Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-03-22
ETYSCELLANE0US.

CHUb tHc IbOOf.- VduucilDB tnio
the country, without local home,
or bosom friend to share the blessings
of social or domestic intercourse, my
tine has generally been spent among
strangers. And being pretty close
observer Of the world, have fire.
queu.y been enabledt to benefit society
by embodylng, at lrisure hours, pariic
ularly when | spend few days to rest
and refresh myself, such reflections IS
may have occurred during my peregri
Nations. As am generally assisted
by fGmaiar, real and true descen-
dani OF Inc far famed oriental genll, L
experience no difficulty of learning, at
once, the habits, manners aud customs,
OF all such people as 1 have any carries
ity to inquire about. This, It may be
said is great privilege, and might be
abused, much TO the prejudice OF many
people who think their private vices EN-
ilreiy hid from the world: but as |
have already suggested my intention is
TO benefit society, [ shall only notice
such apparently trivial faults as by be.
ing long INDUCED become inveterate,
and ultimately prove injurious to indi-
vlduals as well as communties--an
emendation Of which will add much 10
the comfort OF others, and consequent
ly their happiness for the time being.
In conformity 10 the injunction of
the decalogue, | frequently rest on the
Sabbath, and il within a reasonable.
distance Of public devotional exercises,
attend them. Not long since, in an
apparently prosperous village in the
western country; less than thou
sand miles from this, on cold and
rainy Sunday morning, attended meet
sing: and having, as IS my usual custom
arrived early, and seated myself Oh a
back seat in the gallery, as well to OBJ.
serve the congregation as they entered
as not to be obnoxious to others by
+. disturbing the devotion of those who
enter for that purpose; and, while al
gushing my mind to the soltmnity Of the
occasion my attention was suddenly a
reused by an exclamation from one OF
The lower pews of Shat the door p
That, thought I, is right; forit was
bleak and cher'ess morning, and many
4 observed, were shivering with cold.
The sexton bad, either from negli.
gence, or want OF materials, left the
fire unkindied. and the open doors let
an volume of Geld air, very much to
the prejudice of those comfortable fsel.
ings with which many left their warn,
fire sides 10 the morning.
Shut the dooI IN cold aocdther,
thought l, onght to be engraven on the
memory of every one, as much as any
command received by Us from Divine
authority.
/, seemed OF no uss--for every few
seconds some boy would be sent from
a pew nearest the door, to rectily this
breach OF good manners in those wha
entered
Aroused by some very sensible feel
ings or the subject, L applied my ear
20 my coat sleeve, and enquired FROM
my Familiar, (who, for convenience,
makes that his station the names, cali.
ing, habits, and circumstances of ma.
ny Of them as they entered the door,
without shutting it, which could
readily do without observation; and
that answers may be uesful to some OF
your readers, 1 now send them fer
publication.
"Who, and what is he:" said I, as a
man about the age Of fifty entered,
without shutting the door. Tall and
meager were his features; his shirt
collar unpined; the string of one oil
his shoes united, and the cuff OF his
sleeve partly torn of.
"Thai," said my familiar, sis Shal
lowpate Careless. His father intended
him for one OF the learned professions;
hui in his youth he neglected bis stud
les at college. He never knew ore
lesson And provided he could eat
when hungry, and drink when thirsty,
thought of nothing else Finding bis
efforts unavailing the old gentleman
concluded, he Guild make farmer ol
ShaliowpaIe, and accordingly gave
hun large farm, and procured an in
dustl;oGs overseer for him. Matters
weHt.ou well enough until in the course
OF tune, tine old nan died; and. and
Shallowplte could not hear the idea of