Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-03-07


liz. Many attempts we're made to
| reach this interesting Terra iacogniso,
but in vain. And the commander and
his admirable crew, were, with feel
lngs of the deepest regret, oIced to
return, owing to the vast barriers Office.
Having failed in this attempt to reach
the southwestern land, and the winter
again approaching, the vessels now
sailed directly eastward, through the
Polar Sea and Barrow's Straits, into
Sir James Lancaster's Sound, thence
into Bafin's Bay, and by the usual track
homewards.
In their progress among the islands,
the officers shota few reindeer, ptarmi-
gan, partridge, and hares aud the bowls
OF the wolf were heard frequently in
Melville Island. Several musk oxen
were killed-and, we are informed, the
crews considered it, after being prop
eriy macerated, to get rid Of the musky
favour, as preferable eating to that of
the reindeer. One ofthe sailors, who
had ventured beyond his companions
in search of reindeer, returned to the
ship with his fingers frost.bitlen, from
carrying his musket too long. When
the fingers were plunged into cold
wafer, ice was formed on its surface,
and this continued to be the case for
halt an hour afterwards, as often as
the fingers were plunged into 1t. The
sailor lost five of his fingers.
From Lancaster's Sound 10 Melville
Island, the compass, we understand,
was found to be totally useless, cir
cumstance which left to the command
ers no other guides than the heavenly
bodies, and the trend of the land; thus
at once presenting the striking specta.
Gle Of modern navigators tracking the
ocean without the compass, as was done
by the mariners of old. We cannot,
indeed, conceive more striking sceoe
than that of our discovery ships, fore
ing their solitary course through UNI
known regions, surrounded with rug.
ged, dreary, and desolate wastes, 10
the midst of the most appalling dangers,
and deprived of the use Of the compass.
Extract from ssThe Fourth Annual Report of
the Managers of the Society for the Preven-
ton Of Paupersm in the City of New
York;
1t is important to notice an interest
ing fact, which has fallen under the OBJ
servation of the managers; and one that
may serve to correct very erroneous,
though very common opinion. 1t has
long been imagined that the labouring
classes could not sustain themselves UNI
der the weight of their daily employ
ments, and especially in boundaries and
large manufacturing establishments,
where they are much exposed to heat,
and breathe a confined atmosphere, with
out the regular use of ardent spirits.
The results of an important experiment
made during the last season, by Mr.. ].
p. Allaire, and by him communicated to
the board, establish the fallacy of this
opinion.
:" Mr. Allaire is the proprietor of
large foundery at Corlaer's Hook. Dur
ing the last season he employed up
wards Of sixty workmen, more than
thirty of whom were men of families
In the course of the summer, he was In
formed that many of them were in debt;
and on investigating their concerns,
with surprise he ascertained the fact,
that every one who was in the habit of
using ardent spirits, was involved to an
extent beyond his ability to pay and,
with a satisfaction equal to his former
surprise, he learned the additional fact,
that those who made no use of spirits,
were in easy circumstances, and their
children were provided for at school,
Nor did difference of wages from
seventy-fVe cents to ten shillings per
day, make any perceptible change in
the situation of the former class of work
men.
"With this picture before him, Mr..
Allaire was at once induced to prohibit
the use of ardent spirits altogether, in
his shops, during working hours. But
one person left his employ in consequence
of this restriction and this man had
borrowed Of Mr. Allaire, while in his
service, upwards of $500 to pay groce-
ry bills, In conclusion of this letter,
Mr.. Allaire observes Il have great rea-
son to be pleased with the happy effects