wainfcoating, fhingles, &c. which are intended to be prepared. Then dilute the fame liquor with a little water; add to it fuch a portion of fine yellow clay as will make the mixture of the confiftence of the common paint employed on wood; and laftly, ftir it into a fmall quantity of flour pafte, in order to combine both fubftances intimately. With this mixture all wooden materials ought to be coated three or four times, fimilar to painted work. Thus, wood will be fecured from the action of fire, though exposed to it for a time exceeding two hours; but the greatest advantage of this excellent preparation confifts in the circumftance, that it prevents the wood from ever burfting into flames. M. Boulard remarks, that 20 lbs. fitted yellow clay, 1 1-2lb. of flour for making the paste, and 1lb. pot-afh, are fufficient to prepare a fquare rood (French measure and weight) of deal boards; so that the expences, when compared with the importance of the object, are indeed trifling. It is further deferving of netice, that even furniture made of wood, fuch as chairs, tables, &c. and particularly the flair-cafes and flooring of dwellinghouses, may be fo far enabled to refift the ravages of the fire, that they are only reduced to coals, or embers, without fpreading the conflagration by additional flames: meanwhile, there are gained at leaft, two hours, during which, all valuable effects may be removed to a place of fafety, and the lives of the family at the fame time, refcued from danger. FROM THE AMERICAN MUSEUM. METHOD OF STAINING WOOD IN IMITATION OF MAHOGANY. TAKE a piece of elm or of plane ; stain it well with aquefortis: then take two drams of powdered dragon's blood, one dram of alkanet root, and half a dram of aloes from thefe extract a tincture with half a pint of fpirits of wine with a fpunge dipt in this tincture wafh the wood two or three times, and you will give it the colour of fine old mahogany. But may not wood be more uniformly and durably coloured, whilft growing? It is a well known fact, that madderroots give a permanent colour to the bones of animals that feed on them. Now, as the tubes, by which trees derive their nourihment from the earth, are analagous to the mouths of animals, it is not unlikely that the curious naturalift, who will endeavour to convey coloured juices into the bodies of trees through this channel, may have the pleasure of feeing his experiments attended with the defired fuccefs. He issued out an order, commanding the chief of all the Jews* fettled in Egypt to appear before him on a certain day; on they found him furrounded with his Divan their being conducted into his prefence, or Council, and the Pentateuch in his hand. -he then asked them if they believed all that was written in that book, to which they replied that they did, faying that it contained the precepts of their religion, on which he turned to and read the 11th and 12th chapters of Exodus, in which is recorded the account of the Jews', juft before their departure out of Egypt, borrowing of the Egyptians their jewels of gold, filver &c. When he had finished, he told them that fince they had confeffed their forefathers had about 3000 years ago borrowed of the forefathers of the Egyptains their jewels &c. he had fent for them to know it thofe things had ever been returned, or fatisfaction made for them: if not, he added, that it was now high time payment fhould be made, and that he, being the political father of that people, he was in duty bound to fee that they had juftice done them. The poor aftonished Jews flood filent and knew not what to fay, though they immediately law through the drift of the avaricious Governor. He, after waiting fome time for an answer, difmiffed them, but ordered them again before him in a few weeks, telling them that he gave them that time to deliberate and to fearch their records, and fee whether or not they had ever returned or made fatisfaction to the Egyptians for the jewels they had borrowed. When the Jews had retired, they, after confulting among themfelves how to ward off the blow, came to the refolution of raifing a large fum of money, with which, on the day appointed they waited on the gov ernor, and told him that fince the time their forefathers had borrowed thofe things of the Egyptians, their nation had undergone various revolutions, their temple had been burnt, and their records deftroyed, fo that it was impoffible for them now to tell whether or not the Egyptians had ever re ceived fatisfaction for their jewels, and * Great numbers of Jews have been fettled in Egypt for upwards of 200 years, and Dr. Pococre informs us that when he was in the country in 1737, they had no less than 37 fynagogues in Grand Cairo only. prefenting him with the money, added, that they hoped he would not make them, who were but a few, accountable for what the whole nation did fo many thousand years ago. This being all the governor wanted he took their money, for which he gave them. (in the name of the Egyptians) a receipt in part payment for the borrowed jewels, and fo left the fame door open for any of his fucceffors, who may think to take the proper fame steps to fqueeze that poor unfortunate people. Historical Sketches. AMONG all the inftances of horrid fe rocity in battle, perhaps there is none furpaffes the following. In the year 1512, Henry VIII. King of England, fent out an Englifh fleet under Admiral Knevet, which coafted near the French fhores. This fleet having committed fome depredations, a French fleet, difpatched by Francis King of France, iffued from Breft, under the command of Admiral Premauget. An engagement between them begun; and fire presently feized the fhip of the French. Admiral, who finding his deftruction inevitable, bore down upon the vessel of the English Admiral, and grappling with her, refolved to make her fhare his fate. In this fituation, while the flames were confuming both veffels, their respective crews continued the horrid combat, in fight of both fleets which stood aloof from the awful engagement and their furious fhouts continued to be heard, till at last the French veffel blew up, and at the fame time deftroyed the English. LIBRARIES. AMONGST modern libraries, the four largeft are fuppofed to be the Emperor's at Vienna; the Vatician library; the library of the Grand Duke of Tufcany, at Florence, and that now belonging to the French Republic, at Paris. Of ancient libraries, the Alexandrian was the most celebrated. Among the other ancient libraries, that of Lucullus is faid to have been very confiderable, as was alfo that of Trajan, which was called after him the Ulpian library. But one of the most elegant was that founded at Rome by Simonicus, preceptor of the Emperor Gordianus. It is faid to have contained 8000 fele&t volumes, and that the appartment in which they were depofited was paved with gilt marble. The walls were composed of glass and ivory; and the fhelves, cafes, prefles, and defks, made of ebony and cedar. [Lady's Monitor.] Be it our weekly task, To note the passing tidings of the times. Latest Foreign Intelligence. government, his Majefty thinks it due to the care and concern which he feels for his faithful people, to omit no means in his power which may contribute to their fecurity. "In pursuance, therefore, of the acts of parliament enabling his Majefty to call out and affemble the Militia of the United Kingdom, his Majefty has thought it right to make this communication to the House of Commons, to the end that his Majefty may cause the faid militia, or fuch part thereof as his Majefty fhall think neceffary, to be forthwith drawn out and embodThe Chancellor of the Exchequer fhort-ied, and to march as occafion fhall rely after he entered the Houfe, placed himfelf at the Bar, and brought up the following Meffage from his Majefty: LONDON, MARCH 9. MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY. GEORGE R. "His Majefty thinks it neceffary to acquaint the Houle of Commons, that as very confiderable military preparations are carrying on in the Ports of France and Holland, he has judged it expedient to aadopt additional measures of precaution for the fecurity of his Dominions. Tho' the precautions to which his Majefty refers, are avowedly directed to Colonial fervice, yet as difcuffions of great importance are now fubfifting between his Majefty and the French Government, the refult of which must at prefent be uncertain, his Majefty is induced to make this communication to his faithful Commons, in the full perfuafion that, whilft they partake of bis Majesty's earnest and unvarying folic. itude for the continuance of Peace, he may rely with perfect confidence in their public fpirit and liberality to enable his Majefty to adopt fuch mealures as circumstances may appear to require, for fupporting the honour of his Crown, and the effential interefts of his people. "G. R." quire. "G. R." MARCH 17. A circumftance of a very extraordinary nature transpired yesterday, which, however, made no noife or impreffion on the city. On Tuefday night, at half past 10 o'clock, a perfon arrived exprefs at the Admiralty from Brighton, with an account of a French veffel having drifted on fhore near that place; fhe had it seems been deferted by the crew, except a boy, and having been boarded, was found to be laden with about 100,000 stand of arms. Before the crew left her, they threw a box on fhore near Shoreham, and found to contain fands of green colours, fuited to the Irish. These colours had the word Union on them, and we have heard it flated, with a French and Irifh hand united underneath. This is the account which was in general circulation; was found off Cork. yesterday engaged in fome faid the fhip The Admiralty was examining green col ours of the nature alluded to, but we doubt the reports of the quantity of arms. Those who have been able to inveftigate all the circumftances, can judge whether this fhip be a ftratagem or not. Nothing is more likely than that Bonaparte would fend a veffel with arms, &c. apparently for the Irish rebels, but really deftined to fall into our hands to create alarm, and have an influence on the negociation. At the fame time it is not to be forgotten, that nothing is more likely than that Bonaparte would fend the Irifh rebels fuccour if the fears expreffed in the King's meffage be founded. MARCH 19. A Meffenger arrived at a late hour on Thursday night, with dispatches from our Ambaffador at Paris. As their nature has not tranfpired, it is prefumed that the an fwer was not decifive, and the hopes of continued peace encrease with every hour of delay. We are well informed, that the Firft Counful was in every respect unprepared for His Majefty's Meffage to Parliament, and the remonftrance of our Government of the fame date. EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETETR. "There was yesterday, as ufual, a grand circle at the Thuilleries. The Ambafla dors of the different powers were in the Sa loon, with a numerous affemblage of strangers and ladies of diftinétion, Generals, Senators, Tribunes, Legiflators, &c. &c. Bonaparte entered with an unusual alertnefs of manner, and after faluting the company, he addreffed himself to Lord Whitworth in a tone fufficiently loud to be heard by all who were prefent." You know, my Lord, that a terrible form has arisen between England and France." Lord Whitworth.-"Yes, General Conful, but it is to be hoped that this ftorm will be diffipated without any ferious confequence." Bonaparte." It will be diffipated when England fhall have evacuated Malta. It not, the cloud will burft, and the bolt muft fall. The King of England has promifed by Treaty to evacuate that place, and who is to violate the faith of treaties ?" Lord Whitworth (furprifed on finding himfelf queftioned in this manner, and before fo many perfons)-But you know, General Conful, the circumstances which have hitherto delayed the evacuation of Malta. The intention of my Sovereign is to fulfil the Treaty of Amiens; and you alfo know Bonaparte." You know (with impetofity) that the French have carried on the war for ten years, and you cannot doubt but that they are in a condition to wage it again. Inform your court, that if, on the receipt of your dispatches, orders are not iffued for the immediate furrender of Malta, then war is declared. I declare my firm refolution is, to fee the Treaty carri ed into effect, and leave it to the ambaffa. dors of the feveral powers who are prefent, to say who is in the wrong. You flattered yourselves that France would not dare to thew her refentment whilst her fquadrons publicly to undeceive you on that head. were at St. Domingo. I am happy thus Lord Whitworth." But General, the negociation is not yet broken, and there is even reason to believe-" Bonaparte." Of what negociation does your Lordship speak? Is it neceffary to ne gociate what is conceded by treaty-to ne gociate the fulfilment of engagements and the duties of good faith. (Lord W. was about to reply, Bonaparte made a fign with his hand, and continued in a less elevated tone)-My Lord, your Lady is indifpofed. She may moft probably breathe her native air rather fooner than you or I expected. I wish most ardently for peace, but if my juft demand be not inftantly complied with, then war muft follow, and God will decide. It treaties are not fufficient to bind to peace, || produce a large exportation of these artithen the vanquished must not be left in a condition to offer injury." Here this unexpected converfation terminated, if that term may be allowed, where the difcourfe was almost wholly on one fide. Bonaparte afterwards walked up and down the hall, and difcourfed with feveral perfons with an affumed air of gaiety. To the English, however, who met his eye, his regards were limited to a cold falute. LONDON, MARCH 23. Our preparations have produced the effect of stopping the failing of the Louifiana expedition, and of the Dutch fquadron, under Vice Admiral Hartfinck. On Friday laft, a courier arrived at the French Ambaffador's, at the Hague, with orders, that the fquadron for Louifiana fhould remain in port, and that the troops should be cantoned at Helvoet till further orders.The expedition was to have failed to-day. Admiral Lord Gardner arrived at Portfmouth yesterday, and is to hoist his flag to-day on board the Neptune. Admiral Lord Keith is very actively employed at Plymouth in fuperintending the fitting out of the fhips, A great number of prime feamen have entered within these few days. It has been rumoured that in confequence of the First Conful's behaviour to Lord Whitworth, at the audience on Sunday fe'nnight, his Lordfhip has intimated to the Minifter for Foreign Affairs, that he fhall not attend the Confular Levees, without a proper explanation of the events of that day. His Lordfhip acts with proper fpirit. An infult to our Ambaf. fador is an infult to the British nation, and an ample apology ought to be de manded for it. A Cabinet Council fat feveral hours yefterday upon the difpatches received from France. "By letters from Frankfort of the 10th of March, we are informed (fay the Paris papers which we received yesterday) that the English merchants in Germany dif cover the utmost jealoufy and uneafinefs in regard to the endeavours of the French to revive their trade with that country.They view with indignation the new trading eftablishments in different ports. They blame France for the care with which Spain now endeavours to protect her manufactures, by prohibiting the exportation of Spanish wool. They fee, with all the feelings of malicious envy, the vigorous measures taken on the Scheldt and Rhine to prevent the importation of English manufactures; the encouragement given to those who attempt a fmuggling trade into England, and that decla ration of Cherburgh to be a free port for liqueres and brandy, which is likely to cles to the oppofite coafts of England and Ireland. The establishment too of Chambers, and of a General Council of Commerce in France, has given food for English envy. They are ftill in alarm in regard to colonel Sebaftiana, and they talk of the ceffion of the port of Tetuan, and of the fortifications of Tournehout, at the mouth of the Scheldt, to France. They mouth of the Scheldt, to France. They will fuppofe that a fquadron of two ships of war and feveral transports has failed to take poffeffion of Macoa, ceded to France by Portugal." es exactly in proportion as its votes diminish. But this is not our mode of proceeding. We relate good tidings with pleasure—and we promptly inform our readers of the worst. Be it known, then, that in the counties of New-York, Richmond, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, and Rensselaer, and, we believe in every other county in the state except Albany and Oneida the democratic candidates for members of assembly have gained their election.We learn that in all these counties, the greatest exertions were made by the democratsand that, in most of them, the federalists were unpardonably negligent. Hoping sincerely that they will be more attentive another year, we present to their consideration the following ORIGINAL ANECDOTE. A Federalist and Democrat were lately conversing about the election, when the federalist declared it to be his opinion, that our country was in a peri There is faid to be now a very frequent correfpondence between Berlin and Paris, relating to an approaching interview between the King of Pruffia and the First Conful, when the latter vifits Belgium. When the dates of the affair at the Capelous condition, and he feared was fast going to desof Good Hope are examined, it would appear that the prefent preparations for war have not been too precipitate. From the time the difpatches were sent out to forbid the furrender, we may reckon on five months difference with the French Government about fomething or other, independent of Malta, which appears a more recent caufe of difpute. truction. The Democrat, on the contrary, thought the United States was never in so prosperous a situation; and, the dispute running high, it was at length agreed to refer the question to an old gentleman (a revolutionary patriot) who was present. The old soldier declined giving a direct opinionbut, with much good humor, related a story in the following words :-" A jack-tar, growing sick of his business, deserted his ship, went into the country, and hired himself to a farmer. He was immediately set to plowing, with a yoke of oxen and an old mare, called Jin. The sailor being wholly unacquainted with the management of the tacks, sheets, and bowlines of his old mare and oxen, in his first attempt to put about, missed stays, and, by turning the yoke, threw Jin and the oxen all down in a heap together. Jack, frightened with the confusion, bawled out for help. The farmer asked, "what's the matter ?"-" Matter! Matter enough, by J-s,” replied Jack, "the larboard ox has got on the starboard side—old Fin bas got foul in the rigging, and they are all going to the devil stern-fore Like mafter, like man. Talleyrand, as well as his Sovereign, can be infolent to the Minifters of thofe States degraded by their French connection, or weakened by French intrigues; but he was far from approving of the violence offered towards the Representative of the King of the first Nation upon earth: he, therefore, with all humility, entreated his Mafter to make it up. His maxim is, that until France has a Navy equal to that of Britain, the Chief Conful muft fink his pretenfions to be the modern Alexander, and content himself, with refpect to England, to act a la-Philippe. His advice, however, was fo ill received, that he gave in his refignation, and for twenty-four hours rumour appointed For feveral days paft, has been uncomhim different fucceffors, fuch as Segur, Ot- monly cold for the feafon. On Friday te, Calliard, &c.; but while the public night we had a fevere froft; and on Sunwere thus bufy, Bonaparte invited Talley-day, a confiderable fall of fnow. It is aprand to dine with him in private, and, after prehended that all kinds of early fruit will fome explanation, returned him his Minifbe wholly cut off. terial Port-feuille, and he is, at prefent, again the first favorite of the First Conful. Hudson, May 10, 1803. It is a disagreeable task to propagate bad news; but our duty, as impartial editors, sometimes requires the performance of it. If we were to follow the example of certain democratic printers, we should observe the most profound silence on the subject of our late election; or else we should produce some new-fashioned arithmetic to shew, that a majority is not a majority, and that a party encreas most." THE WEATHER, On Sunday fe'nnight, eleven buildings were deftroyed by fire in Troy. To Correspondents. "OBSERVER," is received, and shall be attend ed to. We have received a packet of prose and poetry from "SIMON SOBERSIDES, Esq." but none of the pieces are sufficiently correct for publication. A packet received through the Post-Office contains nothing novel or interesting. The Wreath. FOR THE BALANCE. JULIENNE is aware of the difficulty of writing any thing new on such a subject as a Beggar Boy. The following was written long since, and is now submitted to the Editors, either to reject or pub. lish. THE BEGGAR BOY. IF e'er soft pity touched your breast, One moment stay, while I unfold The sorrows of a heart unblest;" The wants which make that heart so bold; But far from me the wish to pain, Nor would I e'er your bliss alloy; Much rather would I still remain A and helpless Beggar. Boy. Oh, say not thus, thou wretched youth ;- I view as marks of conscious truth- To soothe it is my greatest joy ;— At length then have I found a heart Where kind compassion rules within; Alas! I never yet have known The blessings of paternal love; My father ne'er his son would own ;- My mother struggled long to save A life which sorrow did alloy; But soon she met an early grave, And left her mourning Beggar-Boy, Since that I've roam'd from door to door, Can bear those wants-it seeks for rest. The poor could give me no employ ; My piteous tale was told in vain ; No one would help the Beggar-Boy. Enough your miseries now shall end; My soul delights to give relief, Your helpless state I will be friend, And calm the tumults of your grief: 66 fufpended to a pearl, which was given him by Elizabeth. A POOR Arabian of the defert, igno. rant as moft Arabians are, was one day ask. ed, how he came to be affured that there was a GOD." In the fame way," replied he, "that I am able to tell by the print impreffed on the fand, whether it was a man or a beast that paffed that way." THE French physicians tell us that the climate of France has been very variable lately, and to this is afcribed the late mortality. The political climate, we all know, has been very variable; and it certainly cut off great numbers! [London paper.] A SEA captain, going a foreign voyage, was requested by a number of ladies of his acquaintance, to purchase them filks; and they gave him their memorandums; but, except one, enclosed him no money. After returning from the voyage, the ladies waited on him, and enquired whether the filks were brought. No, replied the captain, an unlucky accident put it out of my power to oblige you as foon as we had arrived within fight of port, QUIN the comedian, and another genI took out your memorandums and laid them on the binacle, that I might arrange Lanfdown, obferved, at fome diftance, a tleman, riding one fummer's day upon them in fome proper order; when a fudperfon on horseback, whose filver laced den guft of wind fwept them off and fcat- coat and waiftcoat fhone prodigiously in tered them over the water. the fun. Several conjectures were formvery odd indeed," exclaimed one of theed, refpecting the quality of the approachladies, in an angry tone; "However, you ing meteor; till at length he came near had the kindness to purchase for Mrs. enough to difcover that he was a Bath the filk that she fent for." True, apothecary, famous for finery and dress. replied the captain, I purchased filks for Oh, faid the gentleman, 'tis only the Mrs.; which was owing to a pecu- quick filver doctor at laft. liarly fortunate circumftance; for fhe had Quin, in his dry manner, all is not gold Aye, faid the precaution to enclofe a number of that glyfters, you fee. guineas, which, by their weight, faved her memorandum from being blown away with the others." "That was 68 CHARLEVOIX relates, that where PIETY AND BRAVERY. THESE two eftimable qualities ufually accompany each other, at leaft real piety and true bravery. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, an English Admiral in Queen Elizabeth's time, was an inftance of this; he was feen in the dreadful tempeft which fwallowed up his fhip, fitting unmoved in the ftern of the veffel, with a book in his hand; and was often heard to fay, "Courage, my lads, we are as near heaven at fea as at land." He always wore on his breast a golden anchor, TERMS OF THE BALANCE. To Country Subscribers, who receive their papers A handsome title-page, with an Index or Table of Contents, will be given with the last number of each volume. Advertisements inserted in a conspicuous and handsome manner, in the Advertiser which accom panies the Balance. Complete files of the first volume, which have been reserved in good order for binding, are for sale -Price of the volume, bound, Two Dollars and fif. ty cents-unbound, Two Dollars. The whole may be sent, stitched or in bundles, to any post-office in the state, for 52 cents postage; or to any post-of fice in the union for 78 cents. PUBLISHED BY SAMPSON, CHITTENDEN & CROSWELL, The COLUMBIAN AND Balance, REPOSITORY. Driginal Ellays. "HAIL SACRED POLITY, BY FREEDOM REAR'D ! 66 HAIL SACRED FREEDOM, WHEN BY LAW RESTRAIN'D !" BEATTIE. HUDSON, (New-YORK) TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1803. Hither the products of your closet-labors bring, FOR THE BALANCE. ON THE USE OF FIRE. MAN, weak by nature, is able to increase and multiply his force a thoufand fold, by the mechanical ufe he learns to make of the elements; particularly fire, air and water. He is the only animal upon earth, that has any power over fire, or that knows how to kindle it. Lions, tigers, and other ferocious beafts, are afraid of fire, and will relinquish their prey, rather than venture near it and tho' dogs, having been accuftomed to fire, are fond of lying afide of it, they never learn any thing concerning its ufe. They fee fire daily kindled, but they never attempt to kindle it themselves. They never offer to roaft their meat over the coals, tho' they often fee their mafters or their miftrefles do it. Why not?-The dog is both fagacious and imitative, and is capable of doing many things feemingly more difficult than this.-When he lies upon the hearth, during a long winter night, what hinders him from laying the adjacent fuel upon the embers, and kindling a fire for his own comfort ?-Heaven, in wisdom and benevolence, has chained his nature. If brute creatures had the faculty of enkindling fire, the habitations of men could never be fafe: therefore this faculty is denied them. The knowledge of the uses of fire is one impaffible barrier, that feperates the human from the brutal nature. There || man; nor could he ever rife above the favage ftate. The fingle article of iron, which receives its confiftence, its temper, and its various forms, from the a world, the whole race of mankind muft inevitably, in a fhort time, fink into the favage condition: becaufe on this article. there depend architecture, navigation, typography, all agricultural and mechanical operations; and indeed almost every thing that railes civilized man above the forlorn fava of the wilderness. [TO BE CONTINUED.] FOR THE BALANCE. Messrs. EDITORS, is probably no animal upon earth, except But for the use of fire, only a small part of the globe would be habitable to THE HE influence of family government in forming the manners, and if I may fo fay, the minds alfo of the governed being fo great, has led me to reflect that parents, and guardians, who have fo important parts to act, fhould endeavour to confider whofe mode of governing is best calculated to promote happiness, and strive to adopt the best. People in all fituations of life, manifeft a ftrong propenfity to believe their own fyftems are best in every cafe. He who governs with a rod of Iron, is apt to def. pife the mild, and easy way of his neigh bour. Perhaps a better opportunity to observe the effects of thole different systems nev. er prefented itfelf, than I lately had. Mr. is frequently out of humour with his family, and ftrange as it may seem, he appears to pride himself in |