Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-18

snnerstitions are felt with greater or less force
in proportion to the strength of intellect, and
the advantages of education, which have been
enioyed by those who have imbibed them
Thus. il Walter Scott himself had taken the
White Lady of Avenal behind him upon his
donkey. even If he had become bewildered ana
been soused in the mill-pond, he would not
have been so much terrified as the poor sub
prior was. The lights Of science, moreover
have discovered causes for many natura! Pne-
nomena. which were once the objects OF super
stilious terror.
1t was In the spring Of 1924, we believe, that
we had occasion to speak OF silly, though par
TALLY successful attempt 10 sport with the p'-
pular credulity, in regard 10 the yehow lever
The story was, that newborn infant pro-
claimed the desolation Of New \ ork during the
season, bv the pestilence-ha,ng lived Jusl
long enough to utter the fearful prediction, and
then Welded up its breath Strange as 1t may
seem. no small sensation was created, and sun
dry neople FASTENED to Greenwich To beSpeak
stores and houses Yet the summer came, and
passed. but no pestilental vapour was Borne
upon its wings This subject has been brought
TO mind, and the preceding remarks elected, by
another piece Of wrctched waggery, which has
created nearly as much hustle and CONSERVATION
as might be expected from a bombardment.-
The story which was circulated on Friday eve
ming. was, that two watchmen, stationed in dill
ferent parts of the city, simultaneously saw
vision of angels, who kindly informed them
tina, New-York is to be swallowed up by the
great deep OH the 10th instant. During the
days following, several persons called upon inc
Police Magistrates TO obtain the particulars;
and by Tuesday evening, considerable excite
ment was manifested, which increased through
the night to such degree that the magistrates
were repeatedly called up by people OF respec-
table appearance, for information and advice
whether they should fly from the city
All the efforts Of the magistrates and other
officers, however, could not allay the excite
ment-the story grew, and the panic increased
Yesterday morning the rumor was, that three
watchmen had seen the vision, and that before
the angels came along, man passed by one OF
them without any feet !. was also reported
that the watchmen were all three confined III
chains in Bridewell, for having related the VI
sion. Hundreds Of people again thronged the
Police Office; and the keeper OF the Brldeweii
informs US that from one TO two hundred peo-
pie have applied to him for liberty to see the
nersecuted watchmen. In the mean time, the
officers state, that more than one hundred iam-
lies moved out of the city yesterday, 10 avoio
the impending destruction, One good Old la
DIV. in the first ward, not wishing just yet to
ioin her departed other half, deposited her
Mate and valuables in a bank, and leaves the
city to-day
In the meantime, the children in the schools
have been alarmed-many Journeymen mechs-
MICS in the upper wards, have preoipltately lett
their work, and escaped from the city. Ser
want girls are whimpering, and begging per-
mission to leave their places; while the black
tIrmb'e with fear, and the wlckedes'
Of them turn pale. Some fee without leave,
and others are engaged in importuning their
friends and relatives to disregard the whole
some advice of intelligent employers, and fly
from the rity-although the retreat was last
evening rendered unnecessary by an addition to
the direful tale, that the city OF New York was
not to suffer alone, but the whole world Is 10 be
shaken to pieces by an earthquake!
We need not Of course state, that the story OF
the imprisonment Of the watchmen, is equally
untrue with the rest of the absurdities How ii
originated isno known; but whoever the ma
licious hoaXers was. he must ere this perceive
that his sport has caused much anxiety and
trouble-especially on the score OF family SER
wants, who have left their places before their
employers could procure substitutes. Much
distress may also be experienced by weak and
poor families whose terror has driven them out
Of the city at this season. 1t is astonishing
that story, par,aking SO much both OF the ri
dicalous and absurd, should have created so
much consternation-and one must actually
witness the fact to believe it.
THEATRE.
A gentleman who left the Theatre last even