The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-12-30
70 the Editors of The U7lmington;aa.

10 the Editors Of me WHnRngt0ntan.
There is now living within seven miles Of
this Borough, on lands Of Patrick Kenny a
Roman Catholic clergyman. an ancient wo-
man who is moro than one hundred and ten
years Of aye. She was born in Ireland, in
the. year 1714. In company with a friend,
the writer of this article lately paid her a
visit. Her person was uncommonly good; !
She did not appear bent and decrcpid, as
might have been expected in one of a very |
advanced age, nor was her understanding
much impaired; but the yivacity OF her car
lier years was gone. She appeared like
a silent and tshintereStcd witness of passing
events. 1t seemed to require some exertion
to bring her mind to act or be interested in
the scene before hcr-yet she answered our
questions nationally, and judging from the OK
preston of her features she was in a tran
bull and happy state of mind Her young
est child, a daughter of about sixty five years
Of age is her companion and attendant. She
resides in small, neat cottage, situate in
scquestcred spot at some distance from the
road. The scenery around it was delightful.
| A rich field of corn occupied the space be-
fure the house-behind it waved a majestic
| forest. On one side was well cultivated
garden and OH the other descending slope,
in which was clear spring over Swallowed
bv lofty trees. Within the walls of this cot
tage every thing wore the appearance OF
comfort and we were gratifed to see the
neatncss and order that presided in this in
teresting dwelling.
As we sat in the presence of this venera-
bic old lady my mind was drawn into train
of interesting reflections; it required to scenes
that have long since passed away. was in
the presence of one who had been subject
Of Queen Ann of England---one who had liv-
ed in the days ofthe celebrated duke of MARI
borough---one who had been contemporary
with Penn, Addison, Steele, Pope, Arbuth-
not, and a long phalanX of great men, who,
under Providence, were instrumental in diff
fusing flood of light and knowledge; in the
concentrated rays of which, the present &C.
: ncration is permitted to bask, with incxprcs-
: sible advantage and delight. She had seer
2 Pennsylvania and her adopted state, infant
: colonics-young in age and experience; but
!, like children Of strong stamina and healthy
constitution, putting forth their strength il
$ thousand ways that indicated vigorous
u and effective manhood. She saw them whei
e arrived at maturity shaking off the shackle
of a foreign yoke and uniting with the neigh
:, boring Colonies in forming a government
n unrivalled in the history of all foreign ages
I, a Government securing to all the unspeakabl
S blessings of equal rights, civil and religion
e "a Government under which she, membe
II of the Roman Catholic Church, finds hcrsel
], among millions of different pcrsuasions, bu
C finds herself subject to no civil disabilities
: to no odium on account Of her faith
When we look back through the long vi.
ia of time, even through the period OF a SIT
gle century, what innumerable causes &c
gratitude rise into view In comparing til
lie nresent state of the world, with that whic
= prevailed even within the memory or MAJ
:. - it is impossible to find any room Tor I'll
ii poomy idea that our species are Ill cours
es of deterioration-tha the march OF mankin
u has been retrograde. The most paipao
e evidences to the contrary, force themsely'
O. upon us. No period Of the world presents
" view state every way so happy as that
s enjoy. We live in the golden age. 1t seen
q. as if our benevolent Creator, by the mutt
= tude of his benefits, was determined to $
Id cure the love and gratitude of the prese
'h generation. Blessings, civil and religious
" the dew of heaven, and the fairness OF tt
We earth, are dispensed to us III protuslon
IL we improve them not, it may be more toler
T. Bile for the land of Sodom IN the day OF jud
no ment, than the United States-Ihe sin
nd ID ingrattude will be prc-emnently ours.
ut MENTOR.
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