The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-24
Local Matters.

"HuMBUe." This word is modern, but the ida
it represents has the advantage of some age. Thee
have been, at all times, humbugs in physics andin
metaphysics. Calico was n tolerable specimepof
a humbug. SO Harvey. Fulton was equally
as bad. Franklin was no better. The projectors
Of canals in this country the vilest of tieir
kind, till railroads were talked of. These WIRE
rallied at vehemently. why" said low country
member of the Maryland Legislature, al never
will vote a dollar for such things. We've had
them in our part Of the State this many day, and
when you drive over them they almost shake the
very life out Of you" He spoke Of the we'll known
corduroy roads," Faust had long ago been
known a humbug, and they who, of late, pro-
posed TO print by steam, were no better. And then
there sprang up that prince of humbugs, Professor
Morse What the next grand humbug will be we
cannot guess. Where is Professor Espyl Lieu
tenant Maury should know his bearings. Perhaps
the great aerial car will be the next thing TO rise.
Whatever il may be, we admonish all the world to
remember the humbugs Of the past, and TO spurn
every madcap who shall have the tcmerity 10 pro-
prose any novelty in the future. In opinion
the old ways are the best and that boy was right
who refused 10 throw away the rock in one end Of
the sack, and divide his load Of meal. He knew
how his father had done before him, and that, Of
course, was the safe way. There few week
ago most consummate specimen Of humbug irl
our city-one Elhu Burritt. He has been trav
crsing the world up and down for some time, de
livering lectures, forming peace conventions, ge'
ting up peace congresses, and bringing togethe
multitudes Of the wisest and most philanthrop; |
men Of every nation and all for the purpose T
discouraging wars, and prostituting the navies {
the world 10 the uses OF commerce and Civilization
II was HE purpose, we believe, 10 persuade or
people 10 take up such notions as these; and sore
Of the gulble amongst us were foolish cnougho
light up, most brilliantly, a splendid church
his use But we have the proud satisfaction n
saying that even his noble and powerful eloquens,
his giant intellect, his vast store Of knowledge nd
thought, could not allure us, and that not m,e
than fifty persons were verdant enough To e,n
hearken 10 his discourse. We had too much o.
elimination for this. We knew well enough tat
warfare was a bessing-the promoter Of civiln-
ton, and the bond Of Christian sympathy sndFe
accordingly attended 10 our own affairs, enjosd
the passing hour, and LET the great innovsng
humbug depart as he came. We hear Of his Il.
umphal progress elsewhere, aud that men boor
him an orator and Christian philsnihrort.
SO let them, IL they will but allow us, IL on
please, the privilege Of Judging for ourselss.
With the catalogue Of comedy humbugs bore
usi VIC Cau uefuiy ptfuit OufrtiNcH W Dt
any further. Experience is safe guide. he
wise teacheth that even a certain kin, Of
folks may prohthyit. hsball be profitable untas.
AN INTERESTING MEETING was held last evemg,
on the first floor Of Temperance Hall, blythe
Franklin Lyceum," an association Of young sn-
tlemen united for the purpose Of literary impre-
ment. In the main hall, General Riley. Of ew
York, addressed very respectable auditory. He
is keen blade, and entirely uncomplments to
the vendors Of strong drink.
ops MApyrTs are not abundant at prcnt.
Yesterday good beef sold at 49, cents per pend.
Veal, ssmei fresh pork, s, chickens, rs cents 8
per pair; lettuce. 81 cents for very small fsds;
sweet potatoes, 80 cents per peck, butter, slo 81
cents; eggs, l2l cents. Fish not yet verylon-
tiful; shsd sold at is TO 81 cents per pair; amber
rings, IS cents per hundred. There lie no digger /
Of famine, however, az money is by no cans
scarce with thrifty folks. The fisheries. t. are
improving, the vegetables growing. and theMsy !
butter coming !