The New-York Weekly Magazine, or Miscellaneous Repository Part 145

HOPE.

Hope may be considered as a _mental stimulus_: It is to the mind what the blood it to the body: If the circulation of the latter is arrested, the powers of life collapse; if Hope deserts us, despair commences her gloomy reign, and blackens every prospect. Few are free from the intrusions of this unwelcome visitor when a.s.saulted by the calamities of life, when the gay visions of imagination vanish from their sight, and when the anguish of remorse preys upon the soul. Since each earthly dependance must fail, how miserable is he whose only objects of Hope are confined to the present world, and how often must his heart flag for want of this necessary stimulus. Hence appears the glorious advantage of that man, whose Hope, grounded on a faith in divine Revelation, extends through eternity. This is the prerogative of the Christian, and from hence he draws a never-failing supply in whatever state he is destin'd to appear.

VIATOR.

_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._

SLAVERY.

Gloomy night had began her reign, and dread silence prevailed in and about the habitations that were situated on the banks of the Niger*; and nought was there to interrupt the gloom, save man, _savage-civilized_ man; who, conscious that the deed he perpetrates is unfit for the sun to be witness of, makes choice of this solemn hour, when the sad victims to his avarice are fast locked in the arms of sleep and innocence, to accomplish his nefarious designs.

[* A great River in Africa.]

On such an hour as hath my pen pourtrayed, forth rushed from a bark that bore proud Albion's flag, several, who had long been the acknowledged possessors of what are called "_hearts of oak_"--(perhaps the t.i.tle never suited more exactly). The base commander had taken the advantage of unguarded innocence, and to acc.u.mulate wealth, purloined his fellow man. The "Free Briton" was converted into a Slave s.h.i.+p, and became a prison for Afric's ill-fated sons.

Near to the sh.o.r.e the vessel lay, until its _honourable_ master had seen stowed in its hold, far from Aurora's soul-reviving beams, sufficient of those beings that were formed in the exact image of his Creator, to complete his cargo, spread his canva.s.s to the gentle breeze. The s.h.i.+p, as if partaking in some degree of the spirit of its commander, proudly mounted the white top'd billows, and exulting in the numbers she was conducting to their destined port to partake of the bitter draught of slavery, flew before the wind.

Hitherto the winds had been propitious, and nought had intervened to disturb the pleasure of the crew. Half the distance had the vessel measured; and so certain were they of soon beholding the Island of Barbadoes, that they could have sworn they would have reached it ere a week had finished. But righteous Heaven, who, alas! is the only protector of inoffending mortals, grieved to see a portion of its creatures thus abused, sent to the eyes of the eager crew, a s.h.i.+p, that bore engines (not of torture, although navigated by infidels) of war. On her stern majestically waved Britannia's flag. Lured by the bait, the eager crew hastened to greet their brethren. Already was the Captain situated in a place conspicuous, in order to deliver the accustomed salutation; when oh! a death-blow was given to all their expectations---they beheld an Algerine corsair. Too late to retreat they were soon taken possession of, and themselves made prisoners.

L. B.

March 17, 1797.

NEW-YORK.

MARRIED,

At Cherry-hill, by the Rev. Nicholas Van Vranken, Captain SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER, to Miss HARRIOT VAN RENSSELAER, second daughter of Philip Van Rensselaer, Esq.

On Sat.u.r.day evening the 18th ult. by the Rev. Mr. Abeel, Captain JOSEPH MARSCHALK, to Miss MARY YOULE, both of this city.

On Friday evening the 24th ult. by the Rev. Dr. Moore, Mr. JOHN DEVAY, of Albany, to Miss MARY WARREN, late of England.

On Tuesday evening the 28th ult. by the Rev. Dr. M'Knight, Mr. THOMAS S.

TOWNSEND, Merchant, to Miss PEGGY NOSTRAND, both of this city.

A few weeks since, at Boston, GRENVILLE TEMPLE, Esq. son of Sir John Temple, Bart. to Mrs. RUSSELL, widow of the late Thomas Russell, Esq. of that city.

On Wednesday the 1st inst. by the Rev. Dr. Pilmore, Mr. ROBERT GIBBONS, to Miss HANNAH HIGGINS, of Elizabeth-Town.

On Thursday evening the 2d inst. by the Rev. Mr. Abeel, Mr. JOHN HOLLOWAY, to Miss CATHARINE STANTON, both of this city.

On Thursday evening sen'ight, by the Rev. Mr. Holmes, Mr. JOHN COATS, to Miss WILHELMINA PATTERSON, both of this city.

_METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS._ _From the 12th to the 18th inst._

_Thermometor observed at 6, A.M. 3, P.M._ _Prevailing winds._ _OBSERVATIONS on the WEATHER._

deg. deg. 6. 3. 6. 3.

100 100 March 12 28 36 s. do. cloudy, lt. wd. clear, calm 13 36 43 cloudy, calm, do. do.

14 45 62 s. do. foggy, lt wd. do. do.

15 36 44 ne. do. rain, lt wd. do. do.

16 33 36 e. ne. rain, lt wd. do. do.

17 38 48 e. do. rain, lt wd. very thick fog.

18 48 68 sw. w. clr. lt wd. thunder shower.

_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._

A REBUS.

The Greek, without whose aid fate pre-ordain'd, That Troy had stood, nor Illion's turretts flam'd: An island which Apollo's birth does claim, A judge of Pandemonia's dark domain!

A crescent emblem of the ceasing storm, The country where fam'd Liberty was born.

The man who brought great natures works to light, A semi orb, that does illume the night: A Nymph who rides upon the ambient air, Whose voice responds to joy, or fell dispair.

What Despots do oppose to Reason's Laws.

The mount where Beauty's Queen gain'd her fam'd cause: The time when natures wrapt in soft repose, A cave where Reasons beatific smile ne'er flow's: A Sage who was translated to the skies; A principle, Columbia's sons much prize.

What fills the frighted mariner with dismay, A bird that does prefer dun night to day; A city where bright truth and honour s.h.i.+ne, Whose laws are rear'd on sentiments divine: An Aeronaut of courage, skill and fame, A Town that mistress of the world did reign.

A Bard who sung the various arts of Love, A path through which the planets yearly move: An act that mutual pleasure does impart, What animates and warms each feeling heart.

The initials if rightly combin'd will declare, The name of a Trio of beautiful La.s.ses; Than Pallas and Juno, or Venus more fair, Or the Helicon maids, or the Nymphs of Parna.s.sus.

ON SEEING A LADY AT AN OPPOSITE WINDOW.

Whilst on forbidden fruit I gaze, And look my heart away; Behold my star of Venus blaze, And smile upon the day.

Fair as the purple blus.h.i.+ng hours, That paint the morning's eye; Or cheek of ev'ning after show'rs, That fresh the western sky.