The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-20 00:00:00

THE SHAKERS.

A North American paper contains the following artic!e
relative to that extraordinary sect of religious tnthuliasts
styled Shakers, from the bodily contortions they use
during divine worship. One of the peculiarities of thee,:
strange people is, that they dwell together in settlements,
in which they have all things in common. The Society is
under the rule of the elders, who appear, from the sub-
joined narrative, to exercise their power with ample se-
verity :

" In the absence of all aliment for political parties, we
find a religious sect ruffling the tranquil and smooth
surface of the times ; and, although we hold it as an
aphorism of great authority, that every man shall be
allowed to worship Cod in his own way, yet if the prac-
tices of any sect encroach on our constitutional construc-
tion of individual rights and privileges, it is not to be
denied that such sect then becomes a proper subject fot
remark and reprehension. In two of our States the
Shakers have shaken the pedestals of public harmony, and
have drawn on themselves no inconsiderable degree of
public attention. In Kentucky we believe that a young
female has been induced to forsake her parents, and be-
come a member of this sect. The parents have made inef-
fectual applications for the return of their daughter ; and
a mob appears to have, at last, assailed the Shakers, and
performed upon them certain supererogatory exercises of
castigation. It is not to be concealed, however, that the
young woman has affirmed that, so far from being kept in
a state of compulsory seclusion from her parents, her ab-
dication of her old creed, old habits, and old friends, is en-
tirely her owu act. Thus rests this matter. In the mean time
another division of Shakers, dwellers in Massachusetts, have
drawn upon themselves much odium for certain acts of
alleged cruelty committed on one of their own body, such
as assaulting him, and putting him, under a charge of in-
sanity, into prison and chains, as well as keeping him with-
out food and clothing; from which we might, perhaps, ba
justified in the inference that their practice is neither
according to the principles of our free Constitution, nor of
those inculcated in Holy iVrit. The following is a sum-
mary of some of the proceedings which have taken place
in relation to this latter affair, which we copy from the
Boston Statesman:—

" THE SHAKE RS.—An interestinq examination has recently
been had before William Stedman, kaq. a Justice of the Peace
within and fur the county of Worcester, tobching the conduct iff
certain of the metnbers of the Ilarvard Society of Shaken. to one
of their brethren, by the name of s'eth Rabbit. It appears. from
the testimony, that Rabbit has been long a member of this
class of Christians. and has sustained some of their offices of
trust and importance: that, having become somewhat advanced in
life, and having suffered by repeated shocks of paralysis, he was
unceremoniously deprived of his offices, and reduced to the com-
mon ranks. This he considered bad treatment, and he sub.
mined to the rules and orders of Rs superiors in rank with more
irritability and turbulence than calmness and contentment. Hews.
accordingly pronounced by the elders and physicians of the society
to be insane, and orders were issued to confine hint. lie Ilse
been held in confinement two years anti four months, part of the
time in chains, without the benefit of a fire in the winter
and of air in the summer, and with scanty food and raiment.
At length the extraordinary and inhuman treatment he was re.
ceiling became promulgated by some who had deserted from the
society; and the Selectmen and other inhabitants of Harvard knit•
feted for his release, and to bring the Winders to answer to the
outraged laws of the land and of humanity. The defendants, three
in number, were bound over to the next October Term of the
Supreme Judicial Court for that county. We forbear any cow-
ments at this time. When the highest judicial authority of the
commonwealth has taken cognizance of the matter, we shall fee st
liberty, to indulge ourselves and our readers with a thorough cspe•
sition. '

EVGLISII EXPLORING PARTY IN NORTN
Captain Franklin and his exploring party are to proceed
by the Erie canal, Lakes Huron and Superior, to Fart
%Villiam, and thence to Winipeg, Atabasca, and the Grist
Bear Lakes, near to which place they are to winter. In
the spring the party are to proceed down Al'Kenzle's tiro
to Behring's. Straits, where a ship will lie in readiness to
transport them to India, with a view of getting into the
Squth &a. Dr. Richardson's party will separate front
Captain Franklin at the mouth of M'Kenzie's river, and
explore.the country as far as the Coppermine river. car
min Bushey, after having landed Captain Franklin at Can-
ton,.will take in provisions for Behring's Straits, where he
expects to meet Captain Parry. The agents of the Iludscu
Bay Company have formed depots of provisions for the
whole route. The want of the canoes which were *by'
dotted at Cape Turnagain from weakness and fa'g' .
proved a terrible bar to the crossing of rivers; but on th.t
occasion a water proof canvass boat has been proyidea.°
admirably contrived that it may be separated into picri.
one of which each of the party may stow into his knapoct.
or carry in his pocket !—Ballirno-e American. _

In a pitched battle, for 20 sovereigns, in CheyneaL
between Buntingford and Cambridge, on Suurday, F,ll'
!tam was killed in the combat with Bishop Morey.
superior boxer. They had fought fifteen gallant ray;•,
when Feltham was hit down by a right-handed hkor
the temple, from which he never recovered, although he
fought tour other rounds under every disadvautagc.
left the ground in a state of stupor, and died on his to'
home.

On the evening of Sunday last Perth was visite,' wilb
the most tremendous storm of thunder, lightning, limiter*
that hail been experienced for many years. A little belt*
six o'clock the terrific aspect of the clouds gave presage ef.
the approaching war( of elements ; and the most vivid
flashes of the electric fluid, and most awful peels
of
thunder, accompanied with very heavy rain, continvedior
upwards of two hours, with very little intermission. I"
lightning destroyed *wend stacks in a barn-yatd a
miles from Perth.—Caledonian llfttorry•