The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-12-31

OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER.

addressed an anti-slavery meeting in the
audience room Of. the Philadelphia Insti-
tute, Lombard street, above Seventh. The |
meeting was well attended, and was pre-
sided over by the Rev. Henry III. Wilson,
of New York
On Tuesday evening the third lecture OF
the course before the Banneker Institute
was delivered by Mr.. John w. Simpson,
on Chemistry, at Central Hall, Walnut
street, above Sixth. Mr. Simpson treated
the subject upon general principles, theo-
retically, and more than equalled every
expectation. He spoke of chemical atfini-
ty and chemical analysis, of their mean
ings and uses, and told the audience what
would be the result of certain combina-
tons, making an interesting lecture, both
pleasing and instructive. Lectures upon
chemistry are generally dull and dry, but
when experiments are made much merri-
ment is occasioned; and without them it re-
quires much force of illustration to interest
an audience. What Mr.. Simpsons lecture
lacked in point of experiment, he made up
in point of literary merit, agreeably disap-
pointing many of his friends. A spirited
debate succeeded the lecture, upon the
question, "Will the instruction at Harp
ers Ferry be injurious to the Anti-Slavery
cause? p Messrs. Parker t. Smith and
John T. Bowers were in the negative, and
Mr.. VIM. III. johnson in the affirmative.
! A number of Southern medical students
who, it seems, took umbrage at something
they saw in Philadelphia, supposed to be
the sustentation of free speech as exhibited
by our Mayor in the case of George w.
Curtis, Esq, held meeting at the Assem-
bly, Buildings, corner of Tenth and Chest
nut streets, on Monday, and agreed to make
an exodus in body instanter, which they
did, to the delight of many, though per-
haps many regret it, such as tailors, tavern
keepers, boarding house keepers, &c. Their
absence from the city will supersede the
necessity of extra policemen to preserve
the peace The number that left is vari-
ously estimated-some accounts say three
hundred, while others make it less. The
first report gave two hundred from the
Jefferson Medical College, and one hun
bred from the University of Pennsylvania.
A card published by the Dean of the med
ical faculty says that not more than eigh-
teen have withdrawn from the last named
institution, out Of FIVE hundred students.
Perhaps they have gone home to prepare
for dissolution of the Union. Who
knows We may have something yet to
fear from those who belong to State where
they shoot cows for Abolitionists. Should
they all leave here the calender of crime
would be greatly diminished.
On Wednesday evening last the Banne-
ker Institute, at their meeting, unanimous
ly adopted the following preamble and res
olutions:
Whereas, The Masonic Hall, South tn street,
below Pine, after having been engaged by the
Banneker Institute for the delivery OF euogy on
the heroes of Harper's Ferry on the 10th inst.
was closed against them be it, therefore,
Resolced, That DR.. Jonathan Davis, the agent
of said hall, with the members of the Board who
sustained him in thus closing the doors against
ID a.
shown spirit of contemplate servility to the
slave power worthy the scorn, contempt, and deri
SION of every lover of freedom.
RESOLVED, That we will ever hold up to the pub
lie gaze such men, and that long said men
are in authority we viii not hire the hall for any
purpose whatever.
Resoiced, That any black man OF any set of
dard of freedom particularly in this great strug-
gle, shows spirit unworthy the notice of honora-
bic and liberty loving men.
This day is generally observed as holi
day in our city, and while l pen this epis-
tie the streets are like young Bedlam.
The blowing of penny whistles and sixpen-
ny trumpets by fast young men is the or
der OF the day, and the night is made hide
GUS with their yells. Many persons de-
light in such things, and think they are
are well employed, especially those who
are sowing their wild oats. Even yester-
day did not escape those jovial scenes Incl
dent to the holidays, for have seen among
Christian professors feasting and indulging
in spirituous liquors, which regard as
departure from the proper observance OF
such day. To fare sumptuously and en-
joy the good things of life is well, but to in
dulge in those things beyond the proper
bounds brings reproach upon Christianity.
The buEoonry and wild scenes of eonfu-
sion exhibited in the streets may do for
reckless youths, but persons of steady hab-
its refrain from such things. For the most