Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-02-03
From the Lynchburg V1rginian.
INTERESTING SPEECH

'efsary IN washington City. Among the
invited guests were several members OF
Congress, three or four of whom delivered
addresses on the occasion. The whole pro-
ceedings arc so interesting that we would
gladly copy them five had room. We can
hot' however, deny ourselves the gratifica-
Ton Of transferring TO our columns the brief
speech Of Gulian c, Verplank, Esq. one of
the Representatives in Congress from the
city Of New York-a name honorablv
known in the literature of our countrv-os
one of the associates of Paulding and Irving
in "Salamagundi," and as the sole author Of
other works Of less humor and wit, but of
mere extensive and lasting usefulness.
The following toast having been given
he ton. "a. &. Nerplank-IIis devotion
10 letters makes his presence welcome to
printers and his talents and erudition are
the boast of the great commercial empori
um":-
MIR: FERPLANcK expressed his thanks
for this kind and uneXpec,sd comnIim'anI
which he said was doubly grateful TO him as
coming from friends assembled here nc The
representatives, and upon the anniversary
OF fraternity whom the occurrences and
habit of his life had given him TO know
much OF, and 10 esteem highly. AMONGST
The earliest recollections of my boyisb DAYS
he SAID, were the amusing and Instructive
incidents OF the early life OF Benjamin Frank
lin, as related by himself; and one of the
circumstances which most struck and excit-
my boyIsh imagination in that beautiful
narrative, was that OF his calling the office in
which he worked in London Chanel. ac-
GordIng to The traditionary phrase of Eng
liSh printers 1t is term that has gone
much out OF use, have since learnt. on this
side The Atlantic. In this Chapel however.
ABOUT winch our great philosopher and pat
rlol printer hrst excited my curiosity If has
been the fortune-I think The good fortune
OF my life TO have since passed MANY hours
These were hours which | sometimes uscd
to Halter myself might be useful 10 others
they were certainly always agreeable and
interesting 10 myself. | was there very
early and very frequently struck with the
general intelligence and information of the
craft; and was often delighted with the
naive talent, the literary requirement thc
liberal principles, aud the ardent minds Of
many OF Them, with whom there became
acquainted. there made many acuuain
'Gnces amongst your fraternity whom /
shall always remember with respect and
kindness, and nota few friends whom hon
or and esteem. | have received AMONGST
| mem Inc best offices, as a friend (nor can
forget ~ alu, suggestions, corrections, as
ah aulhor. one instance of this occurs TO
me al ms moment, and the time and occa-
sion VIII not allow Inc 10 pass it over. Twas
engaged some years ago in miscellaneous
i,'er"Iy Work, IN conjunction with two or
"a IricNus' whose writings are amongst
The most valued productions of native litera-
'uI1' Inc volumes were most accurately as
well az very beautifully printed Before the
sheets hadreached the binder. and Iong he
fore they had fallen under the ewes of anv
regular editorial critic, I was SURPRISED viii
review of the work in one of our best and
most widely circulated literary journals II
was written with great talent. as we'll ne Gle
gance and sprightiness of style, and in the
most friendly spirit. On inquirine for the
name OF our good natured and able critic the
authors were surprised TO learn that he was
The composition who had set up the whole of
the manuscript, and who knew ii only in that
way. Our friend has since laid down the
stack Tor the pen, and is now, trust. vim
ing his way TO fame and fortune, in another
country.
Although single out this instance, 7 men
ton IT not as "a singular one but merely as an
example OF one amongst many similar.
But 10 return 10 the idea with which be-
gan. IL was there, and in such COMPANY
That learnt to give its due import TO Frank
lin term OF the Chapel, which, if il has be-
come obsolete in many parts of our country,
ought not TO nc so.
lheTe learnt, amongst printers, and
presses, and forms, what every davis obser
walton OF my life out of doors confirmed to
me, that this was indeed a CHApEt.-not of
fabulous deity, or traditionarv saint. but
the true Chapel of LIBERTY. There is her
living presence, her home, and the seat of
her power: There are the altars unon
which are hourly kindled the pure and
bright lights Of useful knowledge. for the
guiding and illumination of mankind -
There, too, The Goddess treasures mn her
arms, her @gis, and her ligbinipps There
is shc worshipped by faitiul. an assiduons
an intelligent, an ardent and bold and higb2
minded priesthood.
Permit me 10 condense these few ideas in
10 toast and to ask you TO join in drinking
THE Printing office The Chapel where
Liberty is devouuy worshipped where she
kndles upon her own affairs, the lipbts of
truth; whence she hurls her own avenpino
'hunderoolts upon the tyrant aud the bieot.
MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.
"A iad about Is years Of age, named Alex
amer mcdonald, came TO the watch house