The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-08-06
Remarkable PHENOMENON.

PORT TALBOT, (u. c.) JUNE 90.
On or about the 3Oth May last, lit
tie after sunset, Lake Erie was observ-
ed to take a sudden and extraordinary
Fise-the weather being fine and clear,
and the lake calm aud smooth. Ii was
principally noticed at the mouths of Or
ter and Kettle Creeks, which are 90
miles apart. At Otter Creek it came in,
without the least previous intimation, in
swell of nine feet perpendicular height,
as was afterwards ascertained, rushing
violently up the channel, drove
schooner of So tons burthen from her
moorings, threw her upon high ground,
! and rolled over the ordinary beach into
| the woods, completely inundating all the
adjacent flats. This was followed by
two others of equal height, which caus-
ed the creek to retrograde mile and
half, and to overflow its banks where
water was never before seen by seven
or eight feet The noise occasioned by
its rushing with such rapidity along the
winding channel, was truly astonishing.
1t was witnessed by number of per-
sons.
At Kettle Creek several men were
drawing fsh-net in the lake, when
suddenly they saw the water coming
upon them in the manner above men
toned and. letting go their net, they
ran for their lives. The swell over
took them before they could reach the
high bank, and swept them forward
with great force but being expert
swimmers, they escaped unhurt. The
man who was in the skif, pulling in
| the sea-line, was drove with it con-
siderable distance over the flat, and
grounded upon small eminence until
the water subsidized. There were three
successive swelis, as at Otter Greek,
and the effects up the creek were the
same, with this difference, the water
only rose feet. In both cases, the
lake, after the three swells had spent
their force, gradually subsidized, and in
! about twenty minutes was at its usual
height and tranquility. 1t was obsefv-
ed at other places along the shore, but
! the high steep banks did not admit Of
the same observation. In all, however,
there was general correspondence as
to the height of the rise.
Conjecture will doubtless be awake
as TO the cause Of this most remarkable
| phenomenon bat it must only be con-
tJectured, for it was unattended with any
circumstance that could remotely hint
at probable cause.
I A late writer condenses in few lines
a whole volume of practical advice =
!" Fill up your time SO fully with use
fnl employments as TO leave little ieis-
ure for pursuits of a doubtful character.
Endeavour further TO acquire such a
strong sense of duty, such taste for
CONCENTRATIONS of higher order, and
such weil-arranged habits of sacred
study and devotion, as may supersede
the temptation to devote to idle, if not
In rIous amusement, moments which
may be so much more probably given
TO the great concern of making your
calling and election sure. Keep in
mind the claims which your family,
your friends, and society, have upon
your hours of retirement and the i'm
Portsnce of so employing those hours,
be they few or many, that both your
mind and body may be refreshed for
the returning duties of each successive
day. And, lastly, guard against habits
OF idle curiosity, and be not ashamed
to own that there are many things with
which neither your time nor your taste
permits you to be acquaipted, and least
of all with every ne;g tale that hap
pens to be the subject Of popular con-
yersatIon." [Philadel. paper.
difference bctween Gout and Rheumatism.
A Frenchman being afflicted with the
Govt, was asked what difference there
was between that and the Rheumatism.
One very great difference ~ replied
MONSIEUR" Suppose you take one
vice, You pat your finger in, you turn
DC screw till you bare him no longer,
DAT is Inc Rheumatism-den, 'spose you
give him one turn more, dat is de Gout.''