Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-06-09

Tuscaloosa, May. s. Destructive
Hail Storm. We have never witnessed
a more furious and destructive storm OF
hail, wind, and lain, than the one by which
Tuscaloosa was visited on last Saturday
evening. Indeed, we have conversed
with many, young and old, and all concur
in saying they never before, in this or any
other country, by land or sea, beheld the
like. If the earth, with all the heavenly
bodies, was swung loose from its orbit, the
elements could not exhibit more fury, vio-
lence and commolion. Night had not
come on, and yet it was impossible TO see
half way across the street. Ii may be tru-
ly said the wind roared and the torrents
tumbled from the hills" The hail stones
were not so large as some we have heard
described, but the quantity that fell in
twenty minutes is Unprecedented. The
ground was covered with hail in an ave-
rage depth Of four inches and in places
it was drifted together in large bodies,
from seven to nine feet deep. 1t came
first from the north. but veered round with
great rapidity to the east and south, des-
troying every thing before it. On the
north side Of M. Ewing's tavern, not a
pane Of glass, nor even piece as
large as dollar, was left in the sash the
damage done to the southeastern part Of
the building was little less. MI. Ewings
loss, however, was not more complete than
that Of his neighbours. All tender yege-
tation within the range Of the storm, was
destroyed. The forest is disrobed of its
verdure, and the ground as thickly cover
ed with green leaves as in autumn it is
with the yellow. The trees ofthe orchard
have lost their fruit, leaves, and even their
smaller boughs. In the fields and gar
dens, every thing that had peeped above
the surface has been beaten into the earth.
The injury to wheat crops, &c. is irrepar-
able.
The extent of the hail storm has not, we
understand, been very wide, having been
as bad or worse here than elsewhere;
though the wind has done extensive in
jury in prostrating the timber and fences.
DONALD MCDONALD. We perceive by
the Boston Patriot that this veteran in in
temperance, and aged patron Of aims
houses, is again committed to the House
of Correction at South Boston, for the
term of six months. 1t is but few days
since we saw this aged man 50 intoxicated
as to be unable to stand, and in attempt-
ing to walk, he fell with so much vio-
lence as to produce blood on his FORE
head. He still called for rum, and when
refused, and food and that wholesome
beverage, water, was offered him, he still
duplicated, almost to tears, for something
more stimulating, even little beer. His
appearance is venerable, but hardly equal
to his advanced years. He is rather small
in. stature, thick set, and walks with
firm, and rather quick step, notwithstand.
ing his dissipated life. His face is full
and ford, probably from his excessive
draughts, and the only evidence ofextreme
old age is the badness of the top Of his
head, and the long, slver'd locks"
which extend down his shoulders. Should
ne live until the 18th of October next, he
will be aged l07
1t is humiiating at all times to see men
labouring under this temporary insanity,
and perverting heavens best gift, their
reason but in none does it appear so re-
Voting, and create such disgust, and at
the same time excite SO much pity, as in
venerable old age. We are accustomed
to look up to the aged with veneration for
their years, with reverence for their ad-
vice, with attention for their experience.
and with sympathy for their apparent fee
bleness; but when we see the evening of
life clouded with vices, and the tottering
step, and nervous hand, and the hoary
head of respected old age, associated with
the bloated face, staggering walk, and
disgusting manners, and loathsome ap.
pearance of the confirmed drnnkard, we
lose our respect for his years, and are al
most ready to execrate the memory of
the man who first introduced into society.
what has caused so much misery and de.
northumberland Gaz.
PIGEONS. The Montrose, Penn. Reg
lster mentions that there are immense
numbers Of wild pigeons in that vicinity.
They have formed an encampment up.
wards Of nine miles in length and four in
breadth-the lines regular and straight
within which, there is scarcely tree.
large or small, that is not covered with
nests. They cause such a constant rnar.
ing by the tapping Of their wings that
persons on going into the encampuien,
have great difficulty of hearing each 9th.
er speak. Every thing throughout their
camp appears to be conducted in the most
perfect order. They take their turns reg
nlarly in setting and in feeding their
young and when any of them are killed
upon their nests by the sportsmen, others
Immediately supply their places.
RALEIGH, May &c.