Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-09-23

me that his mind was filled with prcjudices
pre-conccived, which rendered him a partial
Judge, it would be out of place to record in these
'recolections' the names OF those whom he did
not admire.
you are aware, sir, said no to me ons
day, "that opposed the war, as thought it
very unnecessary one but after hostilites had
actually commenced, felt as an American ci.
| tizen, and being desirous of giving what small
aid l could to the government raised a corps
! among my neighbors, and then wrote TO the
Secretary at War, requesting to be informed in
what way l could be most useful How long
! do you suppose il took for the cabinet to decide
on my simple application! Nine days, sir -
just the time it takes for aycung puppy to open
his eyes,
This give as a specimen Of his peculiar sa-
tire in political matters. A disinterested per-
son would be very apt to think that with so
many momentous affairs before him, the secfe-
tury was rather quick than otherwise in send
ing reply within nine days.
Prejudiced as he was against New England
men, was rather surprised with the answer
he gave to my question,-'NVho is your favor
te candidate for president after Mr.. Monroes
time expires!'
why, SIR replied he. Il should at once say
Rufus King, if it were not for the ,crong vote
he gave on the Missouri question. He is the
best man north OF the Potomac, gentleman of
the old school; and, above all, sir he is an ho-
nest nlan-rather a singular exception among
politicians at present, sr.--He made sad mis-
take on that question but he believed himself
in the right, sir and | esteem him still, al.
though he will never do for president now A
southern man we must have, but where 10 place
my choice / cannot yet decide, sir. Uncle
Nat would be the best man, but he is too wise
TO take it, if offered and too honest TO get it, if
candidate, sir
have mentioned that he had with him ve-
ry large box, filled with books of every de-
scrption. He was kind enough to offer me the
use of them, saying
Take my advice, and don't read any of the
novels and when you get home, sir, tell your
father that recommended abstinence from no.
vel-reading and 'ohiskeypunch. Depend upon
it, sir, they are both equally injurious to the
brains
His iavorite author was Milton and he fre-
Guently gave US readings from Paradise Lost, ;
stopping occasionally 20 point out the beauties
of,he poem. Young, Thompson, Johnson and
Southey did not please his taste they were,
he said too artificial. But his classification OF
modern poems was very original.
Sir place first on this list Tom Cribs Me-
mortal to Congress- for it's great wit and sa.
/, tire; next the Two-penny Post-lug,' for simi.
, lar excellencies ; and third, Childe Harold's
= Pilgrimage, for every variety of sentiment
| well expressed. But, sir, (no offence to Ire,
land,) can't go Monroc's songs they are toe
sentimental by half; all ideal, sir, and abor,
7 nature.+
: Turning over his books one morning | wa.
| very clever, satired poem, which had been re
, Gently published.
i am glad said | , that you do not prescribe
Yankee poetry as well as Yankee Goldfish.
I WI HO, rl, piltu always dullllIt
I lent, no matter where it comes from and
n consider this little work as the best specimen
+. Of American poetry that We have yet seen.
| am proud of it, sir and mean to take it tC
Il London with me, and 10 present it to tina, lady
n whose talents and conversation shall most ad
i mire'
n may meuton here, although somewhat on
J. Of place. that when we me, in London in June
Il following, suddenly rccollected this circun
)! stance, and said to him:
:, by the way, Mr.. Randolph, to whom dix
| you present Fanny -
- TO your country woman, Miss Edgeworth
u sir she has no competitor, in my estimation
I, She fairly won the beck, sir
y He proposed one fine morning to read Fan
,r ny TO ME aloud, and on deck, where we wer
n, enjoying fine breeze and MONDAY sun.
,e was the most amusing reading ever listene
#. to. The notes were much longer than tn
h. poem for, whenever he came TO a well know
D. name, up wen, his spectacles and down wer
ir, the book, and he branched off into some anet
dote of the person or OF his family. Thus W
i progressed slowly from page to page, and
:, actually consumed three mornings before "
;. reached,
= "And music ceases when /, rains
IL In Scuddel balcony"
On The anecdotes were Of too personal natur
X tor insertion here, vet they were not N