The Connecticut courant — Hartford, Conn., 1774-02-15 00:00:00, page 1

Benedict XV. was born at a period
when the situation of his parents may
be said to be that of a middling con
dition ; not but his father was a per
son of some rank, and originally pos
sessed no inconsiderable patrimony,
but a long law-fait, which was decid
ed against him a little after his mar
riage, was the means of ushering his
son into the world, unattended with
those auspicious ci cumfiances that
declared ultimately so much in his
favour.
Character of Pope Benedict XV.
IHAVEfent you a few of the out
lines of the character of the pre
lent Pope. As he is a person of uni
versal learning, he is indefatigable in
his inquiries, and chooses, at times,
to converse with the several foreign
Gentlemen who visit his metropolis,
to every one of whom he speaks in
their own native tongue, both with
knowledge and fluency ; and the
Gentleman who favours you with
these memoris had the honourof con
verting with him for above a quarter
of an hour, on the character of Mr.
Addison, with whose genious and a
bilities he seemed perfectly acquaint
ed.
t 'NUMBER
Webruary,M.dcc.lxx&
THE flflrc^^Er
CONNE CTICU 7 C 0 U R " "'
Chaining the frelbeji and most important Advices, both Foreign one .L<wf.fir.
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It was fortunate for him, however,
that his disposition for letters, which
very early difeovered itfelf, was supe
rior to his situation; nor was he dil
appointed in his most (anguine incli
nations, as a near relation of his mo
ther, a Nobleman of diftinguilhed
rankaad abilities,obferving the cower
ing genius and good disposition of his
young kinsman, bellowed on him e-
Very degree of education suitable to
the most exalted rank.
His patron firft put him under the
care of a private tutor,a per son ofuni
verfal learning, and irreproachable
tnorals, who had equally the ipftrudi
on of half a dozen Noblemen’s chil
dren, The rapid progress he made
in the languages and fine arts, under
this Gentleman, endeared L.m the
Kiore to his patron,who seemed to be
repaid, as it were; for his attachment,
by the abilities of his ward. His pre
ceptor, likewise, had judgment to dif
wverT and generosity to condudh his
abilities to whatever poiat of inquiry
they led. But that prosperity which
hangs upon dependance is held upen
4 most precarious tenure. The death
of his patron, which was hidden, and
Z From TUESDAY, February 15, to T U E S D A Y, February 22, 1774.
without making the least provision
for him, checked his literary career,
and he was more than once on the
point of retiring into that obfeurity
which the condition of his parents on
ly entitled him to. Fortune however,
was more his friend; for the report
ofthis circumstance reaching,by some
friendly intercourfe,the ear of the late
Comte Barnaldi, a Milafefe Noble
man, he immediately took him under
his protection, and finifhed,at his own
expence, an education that has done
him, his pupil, and his country, so
much honour. Though endued
with great sprightliness and sociality,
he early determined for the church.
His patron kindly opposed it for some
time, but at last feeing It his turn, he
very judiciously complied ; when, by
his powerful interest, and the more
powerful abilities of his ward, he
never ceased promoting him until he
obtained for him a Cardinal's hat.
Soon after this event theComp<e died,
to the inexpressible regret of all his
friends and acquaintance.
.Every body is informed of the death
of the late Pope, as well as the com
motions and intrigues, that usually
occupy the Vatican duringan election.
It was thought by all Europe this
would be the greatest contest ever
known ; but the engaging manner,
great learning,& disinterested charac
terof our Cardinal, fuperceeded these
general expectations, and he was, with
almost universal approbation, conse
crated Pope in February, 1769.
He is, in his person, of the middle
fire, rather inclining to be fat. He
was always as labourious in his pursuits
as intuitive in his knowledge ; which,
since his gaining the pontifical chair,
rather increases than dimifhes; his
time of rising, winter and summer,
being at five o'clock. These extraor
dinary hours,which he gains by being
out of bed so much sooner than ordi
nary people, he employs in writing
or reading; for he writes all his own
letters, both of business and compli
ment, himfelf; nor has his Secretary
scarcely any thing more to do than
being the companion of his recreative
hours..
Though regular and devout in the
exercises of religion, he has been ever
removed from the smallest infection
of bigotry, and every thing that he
can, with predence and propriety, re-
trench, which leads that way, he is
aflTduous in effecting. The ceremo
ny of killing the toe he has entirely
abolished, though not without great
painsand attention on his fide, in con
vincing theConclave of its absurdity;
and he is now only approached on
these occasions by a Ample genu-flexi
on. He is a great encourager of arts
and science, and those who excell in
either, of whatever country, and pre
fefiion,fhare his munificence liberally.
In all ecclesiastical disputes, of which
there are always a great number in
his dominions, he himfelf hears and
determines them ; and gees through
this difficult department with such
precision and impartiality, that the
condemned party, though hurt by the
dicifion, cannot but applaud the just
ness of his sentence. s
Infhort, such is the chara&er of
Benedict XV. that they who know
him most, have the most reafontore
fpeift and admire him.
THESE are to warn a!! ihe Proprietor* of the
SUS^UEH^IMNAH PURCHASE, t Q
meet at rhe Coart-Houfe in Windham, on Wed
nefday the Ninth Day of March next, to take
into ConhderatLn the prefect Sitoaiion of hid
Parchafe, and come into such Determinations
relative thereto a* (half be judged best, and ne
ccfTary for securing the fame ; and it is dehred
that there should be a general Attendance, as
there is Matters of great Importance to be
tranfa£icd. Windham, February 3d, 1774,
Samuel Gray,
Nathaniel Wa'er, jun. 1
Jedediah Riderkin, \ Committee.
Ebenezer Baldwin i
Gerjhom Bleed.
WE the fubferibers being appointed (Sy the
han. court of ptobate for the diiirfl of
Middletown) ccmmiffioncrs to examine the fe
vera! claims aod demands of the creditors to
the edate of Waitdill Smith, late es Chatham
deceas’d, represented insolvent ; Do hereby
give notice to said creditors, that we Ihall at
tend on the business on the fcoond and lari taeP
days io March, also the second tnefday of Aprii
nest, at one of the clock in the afternoon on
said days, at the dwelling heufe of David Smith
in said Chatham, thengand there to examine the
fevera! claims, &c. 77
Hezekiah Sears, | Ctrnmif-
David Smith, yjionert.
Chatham t February Sr 1774
ChoiceMalagaLemons
to be Sold EXTREMELY CHEAP t by Jehtz
Thimat, Hartford.
Sttfquehannah.