The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-27
DANCING.

10 one of. American colleges,
few years since, theme for discussion
(accordins to the usages of that lnstitu-
tion) was siven 10 one of The classes by
its officer, on which an individual was
required p express his opinion, either
orally or ia writing, taking any such view
OF the subject, as his own judgment and
ingenuity night suggest. The theme
was Danciig.-At the appointed time
the class assembled in the presence of
their instructor, when the argument
was cominehrna and continued fer some
lime with great gravity, both for and a.
gaInst the practice 10 all its hearings,
until Mr.. J. in his turn was called upon
10 express his sentiments, when the dis
cussion was closed as follows
Sir, said Mr.. J. l have examined this
matter with some diligence, but scarce
iy know what TO say. Almost any 9TH
er theme would have furnished me
something to contribute TO this discus
sion; but what can one say of this
After a i my labor, the sum and sub
stance Of the matter seems only to be
this. Aparty of ladies and gentlemen
(who elsewhere pass for intelligent and
rational peiogs) assemble in the ball
room. Soon they array themselves in
opposing li1es. - Presently young lady
Jumps up from the floor, shakes one foot
and comes down agaiu.--Again she
spring. up AMI the other foot quivers
Then she turns rouod on her place,
springs up aid shakes both her feet;
her intelligent partner performing the
same operations al the same time,
Then both rush forward, and seize each
others hand jump up again, shake theiI
feet, tutn round, return to their places
jump up again, shake their feet anC
stand still. The next lady and gentle
man nationally and soberly follow tbs
example just set them jumping, shaking
theii feet, and turning SO on 10 the cod
And all for no other reason that cal
perceive, than because black CUTIE
sits in the corner yonder, Or drawing ;
hOrse-hair across calgut.
|
Instinct and Reason.-The following
fact goes far towards proving that in
stinct differs chiefly in degree from rea
son -" A few years since, pair o
sparrows, which had built in the thatc'
| roof of house, at Poole, were obsery
! ed to continue their regular visits to tn
! nests long after the time when th'
young birds take flight. This unusua
circumstance continued throughout tn
year, and in the winter, gentleman
who had all along observed them, deter
mined on investigating its cause. HI
the refore mounted ladder, and foun'
one of the young ones detained pris
cner, by mean Of a piece of string o.
I worsted, which formed part of th'
nest, having become accidentally twist
ed round its leg. Being thus incapacitat
ed from procuring its own sustenance, i
had been fed by the continued exertion'
| of its parents. Geological Journal.
Thirty-six years ago (l79o,) there
were only rs post-ofices in the Who'll.
United States their number now / 1926.
exceeds $500; the extent of the pos
reads was then less than 1000 miles
they now exceed 10000. The tota
amount of hostages did not exceed SO,
900 dolIars-they are now more thar
12 900, 900 dollars. The transportation
of the mails then cost about 90 900 dol
lars annually--tbey DOW cost nearly 8,