The miscellaneous scraps are articles with which I used to relax from the fatigues of business, and which I furnished to the Port Folio, the Emporium, &c. On passing a cursory glance over them at present, I find that some of them are too trite and trifling, and ought not to have found a place in the volume. These I resign to their merited condemnation. Some of the various projects I have formed (I have been a great projector) for the public benefit, are introduced, although they have proved abortions-in the hope that some fortunate person may, perhaps when I am in the grave, attempt them under more favourable auspices. One, on the success of which I counted largely, and which would have been highly beneficial, is the plan for the republication, and distribution gratuitously, of English pamphlets (and of some American ones of too limited circulation) calculated to advance the best interests of society, and promote human happiness. (See page 401.) English pamphlets, whatever may be their merit, are scarcely ever-I might almost say never-republished in this country, because pamphlets rarely defray their expenses. And booksellers are mere traders, who cannot in justice be expected to republish articles by which the chances of loss are as a hundred to one. I flattered myself I could find twenty persons in Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, who would patronize this plan. I was grievously mistaken. I found but four! It would excite the most profound astonishment and regret, were I to mention the names of several gentlemen of the first rank in society, in point of wealth, acquired and acquiring-reputation— and influence, to whom the project was submitted, and by whom it was rejected, although the subscription was limited to twenty-five dollars per annum, and obligatory only for one year, if the parties disapproved its execution or results. Some of the pamphlets contemplated would be infinitely beneficial to the country, and I think I might say worth their weight in gold. Works on religious controversy, politics, and political economy, were to have been entirely excluded. The failure of the plan of the Annals of Benevolence (page 399) is more extraordinary. This required no money from the parties addressed. They were published gratuitously, so far as they went, wholly at my expense, and would have been so continued, had I been furnished with materials, which I sought in vain from persons who could and ought to have supplied them copiously. And in an age, when-it is unhappily but too true-"the besetting sin" of the times is a thirst for wealth, the dissemination of illustrious instances of charity, generosity, liberality, and magnanimity, (of which, spite of the opposite current, numerous cases occur) could not fail to have a salutary effect by way of example. I have published three series, each of three numbers, in 1823, 1826, and 1829, and for the whole have not received as much matter as would fill three pages-and not a line for the last. I have had to depend almost altogether on the newspapers, which, although they abound in instances of turpitude and atrocity-murders, rapes, and arsons-collected with industry, at home and abroad, and every where republished, forming a pestilential moral atmosphere-are too barren in cases calculated for the purpose of the Annals of Benevolence. The failure of the plan urged on the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of republishing old and rare pamphlets and books respecting the antiquities of this country, (see page 246) which could have been accomplished without expense or risque to the Society, is, I think, to be regretted. Those important articles are becoming yearly more and more rare, and effectual means ought to be taken, as early as possible, for their preservation. I regret, likewise, the failure of the plan for preventing the spread of fires, (see page 289) which has three as strong recommendations as any plan ever had-it is simple, perfectly practicable, and would be completely effectual. Philadelphia, November 13, 1830. N.B. Politics and political economy are wholly excluded from this volume, except two or three pages on the latter subject. I. History of the Yellow Fever which prevailed in Philadelphia in the year 1793, containing a full account of its rise, progress, and termination; with various Anecdotes illustrative of the State II. Review of the Evidence of the pretended General Conspiracy of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, to massacre all the Protestants who would not join with them, on the 23d of October, 1641 III. Reflections on the subject of Emigration from Europe, with a view to a Settlement in the United States, containing a Brief Sketch of the Moral and Political Character of this Country IV. Review of the Policy of the Founders of the Colonies of Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island, West Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina, as regards Liberty of Conscience V. Remarks on a Passage in Horace VI. Essays on the Public Charities of Philadelphia, intended to vindi- cate the Benevolent Societies of this City from the charge of encouraging Idleness; and to place in strong Relief, before an enlightened Public, the Sufferings and Oppression under which the greater part of the Females labour, who depend on their industry for a support for themselves and Children VII. Thoughts on the Case of the Revolutionary Officers VIII. Letter to James Barbour, Esq., Secretary of War, on the Sub- X. Reflections on the Emancipation of the Slaves in the United States XI. Essay on the Employment of Slave Labour in Manufactures XIV. Essay on the Merits of, and Gratitude due to, Robert Fulton XV. Circular to the Members of the American Philosophical Society XVI. Circular to the Members of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- XVII. Circular to the Presidents and Directors of the different Banks of the City of Philadelphia, on the Suspension of Specie Pay- XVIII. Preface to the Letters to the Directors of the Bank of Phila- delphia, on the pernicious Consequences of the prevailing Sys tem of reducing the Amount of Bills Discounted XX. Circular to the Directors of the Bank of the United States, on XXXI. Dedication of Letters on Religious Persecution XXXII. Address on the Subject of the Greeks XXXIII. The Case of the Greeks stated XXXIV. Final Address of the Greek Committee XXIV. Address to those Ladies in New York who' have undertaken to establish a House of Employment XXV. Address submitted for consideration to, and accepted by, the Impartial Humane Society of Baltimore XXVI. Address on the Condition of the Poor XXVII. On the Extinguishment of Fires XXVIII. Dedication of the Religious Olive Branch PAGE XXXVII. Reminiscences on the Subject of Intemperance XXXIX. Address on the Formation of a Society for the Promotion of XL. The Crisis, August 24, 1814 XLI. Memorial to Simon Snyder XLII. Some Notices of Kentucky, particularly of Lexington XLIV. Circular addressed to the Printers of Daily Papers in Phila- delphia XLV. Circular on the Formation of a Society for the Republication of XLVI. Critical Examination of the Tragedy of Hamlet XLVIII. Vindication of Sterne against the Charge of Plagiarism L. Essay on the Effects of Prosperity and Adversity LI. Essay on the Drama, and the Management of the Orchestra LIII. Report on the Encouragement of Faithful Domestics Imprisonment for Debt LV. Extract from an Essay on the Establishment of a College for LVI. Address to the Congregation of St. Mary's Schools LVIII. Memorial to the Legislature of Pennsylvania on the same sub- ject LIGHT READING-MISCELLANEOUS SCRAPS. 3. On the Vicar of Wakefield 4. On the Theatre 5. Absurd Idea of Voltaire 6. Biblical Note 7. On the Earthquake at Lisbon 8. Horrible Refinement in Cruelty 19. On the Revolutionary Merits of Thomas Paine 21. On the Merits of Richard Calef, in the times of the Salem Witch- |
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