attempt succeeded. I was taken for dead, stripped, and thrown along with the others into the fatal cart, from which, if you had not saved me, I should have been cast into a hole, and buried alive. I have not received the slightest injury, not even a scratch. All three then threw themselves on their knees, to thank Heaven for this most miraculous delivery. front, and interiorly, there is frequently a little rampart which defends the entrance. This arrangement bears an analogy to the fortification which the Romans placed at the entrances to their camps, and which they called clavicula; but with the Romans it was an exterior work. In some of the areas which these fortifications surround, are little artificial hills, intended either to assist in the defence, or to afford AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. the means of overlooking the enePROFESSOR MONE, of Heidelberg, my. Near Cercleville in the Ohio has lately published, with remarks, state, is a circular fortification, coma notice by Mr. Assal, the inspec-prehending a square one; the walls tor of mines in Pennsylvania, with of which latter are so accurately adrespect to the natives of North A-justed by the cardinal points, that merica and to Indian antiquities. it is difficult to believe that the conThis antiquary has visited, and structor of them was destitute of carefully examined, the remains of astronomical knowledge. A few former times which exist in the for-arrow-heads, and the remains of ests of that country. He describes some very fine pottery, in which two kinds; those which seemed to traces of glazing are visible, are all have belonged to the ancestors of that has yet been discovered in the actual natives, and those which these places. The tumuli are of seem to indicate the presence, at various heights, some only four some remote period, of a people feet, others exceeding a hundred. more civilized than Indians. The The bodies over which they were latter consists of fortifications of heaped seemed to have been previearth or stone, tumuli, mummies, ously submitted to the action of fire. idols, and utensils. It is in the There have been found in them states of New York, Ohio, and some copper studs, plated with sil Pennsylvania, that the greater num-ver, fragments of scabbards, a copber of these fortifications are found. One has been discovered to the south of Lake Ontario; the others, which are not far from one another, are placed on a line which stretches in a south-westerly direction to the river Chenango, near Oxford. These fortifications differ in form. The ramparts are sometimes only five, and sometimes thirty feet high; and they enclose sometimes ten, sometimes fifty acres. The neighborhood of a river, with fish, and a site not subject to inundation, have always determined those by whom these fortifications were built. kind of covered way communicates between them and the river. The entrance is not always direct. In VOL. 1. per and silver hilt of a sword, a mirror of mica membranacea, and some stone knives and hatchets. The idols exhibit only an unformed trunk, and a head of the coarsest workmanship. The mummies have nothing particular about them. It is Mr. Assal's opinion that the people who have left these remains came from Asia by crossing Behring's Straits. SAND STORM in the Desert.The following terrific description is by Mr. Fraser, the traveller in KhoArasan: : "It dawned at last and morning found me still in a wide and trackless waste of sand; which, as 92 the sun arose, was only bounded by those flitting vapors which deceive the thirsty traveller with the belief that water is near, and have thence obtained the name of "the water of the Desert." In vain did I look for the marks by which my friend Selim had taught me to recognize a place of refreshment. There was but too much cause to fear that I was now in one of those terrible tracts of dry and moving sand, in which no water is found, and which sometimes, when set in motion by the wind, swallow up whole cara vans and their conductors. Alas! the morning light, so earnestly expected, only dawned to prove that I was surrounded by dangers I had never dreampt of. The wind, which had blown so piercingly all night, Julled, as it generally does towards morning; but the hazy vapour, loaded with light particles of sand, through which the sun rose as red as blood, gave warning that the calm could not continue long; nor had I pursued my course another hour before the roar of the desert wind was heard, columns of dust began to rise in the horizon, and the air became gradually filled with drifting sand. "As the wind increased, the whole plain around me which had been heaped by former tempests into ridges, like the waves of a troubled sea, now got in motion : the sand blew from off their crests, like spray from the face of the waters, and covered myself and horse with its dense eddies; while, often unable to distinguish the true course my horse toiled over the ridges, sinking up to the very girths in their deep baffling substance. "I continued for some hours to persevere, struggling against the fur of the gale, when my alarm be ame increased by observing that my horse, which hitherto had stood out with admirable perseverance; even when his progress was the most painfully impeded by the deep sand, now became terrified and restive. He snorted, reared, and appeared unable, as well as unwilling to face the sharp drifting of the still increasing storm. In vain I soothed him, or urged him on with heels and hand; the animal, which hitherto had obeyed my voice almost like an intelligent being, now paid no attention either to caresses or blows. In the severe squalls that drove past at intervals, he fairly turned his back to them and would not move; and even when the wind lulled for a little, he could hardly be forced to advance a step. "I scorned to yield my life without a struggle, yet saw not the means of preserving it. To abandon my horse would have been, in fact, to give up hope; for I could not have proceeded a single mile on foot; yet to remain stationary, as I was forced to do by the terror of the animal, involved manifest destruction. Every thing that offered resistance to the torrent of sand, which sometimes poured along the earth like a rapid stream of water, was overwhelmed by it in an incredibly short time; even while my horse stood still for a few moments, the drift mounted higher than his knees, and, as if sensible of his danger, he made furious effects to extricate himself. "Quite certain that my only hope of safety lay in constant motion, and in the chance of gaining the leeside of some hillock or mass of rock that might afford a shelter till the storia should blow over, I gave up my true course, turned my back to the wind, and made all possible efforts to press forward and at last, just when both man and horse were exhausted, during a partial lull, I observed something like a rock or mound of earth looming through a dusky atmosphere. On approaching it, I discovered that it was the bank of an inconsiderable hollow, former days as are deposited in our Elgin cathedral churchyard. Several of our celebrated Scotch Monarchs were entombed here, with numerous bishops, noblemen, baronets, distinguished warriors, &c.— Elgin Courier. which was now nearly filled with sand, and the opposite side of which, being exposed to the wind, had by the same means become merely an inclined plane; beneath this bank I fortunately retired, resolved to trust to its protection, rather than run the risk of a farther progress with the imminent Eagles teaching their young to peril of perishing in the drifting fly-In one of the Crags of Ben sand, where vision could not ex-Nevis, Scotland, two parent eagles tend for a space of many yards." OMNIUM GATHERUM. "We are but the venders of other men's goods." were teaching two young birds the manœuvres of flight. They began by rising from the top of a mountain in the eye of the sun, (it was about mid-day, and bright for this climate.) They at first made small John Shanks, keeper of the circles, and the young birds imitachurchyard of this place, whilst ted them; they paused on their last week engaged in his usual oc- wings, waiting till they had made cupation of digging among the tu- their first flight, and then took a ins of our splendid cathedral, for second and larger gyration, always the purpose of clearing away every rising towards the sun, and enlarg thing which could mar the effect of ing their circle of flight so as to this "vast and overwhelming edi- make a gradually extending spiral. fice," discovered a stone coffin, The young ones still slowly followwhich is generally supposed to have ed, apparently flying better as they been the coffin in which were de-mounted; and they continued this posited the remains of King Dun- sublime kind of exercise, always can, who was slain by the tyrant, rising, till they became mere points. Macbeth at Inverness. It is, at all in the air, and the young ones were events, matter of unquestionable lost, and afterwards their parents, historical fact, that King Duncan to the aching sight. was buried about the identical spot in which this stone coffin has been Advertising Quackery.—A drugfound; for Boethius, the most an- gist of Berlin styles himself Poiscient of our Scottish historians, oner of mice to his Majesty." It is whose accuracy may be relied on, said that a member of the royal fanmentions that "Duncan was buried ily refused permission lately to a in the place on which the middle turner, to take the title of "Manusteeple stood"-the very place in facturer of wooden legs to his Roywhich the stone coffin in question al Highness." His Royal Highhas been discovered. It is, as will ness had no doubt an instinctive be readily supposed, cut out of one dread that the presumptuous manstone, measures about six feet in ufacturer would extend his talents length, two in breadth, and one and to the framing of heads from the a half in depth. The discovery of same material, thus creating a rithis curious coffin has excited con- valry near the throne. siderable interest in the place. Perhaps there is not what may be termed a public churchyard in Britain in which are interred the remains of so many illustrious individuals of Politeness. When conversing with a lady, if she should happen to pronounce a word a little differently from your custom of pronunciation, Bower of Taste. be careful to correct her for it, es specially if many be present.—If she should make use of a word, that you had not been so fortunate to have seen in your literary researches, tell her boldly, audibly, and without hesitation, that there is no such word in the English lan-made its debut on the first of November. It is a handsome octavo of sixteen pages, and guage. Be careful and talk so incessantly that she shall only be able to answer your learned enquiries, by a simple Yes and No.-Essex Reg. "The Critic, a weekly review of literature, the fine arts, &c." which was announced a few weeks since in the New York papers, as shortly to be published in that city, under the editorial charge of William Leggett, Esq. printed upon superfine paper. The first two numbers of this work have created much interest among the reading class of people, who from the well known talents of the edi tor, had anxiously awaited its appearance. We presume not to particularize those books which have drawn forth the critical opinions of the reviewer, or to venture a remark upon the justice of his decisions; yet with reference to the "specimens" before us-from his style, we should say that he was evidently qualified to discriminate between the sterling bullion and the su tion of merit, hè appears studiously to avoid flattery; and in his exposure of error, be unites delicacy with candor which is an art of no or spirit and just severity in his remarks upon the British reviewers, for their illiberal attacks upon the arts and literature of America "I was charmed," says Lord Oxford, "with the answer of a poor man in Bedlam, who was insulted by an apprentice, because he would not tell him why he was confined. The unhappy creature at last said, "because God Almighty has de-perficial tinsel of literature. In his appreciaprived me of a blessing which you never had." Melancholy Accident.-In Wind-dinary acquirement. There is, however, much ham, Maine, a son of Mr. Amos Hawkes, aged about 18, went out a gunning last week and was killed, it is supposed, by falling from a tree. Shortly after he went out, his dog was heard to bark, which induced some of the family to go to the spot. They found the son dead under the tree. It was thought that he fired at a squirrel on the tree, and in climbing up after his game, fell, in which he received a blow which caused his instant death. Portland Gazette. A new association has been formed to improve the manners, and morals of the young bloods in New York, which is likely to succeed; one of their rules is to mark, note and call the attention of parents, guardians, and masters to the conduct of their full grown children, wards and apprentices. On the 18th inst the body of a man was found in the dock, New York, supposed to be Mr. Peter Caon, of Balayan. Comparing the favourable opinion which the Duke of Saxe Wiemar has expressed of us as a people in his tour through our country, the editor says, "The hireling itinerants of Great Britain who laud us to our faces, and vituperate us when they return; on whom hospitality falls like dew upon a rock, without any fructifying influence; who deride our artists, call our novelists imitators, and assert that in the whole range of the country, from New York to New Orleans, not a single poet can be found.' Such scribblers as these, who earn their bread by falsehood, should look through the pages of this Prince's travels, and blush for shame." Mr. Leggett is a his little volume of" Leisure hours at sea," a poet by nature, and a very charming one too; collection of poems written at a very early period of his life, presents many delicate touches of sentiment and flashes of original thought, which would not dishonor even now, the au thor of the address which obtained the first prize on the re-opening of the Bowery Thea tre. Notwithstanding these tributary laurels in recognition of his poetic talents, the severe duties of the profound and persevering scholar have turned the attention of Mr. Leggett from the flowery paths of poesy, to the plain unembellished walks of truth. Yet these very duties, though perhaps more arduous than Sabbath, a stranger might imagine that half of the dwelling houses were prisons; so different is the effect of their massy iron doors and shutters compared with the Jight Venetian blinds, and fancifully ornamented portals, which are remarked by foreigners as adding so much to the beauty of our cities. The general appearance of the buildings in Montreal, excepting those adjacent to the parade ground, and the higher parts of the city, are of a heavy and clumsy structure, with exceeding narrow windows and contracted entrances, yet the interior of many of these residences, form a perfect contrast to their forbidding aspect pleasing, have qualified him for the high and responsible situation which he has now assumed, as guardian of his country's literature--for the task of reviewing with impartiality such works as are laid upon the shrine of public favor, and which tend to establish our literary fame in the " Old world." From his "prefatory remarks" in the first number of the Critic,' we extract the following paragraph, as expressive of the design of the work. "As we think, we shall write-taking care to express no opinion upon important topics, without mature deliberation; and while we shall remember at all times that the judge is condemned when the guil-without. We attended an evening party at ty is absolved,' we shall also bear in mind that censure should be proportioned to the offence, and that excessive rigour and excessive leniency are equally to be blamed." one of these Bastile looking edifices; on passing through the long narrow hall, and ascending a gloomy staircase scarcely light enough to enable us to follow the servant; we were agreeably surprised on being shewn into a suit of elegant rooms spread with Tur The Clarion, published every other week in Bangor, is of the quarto form and hand-key carpets, the windows partially shaded by somely printed. The few numbers which we have received of this work are highly favor able to its literary character; to judge by the original matter, we should say that the editor was among the initiated. views, literary notices, &c. are written with that freedom of style and independence of spirit, which should always characterize publications of this class. The selections, both prose and poetic, are chosen with judgment and arranged with taste. His re The Toilet-We learn that this interesting little paper has passed from the hands of its former editor, into those of Messrs. Smith and Parmenter, who will hereafter publish it, and receive all communications designed for its pages, or relative to its circulation The Toilet contains much more original matter than is usual for a weekly paper, and some of the tales are very well written. The Philadelphia Ariel will consider this as our valedictory speech. Several months since, its editor publicly remarked, that ours might be a 'Bower of Taste,' but it was not situated in a land of politeness,' for notwithstanding they had sent us their paper regularly, they had never received but one of ours in return. Not wishing to quarrel with this light affair, we forthwith ordered ours sent in exchange; but Ariel's wing was wounded he never after this reached our Bower. Sir, our accounts are now fairly balanced--adieu! SCRAPS FROM A PORT FOLIO. In passing through the narrow, though neatly paved streets of Montreal, especially on the We were graceful draperies of crimson silk, and filled knowledge of all the most essential points; directors, it they judge proper to do so, appoint others in their places. This practice is worthy of imitation every where, as there is nothing so detrimental to the improvement of the young, or the stability of their characters as transferring them from one school to another; which but for very cogent reasons should never be done. * * The walking costume of the ladies is of a general cast, rather rich than gay, and much in the English style; but their evening dresses |