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expression; whereas there is variety, sprightliness, and figure, in the oaths of gentlemen well educated. Dean Swift says very justly, " a footman may swear, but he cannot swear like a lord." Now we have many lords in the English army, all of whom, when here, were pleased to honor me with their friendship and intimacy; so that I hope my qualifications can hardly be disputed. I have imported many of the most necessary articles for appearance in genteel life. I can give them Lavornitti's soap-balls, to wash their brown hands clean, perfumed gloves, paint, powder, and pomatum. I can also furnish the NewEngland men with rings, seals, swords, canes, snuffboxes, tweezer-cases, and many other such notions, to carry home to their wives and mistresses, who will be nation-glad to see them. You are also to know that I import a great many patent medicines, which may be of use to your army. It is said that some of them are exceedingly liable to a disorder called by physicians the rancomania, which is frequently followed by the two twin diseases of plumbophobia and siderophobia. If they will but submit to a strict regimen, and take the tincture drops and pills which I prepare, I am confident the cure in most cases would be infallible.

Nor his capacity as an editor:

Finally, I hope I may be of service to the United States, as a writer, publisher, collector, and maker of news. I mention this with some diffidence; because perhaps you will think I have foreclosed myself from such a claim, by confessing (as above) that my credit as a news-writer is broken by overstretching. But it is common enough for a man in business, when his credit is wholly gone in one place, by shifting his ground, and taking a new departure, to flourish away, and make as great or greater figure than before. How long that splendor will last is another matter, and belongs to an after consideration. I might therefore, though my credit is gone in New-York, set up again in the place which is honored with your residence. Besides, I might write those things only or chiefly, which you wish to be disbelieved, and thus render you the most essential service. This would be aiming and arriving at the same point, by manœuvring retrograde. Once more, as I have been the ostensible printer of other people's lies in New-York, what is to hinder me from keeping incog. and inventing or polishing lies, to be issued from the press of another printer in Philadelphia? In one, or more, or all of these ways, I hope to merit your approbation. It would be endless to mention all my devices; and therefore I will only say further, that I can take a truth, and so puff and swell and adorn it, still keeping the proportion of its parts, but enlarging their dimensions, that you could hardly discover where the falsehood lay, in case of a strict investigation.

Francis Hopkinson published one of his wittiest papers at Rivington's expense in the following

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JAMES RIVINGTON, printer of the Royal Gazette at New York, whilst the British troops were in possession of that city, had been exceedingly virulent, abusive, and illiberal in his publications against the Americans, their congress, their army, their officers, and their measures: Every paper abounded with the grossest falsities, misrepresentations, and insults; till at last, facts repeatedly contradicting his positive intelligence, the Royal Gazette lost all credit, even in Europe, where his accounts of the events of the war were chiefly intended to

stances, having rendered it convenient for the subscriber to remove to Europe, all those who are indebted to, or have any demands against him, are earnestly requested to make as speedy a settlement of their accounts as possible.

NOTICE is also hereby given, that the subscriber will dispose of his remaining stock in trade by public auction. The sales to begin at his store on Monday, the 19th instant, and will be continued from day to day (Sundays excepted) from the hours of ten to one in the forenoon, until the whole shall be disposed of.

It is well known that his store is furnished with not only an extensive library of the most approved authors, but also a greater variety of curious and valuable articles than hath ever been exhibited in one collected view on this side of the Atlantic. The scanty limits of an advertisement are by far insufficient to admit of an adequate display of his extraThe subordinary and miscellaneous collection.

scriber must, therefore, content himself with selecting, for the present, a few articles for public attention: but a complete catalogue is now under the press, and will be distributed at the time and place of sale.

BOOKS.

THE History of the American War: or, The glorious exploits of the British Generals, Gage, Howe, Burgoyne, Cornwallis, and Clinton.

The Royal Pocket Companion: being a New System of Policy, founded on rules deduced from the nature of man, and proved by experience: whereby a prince may in a short time render himself the abhorrence of his subjects, and the contempt of all good and wise men.

Select Fables of Esop, with suitable Morals and Applications-Amongst which are, The Dog and the

Shadow-The Man and his Goose, which laid a Golden Egg, &c., &c.

A New System of Cruelty; containing a variety of Modern Improvements in that Art. Embellished with an elegant Frontispiece, representing an Inside View of a Prison Ship.

The Right of Great Britain to the Dominion of the Sea-a poetical Fiction.

THE State of Great Britain in October 1760 and October 1781, compared and contrasted.

A Geographical, Historical, and Political History of the Rights and Possessions of the Crown of Great Britain in North America. This valuable Work did consist of thirteen Volumes in Folio: but is now abridged by a royal Author to a single Pocket Duodecimo; for the greater convenience of himself, his successors, and subjects.

The Law of Nations, revised and amended. To which is added, by way of Appendix, a full and true account of the Capture of the Island of St. Eustatia, by Admiral Rodney.

The Conquest of the four Southern rebel Colonies, with Notes critical and explanatory by Earl Cornwallis.

A narrative of the Ship-wreck of Lord Rawdon, in his voyage from Charlestown, South Carolina, to London.

operate. This conduct of Mr. Rivington, and of those who countenanced and assisted him, provoked some sarcasms in return-amongst which was this publication.-Author's Note. To appreciate fully the humor of this ironical inventory, the reader should consult the files of Rivington's paper and note the provocation to mirth, in the glowing advertisements, arranged pretty much according to Hopkinson's order, of the royal printer's pamphlets, maps, charts, views and plans of battles, musical instruments, &c. There is a complete set of Rivington's Gazette in the Library of the New York Historical Society.

Miracles not ceased: or, an instance of the remarkable Interposition of Providence in causing the Moon to delay her setting for more than two hours, to favour the retreat of General Joshua and the British Army after the battle of Monmouth.

Tears of Repentance: or, the present state of the loyal Refugees in New York, and elsewhere. The political Liar a weekly Paper, published by the Subscriber, bound in Volumes.

PLAYS.

WEST Point Preserved: or, The Plot discovered. Miss M'Crea: A Tragedy.

Burgoyne's Address to the people of Saratoga. The sleeveless Errand: or, the Commissioners of Peace. The march to the Valley Forge; or much ado about nothing. The unsuccessful attempt by Gov. Johnson. The amorous Hero and contented Cuckold, by Gen. Howe and Mr. Loring-Comedies.

The Meschianza: a pantomime.
The Battle of the Kegs: a Farce.

Who'd have thought it? or, the Introduction of 24 Standards to the rebel Congress. A procession.

MAPS AND PRINTS.

AN elegant Map of the British empire in North America, upon a very small scale.

AN accurate Chart of the Coast of North America from New Hampshire to Florida; with the Soundings of all the principal Inlets, Bays, Harbours, and Rivers. This work was undertaken and completed by his Majesty's special command; and at a national expense of many millions of Guineas, thousands of Men, and hundreds of Merchantmen and royal Ships of War.

A Survey of Lord Cornwallis's Rout through the Southern Colonies: beginning at Charlestown, in South Carolina, and terminating at York in Virginia. As the preceding Chart gives an accurate description of the Sea Coast, so it was intended to form a correct Map of the interior parts of this Country; but the rude Inhabitants grew jealous of the operation, and actually opposed his Lordship's progress.

The Battle of Saratoga, and the Surrender at York; two elegant Prints, cut in Copper, and dedicated to the King.

British Representations of the principal Transac tions of the present War, highly coloured by eminent hands. These pieces are so ingeniously contrived, that by reversing any one of them, it will exhibit an American or a French view of the same subject

uncoloured.

A very humourous Representation of the memorable Procession of Brigadier General ARNOLD; with his Friend and Counsellor, through the streets of Philadelphia.*

The Times: A satyrical Print, representing the British Lion blind in both Eyes, thirteen of his Teeth drawn, and his Claws pared off; with Lord North, in the character of a Farrier, bleeding him in the Tail for his recovery.

PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS.

A curious new invented magic Lanthorn: very useful for those who are at the head of affairs. This

After the Discovery and Failure of General Arnold's treasonable design to betray the whole garrison of West-point, with the person of Gen. Washington, the minister of France, Baron Steuben, and other principal Characters, into the hands of the Enemy; an effigy of the General, as large as the life, was constructed by an able artist at Philadelphia, and seated in a cart, with the figure of the Devil at his elbow, holding a Lanthorn up to the face of Arnold to show him to the people. The cart was paraded a whole evening through the streets of the City, with Drums and Fifes playing the Rogue's march, and other marks of Infamy, and attended by a vast concourse of People. -Author's Note,

Machine was constructed by an able Artist, under Lord North's immediate direction, for the amusement of the good people of England. The Spectators are gratified with an illuminated view of the fictitious objects presented, but kept totally in the dark with respect to the real objects around them.

Multiplying Glasses; whereby the numbers of an Enemy may be greatly encreased to cover the disgrace of a Defeat, or enhance the glory of a Victory.

Microscopes, for magnifying small objects, furnished with a select set ready fitted for use. Amongst these are a variety of real and supposed Successes of the British Generals in America.

A complete Electrical Apparatus, with improvements, for the use of the King and his Ministers. This Machine should be exercised with great caution; otherwise, as experience hath shown, the operator may unexpectedly receive the shock he intends to give-Pocket glasses for short-sighted Politicians.

PATENT MEDICINES.

Aurum Potabile. This preparation was formerly supposed to be a never failing Specific; but has been found not so well adapted to the American Climate, having been frequently tried here without effect: But its reputation is again rising, as it has lately been administered with success in the case of General Arnold.

Vivifying Balsam: excellent for weak Nerves, Palpitations of the Heart, over Bashfulness and Diffidence. In great demand for the Officers of the Army.

Sp. Mend. Or the genuine spirit of Lying, extracted by distillation from many hundreds of the Royal Gazette of New York. Other papers have been subjected to the same process, but the success did not answer the Expence and Trouble of the operation, the produce being of an inferior quality -Therefore beware of Counterfeits. The Ink and Paper of the Royal Gazette can alone furnish this excellent Sp. Mend. in its greatest perfection. administering due proportions of this admirable Medicine, Lies may be formed which will operate for a day, a week, a month or months; near at hand or at a distance; in America, or in Europe; according to the design of the party. N. B. The true Sp. Mend. is authenticated by the Seal of the Subscriber, who is the Inventor and Patentee thereof.

By

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JAMES RIVINGTON.

Hopkinson also published Rivington's reply to this, very much in the style of Witherspoon. Lastly, we have these witty morceaux, by Freneau, who found capital vent for his humor in the character of this curiously compounded gentleman. He wrote a number of verses on the tempting theme. First, an Epigram occasioned by the title of Mr. Rivington's New York Royal Gazette being scarcely legible;" then, "Lines occasioned by Mr. Rivington's new titular types to his Royal Gazette," but became very much dissatisfied with the execution of the king's arins; and when that was remedied, produced a more stinging Epigram still,

"on Mr. Rivington's New Engraved King's Arms to his Royal Gazette." The "Reflections" and "Confessions" are most searching and candidsince Freneau did not spare him; but perhaps of all these, the best was his

RIVINGTON'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.

Since life is uncertain, and no one can say
How soon we may go, or how long we shall stay,
Methinks he is wisest who soonest prepares,
And settles, in season, his worldly affairs.

Some folks are so weak they can scarce avail crying, And think when they're making their wills they are dying;

Tis surely a serious employment—but still,
Who e'er died the sooner for making his will?
Let others be sad when their lives they review,
But I know whom I've serv'd—and him faithfully
too;

And though it may seem a fanatical story,
He often has show'd me a glimpse of his glory.
Imprimis, my carcase I give and devise,
To be made into cakes of a moderate size,
To nourish those Tories whose spirits may droop,
And serve the king's army with portable soup.
Unless I mistake, in the scriptures we read
That "worms on the dead shall deliciously feed;"
The scripture stands true-and that I am firm in,
For what are our Tories and soldiers but vermin!
This soup of all soups can't be call'd that of beef,
(And this may to some be a matter of grief,)
But I am certain the Bull would occasion a laugh,
That beef-portable-soup should be made of a calf.
To the king, my dear master, I give a full sett
(In volumes bound up) of the Royal Gazette,
In which he will find the vast records contain'd,
Of provinces conquer'd, and victories gain'd.
As to Arnold, the traitor, and Satan, his brother,
I beg they will also accept of another;
And this shall be bound in Morocco red leather,
Provided they'll read it, like brothers, together.
But if Arnold should die, 'tis another affair,
Then Satan, surviving, shall be the sole heir;
He often has told me he thought it quite clever,
So to him and his heirs I bequeath it forever.

I know there are some (that would fain be thought wise)

Who say my Gazette is a record of lies;
In answer to this, I shall only reply-

All the choice that I had was, to starve or to lie.

My fiddles, my flutes, French horns and guitars,
I leave to our heroes, now weary of wars-
To the wars of the stage they more boldly advance,
The captains shall play, and the soldiers shall dance.
To Sir Henry Clinton, his use and behoof,
I leave my French brandy, of very good proof;
It will give him fresh spirits for battle and slaughter,
And make him feel bolder by land and by water.
But I caution the knight, for fear he do wrong,
'Tis avant la viande, et après le poisson*—
It will strengthen his stomach, prevent it from
turning,

And digest the affront of his effigy-burning.
To Baron Knyphausen, his heirs and assigns,

I bequeath my old Hock, and my Burgundy wines,
To a true Hessian drunkard, no liquors are sweeter,
And I know the old man is no foe to the creature.

Before flesh and after fish.-See R. Gaz.

To a General, my namesake, I give and dispose
Of a purse full of clipp'd, light, sweated half joes;
I hereby desire him to take back his trash,
And return me my Hannay's infallible wash.
My chessmen and tables, and other such chattels
I give to Cornwallis, renowned in battles;
By moving of these (not tracing the map)
He'll explain to the king how he got in a trap.
To good David Mathews (among other slops)
I give my whole cargo of Maredant's drops;
If they cannot do all, they may cure him in part,
And scatter the poison that cankers his heart.
Provided, however, and nevertheless,
That whatever estate I enjoy and possess
At the time of my death (if it be not then sold)
Shall remain to the Tories, to have and to hold.
As I thus have bequeath'd them both carcase and
fleece,

The least they can do is to wait my decease;
But to give them what substance I have, ere I die,
And be eat up with vermin, while living—not I—
In witness whereof (though no ailment I feel)
Hereunto I set both my hand and my seal;
(As the law says) in presence of witnesses twain,
Squire John Coghill Knap and brother Hugh Gaine.

Graydon, in his Memoirs, mentions Rivington as one of the occasional visitors of his mother's boarding-house at Philadelphia, and notices his theatrical turn. "This gentleman's manners and appearance were sufficiently dignified; and he kept the best company. He was an everlasting dabbler in theatrical heroics. Othello was the character in which he liked best to appear."t

Ashbel Green, in his Autobiography, says, that "he had, in foresight of the evacuation of New York by the British army, supplied himself from London with a large assortment of what are called the British classics, and other works of merit; so that, for some time after the conclusion of the war, he had the sale of these publications almost wholly to himself. Amongst others, I dealt with him pretty largely; and with nothing else to make me a favorite, the fulsome letters which he addressed to me were a real curiosity. He was the greatest sycophant imaginable; very little under the influence of any principle but self-interest, yet of the most courteous manners to all with whom he had intercourse."

JAMES M'CLURG.

THIS accomplished litterateur and eminent physician of Virginia was born at Hampton, in the county of Elizabeth City in that state, in 1747. He was at the College of William and Mary with Jefferson, and pursued the study of medicine at Edinburgh and Paris. While in London he published his Essay on the "Human Bile," exhibiting a series of experiments, with an introduction, "written in so philosophical a spirit, and expressed with such beauty and classic elegance of diction, that it was translated into all the languages of Europe." He returned to America in

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1772 or 1773, and established himself at Williamsburg, removing, when the seat of government was changed, about 1783 to Richmond, where he died, July, 1825. He was killed on Governor's street, in that city, by his horses running away. His remains lie in old St. John's Church, on Church Hill, where there is the following inscription on his tomb, written by Dr. Watkins Leigh, who married his grand-daughter, and which has been much admired for its tasteful composition. Here lies interred

the body of James M'Clurg, M.D.
In life

admired and honored for learning, taste, and genius, and venerated for virtue;

of studious and retired habits,

yet of the most easy and polished manners; of the readiest and happiest wit, tempered with modesty and benignity; with a native dignity of character and deportment always sustained without effort, united with unaffected simplicity,

and softened with the utmost suavity of temper; formed to delight, instruct, and adorn society, his conversation and acquaintance

were courted by the most distinguished persons of his country and of his age. Having studied his profession

in the most celebrated schools of Europe,
and distinguished himself even in youth
by the elegance and ability of his writings,
he was early placed

without pretension on his part,
by common consent abroad and at home,
in the highest rank among its professors,
which he occupied for half a century.

In old age cheerful and tranquil,

his mental faculties unimpaired, the serenity of his temper undisturbed. Even his social gayety hardly clouded to the last by the decay and infirmities of his body; honored, beloved, revered, content to live, content to die, with equal mind he sunk to rest, on the 9th day of July, 1825, in the 78th year of his age.

He married Miss Elizabeth Seldon, daughter of Carey Seldon. His daughter, the mother of Mrs. Leigh, became the wife of John Wickham, celebrated in the Burr trial.

Of his general literary accomplishments there is a pleasing instance in some vers de societé, according to the style of the day, savoring somewhat of the English Cowley, entitled The Belles of Williamsburg, which were written and circulated in that capital in 1777. They were mostly from his pen, a few having been supplied by his intimate friend Judge St. George Tucker.

THE BELLES OF WILLIAMSBURG.

Wilt thou, advent'rous pen, describe
The gay, delightful, silken tribe,

That maddens all our city;

Nor dread, lest while you foolish claim
A near approach to beauty's flame,
Icarus' fate may hit ye.

With singed pinions tumbling down,
The scorn and laughter of the town,
Thou'lt rue thy daring flight;

While every miss with cool contempt, Affronted by the bold attempt,

Will, tittering, view thy plight.

Ye girls, to you devoted ever,
The object still of our endeavor

Is somehow to amuse you;
And if instead of higher praise
You only laugh at these rude lays,
We'll willingly excuse you.
Advance then, each illustrious maid,
In order bright to our parade,

With Beauty's ensigns gay;
And first, two nymphs who rural plains
Forsook, disdaining rural swains,
And here exert their sway.

Myrtilla's beauties who can paint?
The well-turned form, the glowing teint,
May deck a common creature ;
But who can make th' expressive soul
With lively sense inform the whole,
And light up every feature.
At church Myrtilla lowly kneels,
No passion but devotion feels,

No smiles her looks environ;
But let her thoughts to pleasure fly,
The basilisk is in her eye

And on her tongue the Syren.
More vivid beauty-fresher bloom,
With teints from nature's richest loom
In Sylvia's features glow;
Would she Myrtilla's arts apply,
And catch the magic of her eye,

She'd rule the world below.
See Laura, sprightly nymph, advance,
Through all the mazes of the dance,
With light fantastic toe;
See laughter sparkle in her eyes-
At her approach new joys arise,
New fires within us glow.

Such sweetness in her look is seen
Such brilliant elegance of mien,

So jauntie and so airy;
Her image in our fancy reigns,
All night she gallops through our veins,
Like little Mab the fairy.

Aspasia next, with kindred soul,
Disdains the passions that control

Each gentle pleasing art;
Her sportive wit, her frolic lays,
And graceful form attract our praise,
And steal away the heart.

We see in gentle Delia's face,
Expressed by every melting grace,

The sweet complacent mind;
While hovering round her soft desires.
And hope gay smiling fans their fires,
Each shepherd thinks her kind.
The god of love mistook the maid
For his own Psyche, and 'tis said
He still remains her slave;
And when the boy directs her eyes
To pierce where every passion lies,
itself can save.

Not age

With pensive look and head reclined,
Sweet emblems of the purest mind,
Lo! where Cordelia sits;

On Dion's image dwells the fair—
Dion the thunderbolt of war,

The prince of modern wits.

Not far removed from her side,
Statira sits in beauty's pride,

And rolls about her eyes;
Thrice happy for the unwary heart
That affectation blunts the dart

That from her quiver flies.

Whence does that beam of beauty dawn! What lustre overspreads the lawn?

What suns those rays dispense? From Artemisia's brow they came, From Artemisia's eyes the flame

That dazzles every sense.

At length, fatigued with beauty's blaze
The feeble muse no more essays

Her picture to complete;
The promised charms of younger girls
When nature the gay scene unfurls,

Some happier bard shall treat.

SEQUEL TO THE BELLES OF WILLIAMSBURG.

Ye bards that haunt the tufted shade,
Where murmurs thro' the hallowed glade,
The Heliconian spring.

Who bend before Apollo's shrine,
And dance and frolic with the nine,
Or touch the trembling string.
And ye who bask in beauty's blaze,
Enlivening as the orient rays

From fair Aurora's brow,

Or those which form her crescent shrine, Where Cynthia with a look benign

Regards the world below.

Say why, amidst the vernal throng,
Whose vernal charms inspired your song
With sweet poetic lore,

With eager look the enraptured swain,
For Isidora's form in vain,

The picture should explore.
Shall sprightly Isidora yield
To Laura the distinguished field,
Amidst the vernal throng?
Or shall Aspasia's frolic lays
From Leonella snatch the bays,

The tribute of the song?

Like hers, I ween, the blushing rose,
On Sylvia's polished cheek that glows,
And hers the velvet lip,

To which the cherry yields its hue.
Its plumpness and ambrosial dew

Which even Gods might sip.
What partial eye a charm can find,
In Delia's look, or Delia's mind,

Or Delia's melting grace,
Which cannot in Miranda's mien,
Or winning smile or brow serene,
A rival beauty trace.

Sweet as the balmy breath of spring,
Or odors from the painted wing

Of Zephyr as he flies,
Brunetta's charms might surely claim,
Amidst the votaries of fame,

A title to the prize.

What giddy raptures fill the brain,
When tripping o'er the verdant plain,
Florella joins the throng!

Her look each throbbing pain beguiles,
Beneath her footsteps Nature smiles,
And joins the poet's song.
Here even critic Spleen shall find
Each beauty that adorns the mind,
Or decks the virgin's brow;

Here Envy with her venomed dart,
Shall find no vulnerable part,

To aim the deadly blow.
Could such perfection naught avail?
Or could the fair Belinda fail
To animate your lays?

For might not such a nymph inspire
With sportive notes the trembling lyre
Attuned to virgin praise?

The sister graces met the maid,
Beneath the myrtle's fragrant shade,
When love the season warms;
Deluded by her graceful mien,
They fancied her the Cyprian queen,
And decked her with their charms.

Say then why thus with heedless flight,
The panegyric muse should slight

A train so blythe and fair,
Or why so soon fatigued, she flies
No longer in her native skies,

But tumbles through the air.

A portion of these lines on the fair belles of Williamsburg has been happily introduced in the excellent novel by John Esten Cooke, of the Virginia Comedians, which introduces us in a spirit of delicate sentiment and elevated romance to the chivalric olden time of the state. In the romantic sketch from the same pen, of the Youth of Jefferson, Dr. M'Clurg is introduced as one of the fine spirits of that day.

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66

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

IN 1730, an as-ociation of gentlemen at Newport met together and formed themselves into a Society for the Promotion of Knowledge and Virtue." The town then included some of the most cultivated men of the country, whose intellectual activity was stimulated by the presence of Berkeley. The original members of this club, or association, similar to Franklin's Junto, were Daniel Updike, the Attorney General of the Colony, a distinguished lawyer and an intimate friend of the dean; Peter Bours, a member of the Government Council; James Searing; Edward Scott; Henry Collins, a merchant of taste and liberality; Nathan Townsend; Jeremiah Condy, and James Honeyman, Jun., the son of the Rector of Trinity. It was chiefly, at first, a debating society, but the collection of books soon became an object, and a wealthy gentleman of the town, Abraham Redwood, gave five hundred pounds sterling for the purchase of standard works in London, recommending the erection of a library building. To secure this, the Society procured a charter of incorporation from the Colony in 1747,

Published in the Phila. Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, edited by Prof. Chapnian.

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