Ames Township (part 3 of 4)

Almanack For 1 765. 36 1

Son, am thus forced, as it were, to make my unexpedted, premature Appearance in Public ; I was induced to finish this Almanack rather to please some intimate Friends, who were urgent to have it continued by the same Name than by the Prospecft of the Reward, which is indeed very small, or by any Fondness for commencing Author. I have been very anxious to have it become as useful as possible to those whose Oracle is an Almanack, such as are destitute of an}^ other periodical Performance, as Magazines, or the like, or even News Papers : The Piece on Agriculture I imagin'd might be as useful as any Thing, seeing such Instrucflions can be convey'd thro' no other Channel so conveniently as this to those Persons who pradtice that Art ; and any Observations or Improvements in that, or any Art or Manufadture, that would be really useful to the Community, will be very acceptable from any Gentlemen that please to favour me with 'em against another Year ; for it is now become absolutely necessary that we begin to cultivate every Art and Manufacture that will help us to make Remittances to our Mother Country, for the vast Quantities of Broad Cloths, and a Multitude of other less necessary Articles, for which this Country is now in debt : And also to enable us to bear up under the heavy Duties that have been laid on us since the Conclusion of the War, when one great Source of our Affluence was cut off that supported so many idle Persons both in the Army and at Home, in so great Ease, that finding they must get a Living some how or other, and having but poor Stomachs to return to the Stall or Plough, from whence they came ; some of them commence Quacks, and call themselves Dodlors, having seen a Man that saw another Man cured of a very foul Gunshot by hot Oil of Turpentine, and heard their Grandmother say that Carduus Tea will vomit, and Fifingers are very cooling ; or perhaps having exercis'd their Skill on passive Beasts, at length have the Audacity to practice their Butchery on the human Race ; and upon the slightest occasions, or oftener none at all, absent themselves from public Worship to be thought Men of Business : thus without one qualification necessary for a Physician they become famous Water Gruel Doctors.

regular bred Ph^'sician, which are called Pettyfoggers ; this is a Race made up, for the most part, of the Dregs of Misfortune and Misconduct, join'd with a Deal of low Wit, and such a Sip of lycarning as just intoxicates the Brain, as Pope has it, who having suffered a Course of L,aw repeatedl}-, in Actions of Debt, Trespass, and perhaps criminal Actions too, at last get the Form of a Declaration pretty perfectly by Heart, run off to some different Part of the Continent, fill up Writs in the most trifling Causes, exciting Quarrels, thereby becoming downright Barrators, the very Pest of Society ; and perhaps if they have a good Stock of Dissimulation they may get a certain Commission that commands my Silence.

These are two Evils which it seems strange to my Shortsightedness, the lyCgislature oi New England has not found a remedy, for, seeing these Animals might be employed for the Good of the Common Wealth in subduing our stubborn Soil, or in some other handy Work.

There is a third Species of these Clogs on our growing Wealth, as worthless as either of the former, who under the specious Pretence of Religion, and an alarming Conscience, walk to and fro, up and down the Earth, sowing Sedition among Churches, raising Disputes about hol}^ Trifles, destroying that universal Charity that ought to warm the Breast of every Christian towards every Class of Men that adore one Being of infinite Wisdom and Power, whether they call him Jehovah or Jupiter, whether they worship him prostrate and kneeling, or standing and setting ; whether they light up Wax Tapers at Noon Day to celebrate him, or are contented with the grand Luminary which he has placed in this "azure Vault," whether they who are appointed to tell us we must love Him, be cloath'd in a white Robe, a black Gown, or black Coat ; whether the Colour of their Skin happens to be white, olive or sable ; whether they speak our own, or an unknown Language ; whether they wear an embroidered Coat and laced Hat, or a plain grey, woollen Coat and flopp'd Hat. Not only these Conditions unequal indeed to Men of narrow Minds perfectly equal in the Eye of the great Creator, but all the little foolish Differences of

Almanack For 1 765

Opinion, are made the signals of Hatred and Persecution, by these lay Pretenders, to serve that Being, who is so independent of every Thing created, that even the highest Angel can do him no Service, much less such diminutive Atoms as Men, otherwise than by serving one another. Thus Reader, you have not my Opinion alone, but that of every Man of Sense, viz : That every one ought to act in his own Sphere, that the Mechanics ought to diligently pursue their respective Occupations, nor trouble their Heads any further with Law, Physic or Divinity, than immediately concerns their own Wealth, Health, or Salvation ; nor until some such Regulations take Place, shall we ever be a flourishing people.

The Eclipse on the 21st of March, as calculated and projected from the Tables of the latest Author on that Subjedt and who is very much commended by the Reviewers, will be invisible in Boston ; but as done by the greatest Mathematician in America, from the Tables of the then greatest Astronomer in Europe, it will be a small Eclipse, a little before the Time I have said ; but every one knows on whose calculations we ought most to depend. It is hoped that Gentlemen of Curiosity, especially such as are favoured with a clear Horrison and Telescopes will make critical Observations. The Title Page Verse is the Favour of a worthy Friend. Reader, adieu !

Unravell'd Nature clearly speaks the God ; Where Virtue's Sons shall full Protection find. Where Vice or Dullness ne'er disturb the Mind, Where Love and Joy eternally reside. Nor Fame and Affluence swell the Mind with Pride.

From these Examples could I catch the Flame, To please the Sage, and shun the Critic's Blame ; Or better still ; our Vices to expose ; Convince the Mind what joy from Virtue flows ; On Fancy's Wings then upwards would I soar, And bless the Muse for Strains with me she bore.

Blown by each Tempest of uncertain Fate ! Mov'd by no certain Rule, or settled Plan, And still unhappy in his happiest State. A mere Machine, by ev'ry Passion led ; By Vice undone, by Virtue nourished."

(True human Nature, undisguis'd by Art) Nor in his Breast a Beam of Reason feels. To move his Actions, or to mend his Heart. So are Mankind uncapable of Thought, ' Till Reason guides, and Wisdom Sense has brought.

How Happy's He ! whose guiltless Mind, Is to his native Fields confin'd ; Bless'd with his State, and craves no more Than Heav'n allow'd his Sires before ; No Care by Day disturbs his Breast^ At Night he steeps his Brows in Rest.

If any good House of Entertainment is omitted, or any inserted that do not keep Tavern ; also if there are any Errors in the Distances of the Stages, it is desired that those who live at or near the Places v^^here the Mistakes are, would send a letter to Richard & Samuel Draper, Printers in Boston, free of Charge, and they shall be rectified.

Interlined Wisdom And Humour

Any Winds that come now you may denominate March Winds. Some literary Performances usher'd into Light and soon disappear. New England Luxury cannot be supported unless more of her Commodies are exported.

Some brave Spirits glow with patriotic Ardor. Many are governed by Interest, but more by Whim. Strange Fate of human Things. How Nature every Day new Wonders bring.

Almanack For 1765

Signs of foul Weather, which if ever so foul is better than the Gamester and Drunkard deserve. The Sight of one Drunkard is better than twenty Sermons would be without it, to prevent Drunkeness.

On troubl'd Seas when Life's full Sails are swell'd By Blasts of Passion, ne'er by Reason quell'd, The fleeting Forms that in Life's Vision dance, The futile Pleasures of this Scene enhance : But Death approaches ! when calm Reason rules, And real Scenes rush dismal on our Souls.

Ye Youth who now with cold IndifFrence view, A worthy Parent, perhaps scorn him too. Oh ! yet, while p-ate delays th' impending \Voe,i Be rouz'd to Thought! anticipate the Blow. Lest, unexpecled, in funereal Gloom, With me you bend o'er some untimely Tomb, Or your sad Frame with inward Grief you w-ear, And almost think Heav'n's sacred Doom severe.

Oh ! stop ye Dreams ! - ye dear Illusions stay ! - Methinks I see the re-inspired Clay ! Lo ! pleasing Smiles his guileless Heart declare, Behold him healing with successful Care.

Still let me listen while his words impart Instructions mild, that captivate the Heart, And all the Soul, each Tumult charm'd away, Yields, gently led, to Virtue's easy Sway. Adorn'd by Thee, bright Virtue ! Age is young, And Musick warbles on the faultering Tongue, Thy Ray creative chears the clouded Brow, Touches the faded Cheek with rosy Glow, Illumes the joyless Aspect, and supplies A lively Lustre to the languid Eyes ; Each Look, each Accent, while it awes, invites, And Age with every youthful Charm delights.

But here, alas ! the pleasing Vision's flown, I see him struggling ! hear his dying Groan ! Behold his Visage with dire Spasms wrung ! The fainter Sounds just 'scape his parched Tongue, His flutt'ring Pulse - now stops - now beats - now done ! His Soul now leaps ! - returns - and now quite gone!

Oh cruel Death ! of ev'ry Rule forlorn, Or thou might'st spare the Oak to take the Thorn ; Why miss thy erring Darts the worthless Drones, Does Heav'n no more protedl its virtuous Sons ? -

Pardon my vain Grief! Reason takes the Reins, His Soul is freed! while we endure the Pains, 'Scap'd the dark Dungeon, does the Slave complain, Nor bless the Hand that broke the galling Chain ? Say, pines not Virtue for the ling'ring Morn, Doom'd in this Midnight Waste to stray forlorn? Oh ! happy Stroke that breaks the bonds of Clay, Darts thro' the bursting Gloom the Blaze of Day, And wings the Soul with boundless Flight to soar. Where Dangers threat, and Fears alarm no more.

Notes on X765. - As it was observed that there was a sensible change in the essays and humor of the almanack after the decease of the first Nathaniel Ames in 1736, - who, though he did not appear as the author, undoubtedly exerted his influence upon the publication - so in the present instance, there will be noted a still greater change between the present astronomer and his father ; due undoubtedly to the change in the affairs of government, and the customs and habits of the people.

The title-page verse is admitted to have been written by a " mutual friend," for a proper modesty on the part of either Nathaniel, would not have led them to have indited the two last lines thereof, witty as it really is.

The address of the Author to the reader having premised with an announcement of the decease of his father, shows that he has largely inherited his father's tastes and his sentiments (though more positively,) and can handle the pen of satire equally well. The burden of his discourse is the urgenc}' of cultivating and the encoviragement of home productions, the discouragement of titled drones, pretentious medical quacks, legal pettifoggers, and seditious Clergymen.

Thorough-paced democracy characterizes every line, as opposed to the encroachments of the opponent Aristocracy now apparently growing up in the Colonies.

The monthly squibs give a fair exhibit of the " Spirit of the Times," and which can best be appreciated by a careful perusal of the interlined notes, showing the general direction of the political storm now brewing.

The elder Doctor, whom we have now followed for forty years through his astronomical career, his wit, and pleasantries, his humor, sense and nonsense, has fulfilled his mortal destiny and been gathered to his fathers. With his own plain-spoken works before us, no fulsome eulogy is demanded at the hands of the mere collator of his labors, and we shall simply transcribe one of the many testimonials which were indited to his memory by api^reciative contemporaries.

My muse with sable colours spread. To hear that Doctor Ames is dead. His great seraphic genius fled. Mourn, mourn, sons of Urania, mourn. For he will never more return : To hover 'round the starry brood. For he's pass'd thro' the ecliptic road. To world's unknown, he's took his flight, The Grave's receiv'd him from our sight : Fame sits aloft and spreads her wing, While we in mournful strains may sing.

Any change in tone from the usual manner of the Almanack, or its sentiments, could not fail of being noted by those who had for forty years been conversant with the Ames publications; hence it is not to be wondered that we should find among the correspondence of the present author, a letter of a neighboring critic which is subjoined, and which explains itself.

Tho' a stranger to you, yet I take the freedom to give my simple sentiments of your address to the Reader publish'd in your Almanack. I mean what you say of " a third species of these Clogs " &c. which as It seams strange to my short sightedness, you did not upon a review, suppress. As I conclude you have adopted the sentiment, shall not charge you with borrowing it from the famous M. Voltaire. Excuse me Sir, if I tell you, that you have given sufficient evidence, that reveal'd religion is with you, a Chimera. Nor will your calling them, you explode, " Lay pretenders," avail you, as you had before given a droll catalogue of the various sects which unhappily divide the Christian world. Supposing them all equaly right, or (if you please) equaly wrong; Indeed the heathen Idolitors seam to obtain your charity.

If in fact such are your sentiments, you may Laugh at an attempt to set you right. If otherwise 'tis doubtless a pit}' you gave the publick reason to think you an Enemy to the religion of your country, for, this is not my oppinion alone, but that of many men of better sense.

Almanack For 1766. 37I

The universal Esteam which the country had for your deceas'd father wou'd have vastly indear'd you to the publick, had you trod in his steps - but your earlj' wide departure from his known principles, is an unhappy flourish at your first "commencing Author."

Boston

We, tho' from Heav'n remote, to Heav'n will move With strength of Mind and tread th' Abyss above ; And penetrate, with an interior light, Those upper Depths, which Nature hid from sight, Pleas'd we will be to walk along the Sphere Of shining Stars, and travel with the Year; To leave this heavy Earth and scale the height Of Atlas, Who supports the heav'nly Weight ; To look from upper Light, and thence survey Mistaken Mortals wand'ring from the way.

It was not without great difl&dence of mj' own ability to fill the place of my deceased father, who was 40 years conversant with the public in this way, and whom even envy owns to have gain'd their generous and impartial approbation ; a grateful sense of which, inspiring me with the most refreshing hopes of their future encouragement and protedlion, join'd with a reflection on the sublimity of the employment for leisure hours, that I was soUicited to offer these first fruits of my labours, under my own patronage, to your candid view. And as long as I can gain the smiles of public favour, which is a great incitement to a noble exertion, I purpose to make my appearance before you annually, notwithstanding what some obscure persons would insinuate to the contrary ; who, at the expence of truth and reputation, persue their sordid interests with such a monopolizing disposition, as astonishes all impartial judges : for they have not only made use of my name to impose upon the public, by prefixing it to their counterfeit Almanacks, but have even advertised that I was not about to publish an Almanack for this 3'ear, which the public knows to be false. ^ I would advise such as would buy my Almanack to be cautious lest they be imposed upon. Thus much I think necessary to inform the public with regard to this intended imposition. Besides what is usual in this Almanack you have the rising, setting, or southing of the seven stars, several times in each month. I shall always endeavour to publish what I think will be most useful to the bulk of my readers, let individuals make what application the^^ please ; and next consider their innocent diversion : yet I hope I shall never be so bigotted to my own opinion as not to lay open to the convi<5lion of any error, when it is offered in a candid manner, by arguments drawn from cool reason, void of passion and prejudice. Here I should conclude, did I not share in the general distress of my countrymen, and think it out of character, not to condole with them in their present distressed circumstances, who not only groan, but almost sink beneath a load of debt ; our merchants continually breaking; no mone}' to be had, even for the most valuable articles ; and all threatened with ruin, without the lenity and assistance of our superiours ; yet so far from this,

^In 1765, in evident anticipation of the discontinuance of the publication after the decease of the old Doctor, " a late Student at Harvard College,''' issued a '' NathaJiiel Ames almanack" for 1766, which is remarkable for the following note in connection with the price of the book, and the " Stamp Act."' "Price before the Stamp Act takes Place, Hal f-a-Dollar per Dozen, and six Coppers Single. After the Act takes place, more than double the Price.'" that we are shocked with a new demand, which, it is thought by many, all the current specie among us is not able to satisfy ; and after that is gone, then go houses and lands, then liberties ! and all the land that we can then get, will be only in vassalage to some haughty L,ord, which Heaven avert ! But this is only a conjecture of what might be should we prove very tame and easy at putting on the yoke. Now, on the other hand, let us consider, the Government must be kept up ; and that they who sit at helm, know the exigencies of state much better than we who are at a distance ; and that we have the happiness to be under as good a King as ever reign'd, and a very wise government ; that they know we possess a true British spirit ; and that when they come to know our true circumstances, they will certainly redress our evils, for as we are a member of the whole body of the state, our interests are mutual, and we cannot think of independency. But, above all things, let us rely on the goodness of that power which protecfted our forefathers, who sought shelter in this howling wilderness among the savage beasts from more savage men ; that they might quietly worship HIM, who has hitherto, and as long as we do our duty, will continue to defend us from foreign and domestic enemies, and STAMP with eternal infamy and disgrace, those who would oppress or tyrannize over us. And now, reader, relying on further acquaintance, wishing all happiness to British America and confusion to its foes, I subscribe my self your humble Servant, NATH AMES

All Persons who incline to encourage the Paper Manufacture are requested to save their old Cotton and Linen Rags &c, for which they may have a good Price at the Paper Mill at Milton.

O ! let us all with lustre rise Beneath thy tutelary care : Retain our dear bought liberties ; Let not the voice of Native freedom sound Alone in realms which Albion's shores surround.

Almanack For 1766

"As each society may justly claim A task adapted to each sex and frame ; Much it imports in active life to know, What to ourselves, to others, what we owe ; What offices from what relations rise ; And what our state, and what our frame implies : By these in one consistent plan we rise ; Sense makes us adlive, a6lion make us wise."

" Lovely beauty, breathing spring, Waving soft thy balmy wing ; Fairest glory of the year ! On our longing plains appear. Sweet inspirer of my song ! On a sun-beam glide along ! "

See the lovely Nymph appears. And a crown of roses wears. Now the Husbandmen prepare To improve the coming year ; Flinging free the gen'rous grain, Hoping pleasure, bearing pain."

' We'll write him down a slave, who, humbly, proud, With presents, begs preferments from the croud ; That early suppliant who salutes the tribes, And sets the mob to scramble for his bribes. Let awful virtue, patriot warmth inspire, And catch from breast to breast the noble fire."

" Be thou content with that degree of fate. That's first thy lot, and first thy destin'd state ; Be wise, and wholly on thy God rely. This world's vain pleasures, and its pride defy ; Whilst cank'ring cares does mortal life surround, In Heav'n alone true happiness is found.

" What is in death, that men should fear to die ? Or, What is life, but care and miser}-? The world's chief glories are unworth our stay ; Their distant beauties, when approach'd, decay : Like lovers dreams, which paint the yielding fair. We grasp a shade, and fill our arms with air.

Almanack For 1 766

" Obser\'e a man thro' ev'ry scene of life, Blest in estate, in children, and a wife, And something you will ev'ry hour find. To spoil his pleasures and distradl his mind. The greedy miser makes his sole employ. To heap up riches others may enjoy."

" Of all the vows, the first and chief request Of each, is to be richer than the rest ; And yet, no doubts the poor man's draught contronl. He dreads no poison in his homely bowl ! They fear the deadly drug, whose gems divine, Enchase their cups, and sparkle in their wine."

Charg'd with the carriage of his large estat^e. Shakes at the moon-shine shadow of a rush, And sees a robber rise from ev'ry bush. The beggar sings, e'en when he sees the place Beset with thieves, and never mends his pace."

" Tho' plung'd in ills, and exercis'd with care, Yet never let the noble mind despair : When prest by dangers, and beset with foes, The Gods their timely succor interpose ; And when our virtue sinks o'erwhelm'd with By unforeseen expedients send relief."

The sole end of government is the happiness of the people, &c. We should not measure men by Sundays, without regarding what they do all the week after.

Almanack For I766

Acquaintance are common as chaff, but friends are rarely to be found. Pride, ill nature and folly, are the three great sources of ill manners.

The first of the SUN, February c)\)ci, at 7 h. 13 m. 23 s. Morning, invisible in North America ; but in South America, and at the Cape of Good Hope, the Sun will be two thirds eclipsed.

This latter eclipse, after traversing the voids of space from the creation, at last began to touch upon the unknown parts near the south pole, about 88 years after the conquest. In the year 1546, the 17th of June, it began to touch New-England: And in 1622, it first touched the southern parts of Old-England, the 30th of April, about 2 in the Afternoon ; It's central appearance rising in the American south sea, traversing Peru and the Amazon country, thro' the Atlantic ocean into Africa, and setting in Ethiopia near the Red Sea. In 1676, on the first of June, it was almost central to us at Sun rise ; and at Sun setting in the gulf of Cochinchina : In 1694 visible in the afternoon: In 1748, July 25th, it was nearly central at Newfoundland, just after Sun rise. The next period is the present eclipse. Again, in 1820 Sept. 7th, this eclipse will return very large at Eondon. It will be visible again in 183S, at London, Sept. 18th; It will also be visible here, a small quantity eclipsed : but it wears oflf every period to the northward ; and about the year 2090, it wholly leaves the earth, and there will be no more return of it, till after a period of 10,000 years.

The first eclipse of this year came on at the North pole several thousand years ago ; and, some thousand years hence, will leave the earth at the South pole ; and thus it is ascertained, that an eclipse finishes one grand revolution in 11683 3'ears ; so that those eclipses which began at the creation, have but little more than half finished their periods. By an extensive knowledge in this doctrine of eclipses, Astronomers are enabled to fix the date of any thing recorded in ancient histor}' very exactly, where an eclipse is recorded about the same time : thus the vulgar year of Christ's birth is found to be erroneous ; and w^hat we now write or call the year of our Eord 1766, is not more than 1762, as is demonstrated by the observation of an eclipse recorded by Josephus, which cannot change, tho' the calculations from our present tables do not exacftly agree with very ancient observations, which, according to the opinion of all modern Astronomers, is owing to the Moon's finishing her periods now in less time than formerly, and that she is continually approaching nearer and nearer the Earth, as do the rest of the planets to the Sun, their projedlile force not being quite sufficient to balance the power of attra(5tion ; whence in time the present system of the world must come to an end of itself, without any interposition of its Grand Constructor, just as a clock left to itself will inevitably run down.

The ancients believed, that all visible eclipses were portentuous of some dire event ; and several treatises were written, to shew against what regions the malevolent efFedls of any particular eclipse was aimed: and these writers aflnrm, that the effedls of an eclipse of the Sun, lasted as many j^ears as the eclipse lasted hours; and that of the Moon, as many months. But as futile as these notions may appear now-a-days, the}' were once of no small advantage to Christopher Columbus, who, in the year 1493, was driven to the island of Jamaica, where he was in the greatest distress for want of provisions, and w^as moreover refused any assistance from the inhabitants, on which he threatened them with a plague, and that in token of it there should be an eclipse ; which falling on the day he had foretold, so terrified the barbarians, that they strove who should be the first in bringing him all sorts of provisions, throwing them at his feet, and imploring his forgiveness.

All perso72s xvho arc desirous to have any alterattoyi ?nade in this Alma7iack concerning the Stages on the Post-roads, or anjthing else, are desired to write to the Author, not to the former Printer as he advertised in last year' s Ahnanack.

Xotes OH 1766. - The present Author follows the conventional custom, and the title page verse is of the devotional order, both in the religious and astronomical view.

The address to the Generous Reader calls the public attention to the liability of their being imposed upon by the sale of spurious copies of the time honoied weather book, and indirectly alludes to the " late student at Harvard College," as one of the pirates who endeavor to profit by the reputation achieved by another. The condition of affairs political and social ; the recent attempt of the Crown to enforce odious burdens of taxation; - ^particularly the obnoxious Stamp Act - together with the myriad of almost daily occurrences leading up to the great event of the century, should afford an abundance of material to make a very interesting pamphlet, even if it appeared but annually.

The tone of our Author is moderate - and while the gravity of the situation is wholly apparent to him, (the condition of affairs in all classes of society being almost, if not quite, desperate,) yet with all the loyalty of a good subject (which, under the circumstances is remarkable) he counsels mildness, with every reliance upon the wisdom of the home government, and the honest intentions of " as good a King as ever reigned." He further urges that " we cannot think of independency,^'' although " 'we should not prove very tame and easy at putting on the yoke."

The spirit of Philopatria is observed in the opening stanzas of the monthly poem ; then follows the typical " spring poetry " of the epoch ; now we gather some " awful virtue and patriot warmth " as summer approaches; passing on to a mid-summer idyl on Life and Death - then contentment is described, closing the year with a versified disquisition on the blessings of poverty.

The essay is a description of the great Solar Eclipse, happening this year on August 5. The article in question is very readable, and embraces a history of the occurrence, with its various periods of appearance at different points of observance on the Earth, and its prospective recurrence for the future.

Some not generally known facts in connection with eclipses are noted: one, that the present year 1766, should not be more than 1762 ; and further, the end of all things is predicted to occur without the " interposition of the Grand Constructor just as a clock left to itself will inevitably run down."

The "squibs" in the "pot pourri " column are much like father's: Politics, L/Ove, Wealth, Women, Wisdom, Saws, Satire, Sadness, Religion, Pretence, Flattery, Hard Times, Harder Money, Home Productions, Opinion, Gravity, Stamps, Slavery, Idleness, and Good Sense - all, as Prof. Tyler says, " mingled in delightful juxtaposition " - and thus ends the fateful year.

Almanack For 1 767 The Almanack For 1767

' Who thinks that Fortune cannot change her mind, Prepares a dreadful jest for all mankind ; And who stands safest, tell me ? Is it he That spreads and swells in pufFd prosperity? Or blest with little, whose preventing care, In peace provides fit arms against a war? Content with little I can piddle here. On turneps, beef and mutton, round the year : I'll marry Honesty, tho' Fortune lour. Rather than follow such a blind dull .'

I most heartily congratulate thee on the happy prospedl of the publick affairs of this Country, so diflferent from what it was last Fall, as nearly to exceed the most sanguine expe<5lation, and which, however unwilling, some few may be to own it, was produced by the exertion of that noble spirit of Freedom, which every thinking honest Man that has never been galled with the chain of slavery is possessed of - a spirit which GOD grant no tyrant ma}^ ever be able to extinguish amongst us : to the first exciters of which we are so superlatively indebted on so many accounts, as would far exceed the limits of my page to express. I only hope that you will always show your sense of the obligation by rewarding them and their posterity, so long as they shall hold their integrity, with all the most important posts of honour and profit that you are capable of bestowing ; and that whenever a Virginian shall visit this part of the Land of Freedom, you did ye know your own advantages ; did ye turn your minds to the cultivation of ingenious arts, that soften the manners and prevent our being brutish ; did 3'e neglect the vain amusements and idle tattle of the town, and rather strive to know the life and manners of young prince Hcracliiis of Georgia, than whether neighbour Such-a-o)ie married a month too late to be honest. What fine opportunities have ye to improve yourselves by studjabove tradesmen and mechanicks, whilst your fruits and herbage are growing ? At the intervals of cultivating your fields, ye might be enriching A'our minds with useful knowledge - by perusing the Roma7i history ye might learn how gradually a rough and ignorant people, by cultivating the study and pradtice of useful arts and manufactures, did emerge from obscurity to a state of grandeur and afQuence inconceivable ; so great that their relicks are at this day the wonder of the world - how at last they became indolent and luxurious, and therefore vitious and ignorant, which made them a prey to tyranny- ; and tyranny always ends in the extinction of a nation, as is evident to those that take notice of what passes in the great world, that is, read history. Ignorance among the common people is the very basis and foundation of tyranny and oppression. With what absolute and despotick sway did that grand tyrant and impostor the Pope of Rome rule the consciences and purses of mighty sovereigns and most of the people of Europe, Briicvs among the rest, so long as he kept them in ignorance, making them pray in Latin like a parcel of parrots, nor sufiFering the common people to keep Bibles in a dwindling away, many nations have thrown oflF his saddle, and are not quite so much priest-ridden. Let us then, my countrymen, study not only religion but politicks and the nature of civil government : become politicians every one of us ; take upon us to examine every thing, and think for ourselves ; striving to prevent the execution of that detestable maxim of European policy amongst us, viz : That the common people, who are three quarters of the world, must be kept in ignorance, that they may be slaves to the other quarter who live in magnificence : and for this end I should recommend to you, first, the stud}' of Geography, that is the situation, extent, government, commodities, &c. of all countries upon earth. Sa/mofi's or Gordon s Geography are as good as any that are published ; and in Salmofi's Gazeteer you have in few words an history of any country in alphabetical order, that you may turn to in a moment. An Eyiglish didlionar}' will be a vast help to you. The knowledge of geography will fit you for reading history : it is proper to begin with the history of your own nation ; Rapin's, Echard's let not these amusements intrude upon the more important occupations of life : our bodies must be fed and clothed, but that is not all ; we must do more ; we must raise something to sell for exportation, if we would increase in wealth. We are not tenants but loi-ds of the soil, and may live as genteel tho' not in such splendour, as lords, by increasing trade and commerce, which are as necessary to a state as wings to a bird ; encouraging all kinds of tradesmen and artificers among us, diligence and industry in every one, keeping all sorts of lawful Business constantly going on, every wheel in the grand system continually moving, despising foreign luxur}- and effeminacy, banishing from among us immorality and idleness. He that will not work, neither shall he eat.

Besides this general oeconomy, there are man}- schemes that would turn out to the immediate advantage of individuals, many of which nothing but necessity, the mother of invention must discover in time to come, when the countrj- is too thick inhabited for all to get a living by the present methods of farming. Of how little value and trifling of late did we esteem the Ashes that we make in our houses, till some publick spirited gentleman set on foot the scheme of making Pot-Ash, which is now become a fine staple commodity ; for which Great-Britain used to send vast sums of money to Russia, Norway, and other woody countries that now centers here.

But after all, our farms ought to be the chief objedl of our attention ; for they are capable of so great and profitable improvements, that I shall not here attempt to describe them, but heartily recommend to the perusal of every farmer in the country Mr. Eliot' s essays on field husbandry, as it is or may be hint to 5'ou another way in which I think you may be of great servdce to the publick, by introducing a manufacfture which would be as clear a saving to the country as that of Pot-ash, and interfere very little with other business, which is the raising raw silk. I will communicate to you the method as delivered to me by sundry persons and by my next neighbour, who raises considerable quantities of silk every year. In the fi.rst place, you must provide a sufficient number of mulberry-trees, which grow as fast as peach-trees, for altho' the silk worms will live on other leaves, yet they will produce silk from no other food but mulberry-leaves ; having procured a parcel of silk-worms' eggs you may hatch them when j^ou please by exposing them to the air on shelves, or rather to the warm sun-shine, you must mind and not hatch them out before the leaves have come forth in great plent}', for they eat more than one would imagine, and so greedily that you may hear them chew : they must be carefully tended every day with fresh leaves, and their shelves cleaned from filth, till they have done eating, which will be in about a fortnight from the time they begin, and then they go to spining, which lasts about a week longer ; at the end of which they must be killed in a warm oven or warm water, or they will eat thro' their silk and spoil it ; but those that you intend for breeders must be suffered to eat thro' their balls and turn into butterflies, to lay eggs for the next year, which must be kept in drawers close from the air. As to the manufacture of the silk, I may possibly say something about it before your mulberrj^-trees are grown; and, in the mean time, am, with the profoundest respect, &c. j^A^_ AMES.

Pain at her side, and megrim at her head ; Two handmaids wait her nod, alike in place, But diff 'ring far, in figure and in face. Here stands Ill-nature, like an ancient maid, Her wrinkled form in black and white array'd.

With store of prayers for mornings, nights and noons Her hand is fill'd - her bosom with lampoons. There Affectation, with a sickly mein, Shows in her cheek the roses of eighteen, Pradlis'd to lisp, and hang the head aside, Faints'into airs, and languishes with pride. On the rich quilt sinks with becoming woe, Wrapt in a gown for sickness and for show.

Natiire made ev'ry fop to plague his brother. Just as one beauty mortifies another: But here's the Captain that will plague them both, Whose air cries. Arm ! whose very look's an oath. The Captain's honest, sirs, and that's enough, Tho' his soul's bullet, and his body's buff.

The fatal effedls of Luxury are these ; We drink our poison, and we eat disease. Not so, O Temperance ! when rul'd by thee ; The brute's obedient, and the man is free. To learn how great the virtue and the art. To live on little with a cheerful heart.

Hear what says Rusticus, not vers'd in schools. But strong in sense, and wise without the rules ; " Go work, hunt, exercise, but shun the glass, " Then scorn a homely dinner if you please." Soft are the slumbers, balmy is the rest. The veins not boiling from the midnight feast.

September. How pale, each worshipful and rever'nd guest Rise from a clerg}-, or a city feast ! What life in all that ample body, say, What heav'nly particle inspires the clay, The soul subsides, and sensually inclines. To seem but mortal, e'en in sound divines.

Cries " Send me gods a whole hog barbecu'd, " With south winds blasted 'till a stench exhale, " Rank as the ripeness of a rabit's tail." By what criterion do ye eat, d'ye think. If this is priz'd for sweetness, that for stink ?

Mercury has been very busy among the planets and will produce some thing very astonishing among old women and politicians. March 18. Stamp Act repealed.

Thunder and lightning purge the air, as a fever does the human body. The world loves to be imposed on by extravagancies, and always will as long as three-quarters of it are fools.

Poverty is to be laughed at when it is the consequence of vice, prodigalit}-, or neglect of one's calling : for it fills our streets with robbers, money-makers, quacks, and pettifoggers.

A bean with freedom is better than a sugar plumb in prison. The gods of war and eloquence, combine to fill the gaps of sense. Virtue is the beauty of the soul.

To be genteel is not to be reserved or haughty, but to make your company as easy and agreeable as possible - 'tis the overflowing of universal love : an affected speech or behaviour may be politeness.

The Ki7ig's Beiich is next to the Parliament, the highest court in E7igland at common law ; in which are handled the pleas of the crown, all things that concern the loss of life or member of any siibjedl, treason, breach of peace, oppression, &c. In this court are fotir judges : the first is called Lord Chief Jiistice of the King' s-bench ; his power is very great.

Ai,Manack For 1 767

The High Court of Chancery is designed to mitigate the rigour of the other courts, and is called the Court of Equity. This court has but one judge, viz. Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ; his sentence is definitive without a jury of 12 men.

W. M'Alpine hereby informs the Publick that he purchased the genuine cop}' of this Almanack from Dr. Ames, and hopes the}' will not be imposed upon by buying spurious, pirated, and incorrect editions of the same : At whose shop may be had Tate and Brady's Psalms, Watts' Psalms and Hymns, Bibles, Testaments, Prayer-books, Psalters, Spelling-books, Primers, Divinity and History-books, Paper, Pens, Ink, Ink-pov/der, Wax, Wafers, &c. &c. at the very lowest Prices.

Notes on 1767. - The verses on the title sheet, upon close examination, abundantly exhibit the very desperate condition of either the times, or the Muse. But yet the annual address seems to give a different aspect to affairs, which betokens a general improvement in relations both political and social.

The author's manner of encouraging the people to an active appreciation of the advantages for improvement which are within their reach, is peculiar and practical, and the homily entire is replete with wisdom and discretion. He inveighs against the prevalence of ignorance in the lower classes, and points out the way to a more intimate acquaintance with, and knowledge of, religion, politics, and the nature of civil government, so absolutely essential to prevent the establishment of the European policy of aristocracy in the Colonies.

He then dilates upon the necessity of economy, and the encouragement of agriculture and home productions ; (so long a popular text with the author's father,) particularly enlarging upon the silk-culture then deemed to be an advantageous industry- for introduction into the Colonies.

The miscellany is not very plentiful this year. A short account of the titles and provinces of the English Courts; and an advertisement by the printer, " that he purchased the genuine copy of the Almanack from Dr. Ames, and hopes they (the Publick) will not be imposed upon by buying spurious, pu-ated and incorrect editions of the same."

The weather column is brim-full of wit and humor ; terse sayings, and timely allusions to men and manners. Pitt is honored, the repeal of the Stamp-Act noticed, the results of poverty alluded to, the advantages of freedom recalled to the public notice, the clergy treated to a mild form of castigation, and the " Powder plot most forgot."

Ador'd Artificer ! What Skill divine ! What Wonders in the wide Creation shine ! Fair look the Stars, and fair the Morning Ray, When first the Fields their painted Scenes display. Order and Majesty adorn the whole. Beauty and L,ife, and thou th' inspiring Soul : Whatever Grace, or Harmony's express'd On all thy Works the God is there confess'd : But, oh ! from all thy Works how small a Part, To human Minds is known of what thou art? Fancy gives o'er its Flight in search of Thee, Our Tho'ts are lost in thy Immensit3\

Custom and Fashion, which the World blindly follows, right or wrong, must be followed by Almanack-makers, as well as others ; otherwise, perhaps, I should have saved myself the

Almanack For 1 768. 39I

Trouble of writing, and you of reading a formal Preface, and filled this Page with a Table of Interest, or something that might assist you in your Business. But to prevent your going to sleep over it, I shall season it with some humorous Extracts from Dr. Smollefs Travels concerning the Absurdity of the Customs and Fashions of different Nations. "At Paris, says he, 'tis the Fashion to eat mortified flesh : a Native of Legiboli will not taste his Fish 'till it is quite putrified : The civilized Inhabitants of Kamschatka get drunk with the Urine of their Guests whom they have already intoxicated : The Nova-Zemblans and Laplanders feast and make merry on Ivamp Oil : The Greenlanders eat in the same Dish with their Dogs : The CafFres at the Cape of Good Hope p - ss upon those whom they delight to honor, and feast upon Sheep's Guts as the greatest Dainty that can be presented : A true-bred Frenchman dips his Fingers imbrowned with Snuff into his Plate filled with Ragout, and between every three Mouthfuls takes a fresh Pinch with the most graceful Gesticulations, then he displays his Handkerchief, which may be termed the Flag of Abomination, and in the Use of both scatters his Favors on all that have the Happiness to sit near him ; it must be owned however that a Frenchman will not drink out of a Tankard, in which perhaps a dozen Mouths have slabbered, as is the Custom among the English, but each has his own Goblet, which stands before him on the Table, if there is so little Cleanliness among these People, much less shall we find Delicacy, which is the Cleanliness of the Mind ; can Custom exempt from the Imputation of gross Indecency ; a French Lady who shifts herself in Presence

Admirer, or him who stands at the Door all the while she's within, and entertains her with the smart small Talk of the Town which he has at his Finger's ends." Now Reader, let us look into our own Country, and see if we ourselves have no such absurd, unclean, indelicate customs. I think I could mention several ; but seeing that they do little other Damage than oflfend the Senses of those who come within the Sphere of their Action, I shall wave them, and only just touch upon the bewitching Power of the Fashion of the times. How absurd is it for Parents who by their own Care and Industry have heaped up an Estate to educate their Children, as if they thought they never could spend it, by teaching or suffering them to place their chief Ambition in Dress, and Scenes of Dissipation, whereby they contra(5l an hearty Aversion for Business, and the thriving Sound of the Spinning Wheel and Ivoom. and spread the Infedlion of despising honest Industry and modest Merit, in home-made Dress, as if in this consisted Gentility, which has little to do with externals ; for a Gentleman is the same in all Circumstances, in Silk & Sackcloth ; and we often see an ill-bred Villain dressed very fashionably. How much more honor'd and esteemed by every true Patriot and Friend to his Country, is the Man, who, cloath'd in the Manufacflure of his own House, comes to the City on his lofty Steed, loaded with the Fat of the Land, in Sacks as white as Snow, true Emblem of Neatness and Delicacy ! he looks independent, and need not fear the Frowns of the prosperous Villain. I say, how esteemed and much more useful to Societ)^ is such a one, than the empty idle Fop, who laughs at his laudible Curiosity. - But methinks I hear one say, there is still a great Absurdity unnotic'd, which is, that an Almanack-maker should set up for a Reformer ; I submit to the Censure, and return to my Province, by saying, there are but four Days in the Year on which a true Clock or Watch will be right with the Sun, but are sometimes a Quarter of an Hour too fast or slow if they go even. From the 24th December to 15th of April, the Clock will be too fast ; from 15th April, to i6th June, Clock will be too slow ; from 1 6th June to 31st August, Clock will be too fast ; and from thence to the 24th December, Clock will be too slow : And you may tell whether your Clock or Watch goes exadl, b}^ observing through a small Hole in a Window Shutter, what Time any Star disappears behind a Steeple or Chimney ; and if, on the next Night, the same Star disappears 3 Minutes 56 Seconds sooner by the Clock or Watch, it is exacft.

Or my glad eyes enjoy revolving day, Still Nature's various face informs my sense Of an all wise, all powerful Providence : Sole Lord of natvire's universal frame. Thro' endless years unchangeably the same.

Almanack For 1 768

When the gay Sun first breaks the shades of night, And strikes the distant eastern hills with light, Colour returns, the plains their liv'ry wear, And a bright verdure cloaths the smiling year ; The blooming flow'rs with op'ning beauties glow, And grazing flocks their milky fleeces show. The barren cliffs with chalky fronts arise. And a pure azure arches o'er the skies.

But when the gloomy reign of night returns, Stript of her fading pride all nature mourns : The trees no more their wonted verdure boast, Biit weep in dewy tears their beaiities lost ; No distant landskips draw our curious eyes. Wrapt in night's robe the whole creation lies.

Yet still, ev'n now, while darkness cloaths the land, We view the traces of th' Almighty hand : Millions of stars in heav'ns wide vault appear. And with new glories hang the boundless sphere : The silver moon her western couch forsakes. And o'er the skies her nightly circle makes.

Her solid Globe beats back the sunny rays. And to the world her borrow'd light repays ; Whether those stars that twinkling Lustre send. Are suns, and rolling worlds those suns attend ; Man may conjedlure, and new Schemes declare. Yet all his systems but conjedlures are.

But this we know, that heav'ns eternal King, Who bid this universe from nothing spring. Can at his Word bid num'rous w^orlds appear. And rising worlds th' all-pow'rful Word shall hear. His single y?a/ guide th' amazing whole And teach the new-born planets where to roll.

When to the Western Main the Sun descends. To other Lands a rising Day he lends. The spreading Dawn another Shepherd spies. The wakeful Flocks from their warm Folds arise, Refresh'd, the Peasant seeks his early toil, And bids the Plow corredl the Fallow soil.

While we in Sleep's embraces waste the night, The Climes oppos'd, enjoy Meridian light ; And when those I^ands the busie Sun forsakes, With us again the ros}- Morning w^akes ; In Lazy Sleep the night rolls swift away, And neither Clime laments his absent ray.

So when the soul is from the body flown. No more shall nights alternate reign be known : The sun no more shall rolling light bestow, But from th' Almighty, streams of glory flow ; Then may some nobler thought my soul employ, Than empty transient sublunary joy.

For what is life ? with ills encompass'd round Amidst our hopes, fate strikes the sudden wouad, To-day the statesman of new honors dreams, To-morrow death destroys his airy schemes, Is mouldy treasure in thy chest confind ? Think all that treasure thou must leave behind.

Thy heir with smiles shall view thy blazon'd hearse And all thy hoards with lavish hand disperse. Should certain fate th' impending blow delay. Thy mirth will sicken and thy bloom decay, Then feeble age will all thy nerves disarm, No more thv blood its narrow channels warm.

You won't forget 'tis Winter these stormy days. Good slaying. A full cellar, neat house, warm wife, at this time are blessings of life. Plots & schemes now laid will be very like to take place. There will hardly be a thaw this month, vuiless now !

Almanack For 1768

Pleasant travelling at a small distance from the ground, especially if the fashion, is wings, tho' they that have try'd, had their neck broke by strings.

It is not in the power of a weak Man to be sincere. Some learn how to live. Some how to get a living. Now Fans and Umbrellas afford the ladies an airy satisfaction. Nothing is so great an inlet to Misery and Vice as not to know how to emplo}' our leasure Hours.

A moderate Man has a great advantage over one that is passionate. A man should enlarge the sphere of his innocent pleasures, so much, that he may safely leave Business, and not fall into Vice.

At a legal and full Meeting of the Freeholders of the Town of Boston, on the 28th of October, 1767, the following Votes were passed unanimously.

Whereas the excessive use of foreign Superfluities is the chief cause of the present distressed State of this town, as it is thereby drained of its Money : which Misfortune is likely to be increased by means of the late additional Burthens and Impositions on the Trade of the Province, which threaten the Country with Poverty and Ruin :

Therefore, Voted, That this Town will take all prudent and legal Measures to encourage the Produce and Manufactures of this Province, and to lessen the Use of Superfluities, and particularly the following enumerated Articles imported from Abroad, viz: lyoaf vSugar, Cordage, Anchors, Coaches, Chaises and Carriages of all Sorts, Horse Furniture, Men and Woniens Hatts, Mens and Womens Apparel ready made. Household Furniture, Gloves, Mens and Womens Shoes, Sole I^eather, Sheathing and Deck Nails, Gold and Silver and Thread I^ace of all Sorts, Gold and Silver Buttons, Wrought Plate of all Sorts, Diamond, Stone and Paste Ware, Snuff, Mustard, Clocks and Watches, Silversmiths and Jewellers Ware, Broad Cloths that cost above icy. per Yard, Muffs, Furrs and Tippets, and all Sorts of Millenary Ware, Starch, Womens and Childrens Stays, Fire Engines, China Ware, Silk and Cotton Velvets, Gauze, Pewterers hollow Ware, Linseed Oyl, Glue, Lawns, Cambricks, Silks of all kinds for Garments, Malt Liquors and Cheese. And that a Subscription for this End be and hereby is recommended to the several Inhabitants and Householders of the Town.

And whereas it is the Opinion of this Town, that divers new Manufactures may be set up in America, to its great Advantage, and some others carried to a greater Extent, particularly those of Glass and Paper :

Therefore, Voted, That this Town will by all prudent Ways and Means encourage the Use and Consumption of Glass and Paper, made in any of the British American Colonies ; and more especially in this Province. The Form of the Subscription voted unanimously by the Town, is as follows :

Whereas this Province labours under a heavy Debt, incurred in the Course of the late War; and the Inhabitants by this Means must be for Time subject to verj^ burthensome Taxes : - And as our Trade has for some Years been on the decline, and is now particularly under great Embarrassments, and burthened with heavy Impositions, our Medium very scarce, and the Balance of Trade greatly against this Country :

We therefore the Subscribers, being sensible that it is absolutely necessary, in Order to extricate us out of these embarrassed and distressed Circumstances, to promote Industry, Oeconomy and Manufactures, among ourselves, and by this Means prevent the unnecessary Importation of European Commodities, the excessive Use of which threatens the Country with Poverty and Ruin. - Do promise and engage, to and with each other, that we will encourage the Use and Consumption of all Articles manufactured in an}'- of the British American Colonies, and more especially in this Province ; and that we will not, from and after the 31st of December next ensuing, purchase any of the following Articles imported from Abroad, viz : Loaf Sugar, and all the other Articles enumerated above.

And we further agree strictly to adhere to the late Regulation respecting Funerals,* and will not use any Gloves but what are Manufactured here, nor procure any new Garments upon .such an Occasion but what shall be absolutely necessary.

Friends and Country-Men ! Our Fathers came into this Wilderness, encouraged by the Word of a King that they should enjoy their Civil & Religious Liberties ! They lived upon boil'd Corn and Clams, and laboured hard to clear and cultivate the Country they purchased of the Natives, and defended the same at the Expence of their own Blood and Treasure : We have often aided the Crown with Men and Money ; and by the Conquest of Cape-Briton, gave Peace to Europe : Our Taxes, till very lately, have been granted by our own Representatives for the Support of Government ; and we have given Old England

1 The Practice of the Town relative to Funerals, by which a Saving has been made of ^100,000 is to give Gloves only to Bearers and Ministers : to make Use of no other Mourning for the nearest Relations, than a Weed in the Hat for Men, and a black Bonnet, Gloves, Ribbons and Plandkerchief for Women.

Millions of Money in the way of Trade : Our growing Extravagancies have run us amazingly into Debt ; and the Moneys that should go in Payment, are now to be taken from us, without our Consent, to Support, independent of the People, and in greater Affluence, the Officers of the Crown ; as also to maintain & keep up a large body of Regular Troops in America. Duties, unknown to our Fathers, to be paid here upon Sugar, Molasses, Wine, Rum, Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Paper of all kind. Painters Colours, Window and other Glass, &c., will carry off all our Silver and Gold, without other Taxes, which are talk'd of upon Salt & Land, to the Ruin of Trade, and in the end of the whole Province, unless prevented by the Virtue of the People. Boston, has set a noble Example for the Encouragement of Frugality and our own Manufactures, by the Agreement iinaiiimously come into ; and may it be followed by all the other Towns : Nay, let them go further, by agreeing not to sip that poisonous Herb, called Bohea Tea, as also not to purchase any sort of Woolen Goods made abroad, for 12 or 18 Months to come, but to wear their old patch'd Cloaths till our own Manufacture can be bought, as many in New-York, Connecticut and Philadelphia, are now doing. - If this Saving is not made, Interest must rise, Mortgages cannot be cleared, Lands will fall, or be possess'd by Forcig7icrs, ; Families impoverished, and our Goals filled with unhappy Obje(5ls - If these wise Measures should be come into, a whole Province will be saved from Slavery, and this dreadful Ruin, and we shall soon become a free, rich and happy People ! - That the Things which belong to our political Peace, may not be hid from the Eyes of Americans, as it seems to be

All Persons who incline to encourage, the Paper Manufacture, are requested to save their old Cotton and Linen Rags, &c. for which they may have a good price at the Paper Mill at Milton.

]Kote9 on 1768. - If variety is, (or was,) the Spice of Life, no one can pick up an .-lines Almanack without being convinced that both father and son were thoroughly seasoned with this most agreeable zest. Their works, humble though they be, give assurance of acute observation, a thorough familiarity with the general literature of the day, and a knowledge of what was for the general good of the greatest number.

The almanack for the present year is no exception to the usual production. The character of a devout Christian gentleman is embodied in the stanzas of the title page, as well as the ardent admiration of the astronomer for the handiwork of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

The desire of the author to lighten the way of the weary traveler on this terrestrial ball, is made apparent in the address to the Reader, in which he introduces Doctor Smollett and his humorous ideas, to set forth the follies of Fashion, and warn the Colonists against the errors of extravagance. From this he returns to the consideration of the life of the independent Farmer, and closes his short lecture with some practical instructions for the regulation of Clocks and Watches.

A " Hymn to Nature " embellishes each page in the almanack, and in sentiment differs not from the Ames theory, as has been expressed in similar manner, for these forty and more years.

If any person doubts the Spirit of the Colonists, which brought about the great change which led to the independence of the Colonies, they have only to read the "Preamble and Resolutions, voted at the Freeholders Meeting at Boston, Oct. 28, 1767," and the very earnest and sensible address of " A New England Man " and consider whether the then example, may not be a precept to be adapted for our own times.

The Almanack For 1769

How blest the Man with Powers superior born, "Whose Mind the Muses with each Grace adorn, For distant Flights to wing th' excursive Soul Or glance with Lightning's speed from Pole to Pole Whether thro' Nature's devious Path he strays, Pursues the Planet's Course, the Comet's Blaze. - Or less advent'rous quits the aerial height To fix on mortal Woes, a mortal Sight ; - Divest the Heart of each dark Veil it wears. Expose its Hopes, its Conflicfts, and its Cares ; By bold Examples fire the youthful blood. Appal the Guilty, or confirm the Good ! Submit each dang'rous Wish to Reason's Laws, And arm our Passions in our Virtue's Cause.

Note. - The article " On the Manufacture of Sii^K " is omitted as not being of sufiicient interest to republish. However " a Gentleman whom Posterity will bless, has deposited 100 Dollars in the Hands of the Select Men of Boston," to be divided in premiums among those of Massachusett's Bay, "who in the Year 1771 shall have raised the greatest Number of Mulberry Trees."

Of true Religion, Liberty and Laws, Disdaining down the golden Stream to glide, But bravely steiu'd Corruptions rapid Tide, Shall we, by Indolence, supinely doom To Sweat and Toil the Nations yet to come ?

And stop the Source whence all his Pow'rs he draws ! His Country's Rights to foreign Foes betray, Lavish her Wealth, yet stipulate for Pay !

Almanack For 1 769

To shameful Falsehoods venal Slaves subborn, And dare to laugh the virtuous Man to scorn ! Deride Religion, Justice, Honour, Fame, And hardly know of Honesty the Name !

Lives there a Wretch whose base degen'rate Soul, Can crouch beneath a Tyrant's stern Controul ? Cringe to his Nod, ignobly kiss the Hand, In galling Chains that binds his native Land? Purchas'd by Gold or aw'd by slavish Fear, Abandon all his Ancestors held dear !

Tamely behold that Fruit of glorious Toil, The People's Charter made the Ruffians Spoil? In Luxury's Lap, lie screen'd from Cares and Pains, And only toil to forge the subjects Chains ? Hear, unconcern'd, his injur'd Country groan, Nor stretch an Arm to hurl them from the Town ?

In Peace, shall War, her horrid Front up rear, And martial Vices draw the virtuous Tear, Shall stern Oppression stalk along the Land, Nor royal Pity our just Cry command? Can we to Reason make a just Pretence, No pow'rful Aid invok'd for our Defence ?

Whose patriot Wisdom civil Life refines. Whose Radiance warms and blesses as it shines. Such Britain's Prince, whose placid Beam displays The milder Glories of unsullied Praise : ' Tis his to break Oppression's galling Chain, And fix o'er India Freedom's gentler Reign.

No more the Sachem views Kiwasa's Form, Frown in the Cloud, or mutter in the Storm, Religion's beams the darksome IMists dispel. Where Ign'rance broods in Superstition's Cell, Ev'n there shall Science spread her hallow'd Store, And Art's fair Empire grace Ontario's Shore.

Some future Locke with Reason's keenest Ray, Pierce the rich Font of intelleclu'l Day, The subtil Ties of Complex Thought unbind. And fix each Movement of the varj'ing Mind. Some second Newton trace Creation's Laws, Through each Dependance to the sov'reign Cause.

Some MiLToN plan his bold impassion'd Theme, Stretch'd in the Banks of Oxallana's Stream, Another ShakespEar shall Ohio claim, And boast its Floods allied to Avon's Fame. There too shall Sculpture warm the featur'd Stone, And Canvas glow with Beauties not its own.

Some true Catholics & a few Politicians may be found in all Nations. There may one Day be a Uniformity in Politics and Religion through the World.

Or constant reading wise. Sometimes cull Wisdom from the Throng, Get Strength by Exercise. To know a Man's true Charadler take him at Home ; not as he appears in Publick.

It is not absurd to exclaim against foreign Luxuries, and at the same time make those who live by introducing them, the Leaders of our Fashions.

Before you speak Evil of Dignities upon hear say, consider whether if you was in Place, yoi: would not be liable to Mistakes, or to be belied.

We all set out on the Journey of Life on equal Footing. Why should Fellow Travellers fight, rob, or enslave each other? But Accounts will be balanced at the End.

From the treacherous Behaviour of those who are called the politest Nation of Europe, we may see how little the refinements in the arts of civil lyife have contributed to enforce the Principles of Justice and Humanity. Monsieur ^yx-Pratz, in his history of Lotiisiajia relates that a Quarrel having arisen between the French and the Natchez, one of the principal Nations on the Banks of the Missisippi River, a War of course ensued, which having lasted only four Days, was ended at the request of the Frenchmen, and peace regularly and formally concluded. Notwithstanding this in a short time after the French fell upon them unawares in the Night and when they thought themselves in perfecT; security, making great slaughter among them, and obliging them to give one of their oldest Chiefs to procure a peace. The discourse which our Author had with one of them soon after this Affair will give the Reader a very favorable opinion of the Native good Sense of these unhappy People, and shew the Cruelty of treating them in so base and treacherous a Manner. - " I, says he, one Day stopped the Stung Serpent, who was pas.sing along without taking Notice of any one ; he was Brother to the Great Sun and chief of the Warriors of the Natchez. I accordingly called to him, and said, we were once Friends, are we no longer so? he answered, No-co, that is I cannot tell. I replied, you used to come to my House, at present you pass by ; have you forgot the way or is my House disagreeable to you ; as for me my Heart is always the same, both towards you, and towards all my friends. I am not capable of changing, why then are you changed ? He took sometime to answer, and seemed embarrassed by what I had said to him : he never went to the Fort, but when sent for by the Commandant, who put me upon sounding him in order, to discover whether his People still retained any grudge. He at length broke silence, and told me he was ashamed to have been so long without seeing me, but I imagined, said he, that you were displeased at our Nation, because among all the French in the War, you were the only one that fell upon us. You are in the wrong said I to think so, M. Bienville being our War Chief we are bound to obey him, in like manner as you, tho' a Sun, are obliged to kill or cause to be killed whomsoever your Brother the Great Sun orders to be put to Death. Many other Frenchmen besides me sought an Opportunity to attack your Countrymen in obedience to the Orders of our War Chief, and some were killed by yours. He then said, I did not approve as you know, the War our People made upon the French, to avenge the Death of their Relation, seeing I made them carry the Pipe of Peace to the French; this you well know, as you first smoaked in the Pipe yourself. Have the French two Hearts, a good one to-day and to-morrow a bad one ? As for my Brother and me, we have but one Heart and word, tell me then if thou art, as thou sayest, my true Friend, what thou thinkest of all this, and shut thy Mouth to every thing else ; we know not what to think of the French, who, after having begun the War, granted a Peace, and offered it of themselves ; and then at the time we were quiet, believing ourselves to be at continued he, with an Air of Displeasure, did the French come into our Country? we did not go to seek them, they asked Land of us because their Country was too little for all the Men that were in it ; we told them they might take Land where they pleased, there was land enough for them and for us ; that it was good the same Sun should enlighten us both, and that we should walk as Friends in the same Path ; and that w^e would give them of our provisions, assist them to build and to labour in the Fields ; we have done so. Is not this true? What Occasion then had we for Frenchmen ? Before they came did not we live better than we do, seeing we deprive ourselves of a Part of our Corn, our Game and Fish to give a Part to them ? In what respecfl then had we

Occasion for them? Was it for their Guns? The Bows and Arrows which we used were sufficient to make us live well. Was it for their white, blue and red Blankets ? We can do well enough with Buffalo Skins, which are warmer ; our Women wrought Feather Blankets for the Winter and Mulberry Mantles for the Summer, which indeed, were not so beautiful, but our Women were more laborious and less vain than the}' are now. In fine, before the Arrival of the French, we lived like Men who can be satisfied with what they have ; whereas, at this Day we are like Slaves who are not suffered to do as they please." A People who could think and reason in this manner were too obnoxious to Frenchmen and French Governors ; the latter, therefore, took every opportunity to oppress then:, which provoked them nobly to resolve on, and partly execute a Scheme for a general Massacre of their insolent and tj^rannical Oppressors. At a Council held on that important Occasion, one of tjieir Chiefs spoke as follows : " We have a long Time been sensible that the neighbourhood of the French is a greater prejudice' than benefit to us ; we who are old Men see this, the young see it not. The wares of the French yield pleasure to the Youth ; but in effedt. to what Purpose is all this, but to debauch the young women, and taint the Blood of the Nation and make them vain and idle? The Young Men are in the same case ; the married must work themselves to Death to maintain their Families, and please their Children. Before the French came among us we were Men, content with what we had, and that was sufficient ; we w-alked with boldness every Road, because we were then our own Masters; but now we go groping afraid of meeting them ; we walk like Slaves, which we shall soon be, since the French already treat us as if we were such ; when they are sufficiently strong they will no longer dissemble, for the lest Fault of our young People they will tie them to a Post and whip them as they do their black Slaves ; have the}' not already done so to one of our young Men, and is not Death preferable to Slavery. - Here he paused a while and after taking Breath thus proceeded. - What wait we for, shall we suffer the French to multiply till we are no longer able to oppose their Efforts ? what will other Nations say of us who pass for the most ingenious of all the Red Men? They will then say we have less Understanding than other people : Why then wait we any longer? Let us set ourselves at Liberty, and shew we are really Men who can be satisfied with what we have." - The Chief then proceeded to lay down the particulars of his design ; a Plot formed with the Art, and carried on with all the Precaution which would have done Honour to a Roman or Grecian Story ; but which, like many other great Designs, miscarried by the fatal Influence of a Woman, who found Means to penetrate the Secret and then betrayed it. Whereupon the French massacred the bigger Part, and at length extirpated every Soul of this sensible Nation.

^Otes oil 1769. - The Almanack this year encourages by a well written article, the culture of Silk, Silkworms and Mulberry trees, which industry seems to have been seriousl}' considered by the economists of the later Colonial period. A history of the growth of the enterprise in other countries is included, and also a poetic description of" Worm li/e^^^ and the proper method of caring for the Worms, Cocoons, etc.

Patriotism shines in every line of the poem, and indicates the " rising " about to occupy the attention of New England's sons ; and the possibility perhaps, of its creating some little interest on the other side of the Atlantic. The future grandeur of the republic is pictured, and the advent of new Lockes, Nczvions, Milton, and a Shakspeare, prophesied as not unlikely happenings in the new Western land.

An Indian tale is recited at length as illustrative of the Punic faith of some European nations, and is to be taken as a lesson for the times.

Wit and Humor, Morality and Religion, in homeopathic doses are prescribed in their proper places. A jjarallel between Bramins, Turks and Americans is illustrated. The "Tea" question is briefly hinted at, the arrival of the "Press Gang" mentioned, and many a wise remark well worthy of repetition, even at this day.

The old Slitting Mill formerly owned by Mr. Jackson at Milton, which has been long out of Repair, is now in good order and will cut Iron in a few Days ; those Persons who will send Iron to the Mill may have it cut for £b 12s. 4d. per Ton, which is £df cheaper per Ton than ever it was cut before.

The making of Paper at Milton has been a great Saving to the Province ; It is earnestly desired that People would save their Cotton and Linnen Rags, for which they will receive a good Price from the Paper maker. A small Paper Bag hung up in a room, to put in every piece would prevent their being swept into the Fire or out of Doors.

Almanack For 1770

Come say they let's feast let Chloe sing, And soft Necera touch the trembling string, Enjoy the present Hour, nor seek to know What Good or 111 To-morrow may bestow ; But these Delights soon pall upon the Taste, Let's try then if more serious cannot lest, Wealth let us heap on Wealth, or Fame pursue, Let Power and Glory be our Points in view.

The Inference then that closes this Debate Is that there must exist a future State ! The Wise extending their Enquiries wide See how both States are bj- Connedlion ty'd ; Fools view but Part, and not the Whole survey, So crowd Existence all into a Day.

Hence are they led to hope, but hope in vain That Justice never will resume her reign. On this vain hope Adulterers, Thieves rely, And to this altar vile assassins fly. But rules not God by general Laws divine ? Man's Vice or Virtue change not the Design.

Rate not the Extension of the human Mind By the Plebean Standard of Mankind ; But by the Size of those gigantic few Whom Greece and Rovie still offer to our view. Or Britain once deserving equal Praise, Parent of Heroes too in better Days.

Why should I try her nu:n'rons sons to name By Verse, Law, Eloquence consign'd to Fame ? Or who have forc'd fair Science into sight Long lost in Darkness and afraid of Light. O'er all superior, like the solar ray. First Bacon usher'd in the dawning Day, And drove the Mists of Sophistry away.

If in your present happy heavenly state You're not regardless quite of Britain's fate, Let that degen'rate land again be blest With that true Virtue which she free possess'd, Compell her to unfold her slumbring eyes And to her antient Dignity to rise.

The Soul tho' fetter'd in corporeal Clay Climes Step by Step the Prospecft to survey And seeks unwearied, Truth's eternal Ray. No fleeting Joys she asks which must depend On the frail Senses, and with them must end ; But such as suit her own immortal Fame Free from all Change eternally the same.

So cold that all Business, even Cuckold making ceases now-a-days, but the Tongue of Slander is always limber. God helps them that help themselves.

God has fitted our Constitutions to the Climate we live in, turn out, you Sluggard, and shake oflF the Scurvy. Thou art neither Sugar nor Salt.

Dilligence is the mother of good luck, and God giveth all things to industry - then sow deep while Sluggards sleep, and you'll have corn to sell and to keep.

He that by the Plough would thrive, himself nivist either hold or drive. Not to oversee your workmen is to leave them your purse open. In affairs of this world men are saved not by faith but by the want of it. Learning is for the studious, riches for the careful, power for the bold, and heaven for the virtuous.

A little neglect may breed a great mischief, for want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken by the enemy, all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Almanack For 177O

A child and a fool imagine that twenty shillings & twenty years can never be spent, but always taking out of the meal tub and never putting in, soon come to the bottom. -

In this degenerate age, when most men are more solicitous for the gratification of their sensual appetites and passions, than for the spread of true religion and impartial justice through the land, is it not some how unaccountable to see such ample proteclion afforded to the pulpit and the bar from the intrusion of vile illiterate pretenders, while the important art of preserving health (without which we cannot indulge those appetites and passions,) lies open to the intrusion of every ignorant drone that assume the title of dodlor, to rob his Majesty's good subjects of New England not only of their estates, but of joints and limbs, and even life itself. Is it not surprizing that we should still behold, without emulation a neighbouring province' so far get the start of us in the cultivation of this noble science, which, of all others, most needs the protedlion of civil authority? for any man may, at first hearing, form a tolerable judgment of a lawyer or minister ; and any tradesman is known by his works ; but of a physician, none but a philosopher can judge. Why has no one amongst us attempted to immortalize his name by making a donation to one of our colleges for a professor of physick, &c ? If 'tis of importance that a man should know the make and machinery of a clock or watch before he attempts to mend them how much more important is it that a physician should know the make and machinery of the body, which is an infinitely more curious machine orpiece of clockwork than any thing contriv'd by man ; yet it is not so intricate but that some great souls have, and daily are making such discoveries of its make and construdlion as are surprizing to those that are capable of diving into those mysteries. What can we impute that absurd opinion to, of many, that a bone setter must be born, or divinely inspired with the art? while the physician, that pretends to no such supernatural gift, altho' he has spent the bloom of life in stinking hospitals, at ledlures of anatomy upon dead carcasses, and knows exactly the make of every joint, &c., knows nothing of the matter, and must give place to an ignorant wretch that has nothing but his impudence to recommend him ; what can we impute that eagerness to, where with people swallow the nauseous messes of every secret monger without examining by what authority he dares practice an art that if he were in England he would be liable to suffer for as a felon. I can think of no other reason than this, viz. that common people imagine (and in the present low orphan state of physick in New England) they have some reason to imagine, the whole art to be but mere empiricism, founded in the experience of each practitioner, who is possess'd of a number of secrets for the cure of any disease, which he blindfold administers on all occasions, without setting his reason to work to find out which of the pipes, springs, or strainers is out of order in the curious

^Pennsylvania where a public Hospital, Professor and Lecturer are provided ; and Funds established for their Maintenance : They also confer Dodlor's Degrees.

frame, whether they want stiffening or loosening, oiling or cleaning, &c. and a thousand other things that come under consideration with a true physician before he attempts to apply the medicine; indeed this might be the case 3000 years ago, when physick was in the hand of the priests, who being covetous of wealth and respect from the people, concealed the art under the pomp of superstition, making them believe they had immediate direction from their Gods concerning the cure of any disease ; so when any patient asked their advice, they immediately fell to sacrificing some beast, and because the Gods would accept none but a sound animal, the priests always very carefully examin'd the entrails, which with the custom of embalming and opening their dead, &c. helped them to some knowledge of the structure of the human body, as also the causes of health, sickness and death, and these joined to their improvements in philosophy laid the first foundation of the art, each generation improving upon and adding to the discoveries of their predecessors, rais'd its importance and reputation, yet it was a lame and perplexing business till within this hundred j-ears, when the immortal Harvey with a more than human penetration remov'd those doubts and perplexities, b)' making such a discovery, not of any Indian root or herb, but of the secret operations of nature within the body, as established the profession upon a sure basis, and raised it to the first dignity among arts and sciences. It is esteemed a necessarj^ part of polite education. Princes and nobles learn its theory, and its practitioners have been ennobled. Most civilized nations esteeming their greatest strength to consist in the number of healthy subjects, have made ample provision for carrying the medical art to the highest perfection by endowing colleges and corporations of physicians, publick hospitals and botanical gardens, whose members even of different physicians in London was founded by Dr. Linacre physician to King Henry 8th, to which the great Har\'^ey added a library- and public hall in 1652 endowing the same with his w^hole inheritance, which he resigned while he was yet living and in health, the ph3'sicians hereof have by charters such privileges as exclude all others from practicing in London, or within seven miles of it, without a license under the college seal ; also persons practicing physick in any part of England are to have letters testimonial from the president and three elects, unless they be graduate physicians of Oxford or Cambridge, and all offenders in these and divers other cases, they may fine and imprison, they have authority to search all apothecary's shops to see if their drugs be wholesome, or burn or destroy all such as are not. and it is holden

Kfotes on 1770. - The spirit of investigation blooms upon the title page, and the silk worm and the silk industry again are called to the attention of the colonists, with an allusion to the general encouragement given to home productions ;' the " People being determined no longer to neglect the Otie Thiyig needful for their Political Salvation."

The theory of Futurity is poetically elaborated in the course of the months, and as the Almanack would not be complete without the essa)' - a sermon on Physick is introduced calling special attention to the necessity of maintaining colleges for the study oi Medicine and Surgery ; condemning in no mild tone the disreputable practices of those unlicensed vagabonds denominated quacks.

The seasoning to the practical part of the almanack still interests us. Business appears awful dull in January, so the Doctor finds occasion in this and the succeeding months, to berate laziness and cudgel the sluggard. Diligence and industry appear to be the burden of his song the entire year through.

1 Alluding to the Gentleman who offered the Premiums last year, Dr. Ames says : " This great Encourager oi American Manufa6lures now wears Stockings made of Silk entirely raised and manufacflured among us, so that such Ladies (if any we have) as think themselves of too delicate a Mould to apply their Hands to the Distaff, or cloath their House in Scarlet from the tender Fleece, may find a very genteel Employment, for one Month in a Year, in assisting at the curious Operation of Nature in the Produdtion of Silk Worms; and for their further Encouragement will inform them that they may soon be furnish'd with Cups and Saucers, equal to the best China Ware imported, for sipping their Soul enchanting Tea, without molestation, from Plants too, I hope, said to be growing in America ; for all the Materials are discovered amongst us, & Manufactures are preparing them for making China Ware, in Boston where the best of green and Tortoise-shell Ware is already made : Callicoes are printed there : Preparations are now making for several new Manufactures, the People are determined no longer to neglecSl the Otie Thing Needful for their Political Salvation."

Bards rapt beyond the Moon on Fancy's Wings, And mighty Masters of the vocal Strings ; Those who on laboured Speeches waste their Oil, Those who in crabbed Calculations toil. Who measure Earth, who climb the starry Road, And human Fates by heav'nlj' Signs forebode, Pleasures Philosophers, Lyceiitn's Pride, Disdainful soaring up to Heights untry'd ; From Science up to Science let them rise, And arrogate the swelling Style of Wise, Their Wisdoms Folly, impotent and blind. Which cures not one Distemper of the Mind, 'Till weary of their Vanities, they've found Th' exalted Way to Truth's enlightened Ground, Quaff 'd her cathartic and all cleans'd within. By her strong Energy, from Pride and Sin.

" lyCt the World go as it will, do your Duty indifferently and always speak well of the Prior," is an ancient maxim amongst the Monks ; but it is capable of leaving the Convent in mediocrity, negligence and contempt.

When Men are not excited by Emulation they are Asses who proceed on their Way slowly, stop at the first obstacles, and quietly eat their Thistles in Sight of the Difficulties that deter them, but at the Sound of the Voice that encouraged them, or at the Prick ot the Goad by which they are awaked, they are Steeds who run swiftly and leave behind the DifSculties that had opposed them. Had it not been for the Information of the Abbe de St. Peter the Severities of the arbitrary Subsidies in France, would perhaps never have been abolished, had it not been for the Penetration of LOCKE the Deficiency in the current Coin would never have been repaired at London. There are frequently Men who without having purchased the Right of judging their Equals, love the public Welfare, as much as it is sometimes neglected by those who acquire as they purchase a Farm, the Power of doing good and Evil.

In the first Ages of the Roman Empire, a Citizen, whose ruling Passion was the Desire of rendering his Country flourishing, asked to speak to the first Consul ; when he was told that the Magistrate was at Table with the Pretor, the Edile, some Senators, their Mistresses, and their Buffoons ; on which he put into the Hands of one of the insolent Slaves, who waited at Table, a Memorial, the Contents of which was as follows :

" Since Tyrants have, throughout the whole Earth, done all " the Mischief they were able ; O 3'e who value yourselves on "being good, why do ye not do all the good in your Power? " From whence does it proceed that the Poor encompass 5^our " Temples, stand at the Corners of the Streets and display a " Misery unuseful to the State and shameful to you, and this at a " Time when their Hands might be employ'd in public Works? " How during the Peace are those lazy Legions employ'd who " might repair the Highway's and the Citadels? Those Marshes " if they were drained would no longer infecft the Provinces, they " would become fertile Lands, - Those open Places irregular and " worthy of a barbarous City might by changed into magnificent " Squares, - those Blocks of Marble heaped up on the Banks " of the Tyber might be hewn into Statues, and become the " Recompence bestow'd on Merit and Lessons of Virtue that " might be heard in distant Ages ; - your public Market-places " ought to be both commodious and magnificent, and yet they " are inconvenient and off"ensive ; 3'our Houses -want Water " and your public Fountains are built without Taste, and Pro- " priety ; your principal Temple is a barbarous Piece of Archi- " tecture, the Entrance to your public Shews, resembles the

Almanack For 1771

" Passage to an infamous House, the Halls in which the People " assemble to hear what is worthy the Admiration of the Uni- " verse have neither Proportion nor Grandeur, nor Magnificence " nor Convenience, the Palace of j-our Capitol is ready to fall, " yet it is inhabited. In vain does your Laziness make you " ready to reply that it would require too much Money to remedy " so many abuses ; will this Money be given to the Massagetes " and Cimbrians f Will it not be gained bj^ Romans, by yoMX " Architecfts, by your Sculptors, by your Painters, by your " Artists ? These Artists when recompenced will restore this " Money to the State by the new Expences in which they will " be enabled to engage : The fine Arts will be held in Honor, " thej^ will be at once your Wealth for the richest People are " they who labor most. Listen then to a noble Emulation, that " the Greeks who begin to esteem your Valor and your Conduct, " may no longer reproach you for your Rusticit}"."

The Citizen's Memorial was read at Table, the Council took no Notice of it but called for Wine, the Edile however said it contained some good Observ^ations, and this was all. The Conversation turned on the Tartness of the Wine of Falerjia, and on the strength of the Wine of Ceciiba, they bestowed Praises on a famous Cook, enquired into the Invention of a new Sauce for Sturgeon, drank Healths, told two or three insipid Stories, and fell asleep. However the Senator Appiiis, who had been secreth' affected at hearing the Paper read, built some time after, the Appiean way ; Flammiics made the Fla7nmian way, another embellished the Capitol, another built an Amphitheatre, and another the public Markets. Thus the Writing of an obscure Citizen was a Seed which by little and little grew and produced Fruit in the Minds of the Great." -

What Fruit is the good Seed sown likeh' to produce in the Minds of our Great, who can supinely behold the Philadelphia7is not only outstrip us in the liberal Arts but also in the mechanic Arts, who instead of importing immense Quantities of British Manufactures, have their ships enter their Ports laden with Cash and Manufactures from England. Golden Fruits of the Nonimportation Agreement !