the ancient poets. Here were to be seen heroes and patriots, in close conversation with each other. Washington and Dickenson held several dialogues together. Here were to be seen men conversing with each other, who had appeared in all the different stages of the American war. Dickenson and Morris frequently reclined together against the same pillar. Here were to be seen states. men and warriors from the opposite ends of the continent, talking of the history of the war in their respective states. Rutledge and Walton from the south, here conversed with Lincoln and Duane, from the east and the north. Here and there too, appeared a solitary character walking among the artificial bowers in the garden. The celebrated author of "Common Sense" retired frequently from the company to analize his thoughts, and to enjoy the repast of his own original ideas. Here were to be seen men who had opposed each other in the councils and parties of their country, forgetting all former resentments, and exchanging civilities with each other. Mifflin and Reed accosted each other with all the kindness of ancient friends. Here were to be seen men of various countries and languages, such as Americans and Frenchmen, Englishmen and Scotchmen, Germans and Irishmen, conversing with each other like children of one father. And lastly, here were to be seen the extremes of the civilized and savage life. An Indian chief in his savage habits and the count Rochambeau in his splendid and expensive uniform, talked with each other as if they had been the subjects of the same government, generals in the same army, and partakers of the same blessings of civilized life.

About half an hour after eight o'clock the signal was given for the dance to begin. Each lady was provided with a partner before she came. The heat of the evening detered above one half of the company from dancing. Two sets, however, [appeared upon the floor during the remaining part of the evening.

On one side of the room were provided two private apartments where a numer of servants attended to help the company to all kinds of cool and agreeable drinks, with sweet cakes, fruits and the like.

Between these apartments, and under the orchestra, there was a private room where several quaker ladies, whose dress would

not permit them to join the assembly, were indulged with a sight of the company through a gause curtain.

This little attention to the curiosity of these ladies marks in the strongest manner, the minister's desire to oblige every body.

At 9 o'clock were exhibited a number of rockets from a stage erected in a large open lot before the minister's house. They were uncommonly beautiful, and gave universal satisfaction. At 12 o'clock the company was called to supper. It was laid behind the dancing room under three large tents, so connected together as to make one large canopy. Under this canopy was placed seven tables, each of which was large enough to accomodate fifty people.

The ladies, who composed near one half of the whole assembly, took their seats first, with a small number of gentlemen to assist in helping them. The supper was a cold collation; simple, frugal, and elegant; and handsomely set off with a desert, consisting of cakes, and all the fruits of the season. The Chevalier de la Luzerne now appeared with all the splendour of the minister, and all the politeness of a gentleman. He walked along the tables and addressed himself in particular to every lady. A decent and respectful silence pervaded the whole company. Intemperance did not show its head; levity composed its countenance, and even humour itself forgot for a few moments, its usual haunts; and the simple jests no less than the loud laugh, were unheard at any of the tables. So great and universal was the decorum, and so totally suspended was every species of convivial noise, that several gentlemen remarked that the company looked and behaved more as if they were worshiping than eating." In a word, good breeding was acknowledged, by universal consent, to be mistress of the evening, and the conduct of the votaries at supper formed the conclusion of her triumph. Notwithstanding all the agreeable circumstances that have been mentioned, many of the company complained of the want of something else to render the entertainment complete. Every body felt pleasure, but it was of too tranquil a nature. Many people felt sentiments, but they were produced by themselves, and did not arise from any of the amusements of the evening. The company expected to feel joy, and their feelings were in unison with nothing short of it. An ode on the birth of the Dauphin, sung or repeated, would have answered the expecta

tions and corresponded with the feelings of every body. The un, derstanding and the taste of the company would have shared with the senses in the pleasures of the evening. The enclosed ode written by Mr. Wm. Smith, son of the Rev. Dr. Smith, was composed for the occasion, but from what cause I know not, it did not make its appearance. It has great merit, and could it have been set to music, or spoken publickly, must have formed a most delightful and rational part of the entertainment. About one o'clock the company began to disperse. Our family moved with the foremost of them. Before three o'clock the whole company parted, every candle was extinguished, and midnight enjoyed her dark and solitary reign in every part of the minister's house and garden. Thus have I given you a full account of the rejoicing on the birth of the Dauphin of France.

If it serves to divert your thoughts for an hour or two from the train of reflections to which the shades and walks of at this season of the year too naturally dispose you, I shall be more than satisfied, and shall esteem the history which my attendance at the minister's house has enabled me to give you, as the most fortunate and agreeable event (as to myself) of the whole evening.

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

LETTER FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON, ESQ. TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.

MY DEAR MARQUIS,

New-York, 6th October, 1789.

I have seen with a mixture of pleasure and apprehension the progress of the events which have lately taken place in your country. As a friend to mankind and to liberty I rejoice in the efforts which you are making to establish it, while I fear much for the final success of the attempts, for the fate of those I esteem who are engaged in it, and for the danger, in case of success, of innovations greater than will consist with the real felicity of your nation. If your affairs still go well when this reaches you, you will ask why this foreboding of ill, when all the appearances have been so much in your favour-I will tell you; I dread disagreements among those who are now united (which will be likely to be im

proved by the adverse party) about the nature of your constitution; I dread the vehement character of your people, whom I fear you may find it more easy to bring on, than to keep within proper bounds, after you have put them in motion; I dread the interested refractoriness of your nobles, who cannot all be gratified, and who may be unwilling to submit to the requisite sacrifices; and I dread the reveries of your philosphic politicians, who appear in the moment to have great influence, and who being mere speculast its, may aim at more refinement than suits either with human nature or the composition of your nation.

These, my dear Marquis, are my apprehensions. My wishes for your personal success and that of the cause of liberty are incessant. Be virtuous amidst the seductions of ambition, and you can hardly in any event be unhappy. You are combined with a great and good man:-You will anticipate the name of Neckar. I trust that you and he will never cease to harmonize.

You will I presume have heard before this gets to hand that I have been appointed to the head of the finances of this country: this event I am sure will give you pleasure. In undertaking the task I hazard much, but I thought it an occasion that called upon me to hazard. I have no doubt that the reasonable expectation of the public may be satisfied, if I am properly supported by the Legislature, and in this respect I stand at present on the most encouraging footing.

I wrote you last by Mons. de Varville. I presume you received my letter. As it touched some delicate points, I should be glad to know its fate.

Yours, with unalterable esteem and affection,

AMONG the several congratulatory addresses, which I have had the honor of receiving from my fellow citizens on the late im

portant success of the allied arms, I esteem none, more highly than this of the Trustees and Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.

Convinced that science is the nurse of liberty, I have ever made it a rule to protect and encourage to the utmost of my power, all seminaries of learning, and inexpressibly happy shall I be to think that my services here, in any degree, contributed to the reestablishment of an institution, so eminently distinguished as that which you, gentlemen, patronize.

It will afford a very sensible satisfaction, to the generals of a nation, as celebrated for her progress in the arts, as she is for her prowess in the army, to see their own names and that of their illustrious sovereign mentioned in so respectful and grateful a

manner.

You are perfectly right, in attributing to their alacrity, zeal, and ability, a great share of the honour gained at York. I have the honour, gentlemen, to be, with the greatest veneration, Your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To his Excellency, WILLIAM MOORE, Esq.

President of the Board of Trustees, and the

Rev. JOHN EWING, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania.

EPITAPH ON TOM PAINE.

TOM PAINE for the Devil is surely a match;

In leaving old England he cheated Jack Ketch,

In France (the first time such a thing had been seen)
He cheated the watchful and sharp guillotine,

And at last, to the sorrow of all the beholders,

He march'd out of life with his head on his shoulders.

A woman who had been frequently beaten by her husband, a few morning since, finding him fast asleep, sewed him up in the bed-clothes, and in that situation thrashed him so soundly, that, to save his bones, he entered into a treaty of amity with his spirited spouse.