecy cloud, which was vastly different from men, and thought that seen wandering alone in the sky like a being they would be better pleased with the frip- tost in the wilderness. Not a breath of air was pery of dress, than the decorations of the stiring among the trees, but their dewy leaves heart; and with a superficial polish of man- were reposing in the moon-light, sparkling like ners, than the high cultivation of the mind.- a bed of diamonds. The world was sunk in Here, I say, was Thomas's error; for this idol-repose that seemed as sweet and quiet as an atry of the ladies caused him to take upon infant's dream, while thousands of happy inhimself so many disagreeable airs, that be ren- sects were lulling it with their notes of melodered every person in his society uncomforta- dy. Setting at my window to enjoy the goodble. Sociability was interrupted and that free-ly prospect which nature spread before me, I dom and ease which is the very zest of friendly conversation was banished. Another distinguishing trait of my friend's character was, (and I consider it as a convincing proof that love and poetry are connected) a great love of romance and poetry. His thoughts seemed to be moulded in a romantic mind. He drank inspiration from a beautiful landscape,and read volumes of poetry in the glistening stars. He beheld Thomas pass, and knew, as it were intuitively, the object of his night walking. He hastened upon his way with a step as light and buoyant as a dancing leaf. His breast was beating high in hope, and his spirits were elevated by his fond expectations. In precisely half an hour, Thomas passed my window in a retrogade direction with a slow and melancholy step, repeating to himself, I feel like one FOR THE TALISMAN. ANTI-MATRIMONIALISTS. haps after supper to see them form a circle around the blazing hearth, was a scene of happiness perfectly delineated.t About this time being called away upon business, had to visit several of our large towns and cities, I strictly observed those of my acquaintances who had partaken of the sweets of matrimony.Taking the sum-total of their pleasures and happiness and comparing them with my own, The Editor differs entirely in his views of the I assure you my belief in bachelorism was fast matrimonial state from the writer of the follow-failing. ing piece, but as he appears to have written in the honest sincerity of his heart, his views upon the subject, and is desirous of having them in print, the editor has inserted the communica tion. What a clay cold heart must that man possess, how lost to all the feelings and delights My doctrines grew weaker and weaker, until I arrived in the town where you are located, (and you cannot name one more pleasant to my taste,) when down they went with a tremendous crash upon my pride. I took a room fronting the street, where I could see the passers-by on both sides. I soon had a call from a friend, almost the only one I had in town, who knowing my former principles,soon began to crack his jokes over my poor weather-beaten bachelor head, which I had not the heart to repel had it been in my power. In the mean time, I saw many pretty faces pass the window and not one of them but my friend would give me to know who they were, "All attractions," said he, “and if you will make a short stay in town, you shall be made acquainted with them." My pride could not con of nature must he be who in his sober senses can curse the sacred union of marriage. What a cold, chilled, frozen, soul must he inherit, who can bar the entrance of one glow of admiration, when witnessing the mutual accordance of two ardent hearts, and corresponding minds, that have been bound together by nuptial rites. But I was once an Anti-Matrimonialist. It was then my pride and pleasure to rail against the sacred, union of mankind: I + Quere, did the children never scream and would get comfortably seated perhaps, by a squall? were they never cross and worrisome? good fire: And all alone, would begin thus.was madam always in good humor, always smilAs for matrimony, I'll none of it; here I live, ing? Why, this state of affairs as here told, lord of my little domain, which contains a good would almost tempt the Editor to become-But there is stove, a chair, and a bed, (which perhaps, had · Benedict, the married man." been made within a fortnight,) I can retire a tedious sameness in these ever smiling facwhen I please, can be absent when I please, es, that, like the sand plains of the south, and leave without having my anxiety taxed weary one past endurance, for want of variwith the gaawing idea that I have a wife.-ety. No Sir, you present too pleasant a picSomehow I at length became half convinced within myself that my Anti-Matrimonial doctrines were not sound. To decide upon the case, I immediately vacated my little dirty, smoky room, and went to board with an acquaintance who had entered the bonds of wedlock some three years since. Here I was every day a witness to scenes that made the sanTo dy foundations of my doctrine tremble. see him return after being absent a day or two and join the little circle of wife and children; the latter run and meet him,their countenances lighted with such innocent smiles, and clambering upon his knee the moment he sat. And then his wife with her ever cheerful countenance by his side,it was a welcome that any on (not a possessor) might envy. And per A smoky dirty room would be enough to force a bachelor to the uncomfortable alteration of suffering matrimony and running the extreme risk of finding himself linked to a scolding wife, an evil second only to a smoky houst. The writer would doubtless have retained his bachelor propensities firmly and ecnsistutiy if he had a pleasant room, and kept it as neatly as bachelors are wont to p their "dens" as the ladies civilly call their rooms. ture to the eye for us to easily credit that its counterpart ever existed in real life. We know woman's mind too well, together with the thousand ills which flesh is heir, to expect all sunshine and soft words from them. The fairest, brightest summer's day is often but a prelude to the thunder storm, and other violent commotions of nature. As we have no wish to make converts to our cause, or to restrain the unwilling and reluctant of our numbers to bachelor principles if they desire to change their condition; the Editor adds, that he will do his best to assist J.in our village if his friend should chance to be out of town when J. comes with a mind bent on perpetrating matrimony, though the Editor considers it an affair little short of assisting a man to become felo de se. It is exceedingly amusing to see the triumph displayed in the countenances of the ladies and the multitude of gratulations that pass among them when it is announced that another of their number has plighted her faith (to remain constant we suppose until whim or caprice shall dictate a change) & yet they have much reason to exult, for they well know, that the meu hold the reins and that they cannot be married unless these "obstinate brutes" of G. men choose they should be. long been confined to her chamber by a distressing malady, but still employs her pen, in writing for the press. In this state, she has sent-and ordering my horse and gig, I steped in and drove home quite an altered man. And I have now come to the conclusion that I shall soon give my friend a call in hopes of receive-produced some of her best performances, ing a renewed invitation, J. a mong which are "Hints towards forming the Character of a young Princess:" "Cœlebs in Search of a Wife," which appeared in 1809, and was so much admired, that it ran through ten editions in one year. "Practical Piety," in 1811, "Christian Morals," in 1815; " Moral Sketches," in 1819. Her works have been published in this country in nine volumes. KNAVERY. I have often, too often been tempted, at the daily relation of new knaveries, to despise human nature in every individual, till, on minute anatomy of each trick, I found that the knave was only an enthusiast or momentary fool. This FEMALE BIOGRAPHY. HANNAH MORE, a lady who has, for a length of time, held a conspicuous place in the literary world, is the youngest of five daughters of a clergyman, who resided near Bristol, England, and who was distinguished for his classical knowledge and goodness of heart. At an early period, the suoject of this sketch, discovered a taste for literature, which she cultivated during her leisure hours. Having read through all the works in her paternal library, she put in requisition, the books of her village friends. During this period her sisters conducted a small, school, in which they acquitted themselves so well, that, at the solicitation of several ladies of fortune and discern-discovery of momentary folly, symptoms ment, they were induced to remove to Bristol, and open a boarding school, which after wards became one of the most celebrated in England. Miss H. More accompanied her sisters, and assisted them in their laudable employ, where she acquired the friendship of the Rev. Dr. Stonehouse, who not only encouraged, but improved her literary taste. Her first work, "The Search after Happiness," appeared in 1779, was favorably received, and induced her to publish" Sir Elder of the Bower," "The Bleeding Rock," and a tragedy, called "The Inflexible Captive," founded on the story of Regulus. By Dr. Stonehouse's kindness, she was introduced to Mr. Garrick, who advised her to write for the stage. In consequence of her acquaintance with the inimitable actor, she wrote "Percy," a tragedy, which was well received, and established her two poems; "Thoughts on the manners of the Great" was published in the same year anonymously, and was for some time assigned to Mr. Wilberforce, Dr. Porteus, and others.This was soon followed by "Estimate of the Religion of the Fashionable World," which excited much attention. About this period she formed a society for instructing the poor in the duties of the Christian religion, and devoted much of her time to this charitable object. The Sunday schools, likewise, owe much of their success to her pen and indefatigable exertions. In short, whether we view her as a public or private character, goodness of heart seems blended with comprehensive powers of mind. This excellent woman has of which assail the wisest and the best, has thrown a great consolatory light on inquiries into man's moral nature: by this the theorist is enabled to assign each class and each individual their own peculiar fit of vice or folly; and to contrast the ludicrous or dismal catalogue with the pleasing one of sentiment and Virtue, more properly their own. The above is from Lavater, and the doctrine is as true as it is peculiar. If to the manifold dishonourable and diswe look with the eyes of abhorrence inhonest actions, which are daily and hourly committed throughout the world, and View their perpetration with horror, as proceeding from malignity of heart or dishonesty of purpose, what a degrading and contemptuous opinion must we form of our fellow creatures. But all who are knaves,are not so from downright depravity and villainy-passion, ignorance and a want of self controul, frequently counteract the operations of those who really imagine themselves possessed of rectitude of heart, integrity and honour. Many a man is a knave because he cannot help himself. Many individuals will deliberately commit a fraud, which were he capable of viewing in the light that others do, he would shrink from as an act despicably debased. The human character is a complete paradox of inconsistencies. One act of an individual's life, will frequently counteract the good opinions which his bistory has afforded for years. We do not his own request, one of his people drove a beaver tooth into his head. MRS. HEMANS. was, that when he a second time absenpretend to say that any man is constitutionally a knave. The education, socie-ted himself to bring the moon, and longty and habits of life are altogether ac-ed for fruit, they forgot the orders of cessary in the formation of disposition, their farther, and ate of the black which He was was the only kind remaining. and as some by these means become peculiarly passionate, or otherwise, so will much displeased on his return, and told they imbibe honourable or dishonoura- them that in future the earth would ble propensities with regard to the ma- produce bad fruits, and that they would terial points of character. Over this des- be tormented by sickness and death; pentiny arising from the course of human alties which have attached to his descendants to the present day. Chapewee events, man can possibly have no controul. The principles are not in the himself lived so long that his throat was worn out, and he could no longer enjoy heart, but are mainly the fruits of the fortuitous and uncontrolable circumstan-life but he was unable to die, until, at ces of life. Therefore is it that knavery is as frequently the product of folly as of vice. Somebody has said "every knave is a fool," and used as an argument to make this doctrine good, that sooner or later, knavery redounds with ten fold violence upon itself. An imbe-ion of this lady's productions; but when cile villain is of all God's creatures the there is an universal acknowledgment most contemptible. He inevitably foils of her lofty imagination, of the depth himself, and is made the dupe of his own and clearness of her thought, and of her stratagem. Yet these pitiful wretches surprising facility in embodying her conare certainly deserving of mercy as well ceptions, an acquiescence to the public as contempt. They are a harmless tribe voice is all that can be required of us. and the retributive sword of justice Her lighter efforts, those which have should rather tremble above than crush been thrown off to comply with the sothem. But speculation upon the follies citations of Magazine Editors and manuand crimes of human nature is an unpleas-facturers of Souvenirs' are familiar to ant though sometimes a necessary em- every reader. ployment, and we will conclude this article with this noble sentiment, "he who is master of the fittest moment to crush his enemy, and magnanimously neglects it, is born to be a conqueror." Phil. Album. INDIAN TRADITIONS.-The Dog-rib Indians, who, derived from the same stock with the Chippewayans, say that, according to the tradition of their fathers, the first man was named Chapewee. He found the world well stocked with food, and he created children, to whom he gave two kinds of fruit, the black and the white, but forbade them to eat the black. Having thus issued his commands for the guidance of his family, he took leave of them for a time, and made a long excursion for the purpose of conducting the sun to the world. During this first absence, his children were obedient, and ate only the white fruit, but they consumed it all the consequence Were it not entirely superfluous, we should like to express, in full, our opin They are seized upon greedily by the proprietor of every newspaper, however obnoxious some of them may be to criticism-are read, and studied, and treasured up in the heart, as are the verses of no other man or woman now living. It is certainly true that Mrs. Hemans is the only writer whose words are upon the tongue of every reader, be he but the mere seeker out of ship news, or the searcher after advertisements of bales of cotton and quintals of cod-fish. But her character as a poet does not depend upon those flashes of inspiration, the light of which is scattered so widely. It is in her larger poems, her laboured efforts, that her glory beams forth-that her masculine strength is developed. These are indeed offerings meet for the acceptance of Apollo. In them she tells us of the high purposes of patriotic souls, of the passing love and firmness of woman, of the agony of the broken heart, and the triumph of the proud one, even in death 1 perpetual inclination to self panegyric. The mention of this weakness is sufficient to ex pose it; since I think no man was ever possessed of so warm an affection for his own peron, as deliberately to assert, that it, and its concerns are proper topics to entertain com itself. She accomplishes her purpose in every thing she attempts; not with the aid of artificial, unmeaning flourishes of language, but by her intimate acquaintance with the human mind. Its secret workings she traces out, its dar-pany. Yet there are many, who, through ker meanings she translates its dimmest visions she interprets. To the honor of the age which may justly boast of its Hemans we believe she could with safety say, that she has never written one line which, dying, she could wish to blot. Bryant. want of attention, fall into this vein, as soon as the conversation begins to acquire life; ing themselves, of describing themselves, and they lay hold of every opportunity of introducif people are so dull as not to take the hint, of commending themselves; nay, what is more surprising than all this, they are amazed at the coldness of their auditors; forgetting that the same passion inspires almost every body; and that there is scarce a man in the room who has not a better opinion of himself than of any body else. We learn which it is supposed Hannibal followed, in his invasion of Italy. A branch from the route, will lead to the Abbey of Haute Combe, which the king has built, a delightful country seat. FOX, THE QUAKER. This individual, many years deceased, was a most remarkable man in his circle; a great natural genius, which employed itself upon trival or not generally A NEW ROAD ACROSS THE ALPS. interesting matters. He deserved to be bet- from the French papers, that the Sardinian ter known than he was. The last years of government have undertaken the construction his life he resided at Bristol. He was a great of a road across Mont du Chat, from ChamPersian scholar, and published some transla-berry to Yenne and Belley, in the direction tions of the poets of that nation, which were well worthy of perusal. He was self-taught, and had patience and perseverence for any thing. He was somewhat eccentric, and had the quickest reasoning power, and consequently the greatest coolness, of any man of his day, In respect to its style of construction, this who was able to reason. His house took fire road is spoken of as one of the finest in Euin the night; it was situated near the sea; it rope; and the police being lately much less was uninsured, and the flames spread so rap-rigid in their requirements, travellers will puridly nothing could be saved. He saw the sue that route with great pleasure and conconsequences instantly, made up his mind to venience. them as rapidly, and ascending a hill at some distance in the rear of his dwelling, watched the picture and reflection of the flames on the sea, admiring its beauties as if it were a holy day bonfire. THE WHALE. The greatest supply of oil yielded by a single whale was the enormous quantity of 117 butts, or about 43 tons; it was struck by a person of the name of Pashby, who was harpooner to the Fanny whaler of Hull; and as the blubber is supposed to weigh about one-third of the whole, this animal did not weigh less than 129 tons. Such are the dimensions of the Greenland whale, that jaw bones of this animal have been seen measuring more than twenty feet in length. The tongue of a large whale weighs two tons, and yields 126 gallons of oil; and of so enormous a size are its lips, and so much do they abound in blubber, that one alone has afforded sufficient of the latter to yield two tons of pure oil. ITALIAN PROVERBS. He who serves God hath the best master in the world. Where God is, there is nothing wanting. No man is greater in truth than he is in God's esteem.He hath a good judgement who doth not rely on his own. Wealth is not his who gets it, but his who enjoys it. He who converses with nobody, is either a brute or an angel. Go not over the water where you cannot see the bottom. He who lives disorderly one year, doth not enjoy himself for five years after. Friendships are cheap, when they are to be bought with pulling off your hat. Speak well of your friends, of your enemy neither well nor ill-fact which will startle my readers, that "a The friendship of a great man is a lion at the next door. The monody you refuse will never do you good. A beggar's wallet is a mile to the bottom. EGOTISM. Of all the follies which men are apt to fall into, to the disturbance of others, and lessening of themselves there is none more intolerable than continual egotism and NO COLDS AT ST. PETERSBURGH, It is a cold" is seldom to be heard of in St. Petersburgh. That anomalous species of disorder is indigenous to England, and above all to London. It does an infinity of mischief, and covers many a blunder. In the capital of Russia, few people complain of a cold ;" and if a person of consequence (who has been for a great length of time dying of disease ill understood, or badly managed,) does actually fall a |