Newspaper of Burlington Free Press, January 20, 1837, Page 1

ffiht mux NOT THE OLOHY OF C S A H ', BUT THE WELFARE OF ROME. BY II. 12. STACY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1837. VOL. X No. 500 J From the Oliio Slate Journal. THE PRINTER'S EPITAPH. Here lira hUform in pi. Beneath this bank with hilars overgrown, Mow mnny chili iiciern ns worthless, lie Neath some imposing stone ! Nor column points our loss: .Nor glaring caps invite us fiom nf.ir; Althuiigh he lived :i fdl'ncr of the crou And member of the bar. t ' Tis whifier'd through the street i Y.ox ulnnd-i's f.tnssnur purct men iissnil That every, lime he'd piinl n holy Bheot, Ha pull'd the devil's tail, The P.m lemoniiiii king Uavfl him dm icv'icnre, Init a m on or friar, Would check the melody he used losing, hen buy wiih hid quire. The golden rule he prized ' And left it o;rn of Ins loe ; And iillhia deeds, rorreciud and revised, Am rcgisler'd ubuie. Though now in de.ilh's em-brace A Mouldering heap our luckless brother lies ; He'll reappear on (iulniel'ii royal chase, Ami frish-il to ilictkics. THE UELLOWS-MENDER. 3V MUX HELEN M A HI A WILLIAMS. concluded. How shnll I describe to y oil the horrible iifht which I passed! Fallon at oncu, from n situation the most splendid ; in a inisora. falc village, which afforded no kind (if re source, nnd in po-scion only of h few louis: while my ndored wife, in the morn in" of lif', uceustouied !o const it til o ns well as share the pleasures of socieiy. had been lend hy in infernal plot to the enhm of tin old iiinn rn-pecmble indeed, but in n elate of wretched indigence, and I hud been the chief itici rtimrnl of her misfor tunes, the accomplice f 1 1"- atrocity with which she h"l been treated ! What would linve become or ner : in wuni manner could I I'd I Imt might least wound her leeliivjc? Would she Hunk herself suffi i,, ,i,.h in iiiv nitRchmeiit. mid lender- ness Oh. no'. I felt h II the horrors of her destiny, mul my own yes my own.' I had indeed no rcver-o of fori uno to un dergo; I. who, wu born lo wretchedness, nnd nurtured .m wmil; yet my agonised lirnrt, but to" i-.usr.epiibie, told me tlmi I had a sorrow to -tumm. perhaps the inoM .cruel in the fhd catalogue of hr.man evils; I had not merely to bear indifference from ,1'np.i object in whom I hiul placed tvery hope of happiness j lo see hrt lienrt hhe natcd whose tenderness wns nece-snry to ir.v exn-ter.ee; ,to read coldness .in Hint eye oil whoe look my pence depended I re collected, with deblrnctinn, that U uiustbo i r. tir.i nuiple to Mionort indilYer- Illy iiu.iui, -.- . -.- nee. but aversion ! I not merely to feel the bitterio",i of beiii' hateful in her I loved, b'.:l to know Hint I deserved her haired; lo find that the slinpo- of nil my sorrow was the poignnnrv of remorse. Hnil not I been the fatal causa ol all she suffered? .. , llnd not I darkened r.ll tl n fair prospects of her life, and overwhelmed her wiih in tolerable aiicnisti!'. Had not I. wretch that I wns! planted n, darker in her heart? Perhaps she would find refuge from me in the grave; perhaps her last breath would curse me; nr. if she pitied and lorgnve me. could 1 endure Ikt cruel mercy? Would not her pit v and forgiveness be more barbarous I him reproach; more lor nhle than her curse? Such were the reflections which absor bed my mind, and made n hell of the bed on which I bail thrown .myself to pni-s the night. The horror of my situation was increased by n continuance of violent rnm, which lid under water I ho cr.wi toad lead ing lo M'Hilclunati, nnd tendered n no. possible for seveal days. Tins circnin nance prevented inu from sending to town, as I intended, for a carriage, to convey An rorn to a lodging less fitted to mortify her pride. You will easily imagine that I sent eve ry minute to inquire respecting the siliin. Hon of my unfortunate bride. The an swers were mlisfnciory : my attention was received with gratitude; I wna repeatedly told that the next day I should be admitted to see her; that hhe had made up her mind ; that she should display n firmness of character which, in the cruel circum stances in which she wa placed, would as tonish ond confound her vile enemies. All thei limit's, which were repeated lo me with an affectation of secrecy, did not lull mo into perfect security. That terrible tomorrow affnghlened my soul; I dreaded the fntal interview morothuii death ! I was meditating how to elude it, under different pretences, when the door opened, nnd dis covered to inu my interesting bride I threw myself at her feet, nnd seizing one of her hands bathed it m my tears. She looked nl tun in this humiliating pnsturo for some time in silence : then raising me up, addressed me with nil the dignity of pride, which nothing could vanquish Von have deceived me,' said she; it is on your future conduct t hat my forgiveness Hha.ll depend. If any generous Fontiinent remains at the bottom of your hnut : if you arc desirous of not making me altogether miserable, do not luko advantage of the authority you havo usurped. ModemoU elle offers mo n decent retirement at her uncle' house I havo accepted it, because it accords both with my situation and my duties. You may visit mo there when- oun nnn nlnnin. Wo will eonnort. to. gethcr, (ha means of extricating ourselves from this liorriDio situation, una providing for our future support. Rely on my iionor far ilm rnro of defending vaur own.' Man is a confiding creature A kind ....1 r.m tin, umtnnn ufn InVfV iu Allfti. WUIU IIUIII '- uienl to soften all iho misery die occasions. Notwilhslanditig the cold disdain of Auro ra, I gave her my assent with the tit most meekness, without, even having dared to hope that I nhoiild receive any thing from her but reproaches. During live days my confidence in Aurora's forgiveness contin ually atiijincnled ; und while I traced out to her the plan of life which love suggest cd to me, 1 raw her mure than once smile at the picture! Could I have Imagined that aftcr.Ko many sufferings, the cruel Au rora hud ono in reserve for nic which sur passed all the rest ? One. morning it wns the eighth after our arrival in the villngel wasi a wakened, after having pn-ud n happy night niothod hy delicious .dreams. The day was alrea dy far advanced, when my father reproach ing me for my indolence, gave me two let ters, which he had just received for me. The hand-writing of both their directions was unknown to mo. The first I opened wit" from my friends nt Lyons. 'We tire saiibfiod ivilh you,' tnnl they: 'und, nfier taking exemplary revengeiof the hnughly Aurora, it m just we should remember the lrietidhip with which your talents and conduct have inspired us. You are not made to live in the clacs utnoug which you were born; und wo now offer you, with the tnot heart felt pleasure, Iho means of exincnting your-clf from all your cmbar. rassmcnls; without wishing that you should find your gratitude nt all hurdontomu, since we can serve you without any inconven ience to ourselves. You know that we pushed almost to madness the idea of re venge on Aurora; and we had each made the sacrifice of u thousand crowns to carry our plan into execution. You have not cx perilled n thud part ol this sum. The rent is deposited in the house of M ,a no tary well known in your city ; who will remit it lo you on your simple receipt. The jewels, linen, lace, and clothes, with which you amused the credulity of a fool ith father, und a haughty girl, will be likewise delivered to vou. Take care of Aurora , we have put her into your arms, in the hope thiit you will never give us oc casion to regret that we pushed our ven geance too ar. Whenever you shnll form un iiudcrickiug, command the credit, the friendship, and the recommendations of your friends at Lyons." "Well! exclaimed I, joyfully, 'half my embarrassments have vanished : I shall be able to provide for Anroru " The letter which I next opened, and which had been directed by a stranger, was from Aurora herself 'Some reiimius ol pity.' she ob served, 'which I still teel lor yuu, notwith standing your conduct towauls me, plend in your fuvor; and induce inu to inform you that, ui the moment you receive this teller, I shall he si. the gales of Lyons. It is my intention to enter u convent, which will rid inu of your hateful presence. I inn an honorable enemy, und declare that you must hole' yotirsell ready to appear be fore every tribunal in France till 1 have found one which shall do me the justice to break the chains of your victim, nnd pun ish the truitoru by wtiuui she has been sac riliced.' I shall not attempt to paint the violent and conflicting emotions which agitated my mind nt the perusal of this letter. One moment I determined lo pursue Aurora; to detain and force her to pay obedience to a man whom late had maiie her husband; the next, I felt most invincible repugnance lo persecute a woman whom I so ardently loved. The project, oImi, was impractica ble! Auroru hud niieady departed several hours : I must have sent for horses from MoulcliiiKirt, or walk ihtttier on fool; eith er would have required so much nine that I renounced all hopes ol overtaking Aurora, mid only thought of contriving Hie means of leaving a place which served to reeal so many bitter remembrances. 1 hnil still us much muiiey left as would enable me to reach Lvnns- llelure my departure, 1 in- lerrt gated severly the Cure uud ins niece wiih respect to ihsir kuuwleugu ol my wife's escape. Threats and entreaties were la visl.td in vain; and though they were as I have since di-covered, tint prima ry authors ot the plot, it was impossible lo Hiring them to any confession. New embarrassments crowded on inn when I reached Lyons. Wheru began my researches' lluw come tn any knowledge, in a great city, of Hie Asylum which Auro. ra had chosen ? In what manner could I present myself before a lather in thu first transports of his iiidignntion against a crim. 1 1 1 a I seducer of his duughter ? How could I wander from one convent to another, without the risk of being susoected, from the nature of my inquiries and exposing myself to the danger uf u dungeon whore I might be plunged for having acted so aboin. limbic n part r In order to deliver myself from these perplexities' 1 had resource to my engraving friends, who nli udviscd me lo remain quiet and wail peacably, till the procedure lor breaking the marriage became thu topic of general conversation at Lyons. 1 consented to lollow their counsels to for bear enquiries alike dangerous and useless; and to tukt) measures for improving my for tune, loo well convinced that this was the only chanru of hereafter regaining the heart ol Aurora. . Thanks to mv generous friends, after having disposed advantageously of the jew els, Ince, and other valuable articles, which were useless to ne, I found myself in pos session ol near ten thousand crowns, ll was reported, at that iimo, that wo were on thu eve of a war with some of the prin cipal powers in Europe. In consequence of this information, and with the aid of my menus, i iiiaue one oi muse bold specula tions, which if it had not succeeded, would linve placed me where I had set out; bul which, by iplendid success increased more than ihree-fold my capital. While my commercial speculations were going lorwuru in prolounil secrecy, my sto rv became the lopic of public animadversion. Tho intrepid Aurora, from her monastic re treat hurled her fulminaliona against mo & my confederates. This want of address, Ion her part, in attacking tho engtavera.bo sides obtaining tho laugh against her, wns of infinite advantage to nic, by throwing mo in the back ground ; while my friends were ho much the mora awake to my inter oMs, as it was the best mode of defending their own. Aurora insisted peremptorily, that the marriage should bo annulled The abbess of the convent lit which bIic had found an asylum, and who was respect able fur her birth, as well as her good qual. Hies, moved heaven and earth in her cause. Her fal her brought together his protectors and friends: and every thing threatened us with a defeat, the shame of which would linve fallen on the engravers, and the weight of it on myself The wags amused themselves In seeing the pride of Aurora made the instrument of her punishment, but no smile can smooth the brow of wrinkled and severe justice. Already a warrant lo arrest me had been issued, from which I had only been saved by the obscurity in winch I lived. The affair was bro't before the courts with great rapidity. My haughty enemy had requested guards to escort her to the tribunal in which our marriage wns to bo declared null or valid. She made her nppearnncc arrayed in all her charms, which were still brightened by the seniblaiico of the must unaffected modesty. Never had any cause assembled so immense a crowd of spectators. Aurora's counsel pleaded for her with so much eloquence that tho tears of tho auditory sometimes forced him to suspend his declamation. The emotion of the judges indicated what kind of sentence they were about lo pro nounce, and which the feelings of the an dience were powerfully impelled to sane, lion ; when the engraver who had sought to be the husband of Aurora, seeing that no counsel uroso to plead on my side of the question requested permission from the judges lo enter on my defence. This re quest wn-j imtnedately granted that it might not be said I had been condemned unheard. He gave my history in which nothing was exaggerated, except the cu logium with which ho honored me. lie owned, nevertheless that the singular cir cumstances of my marriage would author izo llio judges lo declare it null and void. He hesitated for a moment. The most solemn silence reigned through the assem bly, when turning to Auroru, he added, in a firm tone of voice. "No, madam, you aru not the wile of the bellows-mender but nature destines you lo becumo the mother of his child! Listen to the power ful cry of your infant yet tinhorn; ntid then say, if you desire to become free, while your child is condemned to the infamy ol illegitimacy:" 'No, No!' exclaimed the tri'iubliny Aurora, bursting into tears; and the whole audience, weeping in sympathy wiih her, joined in the exclamation of 'No! No!' This cry of maternal tenderness decided iho cause. The judges declared that the marriage was valid according to the con tract, in winch I had signed my true name; alledging. also, that our situation. were not suflkieinly unequal to nuthnrizc the disso lution of our union. Hut they wisely do creed, in order not lo leave the adventurer ton much cousu fur triumph, that my wife should he permitted lo reside in the convent which she had cho-oii for her nylum; and injunction wus laid on the husband, under certain penalties, neither lo reclaim, pun jo. or molest her in sny mariner whatever; that the child should be baptized under my name, but that I should at un lime have any right over its education. The rest of the sentence turned on objects of detail, more inteacsting to gentlemen of the long robe than the historian. Aurora left the audi ence in triumph. The crowd escorted her to the convent; crowning her with eulogi tints fur the tender sacrifice which thu had just made. buch was the result of this celebrated trial; during tho decision of which, I was little at my ease. Obliged to Indo nyself from every eye, I took advantage of my not being known, to hide among the crowd no one conjecturing that the bellows-niender. of whose history Ihey heard so much, wore decent clothes, fine linen, and was a per. soniign in no iiicun circumstances. The most ridiculous stones were fabricated re specting my ah.-cence and my marriage. I sometimes endeavored to laugh with the ret, but was horribly abashed to find, thai even those who amused themselves most at the expense of Auroru, were virulent de claimed against what they called my infa my. Agreeably to the dictates of my own feelings, and in conformity to the advice of my friends, I determined to quit Lyons, and m (iiny my Muds in some other place, where my name nnd history were unknown. I made choice of Paris for my residence, whero amidst an immense population 1 could most easily cscapo observation ; and nlsn where I could employ my capilnl to most advantage. 1 hero, the poor bellows mender, with a hundred thousand livrcs, and tho credit of Ins friends in Lyons, es tablished a commorciiil house, which suc ceeded bcynnil nil his hopes. I was during live years tho Invoritu of fortune; and my conscience renders mo this testimony, that I had no reason to blush at ono ot my spec ulalious, .My correspondence with Lynno was ac tive. A happy accident, gave mo Iho moans ol rendering essential service to ono of the first banking houses of that groat ci ty, l no proprietors testified iheir bound, less gratitude towards me, and pressed mo n earnestly to pay them a visit that tho desire of yielding lo their solicitation, to. gotlior witli tho secret wish of breathing the came air as Aurora, led mo lo accept tho invitation. I made my appearance in Lyons, with carriages, servants, and fino dollies, noni of which were at this time borrowed. Fortune had so successfully labored fur mo during fivo years that I had the meaiifjuf supporting a magnificent stylo ot living. My old friends scarcely recognized mo you may therelbro imagine it was not a vory difficult task to escape tho penotration of my new acquaintance. Without appear ing to annex the elightost importance to the subject, I sometimes talked of tho cele brated trial which had interested tho city of Lyons five ycais before and tormina ting; iny questions by inquiring what had become of Auroru and her family I learn, cd'that her father had lately died; that losses on ono hand, and ostentation on tho other, joined to tho ums ho had lavished un the education of his daughter, had left his affairs so embarrassed, that Aurora, at his disease, found herself almost without resource, and in soma measure dependent on the benevolence of the Abbess of the convent whero she had taken refuge. 1 was also informed, that although whenever Aurora appeared, she was still the object of general applause, she conducted herself with 6o much' propriety, that she was not less respected than admired. Tho bellows mender, il was observed, had suffered her to rcmnin tranquil Bince l ho trial, without nltetnpting to reclaim Ins lost rights. I I did not listen to these recitals without the most lively emotions. During five years residence in the capital, young, am bitious, as well as deeply enamored of Au rora, tho ardor ol my efforls to acquire a for tune which might give mo the right of re claiming her I loved, had absorbed my mind; but my abode at Lyons and the unsuspec ted testimony of all with whom I conver sed in favor of my wife, awakened every Intent sentiment ol tenderness in my bosom. The imago of Aurora of her whom I had decoivod, but whom I adored again occu pied every thought of my soul again throb bed in every pulse! 1 felt how worhlcss was tho acquisition of wealth, which she should refuse to share. I felt, that she was necessary to my existence; and my child was I never to fold him in my arms! nev er to feel tho ondearmcnts of him who ow cd lo mo life? Novor to know those pa. rental transports winch, though I had not experienced, my heart told mo must be ex. quisite! I could hour these cruel reflec tions no longer; I determined to behold Aurora ond my child. One of the engravers by my order, as sembled her father's creditors, and dis charged all his debts; purchasing for me at the same timo certain pieces of furniture, to which long habit associated an idea ol value lo the mind of Aurora this was the least difficult uart of my enterprise. Tho merchant who had given to mo so satisfactory an account of Aurora, was a man generally esteemcn. it strucK me that I might choose him for my confidant, and advise with him wlmt plan I ebould pursue. I know that bis namo alono was sufficient to smooth every obstacle in my path. He was in possesion ofa beautiful pavillinu on the Rhone. I requested an interview in the most solitary walks of his grounds and having obtained his promise of most inviolablo secrecy "You have hitherto," 6aid I, "seen in your friend, a merchant who, slill young, owes to his tal cuts, ami Ins probity, on affluent and hon orable fortune. It has been my late in an psar in a mask to the eyes of ihosij whoso esteem I most value, l uau deceived my mistress; let me no longer impose upon my friend. You have spoken to me of Aurora in a manner iho most favorable: you know the half of her history; hear the remainder. You see before you the utilortunate bellows mender, chosen by a set of young ,vags as the instrument of their vengeanco." At this unexpected declaration, my friend started back with surprise. It was easy for mo to read in Ins countenance the sen sations that agitated Ins mind. "lam in debted," continued I, "to nature for some talents, which I have improved by self education and study tho generosity of my employers, and fortune, have done the rcjt. I am, as you know, about to leavo Lyons, bul I am firmly decided nut to depart without Aurora. You enjoy the esieem and confidence of the public; you will be tho mediator of your friend with Aurora, and I shall owo my happiness to your inter vention." The banker, when ho recovered from his astonishment, assured me that ho had no doubt uf effecting the reconciliation I so ar dently desired. "The Abbess of tho con vent where Aurora resides," said he, "hon ors mo with a certain degree of friendship; it is not late; we are near Lyon:; lei us order horses, and we shall soon be able to arrangu with Aurora, herself, the points which seem lo you at present so embarras sing. I adopted this project with fond avidity. I was now no less eager for on interview than I had once been anxious to avoid it. I burnt with impatiencu to gaze on Aurora and my child! Tho Merchant was announced at tho convent under his real name; and myself as tho principal of a great coimnorcial house in Paris. We were admitted. Ah! what a picture presented itself to my view. Au rora, the enchanting Aurora, in all the pride of a beauty of twenly-lhreo years of ago, occupied n seal near the vcnernjle Abbess. A lovely child slept on her knees, and seemed so entirely to absorb all the attention of its mother that tho scarcely thought of returning tho usual salutations. Tho first instant thai sho threw her eyes on me, I remarked distinctly, from her in voluntary starting, that my presence re called souio disagrcablc ideas; but intro duced by a man whom sho well knew, and who was honored with general esteem, and presented as tho principal of a commercial houso of Paris, those circumstances, to gether with tho shadn of twilight, so coin plotely fel all conjectures at fault, that Aurora was far from recollecting her hus band in thu stranger. My friend opened tho convocation by sotno vaguo observa tions; spoko of my speedy departure for Paris: mentioned my having connections with all tho groat houses of the capital; and requcccd to know if tho Abbots had any ordorn with which to Iionor mo. Whilst this conversation passed, tho in fant awolio, and Iho sight of strangers, in Mend of surprissing him, led him to a smile Aftor having looked at us both, with a kind ui iiusiihuoii iiu Buvaiiccu lowarus mo un I my friend, represent to yourself my feelings, when I found myself covered with the sweet caresses, the innocent kisses ofmy child! An emotion which I had nowor to subdue, made mo eogcrly seize him in my arms; anu tnrowing myseil witli Inni at Iho foot of my polo and trembling wife 'Aurora! Aurora!' I exclaimed; 'your child, your child,' claims from you a father! will you suffer affection to bo vanquished by pride?' Whilo I uttered these words, iii a voice half choaked by emotion, Aurora quivered; seemed ready to faint; and fixed her eyes alternately on me and on her child, who clung to her knees, and seemed to implore forgtvness lor his father. At length a torrent of tears bathed Aurora's face; tho child, unable to comprehend why his mother wept, toincd his plaintive cries to mine 'Pardon, pardon,' I exclaimed. Aurora's only answer was, to throw herself into my arms. 'I know not,' she sobbed, 'whether you again decoive me, but your child pleods too powerfully Aurora is yours.' Sho pressed me against her palpi tating heart; we were unablo for a long time to speak. Our incontrolible emotion, tho caresses of tho child, the tears of my friend, and the place itself, every thing served to add to our delirium. My children.' said the Abbess, looking at us with an eye moistened by affection, 'you have both performed your duty! Monsieur is too much affected to bo a knave. Aurora has too much the heart of a mother to live any longer the victim of foolish pride. May the marriage, which you solemnly renew in my presence, be more happy than the first! May you en joy that lasting felicity which belongs only to virtue.' These word, pronounced in a serious tone of voice, calmed our turbulent sensation. I related my history in its full extent without sparing the confession of my faults, and tho feelings of my remorse: I failed not to remark with transport, that tho hand of Aurora often pressed mine while I spoke ofmy projects of tenderness! though 6hc testified neither pleasure or pain when I mentioned the fortunate sit uation of my affairs. That part ol my narration which most affected her was that which regarded the payment of her father's debts; and my attention to her feelings, in saving from the hands of the creditors tho pieces of furniture to which sho had been accustomed from her infancy. My friend celebrated our conjugal recon cilhation by a fete. Near the pavillion stood a house delightfully situated; and which the hoirs of the proprietor, who had lately died, had announced thoir intention of selling. A word, which involuntarily escaped Aurora, discovered to me that this acquisition would bo agreeable to her. I mado tho purchaso in her name ; and. twenty four hours after I put into her hands Hie acl which loft it entirely to her dispusal. I returned with Aurora and our child to Paris. Whether from some remains of her former liautmee, or from real greatness of mind, slic expressed no surprise at Uniting heisolf mistress of a house decorated with the inmost taste and magnificence. I found her character much ameliorated by adversity. I found myself beloved by her who wos the object of all my tenderness ! One happy year had elapsed, when An rora entered my cabinet, her eyes spark ling with joy 'My friend,' 6id she, you will not refuse the invitation of your wife. I wi-h to give you a dinner in my house, at Lyons.' No objection! This very morning I am going to set off with my son I want to teach him how o son ouirlu to do his father the honors of his house.' I did not fail to arrive at Lvnns at the appointed time. Tho day had scarcely dawned when I found Aurora under arms; she was still in all the splendor of her beau ty, and had ndorncd herself with more than accustomed eleganco. Dinner was an ununced; and judge of my sensations when Aurora, giving me her hand, led me into an apartment which had been decorutcd by iho Graces. Guess who were the guests she had assembled? My ten engravers themselves! My first friends, tne authors ofmy fortunes, c.f my marriage. No! I cannot paint my emotion! During the re past the gaynty of Aurora animated all her guests wiih delight and admiration. After the dessert she led us lo an apartmint which she had destined for me. A slight spring touched hy Aurora, undrew a cur tain winch conc-jaled two pictures finely painted. Wo drew near to survey thoni. '0 Enchantments!' exclaimed my friends, together with myself. Tho first picture presented the village scene near monteli mart. I was kneeling at tho feet of Au rora, who repulsed mo with disdain, throw ing o look of indignation on the coachman engraver. Underneath was written T,uve conquered by Pride.' Tho second pic ture represented the sceno of the prefunt day. My ten friends at table, Aurora placed between her happy husband and the cnachman-eiigrsvor, and appearing lo smile on both. At tho bottom was written sPride conquered by Love.' Here, Sir, finishes my history; at least my adventure. My present haspiness I can better feel than define. Aurora made me tho father of three other childron; and requested that the first of ihein should have for his godfather tho engraver whoso hand sho refused. This inestimable man is now the happy partner of a charming wowan well known in Lyons for the earo which she bestows on the education of iior only daughter. Aurora tells me, that she shall tint be completely happy till this young girl calls her mother : and what is singular in hob auuir is, mat, my sou is ot tho same opinion. The Challenge A snhnlnr nnvn another tho lio, nnd a challenge ensued. Tho tcichcr of mathematics heard of the disputo and sent for the young man, who iiimsiuu mat no mint accept too challenge and firrlil. Wliu i ilrml il.n inior. lt. cousu ho gavo mo tho ho.' 'Well,' said mu tutor, -let nun prove it. it tie proves it, you did lie, and if ho does not prove it, ho lies. Why should you shoot one anoth er ? Let him prove it.' SPEECH OF MR. WEBSTER V ON THE SPECIE CinCULAR. Mr. PnEstDENT : The power of dispo sing of this important subject is in lha hands of gentlemen, both bere and elih where, who ore not likely to be influenced by any opinions of mine. I havo no mo tive, therefore, for addressing the Senate, but to discharge a public duty, and to ful fil the expectations of thoso who look to mo for opposition, whether availing or un availing, to whatcvor I believe to be ille gal or injurious to tho public interests. In both those respects, tho Treasurer ordar of the llth of July appears to mo objection) able. I think it not warranted by law, anil I think it also nractically preiudicial. I think it tins contributed not a little to thai Decuniarv difficulties under which the wholo country has been, and still is laboring; and that its direct effect on ono particular part of the country is still more decidedly and severely unfavorable. The Treasury order, or Treasury circu lar, of I ho llth of July last, is addressed by tho Secretary to the receivers of publio money, and to the deposito banks. It in structs these receivers andlhese banks, of' ler the 5th day of August then next, to r ceivci in payment of the public land nothing except what is directed by existing laws, vie. gold and silver, and, in the proper casts. rirqinut tuna scnpi ; proviueu, I5f7i of December then next, the same ndu- gence' heretofore extended, as to the kind of money received, may be cominuea,jor any quanlily of land not exceeding 320 acres, to each purchaser who is an actual settler or bona jUe resident in the Stale where tht talu are made. ' The exception in favor of Virginia scrip is founded on a particular act of Congress, and makes no part of the general question. It is noi necesrary, therefore, to refer far ther to that exception. The substance 6f the general instruction is. that nothing bit sold and silver shall be receiaed in paymtni for pablic lands ; provided, however, that actual settlers anu oona.ue resiuenis in mo States where the sales are made may pur chase in quantities not exceeding 320 acres each, ond be allowed to pay as heretofore. Dut this provision was limited to the 15th day of December, which has now passed; so that by virtuo of this order, 'gold and silver are now required of all purchaser! and for all quantities. " -In considering this order, the first thinj naturally i to look for the causes which led lo it, or are ossigned for its promulga tion. And these, on the face of the order itself, are declared to bo "complaints which have been made of frauds, speculations, nnd monopolies in the purchase of the pub lic lands, and Ihe aid which is said to be given to effect these objects by excessive bank credits, and dangerous, if not partial, facilities through bank drafts ond bank de positcs, nnd the general evil iufiuenco like ly to result to the public interest, and el pecially the safety of the great amount of money in the Treasury, and tho sound con dition of the currency of the country, from the further exchange of the-national do main in this manner, and cheifly for bank credits and paper money." ' This is the catalogue of evils to be cured by this order. In what these frauds con sists, what arc the monopolies complained of, or what is precisely intcnacd by theso injurious speculations, we are not informed. All is left on the general surmise of 'fraud, speculation, and monopoly. ' It is not avow. cd, or intimated, that tho Government has sustained any loss, either by the receipt of bank notes, which proved not to be equiva lent lo specie, or in any other way. And it is not a little remarkable, that these evils of fraud, speculation, and monopoly should havo become so enormous, and so notorious, on tho llth of July, as to require this Executive interference for their sup. prcs.'ton, and yet that they should not have reached such a height as to make it proper to lay tho subject before Congress although Congress remained in session until within seven days of tho date of the order. And what makes this circumstance still more remarkable, is the fact that in his annual message at the commencement of the same session, the President had spoken of the vapid sales of the public lands as one of the most gratifying proofs of the general pros. pertly of the country without suggesting that any danger whatever was to be apre. hendeu from fraud, speculation, or monopo. ly. His words were: "Among the eviden. cos of the increasing prosperity of the country not tho least gratifying is that af forded by the receipts from the sales ol the public lands, wtiich amount in tho present year, to the unexpected sum of 411,000,. 000." From the timo of the delivery of that message down to the date of the 1 reasury order, there had not been the least change, so far as I know, or so far as wo aro ioforl mod. in the manner of receiving payraem for the public lands. Every thing stood on the llth of July, 1036, as it had stood at iho .opening of" the session, in Dcccmbor, I ear,. How so different a view of things hapoened lo bo taken at the two periods, wo may bo ablo to learn, pernaps, iu too further progress of this debate. The order speaks of tho "evil influence" likely to result trout the further exchange of tho public lands into "paper money." Now, this is tho very language of tbe gentleman from Missouri. He habitual speaks of tho notes of all banks, however solvent, and however promptly their notes may ho redeemed iu gold and silver, as "paper money." Tho Secretary has adop. ted tho honurablo member's phrases, and ho speaks, too, of all the bank notes re ceived at tho land offices, although every ono of them is redeemable in specie, on demand, but as so much "paper money." In this respect, nlsn, sir, I hope we may know more as wo grow older, and be ablu to leran whitbor, in times to come, in times recently passed, tho justly obnoiiouv and odioiu character of "paper money" is to bo applied to the issues of all the banks in all the Slates, with whatever punetu ality (bey redeem their bills. Tbil 1