Agricultural. for the balance. MR SPUR IN RYE. . R. DEANE, in the New England Farmer, obferves that the grains of rye, which are affected with this noxious || distemper, are thicker and longer than the found ones, commonly projecting beyond their hufks, and moftly crooked. They are dark coloured, have a rough furface, and appear furrowed from end to end. They are bitter to the tafte; and will fwim in water at first, and then fink to the bottom. But they are easily distinguishable by their extraordinary bulk. The peafants of Sologre, (in France) it is faid, fift out thefe grains, when corn is plenty; but in a time of fcarcity, being loth to lofe fo much grain, they neglect it: and in confequence of fuch neglect, they are attacked with a dry gangrene, which mortifies the extreme parts of the body, fo that they fall off, almoft without any pain. In Duhamel's culture des Terres, it is remarked;" The Hotel Dieu, at Or leans, has had many of thefe miferable objects, (poifoned by fpurred rye,) who had not any thing more remaining, than the bare trunk of the body, and yet lived in that condition several days. Monitorial Department. To aid the cause of virtue and religion. FOR THE BALANCE. THE FATAL EFFECTS OF DISSIPATION IN THE INSTANCE OF DOCTOR DODD. LIFE E is a drama, which fometimes clofes in fuch a tragical manner as none could have expected. Croefus, king of Lydia, after making before Solon a difplay of his vaft wealth, vainly afked the philof opher, whether he did not think him a moft happy man. Solon replied, much to the difpleasure of the king, that no man could juitly be pronounced happy, till his death. Shortly afterward, Crafus, vanquished in battle and taken prifoner by Cyrus, was condemned to the flames; and while he was fitting on the fatal pile whereon he was to be burned, he thrice repeated, with a loud and mournful voice, the name of Solon. Cyrus, whofe curiofity was wakened by this incident, ordered him to be taken down from the pile, and afked him the reafon of his calling upon Solon: and when the condemned prince informed him that Solon's declaration, that no man could jufly be pronounced happy till his death, and which he had regarded with contempt while in profperity, had fo deeply affected him in the extremities of his affliction as to occafion his lamentable outcry; Cyrus, touched with a fenfe of the uncertainty of human greatnels and grandeur, as well as with compaffion for his royal captive, granted him pardon and freedom and received him to favour. As it is not every year (fays Duhamel) that the fpur in rye produces thefe dreadIt ufually cofts a long feries of conftant ful accidents, Languis is of opinion, that efforts, either to raise a fortune, orto efthere may be two kinds of this distemper; tablish a great and good name; whereas a one which is not hurtful, and the other fingle faife ftep may deftroy both, and which occafions the gangrene. It is how-precipitate the poffeffer into the depths ever probable (fays he) that there is but of wretchednefs, and infan.y. Dr. Wilone kind of fpur; and that it does not liam Dodd was a remarkable and moft melhurt, when fufficient care is taken in fift- ancholy inftance. He was a popular ing the grain; nor alfo, when only a preacher in London, and had been a chapfmall part of the grain is diftempered." lain to his prefent majefty: many deeds of benevolence had marked and exalted his character; but vanity was his great foible. The company and careffes of the nobility, fome of whom had employed him in educating their fons, led him to a ftyle of living far beyond his means. Diftref. fing embarraffments enfued; and in the fatal hour of temptation he committed the crime of forgery, for which he was conerful folicitations were made in his behalf demned to fuffer under the gallows. Pow. seful. TO TAKE STAINS OUT OF LINEN. STAINS, occafioned by fruit, are readily removed from the clothes, by wet. ting them, and placing them near lighted brimstone; a few matches will answer the purpose. The fulphurous gafs extracts the mark. to the throne. Lord Piercy prefented a petition for his pardon, figned by twenty thousand peo. ple-but in vain. The following affecting letter was writ ten and fent, a fhort time before the war. rant for his execution received the royal fignature. TO THE EARL OF MANSFIELD. MY LORD, But a few days-and the lot of the most unhappy of created beings will be decided forever! I know the weight of your Lordfhip's opinion. It is that which will undoubtedly decide, whether I am to die reft of my life in difhonourable banish. an ignominious death; or drag out the ment. O, my Lord, do not refuse to hear what I in my humility dare to oppofe to the feverity of the laws. I feel how frightful my crime is; the fentence which condemns me is but too juft: I however flatter my felf, that, am dit all the reproaches caft upon me on account of my crime, it will ftill be remembered how ufeful my charitable endeavours have been to that very fociety which I have injured. I afk nothing but the preferva. tion of my life,-a life which I fhall drag cut in difhonour, and perhaps in mifery! Have compaffion, my Lord, on a man covered with intamy, without fortune, and without refource, but not however with out fear at cafting his eyes towards the abyfs of eternity. However great that mifery which will be my lot, yet ftill allow me to live. That very mifery under which I fhall languish the rest of my days will forewarn all those who were witneffes of it, to beware of in. dulging their paffions, and to guard against a fatal vanity and a spirit of diffipation. For the last time, I conjure you, my Lord, to fuffer me to live ; and when you fee me paffing from the frightful dungeon which now enclofes me, to an ignomini fufficiently fatisfied by the fufferings of ous exile, be affured that juftice will be him who is, My Lord, Your Lordship's WILLIAM DODD. Geographical. IT has, by fome, been fuppofed that the British island was once united to the continent. St. Pierre has attempted to dif prove this fentiment, and to fhow that it has never belonged to the continent. It is, fays he, a remark of Julius Ceafar in his commentaries, that during his ftay in PETRIFACTION. PERHA ERHAPS there is not a more afton thing inftance of petrifaction in the western world, than is to be feen about half a mile fouth-east from the Court houle in Schoharie county. And, what is al moft as astonishing, it has never been noticed by any geographer or naturalift. It is a hill, whofe fize almoft entitles it to the appellation of a mountain, which may be pronounced, a mere mafs of petrified thells. I went to the top of the bill (which is some thoufand feet higher than the ground where the Court houfe ftands) and examined the rock as I went up, and then along the top of the ridge tor half a mile. The rock is generally covered with a thin foil, but lies bare at different intervals, not far diftant from each other, in its whole extent and in fome places projects from the ground ten or twelve feet. Every ich of the rock exhibits petrified fhells in their perfect form. In one place I broke off a piece of the rock, in a deep fiflure, ten feet from the furface of the rock, and found it to be of the fame compofition. Wherever the rock is expofed to the fun, it resembles brimftone; where it is hid from the fun, it is dark, coarse and rough. It feems to be compofed wholly of river fhells; I could find no oyfter-fhells, but I found fome very large clam-fhells.There is one thing particularly worthy of remark. Although it is a ridge fo elevated, that no water of a petrified quality, or otherwise, can poffibly run there, I saw a bunch of mofs, which a gentleman had found there, perfectly petrified. I have no leifure, neither am I enough of a naturalift to inveftigate and make due reflection upon this wonderful phenomen "SHOOTING STARS." IN the Balance of the 17th ult. we re publifhed from the Virginia Gazette, an account of a remarkable phenomenon which was observed in Richmond. The fame appearance of innumerable meteors or fhooting ftars, has alfo been announced from various parts of Maffachusetts; and we have juft received a communication from a gentleman of veracity and refpectability, who refides in Schoharie county, in this flate, which gives in fubftance, the following particulars : ftyle and expreffion which difcovered original genius, and knowledge of his models. But what diftinguifhed him was, a force of mind, and a readinefs to comprehend all fubjects, even fuch as were moft foreign from his ftudies. With all his love of ftudy, he ftill looked in health; was active and full of life. At his ftudies only he appeared more grave, but it was not difficult to detach him from any ftudies, by propofing any active sports to him. He had even formed in his imagination, a country which he called Alleftone, of which he was to be King. This was a kind of Utopia to him, though he never had heard of that celebrated political romance. He wrote the hiftory of this country, and drew a curious. and ingenious map of it, giving names of his own invention to the principal towns, mountains, and rivers. and as he had a fondness for fcience, he founded Univerfities, eftablished profeffors, and gave ftatutes ard rules to them. His laft fickness, He was returning home from a jour-which he fupported with patience and courney, late on the fame night that the meteors were obferved at Richmond, when he was aftonifhed at the immenfe number of fhooting ftars which fell in all directions around him. Some of them approached fo near the earth, that he could plainly diftinguifh them, between the high hills on the eaft and weft fides of him, which were diftant not more than half a mile. Thofe that feemed to fall neareft, were apparently as large as a barrel, and had tails of from 12 to 20 feet in length. He judges there was no intermiflion (as to numbers and motion) for two hours, during which time the whole hemifphere was illuminated. BALANCE. FROM THE SALEM REGISTER. EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MALKIN. He THERE has died lately at Hackney, in England, a youth of fix years and an half old, who was a prodigy of learning and gen. ius, named Thomas ÏVilliam Malkin. underflood his own language, and spoke and wrote in it with uncommon facility and correctnefs, and had fo far advanced in his ftudy of the Latin language as to read eafily the moft familiar works of Cicero. He had alfo made fome progrefs in rench, and knew fo much of Geography, that he not only was able to reply without hesitation to all queftions refpecting the fituation of the principal countries, rivers and towns, but he could execute charts with a neatnefs and precifion, quite furprifing. Without any leffon, he had pufhed his talents for painting to far, that he had taken copies of the heads of Raphael, if not with the fucceefs of the firft fcholars, yet with a age, gave him an opportunity to fhew that he knew how to employ the treasure he had amaffed, for his own confolation, and to fortify his mind against diftrefs. He employed himself in bed reviewing what he had read, feen or done while in health. The molt indifferent objects paffed as diftinctly before his mind, as if they had ap peared for the first time. One day when he was very ill, he wifhed to know the fenfe of the words, fill-born, which he had read upon a grave ftone. He spoke often of his recovery, but never with impatience. The triumph of his mind over the body was fo conftant and fo complete, that half an hour before his death, he appeared perfectly engaged with his maps of Geography. Without entering into the minute circumftances of the fickness of this youth, of fuch extraordinary powers, we cannot agree in the opinion that an early developement of the faculties of mind is made at the expence of health and life. The head of young Malkin was opened after his death, and examined attentively. The brain was of an extraordinary fize but in good order. The feat of the evil was in the ftomach. This youth, with his perpet organization, might hope for the age of man, had he not fuffered from thofe accidental evils to which man is expofed in all periods of his existence, Some of our readers have doubtless feen or heard an account of the robbery of Mifs Efther M Dowell, in the state of Pennfylvania, by one Benjamin Connett: Although we have never published the account, ftill it may not be improper to mention; that the young lady proves to be an impoftor! A few days previous to the pretended robbery, fhe had been at work, in man's apparel, as a journeymaning the depofit in the fame manner, and tailor! She is bound over for trial. Yankee compliment to the Secretary of the Treasury. peo Toafts are faid to afford a pretty cor- 66 The open air, neglect, and a hard "Straws fhow which way the wind THIS number of the BALANCE COMpletes one half of the fecond volume. The editors find themfelves under the neceffity of demanding from fome of their customers more promptitude in payment. The weekly expence of publishing the BALANCE is upwards of thirty dollars. When this is duly confidered, our cuftomers will fee the propriety of our requir ing of them, payment in advance. Neither paper, types, nor ink can be had without cafh; and that, too, before a fingle paper can be iffued. Who, then, that wishes to be confidered as a patron to the paper, can be fo unreasonable as to afk a credit of fix, twelve, or eighteen months? Some, we are forry to say, have contrived to obtain fuch a credit, contray to our exprefs terms; but we fincerely hope that they will make amends for it, in fome meafure, by paying up their ar rearages on fight of this notice. If we had not fulfilled our part of the contract, we should have expected cenfure; but, believing that we have not failed to perform every thing that we promised, we demand punctuality, not as a favor, but DON JUAN VENTURA MORALES, &c. as a right. If, with a fubfcription list, It is hereby made known that his moft honored with near Seventeen hundred excellent Sir Don Pedro Ceballos, Secrenames, we cannot obtain money enough|tary of flate, &c. has forwarded to me unto keep out of debt, we fhall be compelled | der date of the 1ft of March paft, the folto look upon many of our patrons as mere " duft in the fcales.” DEPOSIT RESTORED. FROM NEW ORLEANS, MAY 18. "The following was published yefterday afternoon, two hours after the arrival of the exprefs forwarded from Wafhington the 9th ult. And I avail myfelf of the return of the exprefs; (who is now on the point of flarting) to tranfmit it to you" lowing royal order: "The King being informed of the edict that you have publifhed, prohibiting the We wish to prefs the confideration of depofit of the goods and effects of the citone point. The indictments recently izens of the United States, granted to that found against the junior editor, have alnation by the 22d article of the treaty of ready coft him much time and money. 1795, his Majefly has thought fit to order, His trial is at hand. What will be the that you permit the faid Depofit in NewOrleans without prejudice to what the two refult, it is impoffible at prefent to know. governments may agree upon between At beft, it will be an expenfive and trou-themfelves, refpecting the conftruction to blefome affair. Under fuch circumftances, our friends would do us a great piece of injuftice to retain in their hands a fingle cent that is honefly due us. be given to the faid treaty in what relates to leans, for another on the borders of the I have thought proper to order this to be affixed in the customary places, for the information of the public and the officers; to which will be tranfmitted copies of the fovereign refolution, to the intent of allow. with like formalities as were formerly ob ferved. Given at New-Orleans, the 17th May, 1803, under my hand, and counterfigned by the notary of royal finance. (Signed) JUAN VENTURA MORALES. Private accounts from Paris flate, that a very confiderable degree of reluctance and tardiness to come to a final explanation is manifefted by Bonaparte. No fanguine hopes of a prompt and favorable iffue were entertained by Lord Whitworth; and his Lordship was prepared to leave Paris in the courfe of a few hours. It was even faid that his departure was to have taken place on the morning of the 4th. Intelligence from Peterfburgh notices conferences held there by the Ruffian miniftry, in concert with the ambaffadors ef the different powers. They were cauled by the arrival of couriers from London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna, and the refult of their deliberations, it was fuppofed, would prove favourable to the peace of Europe. The propofal made to the Emperor Alexander by Great Britain, that Malta fhonld be garrifoned by Ruffian troops, is confidently faid to have been rejected. The greatest discontent prevails throughout the Batavian Republic with refpect to the imperious conduct of the French Generals quartered there, and the exac tions practifed by fome of them. At Bre da, the French Commandant required from the Magiftracy a large fum as a contribu tion. On its being refufed, he placed foldiers in the houfes of the inhabitants, who were then glad to come forward, and each pay a certain quota, to be liberated from the nuifance and expence.-Outra- By a letter lately received in town from Mr. King, it appears that he has concluded not to leave England until his fucceffor fhall have arrived in London. [Daily Advertifer.] The joyful intelligence fpread through- || out this large city, with the rapidity of lightning, and it is impoffible to defcribe the demonftrations of fatisfaction and joy which were every where expreffed, though many affected to fear that the honour of the nation had been compromitted, and no little degree of ingenuity was exerted to find out the terms that had been agreed upon between the two Governments for terminating the differences that had taken place. At the Stock Exchange the effeft was fuch as might have been expected from fuch pleafing intelligence. The 3 per cent. Confols opened at 68, rofe rapidly to 71 3-8, and were ftill looking up when The captain of the Telegraphe informs,a Meffage came from the Treafury to the that it was under flood at Liverpool, on the Lord Mayor, between twelve and one 7th May, that on that day Mr. King was o'clock, to acquaint him that the former to have his audience to take leave of the letter was an impudent Forgery! Court of St. James's, and that affairs were then in a ftate of great uncertainty. This may be true, and fill Mr. King may chufe. to remain in London until the arrival of his fucceffor. War alfo may have been refolved on, tho' the fact was not known at Liverpool on the 7th May. [Ibid.] It is impoffible to defcribe the fenfation produced by this notice; the Stocks inftantly tumbled to 63, 62 1-2, 62, and the panic was fuch, that they would certainly have gone lower, had it not been thought advifeable to clofe up the Stock Exchange, which was accordingly done at one o'clock, ipftead of waiting till the ufual hour. It was nine o'clock this morning when the pretended letter was delivered at the Manfion-Houfe. It was brought by a perfon with a foreign accent, in a coarfe requelo travelling coat, and delivered at the fide-door to a fervant of the name of Pink, accidentically there at the time. We believe it not cuftomary for Government Letters, on luch occafions, to be fent by any but fpecial Meffengers, and by thefe delivered into the hands of the Lord Mayor wherever he may be. It was from adverting to this informality that a doubt firft arole in the Lord Mayor's mind, as to the authenticity of the note which he had received-a gentleman was immedi The Committee of the Stock Exchange affembled as foon as they received the Lord Mayor's communication. Several of the brokers went over to the Manfionhoufe to confult with his Lordship upon the beft means of tracing the forgery. He fhewed them the letter, with Lord Hawkef.ately difpatched to Mr. Addington, who rebury's feal; by what means it was procured has not yet been afcertained. The Stock Exchange Committee have, we understand, declarad that all bargains made fince the impofition was practifed, (hall be void. Government, anxious to prevent the public from being impofed on, inftantly fent notices to thofe quarters most likely to give the contradiction a quick and extenfive circulation. Copies of the following were fent to the Editors of the different newspapers. "I have to acquaint you, that the Mef- We had received Paris Journals in the turned for anfver, that Mr. Vanfittart had already anticipated his Lordship's fufpicion by acquainting him in a letter of the trick that had been practifed upon him. clubs before he was one and twenty, and so improved, in them, his natural gaiety of temper, that you might frequently trace him to his lodgings by a range of broken windows, and other the like monuments of wit and gallantry. To be fhort, after hav ing fully established his reputation, of be ing a very agreeable rake, he died of old age at five and twenty." [Port Folio.] IF a wholefale dealer in Literature can, by an infinuating preface, prevail with people to buy the whole piece, his bufinefs is done, and it is too late for the deluded purchafer to repent, be the goods ever fo flimfy, but a weekly retailer is conftantly bound to his good behaviour. Like certain officers he holds his honours and profits only during pleasure, and, whatever may be his firft fuccefs, as foon as he flags in his weekly courfe, he is rigoroully ftruck off at once from his two-penny eltablishment. |