davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

CIVILIZATION AND INsANIrY.-A correspon-
dent of the National Intelligencer says, that
learned physician of Paris, NJ Boismount,
at late meeting of the Academy ofSciences,
read the results of his long and extensive
study OF the Influence of Civilization in the
production or development of Insanity. 1t
appears that the wits are disordered in far
greater number of cases in progressive conn
tries, such as England, France, and America.
than in the stationary, such as South Ameri,
ca, China. Persia, and Turkey. Alienation
of mind is more frequently caused by moral
than physical agency, and the proportion of
line crazy is according tc the activity and ed
vances Of civilized society, rather than to the
amount of population.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
Profractcd Vital;ty Of Seeds.-Without adj

Profracfcd Vitality Of Seeds.-Without adj
hitting such doubtful cases as those of seeds
preserved i'll mummies having terminated,
there are many instances of seminal lonreyi-
ty about which there can be no doubt
Books contain an abundance of instances of
plants having suddenly sprung up from the
SOIL obtained from deep excavations, where
the seeds must be supposed to have been bu-
RED for ages. Professor Henslow says that
In the fens Of Cambridgeshire, after the sur
lace has been drained and the soil ploughed,
large crops ofblack and white mustard inva-
Tlabiy appear. Miller mentions case of
flantago Psyllium having sprung from the
SOIL OF an ancient ditch which was cmptied
at Chelsea, although the plant had never been
seen IN the memory of man. De Chandollc
says that Nj. Garerdia succeeded in raising
kidney beans from seed at least a hundred
years old, taken out ofthe hcrbarium ofTour-
neiort; and l have myself raised raspberry
plants from seeds found in an ancient coffin,
In burrow in Dorsetshire, which seeds. from
the CONS and other relics met with near them,
may be estimated to have been sixteen or sew
enteen hundred years old.
Hartford Cowant.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
.Rnecao.e of the Iete Einp of p,ySs;

.fnecaote Of The late King Of Prussia
(From the Constitutional. )-On the evening
preceding the day of his death, His Majesty.
who had been accustomed TO hear the work
ing OF pump which stood in the yard of the
Palace, and to which the public were allow
ed free access on account of the excellence of
the water, demanded why it was he no long
or heard 1t. On being informed that it was
locked up, lest It's noise should disturb his
majesty, open it immediately" replied the
hing;'i VIII not have my people, because
am i'll, condemned to drink bad waters
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
TERMS OF THE SPECTATOR.

The Spectator is published weekly, by
KENTON HARPER, at Two Dollars a
year, if paid in advance-or Two Dollars and
Fifty Cents, after the expiration of the first
six months. No paper will be discontinued,
but at the option oithe editor, until all arrear-
ages arc paid. advertisements, not ex-
cceding thirteen lines of printed matter, in
sert d three weeks for one dollar. Larger ad
vertisements in the same proportion. A lib
eral discount will be made to advertisers by
the year.
0|Letters on business must be postpaid.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

Or'de Of hon-Sponfaneous Comb,.,t;o,
MIR. Marsh, an able chemist Connected u.;,l,
the Royal Arsenal, recently discovered that
1t Is an invariable rule with iron which has
remained for considerable time under water
when reduced to small grains, or an impalna,
oie powder, to become red hot, and ignite any
object, with which it may come in contact.
ms he experienced by scraping some corro.
oed metal from gun, which ignited the pa
per containing 1t and burnt hole in his NOE
ket. The knowledge of this fact may be nse-
iui In accounting for sp ontaneous fires the or
Ign OF which has never been traced.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
going before them, and encouraging them by
their own example.

Od Bdcheiors.-We never could, for the
liie OF MS, perceive, why old maids should
manifest such mortal antipathy to old bach.
elors. There Is no reason i'm their wrath
lis spitetul, cruel and uncalled for; the
tramplng on reed already broken. 1t is
like logging cripple with his own crutches
because he is lame. Few men are bache-
lors of their own free will. Go to the veri-
est mlsanthrope among them, and ask him OF
his history, and he will tell you of the un-
forgotten hours of his early affections; and
MS eye viii light up again with It's wonted
energy, as ne relates the story of his love.
Tor one who had proved faithless, or whose aft.
fectlons were repressed by the rude hand of
arbitrary authority, or who had gone down to
the church-yard, beautiful bud plucked from
,he tree OF being to open and expand i'm a
brightei and holier sunshine, where no worm
could gnaw at its bosom, and no blightino
descend upon it.
Talk not to us Of the sorrows of old maids I,
They are light as air in comparison to those
'ot bachelors; the patter of the small rain TO
the overwhelming Of the deluge. Old maids
can commune together and mingle in the
charities and kindly Offices and sympathies of
existence.
1t is not so with the bachelor. Hehas no
home; he has nc happy freside; no child to
"'n i'io piesSinS no Deautifui creature OF
smiles and tones to welcome his coming, and
melt away the sternness of care with the
warm kiss of affection; no patient watcher
at his couch of sickness, stealing with ahush
ed and gentle step around him, like the visi-
tation of spirit. True, his sorrows are
somewhat OLA negative ctaracter.-But what
Is 1t, save positive agony. for him to craze, all
his life long, upon the Paradise of Matrimo-
ny, like half starved school boy upon the
garden whose enclosures he cannot scale!
Hartford Repiew.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

GARRISON ENDORSING TIE FREE NEGRO TKs-
TiMoNy.-The Emancipator thus decidedly
lntimates its appreciation of ans inability
to find any thing Objectionable in negroes tes-
tifylng against officers of the Navy
"A late occurrence shows that even our Fe-
derat Gooernmenf, is not quite so far gone in
disregard of humanity and justice, as the gov
eminent Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. -
The allusion TO this Church is, in conse-
quence of the declaration ola late Conference,
held IN baltimore, that is improper to admit
negro testimony against white men.
Richmond Uhic.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

immature Mechanism.-'The PhiIadelpb;,
Leger states that model locomotive engine
has been constructed by Mr.. William Norris
Jr. OF the most elegant kind, intended as =
present to the Emperor of Russia. II is onlv
81 inches In length and about one-third that
SIZE IN breadth and perfect in all its parts
U NJ: saturday, Mr.. Norris was visited by the
Minister of Russia, his family and suite. &C.
companled by Mr.. Dallas, to view the per.
torrance OF the little engine.-lt was set IN
hiouon on circular railway, attached to a
puraen car containing $50 lbs. and drew the
ioau WIN swiftness and ease. The we'll
earned fame of Mr.. Norris, in Eurone. ;rdn-
ced the Emperor Of Russia to signify, througb
ms minister at Washington, that such a. pres.
ent would be acceptable. "A word to the
wise," &c. ''''
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

NaShriHe Conccntion.-This promises TO be
an immense gathering. We see by our ex-
change papers from all parts Of the south
west, that large delegations, well sprinkled
with able speakers, have been appointed from
almost all the counties. Knoxville sends
zoo, and Lexington about 100. Amongst
the Lexington delegates, we see the names
OF Henry Clay, Robert Wickliife, 3. w.
Dudley, r. IL. Menefee, &c. Louisville
sends upwards Of 100; and several delepa-
lions distinguished for number and talent,
have been appointed in Arkansas and Mis-,
sissippi.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

a Doutle Bereavement by Lightning.-A
melancholy circumstance occurred in Cooke
county, Tenn. near Newport, on the 25tb of
June. Three of the sons of the Reverend Sa.
muel Lotspeich, (Benjamn, Ebert and Hy-
ram,) were at work some distance from tho
house. About or 3 O'Clock there was an
appearance of rain coming on; they left the
held and went to large sycamore tree:
which stood on the bank of Pigeon river. for
shelter; the tree had a hole cut to the hollow.
some ten by fifteen inches in size the ho,.
low was some five OF six feet in Diameter
The account which Benjamin gave was as
follows:
Hyram, the youngest, entered the hole first.
and took his position on one side of the tree
E'oert entered next, and occupied the other
side; benjamin went in and took his posi-
ton between the two. Soon after the tree
was struck by lightning, near the top it pas
sed down the trunk, tearing wide column. of
scales and loose bark from the tree. About
fifteen or twenty feet from the ground, il
seems TO have parted and come down in two
columns, each passing perpeudicularIy over
the hole through which the boys entered
The two boys who sat next to the tree were
killed, ard the other very seriously iniured
1t seems almost incredible to suppose that the
| one who escaped death was in the tree at all
or near; from an examination of the tree. and
the manner IN which the lightning entered the
hole, his account of it seems to be correct =
Each side OF the tree seems TO have served se
conductor; for just where they sat next tn,
tree, there are visible signs of its knocI,ine
OH scales some twelve or fifteen inches :,
ngth.-knorriNc Times. >
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

From the Rev. VIM. Kirby's work Bridge
water Treatise,) on the history, habits, and
instincts Of animals.
81 once saw" says Sir II. Davy, ga very
interesting sight above one of the craps Of
Ben Nevis as / was going, on the goth Of
August, in the pursuit of black game. Two
parent eagles were teaching their offspring,
two young birds, the maHeuvres of flight
They began by rising from the top of a
mountain in the eye of the sun-it was about
midday, and bright for this climate. They
at first made small circles, and the YOUNG
birds initiated them they paused on their
wings, waiting till they had made their first
flight, and then took second and LARGER ov-
ration, always rising towards the sun. and
onlarging their circle of flight, so as to make
gradually extending spiral. The vouno
ones still slowly followed, apparently Hyin9
better as they mounted; and they continued
this sublime kind ofexeTcise, always rising.
till they became mere points in the air, and the
young ones were lost, and afterwards their
parents, to our aching sight,
What an instructivelesson to Christian ma.
rents does this history read! How power
fully doesit excite them to teach their chill
dren betlmes to look towards Heaven and the
Sun Of Righteousness, and TO elevate their
thoughts thither, more and more ON the wines
Of faith and love; themselves all The while
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

BARKlNG.-A story is tol d Of certain
Judge III Vermont, which has a moral, if il
can GeJ 0"nd out. A babbling politician once
met MN at tavern, and commenced abusing
MN III loud and boisterous tone. Atlenoth.
'ne 'udge' annoyed by the fellows imperti.
Hehce' SAID ''Sir, You remind ME of a little
cog my father had when was boy, that used
70 go our at nights and bark at the moon.''-
ana what then :" asked the babbler.--
Nothing more than that the moon kent or
shining" replied the Judge. as he o1iet ~
walked of.-.Yirg.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
OFFICE HOLDERS INTERFERENcE.

we commend the following extract (says
The North Americana from the laws regulat-
Ing elections in Great Britain, to our own CT
uzens' as worthy of notice. 1t was passed
IN 1852, during the time OF the prevalence of
the Wing Democratic party of England in
power and is usually known as ssMr. Fox's
Act" that great Wing leader being then at
the head of the ministry.
MR.. FOX'S ACT.
by the p Geo. Ill. c. 4I-No person en-
ployed in managing or collecting the duties
OF the excise, customs, stamps, salt, windows
or houses, or the revenue of the post office.
shall vote at any election.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
From tie Bankers Circular, london 1u,< ee

From tie BANKERS Circular, London. .June Of
There are, however, other circumstances
arising out OF the perp!eXed monetary affairs
OF the United States which the British mann
facturers should consider, however DISAGREE.
abe IL may be TO us to be the means of cal
ing their attention to them. The price of
manufacturing labor lii the u. States has fall
len, we believe, more than one-thjrd from the
scale OF 1857. One consequence of this
is to reduce the cost Of production, for capi-
n'ls's lower profits on stock, when laborers
SINK their wages. We are credtablv inform
ed That some kind Of Cotton goods nanuGac-
tured In the northern States OF the Republic
can be brought to England, pay the import
duty and other charges, and be sold in the
Manchester market at ten per cent under the
present low prices Of similar goods made in
Lancashire.
From the same authority we learn tina;
batcbetS made in the United States can be sold
lii Birmingham, so as to pay a much higher
! profit to the importers than the s'piece-poods'
from the same county would afford wher
/ sold in Manchester. We have heard Of moth
ing which threatens to entrench upon thu
wooilen and worstcd. silk, pottery, linen ant
hosiery branches of British manufactures
/ but the foregoing facts we consider to be omi
! nous and untoward indications of fortbcom
ing rivalry which cannot fail, in the course q
a brief space of time, to affect some of tn
most fonrishng OF ouF manufacturing int,
ests. We believe that after every period {
severe pressure the factories Of the u. STATE
Will get into activity and afford remuneratiy
profits to their owners much earlier than tho.
OF hhgiano, because wages have not in II
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

u isconsin.-T'hc Hungarian Nobies arc
entering lands rapidly in Wisconsin,. The
nave made large entries Immediately North
OF some OF the lands Of Mr.. Switzerland of phi
ladelphIa. These gentlemen are full of mo.
ney, and intend to settle largely in this bean
uini territory. Their present visit is made
with the view of securing home for thcir
inends, who will shortly embark fcr this
country .-Philad. Ina.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

POWER OF MAcuINERy &c ,,,,
that two hundred human arms with moc,,;aaa
now manufacture as much cotton as twen,v
millions of arms were able to manufactnr,
without machines forty years ago. Il is f,r.
ther calculated that the quantity of manufac-
lures OF all sorts, at present produced bv Bri,-
Ism workmen, with the aid of machines !.
SO great that it would require, without that
aid, Jour hundred millions of ,,orEmen
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

TIE Girls Of Pavfuchet.-The man appoint
ed to take the census in Pawtucket. Mass.
experiences, so says the Gazette, the greatest
oiiicuity In ascertaining the ages of the girls,
none OF whom plead guilty ofbeing over TWEEN
ty-fonr. in one family he found no less than
nineteen, all between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-four;
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

The Wings had a great meeting at Eliza
BEETHOVEN, Hamilton county, Ohio, a few DAYS
ago. ok thousand sturdy freemcn were on
the ground. Mr.. Corwin, the Hon. William
Southgate, and other distinguished orators
famed with the strong breath of their clo-
quence the flame of patriotism.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

MIR. Senator Buchanan, of PENNSYLVANIA.
addressed a large crowd, in Monument SQUARE
Baltimore, on Friday evening the 3lst nlt.
). 5. Prentice, of Mississippi, addressed y
large assembly recently at Buffalo, n. "
lie was to address meeting to be held in the
city of New York on the Sd.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

HJetc more Acres.-There was tremen-
dous gathering of Wings at Jefferson, Ash
tabuia county, Ohio, on the ltl inst. II is
SAID there were from to 10000 voters-and
lG to 1900 ladies'.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

Six thousand Wings assembled at Jersey
city on Thursday, at Log Cabin raising,
gnd were addressed by Senator Southal. o.
den, Hoffman, Captain Stockton and several
other gentlemen.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

One TERM.-Ina letter to John Adams.
November, 1897, Mr.. Jefferson, said
~ wish at the end of four years, they had
made him (ths Presidency INELIGIBLE 4 SEC
oTD TINE"
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

FORMER country been pressed down TO the low
est state compatible with human sustenance
ana VIII yield to the pressure promptly: and
because the prices of food are extremely low
anu anu are likely to continue so for years to
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13
"And ali the time
Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds.

Onward pressed the great rivals, with
mighty jerks of their body, each sure of the
prize, and each laboring with gigantic ener-
gies to secure it. Fatty had the lead, and
was within few yards Of the goal, urging
himself forward to the great graft fication Of
his hackers, when unluckily he fell prostrate;
loud shout marked his downfall, but he
would not take it as defeat full of zeal and
hope, yet finding itimpossibie to rise, he aim
ed for the goal by another process, and CON-
menced rolling, while his competitors re.
doubled their leaps. Forward rolled the
PROSTATE leader, his unwieldy bulk fayoring
him by making each circumference of his bo-
dys goodly distance of horizontal measure.
!nent. He pulled and rolled, while the others
ieaped and shouted, and the dingy Falstaff
would have won the prize bat for the unfor-
tunate circumstance ofhis shoulders BEING lar
ger than his heels : this gave him, instead ofa
direct, diagonal motion; and while his com
petitors touched the line, he, poor fellow, had
rolled twice the distance, but not towards the
goal.-What were the fsthmean or Olvmpian
games to these Of what could the Roman
Emperor have boosted equal to the dongs of
the winners ofthese prizes And why Shall
not these athlete 60 down to fame with those
whose names and deeds fill the songs of the
bards of old 1t will 90 hard but you and |
shall earn an immortality if such deeds as
these are to be achieved for record.
Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-13

a ''sach race came off last week, on the
sea beach at Cape May, which is thus descri-
bed by the editor of the Philadelphia U. S.
GaZette;-
Four blacks were put each of them into a
stout canvass bag, which was brought up and
tied round the neck, so that their feet and
hands were both fast Two of the aspirants
for money and fame were of the ordinary size ;
third was huge piece of ebony that shone
like a thunder cloud the fourth was lad.
The preliminaries having been arranged, the
band played q joyous tune, the signal was
given, and off started the racers. AT the
third leap the little one fell, and being wholly
unable to rise, was troddcn down by the igno-
ble crowd that pressed upon the rear of the
ethers.-Onward pressed the other three,
aeaping like kangaroos, putting ard hopping,
the crowd urging them forward with shouts
and exutations, and the ladies and their
sqaires on the bank encouraging them with
pcais Of laughter,
The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-01-15
ENGLISH ITEMS.

Great Tro.tiag Match Of The 4,atrcan Horse
Raaler.-This celebrated horse is now in En-
gland. and on the 3lst Of November trotted owe
the Aintree Course. ten miles, against the l. az
dy Birmingham mare. ,nd the Glasgow mare.
for JOINT purse Of $500. lie was entered as
Bob Logic, and his rider. Bill Wheelau. was
called Smith.
After three false starts. the nass went Oh
nearly together, the Birmingham mare taking
the lead, but she was soon headed by Bob Log
&c, who completed the l549 yards Ia 3 iuiu. 90
sec, the Blrmina ham mare yin. close to his
quarters at the chair, and the Glasgow mare 20
sec. in the rear OF the leading horse. Imme.
diaiely after passing the winning chair. they
had 10 trot seven times round 10 complete the
ten miles, each round being 2295 ards. Log
&c retained the lead. and, In min. 30 sec. from
the time Of Starring, finished the first time round
the Glasgow mare being next 10 sec 10 his rear.
and the Lady close in her wake. At the turn
up bill. Logic shot out about so yards IN sd-
vance Of the others. and, in IA mia. 40 sec,
flushed the two miles and l549 yds. tine Glas-
gov mare second. Bob still Kept the lead. and
the mares alternately changed places during
the third round. which Logic completed 10 20
min. III Sec. the others being neck and neck.
Al the turn. Logic again left them in the rear
by shout so yards. the two mares strugglin
hard to come up with him ;'the lady breaking
10 the straight run towards the CHAIR, which
was passed by Bob in advance OF the others !;
25a minutes having expired: the Glasgow mare
was within leugth OF the lesding horse. and
the Lady close on the hsunohe of the Scotch
mare. The rider OF Bob Logic continued the
NJ nf ,f he
turn. aad a, so much greater distance than
heretofore that any odds were laid OF him. At
the conclusion OF the filth round. which was
completed by him in 80 min. 30 sec. the Glas-
gov mare vas second and although Bob had
gone vel ahead round this coruer, they we're
all well up at the Stewards stand. AT The ter
mi1,'ion VI the sin,h round. - min - sec
The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-01-15
,ade, and carried in the affirmative.

made, and carried in the affirmative.
Mr. Lawrence. Of Mass. presented memo
rial from citizens Of the United States. psiden,
st Canton, praying the protection Of Congress
IL was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. and ordered 10 he printed.
The orders Of the day we're now taken up,
aud Mr. Bolts. OF Virginia. toek the floor, and
made long speech. on tho subject Of the New
Jersey contested election.
Mr.. Randolph. of New Jersey. followed. and
held the floor when the House adjourned.
On FRIDAY. the debate was resumed and
continued until the close Of the report, without
any decision. The only question taken on the
subject. was upon motion made by Mr. Cliff
ford Of Maine. TO have the statement touching
the New Jersy question read to the House,
which Mr.. Garland. the Clerk. had prepared
and wished to read several weeks ago. The
vote was taken and decided in the affirmative,
10 to 69; and the statement was read.
The election Of printer was further postpoo-
ed until this day. the 18th inst,
In the SrsATE, the debate upon the Florida
Bill was resumed, and il was recommitted to be
amended