Camden gazette and mercantile advertiser. (Camden, S.C.) 1818-1822, May 18, 1820, Image 4
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MIDNIGHT SKETC&
BY MISS CAMPBELL. "*
The winds of heav'n are hush'd and mild,
?Wu the breath of slumb'riflfe child !
'1' he western breeze 'p balmy sigh ^
Breaks not the mist-wreaths as ihey lie
Veiling the tall cliffs ragged brt>w,
l^or dimplts the gneen wave below.
Such stillness round-^such silence deep?
Th.tt Nature seems herself to sieep i
Tbe full moon mpunted in the sky,
L*ooks from her cloudless place on higH,
And trembling stars, like fail y gleams,
Twinkle then many culor'd beams
Spangling the world of waters o'er
\V it Ir mimic gems from shore to shore,
Till ocean burning on ^he \\f w.
Glows like another heaven of blue,
And its broad bosom as a mirror bright,- }
Reflects their hreid path, and all the fields
x of. light. , <?'
An old Bachelor whose name wasPAGK<
having picked up a young lady's glove at
a ball, returned it to heraccorijpuniedjhh
a piece of paper, on which ^ras wrTOen
the following:? * !
Miss? r.:. ? ... /?'
If from your glove you take the letter G i
Your glove is ^OVE? and I feel for thee.
I he following is the answer?
, Sir?
If from your name you take 'he letter P
Your name is AGE? and ihat won't do for
mi. "V V* -1 : ? - ? V- ??
... \ --
? Miscellaneous .?
From the Ralrigh ( M C J Minerva. V
THE DIAMOND,
Thin mineral, which, On account
t>f its variety of splendor, constitutes
the Reading ? hject in the regalia of
Ptitlce*. and is even regarded by
the sovereigns of Europe and the
East, as .the criterion of national
opulence, is found chiefly in Hindos*
tan and Uracil* In the former coun
try. it is fouud imbeded in an ocbery
earth of a yellow or red colour, at
the fooloi that great chain of moun
tains stretching from Beugal to Ca|ie
Coniorin. This eartli is dug up,
broken into small pieces, and re*
peatedly washed, 'until the water
comes off cohwrJes*;' the residuum
is tlieu spread, on mats iu the sun,
where the diamonds soon discover
themselves by the brilliant light they
-display*
T^e colours afe very various, com
priMiift among others, blue, red,
yellow, -green, and black; but such
as are liftqmL 'Or yuite devoid of co
lor* are held iti highest estimation.
Bome are found in regular crystials,
which usuallv oonsist of two four
sided pyramids united in form of a
dull aspect, and do not exhibit the
peculiar lustre ^ and fugitive colours
that characterise the species, until
cut and polished. In their native
state their beftuties a?3 so tpuch dis
guised, that foimerl.v, when discov
ered in the gold mines of Brazil,
they were throw xr away as useless
pebbles ; nufi no where perhaps dots
the aid w men art can lend to nature
display itself t% greater advantage,
than in the flowing and enchanting
hues that areehcilqd from these crude
substances My the hand of the lapi
dary.
bome varieties of the diamond be*
come h^sphorescent vrhen exposed
for hoots time io the sou's light, and
Shine, wiien viewed ill a dark place,
lik? stars in the firinaiueni. In hard
ness the diaqioud surpasses all other
substances, and might seem therefore
intapnole of being w rough t. The
art of polishing them was indeed un
known to thj? ancients, and they used
as ornaments such only as arrested
attention by their nmive brilliancy,
One of this description was set in
the initial sceptre of Charlemagne.
Bui in Uie jear 1451), Lodis de liei*
quiu, a- name oi brjjge*, learned
to polish tliamomls by causing thei^t
to tub a long ume against each other;
ami irom ibis hint he . constructed ?
polishing w heel, to* ered w itli ditf-'
n.ot.o (hist, resembling ihe cme?>
wheels illicit are used for simiiai
wirposr*. Artists nnw convert tie
udest lorms of this mineral into da, -
/liug ornaments, and sell them la -
zier -the names of brilliant anil iv t
diamonds. T
Among the most surprising results
at which chemical scieuce, in it*
wonderful progress, has arrived,
must he reckoned that. which 1ms de
termined t lie diamond to be constitu
ted of the same matter as pure cliai
eoal. VV hat different arrangement
or condensation of the particles exisi
between the diamond and charcoal
in its ordinary forms, that shoult*
^ive rise to so great a difference of
character, we are unable to tell y bu;
uo fact is better established than thaf
equal weights of the diamond and
j'Ure charcoal, "when burnt under
similar circumstances, afford precise
ly the same product, t I
, . Diamonds are valued according to
the number of carats they contain,
each carat being equal to 4 grains
1 roy. Yet, as it is an object to
obtain ^ those of a large size, (tie
value increases, not simply in pro
portion to the number of carats, bu
as (he squares of that number. Thus
a diamond which is twice as large
another, is worth four times as much;
one: that is five times as large, is
worth twenty-five times as much;
and so on. According to this calcu
lation, a diamond that weighs onlv
*ne ounce and two thirds, is valued
at 30*000/. * sterling.
j 8uch being the extravagant1 value
attached to this gem, we need not
expect to find It in anv <Jegree of per-i
lection except in <he cabinets of
Kings. The largest hitherto discov
red is thejreat liraz^lian itanuw
whicli bqj||igs to the collection of
the queen VP Portugal. It weigh
nearly twenty-eight ounces ; but
some have disputed whether it was
the real difrfnond or tlie white topaz,
which approaches very hear the for
mer in splendor and beauty. *In the
crowr of tn^Cmperor of Russia is
a diamond, which, though only of
the size of a pigecM's egg, 'wis
TOtight-by the Empress Catharine
for twelve tons of gold, and an an
nuity of 400W. sterling. Ii was
formerly one of iht eve* of a Bra
minical idol in India, whence^ it was
iltofen by a French grenadier, and
after passing through several hands
at different- prices, came to at length
into possession of the Russian Em
press, at the enormous price above
mentioned* 4 Bnt this diamond, though
supewofrin size and value, is inferior
*n lustre and elegance to the one
which 18 so celebrated among the
crown jewels orFrance.\ Th&was
brought from India by an. English
merchant, by whom it was sold to
the Regent Duke jut Orleans, for
the moderate sum of 100,000* thoo-b
now it is estimated at mm than
double that Valine. This mineral is
or so rare occurrence, that a record
is made of aUjhe moat considerable
diamonds liitqpvto discovered, mmI
whole volumes have l?een written
(o afford the means of detecting this
mineral in its lurking places, to com,
municate the art of stiippW its
charms, and with fruitless efforts to
convey, by description, an idea of
its ineffable beauties. PLINY.
* Equal to 8138,800,
* SCIENTIFIC.
A controversy is now going on in
England, on the Theory of Life,
w hich, originating in a mere philoso
phical enquiry, has now assumed a
shape of higher interest, as well in
a metaphyseal as a theological point
of view. Dr. Lawrence is the lead
er of one party ; carrying the doc
irines of materialism to their fullest
extent He restive* not only animal
life but rational perception and mor
al feeling into mere organisation, and
luilds, that 4he differences of me
chanism alone makes the brain of
man differ from his watch or an oys
ter. Dr. Lawrence is adjunct Pro
fessor of Anatomy and srirgery In
I he Koyal College of Surgeohs an<)
these doctrines he has often tau&h
from hie chair, in the course of hi*
public lectures. Dr. Abtrncthy,
[name of still higher medical dislin*
unn, 4he seyi^f pre lessor of anatomy
m the san \c inr.fttution, ! as tnkri'
Ik1 field against these doctrines ; and
ii a course of lectures, in which he
?xliibited a general view of^ D*.
Hunter's physiological system, and]
his researches' in comparative anaj
tomy, "has shown, from tl>e evideu-j
res nf reason and medical and ana
tomical experience, that lite is' an
original and independent principle of
I activity, added by the will of Diety
I to organized matter, though con
nectedly certain laws with that or-j
utilization; and that in man, a third
i principle, a rational spirit is added
a life and structure. Sir Charles
Morgan,' a man of far inferior abili
ties to Lawrence, has appeared as
his Squire, in the controversy, in t
pompous and cou^ped work, called
Sketches oh Ihe Philosophy of Life.
number of smaller works have
also appeared, and the whole con
troversy has Tlecji admirably well
?urnmed up by the Kev. Mr. Kennel,
in a work which would be well wor
thy republication in this country. ?
In the cwirse of this controversy,
the system of Gall has been attacked
and^defended with much warmth ;
and it seems to be pretty clear* U?a
Gall has generalize i and theorized
?o an unwarrantable extent, from a
' v
few very curious and important facts
and many absurd and fantastic ana
logies, >
We cannot help observing, that,
if a uy American medical professor
?tad openly taught the doctrines avow -
ed by Lawrence and Morgan, we
should have been branded af once
by the English literati as a natiou of
atheists '? )
From the Villuge Recoil .
1 love. Nature in all her
aspects. 'I he hum of bees ? the
sons; of bird* ? the bleating of lambs
and the lowing of herds ? tb^ bab
ling brook ancl the suckled irout?
the sunny hill anil the shady gpew,
haire all *heir charms. jT
I love to stray alone through the
daisied mead ? to see the rabbit start
from bis hiding place ? to look into
the nest of the scared thrush, but
not to disturb it. ? At the close of the
day, I love to climb the eagle hill
to its summit ; to watch the sun veil
ing the splendor of his beams, as
he descend* in the west ; and to
watch the ever-varying doudlf illu
mined by his departing rajs, Often
do 1 linger in this charming spot,
until night ascends in all her glorj ,
studding the firmament With worlds
Itfyond my jiower to number.
Lovely are all these objects; and
though seen' a thousand times, they
yet appear to be clothed with tfew
beauty.
There is a chord in my heart that
vibrates sweet n.usic* when indulging
in those delightful views. But there
are scenes that toiich another chord?
t{mt awaken a more elevated tone of
feeling, aw (hi and sublime, but not
less dear to my soul. -
? 1 joy in the nisi* <if the tempest
and in the whirlwind. ? There are
moments when I can truly say?*
"Let the effeminate sons of ease
woo the balmy zephyrs}? they have
now for me no charms.? Blow, ye
north winds? send the ocean ip
mountains to the skies !? prostrate
the forests!" In such a mood, 1 de
light to see the rising thunder cloud
?to watch the lightning streaming in
liquid fire from the heavens!? to
mark its near approach? the explo
sion following quick upon the flash,
until both bursting together in sub
lime and terrific union, the branches]
of the gnarled oak are scattered at
my feet, and the eaith trembles to
its foundations !
At spch a moment, while I feel
that I am an atom? t yet remember
that 1 fltaf the workmanship of the
same lland that creates the lightning
and guides the storm.
Nay, more? 'I his world, so mn
igned, Is fo trie" full of beauties.?
'? delight to seer the infant, w ith its
tiiby lips and expanded hand, nest
?ing on its mother's bosom ? th<
school -children, at noon, prafikiit;
eneath the oaks^the blushing ^ii
. it h Mde-long locks for hvr lovei
* she tri]>s to meeting? li e bride ar?v
OHde-grwm ttileiitij at the alter their
j vow s cf eternal cohshhh-v : Ahd (o
I ne, venerable a?e. u htw ?ir\ h.wm
ire \\ itnes*** nf follies abjured and
tnriues cherished, is also lovely. ?
Nature U wise in all her works. ?
Hie father surrounded l>y hi* off
spring to the third generation, feels
that this is a double immorality ? lie
survives in his descendants, and bis
so\d shall live in heaven with its
Maker. *
Death, to the evil, is the king of
terrors. From infancy, the mind is
constantly impressed with fearful ap
prehensions of death. Life is often
painful. ? To die, is frequently as ti
sweet sleep that succeeds the toils of
a busy day* And to him whoso
heart is right, it is a sensation not
less pleasurable, than the gentfe em- *
brace of repose to the wearied lalmr
er. JOHN I1AKAYOOD.
BEGIN IN TIME.
Jllbert possessed, al the death
of Lis father a wide domain. He
planned vast improvements, and in
tended to meliorate the condition of
his tenants. He daily contemplated
this object, and resolved to set about
it quickly ? he thought of it in the
morning and in th$ evening, hut the
follies and the fashions of the limes
engrossed him for the remainder of
(he day; still he was determined on
it. .Thus he continued till he arri
ved at the age of forty, when he set
aboft it in good earnest ; hut ere he
accomplished his work lie died. He
did hot begin in time.
'Helen was an enchanting ?ir] ?
handsome hut not accomplished. ?
She wished to be pious and godly
hut she was . yet young, had many
admirers! and it would do when
she grew elder. She fell sick and
death hovered about lier ? then she
wanted religion, and it was then she
would begin. Poor girl ! it ? was
too late ; she died with a phrensied
mind. She , did net begin in tune.
Tom Dashall had a habit of
swearing; he fain would mend it;
he resolved on doing it; and he
would begin soon. He kept on,
however, till flip age of fifty, and
was then a disgusting object of pro
fanity. He began to mend, but the
next year he departed this world. ?
Vain mortal ! v he did not begin in
time.. *
Sam Thirsty was very- fond of
strong drink. His friends told bin* ,
if he jiersisted, it would kill him? *
$a in - laughed, - thinking he could
|B*ye It off when he pleased. He
crew old, and he grew worthless.?
Then he strive against it, but if was
all Jn vain ; he did not begin in time*
Timothy Giddy choose to be a
lawyer. He could study hard, that
he would. He frolicked with tho
girV* ; yet he would begin, he said,
to apply himself closely, very soon,
?But he went on in the old way,
frolicking, coquetting and resolving,
(ill the time when he should appear
at the bar. He knew nothitttqf the
la# ; he had every thing t* learn;
he was laughed at and scorned; be
did not begin in time.
So it is with all thing* in life.-*
Whatsoever you have to perform,
therefore, do it presently, lest ye
die, and leave the work unfinished.
Whether it be the improvement of
the heart^ the mind, or of the estate
?do begin in time.
?4 Hint to Smokers. ? The city of
JNfew-York is said to contain *30,000
inhabitants. Let 50,000 of them
smoke only; three Spanish segars a
day, and it wflt amount in the year
to the enormous sum of 81,095,000 ;
a sum sufficient to prty the salary of
the President/and Vice-Ptesid$ot of
the U. States, the Secretaries of
State? Treasury, War .and Navy,
and the ^ttojiiey-General, for twen
ty years ten tnonths end eight days.
A court buffoon having offended
his sovereign, the monarch ordered
him to be brought before him, and
With a stern countenance commanded
?i in to prepare for death, adding that
lie w'otijd show no tiyrcy except
permitting him to choose what kind of
leath he would die. ' The jester re
lied, " I adoife your clemency, and
choose to die of old age"