The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1786-07-31 00:00:00, page 1

Mr. Collins,
HAVING, a few days since, been led by
curiosity to visit and examine into the
plan and manner of conducting your
academy in Trenton, I was so much
pleased, that I cannot refrain begging
you to publilh an account of it, both
for the honour of those who have been engaged in
bringing it forward, and, if possible, to stimulate others
to like exertions for the publick benefit.
This academy, I am informed, was ereded by the
subscriptions of about thirty persons. The property
is divided into a certain number of shares, worth about
twelve pounds each ; of these some of the proprie
tors hold one, two, three, and some four Ihares,
according to.their ability and inclination to the work.
The building appears to be about sixty feet front,
and upwards of twenty deep, is two stories high, and
contains two large square rooms on each floor, capa
ble of accommodating about fifty scholars each, with
an entry through the middle of the house, in which
stands the flair-cafe. The upper story however is di
vided by swinging partitions only, so that the whole
is thrown into one on publick occalions. In one of
these upper rooms, Mr. Merchant, the princip.il teach
er, is placed. He has the superintendency of the whole ;
but his particular bulinefs is to teach the Greek and
Latin languages, mathematicks, geography and the art
of publick speaking, and by him the Englilh language
is taught grammatically. The other apartment in the
second itory, is designed, I am informed, tor a French
teacher, whenever the funds of the institution will
admit.
In the rooms below stairs two teachers are employed,
in one of which one of the teachers meets the Brit
class of English scholars in the morning, and continues
with them until ten o'clock, intruding them in spell
ing, reading, arithmetick, and feme of the practical
branches of the mathematicks, while the other teacher,
who is a profeffed writing-matter, is inftruCling the
second class in that beautiful art ; at ten these teachers
exchange rooms, and the second class Rudies fpeliing,
reading, arithmetick, &c. while the writing-matter is
inftruCting the firft class ; at this tin:: also those classes
in Mr. Merchant's school, who have done reciting,
come into the writing-school, where they continue
one hour, then retire either to Mr. Merchant's room
to pursue their studies there, or to study arithmetick,
&c. with the other teacher ; when they retire, the re
mainder of those from Mr. Merchant's school come
into the writing-school, and continue till they are dif
mitfed. The afternoon is a repetition of the morning's
exercises.
Thus, by a well judged and regular rotation, a large
number of scholars arc taught the several branches in
order, without coofufion or disturbance. The gram
mar-scholars have, at the fame time, an opportunity of
being taught writing and arithmetick, without inter
fering with their other studies, an advantage rarely to
be met with in publick seminaries ; and those who are
designed for an Englilh education only, are, betides
the other necelTiry branches, taught the Englilh lan
guage in a purity and perfection I believe no where
else to be found in America; I mean where they are
not obliged to learn the dead languages to become
masters of it.
Although there are more scholars in this institution,
as I am informed, since the above regulations have
taken place, than have ever been heretofore, yet it is
evident to me that a much larger number might be
taught with ease and facility ; and as it is situated in a
healthy and plentiful country, I make no doubt but
its increase will be equal to the molt fauguine expec
tations of its belt friends.
A Lover .of Literature.
From the Pcnnfylvania Mecury, June 30.
Mr. Humphreys,
The following petition is under consideration, to be
presented for Signing against the next session ; and as
it is generally found belt to prepare the minds of the
people, a publication, thereof in your paper will
oblige several of your fubferibers.
R. N.
To the honourable the representatives of the Freemen
cf the commonwealth of Pcnnfylvania, in General
Assembly met.
The petition of sundry inhabitants of Pcnnfylvania,
HUMBLY SHEWETH,
O'HAT your petitioners are greatly alarmed at the
A evil consequence resulting from the mode of policy
lately adopted by our neighbouring Rate, New-lerfey,
viz. that of issuing paper money to be a legal tender
in all cases of payment whatever, within that State.
Unless some mode of redress is adopted, situated as we
£, Gontiguous and reciprocal, many of us waving con-
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
Vol. IX.]
TRENTON: Printed by ISAAC COLLIN S, Printer to the State.
MO ND AY, July 31, 1786.
Foreign Intelligence.
s== s*===^
P A R I S, April 23.
Animal food now fells here at tl e exorbitant rate of
16 sols the pound, and is expected to be still dearer.
LO N D O N, April 10.
Extract of a letter from Smyrna, March 11.
" A Venetian vessel from Alexandria has brought
accounts that a certain bey, named Murat, at the
head of several thousand meh, had exacted from all
the conluls of the Franks who relide in that city, ex
cept from that of Russia, a contribution of 125,000
patacons. Upon the refufal, the barbarian made him
felf matter of the castle, and began to demolish the
Greek and Roman catholic chinches, and threatened
every thing with fire and sword, if they refufcd his
demand. The consuls, affrighted by this treatment,
Shipped their families and effects on board of some
vcflels which were in the port, and at the departure of
the Venetian vessel the Ruffian consul was negociating
a reconciliation."
April 13. The Emperor, the Bmprefs, and the Kings
of France and Spain, are now contriving to out-do
each other in commercial treaties. But trade is a fluc
tuating thing; it pahed from Tyre to Alexandria,
from Alexandria to Venice, from Venice to Antwerp,
from Antwerp to Amsterdam and London, the Epglifh
! rivalling the Dutch, and the French are now rivalling
both. All nations almost are wifely applying, them
ftlves to trade: and it behoves those who arc in pof
ftltion ot it, to take the greatest care that they do not
, lose it. it is a plant of tender growth, and requires
: fun and foil, and fine Icafon, to make it thrive and
trails to a large amount, the recovery of which must
be at their diferetion, unless received in their paper.
This city is their general market for produce of the
mod necessary kinds for support, with which they
colleft our specie, and in general refufe to receive our
paper especially for wood. In this way we may fre
quently fee the property of our debtors offered for
sale in our markets under cover, when nothing but
specie will be taken in payment, and if we crols the
river to claim our due from them, their paper is pulli
ed on us in lieu of a valuable confideraiion, which
they will not receive in exchange lor their produce in
our market, nor fell us their produce until they bring
it into our date, where their money is not a tender :
Thus their paper money is rendered useless to U 3.
By what has already passed, it is cafy to fee that great
loss will ensue to the citizens of this state, more cfpe
cially as we are not connected in their funds, if they
have any other than the tender fund, for securing its
value.
We therefore offer for your consideration, whether
it may not be proper to pass a law, which may com
pel the inhabitants of that state to receive their own
paper emissions for their produce, &c. brought into
this fta'e for sale. This may enable us to receive a
value for their paper, when they pulh it on us in lieu
of value.
This or some other mode that will relieve us from
the approaching danger, is most humbly offered to
your consideration, not doubting but your honourable
house will take the fame into consideration, and grant
such redress as you in your wisdom (ball fee meet.
And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray.
Philadelphia, June 26, 1786.
Thoughts on Religion.
ERRORS and mistakes, however gross, in matters
of opinion, if they are fircere, ought to be pitied,
but not punilhed nor laughed at. The blindness of
the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blind
nets of the eyes; and it is neither laughable nor cri
minal for a man to lose his way in either case. Cha
rity bids us endeavour to fit them right by argument,
but at the fame time forbids -us either to punilh or
ridicule the misfortune. Every man fecks for truth,
but God only knows who has found it; it is unjust to
persecute, and ablurd to ridicule people for their se
veral opinions, which they cannot help entertaining
upon the conviction of their reason ; it is he who alts
or tells a lie that is guilty, and not he who honestly
and sincerely believes the lie. The object of all pub
lick worship in the world is the fame—it is that great
Eternal Being who created every thing. The different
manners of worship are by no means fubjeCts of ridi
cule, each thinks his own the belt ; and I know no
infallible judge in this world to decide which is the
belt
T H E
" On the 19th of May, at eleven o'clock at night,
Madame de la Motte and Mademcifelle Oliva were
transferred from the Battile to the publick prison;
Villette was also brought thither loaded with irons.
The day following, at four in the morning, Sergent
and Re.gnaut, tipftaffs, went to the Baftile for the im
mortal Comte de Caglioftro; they put him into a hack
ney coach, and brought him to the courtboufe, Ie
Palais. Caglioftro was in green embroidered with gold,
his hair dressed a la charoiois, hung down on his Shoul
ders, and was tied at the end with an enormous bunch
of party-coloured ribands ; he wore very little powder.
The Comte seemed perfectly composed; he was even
seen laughing with the myrmidons of the law. He is
1 short, wcil-fet man, about five feet three inches
high. The Cardinal came in the Governor's coach,
at fix o'clock, the blinds were up; the King's Lieu
tenant got out firft, M. de Lunai followed him, they
both handed his eminence out cf the coach. The
Prelate was dressed in a purple cassock, and cloak
lined with red, a cap and flockings of the fame colour,
he wore the ensign of the Order of the Holy Ghost,
he looked feeble, and leaned very much on his cane
he saluted the few people, about forty, that were in
the court. Horror was depicted in his countenance,
and his eyes full of tears, were ready to let them drop'
at every step he made. Regnaut, the tipftaff, met the
Governor and his Lieutenant at the top of the stair
case, and told the Cardinal that he might fptak to his
counsel M. de Bonnieres for about four minutes before
he appeared in pre fence of his judges. Vidette was
examined firft, and Raid in court until about eleven.
After him Madame de la Motte was called; this un
governable female appeared with the greatiftf
before the august tribunal, sole disposer of her own
destiny. M^moifelle Oliva was then called in, and
after her, the celebrated Comte. The two last were
interrogated at the bar of the court, but Madame de
la Motte and Villette underwent their trial seated on
the fallata (or stool on which great criminals fit) the
Cardinal was the last that appeared. His eminence
was shewn into the advocates bench, where there was
an arm chair placed for him. The firft President in.
flourish. It will not grow like the palm-tree, which,
with the more weight and pressure, rises the more. Li
berty is a friend to it, as it is a friend to liberty.
A land-failing machine, has, for feme time past,
made,its appearance on Barham Downs, near Canter
bury.—lt goes on four low wheels with a Steerage in
the piow —it is put in motion solely by the wind, and
runs within five and a half points of it: and it is ima
gined it may hereafter be of great utility in an open,
extensive plain country, as it fails at the amazing ve
locity of 29 miles within the hour, with the wind on
the beam. It is an invention of Henry Oxenden, who,
with great perseverance and industry, has brought it
to the highest perfection.
April 19. A young woman, near the Minorie^, fell
into a trance the 28th of last month, and on Thursday
night her senses returned, and She is in a fair way of
recovery. Her friends most wifely and humanely kept
her in a warm bed, anu thus retained the natural heat
till the powers of life returned. Our correspondent
advises, that all performs who die at this inclement fca*
son be kept in bed for thirty-fix hours at Icaft ; for
nurses speedily removing the bed-clothes, on account
of death bed perquisites, have brought on the positive
death of thousands : and it is now an established truth,
that various derangements in the f/lem wil bring on
the appearances of death : and it is likewise happily
proved, that care and attention to persons Seemingly
dead, will every now and then restore them to their
friends and to society.
England may very shortly boast of her equality with
France and Germany, in that extensive branch of phi
losophy, chemistry. Independent of the many feat*
tered seminaries in this science, the university of Ox
ford has collected together a very large class of students,
whose abilities and perseverance will, doubtless, equal,
if not surpass, our rival neighbours.
May 5. We talk of the depravity of the age, ard
the increase of prostitutes in our streets, when, in Aft,
the principal cause of that increase is the fliameful
monopoly made by the men in trades for which wo
men are peculiarly adapted. To fee our shops crowd
ed with fribbling effeminate men mercers, men milli
ners, men haberdashers, men linen drapers, all of
which employments ought to be confined to women,
is a disgrace to manhood, more especially as it ex
cludes the other sex from those exertions of industry,
which would exempt thousands from the pursuits of
vice and dissipation.
Extraß of a letter from Paris, June 1.
" The Cardinal's examination and enlargement be*
ing a matter that not only interests Paris, but all Eu
rope, I would be to blame were I to neglect giving
a circumstantial detail of what took place on the oc
casion.
[Numb. 429.]