Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-05-19
DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS.


EPicrETvs, the celebrated Stole Phi.
losopher, was born u slave, and spe n f,
many years of his life in servituLe.-
This was the fact also with Escp,
Publius, Syrvs, and Terence.
The Abby Hauy, who died in Paris.
lew years since, celebrated for his
writings and discoveries in Chrpsiaiio-
graphy. attained his distinguished Gle.
walton in spite Of every disadvantage
of birth.
Wincklcman, one Of the most dis.
tinsui,hed writers on classic antioui.
ties and the fine arts, that modern
times have produced, was the son of
u shoemaker. He contrived to keen
himself at college, chiefly by teaching
some OF his younger fellow students.
while at the same time he, IN part, sup
ported his poor father ut hospital.
Arnisio, an Italian poet, Of the six
teehth century, Of considerable genius
aud learning. followed his fathers
trade, that OF shoemaker; and in the
course OF his life published very Ella.
borate work on the :. Shoemakinp of
the AncieDts."
The celebrated Italian writer Cell.
when holding the high dignity of Coun-
Gil OF the Fiorentine Academy, still
continued to work at his original pro-
LESSON oi a tailor.
Metastasla was the son Of a com
mon mechanic, and used when a little
boy TO sing his extemporaneous verses
about the streets.
The father Of Haydn. the great mu
seal composer. was whcelright. and
hlled also the humble occupation of a
sexton; while his mother was AT the
time servant in the establishment of
n neighbouring nobleman.
The father of John Opie. the great
English portrait painter, was work
ing carpenter in Cornwall. Opie was
raised from the bottom Of q saw-pit.
where he was employed i'm cutting
wood. to the Professorsh,p Of Painting.
in the Royal Academy.
The parents Of Castallio, the ele.
CANT Latin translator Of the Bible,
were poor peasants. who lived among
the mountains Of Dauphiny.
The New Cap.-The beautiful ef-
fects Of what some people stigmatize
by the name Of Injuries or superfluities
Is well exemplitied in a simple little
story related BY DIR. franklin. sThe
skipper Of shsllop.'he says, 'employ
ed between Cape May and Philadel
phia. had done US some small service,
Tor which he refused to be paid. My
wife. understanding that he had q
daughter, sent her present Of q new
fashioned cap. Thrse years after, this
skipper being at my house with an old
farmer Of Cape May, his passenger, he
mentioned the cap, and how much his
daughter had been pleased with it.
But, said he, it proved q dear cap "a
our congregation. How so ?-When
my daughter appeared with il at meet.
ing, II was so much admired, that all
the girls resolved to get such caps from
Philadelphia aud my wife and com
puted that the whsle could not have
cost less than hundred pounds. -
True, said the farmer, but you do moi
tell all the story. ] think the CAP
was, nevertheless, an advantage 10 us;
for 1t was the first thing that put our
girls upon knitting worsted mittens
for sale at Philadelphia, that they might
have whercwithaI TO buy caps and rib
bons there: and you know that that
industry has continued, and is likely
TO continue, and increase, TO a much
greater value. and to answer better
purposes. Upon the whole, l wa.
more reconciled for this little piece oi
luxury, since not only the girls were
made happy by having fine caps. but
the PhiladeIphians by the supply o.
warm mittens.'
/ n Nire H1r0I;fu Some fine siprn