Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-04
From the Boston Patriot.

comfort and morality, as hhode isianu.
Providence Patriot.
To this may be added-that Rhode Island
small as i, is, has been as fruitful IN eminent
men as any state in the union, be II ever SO
large. AS early as 1928, it was the residence
/ of tha, truly eminent and widely celebrated
divine and philosophe Dean Berkeley, arterd
wards Bishop Of Cloyne. 1t is said that he
wrote his minute philosopher while there
The frs, anatomical and surgical lectures ever
delivered in America, about 1850 were given
at Newpor, by DR.. William Hunter. A year
or two after, lectures on electricity, with the
Franklinian experiments, were given by Solo
mon Souihwiok, the father Of the gentleman
Of the same name in Albany. From about
1856, there was more general literature IN
Newport, and through the Island, than perhaps
any other part Of America, owing to a very
well selected public library given by Abraham
Redwood, Esq. very opulcnt and generous
person belonging to the Society OF Friends.
He gave fire hundred pounds serlins Tor the
books in London. Thes Sc were selected by the
colony agent with great Judgment, and some
| were added by private donations. PRESIDENT
! STYLES was its lbr ,rian between twenty aud
thirty years. After British army took pos
session Of the Island, this valuable selection oil
books was despoIlcd Of great portion OF the
English classics, histories voyages ana traV-
els, and whatever Came under the head oil en-
| ters aiming books. The library is still respect
able
Among military men, Rhode Island gave to
the nation General Greene ard Commodore
Pcrry.-1he once very beautiful scenery which
embeished the Island, and its character tor
heahfulne IS, drew to il every summer NUNS
5crs Of opulent iDvalids, with not lew men OF
property, who sough, pleasure and agreeable
residence. 1t was the permanent residence Of
many men OF independent fortune past the me-
ridan Of life, from different parts of Europe
and from The West India Islands who chose
that spot in which la spend their days. Inns
accounts fer the larpr "nmher OF ores, OF
gentlemen who wished for no alteration IN
government, and the habitual order oil lhings.
Beside very handsome country seals, that
Island contained lhrer gardens thai metntd IN
some measure the name Of botanical gardens;
having green houses and lighthouses, with GU
riuus foreign plants. Those belonging to Mall
bons, Redwood and Bower,were the mos, dis
Tin ;uished. The mos, elegant and costly
dwelling house in the twelve colonies, was the
country sea, of Col. Malbone, WEIGH was &C
cden,ally burnt before the revolution. The
beautiful spot now belongs 20 the Nestor Of
New Bedford.
Before III, revolution, Rhode Island and its
capital, Newport, was The most agreeable spot
on the Atlantic SHORES. 1t enJoved very con-
slider able conmerce. Tgr most lucrati.e,if not
the most mol, WA H. trade 10 Anna Ne"
por: was then lively, scnteel and literary
town, from the Causes already mentioned, and
Providence was comparatively small But al
ter the British took possession OF it, the Town
Of Pro, ilence rose rapidly on the ruins OF the
capital The British destroyed upwards of
900 buildings Of all descriptions, principally
for fuel; and what was equally 10 be lamenled
if not more, they destroyed, through necessity,
all the beautiful woods and ornamental trees
on that fine Island. During these calamities,
Providence, Bristol, Warren, and several towns
on the Narraganset shore increased IN size
and consequence, leaving the Island, like an
old battered shield, held up against the enemy.
If the general government Can do any thing to
recover il to any condition Ike its former con.
sequence, they ought, in eratliude 10 do II; Tor
where is the spot in The United States that has
sufft red so much as Newport on Rhode Island?
While we are disposed to culogize Rhode
Island, therc is one thing we have always re.
GREETED and that is its penal code. Their pri,
sons were in point of health and propriety far
behind those in other states; AMI the severity
in most other Of the colonies and states. Their
whi2pinps at the carts tail fell little short Of
the Russian knoLt, and their ear groupings and
6randlngs have continued after other states
had ameliorated their pnnishments for THEFT *
forgery. Whether they have seen fit to make
any alterations IN these respects, we are una
bic 10 say; 5ul from the morals and friendly
cast OF the inhabitanis, we should hope that
they would not remain behind Massachusetts
in mitigating the severity OF their penal code.
Prince Mel,ernich's diplomatic talents have
annoyed England for some years, and even the
oppvs ZION prints, are unwilling to give him
credit for any thing but low cunning. How
long is il since England has been ably repre-
scn,cd on the continent, or which of her emi-
neni Statesman can cope wthiMetternich? The
following character of the Prince is extracted
from The London Morning Chronicle.
Few men on the Stage of the world, at pre-
sent, have attained more &C ebrity than the
founder Of the Holy Alliance, aud the modern
Machiavel Of Continental politics. AS TO the
r th. kill, kIc