Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-01-18
CALAMlrIES OF AUTHORS.

Among the literary announcements of the
month, we 6ad a notice Of new novel by
Hoffman, the author of the "GreySlear.'
Two or three years since a historical novel
by this author was announced, called the
s; Red Spur OF the Ramapo;" hut it has ne
yer appeared, and the public, probably, are
ignorant Of the cause oil its non. appearance.
The cause was remarkable, and may be set
down among the calamilies of authors ; but
il was not unique. for we have heard of ma
ny similar disasters. Mr.. Hoffman had been
employed some six months upon this ro-
maGce--he had taken unusual care in its
composition, and an eminent book publ sh-
er's firm had contracted with him for the
copyright, and it was nearly Completed
the public were talking about il, and all The
romance readers were anticipating rich
treat in It's peruSal. The author, as he wrote
it, placed the manuscript sheets IN large
portfolio by the side of his writing table IT,
Secu,e them from being los. One day he
happened 10 look in,n his literary s.th-treas>
Jury, and To his establishment and alarm,
discovered that there was not more thar
halt dozen sheets Of Ms. in it None tut
an author could judge Of an authors feel.
ingS ia such an emerg, ncy; but there were
few men Of any profession who could have
acted as calmly as did the author Of ~Grey
scar" on this occasion, and as the great
Newton is reported 10 have done on a simi
lar one.
Mr. Hoffman called 10 the chamhertiiaid
who had been entrusted with the Gaze Ut his
room, and said:
"Mary, have you ever taken any papers
from this placer"
Sire. have sir" replied she with intio-
cent frankness.
For VIVA, purpose have y"h taken .htth.
Mary ?" said the author.
"Sure, Sir, TO kinIle the FIRE, and thor
you were very good 10 put them there" re-
piled Mary.
"And pray, Mary, how long have you
been in the habit of taking papers out OF
here?"
"All winter. sure" said Mary, "but |
didn't think there was any good 10 them, for
they were scribbled all over"
"Ah! Mary" exclaimed the ruined au'
thor, lido you know tina, you have done me
an irreparable injury ?"
reparable injury !" exclaimed poor
Mary, what's THAR Sure, Int I'm very
sorry, indeed, sir"
49, Ahu ID oW ~ Sdtu the dutuU out uS
said ho.hisl tnott.-[Holden's Mag.
Use not evaSionS when call upon to do
good auion, nor excuse whea you are re :
preached for doing a bad one.
For one man who sincerely pities our mis-
fortunes. there are hundreds who heartily
hate us for our successes.
Every time man laughs he adds 10 the
duration OF his life.
49,. We know men who hahitually carry their
heads downward, and seldom look their fell
low men in the face. The rejecting mind
Naturally contl6des that guilt is stamped
Upon their brows.
hoover is COMMENTED with his lot is rich.
Nos he who hath little, but he who desires
more is the poor man.
The id'ei is dangerous member of soci
Ely. ne becomes prey to his own pass :,
ions. and sconrgcs others with his vices.
The two most precious things on this side
Of the grave are reputation and life-yc, the
most contemplate whisper may deprive us
Of the one, and the mcanesl weapon of the
other.
There is 4 luxury In the uninterrupted
enjoyment Of sorrow. but II Is when the tear
can steal along the cheek unseen, and the
RTaUE o. DtUst.tom All ueu PlSoSSH ytCtuS "
the genuine call of humanity.
~~>~~>~~~->~
~ MA Methodist clergyman In Albany
FAMED SpFagae, claims 70 have discovered
khe secret of the transmutaiion of metals.
a lev evenings slnce, he exhibited before a
large audience. Z piece Of copper. which he
declared upOn his honor was few days. pre-,
Sibns pure Lead. He said the secret was
1Aidcorsred 81 useans Of eieirpeyapes Ow-