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Written for the Casket.

MADNESS.

Swell the clarion, sweep the string,
Blow into rage the Muses' fires;

All thy answers, Echo, bring,

Let wood and dale, let rock and valley ring,

'Tis Madness self inspires.

Hail! awful Madness, hail!

Thy realms extend, thy power prevails

Far as the voyager spreads his vent'rous sails,
Nor best nor wisest are exempt from thee

Folly. Folly's only free.

Hark, to the astonish'd ear

The gale conveys a strange, tumultuous sound-
They now approach, they now appear,

Phrenzy leads her chorus near,

And demons dance around.

Pride--ambition idly vain,

Revenge and malice swell her strain,
Devotion warp'd, affection cross'd,
Hope in disappointment lost,
And injur'd merit, with a downcast eye,
(Hurt by neglect) slow talking by.
Loud the shouts of madness rise,
Various voices-various cries,
Mirth unmeaning--causeless moans,
Bursts of laughter--heart-felt groans,
All seem to pierce the skies.
Rough as the wintry wave that roars
On Thule's desart shores,
Wild raving to the unfeeling air

The fetter'd maniac foams along,-

Rage the burthen of his song-

In rage he grinds his teeth and rends his streaming hair.

No pleasing memory left, forgotten quite,

All former scenes of dear delight-

Connubial love--parental joy,

No sympathies like these his soul employ,
But all is dark within, all furious black despair.

Who's this wretch with horror wild?

'Tis Devotion's ruin'd child,

Sunk in the emphasis of grief,

Nor can he feel--nor dares he ask relief.

Thou fair Religion wast design'd,

(Duteous daughter of the skies,)

To charm and cheer the human mind,

To make man happy, good and wise;

First shown by thee, thus glow'd the gracious scene,

Till Superstition, fiend of wo,

Bade doubts to rise and tears to flow,

THE FIRST BLISS OF MATRIMONY. The charming society, the tender friendship it affords. Without a friend, it is not for man to be happy. Let the old Maderia sparkle in his goblets, and princely dainties smoke upon his table, yet if he have to sit down with him no friend of the love-beaming eye, alas! the banquet is insipid, and the cottager's dinner of herbs where love is, is, is to be envied.

Let the pelf-scraping bachelor drive on alone towards Heaven in his solitary sulky; Lord help the poor man, and send him good speed! But that's not my way of traveling. No! No! give give me a sociable, with a dear good angel by my side, the thrilling touch of whose sweetly folding arm may flush my spirits into rapture, and inspire a devotion suited to the place; that best devotion, gratitude and love!

Yes, the sweetest drop in the cup of life is a friend; but where on earth is the friend that deserves to be compared with an affectionate wife! that generous creature, who, for your sake, has left father and mother-looks to you alone for happiness-wishes in your society to spend her cheerful days-in your beloved arms to draw her latest breath-and fondly thinks the slumber of the grave will be sweeter when lying by your side! The marriage of two such fond hearts, in one united, forms a state of friendship of all others the most perfect and delightful. 'Tis marriage of souls, of persons, of wishes, and of interests.

Are you poor? like another self she toils and saves the better of your fortune. Are you sick? she is the tenderest of all nurses; she never leaves your bed-side; she sustains your fainting head, and strains your feverish cheeks to her dear and anxious bosom. How luxurious is sickness with such a companion!

Are you prosperous? It multiplies your blessings ten thousand fold, to share them with one so beloved. Are you in her company?-Her very presence has the effect of the sweetest conversation, and her looks, though, silent, convey a something to the heart, of which none but happy husbands have any idea. Are you going abroad? She accompanies you to the door-the tender embrace-the fond, lengthened kiss-the last soul melting look-precious evidences of love!-these go along with you-they steal across your delighted memory, soothing your journey--while dear, conjugal love, gives a transport to every glance at home, and sweetens every nimble step of your glad return. There, soon as your beloved form is seen, she flies to meet you. Her voice is music-the pressure of

Drawn by her pencil the Creator stands,

His beams of mercy thrown aside-

With thunder arming his uplifted hands

And hurling vengeance wide.

Hope at His frown aghast yet lingering flies,

sweetest messengers of love! declare the tumultuous joy that heaves her generous bosom. Arm in arm she hurries you into the smiling habitation where the fire blazing, and the vestment warm, the neat apartment and delicious repast,

THEODORE.

People do not care to give alms without some security for their money; and a wooden leg or a wooden arm, is a sort of draftment on heaven for those who choose to have their money placed to account there.-Mackenzie.

with a joy too big for utterance.

Compared with a life like this, merciful God! how disconsolate is the condition of the old Bachelor! How barren of all joy! Solitary and comfortless at home, he strolls abroad into company. Meeting with no tenderness nor affection to sweeten company, he soon tires, and with

a sigh gets up to go home again. Poor man! his eyes are upon the ground, and his steps are slow; for, alas! home has no attractions. He sees nothing there but gloomy walls and lonesome chambers. Alone he swallows his silent supper-he crawls to his bed, and trembling, coils himself up in cold sheets, sadly remembering, with tomorrow's joyless sun the same dull round begins again.

MERCANTILE DRUMMING.

That mode of getting custom, employed by certain merchants, and commonly known by the name of Drumming, has been very rife the present season. Sundry new houses had opened, whose business it was to get custom by hook or by crook. It would not do to sit with folded hands and see all the trade going to the old establishments. The new firms must bestir themselves, and draw off the business from the old ones if possible. It would not do to be too modest neither. A little impudence, well employed, will sometimes do wonders in the way of making money. To ask a man to buy of you, instead of your neighbours, is but asking him in other words to benefit himself-inasmuch as you will sell cheaper, of course, and give him better bargains than your neighbours. At least, it is your interest to make him believe so; for as to telling the precise truth, that would not by any means serve your turn.

Among all the drummers, who have distinguished themselves in this Commercial Emporium the present season, none perhaps have made themselves more notorious than the firm of THUMGUDGEON, PUMPHANDLE & Co. The first named gentleman is the chief drummer to the establishment. He hires his board at a Hotel where country merchants "most do congregate;" and like a certain ancient personage, who at present shall be nameless, is constantly on the lookout "seeking whom he may devour." If he espies a gentleman, the brim of whose hat is of somewhat broader dimensions than the well-known dandy style, and whose unmentionables are not the biggest on the little end-he forthwith takes it into his head, that the gentlemanis a countryman; that he is in all probability a merchant; that he has come to purchase goods; and that ten to one he can bamboozle him. At all events he will try; and it shall not be his fault if he does not succeed.

But every countryfied looking man is not so easily bamboozled as Messrs. Thumgudgeon, Pumphandle & Co., and others of their class, are apt to imagine. A man is not necessarily a Johnny Raw, because he makes a rustic appearance; as many a drummer has no doubt found out to his cost.

It was but the other day that Mr. Thumgudgeon found himself prodigiously mistaken in a gentleman of this sort. Judging from the cut of his clothes that he was a man for his money, he accosted him, as is usual in such cases, with some preliminary observations about the weather, and then proceeded to the main point.

"Very fine morning," said he, bowing and smiling. "Why, yes sir," said the man, with a strong Yankee accent, "I dare say 'tis so, for I've heerd ever so many people say the same thing since I got up."

"From the country, I presume?"

"Yes, sir, I come from up country-where did you come from, if I may be so bold?"

"I-Oh-I-for that matter I live here."

"Oh, you do, ha? You live in this 'ere great city, do you?

"Precisely so, sir. I am engaged in the dry goods line. My name is Thumgudgeon, of the firm of Thumgudgeon, Pumphandle & Co."

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"Well, you're a darned queer soundin set, any how. Pumpgudgeon, Thumphandle & Co.! That beats me, by hoky. I thought we had some mighty odd names in Varmount, in the town of Linkumstipple, where I came from; but, by gorree! they're nothin to compare with your'n.",

"Oh, as to that," said the merchant, a little mortified, "it's of very little consequence what a man is called, so that-"

"He isn't called too late to dinner," interrupted the Yankee-" that's jest what I tell my wife. Says I, Mrs. Flipper-my name, sir, is Flipper, of Linkumstipple-says I, Mrs. Flipper, call me what you please, but don't call me too late to dinner."

"Mr. Flipper," said the merchant, bowing, smiling, and giving his hand to the countryman, "I shall be happy in your further acquaintance. But as I was saying about a name, 'a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,' as the divine Miss Kemble says."

"Miss Kimball! did she say that?-I understand she's a stripper, that Miss Kimball."

"She's a heavenly creature, faith. But havn't you seen her yet?"

"I! no, Mr. Pumpgudgeon, I very seldom go to the play-house. I can't afford it."

"Oh, as to that, sir, it shall cost you nothing-if you will do me the favor to accept a ticket-"

"I'm much obliged to you, Mister Gumpthudgeon -so small a favour as that I can't refuse no how in politeness."

"I suppose you're engaged in trade in your town?" "Yes, sir, I live by trade, and have done ten years or more."

"You're down here now I presume to make your purchases?"

"Yes, sir, I've got a little grain of cash in this 'ere old pocket-book"--taking out and displaying a greasy bit of old leather apparently pretty well filled-"which has come down to me from my gramther, and which has contained many a good bank bill. I've got a little trifle of cash here, which I want to lay out to the best advantage."

"Of course," said the merchant, his eyes eagerly devouring the old money-case, "and I'm the very man to give you good bargains. I-that is our house -don't shave like some of our neighbors. Our principle is to-"

"Look out for your interest-I dare say 'tis so, Mister Pumphandle Gudgeon. That's the very principle I go upon. I like to buy cheap and sell dear-I do."

"Exactly so, Mr. Flipper-you're the very man we shall like to deal with. We'll sell you goods twenty per cent, cheaper than any other house in Pearl street. "Will you, by hokey? I'm amazin glad I happened to light on you."

"I hope we shall be mutually satisfied. You'll want some dry goods, of course?"

"Why, yes, sir, I mostly deal in the dry way."

"I hope you'll do us the favour to call at our store, No. - Pearl-street. You'll stay some days in the city, I dare say?"

"Yes, sir, it'll take me some days to get through with my business."

"Do you attend the races?"

"No, I can't no how afford it-I've got a wife and 'leven children to support."

"Oh, it shan't cost you a cent. I'm going over, and shall be very happy to bear all the expense."

"I'm much obliged to you Mr. Flumgudgeon-as I said afore, it would'nt be polite to refuse so small a

favor."

"Confound the fellow!" said the merchant, aside, "if he wasn't a great flat, I should think he intended to insult me by talking about small favors. But small 406

I'll make up for all-by heavens, I'll shave him."

"Ahem! sir, if there's any other pleasure I can treat you to such as the Museums, Saubert's exhibition, Tam O'Shanter, or any thing of that kind, I shall be very happy-"

"Oh, sir, I'm much obliged to you--You're very polite, Mr. Gumplethudgeon-I couldn't no how in reason, as a body may say, refuse sich small favors."

bring their pistols to the "present." The same second will then give the word "fire." The seconds will be at liberty to cry "stop," in the event of either of the parties not having fired directly after the word "fire." Either of the parties firing after this word, "stop," must be liable to the consequences before a court of law. In the event of the party who has offered or provoked the challenge not returning the fire, or firing in the air: this is to be considered as an apology, and the challenger's second must be satisfied, unless a blow or any such violent insult may have been the cause of the challenge. If neither of the parties be killed, or so severely wounded as to prevent further proceedings, the second of the principal who conceived himself aggriev

champaigne, which the Yankee declared to be tarnation good cider, he took him to his store-laughing at the same time in his sleeve to think how well he was going to get paid for the twenty or thirty dollars he had laid out in pleasures and amusements for the countryman.

The latter, appearing to be tolerably drunk, began to gaze about the store as if to feast his eyes with the variety of goods around him, while Mr. Thumgudgeon, tipping the wink to his partners, asked him if he had a memorandum of the articles he wanted?

"Why, no, I han't got nothin on paper," said the countryman-"I've jest merely set them down in my head. But what kind of hides are your'n? Do they come from Buenos Ayres, or-"

"Hides!" exclaimed the merchant and "Hides!" echoed his partners, with astonishment. "We thought you were in pursuit of dry-"

"Sartinly-I'm a tanner by trade, and dry hides is the very thing I want if you have any sich that you can put me at a good lay, I'd as lieves deal with you as any other gentleman whatsomever, seein you've been so polite as to confer various small favours upon

me."

of such a

"D-n the favours!" muttered Thumgudgeon-who finding, that in his attempt to bite the countryman, he had bitten himself-"You are welcome to the favours, if you'll go and say nothing about it." " I couldn't possibly think thing," said the other, who all at once seemed to have got rid of the effects of the champagne-"it's too good a story to keep. A New York merchant undertake to get round a Yankee tanner! Ha, ha, ha! I shall never forget the small favours as long as I live."-N. Y.

Constellation.

DUELS. The message having been carried by a friend, the seconds are appointed. They are immediately to put themselves in communication with each other, and from that moment are not to have any direct parlance with each other's principal. The principals are in the hands of their seconds. The seconds are to appoint the place and time of meeting, which must be subject to no change after the principals are informed of them, unless the seconds think proper to alter either, to prevent interruption. So soon as the time and place shall be appointed, the seconds will select the spot, taking notice that there shall be as little advantage as possible on either side in the position of the ground, twelve paces making the extremities. The seconds will toss up four ends, and the principals will

should not be, the second of the adversary will be asked whether, after his principal having received the fire of the other whom he has offended or aggrieved, he will acknowledge it, so as to render further proceedings unnecessary; the affair may then be arranged by the seconds. Should the intervention of the seconds be without success, a second round is to be fired with the other brace of pistols; the same words being given, but by the other second. If a blow should have passed, which can hardly be supposed between officers, the second of the party who struck the blow must contend that his principal shall not be fired at so long as the apology is made by the offending party. The evad. ing the operation of the civil law, in fatal cases, must be left entirely to the judgment of the parties concerned; but in the event of the duel being fatal to either party, it is the first duty of the seconds to proceed immediately together, and make written note of the proceedings of the whole transaction, which should be resigned by both of them, each keeping a copy.-United Service Journal.

TREATMENT OF CHOICE PLANTS IN ROOMS.

The greatest difficulties in preserving plants in rooms are, when they are placed in a dark or close apartment, where they do not receive a sufficiency of light and air, so essential to their health and vigour, preserving them from the severity of our frosts in winter, -watering them when not requisite, filthiness collected on the leaves, or in being planted in unsuitable soils.

The first point, want of proper light and air, is one of the most essential to be considered. Plants should invariably be placed as near the light as they can conveniently stand, admitting as much air as possible, when the weather is favourable. During the severity of winter, they should be placed in an apartinent where the temperature is never allowed to descend below from 35° to 40° of Fahrenheit's thermometer. Should any accident occur and the temperature decrease, below 33° the plants will certainly suffer. The only remedy is, as early as possible, water the whole plant over with cold water, and put it in a shady place in the room for the ensuing day.

SCALE OF MARRIAGES. - A calculator has made out the following estimate of the chances of matrimony a girl has at the different periods of her life. Out of 1000 women, 32 are married between 14 and 15; 101 between 16 and 17; 219 between 18 and 19; 233 be

of 30 years would have only 28 chances of getting married out of 1000; when passed 40, the chances are far less.

JAY'S LIFE.

The following extract from this highly interesting work, will show the singular manner in which Congress became acquainted with the views of the French government in relation to the affairs of this country in 1775.

America had commenced a contest for the preservation of her liberties, trusting solely to the goodness of her cause, and her own courage and patriotism; and probably without the most remote expectation of foreign aid; nor was it easy, in the existing state of Europe, to devise from what quarter such aid could possibly be derived. A singular occurrence, however, soon took place, that excited a gleam of hope, that in the approaching struggle the colonies would not be wholly left to their own unassisted efforts. Mr. Jay used to relate the following anecdote.

Some time in the course of this year, probably about the month of November, Congress was informed that a foreigner was then in Philadelphia, who was desirous of making to them an important and confidential communication. This intimation having been several times repeated, a committee consisting of Mr. Jay, Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Jefferson was appointed to hear what the foreigner had to say. These gentlemen agreed to meet him in one of the committee rooms in Carpenter's Hall. At the time appointed they went there, and found already arrived an elderly lame gentleman, having the appearance of an old wounded French officer. They told him they were authorized to receive his communication; upon which he said that his Most Christian Majesty had heard with pleasure of the exertions made by the American colonies in defence of their rights and privileges; that his majesty wished them success, and would, whenever it should be necessary, manifest more openly his friendly sentiments towards them. The committee requested to know his authority for giving these assurances. He answered only by drawing his hand across his throat, and saying, "Gentlemen, I shall take care of my head." They then asked what demonstrations of friendship they might expect from the King of France. Gentlemen," " answered the foreigner, "if you want arms, you shall have them; if you want ammunition, you shall have it; if you want money, you shall have it." The committee observed that these assurances were indeed important, but again desired to know by what authority they were made. "Gentlemen," said he, repeating his former gesture, "I shall take care of my head;" and this was the only answer they could obtain from him. He was seen in Philadelphia no more. It was the opinion of the committee that he was a secret agent of the French court, directed to give these indirect assurances, but in such a maner that he might be disavowed if necessary. Mr. Jay stated that his communications were not without their effect on the proceedings of this Congress. This remark probably related to the appointment, on the 29th of November, of a secret committee, including Mr. Jay, for corresponding "with the friends of America, in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world."

"

NAMES IN LANCASHIR LANCASHIRE-It is notorious that in the moors of Lancashire, there are numerous instances where females, after having enjoyed the marriage state for several years, only know their husbands by the "nom de guerre," custom has given them, and not by their real names; nay, in some cases, it has actually transpired, that the men do not even know their own names. We heard that the Cockey Moor postman once carried a letter addressed to himself, a whole fortnight, consulting all the parsons, clerks, and schoolmasters in the district as to the probable owner of it: and all because it happened to be directed as he was registered in the church books, namely, "James White

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head," instead of "Purring Jim, o' owd Mall o' Fums o'long Ben fowd;" and great was his astonishment when the wise man of the village, who happened to have been present at the christening, informed hinu that, "if he were not mislippent, parsun namt him Jim Whitehead, as his mam stood wi' him in ur harms." Indeed, we much question whether our ancient friend "Rowf Tum," would have known what name to have directed the painter to put on his sign agreeable to the "Act of Parliament," if he had not had his licence to consult! We almost fear that the march of intellect will never be able to reach these aboriginals. It is evident from the following circumstance, that the "Retorm Bill" cannot touch them; and the wonder is, how the registry is managed to be completed. At the recent county election, an Entwistle freeholder, who had had his registry attended to by his landlord, was brought to the polling booth at Newton to tender his vote. On being asked his name, he readily replied, "Mad Bill." He was reminded that that must be a nick name; he scratched his head, Hodge like, and said, "Houd a bit! Awst think on soon. Aw think i' my heart, its Juon K-, because they sed Squoire ot did um at Bouton, a gud deal o' years sin, wurt same name os me." The next query was, "Where do you abide?" The answer was, "Entwistle." The clerk being nonplussed, gently enquired, "How is it spelled?" The voter replied, "Awm no great skollard, but aw believe it begins e-n-t, ent; but as for 'twistle, its more than aw con manage, so you mun just put deawn that os voun o' mind."-Bolton (Eng.) Chronicle.

[On this, as we give the authority, we have no comment to offer, except that either in fact or fiction, the Bolton Editor can tell a full grown story.]

ANECDOTES OF BLIND PERSONS. A French lady, who had lost her sight at two years old, was possessed many talents which alleviated her misfortune. "In writing to her," it is said, "no ink is used, but the letters are pricked down on the paper; and, by the deli. cacy of her touch, feeling each letter, she follows them successively, and and reads every word with her fingers' ends. She herself in writing makes use of a pencil, as she could not know when her pen was dry: her guide on the paper is a small thin ruler, and of the breadth of her writing. On finishing aletter, she wets it, so as to fix the traces of her pencil, that they are not obscured or effaced; then proceeds to fold and seal it, and write the direction, all by her own address, and without the assistance of any other person. Her writing is very straight, well cut, and the spelling no less correct. To reach this singular mechanism, the indefatigable cares of her affectionate mother were long employed, who, accustoming her daughter to feel letters cut in cards of pasteboard, brought her to distinguish an A from a B, and thus the whole alphabet, and afterwards to spell words; then, by the remembrance of the shape of the letters, to delineate them on paper, and lastly, to arrange them so as to form words and sentences. She sews and hems perfectly well, and in all her works she threads the needle for herself, however small."

We have a very remarkable instance in John Metcalf, of Manchester, who very lately followed the occupation of conducting strangers through the intricate roads during the night, or when the tracts were covered with snow. And, strange as this may appear to those who can see, the employment of this man was afterwards that of a projector and surveyor of high. ways in difficult and mountainous parts! With the assistance only of a long staff, he has been several times seen traversing the roads, ascending precipices, exploring vallies, and investigating their several extents, forms, and situation, so as to answer his de