The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-23
MISCELLANY.
From the Wilmington (Del) Watehman.l
THE PRESS
PLll<MlnlIa


has degenerated into servile or merce-
nary engine. guided by nGmes and pretca-
sions, rather than by fixed principles
II steamboat is to be set running, the
first thing that judicious proprietor
does, after providing passive means,
Is the actiOe force-the navigator and
the engineer-comprising the scientifick
and Intelligent power. He seeks out
those who have more skill than himself:
which skill he stands in need of-and
compensates them with that which he
has more of than they have, and of
which they are in more need than he is.
In case he is passenger in said boat,
under such circumstances, who is to
govern The boat is required to move
certain distance in given number of
hours; a navigator is employed, whose
province it is professionally to calculate
upon weather, winds, TILES, channels,
shoals, eddies, seasons, and innumerabIe
minutia, known only TO the practical
seaman. The engineer, under his or
ders, is to apply full or graduated steam,
according TO the speed required, or the
obstacles to be overcome
Now, will any one say that because
this passenger is the sole proprietor, or
one Of fee hundred proprietors, of this
boat, he has legal or moral right 10
force the helm from the Captain, or
NEEDLE with the machinery of the en-
glneer, both professional men of his own
choice, for any within or individual
pleasure of his own, at the risk of the
lives and comfort Of all on beard If
this question is plain, the answer is in
dubitable.
Such conduct would appear ridicu-
lous, if moi worse, to the humblest and
most ignorant person on board, if exer-
cised by a proprietor or even com
mon passenger.
And yet parallel course Of conduct
is too generally practised in relation to
EDITORS and printers of newspapers. An
Editor is conductor of newspaper, and
therefore by implication is vested with
the discretion of choosing the active
means. His business is periodical-he
is restricted in his progress to DAYS and
hours and those concerned confde in
him to secure the performance, as hu-
man power and foresight may permit.
Again TO the smile of the steamboat.
Dear Captain, says Miss Tardy, sure
" you are not going to leave me p
Very sorry, Miss, but the boat is cast
oil, and we Cannot disoblige twenty TO
oblige one; but here, boys, let down the
boat and bring Miss Tardy on board.
Miss Tardy detains the boat with loading
and unloading her baggage, while ali
the other and more punctual passengers,
il not fretting, have cause TO fret
Dear Capta;n,. have some fayourite
pets in this box, and | am afraid the
poor things will be stifed, if | do not
give them air; will you let them run on
deck? Certainly, Miss, if they will not
be troublesome. Troublesome, indeed
Why they are only pet vipers, the tamest
you ever saw. Pet vipers Excuse me,
Miss trust no vipers on my deck, if
know them. Dear me am | not a
passenger and frequent customer, and
yet am to be denied such trihng IA
YOUR I'll have no more to do with
you. Indeed, Miss, hope not, if you
cannot come without cage Of vipers
to endanger the lives of other passen-
gers.
Captain, says a romantick Miss, do go
over little nearer TO the other shore
II should dearly love to see that beau
tiful grove little nearer. Can't. in
deed, Miss. Captain, says another, |
have particular business near this spot
Can't you stop 10 minutes, while |
land Cannot, Sir. Captain, have
severe head-ache--the noise Of the
engine disturbs me--can't you make il
more quietg Cannot, indeed, Miss Ner-
yous. Captain, have a great anxiety
TO arrive before the Bank closes--can't
you raise the steam little ? Not safe
ly, Sir. Captain, your engine plays so
hard, ] am afraid you will expose US TO
danger: Is there no danger of bursting
the boiler? Not at all Sir-bit we
must strain little against this tde.-
Engineer you there below? hay'nt
you neglected the valves? No answer.
! will go down and examine. Pardon
me, Sir, but know my business and |
must not suffer any one in this wa-do
yoH think that who am the mist ex-
posed, would neglect my own safety ?
Go on deck, if you please this is no