The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-14

BARNUN AND JUICE HN'S
always considered our fellow-cltlzen OF the
Museum man OF decided genius; and now
that he has placed US under obligations we
shall never forget, We feel inclined to jot
down, now and then, an instance. of his claim
to that title. .ag
Ii is but few years since, that Joice Heth
departed this life, full Of years aud donors,
and went to join the innumerable throng oil
servants that waited upon the illustrious Fa-
Thereof our country. ! Poor Joiee, who was
said to be some one hundred and thirty years
old, was smoke dried wench Of some seven
ty years, found by travelling Yankee in a
hut in the interior Of Virginia, as guiltless
of all knowledge Of Washington, as she was
of her own wonderful age aud power of coin
ing money, She would have gradually dried
up into mummy, had not the lynx-eyed
Yankee come across her whilst selling his tins.
After much persuasion, few dollars and
more whiskey, she agreed to be lifted into
a sedan-bed, and mounted on an easy wag-
gon, was carried of, TO make the grand tour.
She looked for all the world like large mon
key. AT seventy years, rheumatism and
tobacco had distracted all her juices, and left
her to appearance as near hundred and fifty
as any other age. No sooner had she ar
rived, than Barnum seized upon her, and rig.
ged her. up for show. ....'.. .... -.
The scene was inimitable; lying on bed
stead, nicely trapped out with dimity and
fine b!; nkets, and placed in the middle of a
large saloon for convenience Of access and
air, she was piled with small and comforting
drinks and pipe, whilst a we-smoked and
antduvian bill of sale from one of the Gusts
family, duly certified by Dicky Rker, was
hung upon the wall.
She was usually remarkably tractabie,
having received her religious education from
shrewd lawyer out Of briefs at the time of
her advent, and perfectly cognlzant of the
power OF whiskey ard tobacco in producing
compliance with the wishes of legal adviser.
She always uttered her pious EXPLANATIONS
In an eJaculatory manner, repeating few
short phrases, always the same, in a very
ed'tyng way, and reserving all answers to
any general questions, unless the words whis-
key or tobacco fell upon her ear, when she
would generally give an expressive grunt o
assent.
One day, however, Y ankee friend, wht
was cognlzant OF the whole scheme, observ
ing her with little less steam on than wa
desirable to keep her in training, asked he
IN presence OF her keeper, if she remembers
Massa George, meaning her alleged illustri
GUS owner. A ray of anger shot from tn
old woman's hitherto closed eyes, as she re
piled, ono! debil take 'em all ; don't kno
notn bout him Dey make me say dat a
de time: gimme drink !" The ladies stare,
and Joice speedily got her drink, with
soothing reproof for her impiety.
But the funniest part of the business wa
when the old wench died. Instead of finish
ing the process Of embalmng SO happily be
gun by the whiskey and tobacco, and steep
ing her in Il solusion Of corrosive mlriate
and hanging her up alongside ofhis mermaid
IN corner OF the Museum to dry, where sh
would have been permanent investmer
TIL the day Of jud gment, sne was given U
to the philosophers for post norton.
The Magnus Apollo of surgery at tia
time, went to the Museum, duly heralde
IN the papers, with all his students, and VIII;
other verdant gentlemen he could collec
and held great pow WOW over the old wenc
We did not enjoy the honor ofbeing presen
but were informed that "the coronarv an
femoral arteries were ossfed," and full
established her great age. Indeed, her ana
tony would have e ven her a clean tickle
for any period short Of 200 years. What
spectacle it must have been We are
great people, and there is but one Barnum
-Scaipel.
OUR SOUTHERN ATLANTIC SEAPoRTs.-A lat
Savanna Morning News represents that tn
fall business is commencing with indications
favor of very large trade"-that within iv
days some twenty vessels had arrived, lade
with immense stocks of dry goods, groceries ant
plantation supplies-and that dealers in the in
terror can be supplied on as liberal terms rs il
any other Southern markets. 1t represents tina
the facilities of trade with the interior of Geor