davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

We copy from the National Intelligencer, the
following sketch of the state Of things in the once
magnificent Island of Jamaica, as given by Mr.
Wood, U. S. Consul at Valparaiso, in recent
| letter to friend in Ohio. The vessel in which
Mr.. Wood sailed, touched at Kingston TO take in
coal. Mr.. Wood states that the manumisslon o.
the slaves has ruined both the blacks and whites
in that island. He says.
"About 10 o'clock, A. NJ, we came in sight Of
Jamaica Mountains appeared rising several thou.
sand feet. On nearing the land we took on board
a black pilot, ran close in with the shore about
thirty miles to Port Royal and entered the harbor
of Kingston, which, you know is on the south
side We were close in with the land from the
time we reached Jamaica until we entered the
harbor. We saw many plantations, the buildings
dilapidated fields of sugar cane halfworked and
apparently poor, and nothing but that which will
grow without the labor of man appeared luxuriant
and flourshing. The island itself is of great fer
tilty, one of the best of the Antilles but all the
large estates uponit are now fast going TO ruin
In the harbor were not dozen ships Of all ma
tions no business was doing, and every thing you
heard spoken was in the language ofcumplaint.-
Since the blacks have been liberated they have
become indolent, insolent, degraded and dishon-
est. Hey arc Iuue, Dedsliy eet WI 'dSduouus,
lying naked about the streets, as filthy as the
Hottentots, and believe worse.
''0n getting to the wharf, the first thing, the
blacks of both sexes, in great numbers, perfectly
naked. came swimming about the boat, and would
dive for small pieces of coin that were thrown
them by the passengers. These thoy would catch
in the water or pick from the bottom. They ne
yer fail, though the water is twenty feet deep.
"The harbor of Kingston is spacious and secure.
The city is old and in ruins. On entering it the
stranger is annoyed to death by the black beggars
at every steps and you must often show them your
pistols or an upitted cane to rid yourself of
their opportunities.
'We were here twenty four hours, took in four
hundred tons of coal, which was all brought on
board by black women in rags, in tubs carried on
their heads.
"The whites are very civil and Courteous
They seem delighted to see Americans, say the
island is ruined by Legislation and the neglect of
the home Government, and most of them are de-
sirous of getting away.
81 hope the abolition of slavery every where
will not be attended with the same consequences
that it has been in Jamaica-to ruin both black
and white but no one visits Jamaica without the
most thorough conviction that the liberation of the
slave has spoiled him and ruined his master.
have, however, time for no more comments on the
subject"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
Destruction Of a City.

The sudden destruction of city is fearfu
calamity. The Earthquake at Cumana, recently
announced, occurred on the 5th of July, wher
the ancient city of Venezuela, the first built OF
terra firma by the Spaniards, disappeared in ar
instant. The revolutionary movement organized
in the city was overthrown, and 600 men swept
away. The Cumanans Immediately sent theil
submission to President Monagas, and asked fol
succor. A Spanish paper, LA Crontca," gives
the following particulars:
"The 18th of July rose clear and unclouded,
and until 2 P. NJ, a fresh breeze blew from the
sea, which agreeaby tempered the heat of the
season. At that hour the wind changed to the
South, which was the only atmospheric variation
observable; and quarter of an hour afterwards
the first shock was felt. Supposing it to be one
of the slight tremblings of the earth 10 which the
inhabitants of Cumana are accustomed, and from
which they think themselves secure In houses
built expressly to bear them, almost the whole
population remained in tranquility; but scarcely a
few instants had passed, when most violent con-
vulsion was felt, accompanied by trighttnl noise
and deep darkness. These were caused by the
edifices of that ancient city, which fell at once,
and produced an indescrbable sound.
"When the motion of the earth had ceased,
those who had the fortune to be spared from the
cataclysm, (as it is called) saw themselves sur
rounded by ruins, under which great number of
victims were buried, and heard the cries of those
who had not yet given their last breath. The
CONSERVATION was universal, and seen TO be well
founded Scarcely single family had escaped
but to mourn the lOss of one or more Of its mem
bers: and in the streets, squares, and nelghborlng
fields were seen wandering spectres, covered with
blood and dust, and filled with terror. Such was
the appearance of the town few minutes after
the catastrophe. 1t is not even yet possible to as
certain the number of victims, but il is said posi-
lively to be not less than six hundred.
"All the public buildings fell, viz three church
es, the Castle of San Antonia, (the last prison OF
Gen. Paez,) the Theatre, the Charity Hospital,
that of the Lazarines, the Colleges, the Govern
ment House, &C. Almost all the private houses
were also destroyed, and those which were not en-
tirely ruined have been greatly injured, and LETT
uninhabitable 1t is impossible to estimate the
number Of inhabitants who yesterday were rich,
happy, and enjoying all the comforts Of life, and
were suddenly left in orphanage or misery, with
no shelter or home but the fields and the sky in a
debilitating climate.
"The natural phenomena which accompanied
this violent commotiCn were the following: the
oscillation was vertical the sea retired at the be-
ginning several yards from the coast and then rose
above its level and surrounded the city the river
Mazanares, which flows through the middle OF the
town, also rose several feet while the bridge tell
which connects the inhabitants on both Sides
Deep openings were formed in different places,
and from them rose boiling water"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

IRISH UNcERTAINTY.-I have often heard it
remarked and complained by travellers and
strangers, that they never could get true answer
from an Irish peasant as to distances, when on a
Journey For many years myself thoughtit most
unaccountable. If you meet peasant on your
Journey. and ask him how far, for instance, to
Ballinrobe he will probably say it is "three short
miles" You travel on, and are informed by the
next peasant you meet that tits fre long miles :"
On you CO. and the next will tell ''your honor" it
is -four miles, or about the same. The fourth
will swear ''if your honour stops at three miles,
you'll never get there" But on pointing to a
town just before you, and inquiring what place
that is, he replies. '.Oh Place your honour, that's
Ballnrobe, sure enough" "Why you said it
was more than three miles off" "Oh yes! to be
sure and sartain, that's from my cabin, place
your honour We're no scholards in this coun-
try. Arrah how can we tell any distance, place
your honour, but from our own little cabins?-
Nobody but the schoolmaster knows that Place
your honour" Thus is the mystery ,unravelled.
When you ask any peasant the distance of the
place you require, he never computes it from where
you then are, but from his o,on cabin so that if
you asked twenty, in all probability you would
have as many different answers, and not one OF
them correct. But it is to be Observed, that fire.
quently you can get reply at all unless YOU un-
derstand -Bmrington's Sketches.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
Amusement of the Turkish Women.

Mr. Bayle St. John, in the volume he has just
issued eectually dispels the prevalent idea as to
the entire secusion of the ladies of Constantine
pie. He says: "Nearly all Turkish women sally
out every Friday, to take the air, away from the
town on the banks of the Bosphorus, OF to some
of the places where water and shade may be found.
The wealthy 60 in carts without springs. OF un-
wieldy and primitive construction, six or seven
heaped together; and sometimes their husbands
lead the oxen or horses to the chosen spot, and
then 60 away, leaving the women perfectly free
to enjoy themselves as they please. The most
popular amusements are the singing and music OF
the gipsy women, who repair thither for the pur-
pose-music which is amorously languid, and
singing which is detestably indecent. A lunch Is
generally brought out, and when this is despatch
ed, smoking and drinking commence-drinking
not of sherbet but of good brandy, or other strong
liquors, which soon induce boisterous gaiety, so
that the sultanas, whom we often imagine as pin
ing imprisoned, may be seen rolling in convu-
sions ofileXtingushabel laughteron the urf.o hud-
died up in still more advanced stage of intoxica-
ton, like bundles Of rags. Their Montenegrln
servants who are the privileged behoders of these
scenes are often compelled to haul them into their
carts, in which they are joited back to the harem.
Thuse who are not too far gone frequently pull up,
in passing through The Christian quarter, at the
doors of taverns, to get more drink; and file of
a hundred carts may often be seen stopping in one
street, all full of women, some made bold and chat
tering by their excess, others hanging sleepiy a
bout and murmuring to be taken home. There is
walk planted with elm-trees, not far from the
city, where only women are admitted. Two or
three thousand assemble there at a time. and, sit
ting upon verdani slope enjoy the indescribable
pantomne ola comedy which some infamous Jews.
hired for the purpose, perform on the limits of the
forbidden ground, for their amusement. Europe
ans, of course, cannot enter the walk itself; but
they may see the crowds collected at a distance,
and hear the shrill applause which every act mere
than usually beastly of the mountebanks creates in
the female crowd. On these occasions it would
scarcely be possible for stranger to recognise
eastern life. from the descriptions he is aecustem-
ed to read"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
ft,- Homehold Word, opuress the razor IN ~,


Oo- Household Words oppress the razor in toto,
and is strong for the mustache and beard. "Sure-
'ly," says the writer, in conclusion. "enough has
been said to make it evident that the Englishman
who, at the end of his days, has spent aboutan
entire year of his life in scrapug off bis 5eard has
worried himself to no purpose, has submitted 10
painful, vexatious, and not only useless but actu-
ally unwholesome custom. He has disfgured
himself systematically throughout life, accepted
his share Of unnecessary tic dOuiotreln and tooth
ache, cough and colds, has swallowed dust and
inhaled smoke and fog. out OF comPlalsance to the
social prejudice whicTbappens just now toprevail.
We all abomiuate the razor while we use it, and
would gladly lay it down. Now, if we see clear
ly-and think the fact is very clear-that the
use of it is great blunder, and if we are no lon
ger such slovenly people as to be afraid that, if
we keep our boards, we should not wash or comb
or trim them in decent way, why can We not
put aside our morning plague and irritate our skin
no more as we now do?"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
Story of nm Intrepid Chambermaid.

Gallignani's Messenger, French paper, tells
the following curious story Annette, young
chambermaid of Merne. had kept the rooms oftwo
wealthy bachelors for several years. She wanted
to get married, but her lover was so poor that she
burst not venture. These bachelors were broth
ers, and one day they had sold some property
which they owned jointly and the money amount
ing to 5000 francs, was paid in bills of the bank
Of France. too late to take it to Paris that after
noon. At midnight great noise was heard in
the house. Annette ran and raped at her mas
ters' door, saying that robbers were at work be-
low. "You have gum" says she, "take it and
shoot the villains!'' Both the bachelors were
much frightened. One began to barricade the
door while the other removed tile from the hearth
to secrete the bank bills. "Fools," said the girl,
"they will murder US all-give me the gun."-
She seized a double barrelled gun which laid upon
the shelf and started down stairs, the two fright
ened men watching her movements without say
ing word. Presently bang went the gun and a
groan was heard-bang went the second barrel
and now a screech Of pain resounded through the
house. Annette soon came tripping up stairs and
asked for powder and ball to reload. The aston
ished bachelors gave her The requisite charges but
soon steps were heard retreating from the house.
All three went cautiously down stairs. when 10 !
pool Of blood showed that one robber at least had
paid the penalty Of his rash attempt. In the NOR
ming it was plain to be seen that the body of the
unhappy victim had been dragged by his compan-
ions to the river. Blood marked the whole dis
tance, and the police were instantly on the alert
for the arrest of the living thieves, and the discov-
cry of the body of the dead one. All was vain,
however. but the intrepidity Of the poor girl was
discussed far and near. The grateful bachelors,
knowing that Annette wanted to marry, prepared
to give her dover. "Ah. Monsieurs," replied
she, 'how can leave you you may again be at
tackled by robbers" ''But we will moi, ,neverthe-
less, stand between you and happiness: here are
thirty thousand francs: you saved our lives and
richly deserve the money. If you choose to live
in this house with your husband, we shall repair
the lower part for that purpose, and You can then
be paid fur keeping our rooms neatly as at pres
ent" Annette did not hesitate to accept the dow
er and the house. 1t was many years before the
real facts relative to this midnight attack of rob-
bers came to light. The rich bachelors were then
both dead. and had willed Annette another thirty
thousand francs. The robbers, il appears, were
not of plural number, but only Annette's lover a
lone The blood was from lamb that had been
killed for the occasion. Indeed, the whole was
but ruse by the two lovers to open the hearts
and The purses of the rich bachelors.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

TEACH CHILDREN TO HELP THEMSELVES
The thoughtless mother who hourly yields to the
REQUESTS Mamma, tie my pnafore," "'Mamma,
button my shoe," and the like, cannot be persua-
ded that each of these concessions is detrimental
but the wiser spectator sees that if this policy be
long pursued, and be extended 10 other things, il
will end in hopeless dependence. The teacher Of
the old school who showed his pupil the way out
of every difficulty. did not perceive that he was
an attitude of mind greatly initiating
against success in life. Taught by Pestalozzi,
however, the modern instructor induces his pupil
to solve the difficulties himself; believes that in
50 doing he is preparing him to meet the Difficult
ties which, when he goes into the world, there
will be no one to help him through; and finds con-
irmation for his belief in the fact that great pro-
portion of the most successful men are selfmade.
Herbert Spencer.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

Let them talk of the bliss Of a chariot,
With four horses prancing before,
With a liveried coachmau to drive,
And lacley to open the door;
The soft yielding down Of its cushions
May ease and enjoyment impart;
But, for fun and for frolic, there's nothing
Like rough, Wholesome ride in the cart.
Mem'ry carries me back to that morning
When hooded aud shawled for ride,
We entered the cart with Donkey,
Aud an escort to walk by our side;
How funny to see the fair driver.
When coaxing the creature to go.
With ''Get up, sweet donkey, good fellow,
You'll carry US safely, know"
Thro' the solemn old woods we slow wandered
Lined thick with its sentinel trees,
And heard the low musical breathings
OF leaves played upon by the breeze:
We grew sad as we heard that sweet music;
A shade seemed to fall on the heart,
And we truly became sentimental,
Whilst riding about in the cart.
Tell me not pleasure dwells in the ballroom,
Where vanity stalks in its pride,
Where deceit and contempt. like twln-slS'ers,
Compauioned, are seen side by side;
Where the bodice of silver and satin
Conceals the deep ranking dart,
Where bright eyes, like jewels, are flashing,
But no eye sees the grefshadcd heart.
Tell ne not in the proud halls of fashion
That gayety ouly is found,
That the polkas the summit OF pleasure,
Aud there's bliss in the wallz's 90 round;
would freely give up the enjoyment
The waltz or quadrille can impart,
For bright, sunny heaven above me-
And ride through the woods in cart.
When they talk of the bliss ola chariot,
With four horses prancing before,
will think of that quiet old donkey,
Whose pace, though 50 slow, was 50 sure:
When they talk of the downy silk cushions,
That such happiness seem TO impart,
Remembrance will point to the morning
When we took rough ride in the cart.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
MANNERS IN THE MIDDLE AeEs.-Rude wer

MANNERS IN THE MIDDLE AGEs.-Rude were
the manners then: man and wife ate off the same
trencher; few wooden-handled knives, with
blades of rugged iron, were luxury for the great
candles unknown. A servant girl held torch at
supper; one, or at most two, mugs ofcoarse brown
earthenware formed all the drinking apparatus in
house. Rich gentlemen wore clothes of unlined
Gather. Ordinary persons scarcely ever touched
flesh meat. Noble mansions drunk little or no
wine in summer little corn seemed wealth.
Women had trivial marriage portions-even la
dies dressed extremely plain. The chief part of
a family's expense was what the males spent in
arms and horses. none of which, however, were
either very good or very snowy; and grandees had
tolay out money on their lofty towers. In Dante's
comparatively polished times, ladies began to paint
their cheeks by way of finery, going to the thea
tre,-and to use less assiduity in spinning and
plying their distaff.-IlistOry QfMs Order Of 81.
John
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
BY j. A. & l.. II. wADDELL.
TERMS.

o. The "SPECTaTOR' is published Oneea
week, at T.co Dollars gear, Vpaid in adrance,
or T,vo Dollars and Fifty Cents if delayed beyond
tAs expiration of the gear. No subscription ~'t'
ss discontinued but at Tie option Of the Editors,
until all arsarages are pad.
Ar;- AL COMMUNICATIONS 10 The Editors 6y mail
mast be post paid, or they pia not be attended to-
no. ADVERTISEMENTS Of thirteen lines
Tor less. inserted three times for one dollar, and
t,ccnty-ice cents for each subsequent continuance
Larger advertisements inserted IN the same proper
tion. A liberal discount made to those eeho adeer-
tise BIZ the year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

NEVER WELL-It was the fashion during the
reign of Queen Anne, for no woman of very high
rank ever to own herself perfectly in health silly
custom, well rdiculed by Cibber. in his comedy
of ..The Sick Lady's Cure" The Duchess of
Marlborough played this folly with great extrava-
gance, and particularly in travelling, when loads
Of straw were generally strewn before the door of
her hote to prevent the least noise of passengers
or carriages In garrison towns. too, she frequent
" sent to the commanding officer TO have the
drums muffied while she remained in the place.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

o. The way they plough in Portugal is primi-
tive indeed. A late traveller says The prin-
cipal agricultural implement used here, and!
throughout the provinces, is the laga. 1t is pom
derous iron fork, consisting of two prongs about six
inches apart and yard long, the handle being
formed of perpendicular piece of wood attached
to one extremity of the horizontal bar which unites
the prengs. When field is to be turned over,
eight or dozen peasants, station themselves in
row, each holding laya in both hands, which
they simultaneously raise, and then with the i'm
petls of the descent, drive deep into the ground,
turning up ridge of sod at each delve. They
then take one step backward and perform the same
operation with singular rapidity and regularity"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

5- Do not be afraid of diminishing your own
happiness by seeking that of others. lie who la
bors wholly for the benefit of others, and, as it
were, forgets himself. is far happier than the man
who makes himself the sole object Of all his aftec-
tions and exertions
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

o. An acquaintance of ours once asked Dr.
Lyman Beecher, whose powerful and sweeping
style is well known, how long it took him towrite
sermon. He replied that he had written two in
day-"but.o . said he. Sin order to write one that
am not ashamed of, want six weeks!"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

MOUNT WASHINGTON IN ITS GLoRY.-Friday,
Aug. 90, was the great day of the seasons on
Mount Washington. The purity of the atmos-
phere was such that after sunrise the visitors
on the summit counted l60 sail vessels on the
blue Atlantic. The spires of the churches in the
City of Portland, 80 or 80 miles distant, were dis
tinctly visible; over 40 miles, lakes, including
Winip pisseogee and Mosse Head, lay like gems oi
molten silver set in emerald. For years, such 8
day has been looked for by the managers of the
coast survey-IState Of Maine.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

in the slxty-ffth year of his age--a sad day for
the little community which he had trained into
one so exemplary thereby offering the best atone
ment in his power for the guilt which had stained
his early years.
ITO be Continued
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

gg- Consider no man capable of insulting you
who is mean enough to attempt it. In this way
you have the decided advantage. For whilst, by
the insult. he acknowledges You worthy Of his no
tioe, you by your neglect prove him unworthy of
yourS
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

Or There IS man ont West who is so bent
on accomplishing his purpose that he has become
hunch backed.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

03- The individual that "stole march,, IA.
been arrested and confined in the same cell with
Pperastination, the thief of time.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

oo-A good minister once prayed fervently for
those Of the congregation who were too proud to
kneel and too lazy to stand.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

0u- The young gentleman who was sc,,,;ea
way BY Hs feeling, has been returned to his fond
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

o. The man whose attention was arrested has
,btained bail on the same.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

has been relieved by the use of the stomach
pump.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

90 A lazy fellow up North spells Tennessee
l0ac. ~ ''' ''s
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

Young, who died at an advanced age in the year
1850. From all this it may appear that the nu-
tineers must have found the barren rock TO which
they betook themselves, become very hell upon
earth
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05
POETRY
Tho Ride In the Cart.

BY NOTE HALL.