davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
BIssExTILE OR LEAP YEAR.

The following from the Frederick Ex-
aminer will be interesting, no doubt, to
many of our readers. Beyond the circle
of scientific enquiry SO little attention is
paid to chronological exactness that many
intelligent persons will be glad of even
short account and explanation given OF the
term bissextile:
In reforming the computation OF time,
julius Caesar ordained that the year should
consist Of 365 days. except every fourth
year, which should consist of 366 days.
the additional day to be leconed by t0ice
counting the Gath of February, whichwas
the sixth calends of March. Hence the
name, from the latin words, bis, twice, and
sertile, 9th The calends, .(whence our
word calender,) or first days Of the month,
were reconed backwards to the odes, thus,
the first day of March was the first calen-
der; the 2Sth of February was the second
calender of March; February 27th the
third, and so on. 41 w
The Julian year, which by this rule was
rsconed at 365 days and hours, was
found not TO be accurate, but to exceed the
length Of the solar year by L minutes,
which, in 13l years, amount 10 all entire
day. 1t was therefore corrected by Pope
Gregory. in 1852, who retrenched ! | days
from the Julian omputation-being its
excess or gain over the solar time. Out
Of this correction grew the distinction be-
tween the old and new style. The Greg.
ory or new style was introduced into Ger
many in ITO. and by an act Of Paria-
ment, into England in l752-just one
hundred years ago-the Cd day Of Sep
tember(O. S. of that year being reckon.
ed as the 18th IN. S.) under the Grecan
system. Although the name Bissextile is
retained with its absolute import, we inter-
polate the 29th of February every fourth
year for leap year, and, for still greater
accuracy, make only one leap year out
of every four'centenary years, thatis-the
years 100 and 1900 were not leap years,
nor will A. D. 1900 be reckoned as one,
but the year 1000 will be Bissextie. Pre-
serve this memorandum for future refer
enCe .fI. "H M .
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
"A LAY SERMON.

| In tne ordinary concerns oil HE, men 40
not prosecute each other for differences Of
opinion; but religion, which should fill all
hearts with loving kindness, seems, by a
strange perversity, to have caused more
strife, cruelty and bloodshed, than any
other vice or evil propensity of our nature.
Torture, the sword and the axe, we're the
instruments with which the Catholic and
the Protestant churches enforced their doc.
trines in days gone by; and even now the
sects which make up the christian com.
munity" find it very difficult to move side
by side toward a common object without
squabbling on the road. The two grand
divisions of the Christian church enter
tain anything but charitable ideas Of each
others final destiny The bigot of either
will tell you that there are but two roads
to eternity--his which leads by the short
est route to unspeakabe bliss, and the
broad road whose terminus is in Tophet
1t strikes US that individuals who cultivate
this selI-satisfying idea. are on more ia
miliar terms with Satan than they wot Of
The self-complacent saint, who thanks
Heaven that he can ''read his title clear"
and feels kneensr enjoyment of his own
prospects from the fact that while he is
posting upward, millions are going down
by the run to a. region where the heat bat
f1es all thermometrical measurement, is not,
in our opinion, quite the babe Of grace he
thinks himself. Aleekness, tolerance, char
ity, are among the Christian virtues incul-
Gated by the apostles. These are rare,
now. Too many Of the priests of this day
are disputious and arrogant, and instead
Of taking no thought of what they shall
eat and what they shall drink, are ever
applying for additions to their income, and
bonuses from their congregations. ltmay
be that 1.-THE deravity of their age" is in
part owing to the fact that those who
should show forth, not only by their lips.
but by their lives, that they are worthy to
be teachers in the church. bring religion
into contempt by their covetousness and
worldly mindedness.
lnfdelity could not select better mis-
sonary than the minister whose example
is in conflict with his precepts. With a
less selfish priesthood there would be a
livelier faith. But when we read of the
humility, poverty and simplicity of the
saints and missionaries OF old, behold the
prslatic pride, the anxiety for rich and lib
eral congregations, and the pomp and cir
cumstance exhibited by some preachers Of
the gospel, we cannot wonder that profane
persons should take the frequent excep-
lions for the general rule, and insist that
all spiritual shepherds love the fleece bet
ter than the hook.-N Y. Sunday Times.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
ECONOMY AND CONVENIENCE.

very neat farmer in one OF the west
ern counties of New York, who has less
than fifty acres, and does nearly all his
work with his own hands, accompiishes
much by his ingenuity and economical
contrivances. His buildings and machines.
though Of cheap character, are kept in
the neatest order. His barnyard, nearly
encircled by his barns and other buildings
during The summer is nearly as clean as a
gravel walk. A cheap horse power, made
by arope running on the outward ends lot
radia,ing arms, drives two horse thresh-
ing machine, a circular saw forcuttng his
wood, and small mill for grinding horse
feed, and used in churning and various
other purposes. His two horses are used
for these purposes, when not otherwise
needed. His farm is notoHly pattern ior
neatness, but is productive of much solid
cash; he has place for everything, and
everything in It's Plaef- Sreaanges (.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10

WHAT SOME PEOPLE DO IN CHURcH.-A
writer in the London Morning Post, who
has been witness OF the abuses he calls
attention to, remarks that "no lady nor
gentleman ought TO select the church as a
place for philandering, or ogling, or nudg-
ing one another, and laughing or whisper
ing, and having their jokes together-no, /,
nor even should a sleepy husband after
dinner. at the evening service, fall into the
arms of Morpheus. should his young
vile and her husbands young male
friends consider it quite decent, then and
there, to lay their heads together, and nod
and wink. and have their fun at the sleepy
head; nor ought men 10 lean over the
galleries, to look down; nor young mar
red women; any more than young maid
ems, return such hirlatons by looking up
from below to the galleries: yet all this
and more have seen done over and over
again, in one of our metropolitan churches.
in the face of all the people,"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
THE EFFECTS OF APPLICATION.

Mr.. }. j. Jackson, near lpsilanll, says
that few years ago he purchased poor
sandy farm. and went in debt for it, resolv-
ed to make it pay itself. and has done it.
lie raises to sell, wheat, clover-seed. wool
and pork. If there is "a failure III the price
of one Of these articles, there is usually a
corresponding rise in the price OF one. of
the others, This year he has 60 bushels
OF clover seed to SELL Six years ago he
planted field of corr, and he did not get
enough to pay for tlingthe ground. This
year he again planted the same ground,
and had all excellent yield. In the mean
time he had given it two dressings Of leach.
ed ashes, seeded it with clover, under gave
the land dressing Of SO loads Of stable
manure to the acre. lie uses all the ashes
he can get.
Some folks in this world are ever telling
that there is nothing to be made at farming
Under some circumstances and with some
men, nothing is truer On the other hand.
who ever knew farmer who cultivated
his land in a proper manner, put bis crops
in in season, worked under judicious
system, adopted four or six years rota-
ton, saved everything in the shape Of 4
fertilzng substance. and brought his miirf
and soul into the work. and an unconquers
able energy, who ever knew such farmer
to complain that farming was an unremu-
nsrating business!
1t is generally the case that those who
complain do not take an agricultural paper,
and avail themselves Of the experience Of
others who are continually observing and
experimenting. Michigan Farmer.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
KEEp THE HEART ALIVE.

E These words Of Bernard Barton are
good. Often good and wise men in other
things have rendered their old age cheer
less and unloyely, from a want Of attention
to them: }'at'fa .s ~ sAt' slaF,a J
"The longerI live, the more expedient
I find it to endeavor more and more to ex-
tend my sympathies and affections. The
natural tendency Of advancing years is to
narrow and contract these feelings. do
not mean that Lwish to form new and
sworn friendship every day. increase my
circls eliminates; these are very different
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10

affairs. But ! find it conduces to my
mental health and happiness, to find out
all can which is amiable and lovable in
those come in contact with, and to make
the most Of it. 1t may fall far short Of
what was once wont TO dream Of; it may
not supply the place of what | have known,
felt and tasted; but it is better than nothng;
it seems to keep the feelings and affections
in exercise; it keeps the heart alive in its
humanity; and. till we shall be all spiritual,
this is alike our duty and our interest"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
y For the Spirit Of Democracy.
TIE SYREN'S SONG.

{. See your eagle darkly frowning, g =
saiO'er the waves his eye is bent,
Where distinctions war cloud hastes
.'s'To give its mighty thunders vent
Guarding now your homes no longer
10 Hark'ning to the Syren's Song,
c'Raptured by its thrilling CADENCE.
]a Sung in numbers sweet and long.
Wat your freedom DER the waters,
el.Let II grasp with Europe's slaves;
Here may freemen on our mountains,
,Swee,ly sleep in Russian graves.
GHither send your toilworn peasants,
Where the Cossack's chargers foam;
Here 10 rest from all their labors,
Welcome graves shall be their home.
BY the side Of Europe's tyrants
7@4Liberty may lay her down,
Here she'd calmly, sweetly slumber
Meath the shadow Of a crown. y
With the bones of slaughtered Freedom
Buy the laurel wreath of fame; =
Despots' smiles will lull your conscience,
Russian SHOWS will hide your shame.
,Farifom Europe's brois and battles,
aWhere, no tyran,'s rod may be,
With the Ocean waves for bulwarks,
Nature bade you to be free.
Yet within your glorious Eden.
Planted one forbidden tree
lOh!'its fruits are too delicious,
eGTaste and be no longer free. a
'Syren, songs will stop the fountain
Whence your seas of trouble flow,
Calm the vail Of weeping mothers,
Lull to peace the Widows woe ee
o. e sAHfi .al~flfi 9HaJ. W..
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
For the Spirit of Democracy.
} LIBERTY ON THE DANUBE.
BY LIVINGSTON.


LIBERTY, hunted by Oppression, fled
From, Europe, spot Of her nativity, -
10 wild Columbia. where our fathers bled,
That We, her happy children, might be
free. 'th. p.
The spirit flew, like wild contagion, back,
To dwell lupon the Danube s fertile shore,
But seized by tyrants there, her growth to
oli1r check, 1ti y EH5hmd p
nLibertytyielded to despotic power.
Az, Liberty!the pride Of Greece and Rome,
Boast Of Americans; and shall it be.
Rstufningto to thy native land thy home,
.Thatihou thynative land shall never see?
Thy Champions, who have braved despotic
power, f'-f
And iheed oppression in thy holy cause,
Appeal 10 frsemen on our happy shore,
Whose fathers freed US from oppres-
.moa sl0h Sdh'S'a ? Avs gaad N9dd ~ -geo
And shall we, (awed by Russia's boasted
glFlapower, bn5f haaA adbIiAiS hio .
sLsaeasd inewith Austria, } look calmly
on, tt
Tql Hungary mid b1i Austrian asnnorn''s ION
iIsavsnquisHed quite, and every hope is
gone! sloagS'snk siarTto
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
HJJMAN NATURE.

The sel6shness of human nature is new
er more fully evinced than in the prone
ness OF old people TO censure those faults
and follies of the young, which sge and
physical inability prevent the possibility
of their sharing in, or having an appetite
for. "All is vanity and yexation oispirit.
moaned Solomon, after his excesses had
rendered him incapable of enjoyment.-
All grapes that hang high must be sour
So thought some discontented ancient
maiden when she delivered herself Of the
following:
"Oh. girls! set your affections on cats,
poodlos, parrots, or lap.dogs-bu, let mat
rimony alone. It's the hardest way OH
earth Of getting living-you never know
when your work is done up. Think oi
carrying eight or nine children through
the measles, chcken.pox. rash, mumps.
and scarlet-fever, some Of 'em twice over;
it makes my sides ache to think oft Oh,
you may scrimp and save, and twist and
turn, and dig and delve, and economize
and die, and your husband will marry
again, take what you have saved TO dress
his second wife with. and she'll take your
portrait for freboard, and-but what's
the use of talking! III warrant every one
OF you will try it. the first chance you get;
there's a sort of bewitchment about it,
somehow"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10

? or The Baltimore Sun thinks that in
the event of otherrsvolutionin Hungary,
Brother Jonathan will bawl out at the top
Of his voice, for the particular notice and
hearing Of Russia:o eRol2e iaols
: "Hello, there, yeou! What ye bout!
Stand offgyeou darned man-eatn' mon
arohy, yeou! IL yeou don't keep yeour
nasty fingers out o. them Hungary folks
chowder, / II blow ys right eoutio' yeour
Alpine fxings into the Mediterranean
viii, by gollyl" ssa a
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
THE Law. OF NEWSPAPERS.

=. SUBSCRIBERS VINO do not give express notice
70 the contrary, are considered as wishing to con.
time their subscription Va lf
2. If subscribers order the discontinuance of
their periodicals, the publisher may continue to
send them until all arrearages are paid,
S.Af Subscribers neglect or refuse TO take their
periodicals. from the offices 10 which they are di
sscted. they are held responsible t they have
settled the bill, and ordered them discontinued. p
4. II Ifsubscribe's remove to other places without
informing the publishers, and the papers are sent
TO the former direction, they are held responsible
o. The courts have decided that refusing to take
periodicals from the Office, or removing aud Ieav.
ing them uncalled for, is prma facie evidence of
Intentional fraud. '.'t
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10

,YAsKEE.A' gentleman hired snioyer-
cute Ysnkssto sawaload Of wood, agree
ing to pay him 6 cents an hour until the
jeb was completed. He conducted the
knight Sof ihs saw to his wood yard, and
showed hima a. specimen of the proper
lsagih, il being somewhat Of the shortest
stevgwpsd; but the, cute individual turned
on his heel, declaring with a great oath
thu s'hS was moi 90 green as to saw wood
% short ss tliStfcr six oents an hoarii Z e
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
Nnr SION.

Here is the last slander which has been,
put in circulation about widows. Tho
calumniator did not dare to locate his base
insinuations ii any christian land, but
having sci out with preface in which he
lays il down as settled point that huInan
nature is The same all oyers,he world, he
proceeds 10 tell Us that on certain occs-
sion Chinese widow was found tanning
The grave of her late husband. and on be-
ing asked why shs performed 90 singular
an operation, replied tina, "she had. prorq-
issd no, 10 marry again while the grave
rsmained damp, aid asst dried very slow
ly, she saw no harm in assisting the pro-,
cess. - Mercury. u.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
DIPLOMATIC EXPENSES.

Some time ago the State Department ad-
dressed circular 10 the several statesmen
who represent this Republic abroad, inquiring
the cost of living at the several localities where
the country enjoys the advantage of their SER
vices. The replies Of a large number of them
have been published, and We extract from the
same whatever is material TO the point.
From Mr. La,crenee at London.
You are perhaps aware that, possessing pri-
v1ie moaps have not been exsct in my expenses AZ
ifhouid have been bad been obliged TO measure them
10y the smsunt OF NY ouItt snd salary
The house occupy is IN situation central and con.
veneni Tor legation. II was furnished when took IL
with the exception OF plate linen aud cutlery, all which
was obliged 20 purchase together with some cla,s and
china TIE same would be he case, probably with Sny
house that might be taken by foreign minister hsv.
esteemed IL my duty TO entertain my countrymen 10
modera,eexten ard to nartinthe hospable cour.eses
OF tie great country which have the honor to repre-
sent. Bot while have endeavored 20 perform these
Offices without ostenafion and with eye 70 udicious
economy am free 10 confess that my expenses in these
particulars should not be taken guide ia fixing the
salary fer this mission Therefore, without troa5Ins
you with them, will only say thai, after carefully ex
eminin the items OF expenditure with view IN a..
certain the cost OF living In London in the position which
She Nirittr OF the United States IL obliged 10 occupy
decidedly OF opinion thai the prcscn, salary Is mad
cCustc.
The rent Of a furnished house in London, IN a COME.
nehi snd proper location, would not be ess than from
AGO 10 $500 tyear Horses and carriages would col
irC m ge5 10 Sl0 syear And 70 mee, properly thesc
and ell ether expenses growing out Il the position
W. d require, m my judgment. an annual SALARY al
twenty thousend dollars deem i; proper 10 add thsi
my own cApsnses have exceeded these sums
From Mr. Rres al Paris.
AS you desire that the information should he
"spccnc aud accurate IL viii be necessary 90 cnte.
into detail Of tc principal tcns which enter into
tic expense II res.dence here. The hrst and ,os, l
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21

The LENNON SiAvEs.-A number of the
farmers OF heni Co., Nd. all slsveholders recently
held meeting and resolved TO secure the services 81
Hon. F. f. Chambers, late Judge of the Court OF Ap.
pear OF Maryland 10 the Lennon slave case be.
fore the United states Supreme Court should the case
be brought before that tribunal They pledged them
selves to subscrbe large Tee and also 10 bear pro-
porronste share Of the costs of the case
" IL having been stated that Miss Suther-
land OF Newark, Wayne Co, n " was the only lady
telegraph operator The Dorer a. H. Ga:ate gives the
name OF another. Miss Laughton, who the only ope
rator al that place the night OF the Presidential eee
ton, giving the election returns with the utmost cor
rectress
~ The Chicago Commercial Adreniser has
hosted the John P Hale flag for ls56 II has been So
called National Wing paper but its principles did not
take IN that latitude.
II John l.. Carey, formerly of THe Bali
more Md) Aneriean, and lateriy Of zAs w. o. CSesc<a
died at New Orleans Dec. IL
GS- A supper was given to Hon Elisha Il
W.shburne, NJ c. elect recently, hy bis Wing friends
81 ~sakssan, Lake Co, Ill.,
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21
The Mechanics and Women's Rights.
coIre,ro ndeace Of The y Y. Tribune.

ELMrRA, n. Y, Friday, Dec. II, 1852
As matters Of progress interest YOU aud
your readers generally send ~ the following extract
from letter received this day from the Recordin,
Scribe Of the United States Convention of the Mechsn
ics' Mutual Projections, u wit:
The G. : p informs me that they have sanctioned
the admission OF women into their Projections and have
adopted charge suitable to the admission of females
In ihese days OF Reform ard Women's Rights think
II viii take and cannot really any objection 10 IT,
II you think tsvorably of H. please write the G. 3 p
Charles l. stebbns Adrian Mich and he will send you
scopy Of The charge. He Will Likewise send copy to
ay Protection that may desire IT, and for this purpose
desires the address of the different r. s. OF the several
Projections In this State
Harrison Howard, the Secretary Of the Peoples Col
ege Association, is trsvcrsing this part OF the
State giving lectures and explaining all the import
OF the plan and lis feasibility He meets with un.
expected success The meeting in Albany, in January
next viii undoubtedly be interesting and numerou.ly
attended Emira will not be behindhand in her claim,
for its location. Pp
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21

provinces were multiplying. The intercourse with
Entire Rios was nomnaly open, bat large share OF fs
produce had latterly been sent to Montevideo
There was tolerable supply Of light hides
Horse Hides and Grease were abundant a. the
slaughter Of mares had again been declared absou'ey
free.
The Wool harvest had just commenced, and
some French contracts were reported 81 hisn ngure
The ocks were in COED condition, and tie weather was
all that could be desired
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21

From In. ProvIdenee journal, Dec !. 4
The writer Of the following letter Is attached
to the party with Mr.. Bartlett II was Mr.
Bartlett's intention 10 start the next day, oy
way of Saltillo and Monterey for Camargo
which he expected to reach in forty days, and
where he had appointed to meet Major Emory
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21

r." LIFE AND MEMORIALS on DANIEL WEE
srrr,' e vols. lamo. D. Appleton Coy collection
Of interesting notices and "reminiscences Of Weo~a'
including the Memorials" from the pen Of Geo b. =.
LYMAN which have already appeared In part in some o.
the daily Journals in this city, biographical skeses
from IRE Times, and variety Of miscellaneous snee
dotes Of striking character the eulogies BY Evess
Choate and Hillard delivered In Boston, and ssvss
other papers Of great interest The publication ~
sorabls and win command aftestion
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

An ANEcDoTE- inhabitants Of n
small town IN Ohio were recently put in 2
great state excitement, BIZ the ali nonnce-
Hient lhat Kossnth would pass through
their village at certain hoar. Accord
ingiy every person that could walk, man,
woman aud child, was at the depot al The
expected moment, prepared TO give .
warm welcome TO the nations guest. j.
SO happened thai Kossuih did not arrive
in that train Of cars, but a returned Cali
iornian was there, who prided himself Oh h
msgniiicen, mogsiach aud heavy growth
Of black whiskers, and sported Kossuth
hst and plumes. Upon seeing the parade,
he stepped forth upon the platform, 10 the
great amusement II his fellow passengers,
and was received with three times three
hearty cheers! He raised bis ha, and
plume, and bowling gracefully toihe Assem-
bied company, remarked that, owing 10 his
past iabors, he was in delicate health, ans
should mol be able 10 address them at ans
length, but thanked them most sincerely
for their sympathy with SHOWN trndleu'
Hungary, and amid deafeniog hurrshs re
turned TO bis seat IN the cars. The con
dnctor gave the signal, the train moved OF
and was soon out Of hearing. The inhabi
tants Of that village will undoubtedly cd 4,
their graves IN the irm conviction vi hav,
ing seen and listened 10 lIungary's great
patriot. - Boston Journal.