The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-12-03

RANDOLPH
~::o:: d :s::~
Cohy Of the FtH of a ciizen Of Bern, S4vif-
zerlard.
At the city Of Bero, in Switzerland, man
Of busincs IS, by success in trade, had aequir-,
ed a considerable real and porsonal estate )
being advanced in years, and having no fami-
ly, he made his will TO the following effect -
Being anxious for my fellow citizens OF
Bern, who have often suffered by dearib OF
corn aud wine, my will is, that by The per-
mission of Providence, they shalt never for
the future suffer again under the like calami-
~. To which end and purpose, give my
estate, real and personal, to the Senate oI
Bern, in trust for tho people thar is TO ssy,
that they receive the produce Of my estate,
till Il shall come so The sun Of (snppose
70ool.) aud that then they shall lay on: this
2oo0l. In building Town House according
to plan by me left; the lower story wbero.
of to consist of large vaults or repositories
for wine the story above direct to be form.
ed into q piazza, Tor such persons 90 shall
come 10 market TO Bern, for disposing of
their goods, free from the injuries Of the
wssthcr above that direct Council Cham
bcr to 10 erected for the Committee OF the
just my accounts, and to direct such things
as may be necessary Sor the Charity; and a.
bove the Council Chamber, as many floors or
granaries as can be conveniently raised, to
deposit quantity ofeorn for the use Of The
poor, Whenever they shall have occasion for
it.--And when this building shall be erected,
and tho expense of IT, discharged, direct
the Senate of Bern to receive the produce
Of my estate, till the same shall amount to
the sum of (suppose 9oool.) and when tho
price shall be under the mean rate of tho
last ten years, onc-fourth part, they shall
then lay out iO00l. in corn, aad stow il in my
granarios and the same in wine, when un-
der one fourth of the mean rate of tho las,
ten yeass.
"And my will is, that mono Of the said corn
or wine shall be sold until the price OF corn
or vino shall exceed, at tho common market,
one fourth Of tho mean rate for the last ten
years; end then every citizen Of Bern shall
demand daily, or proportionabiy weekly, as
many pounds weight OF wheat, and as many
pints Of wine, as he hiss mouths in his family
to consume it, aud no more and thst for tho
came he pay ready money, after tho mean
rate that il has been at for the last ten years
past; . due proportion being allowed for
waste, and that to be settled by the Senate
and that each householder shali be 90 suppl.
ed as long ss the price Of corn and wine shall
continue above the rate Of one fourth more
than the mean rate, and whatsoever increase
shall be made of the capital, Il shall be laid
out under she ssme restrictions, in adding to
the stock Of corn and wine, which, under the
blessing of God, will. I hope, 10 a certain
time, reduce these two necessary articles Of
life 70 very near fixed price, TO the glory
Of God and the benefit or the poor.
This legacy has subsis,ed two hundred
years, and has had ,he desired effect at Bern.
W. -:r:-
Psxxie for Lawysrs--In one Of the eoun.
ties Of Hungary, case has been produced by
nature, which furnishes the Hungarian law
ysrs with an opportunity to exercise their in.
genuiy. On ss,eep deelivi,y Of the river
Bench lay two vineyards. ono above the 9TH
er tho higher ooe, detsching itself from the
rock, glided down fhe deeIivi,y upoo the low
er vineyard, which |, now entirely covers.
The question is, vho is tho owner Of the vioe-
ysrd, cod whs 10 considered the lo,sf.