The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-07-03

" Britannia rules the wave," she must have ar
rived at Boston before the mail left that city last
evening.
A Voice from the Grave-The Newspaper
Press Of the Revolution.
We publish on the first page of this days paper
one OF the most interesting literary curiosites with
which we have met In long period. II is copy
OF the Massachusetts Spy" newspaper published
at Worcester four years after the memorable epoch
when the independence Of the United States was
announced to the world. 1t presents, in the most
forclble manner possible, perfect picture Of so
cety in that day of heroic virtue and addresses 10
us OF this generation words OF warning, instruc-
ton and admonition, which sound like the solemn
speech of one arisen from the grave. This curious
newspaper is printed on a single sheet Of extra
fooscap, the paper being Of aqualty scarcely equal
10 that of the irsest wrapping paper. The type is,
however, bold and clear, and the typography exc
cuted with considerable taste, and evidently with
great care.
This paper published in the very midst of
the perilous days Of the revolution. The hard
struggle was still going on between the mercenary
troops of Great Britain, and the devoted bands of
freemen fighting for their liberties. New York
was In the hands of the enemy. The coasts were
blockaded by the enemy's fleet. The treachery of
the traitor, Arnold, had just been rewarded by a
high command in the British service. The sad
fate OF the unfortunate Andre was yet fresh in the
minds OF all Clouds and darkness yet rested on
the fortunes OF the infant republic. There still
much to threaten the destruction of the hopes of
the patriot. But not one shadow of dependency
rests upon the face of the "Spy." 1t is as cheer
fu, as buoyant as hopeful and strong hearted if
1t were the messenger only OF victory and triumph.
Reflected on its brown and tme-stained pages, we
see as In mirror, that earnest, calm, unshrinking,
dgniied and resolue spirit which never for an in
slant, even in the darkest night OF that long era OF
sacrifice and glory, deserted the heroes of the Re-
volution.
An old newspaper is always deeply interesting
II Is the most graphic record of the past II is to
history what the light and shade and details are to
picture, or the garnlture of the stage to drama
1t brings up wildly before US the forgotten actors
IN the events OF other generations, with all their
daily business-their infinite variety Of calling and
pursuit-their eager attention to the thousand OBJ
iects OF day, which persisted with them-th their
light esteem OF men and things which gave the
character to their age--ther tastes-thelr customs
their manners-we obtain, indeed, an insight as
1t were, into the mechanism of the worlds progress
and If we be wise, we find something more than
mere food for curiosity. And so has this Spy"
transported us back two generations. The battle
fields OF the Revolution, yet smoking with the heat
and carnage of the fray-the toilsome marches of
the American militia-the Spartan-lke simplicity
OF manners which characterized our Revolutionary
fathers-the Republican painness displayed every
where In all classes of society-the ardent love oil
liberty which pervaded all minds-are all presented
to our view with singular distnctness. This single
sheet gives us better idea of that day than
whole volume of Sparks
The first article, addressed by the publisher,
"Isaiah Thomas," to 1.-THE lovers of literature in
the county OF Worcester" extremely interesting.
There is delicious quaintness fine old Anglo
Saxon purity of tone about it, which render it al
most palatable of the essays in the
Spectator" With what modest dignity and
substantial good does he make his appeal for
public favor! How immeasurably superior to the
nauseating pufs, and sef-adulation of the publish
ers OF our day The address to the assembly men,
Is very Interesting article. No one can ia to be
struck by the delcacy, the sound sense, and the
patriotic spirit with which the members elect OF
the General Assembly reminded of their duties,
and high and honorable responsibilities. Here
again, the contrast which this address presents 10
the low, vulgar, abusive, and violent partizan
lutons and addresses Of the present day, rebounds
but little to the credit Of the descendants of the
men of that generation with whom we now hold
converse in the "Spy.'
We have read with especial qualification the long
and able letter, addressed to Sir Henry Clinton
Who can read it without admiring us dignihed
tone-its entire freedom from scurrilous abuse-its
frank, manly, patriotic spirit! There is indeed all
intellectual majesty about almost every thing writ
ten by the leaders of popular opinion during the
volutionary era, which commands the highest res
pect. deep sense Of the solemnity of their posi-
ton, as men sentfor the defence oflbery-as men
to whom the sacred cause of human freedom had
been as it were specially committed, appears 10
have been ever present with these men-to have
given character of dignity and deepest rnest-
ness to all that they did and all that they wrote,
This letter to Sir Henry Clinton is favorable spe
simen Of the subdued, yet resoute temper which
distinguished the men Of 76. Nor are the
advertisements by any means the least nte-
resting portion Of this paper. That one address
ed to the ladies, admonlshing them good
daughters Of the young republic 10 save the cotton
and linen rags for the paper mill, is quite curios
ty. We hear great deal said about the ingenuity
elegance Of some of the advertisements nowadays
but we defy the most accomplished master Of this
important department OF literature, to approach in
any OF their most elaborate compositions, the deli
cacy with which "Isah Thomas" hints that the
ladies will, besides serving their country, receive
ten shiings per pound for the rags, which he wish
es them to collect. Then the announcement OF
the "Almanac,' is one Of the best things of the
kind we have ever seen. We doubt very much
whether the little puffer general Of The Harper's,
or the publishers of the "Mirror Library" could
beat it, and that's not saying little in its praise
rs puff, albeit the wares Of the mertorious ma
nufacturers Just alluded to, may well deserve good
putting.
The letter, extracted from one of the London
Journals, and signed "a Brton" has reference 10