The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-08-01
MISCELLANY.

from the press of the New York Harpers,
and will, beyond all doubt, deeply arrest
and rivet the public attention. 1t affords
a concise and correct biography Of one OF
the most remarkable imposters that has
fourished since the days of Simon de
Monfort, and unveils series Of practised
villainly that will stagger the belief OF
the most crejulous.
That man, like Robert Matthi-
as, destitute alike Of education and of
those loltier talents which distinguish
the man Of genus, and well skilled men of
the church, should have succeeded in
palming himself and his ten thousand idle
absurdities on men who have moved IN
the more elevated circles of life-par-
takers Of the ''first fruits" Of educ alton,
aud all the blessings Of refined society,
might excite our Especial wonder," if we
were not apprised that there is nothing too
outrageous for fanaticism to adopt-noth-
ing to wonderful and monstrous for the
sge in which we live
But while we profess to laugh at. the
moekeries and extravigances Of Matthias
whilst we honestly contem and ridicule
the arts he practised eur amazement is
relieved by the recoIecsion, that nothing
istoo gross or too offensive to be swallow
ed by those whose selfishness and blinded
selflove lead them to adopt any and every
theory, which prosessedly looks toward
the continuance which is beyound the
"green curtain" ofthc grave. Make men
but believe that life can be prolonged by
the reception Of some celebrated nostrunl,
and millions will swallow the poison
teach men that there is some new avenue
opened to the gates of celestial bliss, aud
willing crowds will place themselves be-
fore tho temple Of the jnggernaut, and
fall willing martyrs to superstition an un-
natural and morbid state Of excitement
When all is rocollected, the impostares
Of Matthias cea &c to be wonders. But to
return TO the book itself.
AS narrative Of facts--as a faithful de-
tail Of one of the most successful imposit-
ions ever practised on man, it is entitled
to the particular attention Of a reading and
rejecting public and its circulation must
be productive of much good Col Stone
has acquitted himself with great ability,
and has furnished work that is entitled
to all the commentator that can be be-
slowed. Although the book was got up
very hastily and without the assistance ofl
many ofthosc aids which fall in the way
Of Ike "bookwrght" fraturnity
standing its author was surrounded by the |
cares and vexations incident to the daily /
newspaper press-the work may be rank
ed first among successful performances
Of the day and it reflects no small cred
il on the taients and tact Of the head and
the hand employed TO bring i, into exist
ence. We hope it will be very generally
read and DO not doubt that its influence !
on society will be healthful and proper
tionate to its circulation.
The Rook Of Mormon, one of the most
ingenious and successful imposilions Of
the day, may cease 10 be a wonder, when
Col. Stones book Of Matthias and his i'm
postures shall have been read and we
advise all who have in the rcmotest degree
suffered themselves to be led into error
by the fansticism Of the age, to read with
care and with close attention. the book Of
the life and wonders OF Robert Matthias.
II 10 Tor sale by Mr.. Ticknor, Washington
Street. .--Bost. Com. Gas.
A female horse thief-A person by the
name Of Charles SteVa,t, was convicted
in the Court Of Sessions, New York city,
On Friday, on a charge stealing horse
after the conviction says the Mercantile
Advertiser, the prisoner informed The
counsel that she was a woman, and on
investigst alton il was found that her decla-
ration was true. She stated that she was
a native Of the Highlands Of Scotland
and that she had resided on Long Island,
the last four years, in the garb Of man.
The Philadelphia Inquirer Of Saturday
says, The oldest woman in tho world l.
now exhibiting at the Masonic Hall. =
She Is one hundred and sixty -one years
of svs ~