davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
HreakinR-np Of a River.

On the 18th of May, Hayes River,
which had been covered for nearly eight
months with coat Of ice upwards of six
feet thick, gave way before the floods occa.
stoned by the melting snow, and all the in
mates OF the fort rushed out to the banks
upon hearing the news that the river was
"going." On reaching the gate the sublim.
ity Of the spectacle that met our gaze can
scarcely be imagined. The noble river,
here nearly two miles broad, was entirely
covered with huge blocks and Jagged Jumps
OF ice, rolling and dashing against each
other iii chaotic confusion, as the swelling
floods heaved them up, and swept them with
irresistible force towards Hudsons Bay. In
one place, where the masses were too close
ly packed to admit Of violent collision, they
ground against each other with slow but
powerful motion, that curled their hard
edges up like paper, till the smaller Jumps,
unable to bear the pressure, were ground
to powder, and with loud crash, the res,
hurried on to renew the struggle elsewhere;
while the ice above, whirling swiftly round
in the clear space thus formed, as if delight.
ed at its sudden release, hurried onwards.-
In another place, where it was no. so close
ly packed. huge lump suddenly grounded
on shallow; and in moment the rolling
masses, which were hurrying towards the
sea with the velocity Of cataract, were
precipitated on it with noise like thunder.
and the tremendous pressure from above,
forcing block upon block with loud, his
sing noise, raised, as if by magic, an icy
castle in the air, which, ere its pinnacles
had pointed for second to the sky. fell
with stunning violence into the boiling food
from whence it rose. In a short time after.
wards the mouth Of the river became SO full
Of ice that it stuck there, and in less than
an hour the water rose ten or fifteen feet.
nearly to level with the top of the bank
In this state it continued for week; and
then, about the end of May, the whole
hoated quietly out to sea, and the cheerful
river gafgled along its bed with many
curling eddy and watery dimple ripping its
placid face, as if il smiled to think of hav.
ing overcome its powerful enemy, and at
last burst its prison walls.-Ballantyne's
Hudson's Bay.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

Jumps Of ice. This happened occasionally
when we arrived at the termination Of one
of those natural canals through which We
passed, and found il necessary to force our
way into the next. These conclusions were
sometimes very severe. and even made the
ships bell ring; but We needed this little. as
the vessel was provided with huge blocks Of
timber on her bows, called ice-pieces. and
was besides built expressly for sailing in the
northern seas. 1t only became annoying
at meal times. when a spoonful Of soup
would sometimes make little private e1-
cursion Of its own, over the shoulder Of its
owner, instead Of into his mouth. As We
proceeded, the ice became more closely
packed. and at last compelled US to bore
through it. The ship, however, was never
altogether detained, though much retarded.
recollect, while thus surrounded, filling a
bucket with water from pool on the ice, to
see whether it was fresh or not, as had
been rather seeptical upon this point. 1t
was excellent, and might almost compete
with the water from the famous spring Of
Crawley.-Ballanty,as's Hudson's Bay.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

Il always determine on affairs OF this sort
at once He paused-the heart Of the au.
thor sank. Mr.. Millar resumed: i cannot
offer more than two hundred pounds for
your work. Two hundred pounds cried
the delighted Fielding; and rushing from
his chair he shook the publisher by the hand,
then turning to the bell, summoned the
waiter, and ordered two more bottles OF
wine. Alas. poor Fielding there was no
saving that ill.starred, ill.conditioned, but
mos interesting man. from ruin. The in.
dependence of Fielding was of short dura-
ton; eventually he borrowed upon his works
five hundred pounds from Millar. a sum
which that generous man cancelled in his
will. One sickens over these details,
which bring to the mind the heartache oil
many tue genius, the disappointment, the
degradation, the despair. We dare not di
late on modern days, one trait OF which will
perhaps suffice. The Pleasures of Hopt
were refused by every publisher of London
and Edinburgh. and were only published al
last on condition that the author should be
content with the sum Of ten pounds only
and that rot until second edition had ap
peared."
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
a ship among iceberg.

1t is impossible to convey correct idea
OF the beauty, the magni6cence, Of some OF
the scenes through which we passed. Thou.
sands OF the most grotesque, fanciful, and
beautiful icebergs and icefelds surrounded
on all sides, intersec,ed by numerous serpen-
tine canals, which glittered in the sun (for
the weather was fine all the time we were
in the straits) like threads OF. silver twining
round ruined palaces Of crystal. The mas
ses assumed every variety Of form and size,
and many Of each bore such striking re-
semblance to cathedrals, churches, columns,
arches and spires that could almost fancy
we had been transported to one Of the float
ing cities Of Fairy land. The rapid mo-
ton. too, Of our ship, in what appeared a
dead calm, added much to the magical eff.
feet OF the scene. A light but stesdy breeze
urged her along, with considerable velocity,
through maze Of ponds and canals, which,
from the immense quantity of ice that sur
rounded them, were calm and unruffied as
the surface Of mill-pond. Not sound
disturbed the delightful stiffness of nature,
save the gentle ripping of the vessels bow
as she sped on her way. or the occasional
putting Of lazy whale, awakened from
nap BY our unceremonious intrusion on his
domains. Now and then, however, my rev.
cries were disagreeably interrupted by the
hip coming into sudden contact with huge
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23


Poor, freezing with cold in miserable
garrett, be studied by the side of his old bro
ken haIpsicord; the ardor Of his genius
alone left to animate him in contending
with the difficulties Of the way. At length
he was fortunate enough TO obtain some les
sons in Italian singing from his introduction
to the family Of a Venetian nobleman, Am.
bassador at Vienna. The famous Porporta
was still retained in his household, and
Haydn most eagerly sought his favor, in the
hope OF obtaining also his instruction. Hu-
initiation, and many "hope deferred, he
had to endure; for Porporta was ill-temper-
ed beyond conception, and although poor
Haydn rose early every morning to brush
his coat and shoes. and arrange his wig in
the incest order, in expectation Of propi-
tiating him, he had seldom more than the
polite epithet Of STOOL" bestowed on him
for his pains. And this was the future il.
lustrious author Of the Creation" At the
age OF nineteen. his voice breaking. he was
expelled from his class at Stephens Church,
where he had sung eleven years, and his
only asylum was in the house of wigma,
keI named Keller. Unfortunately his resi-
dence there had a fatal influence on bis az
ter life; for his host, too DESTROYS seemingly
OF making ample provision for his young
guest. proposed uniting him to one Of his
daughters, whilst Haydn was engrossed in
his studies, having no thoughts of love
made no objection; and afterwards keeping
his word with scupulous honor. the union
proved far from happy. On leaving the
house of his friend Keller 1--WE do not know
for what reason), for six long years he en-
dured bitter conflict against penury SC
piercing, that often during winter he wa.
obliged to lay in bed for want of fuel anC
other necessaries. An opportunity at las
presented itself OF improving his circumstan
ces; for by chance, the Prince Esterhazy
passionate amateur of music. was presen
at concert which very opportunely com
menced with one Of Haydn's pieces. tn,
delight of the Prince was nnbOunded, AM
he Immediately appointed the composer sub
director Of his orchestra. and he demanded
who he was. Haydn, in fear and tremb
ling. advanced, when the Prince exclaimed
"What, is the little Moor" (alluding Il
his complexion.) Then addressing him
added, go and dress yourself as my chapel
master. You must never appear again il
my presence in the plight you are now
You are too little, and have pitiful look
ing face. Get new coat and high heelet
shoes, that your stature may correspond
with your mind" Haydn was too happy
at his appointment to feel much chagIir
at his equivocal style of compliment
dinstrorfh.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
Publisher and Authors.

An interesting article lately appeared il
Fraser'S Magazine on literary affairs, o
which the following, suggestive of an occa
sional ''sober second thought" to publish
ers and Of the NIL desperandum to authors
Is quite quotable for its anecdotes.
''Some Of our most approved standard
works went begging from publisher to pub
Usher, and were only accepted by sort Of
accident at last. Prideaux's COnnerion be-
tioeen The Old and Nec Testament was,
Tor instance, handed from hand to hand, be.
tween five or six booksellers, for two years.
BY one publisher the author was gravely
told that the subject was dry; it should be
enlivened with a hnle hunlor.' At last
Echard recommended it to Tonson. Rob.
1,asoa Crusoe it is we'll known, ran through
the whole trade; finally, a bookseller. more
knowing than his brethren, published it,,
and realised thousand pounds from it
1rlaram Shandy was offered by Sterne TO
bookseller for fifty pounds, and was re-
jected; Dodsley eventually published it,
The public, too, were ofttimes as stupid as
the publishers. For instance, the Roseiad
was perfectly unsuccessful at first; only ten
copies were sold in FIVE days: at length
Gardck, finding his own praises in it, patro-
Missed it, and Churchill reaped a harvest
from its sale. Gray's ode on Eton Col.
tege, according to Warton, excited very
little attention. What may surprise some
people still more is. that Blsir's Sermons
were refused by Strahan the publisher. To
turn to another class of works. Burns
Justice was sold by Its author for a small
sum, Tor he was weary, as he declared, OF
imPortuning booksellers to buy it; it now
realizes an annual income. Buchan's Do
nestle Medicine was purchased for five
pounds. !.
sin light Literature the author was also
sacrificed to his own penury and eagerness,
and to the blindness or cupidiiy of the pub
Usher. Miss Burney's Erelina, all the
world can remember, sold for FIVE pounds
The Wanderer, by Savage, produced only
ten; The Vicar Of Wakefield was purcha-
sed, it is true, for the sum Of sixty g,lineas,
but it gained not that success until the trav.
eler had made its authors name famous
The narrow escape which Fielding had of
selling his Tom Jones for an old song,
must not be omitted. He had disposed Of
the copy right Of this work for twenty-five
pounds, when in great distress. Thompson,
however; happening to see the manuscript |
advised his friend to get rid Of his bargain,
promising to introduce the novelist to An.
'rew Millar, the eminent publisher. Ac-
'ordiagly, Millar and Fielding met at
'avern. Mr.. Fielding, said the publisher, |
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
Humble Origin Of Literary and sciensinc

What have evening hours done for me
chanics who had only ten hours toll? VIVA
in the moral, what in the religious what in
the scientific world? HeaIken to these facts
One Of the best editors the Westminis
ter Review could ever boast, and one o.
the most brilliant writers of the passins
hour, was a cooper, in Aberdeen. One o.
the editors Of London daily Journal was a
baker, in Elgin; perhaps the best reporter
in the Times was weaver 10 Edinburgh;
the editor Of the Witness was blacksmith
IN Dundee; another was a Matchmaker, in
Banff; the late DIR. Miner, of China, was
herdboy, in Rhynia; the Principal of the
London Missionary Society's College, at
Hong Kong, was saddler, at Huntly; the
leading machinist on the London and Biz
mingham Railway. with Ct, 900 year, was
mechanic in Glasgow; and perhaps the
richest iron founder in England was a work.
ing man, in Moray. Sir James Clark, her
Msjesty's physician, was druggist in
Banf. Joseph Hume was sailor at first,
and then laborer at the pestle and mortar,
at Montrose. Mr.. McGregor, the member
for Glasgow, was poor boy, in Rosshire;
Mr.. Wilson. the member for Westbury.
was aPloughmsn in Haddington; and Arthur
Anderson, member for Orkney, earned his
bread by the sweat Of his brow in the Uli.
ma Thule.-English Paper.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

Human nature is very frail. No mai
ever had stronger sense Of it under the in
fiuenee Of sense Of Justice than Lord Mel
son. He was loath to infiict punishment
and when he was obliged as he called it
"to endure the torture Of seeing men fog
ged. he came out Of his cabin with a huf
ried step, ran into the gangway. made hi:
bow to the general, and, reading the ar,i
cles OF war the culprit had infringed, said
"Boatswain, do your duty" The lash wa.
instantly applied, and, consequently, the
sufferer exclaimed. "forgive me, admiral,
forgive mel" On such occasions Lord Mel.
son would look around with wild anxiety.
and, as all his officers kept silence. he
would say. "what none of you speak for
him? Avast! cast him off," And then add
to the suffering culprit, "Jack, in the day
OF battle remember mel and he became a
good fellow in, future. A poor man was
about to be logged, landsman, and few
pitied him. His offence was drunkenness.
As he was being tied up. lovely girl, con-
trary to all rules. rushed through the officers
and, falling on her knees. clasped Nelson's
hand. in which were the articles Of war.
"Pray, forgive him, your honor,
and he shall never offend again" "Your
face. said the admiral, ais security for
his good behaviour. Let him 90; the fellow
cannot be bad who has such lovely crea-
ture in his care" This man rose to be a
lieutenant his name was William Pye.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
N usIe with a yleanins.

At that time an intimate and highly &C
complished friend Of my wife's who was
also very sensible woman, fine musician,
and considered one Of the best private per-
formers in the county, came on a visit
The conversation turned Oh music, and
Coleridge, speaking Of himself, observed.
81 believe | have no ear for music. but have
taste for it," He then explained the de.
light he received from Mozart, and how
greatly he enjoyed the dithyrambic move
ment Of Beethoven; but could never find
pleasure in the fashionable modern compo-
sers. II seemed to him ''playing tricks
with music, like nonsense verses. Music
to please me, added he. ''must have sub
ject." Our friend appeared struck with the
observation. 81 understand you, sill" she
replied, and Immediately seated herself at
the piano. "Have the kindness to listen to
the three following airs. which played on
a certain occasion extempore. as substitutes
for words. Will you try TO guess the mean
ing wished to convey. and | shall then
ascertain the extent Of my success. She
instantly gave US the first air. His reply
was immediate. That is clear, it is soil.
citation" "When ! played this air." OBJ
served the lady. ITO dear friend whom you
know. she turned to me. saying. "What do
you WANT" told her the purport of my
air was to draw her attention to her dress,
as she was going out with me to take a
drive by the sea-shore without her cloak {"
Our visitor then called Coleridge's attention
to her second air: it was short and express
sive. To this he answered, 'that is easily
told: II is remons,rance." "Yes," replied
she, "for my friend again showing the same
inattention, played this second extempora-
neous air, in order to demonstrate with her. 80
We now listened to the third and last air.
HE requested her to repeat it, which she did.
"That," said he, 81 cannot understand. -
To this she replied. at is. believe fail
ure, naming at the same time the subject
she had wished to convey. Coleridge's an
swer was. THAT is sentiment, and cannot
be well expressed in music. "-GMman's
Life of Coleridge.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

The following is an extract from the prefato
~ chapter of Macauley'ilOng expected history
of England, soon to be issued by the Messrs
Harper of New York. After taking a genera
survey Of the changes from the accession o.
James III. to the present century, the period en-
braced in his work he remarks
"Unless | greatly deceive myself, the
general effect of this chequered narrative
will be to excite thankfulness in all reli
gious minds, and hope in the breast of all
patriots. For the history of our country for
the last hundred and sixty years, is eminent.
ly the history of physical, of moral, and in
tellectusl improvement. Those who com.
pare the ago on which their lot has fallen
with golden age which exists only in their
imagination, may talk Of deseneracy and
decay, but no man who is correctly inform.
ed as to the past will be disposed to take
morose OF responding view of the pre-.
sent.
al should very imperfectly execute the
task which | have undertaken. if | were
merely to treat of battles and seges. of the
the rise and fall Of administrations. of in.
trigues in the palace, and of debates in the
parliament. 1t will be my endeavor to re-
late the history Of the people. as well as the
history OF the government, to trace the pro.
gress Of useful and ornamental arts. to de-
scribe the rise of religious sects and the
changes OF literary taste, to portray the man.
ners OF successive generations, and not 10
pass by with neglect, even the revolutions
which have taken place in dress, furniture
and repasts, and public entertainments. /
shall cheerfully bear the reproach of having
descended below the dignity of history, if |
can succeed in placing before the English
Of the nineteenth century, true picture of
the life Of their ancestors. The events which
propose to relate, form only single act
Of great and eventfll drama extending
through ages. and must be very imperfectly
understood, unless the plot of the preceding
acts be well known. | shall, therefore. in
reduce my narrative by slight sketch Of
he history Of our country, from the earliest
lines. 1 shall pess very rapidly over msny
bat | shall dwell at some length
IN the vicisitudes of that contest which The |
administration Of King James the Second
'rought to decisive crisis"
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
How the Critic was Riuushed

Ii is a we'll authenticated fact that two
days before the CRITIC was announced tc
be played, Sheridan had not finished the
last scene. Every body was anxious and
nervous. MIR. Linley and DIR. Ford were
in no enviable state; they were Jointly man.
ayers and responsible. The performer.
looked at each other with dread and dis
may. King, who had the part of Puff to
sustain, was the stage-manager. 1t was his
especial duty to find out Sheridan, and to
weary him with circumstances on the back.
ward state Of things; but matters went on
much as usual Sheridan came TO the thea.
ire, made me customary promise that he
was ust going home to finish il; that, in
fact, it was completed, and only wanted an
additional line or two. His father.in.law,
Linley, knew the only spur to his industry
and his genius. He therefore ordered a
night rehearsal. invited Sheridan to dine
with him, gave him A capital dinner, and
proposed lounge to Drury-lane whilst the
supper was preparing. Sheridan assented,
and they sauntered together up and down
the stage previous to the rehearsal, when
King stepped up to Sheridan, requested a
moments audience, and went with him into
the small green-room. where there was a
comfortable fire, good armchair, a table
furnished with pens. ink, and paper, two
bottles OF elaret. tempting dish of anchovy
sandwiches. and the prompter's unfinished
copy OF the Critic. King, Immediately
Sheridan entered the room, popped out,
locked the door, when Ford and Linley
made their pleasure known to him, that he
was to finish the wine and the farce, but not
to be allowed to stir out Of the room until
they were both at an end. Sheridan lau gh.
ed at the Joke. set too in good earnest, and
finished the work to The delight of all par,
ties.-Sheriddn's Works and Life, Boin's
Standard Library.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

Ii was long moot question amongst lu-
rists, how far an interference is justified
when State already powerful is increasing
her power to such an extent as to become an
object Of terror to her neighbors. IL is the
unquestionable right Of every State to null
tiply its resources, as we'll by internal i'm
provenent as by external ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
provided it does not violate the rights Of
other States. Nevertheless" says Profess
sor Martens, sit may so happen that the az
srandisement OF State already powerful,
and the prePonderance arising from it. may
sooner or later endanger the safety and lib
srty Of the neighboung States. In such
cases there arises collision OF rights, which
authorises the latter to oppose by alliances,
and even by force Of arms. so dangerous an
aggrandisemen:, without the least regard to
its lawfulness." Grotius, on the other hand,
denies that "the dread Of our neighbor's in.
creasng strength, is wanantable ground
for our taking up arms against him; and
with him Vattel concurs. The waIs under
taken for the preservation OF that famous
system known, from its operation, as The
balance Of popsr. naturally suggested this
question. Ii is one ON which no doubt can
reasonably be entertained at this day. We
have no right even to complain Of a neigh
Dor who is enlarging his dominions by col
onisation. or Strengthening his frontier with
Notifications, unless We have good reason to
apprehend that he is meditating aggressions
on us. II We have reason to suspect that
his intentions are hostile, we shall natural
ly place ourselves in posture Of defence;
but assuredly the naked fact that he is in
creasieg his power, and by means in them
selves perfectly legitimate, will give no title
to our interference.-PolSOn's Principles
o. the Lar of Nations
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

From the Literary World.
stcycrGark.
BY ,. BAYARD TAYLOR.

In Steyermsrk-green Steyemark,
The fields are bright and the forests dark
Bright with the maids that bind the sheaves,
Dark with the solemn arch Of leaves.
Voices and streams and sweet bells chime
Over the land, in the harvest time,
And the blithest songs Of the finch and lark
Are heard in the orchards Of Steyermark!
In Steyermark-old Steyermark,
The mountain SUBMITS are white and stark;
The rough wines furrow their trackless snow,
But the mirrors Of crystal are smooth below;
The stormy Danube clasps the wave
That downward sweeps with the Brave and
Save,
And the Euxine is whitened with many bark
Freighsed with ores of Steyermark!
In Steyermark-rough Steyermark,
The anvils ring from dawn till dark;
The molten streams of the furnace glare,
Blurring with crimson the midnight air;
The lusty voices of forgemen chord,
Chanting the ballad of "Siegfried's Sword"
While ponderous hammers the chorus mark,
And this is the music of Steyermark.
In Steyermsrk-dear Steyermark!
Hearts are glad as the soaring lark;
There men are framed In the manly mould
OF their stalwart sires, Of the days Of old;
A nd the sunny blue of the Syrian sky
Grows soft in the timid maiden'seye,
When love descends with the twilight dark,
In the beechen groves Of Steyermark.
In Steyemark-braye Steyermark,
The fame of Freedom has left spark,
Whose lingering glow, in her rudest glen,
Is kept alive with the iron men.
Ere long, the slaves Of atyrant's breath
Shall be driven beyond the Hills Of Death,
nd fha Sof h.
The barriers of rsnsomed Steyemark.
Die Toafegsbrs (the Hills of Desfh) divide the Al
pune province OF SteyermaIk from Austria proper.