morality and honest intention: it was a part of his | mindedness of the world's ways, the donors who had calling-an easy method, though somewhat excep- the charity to minister to his craving appetite, would tionable in the minds of others, of making his peace- ever, with a kindly feeling for their own purses, give ful way through the world. It is true, he might have him that quality of spirit which would cost them the effected the object in view equally as well by throw- least quantity of cash, as newly distilled whiskey, ing himself upon the bounty of the almshouse; but "blue ruin," &c., commingled with a goodly portion the almshouse to him was a wretched place indeed of red pepper. Taste, of whatever character it may a kind of Hades for the lame, the hungry, the blind, be, is an exceedingly delicate affair, and may very and the naked, entirely beneath the dignity of a per- | easily become vitiated; and, such being the case, it sonage so famous as the minstrel of the bones and is not greatly to be wondered at that Benjamin, bell. But when spring returned-when its green and straightened as his circumstances often were, should lively mantle was flung athwart the bosom of the become in the course of years so insensible to its inwide world when the young flowers would peep out fluence, as not to be able to detect the difference beand send forth their pure odors upon the passing tween the purest fourth proof Cogniac brandy and the breeze, and the bright birds of heaven would utter meanest freshly distilled corn liquor, generally known their sweet and joyous songs of praise and glory, and recognized by the familiar cognomen, "Old Rye," then would Benjamin venture forth from his prison- nor, what is more singular, to care about it. So that house, and amid the hum and bustle incident to the he obtained the quantum of spirit, that was sufficit: crowded street, might be heard the sound of his pow- it was a matter of indifference to him whether it was erful voice proclaiming to the people that he, too, was named whiskey or brandy. He thought with Seneca, ready to pour forth his singular music at the moderate that "we have a sufficiency when we have what naprice," one single cent a tune." ture requires;" but, unlike Seneca, he thought that that sufficiency ought to consist of at least three or four pints of alcohol per diem. Without the given quantity of that commodity, the bones did not rattle well, nor did the bell send forth sounds harmonious. The voice was cracked and broken, and the whole frame, enervated until nature was re-animated by the magic influence of liquor; but when that had been duly administered, then would the countenance brighten up, and the cracked voice resume its wonted tone, full and deep, and the strains of the ditty fall with spirit upon the air,-for the minstrel of the bones and bell would scorn to confine his " tuneful lays" to the narrow space afforded by the "hollow square," to speak in phrase militaire, formed of floor, walls, and ceiling, but would pour them forth spontaneously upon the free and ambient air. The correct and graceful attitude into which the minstrel threw himself, when in the act of performing his wild music, was peculiarly striking. The feet were placed side by side, in position parallel, and the legs, to the knee, standing on them in position vertical; then, a heavy inclination backward, at perhaps an angle of forty-five degrees, toward the nether integuments of his unmentionables, and thence upward to the neck, thrown gently forward; the head thrown back majestically, and surmounted by an ancient dragoon-cap, over which waved a single plume; the staff placed for safety under the left arm; the left arm closely pressed to the side as far down as the elbow, thence extended forward horizontally, and " 'twixt his finger and his thumb" the little sleigh-bell delicately suspended; "de bones" placed between the fingers of the right hand, and, in the ecstacy of delight, into which the excitement of the strange music elevated him, the right arm swinging free and untrammeled the whiteness of his teeth, as contrasted with the color of his face, peering forth in consequence of the wide embrasure of his open mouth, necessary to permit the full volume of his voice, bearing the deep melody with which his soul was burthened, a proper avenue for escape; the quick and intelligible glance of his eyes; all contributed to fasten the attention of the beholder, and to embue his mind with the most singular and pleasurable emotions. Poverty, by most persons, is deemed a disgrace, and by some a crime. Ben always viewed this matter differently. He neither thought it a disgrace nor a crime to be poor, because it was by poverty, I may say, that he earned his daily bread and whiskeyand no man should so far forget himself as to vent his spleen against the means by which he is enabled to keep his soul and body together. Whatever may have been the faults and frailties to which the human nature of poor Ben was subject, in this matter he was evidently right. Never quarrel with your bread and butter, is an old saying, and it is one, too, to which Ben strictly adhered. His dress, his bearing, and his demeanor, were all in philosophical confor Such was old Ben-such his character-such his vocation. In common with many others of the class of eccentricities with which this nether world is gift-mity with his standing in society. His dress was odd ed withal, Benjamin was a devout worshipper at the and fantastical-so was his mode of living. His bearshrine of Bacchus, and would have been constant in ing was lofty-and so was the soiled though stately his devotions, had it not been for the awkward predi- plume that nodded above his forehead. He was, cament in which he too frequently found himself si- withal, a philosopher, in the strictest sense of the tuated, that of not being in possession of the manna, word. He had no friend, no associate, not an indivithe myrrh, and the frankincense, to render his offering dual who had a fellow-feeling in common with him. acceptable to the rosy god. This had the effect to self: he dwelt in a world of his own creation, and corrupt his taste, inasmuch as he was thus reduced to felt as much at home in that world as did Diogenes the unpleasant necessity of asking for that which he in his tub. It must not be understood that he was could not purchase, and, in conformity to the narrow-selfish, for he would have shared his little world, share with him. But there was not, and he was alone. Beauty is a gem of inestimable value, and it is but seldom that we meet with that degree of concentrated perfection in the human form as to entitle it to the epithet beautiful. Ben was neither beautiful, nor handsome, nor good-looking; but there was a manly stateliness in his bearing, and a sprinkling of dignified graciousness in the expression of his countenance, which would ever command attention, and, under many circumstances, would have elicited that marked respect which is the constant attendant upon true greatness. had any person been willing to have accepted a | of Benjamin developed. Hunger will often have the effect to drag up, even in the dullest of us, from the deep recesses of the human heart in which it lies deposited, the little wit with which nature has gifted us; and it is not at all surprising that Ben, in the thoughtlessness of the moment, and the good will which his heart entertained for his stomach, and that stomach craving stimulus withal, should disburse his money during the daytime for "the creature," forgetting that in order to keep the system in a proper state of life and vigor, it is sometimes necessary to supply the sto mach with a little supper, and, therefore, that at a late hour he was compelled by the urgent calls of nature to put his intellect in proper motion to secure that The world is generally discriminating and just, al- highly requisite compound. In this work, the wonderthough being a composition of that much-talked-about ful power of his genius shone pre-eminent. "Power substance called human nature, it is fairly supposable is gradually stealing from the many to the few," says that it may sometime err; and this, I think, may have the statesman, and this was also the case where Ben been the case when it drew the line which is gene- was concerned-for money is power, and property is rally recognized as a distinctive mark to point out the the representative of money; and thus it was persuperior intellect which the pale-faced race possesses ceived that the poultry belonging to the many farmers over the descendants of Ham. There is a brilliant in the neighborhood, the raw mackerel placed for a and ever-burning spark of celestial fire, usually deno-show on the side-walks of the grocer, the loaf of minated genius, for ever dwelling in the heart of man, which at times will burst forth from its pent-up habitation, and shed its divine influence over the world, no matter whether that heart is situated in the bosom of a white or of a black man; and this position was singularly illustrated in the case of Ben; for Ben was of that dark and ebon color which we are apt to associate with the calling, or, as it has of late years more elegantly been denominated, profession, of a woodsawyer; and who for a moment can doubt that the heart of Ben was deeply imbued with this outpouring of the divine essence. Ben was emphatically a genius-he was full of it-it could be detected in all his actions-it even peeped out through the deep marks which time and the small-pox had left upon his dignified and noble countenance. And this genius, too, was of a highly inventive character, for who, as an illustrative instance, would ever have dreamed of drawing forth music from the dry bones of an ox? The bones of the dead at Waterloo were gathered and burned, or ground up, to manure the hungry earth; but had those bones been properly preserved, there was a sufficient quantity of them to set all Italy music-mad, and the whole world a-dancing. It was reesrved for the venerable Caywood (for he had travelled far upon the pathway of life before his genius peeped into the depths of this mystery) to disco-be those natural gifts, if they were not exercised ?—— ver the important purpose for which that necessary item in the superstructure of man and beast, the ribs, was intended; and it also goes to prove the position before assumed, namely, that Ben was a philosopher; for it was highly philosophical, and of immense importance to the well-being of the human race, to have ascertained, by actual experiment, and placed on an undoubted and substantial basis, the fact, that the bones of the ox, which are generally discarded from our tables as worthless and unworthy, may yet be made the instruments to gladden the heart of man. But not alone in the discovery of the musical properties possessed by ox-bones was the inventive genius bread, placed at the window of the baker for the same purpose, and so forth, were observed to be gradually diminishing, and becoming concentrated in one person, to be deposited, at the proper time, in the receptacle of the good things of this life, pertaining to the said Benjamin Caywood. There were also sundry dairies, smoke-houses, and other depositories for the reception and safe-keeping of the various productions of animal and vegetable life in the vicinity where Ben vouchsafed his presence, and it was remarked, that with respect to them, a similar process of disgorgement was continually in operation, and similar beneficial results accruing to Ben. It is not to be understood, that Benjamin harbored for a moment a dishonest thought or intention: he was merely indulging in a natural propensity, that of providing for the comfortable sustenance of animal life, and at the cheapest possible rate. This is a propensity in which we all indulge, and it was but an evidence of his genius that Ben was enabled to fondle and nourish it at far less cost to himself than the generality of mankind. Genius, in truth, may be called the most prominent and valuable of the various gifts which nature had bestowed upon him; and if the organ of acquisitiveness was fully developed in Ben, it was but natural that he should exercise it. Of what use, indeed, would not to exercise them might justly be considered an irreverent disregard of the benevolent intentions of Providence; and it is altogether probable that these are the arguments which actuated Ben in a pursuit which, it must be acknowledged, would not by some be considered altogether creditable. But there were times when it was not necessary for Ben to put in requisition his acquisitorial powers, inasmuch as his wants were supplied by the gratuitous benevolence of persons who thought they saw in him a suitable object to whom they might administer their charities; and Ben, far from being proud, would receive their gifts with a good grace, for he did not consider it a disgrace to pick any more than to play | human frame for the exercise of that energy which is necessary for the successful issue of secret mis the bones. Pleasure that comes unlooked-for is thrice welcome." sions. bell and his bones, and the world may be deemed his sole legatee. His loss to society is irreparable, for he left no successor, and the art divine may be consider But I must pause. The last event in the eventful life of poor Ben has transpired. He has left the scene After this manner sung the bard whose beautiful of his triumphs: he has abandoned the places which and delicate strains would have immortalized the he was wont to enliven by his presence and his minclime Italian, if that clime had not immortalized itself, | strelsy; and he has gone down to sojourn in that far and in corroboration of the true and sweet sentiment country which we know not of the country of the therein expressed, the heart of Ben would leap up with- soul. His age is unknown; but the years he numin him whenever those crude and unvarnished mani-bered are supposed to have been between ninety and festations of interest for his inward man were exhi- one hundred. He left naught behind him but his bited; for although he cared but little for the world, or the world for him, he had a heart that was sensi ble to kindness and sympathy, and thrice welcome was the charity which he received when he was noted to have died with him. The sweet bard of Avon at the trouble of asking for it. Indeed, I have some- has sung, that times thought that when the day's toils and troubles over, if some kind friend had stepped forward and administered the supply which the calls of nature required, there would have been less frequent occasion for the exercise of those somewhat discreditable propensities which have been alluded to before; for the weakness in the lower limbs, as well as in the head, at even tide, occasioned by the pressure of the hand of time and the frequency of libations poured in honor of the mirth-loving god, will sometimes steal the cunning from the heart, and unfit the "The evil that men do live after them,→→ The good is oft interred with their bones." And so may it be with poor Caywood. May his slumber in death be as peaceful as his intentions were good, and his long life inoffensive. May the remembrance of the noise which he made in the world be never effaced, and may the evils which he perpetrated be smoothed over by the obliterating hand of oblivion. Columbia, Pa. ALP. THE ANNIVERSARY REGISTER: OR, MONTHLY CALENDAR OF AMERICAN CHRONOLOGY. EXHIBITING CORRECT DATES OF THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF EMINENT MEN, LAND AND SEA FIGHTS, TREATIES, EXTRAORDINARY AND MEMORABLE EVENTS, AND OTHER MATTERS, CONNECTED WITH THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. The following Calendar has been compiled at a great expense of time and labor; and will be continued every month till the year is completed. We trust that this perfectly novel arrangement will be acceptable to our subscribers, not only from the fullness and accuracy of the Chronology, but from the consideration that there is nothing of the same description in existence. It is assumed that no person will be guilty of the impropriety of copying this Calendar, which is private property, and has been duly entered as copyright, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress. 1776 Wingina, an Indian Chief, massacred, with his great men and followers, during an appa- Boston Port closed by order of British authorities. Stony Point and Verplank's Point, N. Y. taken by the British. American Privateer General Pickering, captured English Ship Golden Eagle. John Adams, the first Ambassador from the U. S. of America to England, had his first interview with King George III. Tennessee admitted into the Union as an independent State. Treaty between U. S. and the Oneida Indians. Died, in Massachusetts, aged 47, William Eaton, famous for his warlike achievements on the U. S. Frigate Chesapeake, captured by British Frigate Shannon. Americans had 146 killed Died, at his residence, near Bradford Springs, S. C. Thomas Sumter, a distinguished partisan officer during the revolution. Died, at N. Y. aged 74, Oliver Wolcott, Governor of Connecticut. A severe Frost in New England, which caused considerable damage to vegetation. The Constitution of New Jersey adopted. 1833 Rev. E. K. Avery acquitted of the murder of Sarah M. Cornell. Boston and Providence Rail Road opened to the public. British Gunboats on Lake Champlain captured and sunk two U. S. Schooners of War. 1835 1790 1805 1813 1816 1837 Treaty between U. S. and Kickapoos. 1781 1813 Destructive Tornado from the Hudson across Duchess Co. N.-Y., to the Connecticut-did great damage. Born, in Baltimore County, Maryland, John Eager Howard, revolutionary General and Governor of Maryland. First Legislature of Kentucky met-Isaac Shelby first Governor. American Prisoners at Tripoli liberated. Augusta, Georgia, surrendered to the Americans. Battle of Stoney Creek; the British repulsed in a night attack, with the loss of their General (Clarke) and 250 men. The Americans lost 180 men, including Generals Winder and Chandler. Destructive Fire at Charleston, Va. 374 houses burnt. Born, in Lebanon, Conn., John Trumbull, poet and patriot-author of M'Fingal. 14 1517 1578 1776 1804 1825 1837 1665 1775 1778 1805 1665 1775 1814 1833 Died, at Red Hill, Charlotte County, Va. aged 66, Patrick Henry, a celebrated Orator, and Sodus, on Lake Ontario, burnt by the British. The Independence of the American Colonies proposed in Congress, by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia. Georgetown, S. C. captured by American Generals Marion and Lee. Steamboat General Jackson, burst her boiler, near N. Y. and killed 12 persons. The Bill for the farther relief of the surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution, received the President's signature. Commencement of the attack upon Louisburgh, Cape Breton, by General Wolfe. The Americans repulsed by the British at Trois Rivieres, Lower Canada, with great loss. Died, aged 81, George Wythe, of Va. one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Cholera appeared at Quebec, Lower Canada-its first eruption on the American Con- Columbus arrived in Spain from his second voyage. The Providence Packet, sailing into Newport, R. I. fired into by British Revenue Schooner, The British Commissioners arrived in New York, on a fruitless errand of negotiation with Unprecedented fall of hail in New Hampshire, being, in some places, twelve inches deep. A Convention met at Raleigh, N. C. for the purpose of amending the State Constitution. Nearly 200 Seminole Indians defeated near Micanopy, by U. S. troops. The Sloop, Liberty, belonging to Mr. Hancock, seized by Custom House officers, at Boston, and some rioting ensued. Declaration of War by the Bashaw of Tripoli against the U. S. U. S. Revenue Cutter, Surveyor, captured by the British in Chesapeake Bay. Action between British Vessels of War and American Flotilla, under Commodore Barney. Died, at Reading, Pa. General Joseph Heister, formerly Governor of that state. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, step brother to Sir Walter Raleigh, obtained a grant of Newfound- Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman, ap- Died, at Staten Island, Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of New York, and Vice President of Riot in Boston (Sunday) between some Firemen and some Irishmen concerned in a Funeral British General Gage proclaimed, at Boston, pardon to all who would lay down their arms, Died, aged 62, Philip Livingston, one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Charles II. bestowed on the Earl of Clarendon all the land from the Pacific to the Atlantic Dr. Joseph Warren appointed Major General of the American army. Major General Gates appointed Commander of the Southern forces of the U. S. The American Daughters of Liberty" in Philadelphia, formed themselves into an Association for supplying the soldiers of the revolution with clothing. Fourteen vessels burnt by the British at Wareham, New England. Died, aged 45, of cholera, aboard the Steamboat Mount Vernon, in Tennessee, Thomas Yeatman, a wealthy Banker of Nashville. 1496 The American Continent (Labrador) discovered by the Cabots. Sir Henry Vane, once Governor of Massachusetts, beheaded in England, for high treason. 1662 1744 1776 1777 The British Fleet cannonaded from Moon and Long Islands, and compelled to leave the Bay, opening a means of intercourse with Boston, just two years after the commencement of the blockade. The present Flag of the United States of America-the Stars and the Stripes-adopted by order of Congress. |