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and served as a lieutenant in the British army under General Wolfe, at the taking of Quebec.-He served during the whole of the French war of 1756, in the course of which he was honoured with the friendship of generals Wolfe, Murray and Moncton, under whose directions he learned the art of war. After retiring from the British army, he settled in Ligonier valley, on the site of Ligonier old fort, of which he had been the first commandant.-In 1773, Richard Penn, lieutenant-governor of the province, appointed him prothonotary and register and recorder for Westmoreland county, which offices, with others, he held in December, 1775, when he received from congress a colonel's commission in the continental service. Although this appointment was without solicitation on his part, he assumed the duties of his new station with promptitude and alacrity, and he recruited six full companies and marched them to the vicinity of Quebec by the first of the next May. In the compaign of 1776, he served in Canada, in company with Col. Wayne, under the orders of generals Thompson and Sullivan, and his knowledge of the country, gained in the previous war, as well as his military experience, was of essential advantage to the army. In the fall of the same year he joined Gen. Washington in Jersey, and first suggested that memorable ruse de guerre which terminated in the capture of The Hessians at Princeton, and which revived the sinking spirits of the army and the country. In the summer of 1777, be commanded Ticonderoga, which post being untenable by the small forces under his command, was abandoned, which occasioned a load of unmerited obloquy to be thrown upon him at the time. The military tribunal, however, which investigated his conduct, pronounced, that although he lost a post, he saved a state, and all the well informed have since unequivocally approved his conduct. He was in the battle of Brandywine a volun. teer, not having at that time any command. When the army marched southward, he was left in Pennsylvania to organize and forward the troops of that state, in consequence of which he arrived at Yorktown only a short time before the surrender of the British army. From thence he went to the south with a reinforcement to Gen. Green. After the peace he was a member of congress, and president of that body, and in 1788, he was appointed governor of the then North Western Territory. In 1791, he was again appointed a Major General in the army of the United States. In all the various stations and situations of his life after he became known to General Washington, he enjoyed the especial confidence and friendship of that distinguished patriot.

Gen. St. Clair, in his domestic relations, felt the tender sympathies of our nature, in their fullest force. In social life he was much valued as a friend. His conversation was instructive and interesting, enlivened by

wit and embellished with science. As a soldier and statesman he possessed a piercing accuracy of mind, and fearless of censure from the short-sighted and presumptuous, be looked to the ultimate result, rather than to the immediate consequence of his actions. The resources of his mind were best developed in difficult and adverse circumstances, and although fortune, in some instances, seemed determined to thwart his purposes, his coolness, his courage, and his penetration, were above her reach. Providence seems to have designed, that the American revolution should disclose every species of greatness, and the subject of this notice, after toiling with unsubdued resolution against disaster, and smiling upon adversity, fulfiled his destiny by descending to the tomb A GREAT MAN IN RUINS. The afflictive spectacle of his last days smites the heart with sorrow. The friend of Washington, the companion of his glory-he who by his counsel turned the tide of battle in the most gloomy period of the revolution-he who, in the winter of 1777, on the banks of the Deleware, looking on the broken army of liberty, beheld at his word the light of enthusiasm gleam over the brow of misfortunehe who, in 1783, before the intrenchments of York, standing by the side of the father of his country, and participating his feelings, saw the liberty of that country sealed by the surrender of its foes, closed his life in neglected solitude.

On the summit of the Chesnut Ridge, which overlooks the valley of Ligonier, in which the commencement of the revolution found him in prosperity; on this lonesome spot, exposed to winter winds, as cold and desolating as the tardy gratitude of his country, died Major General Arthur St. Clair. The traveller, as he passed the place, was reminded of the celebrated Roman exile's reply, "tell the citizens of Rome that you saw Caius Marius sitting among the ruins of Carthage." He is almost in the rear of the GALLANT BAND, in going to mortality's last sojourn.

VIRGINIA.

Important Discovery.-David Meade Randolph has announced in the Richmond papers, the discovery of a cement, made from two certain fossils, mineral or volcanic substances, which is found to be impervious to water and weather, and which grows harder by time. He applied the cement between two bricks on the 2d June, 1817, and after being in water fourteen months, the whole mass appeared to be solid, the cement as hard as the brick. The same cement has been applied to the flat surface of brick work, exposed to the weather, and the result has been equally flattering. The discoverer concludes from the experiments he has made, that his cement is superior to the real Dutch terras, since it will alike answer for works that are to be covered with water, and for cisterns, flooring and terrace walks.

The Pamunkey tribe of Indians, (in Virginia,) which was one of the confederacy of Powhatan, was reduced to ten or twelve men when Jefferson wrote his Notes; but it has since increased, so that it now consists of near 200 persons; but most of them have more Negro than Indian blood in them. The present chief is a member of the Baptist church. Two brothers of the name of Bradberry, have lately married into the tribe, and settled among them; but a meeting has been called to see whether they will permit them to stay. The elder B. is said to be worth several thousand dollars.

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SOUTH-CAROLINA.

The expenditures of the city of Charleston, for the year ending on the 31st August last, amounted to the sum of $193,720 84. Of this sum, $66,795 53 were expended in the purchase of lands for public purposes, and for making permanent improvements in the city. The expense of the city guard was $27,599 09-poor house, $24,451 84-orphan house, $20,075 09-marine hospital, $6,382 96-streets and scavengers, $15,461 27-city lamps and lighting, $14,969 45.— All these expenses were defrayed without borrowing, viz. from $24,295 01, balance in the treasury at the end of last year-direct taxes, $81,553 49-retail and tavern licenses, $11,995 20-vendue tax, $20,941 14and the remainder from city lots, rents, bonds and miscellaneous sources.

GEORGIA.

The ordinary expenses of Savannah, for the last year, ending on the 21st of August last, amounted to the sum of $18,137 58.Among the incidental charges were $200 to sundry persons, for killing 400 dogs.The amount of the debt due by the city is, $63,500. The amount of income for the past year was, $48,772 85, viz. from direct taxes, $27,189-rent of city lots, $9,382licenses, $4,930-rent of exchange, $1,578 40-sales of lots, $2,360.

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and, we are informed, has resided in that county nearly the whole of that time. He has had 24 children, 14 now living, the youngest 11 years old; and bas had upwards of 300 grand children. His hearing and sight are good.

INDIANA.

The Harmony Society, in this state, composed of German emigrants, is represented to be in a very prosperous condition. They have reaped during the season just gone by, 6000 bushels of wheat from one field. They manufacture almost all kinds of thingsthey purchase freely what they want, and pay very liberally-their beautiful church is completely finished-they have erected several large brick houses, and have a flour mill, thought to be exceeded by few in the United States; also, hemp and oil mills.-They have been joined by a number from Germany in the present year.

A settlement of Swedes is about to be made in their neighbourhood-they appear to be associated something like the Harmony Society, and to have the means of prosecuting business to advantage. A few Englishmen have purchased 32 quarter sections lying not far distant, to be immediately improved.

The Harmony Society had this year 400 acres in wheat, 50 rye, 30 oats, 20 barley. 430 corn, 20 flax, 100 grass, and also raised hemp, peas and beans-and expect to make several barrels of wine from their vineyard.

MICHIGAN TERRITORY.

A captive found-Gov. Cass, of Michigan Territory, advertises for the relatives of John Taylor, who has lately escaped from the Indians on Red River, near lake Winepee. It appears that in 1790, when he was about nine years old, he was stolen by the Indians from the banks of the Ohio, and has been with them ever since. He speaks no Euglish. The whites pursued the Indians, and in a conflict, the chief, Black Fish, was killed, which it is thought will lead to a discovery.

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MISSOURI TERRITORY.

Death of Col. Daniel Boon-Ashe lived, so he died, with his gun in his hand. It is stated that early in last month, Col. Boon rode to a deer-lick, seated himself within a blind raised to conceal him from the game; that while seated thus concealed, with his old trusty rifle in his hand, pointed towards the lick, the muzzle resting on a log, his face to the breach of his gun, his rifle cocked, his finger on the trigger, one eye shut, the other looking along the barrel through the sights-in this position, without struggle or motion, and of course without pain, he

breathed out his last so gently, that when he was found next day by his friends, although stiff and cold, he looked as if alive, with his gun in his hand, just in the act of firing. It is not altogether certain, if a buck had come into the range of his gun, which had been

the death of thousands, but it might have intuitively obeyed its old employer's mind, and discharged itself. This hypothesis being novel, we leave the solution to the ca

rious.

ART. 10. CABINET OF VARIETIES.

ALL THE WORLD A KALEIDOSCOPE.

SHAKESPEARE informs us that "all the world's a stage;" divines have remarked, that "all the world's a hospital of incurables;" and writers of other classes have given it such appellations as their judgment, their prejudice, or their fancy, suggested. For my own part, I think that the world, with all its freaks, its inconsistencies, and its crimes, is but a Kaleidoscope; a proposition which, as my readers may find some difficulty in conceiving, I shall proceed with all due exactness to illustrate and apply.

Now, I am aware that, as an answer at once to this proposition, it will be urged that the Kaleidoscope is quite a new invention; and that, consequently, I must have totally mistaken the colour and character of the world, before I could have found or fixed such a resemblance. To this I shall only reply, that, without at all disputing Dr. Brewster's patent, or claiming the invention for any of those philosophers, dead or living, whose names have been mentioned as the authors of the discovery, I think I can prove, by evidence the most satisfactory, that the world both is and ever has been a Kaleidoscope, from the very days of Adam to the present time.

For what, let me ask, is a Kaleidoscope? It is a machine in which, by means of an optical deception, a few pieces of tawdry glass and tinsel acquire apparent symmetry and beauty, adjusting themselves in a ceaseless variety of novel and amusing forms, and leading us to hope that each new change may be still more attractive than the last. Such is also the world. Divines, and moralists, sacred and profane, have all concurred to tell us that it is a scene of "vanity and vexation of spirit;”—but who, let me ask, believes them? Seen through the kaleidoscope of youth and inexperience, this same world is all beauty and fascination. Its vagaries and incongruities are forgotten, or perhaps even appear perfectly symmetrical and regular. It is impossible to convince men, till time or a Higher Power convinces them, that all this scene of apparent delight and brilliancy is but an optical illusion, which the next moment may destroy. Yet this fact is equally certain, notwithstanding the incredulity of mankind: nay, we often perceive it in the case of another, when we cannot in our own. When, for example, we see a child surveying with eager eye its first shilling, and summoning

up all the powers of its invention to know in what manner to expend the apparently exhaustless treasure, all the world, except the child itself, must be perfectly convinced that he views his solitary coin through a kaleidoscope, which has multiplied it in his imagination to an extent which the result cannot possibly justify. The same remark may be applied to the thoughness spendthrift and the sanguine heir. And when, a young lawyer, just eating his way to the bar, sees maces and woolsacks floating before him; or a young divine, mitres and lawn-sleeves; or an apprentice, civic chains and titles; or a youthful beauty, splendid equipages and establishments-all which every spectator is well convinced there is not the most remote prospect of their ever enjoying—must we not say that such characters employ a kaleidoscope, which though it may amose their imaginations by its phantoms, has no power to regulate their judgment to a due perception of the illusions with which they are surrounded?

In short, imagine that every man keeps his own kaleidoscope, fitted up and adapted for his own peculiar powers of vision, and which will therefore seldom suit any other eye. One person, for instance, views every thing through the kaleidoscope of party; and it is astonishing with what powers of optical deception this particular kaleidoscope is often furnished. I have seen instances of this in the late election. An individual, for example, of flagrantly immoral habits; or another of revolutionary and destructive political principles; or another of hopelessly wayward and inconsistent character; or another of blind, indiscriminate unmeaning attachment to what is called "the high" or "the low" party, instantly becomes, when viewed through this kaleldoscope, all that is consistent and worthy of approbation. The very darkest shades in his character assume an apparent symmetry and beauty. Indeed, so powerful an instrument is a party kaleidoscope, that I never knew a bad man, or a bad measure, either in church or state, that might not be made to appear for a moment tolerably respectable by its aid.

The controversial kaleidoscope has much the same effect. I have known, for example, many a man, after taking up a system of religion which appeared, and justly so, to every other person, harsh, confused, and disjointed, expatiate upon the unity and

congruity of his scheme, and point out, with no ordinary self-complacency, how perfectly the tints were blended and the parts adjusted to each other. A good Calvinistic or Arminian kaleidoscope can perform wonders in this way; though, unluckily, as but one person can look through the same aperture at the same time, and in exactly the same disposition of the objects, it seldom happens that the kaleidoscopist can impart to others the exact views which have made so great an impression on his own mind. Two forms or colours which appear perfectly to suit each other in one position, become displeasing the moment that aspect is changed; and it is often quite impossible, even for the individual himself, to recover the original position which so much delighted his imagination. Indeed, having found, by repeated experience, innumerable inconveniences in managing Calvinistic and Arminian kaleidoscopes; and, particularly, having discovered that although in some positions each will do very well, in others it will present objects in very disgusting forms, and with very unnatural distortions; I have been induced in my own practice to blend the two instruments, or rather to select from each the best and fairest gems, and to combine them as well as I was able in order to form a third, which, though not altogether perfect, seems to answer my purpose tolerably well. I have found the same plan useful also in many similar cases.

Having thus endeavoured cursorily to prove that "all the world's a kaleidoscope," I trust your readers will not objeet to my stating the moral advantages which I think they ought to derive from the discovery. The chief benefit that occurs to my own mind, is the importance of being aware of the illusions to which we are subject, and the necessity of adjusting our kaleidoscopes as well as we possibly can for the purpose of our true happiness and welfare. For this end I would recommend every man frequently to open his kaleidoscope, and examine its contents. An apparently small alteration will often produce a most important and beneficial change in the character of the images which lie before him. Does he, for instance, view the world as one bright and glaring scene; thus both neglecting a better world, and preparing him self for innumerable disappointments in this? Let him convince himself of the il

lusion: let him view, in their simple form, and colour, and magnitude, those objects which have so greatly enraptured his eye, but which, upon minuter inspection, will prove to be but beads and baubles, shreds of finery, and fragments of variegated glass; of which the only wonder is, how they could appear for a moment, or under any possible illusion, so interesting and splendid to a rational and immortal being. The young and gay and sanguine observer, will VOL. II. No. VI.

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often derive much practical advantage from discovering how much he has been deceived by mere impression, and how little real worth and reality there often is in many of the most gay and glittering scenes which pass before his enraptured eye. On the other hand, the gloomy and unhappy will find not less advantage in adopting the same process. It was, perhaps, but one sombre object that gave the melancholy tinge to the whole kaleidoscope, and which being taken away, or a few more cheerful objects thrown in, the general appearance would be materially improved. Why, then, constantly select the most distressing appearances, and place before the eye the most dark and lowering hues, when, notwithstanding all the miseries ever existing in the world, there is an infinity of brighter shades, and more cheerful objects, with which we may lawfully enliven our sphere of vision. Indeed, the mixture and succession of dark and light, of grave and cheerful, is always so uncertain, and oftentimes so rapid, in the kaleidoscope of life, that it would be worse than folly, in any thing human, to rejoice without sorrow, or to sorrow without rejoicing. The very next turn may change the whole scene: the liveliest images may succeed to the most melancholy, or the most melancholy to the liveliest; disorder and deformity may give way to symmetry and beauty, or beauty and symmetry to deformity and disarrangement. To hope, therefore, in adversity, and to be humble in prosperity, to correct our views of life, and to be prepared for the approach of death, is not less the advice of Reason than of Scripture. [Christian Observer.

NEW DISCOVERY IN OPTICS.

A very interesting and important discovery has lately been made on the increase and projection of light, by Mr. Lester, engineer. As this discovery will form a new era in optics, a record of its history must prove interesting to the scientific world, and, as such, we shall briefly lay before our readers the following account of it by a correspondent.

Mr. Lester being engaged at the WestIndia Docks for the purpose of applying his new mechanical power, The Convertor, to cranes, by which the labour of winches is performed by rowing, &c. on taking a view of the immense spirit vaults, he was forcibly struck by the inefficient mode adopted to light those very extensive and wonderful depôts, which is by a cast-iron cylinder of about two feet in diameter, and two feet deep, placed in lieu of a key-stone ders are closed at their tops, and each furin the centre of each arch;-these cylinnished with five plano-convex lenses (bull's

* One of which is nearly an acre and an half in area, and is supported by 207 groined arches and 207 stone pillars.

eyes) of Messrs. Pellatt and Green's patent, which are admirably adapted to the conveying of light in all situations, except down a deep tube or cylinder, where the refrac tion they produce, (in consequence of their convex forms) betwixt the angles of incidence and reflection, prevents the rays from being projected into the place intended to be lighted. This refraction throws the light upon the concave sides of the cylinder, where it is principally absorbed, instead of keeping the angles of incidence and reflec tion equal.

From these observations, Mr. Lester concluded, that a lens might be so constructed as to prevent this refraction, and commenced a course of experiments for that purpose. He succeeded by obtaining the proper angle of the incidental rays with a mirror, and finding the scope of the cylinder sufficiently copious to admit the reflected rays into the vault, provided the retraction of the lens did not intervene. The same angle produced by the mirror he endeavoured to retain upon the sides of the lens, by giving it a different form, a peculiar part of which he intended to foliate. But having met with insurmountable difficulties in this process, he concluded, from the striking appearance of silvery light upon the iuterior surface of that part he intended to silver, that metal would represent the light by retaining that form, and, brought down below the edges of the lens, might produce the desired effect. In his attempt to accomplish this purpose, by holding the body in a vertical position between the eye and a candle, a flash of light was instantly produced, by representing the flame of the candle magnified to the size of the whole of the inner surface of this piece of metal, and gave an increased light upon the wall opposite to him. After this discovery, he had several pieces of metal formed, retaining the same angle, but of various diameters, and found to his great surprise, that, although their area were greatly increased, the representation of the flame still filled them without the least diminution in the quality of the light, but with an increased light against the wall, in proportion to the increased area of the surface of the metal.* How far this power and effect may extend, is not at present ascertained; but it is believed that a zone of light of the same quality and effect may be prodaced to an inconceivable extent. Some idea may be formed of the powerful and important results that may be derived from this discovery, by reasoning philosophically on its

*This invention is not confined solely to light, but the increase of heat keeps pace with the increase of light, and both in the ratio of the area of the surface.

The apparatus is so constructed as to be placed upon a candle, and sinks down with the Hame, without either flooding or waste.

principles:-Let a candle or any other light be represented in a mirror at a given dis tance from the flame, and the eye of the spectator be placed so as to view its reflection nearly in the cathetas of incidence. Let hina mark the quantity of light represented in the mirror, and such will be its true quality when forming a zone of represented flame of double the diameter of the distance betwixt the real flame and the mirror.

If a candle be placed before a mirror. its flame will be represented; and if a thousand mirrors are placed in a given circle round a candle, the candle will be repre sented a shousand times, and each representation equal in brilliancy, if the mirrors are at equal distances from the flame. Suppose that the thousand mirrors were united in such a form as to bring all the represented flames into one flame, of equal brilliancy with the real flame of the candle. For the same law of nature by which the flame is represented a thousand times in as many mirrors so united, it would be represented in one flame if the mirror be made of a proper form, and placed in a proper position to receive the rays of light that emanate from the candle in the direction of the angle of this peculiar formed mirror.

As the light of a small candle is visible at the distance of four miles in a dark night, what must be the diameter or circumference of that zone of flame be that is produced by this discovery from one of the gas lights in the streets of London? Thus two lamps or stations would be sufficient to light the longest street, when its position approaches to a right line, as the diameter of the zone may be made of the same diameter as the street; and as the rays of light that are increased by this invention diverge from the luminous body, all parts of the street would be filled with light. Many are the minor advantages that will be derived from its application to domestic purposes, for writ ing, reading, and working by candle or lamp light. This, like Dr. Brewster's kaleidoscope, is another instance of the effects to be produced by mirrors.

It appears that the great impediment to improvement and discovery in this branch of the science of optics, has arisen from the dificulty of foiling glass to the various forms necessary, in lieu of which we have been compelled to use metallic substances. These difficulties once removed, a vast field of important discovery will be opened on the nature and effect of light. May not many of the phenomena that are observed in the air, such as halos round the sun, be produced by this principle, the rays falling upon a denser medium than air, and thus producing a zone of light? &c.

The further particulars of this important discovery we hope to lay before our readers in a future number.

[Philosophical Magazine.

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