Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-12-04

demOrailZe the lower classes, we cite
the following anecdote As pleasing re-
futation. Hundreds Of facts OF this sort,
in support Of their favorable tendency,
might be collected; while the contrary
opinion, we are led TO believe, rests on
mere assertion. The anecdote is COM
municated for the d. lo>@ stesnan,
aud was related to the writer by ~
Schenck, proprietor of the Mattewan
Factory, near the Fishkill mountains,
N. York:
Before commenced the erection of
these works, said Mr. S. and establish
ed in this place the branch of cotton
manufacture, the process OF which you
have been Just examining, the man
who built, and now owns that neat lit
tie tenement, had no place TO shelter
himself and his numerous family, but
the wretched howell, whichyeu may OBJ
serve at few rods distance from bis
present abode. At that time, continued
my informant. his only occupation was
that of occasionally fishing, orrambling
among the mountains in pursuit Of such
game as chance might throw in his way
Of the little he obtained by this occa-
sional and precarious mode of subsist-
; ence, large proportion was expended
+, in the purchase eff rum; in the use of
which he indulgedt to such an excess as
| to brutaIize his faculties, and render
him pest to society, as well as curse
to his family which he kept in state Of
the most deplorsble and squa!id poverty.
Of his children. three or four were
daughters, ofvarious ages, from or s
; to ID years; these, said Mr.. S. on con-
meucing my establishment, took into
. the factory; where, from that period to
/, the present time, they have always had
constant employment The proceeds
ef their lrst week's labor amounting to
SIX sr seven dollars, when paid and ia
Ken home TO their parents, was an a
mount, whi h is probable they never be-
fore at any. one time possessed. The
most immediate eject on the mind Of
the father, appears to have been con-
vction that his children, instead of be-
ing a burthen, which he despaired OF
supporting, and therefore never before
made an effort to accomplish, would on
the contrary, by the steady employ
ment now provide for them, be able by
their industry, not only to sustain them
selves but also to contribute to the
maintenance and support Of the other
members of the family. From that mo-
ment it would appear as if he had deter
mined to reform his vicious habits, and
to emerge from that state Of degradation
and wretchedaess into which he had
plunged himself and faniiy. He has
done so, said Mr.. S. and instead of be-
ing pest, he has become q useful mem
Der of society; instead of being curse
10 his family, and occupying with them
that wretched novel yonder, fit only for
swine to wsIlow in, he has by his own
exertions, aided by the industry and
good conduct ofhis children, lately pur-
chased the soil, and erected the coA.for-
table cottage, which, said Mr. S. smiling,
appears SO powerfully to attract your
notice
ETUiu tuC A>CW k(OHi o'O 'ias
F., Dun eAEAT CiTlrs-ln all our great cities. the
females ore more numerous than males. The
avevage OF our largest cities, Boston, York,
Philadelphia. Bsitimore, Charleston, and New
ORLEANS. gives 100 females to every 100 males
; while the average of the whole United States
6 yes but 81 females 70 every 100 males. making
the & males in our cities about twelve per cent
more numerous than in the coustrr at large
This great excess of female population in ou.
large cites, to be attributed in part to the fact
that many Of the males are engaged in occupa
tons in which t'sre is unnsusl risk of life. Our
Nseamen, for example, are tSen principally from
the towns on the coast This, however, does
not account fer the whole difference. for it is a
singular fact that in erery one ct the sbove men
/ titaed cities. among the children under sirteas
Years Of age, where Of course the cause reteri ed
! to does net operate, the females are more nu.
Derous than the males, while in eyery state In
the Union, the fact is the reverse; and In the
new states especially the excess of ssGles among
the children IS very great. In the states OF Ala
bama. Mississippi, Indiana, Illinois and Nilsson
n. for example, all of which have been recently
settled, there are aint pg the children under ten
yesis of age, 76, 067 BOYS, and 70,258 girls: that
is, for every 100 boys there are only 90 girls; in
. the old states of New Hampshire. Msssachu-
sets, Rhode Island. Connec, icut, and the District
Of Columbia. there are 1853 lis boys, and l53, 1854
; girls that is. for every 100 boys there are 81
girls: while in our six largest cities. there are,
under ten ears of age. So, 3l9 bows. and 38.223
/ girls that is, for every 100 boys there are near
/ ly 100 girls.
! Comparative longevity Of the 1rldtes and blacks.
| From the census it appears that 1917 per cent.
/ of The white population of the United States
are 40 years Of age and upwards. while of the
| blacks the proportion is only 1910 per cent. ma
! king difference OF nearly 9th in favor Of the
/ longevity Of the whites. If We make the com
! parison, however, with the whites Of the south