Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-20

the cut across the sthmus OF Pana-
ma would produce the phenomena and result point
ed out by Capt. Doane.
Tins fact being ascertained, 1t becomes n serious
who is to take the lead in this great
work [. Mexico, and Central America may both
be inclined to authorise the project; but local al
fairs OF greater moment must for some time occupy
the attention OF both those governments. Tomake
so vast a project the speculation of prvaae COM
pany would i'll comport with the general dement's
to bc produced; and 10 permit Great Britain TO cut
the canal and TO demand Sound dues, or close the
great shortcut or TO the Pacific at pleasure,
would give to that power the key TO both seas. Ii
must be free--free Cape Horn, unques Toned and
urmolested for il is not doubted, that ii passage
is cut, however small its commencement, II Will IN
time, be equal in width to the Gut of Gibraltar;
thus shortening our passage to China, and giving
a rapid intercourse with our possessions on the
North West coast. W Y. .qGro.
At lime feast lately held at Medbury, Devon,
(Eng.) 81 persons were present, most oil whom
were farmers and after dinner the party drank, in
the course of the evening, SO crown bowls of
punch, 2I3 glasses of grog, besides liberal pota-
tons of beer and porter.
GEM CoMPANY.---A company is forming in
London, with a capital of one million sterling,
for the purpose of procuring from the Brazils and
the various provinces of South America, 60 precious
stones of every description, for the supply, not
only of England, but OF the whole continent.
DIR. Bernard Of Larrs in Germany, has made
very interesting discovery, for which he has re-
ceivcd patent. 1t consists in obtaining from
animal substances, of which hitherto no use mas
been made, product perfectly similar to leather.
A manufacture has been established at Cumbold,
near Vienna, where this new species OF industry is
practiced with the greatest activity This disco
very of Dr. Bernard is the more important, the
composition is capable, when in fluid stale, ofbe-
ing formed into boots and shoes.
COlumbus-The King of Spain has just au-
thorses the printing the Autographed Journal
of Chrstopher Columbus, and those OF several other
illustrious Navgators, which have been preserved
in the Escurial with the most religious care, but
which no one has hitherto been allowed to peruse
This publication will be very serviceable to geo
graphical science.
SIsMoNDI on TIE PRoGREss OF NATIONS
The last number of the Revue EncyclopGdique
of Paris, says writer in Poulson's Daily Adver--
tiser, contains rapid, but singularly interesting
review of the progress which has been made in the
science of government within the last twenty FIVE
hears. 1t is from the pen of Ssmondi, one of the
lablest writers in Europe. y translation has been
prepared by Mr.. Duponceau for the Port Folia
and, for the accommodation of those who are not
subscribers TO this Journal few copies have been
published in the pamphlet form, to which the trans
| lator has prefiXed preface. We should presume
! that the names of Sismondi and Duponceau would
of themselves be a sufficient attraction for these
pages, which, in short compass, present philo-
sophica and animated picture Of the present state
of the civilized world. The following extract
will show how Justly the historian of Italian Ltera-
ture estimates the condition of the people Of these
States:
present the progressive tendency which the promo
tiers of one of the opinions are striving to give TO
mankind Since their emancipation, and partcu-
larly during the last quarter of century, their gov
ernment has shown no hesitation IN its firm resolu-
ton march forward, TO favour with all its might
the progress of knowledge, virtue and liberty anc
the rapid increase of the prosperity of the United
States has surpassed all that has ever been known
the face Of the earth. In order 10 Judge of this
we not lose sight OF the point from which the,
started. The founders of the colonies were fugi-
tves OF all political and religious scots, each o
which had been prosecuted in It's turn they carriec
with them the germs of every animosity-they
were filled with deep resentment, fraught with ia
naticsm of every description, and disposed TO every
kind OF exaegeradon. For long time they were re-
cruited by the scum Of the English popuaton--by
individuals transported for their crimes at later
period their country became the refuge of fortune
seekers, of ntrguers and adventures of all nations
the colonies received from the governments of Eu-
| rope the most fatal of all NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
part of their population is dispersed in forests
or immense pralies, beyond the reach of courts Of
justice or oil social protection. With such ele
ments, the Americans would have been, under ou
European governments, the most vicious OF al
people they entitled, on the contrary, to rank
amongst the most vrtuous. There are few nations
among whom the sentiment of what Is right, jus
and honorable is more universally spread where
| crimes are more rare where domestic virtues are
more in honor where religion (Which, however
has no other sanction than every mans conscience
exercise more genial influence. No doubt there
are veto be found traces Of the stain which then
founders fixed upon them but they are every day
rapidly disappearing In the same manner, in tn,
career of intelligence, it not be forgotten thai
the Americans are but just beginning they mus
have been colonists, aGriculturers, mechanics ira
ders, before they had leisure to devote to the pur
suits Of philosophy literature. We cannot We
expect from them those mastery productions whcl
at once charm and adorn mankind but they have
had the sagacity 10 appropriate to themselves al
the arts and sciences Of Europe they have spread
over the whole of their population more reason
! more positive knowledge, more aptness 10 imbb
correct ideas, than is found in the mass OF the PEG
pie of any of the old nations of Europe. The IL
! berty of America has devolved and strengthens
itself with its knowledge and virtue. No ciiizci
OF any other country has many rights and so ma
ny securities and those rights have never produ-
ced the abuses with which tDe are constantly threat
ened no popular connections, no instructions
no civil wars :--hey have enjoyed perfect secufit,
in the midst OF perfect liberty: What is now the re
suit of this treble progression At the beginnin,
OF the present century, the American population
amounted to four or five millions they are nov
eleven twelve millions. AT the beginning of thi
century their towns yet small and poor the,
now vie in extent. in nnnnlnfinn ard II, hca,1tr