American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-01-04

The Death Watch.-Among the popular super
stit;oDs which the illumination OF modern times has
been able to oblt,ate, the dread OF the Death Watch
may be considered as one OF the most predominant,
and still continues TO disturb the habitations of ru
raj tranquility with absurd approximations. Ii is
chiefly in the advanced state of Spring that this lit
tie animal commences its rounds, which is no other
than the call or sg anal by which the male and female
are led TO each other, and which may be considered
as analogous to the call of b DIS; though not owing
to the insect, but its beating on any hard substance
with the shield or fore part OF its head. The pre-
valing number Of distinct strokes which it beats is
from to 9, or 1 l. which very circumstance may
still add in some degree to the ominous character
which it bears among the vulgar. These sounds or
beats are given in pretty quit succession, are re
peated at uncertain intervals, and in old houses
where the insects are numerous, and may be heard
al almost every hour Of the day-especally if the
weather be warm. The insect is of colour so near
lily resembling that OF decayed wood that may for
la considerable time elude the search Of the inquirer
1t is ahout a quarter OF an inch in LENGTH and is
moderately thick in proportion, and the wing shells
are marked with numerous irregular yariegauons
of lighter or grayer colour than the ground color
Negro Wit.-Some few weeks ago, gentema
crossed the Potomac eastward, below Bladensburg
being destined for that place. Coming to the main
road, he turned to the tight instead of the left Hav
ling travelled about mile, he overlook black man
and inquired whether he was on the right road Il
Bladensburg. Yesse, massa," was the answer
Us you are on the right road to Badensburg, but you
must turn your horses head t'other way, or you
will never get there"
| National Prpjudice.-Not many years ago,
gentleman, lately from Scotland, called on Mr.
Gor b,E
some letters While walking in his garden. abound
ing in excellent fruit, the latter observed, that show
him hat he would, his guest insisted he had seer
" muckie better in Scotland" Determined, howev
err, to surprise him, he privately ordered his servan
to tie some gourds tall pear tree, whilst they
were at dinner. When the cloth was removed
|. Now, sir" said Mr.---"l think | can show
you something you never saw in Scotland; = aDt
lak ng him TO the tree, he asked the astonishee
Scochman what he thought OF that. In roth
sar," quo,h he, they are varra fine piers indeed
but think have seen full as large in the duke o
Argyle's garden, though must confess that the!
had ma quite sic tang nacks.".
| A biblical commentator takes occasion in a par
of his work to praise Divine Goodness, for Away
making the largest rivers dow close by the mos
populous towns.
To Lady acho said she would bo.c my ears.
| Finn to your threat MATILDA, stand;
| The promise made, MAINTAIN it,
| And fail not to besto,o your hand
| On one who won't disdain it,
Written when in disposition to be facetious.
"I'm faint, Pm very ll'' said Boz,
| 81 feel dispos'd 20 leave the room;''
care you ?" said DICK, and scratched his mob,