Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-09-08

ations," by John Howison, ESQ -
Almost all the superstition OF seamen
embraces the idea Of an overriding
Providence; and though no people in
the world are less Influenced by rel.
gion, so far as regards the tenor of
heir lives, they beiray lively conf
dence in divine protection and usually
solicit when the hour ofdanger arrives.
They consider themselves peculiarly
situated with respect to future destiny,
and rewards and punishments, and
think they will be less severely dealt
with hereafter than other classes Of So
ciety, on the ground that the hardships
and dangers to which the mode OF life
exposes them are actually equivalents
to the torments ofpurgatory. The 50.
persticious regard for the small bird
called the stormy petrol, arises from
belief that these animals follow ships
for the purpose of picking up the soais
of seamen that have been lost in te'us-
pests, and carrying them 10 the bosom
their creator. / have heard ship
masters seriously entreat their passen-
gers not to kill or annoy these winged
servants of heaven. The following
circumstance. which is strongly illus
trative Of the reality and power of the
superstition now mentioned, was rela-
ted to me by the son Of the individual
under whose observation it occurred.
He had been with his regiment in the
Mediterranean for several years, and
vas returning TO England in trading
vessel. He was the only passenger
on boa rd, and her commander being
agreeable for his station, they be-
came intimate. and were constantly in
each others company. One beautiful
calm evening, when seated in the ca.
bin together, their conversation turned
upon the pleasure Of revisiting home,
and Of meeting beloved friends after q
long absence from both The ship
master pointed to the sun, which was
then setting, and said that he hoped
soon to see it decend with equal love-
illness behind the mountains that en-.
comprised his native valley.
He then spoke with passionate fond
ness OF his young wife and his two chill
dren, and remal ked that he had at that
moment such vivid recollection of
their features, thatthey seemed almost
tangible. He was interrupted BY a
stormy petrol entering the cabin,
through one of the stern windows. 1t
few round the apartment three times
and then disappeared. He Instantly
started up. exclaiming, call is over
with me! l shall never see my family
morel" and burst into tears. Hispas-
senger inquired into the cause of his
agitation, and endeavored TO sootha
him, but without avail;"I have receiv.
ed an ntimation of my death from tho
bird which has just visited us" said the
shipmaster "None ofsits species ever
approach human beings except for a
similar purpose. / shall die three days
hence, and it will carry away my soul.
No winds, however favourable, can
convey US home before Ike fatal mo-
ment arrives" He then requested to
be left alone, and after some hours Of
seclusion. came upon deck with an air
of the deepest despondency. The
weather continued delightful, and the
vessel made rapid progress in her voy
age; but her commander seemed indIf-
ferent 10 every thing, and daily declin-
edin health & strength, notwithstand-
ing all the reasoning and consoling at.
tentions ofhis passenger He employ.
ed much of his time in making arrange
ments relative to his family, and died
about the time he had predictesi.
Warming to Newspaper Stealers-
"A respectable ship master, who re-
sides 10 the upper part of this city, has
frequently called to complain ofour car.
r;er for not delivering the paper pune
tuall y-on being assured that the paper
was left, watch was set, and about
day Eight coloured man was seen to
descend the area. On his return, the
captain was ready 10 receive him with
the paper, and preferring summary JUS
tice to the laws delay, he chastised the
fellow with a cowskin until he was
perfectly saiisficd-since which he has
received his paper without disappoint-
meDt.-N T. Daily Adu.
Improbable Speculation The
Cazen0via Monitor states. that some
persons who have undertaken to run,