Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-17
T4E sourHrRx LITERARY MEssENoER for, Feb

are too long, and the short ones too short. There
is happy medium between the two, which rem
ders magazine literature very readable.
The first paper in this number, running
through some twenty pages, is review of the
works of Honore de Baltzac, French author of
some note, who died about 1850. Whatever
merits this paper may possess, it is not likely to
be appreciated by the mass of American readers
it is too purely literary. too bookish, and alto
gethcr too Frenchiied. to please their American
palates. 1t may suit the taste of a few techni.
cal bookworms, but it is not what is wanted by
the majority of those who read periodicals
Another and far more interesting subject
treated of is the "Thugs," (of Tndia.) No class
of the human race has excited so much abhor-
renee, and so much curiosity, as the Thugs of
India. The first account we read OF them,
thrilled us with an unaccountable hesh-creeping
horror; and ever since, the mention of
"Thug," makes US shudder. Claiming an
tiquity beyond any other people, only about
half century has elapsed since their existence
was made known to the world. They have ever
since been regarded by the rest of mankind, as
a terror and mystery. They are the sworn
foes of human ife-trained to their murderous
pursuit in childhood, bound to it by the most
fearful oaths in manhood. They are made up of
all the different castles creeds, religions, and Ian
guages of India; but they unite with one another,
for life aud death, in sworn compact of 'Breth-
rem of the Good Work" whose whole end and
aim is the destruction of human life. Booty is
only secondary consideration. Murder and
Epoils generally go hand in hand, and they ac-
cept booty as one of the fruits of the discharge
of their duty as Brethren of the Good Work"
They never kill from motives of malice or re-
venge, but destroy their unsuspecting victims in
cool blood, with deliberate stealth.
When candidates offer themselves for mem
bership, they are not at once admitted into full
fraternity. They must go through an appren.
liceship-a preparatory training and trial. They
must show themselves worthy, before the be-
atoyral of perv itivs. rls-,, employed as
deeoys and grave diggers, until they are deem-
ed sufficiently skilled and experienced to receive
the handkerchief" The inyestiture of the
handkerchief, Is an important event in the ca
reer of the apprentice Thug-just as the be-
stowal of the implements of war transforms the
aboriginal youth into the full fedged warrior
Henceforth he is the equal of other Thugs, and
a full member of the "BrethIen Of the Good
Work" The handkerchief" ceremony is for
NAL, and as regarded by the Thugs, an impor-
tant one 1t is the highest attainment-the top
round for the novitiate. With the handker-
chief, and running moose of rope, sometimes
employed. he is now prepared to do his share of
strnngling.
To BaoDanie their imperial goddess, the
Thugs devote themselves and their whole lives.
For this imaginary Unsuitable mistress, they
shrink from mo act of violence, no immolation
of even their dearest friends or closest kindred"
For her they traverse continually, the country
from the Himalayas to the coast, from year to
year, waylaying and stranglng in their sleep
unsuspecting travellers, till the victims of each
number thousands.
That leans It's Idiot back POllyS topmOst tWig-"
a belief that Bhopdaie foreseeing the evils en-
tailed upon human existence, and touched by
compassion for human suffering, instituted this
"Priesthood of death"-cherished from age to
age transmitted from generation to generation,
received implicitly in childhood and strengthen
ed all through life-may help explain the awful
human phenomenon presented by that secret
baud of murlerous fanatics, the Thugs of India.
The Letters of SPinster" Qour in number)
occupy some sixteen pages OF tue messenger 10
the exclusion of more entertaining matter
These letters seem to be intended to take the
place of '.Mozis Albums" and they do to
nicety-for 'Mozis" towards the last was ter
rible bore, and these are ditto. They are dated
Feb. = so29. and profess to be reflex Of
things about Washington as they will bein that
remotely approaching period. This is looking
entirely too far ahead. "a spinster," 1--WE will
wager "stogy" she wears beard and chews to-
bacco), ought TO have contented herself with
the year of our Lord 1000. Even that is longer
than Congress will last, from present indica-
tions. We hardly know how to take these let
tiers. If they are intended to be witty, they
fall far short of the design, and scarcely less so
If they are meant to be wise. As all things are
orpecessity wise. witty or foolish. we leave our
sagacious readers to draw their own conclusion.
Nearly column is devoted, in one instance, to
description of the personal appearance of the
49th Presideht-even down 10 the shape of his
nose. the color of his eye, the expression of the
corners of his mouth, and the tone of his voice