The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-04

ground" The sheep is called" the molten
sive hog"-the goat, " the hog with horns
the cat, the =" house-climbing rat"-and
infants, " little ik-drinkers."
The islanders have made less advances
! in the natural sciences than in morals, for
though a great many can read and write,
they believe the sky TO be a substantial
dome, and that the fixed stars are nails
driven into it, having brilliant heads
Pomarre promulgated code of laws,
which are now in print, and which the most
of the natives can read. Who would have
predicted this in Capt. Cooks time! The
code Las nineteen articles some of which
| follow:
"Of Brying and Selling" "iVhen per-
son buys any property, let BIN consider
well before he gives his owe property in
exchange for the property of anolher-if
he wishes to have his own again, he shall
not unless the other party is agreeable
Persons must not undervalue or cry down
the property of another-it is very bad
The persons who are buying and selling,
let themselves buy and sell without the in
reference of those who have nothing at all
to do with the matter"
"Of Sabbath breaking" alt is great
sin to work on the Sabbath-day. No hons-
es nor canoes must be built. If the people
desire to hear missionary preach they may
90, but let not the excuse of going to hear
the word of God he the cover for some 9TH
er business"
"On Raising False Reports" The
punishment of those who raise false re-
ports of another, Of stealing or any thing
bad, is 10 make path A miles long and 4
bn l,
and make good road" If this law should
he adopted with us, it would be of vast ad-
vantage to our internal improvements.
The above details are obtained from an
other publication--hut the Deputies attend
ed several Courts, which were decorously
held, though without gowns or wigs. One
case was this: The plaintiff had engaged
certain personsto plant his tobacco, but two
strangers interfered and gave their aid to
the hired laborers. When the crop was
ripe, these two came and took part of it
tor their servces-!he action, therefore,
was, to recover the tobacco of them or
damages. The judges, without knowing it,
had an action of trover, but the decision
was deferred.
There was criminal case on the docket.
The two prisoners were charged with hav.
ing stolen some bread -fruit-one of the
judges inclined to make the crime rebel
lien, as it broke the Kings law and outirag-
ed his authority. The culprits confessed
the act; and it is stated that few ever de-
ny, or fear to confess the truth.
This is not the first time, by some thou
sands, that the following letter From an
Aunt in Ireland to her Nephew" has been
published; but falling upon it recently,
and remembering how hearty laugh it af-
forded us, we have decided upon republica-
ton
DEAR NEPHEw,-I have not written TO
you since my last before now, because as
we had moved from our former place of liv-
ing, and | did not know where IA letter
would find you; but | now with pleasure
take my pen, to inform you of the mean-
choly news of the very sudden death of
your only living uncle Fitzpatrick, who died
very suddenly last Y eek after lingering
illness of five months. The poor man was
in violent commissions the whole time of his
sickness, laying perfectly quiet and speech
less, all the while talking incoherently, and
calling for water. had no opportunity of
informing you of his death sooner, except
had wrote you by last post, which was off
two days before he died, and then you
would have postage to pay. am at loss
10 tell what his death was occasioned bv.
but fear that it was brought on by his last
sickness, for he was never well ten DAYS TO-
getherduling the whole time of his coE6ne
ment, and believe his sickness was occa-
stoned by his eating too much of rabbits,
stuffed with peas and gravy, or peas and
gravy stuffed with rabbits, | can't tell
which; but be that as it will, as soon as he
breathed his last, the doctors gave over all
hopes of his recovery.
| need not tell you any thing about his
age, for you well know that in December
next, he would have been 45 years old, lack
ing ten months, and had he lived till then.
he would have been just six months dead.
His property now devoves to his next of
kin, who all died some time ago, so that !
expect it will he divided between US. and
you know his property was something con
siderable; for he had fine estate, which
was sold to pay his debts, and the remain
der he lost on horse-r race but it was the
opinion of every body at the time that he
would have won the race, if the horse he
ran against had not been too fast Tor him.
L never saw man, and the doctors all said
so, that observed directions, and took mcdi-
cine better than he did he said he had as
llet drink cruel as wine, if it only had the
same taste, and would as soon take ialap as
eat beef-steaH, if it had only the same rel
lsh. But poor soul, he will never eat or
drink more, and now you have not living
relation IN the world except myself and your
two cousins who were killed in the last war.
cant dwell on this mOurnful subject. and
shall seal my letter with black sealing wax,
and put on it your uncle's coat of arms. so
| beg you not to break the seal when YOU
open the letter, AMI don't open it till three
or four days after you receive it, by which
time you will be prepared for the sorrowful
tidings. When you come to this place,
stop-and do not read any more till nv
next. Your affectionate aunt.
P. S. Don't write to me again till You re-
ceive this. Yours, &c. *A*Ff *x**
LAcoNIC. An English gentleman who rarely
said much, and when he did speak, spoke al
ways to the point, was once travelling on horse.
BACK with his servant, a man much like his
master On crossing bridge. the nobleman
stopped his horse, and thus addressed his ser.
want; " John ?" "Sir" Do YOU like eggs ?"
Yes sir" They then rode on Some months
alter, business calling the nobleman into the
country, he crossed the same bridge, and again
turned to his servant " John 2" SIR"
How ?" " Boiled, sir" was the immediate
reply.
CASE OF EMERGENCY. An lrishman who
made an honest penny by s,rapn;ng borses and