Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-12-22
WHOLE NO. 2e99.

lar superstitiops which the illumination
OF modern times has been able to obIiter-
ate, the dread ofthe Death Watch NAV
De considered as one of the most pre-
dominant, and still continues TO disturb
me habItations of rural tranquility with
ABSURD apprehensions. 1t is chiefly in
the advanced state of Spring that This
httie animal commences its rounds,
winch IS no other than the call OF signal
oy winch the male and female are led to
each other, and which may be consider
ed as analogous to the call of birds
though not owing to the insect, but 10
lis beating on any hard substance with
'ne shield or fore part of its head. The
prevailing number of distinct strokes
which It beats is from 7 to 8, or II, which
very circumstance may still add in some
degree to the ominous character which
1t bears among the vulgar. These
sounds or beats are given in pretty quick
succession, are repeated at uncertain in
terVals, and in old houses, where the
insects are numerous, & may be heard at
almost every hour of the day-espec-
Tally If the weather be warm. The in
sect is OF colour so nearly resembling
that of decayed wood, that it NAV for q
considerable time elude the search of
the inquirer. II is about quarter of
an inch in length, and is moderately
thick In proportion, and the wing shells
are marked with numerous irregular
VarIegations, of a lighter or grayer col
our than the ground colour.
a correspondent to the Middletown
Gazette says, "A few days since |
heard the venerable Judge relate
the following revolutionary anecdot..
would remark, that should think the
story Incredible, if my informant was
not a man of unquestionable veracity."
The morning following the battle
at Yorktown, had the curiosity TO at
tend the dressing of the wounjs-and
among others, whose limbs were so
much injured as to require amputation,
was musician, who had received
musket ball in his knee. As was usual
IN such cases, preparations we're made
TO lash him down 10 the table, TO pre-
vent the possibility of his moving
Says the sufferer, "Now, Doctor. what
would You be at?" My lad, pm going
to take off your leg; and It's necessary
you should be lashed down. 81 shall
consent to no such thing-you NAV
pluck my heart from my bosom, but
you'll not con6ne me. Is there fiddle
ln the tent? ifso, bring it to mes Ayi-
olln was furnished, and after tuning il.
he said, I" Now Doctor, begin :" and he
continued to play, until the operation,
which took about forty minutes, was
completed, without missing a note or
moving muscle"
Inc zcnyto confess.-A man confessipp
his sins to priest, among other sins Of
which he accused himself, said. that n
few hours before, he had beat his wife.
The father confessor asked him the re-
son why! tie answered that it was be-
cause he had so short memory. he
could neVerremember the sins ne had
committed, but whenever he beat his
wife, she reproached him with all the i'll
he had ever done in his life by which
ne was able to make general confes-
sion with very little trouble, and for ten
pence more obtain a perfect absolution.
Mr.. Locker, surgeon, in London.
having woman for tenant who was
rather troublesome, and wishing to get
rid OF her, he put pan on the TOP of The
chimney, which had the desired effect.
The woman soon found her room flied
with smoke, and all her exerlions TO get
rid OF 1t proved fruitless. She left the
premises, being fairly smoked out.
The late Rev. Mr.. Neil, one Of the
Ministers of the West church, when TAX
ing walk in the afternoon, saw an old
woman sitting by the roadside, evident
" much intoxicated, with her bundle w.
ing before her in the mud. He imme-
dIately recognized her to be one of his
pensioners. Will you Just help me
up with my bundle, guide man?'' S Fie.
ne, Janet" said The pastor, I" to see you
in such a plight. Do you know where
all erunkards go tor Gay, sure,"
said Janet, they just go whar drap
o guide drink is TO be got"
To minds of an ordinary cast, patient
incidence under settled prospects comes
as matter of course il requires no
effort, and is endured without suffe ring.
But to spirits of more enthusiastic
nature, what peDauce so hard to be
borne as that which imposes stiffness
and innction To he calm anil neacoc,,I