Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-09-12

trash instead of money-and we have as
much distress for the want ofgood money
as we can we'll get along with. |
If these facts do not satisfy the federal
lists above mentioned, that their COM
plants are idle, and unfounded, we d6not
know what will. Certainly the only
mode that we are acquainted with, lp|
coming to a correct and safe result in the
case, is by comparison-that comparison
we have endeavoured to draw, and shalt
leave it to them to avail themselves OF it.,
| if they are sodiposed.
Patsrnal Indulgence, and Juvenile Per-
cersity.
The following dreadful instance of the
lpernicisus effects of excessive parental
indulgence is related in Holcroft's Me-
moirs -
s. His eldest son William, was boy
of extraordinary capacity, and Mr.. Ho-
croft thought no pains should be spared for
his instruction and improvement. From
the first, however, e had shown an un-
settled dispositions, and his propensity to
ramble was such from his childhood, that
'Iwhen he was only tour years old, and un-
der the care of an aunt at Nottinghaa ,
he wandered away to a place at some
distance, where there was coffee house
iinte which he went, and read the news
papers to the company, BY whom he was
taken care of and sent home. his pro-
'Ipeasity was so atroDg in him that it be-
'icame hahitual, and he had run away SIX
OF seven times before the last. Once, toI
instance in 1855, when he was about Is,
he had taken d little mare belonging to
his father, and went to Northampton,
where he was discovered by some re
spectacle persons in the place, and word
being sent to Mr.. HoIcroft, he went down
and brought him home with him 0R sun
day, November 9Th. 1899, he brought his
father short poem; his father conYerSed
with him in the most alfectiouate manner,
praised, encouraged and told Inn, that
Notwithstanding his former errors and
wanderiugs, he was convinced he would
become good and excellent man. But
/; he observed. when taking him by the hand
,, to express his kiudpess, that the hand
of the youth, instead Ut returning the
pressure as usual, remained cold aud IN
sensible This howe er, at the moment
; was supposed to be accidental, Tie seem
; ed unembarrassed, and asked leave. with
out any appearance of design or heslta-
ton to dine with friend in the city,
which was immediately grantees. lie
:, thanked his fatber, went down stairs apd
several times anxious!y enqared whether
his father was gone to dress. AS soon as
he was tod that he had left his room, he
went up stairs again, broke open draw
'er, and took out forty pounds. With this,
the watch, pocket book, and pair OF
pistols OF his fathers, he hastened away
to join one of his acquaintance who was
! going to the West Indies. The name OF
: this young person was 6. He was I'M
: imediateIv pursued to Grayesend, but IN
effectually. 1t was not discovered till the
following Wednesday that he had taken
the money. After several days OF the
most distressing inquietude, there aPpea' :
ed strong presumptive proofs that he. with
his acquaintance, was on board the Fame,
captain Carr, then lying in the Downs.
The Iather and friend Immediately set
Iof and travelled post all night TO Deal
Their information proved true, for he
was found on board the Fame. where he
assumed false name, though his true 81
'ituation was known TO the captain. lie
had spent all the money except l5I. M
paying for his passage, and purchasing
:, what he Thought he wanted. He had de-
cleared he would shoot any person who
came to Eake him, but that if his tatkef
came he would shoot himself His youth
j for he was about sixteen, made the thing
appear incredible. The pistol, pocket
book, and remaining money, was locked
ap for him by his acquaintance. But he
had another pair OF pistols concealed
Mr. Holcroft and his friend went on
beard made enquiries, and understood
he was there He bad retired into dark
place in the steerage. When he was call
red he did not answer, light was sent
for, and as he heard the ships stewart,
some of the sailors, and his father ap
preaching, conscious of what he had done
and unable to bear the presence OF his
father, and the open shame OF detection,
he suddenly put an end to his exist
'lenCe,
Short Chapter Of Hints md .4drisements
/ nm the suhipct 0f Hard Times.