Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-06-17

pardon his relations. As 70 his chhdrens
let them be reserved for the grand execu-
lion in autumn. Let the law be put IN ex-
eculion as TO the other points Such is my
gill-respeci it, Another person, who
availed himself Of the usual privilege of
presenting memorials, Inconsistencies and
representations, TO the emperor, had the
boldness TO advise his majesty to nominate
successor this being construed 10 g inn
agine the death of the sovereign" was pro-
nouuced high treason, and the culprit was
condemned TO the same punishment as a.
bove, and the mercy of the emperor extern
ded 10 him in the same manner. Another
needy wretch, who, like Romeo's apothe-
cary, lived by culling OF simples,' thought
lettering his condition BY turning author
| in his book, which he presented TO me en-
peror, as the certain means OF making his
fortune, he stated that the ghost of his
grand father, Kang-hi, had appeared to
him, and presented TO him book, in which
the destiny Of the Teigning dynasty was
pointed out, and that Kien-lung would
cease 10 reign in particular year. This
poor creature, who was probably crazied,
was also beheaded. These three instances
Of the mersiful interposiiion Of his imperial
majesty Kien-Iung, happened in three con-
secutiye years, and Just after he had pub
lished TO all China his anxious wish for the
encou.agem mt and dissemination OF liiera-
ture. But he is not the only despot of
China, who has affected to found The glory
Of his reign on the patronage Afforded To
men Of letters. I here is scarcely dynas-
~ since the invention of printing, that has
not caused new editions Of all the books of
standing merit, or such as have been stam-
ped with the seal of public appreciation, 10
be ravished by the men of letters assembled
for tina: purpose from all quarters, and re-
printed at the imperial press. In l774,
Kien-lung signi6ed, through the Pekin Ca
zette, his orders for such collection to be
made and examined A multitude OF in
spectol general, of reyisors, correctors, as
SCISSORS, SC, were assembled at Pekin, a.
mong them two of the emperor's sons were
included On those who suffered any ma
terial error to escape, unnoticed, certain
punishments were inflicted by the ttibu-
nails but the punishment Of the two prin-
ces, for negligence in ;his respect, the EN-.
peror reserved TO himself. In five years,
the number of volumes so reprinted, a.
mounted to upwards of 3d. 900, and !. was
expected that the whole collections would
extend to 100000 voIumes.s'
Mem. sur les Chinois, tom. XIV. .. 28e. $50.
BATAVIA, IN. May %.
Most Extraordinary One of the most
singular circumstances, recorded in the his
tory OF accidents, occurred in the town of
MiddIebuty, in this country. on the 10th
inst and exhibits, in the hero OF misfortune,
mind excelling IN the cool, deliberate, and
determined virtues. The subject is as fol-
lows I: Artemas Shattuck, on that day, in a
piece OF chopping that he was clearing, fell
a tree across stump, in which situation it
remained nearly balanced, the top however,
buoyed up the butt while thus suspended,
he undertook TO cut the tree in two near the
stump upon which il was lodged, and while
standing upon II for that purpose, he cut SO
much more upon the upper than the under
part OF the tree that the weight of the butt
caused II to split, and at the instant of the
greatest vibration or separation of the Sc
vered parts his foot slipt into the cavity OF
the opening timber, and remained as firmly
liked as in a vice She fell Immediately
backwards, in which fall he lost his axe, bur
soon recovered position that enabled him
to hold upon the tree by one hand, with the
other he drew out his pocket-knife, and cut
limb with hook attached 10 ii with the
intention OF drawing up the axe and cutting
the tree 70 liberate his foot but soon found
his efforts fruitless. He next tried 10 break
his leg, as that would have enabled him to
turn his body IN position to sit upon the
tree and wait the lingering hour of assis-
lance: but his position prevented even the
qualification of this harsh relief, Fiadinr
his strength falling fast, and no prospect Of
timely relief, (as no human assistance was
within three quarters Of a miIe) be adopted
the only alternative that remained OF sayint.
himself from the hard and horrible death
OF expiring while suspended in tha air, with
his head down and his feet up.-Wilh his
pensniie he deliberately severed his foot
from his leg at the ancle joint, and on his
hands and knees bent his course for home.
Inihis posture he crawled a full half mile
before his calls for assistance were heard,
and twice had to dSsiate several rods from
dlrec. line 10 a riyuIet 10 quench his rag
ing thirst We are happy 10 state that he
IS like 10 10 well.