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pay my board at the Gtown tavern-the matter to our "Dutchmen," the plan was not of native was compromised, and I was formally appointed growth--it had been imported from "the Jarsys" "shoolmaster" of the "Octagon Schoolhouse," by their Solomon, who never alluded to it without upon the half a dollar per month and "boarding round" basis.

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I proceeded to write, in large characters, my "subscription paper," something as follows:We, the subscribers, promise to send to the Octagon Schoolhouse, now under the charge of Mr. N. N., the number of children set down opposite to our names; we further promise to pay for each of these children fifty cents per month, and by turns to board and lodge Mr. N. N. whilst he is engaged in teaching."

asking, in a triumphant manner, whether "it was not a touch above the vulgar." This noble edifice had been "stuck" at the fork of two roads, the mud of which was sometimes knee-deep. There was no play ground attached to it, and not a tree to shade it with its foliage in summer, or to ward off the piercing blast in winter; the nearest well was about a quarter of a mile off. On the door was stuck a large sheet of foolscap, headed in large letters, "Rules and Ragulations to be obsarved by my scholars." It was signed by my predecessor, This state paper, which the reader will perceive evidently a "Dutchman," and is a great curiosity; serves the double purpose of ensuring to the teacher I regret that its great length forbids my copying it a certain compensation, and also to show to the verbatim et literatim, for the amusement of your people the caligraphy of the new "schoolmaster," readers, but they may form some idea of it, if I having been approved by the trustees, it was state that it contains no less than 17 mistakes in agreed that, immediately after dinner--a favorite Orthography, and that one of the rules enjoined starting point with these people-Judge B. and upon the scholars is, to "take off their "heads” myself should "go round," i. e. should go to all (hats?) if, upon their way to or from school, they the houses in the neighborhood and obtain as many should meet some person older than themselves. signatures as possible to my subscription paper. The furniture of this temple of the muses corWe started accordingly, and were highly success-responded with its architecture. A board, so covful, having secured 27 scholars during that after-ered with the marks of the scholars' knives that noon. The next day, after breakfast, I started it was impossible to tell whether it had ever been again, with the other trustee, and we obtained 19 subjected to the action of a plane, was fastened more. I was indebted for this astonishing success against the walls, and served instead of a desk; to a Yankee, who, about one year before, had been narrow benches, without backs, for the scholars; through that country with a new-fangled patent a ricketty chair, and a damaged pine table for the straw-cutter. Not meeting with as many pur- teacher; and a huge wood-stove in the middle of chasers as he desired, he persuaded several unso- the building, with its pipe passing straight up phisticated "Dutch" farmers, who could neither read through the centre of the roof, completed the outnor write one word of English, to let him deposit fit of the Octagon School-house. in their respective barns one of his straw-cutters, The difficulties which I had to encounter in telling them, that they might use it, and if they did teaching the "young Dutch ideas how to shoot," not like it, he would take it back; all he asked was, were neither few nor trifling. The number of my that they should sign an acknowledgment that he scholars soon increased to 57-36 males and 21 had deposited his straw-cutter in them. The straw- females,-the youngest 4, the eldest 32 years old; cutter having proved worthless, the farmers were some married, as different in capacity as they could quietly awaiting the expected arrival of the Yankee, well be. It was next to impossible to classify this to tell him that they did not want it, when sud-heterogeneous mass, and to teach each scholar by denly a notice was served upon each of them, by a himself, would not give more than 5 minutes of my lawyer at the county-town, that the "promissory time in a day to each scholar; to make use of the note," which they had given to Mr. Jonathan, of older and more advanced scholars as monitors, Connecticut, was in his hands for collection, etc. would arouse the pride of the parents of the beWith many a "Dutch" curse, both loud and deep, ginners, who "paid the schoolmaster as well as our farmers paid the money, and wisely resolved, Judge B., and would have their children taught as that to prevent similar occurrences for the future, well as his." Add to this, that there were hardly they would instruct their children to read and write two school-books alike in the school,-some of English. Whole shoals of young "Dutchmen" them would have been a real treasure to an antiaccordingly left that fall for "the Jarsys," and a quarian,--and your readers will see that I had full goodly number, as has been seen, determined to put themselves under my guidance.

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The Octagon School-house," of which I took possession without any more loss of time, was, as its name implies, one of those absurd, uncomforta ble, ill-adapted contrivances, which are still built, as if in defiance of common sense. To do justice

scope for all my ingenuity. The greatest difficulty, however, arose from the fact, that but few of the scholars understood English, that, therefore, I was teaching them to read and write an unknown tongue. I had been requested to speak English in the school, and my complying with the request often gave rise to ludicrous occurrences.

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foot of certain trees on Christmas night, between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock, etc.

first of April, 1835; and though the life which I led was rather monotonous, I am now often amused at the remembrance of it. Whether the preceding sketch of it is likely to interest your readers, and, therefore, whether you ought to insert it in the "Messenger," is a question for you to decide.

"THE SCHOOLMASTER AMONG THE DUTCH."

If, for example, I happened to make any short re- formulas-a practice technically called "Craumarks, while the scholars were reading, about chen;" also, that flowers show themselves at the their posture, tone of voice, etc., the scholars would repeat them in a drawling tone of voice as a part of their lesson. To do them justice, however, I Their amusements are few in number. The must say, that I have never seen scholars more principal ones are "schootle-matches," (shootinganxious to learn, or more easily governed; and con- matches,) and "frolicks." These latter resemble sidering the disadvantages under which they la- the " squeezes" of Virginia, only that they are bored, I think their progress was astonishing. This, held at a tavern, and consist principally of dancing. however, was not the opinion of one of the "elite" I have seen some of the oldest and most sedate of the neighborhood, as will be seen from the fol-"Dutch" farmers dance at them. lowing note which I received one morning. "My I remained in the "Dutch" counties until the son saies you dont larn speling rite, when i was in the Jarsys the master spelt us in a long roe, you better spel them that way to, thats the rite way, I would not have larnt your way. Your sarvint, etc.' Contrary to my expectations, the majority of my employers appeared anxious that I should stay at their houses as often as possible. Every morning I would receive from half a dozen mouths the message "Schoolmaster, father says he thinks it is our turn for you to come home with me." The motives of this hospitality were various; some did it for the honor of the thing, others were urged to it by the female part of their household, who considered me as a walking newspaper, and wanted to know how their neighbors lived, and wished to exhibit their own superior house-keeping. Others again would hint to me, that I might give their children an extra lesson in the long winter evenings; but the majority, as soon as they had made sure of me, would send to the store for the newspaper-a German sheet printed at the county-town-and would ask me to read and expound to them the news. Often have I seen, during these literary "soirées," the "village politicians" as a "tableau vivant" before me. I was every where well treated; the best room was invariably assigned to me, and the meals were evidently prepared as much in reference to the ears of the neighboring housewives, as to please us, the actual partakers..

GEN. JAMES OGLETHROPE.

"All men lov'd him,

He was of such unmix'd and blameless quality,
That envy, at his praise stood mute, nor dar'd
To sully his fair name."

Barbarossa.

The history of our country is of vital importance to all. The wise and aged of the land repair to this fountain to refresh and invigorate their patriotism, whilst the young here seek those lessons of wisdom and experience, which are to guide them over the boisterous seas of life. We are inclined to believe that a knowledge of the history of a country cannot be better acquired, than by studying the biography of her distinguished men. Who would demand a better history of Scotland, during Sir Walter's life time, than is contained in Nearly every adult understood English, but few his biography by Lockhart? Who would have a could speak it. The "Dutch," however, is evi- better knowledge of the condition and state of Engdently on the decline, as might be inferred from the land, during Byron's time, than that which can be facts, that the "Dutch" counties are surrounded obtained from Moore's life of that great bard! And by an enterprising English population; that the who would require a better history of our Revolu tide of emigration has taken another course, and tion, than Sparks has given us in his life of Washthat the language of courts, etc., is English. The ington? In fact, to correctly understand, and to be "Dutch" language is not, as some persons suppose. able adequately to judge of a man, the biographer a mixture of German with English, but it is the is compelled to give us a complete history of that branch of the German language, which is spoken individual's country during his lifetime. It is for by the lower classes in the Grand Duchy of Ba- this reason, that books of biography, more than den and in Wirtemberg. There are but few Eng-any others, are required and sought after in our lish words mixed up with it. libraries; they form a convenient and interesting The general characteristics of the "Dutch" are source, from which we eagerly, and with pleasure, honesty, industry, and economy, coupled with ig-collect much useful knowledge. norance and its infallible concomitant, superstition. Most "Dutch" farmers believe, to this day, that some persons have the power of staunching blood, and even of curing diseases by repeating certain

The parish of St. James is honored by being the birth-place of Gen. James Oglethrope. It is quite strange, and has been the cause of much research and investigation, that no record of Oglethrope's

inquiry into the state of the prisoners and gaols in England, and in his investigation, "facts, disgraceful to humanity, were developed. Immediately he introduced into the House of Commons a resolution, authorising "that a committee be appointed to inquire into the state of the prisoners confined in the gaols of Great Britain."

A committee was appointed, of which he was made chairman, and by his laudable exertions, many unfortunate persons were released, and many relieved; and even to this day, it is said that many of the laws regulating the prisons of Great Bri

birth is to be found on the Parish register, in con- | of a philosopher. In 1728, finding a gentleman, who formity with the long established custom of Great had been unfortunate in his pecuniary affairs, cruBritain. The most authentic writers give the 21st elly imprisoned and barbarously treated, his searchDec., 1698, as his birth-day; but it is extremely ing mind at once devised a remedy for this evil, uncertain, whether or not they are correct, in fact, which was then so prevalent in England, that for a cloud of mystery has ever hung around Ogle- the most trivial embarrassment, individuals were thrope's birth, which has defied all attempts to de- loaded with galling chains, indignantly treated, and stroy it. A pamphlet was published in England in confined in prisons for years, or made to labor like 1707, by a servant girl of Sir Theophilus Ogle-slaves. When Oglethrope's mind was directed to thrope, the father of General James, in which it this subject, he immediately set to work with an was stated, with "illiterate simplicity," that the pretended Prince of Wales was the son of Sir Theophilus, and goes so far as to hint, that James Oglethrope was the true Prince, an exchange having been made, between the nurses, of the children, an exchange which was known to Oglethrope's mother and Queen Mary. This matter has not been clearly settled, and many dark suspicions have been founded upon this interesting mystery; it has opened a broad field for research and investigation, and many a nursery tale has been founded on these suspicions. At the early age of thirteen, Oglethrope received tain, bear the impress of his great and benevolent the appointment of ensign; and at sixteen, performed duty with that rank, at the proclamation of the peace of Utrecht; at seventeen, he was promoted to a captain-lieutenancy of the Queen's guards. With honors such as these, to which much older heads were strangers, showered upon him at the very threshold of life, the wonder is, not that he attained such eminence and became such a great and good man, but rather, that the evil spirit of ambition, "that Moloch, which requires the sacrifice of the sweetest children of the heart," did not master him, did not wither in the bud his bright anticipations and brilliant prospects, and did not change the realization of his hopes into bubbles, which A possessor by birth of a fortune, which, if proburst when grasped. But he was not blindly am- perly managed, would insure him all the comforts bitious; never did that hateful longing after things and luxuries of life; the son of a Baronet, one of impossible and unreal display itself in his actions. the most polished and promising courtiers by whom He was ambitious, it is true; a desire, worthy of George II. was surrounded, "with fair prospects a better appellation, shone forth brightly and clearly of bright honors;" respected and admired by his in all his benevolent exertions; but unlike Cæsar, superiors in rank and power; loved and revered by he was ambitious only as he was good. It was his inferiors. Such was the man, and such was his noble and great mind, which formed plans for his situation, who, at an eventful and propitious ameliorating the condition of his fellow men; it moment, stepped upon the theatre of action, holdwas his mind, that carried them into execution; his ing almost in his grasp the destinies of Georgia. mind never brooked obstacles, or quailed, under any circumstances. It was his giant mind, that framed, and his unceasing exertions, that put into execution, a scheme that regenerated England, peopled Georgia, and which, while it reflected great honor upon himself, obtained for him the first place in the hearts of his countrymen.

mind. Not content with this magnanimous exertion in behalf of suffering humanity, we find him proposing, and preparing to carry into execution, a plan for transferring those persons imprisoned for debt in England to the New World, and settling them as a colony. In this transaction, every thing noble, and truly good shone conspicuous in Gen. Oglethrope; no impediment was too greatno obstacle insurmountable ;-he threw aside the barriers then existing between the aristocrat and the commoner, every nerve and sinew was bent, and every stone upturned to accomplish this, the darling object of his heart.

The colony of South Carolina, having been repeatedly harassed by the Indians inhabiting the fertile lands lying between them and the Floridas, and often threatened with a Spanish invasion, had frequently petitioned the King to plant a colony in this part of his possessions; but owing to the troublesome aspect of the times, George had considered it impolitic to burden himself with the cares of another infant colony.

In 1722, Gen. Oglethrope was elected a member of Parliament, where he remained for five years one of the most active and influential of its In June, 1732, through the influence and unmembers. But his was an active and inquisitive wearied exertions of Oglethrope, the King granted mind, formed more for the energetic and laborious to him, together with twenty other trustees, all the duties of a statesman, than the sedentary pursuits land lying between the Savannah and Altamaha

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rivers, which they named Georgia, in honor of their manded the first regular forces ever stationed in sovereign. The trustees, guided by the genius, America, and to have had honor of being the first wisdom and judgment of Oglethrope, made rapid General to whom the chief command over two coloprogress towards the accomplishment of their de-nies was given.

"Guide, philosopher and friend ;"

sign; placards were posted up throughout London, As a General, Oglethrope had but few superiors; offering to defray the expenses of the indigent and as a Statesman and Patriot, but few equals; and needy, and granting them the necessary utensils but few were found adequate to cope with him in for agriculture, and even clothing and provisions the discharge of the high and important duties of for a certain period. On the 16th of November, the day. He ever displayed great anxiety and the day appointed for embarkation, one hundred care for his colony he cherished it as the fond and fourteen persons assembled on board the vessel mother cherishes her first born; he was emphatidestined to convey them to the Western wilder- cally their ness. Among that varied assembly stood a man, whose external appearance bespoke him far above those around him; his noble mien and majestic and under his upright and disinterested administracarriage spoke more audibly than words. Ogle- tion, Georgia flourished like a green bay tree. thrope, who was then at the meridian of parlia- ten years he crossed the Atlantic six times, without mentary glory, in the bloom of life, nourished in any hopes of recompense, to further the interests the lap of fortune, was there, not for the pur- of the colony. He returned to England for the pose of bidding a last adieu to those over whose last time in 1743, and a short time afterwards mardestiny he was placed-nobler and more exalted ried an heiress, the beautiful and accomplished were his objects, he came with a determination of following the infant colony into the trackless wilderness,

"And through the tossing tide of chance and pain To hold his course unfaltering."

All who embarked, upon being questioned, readily acknowledged their perfect willingness to do so, and a desire to seek their fortunes in an unknown world. The fortunes of these people could not be worsted; in their own country, they were either involved in debt, or were scarcely able to obtain a scanty subsistence. They well knew such flattering prospects were offered to but few; and with proud hearts and keen anxiety, they seized upon the offered boon, and launched themselves and their little fortunes upon the broad Atlantic:

"The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide."

In

daughter of Sir Nathan Wright, Bart. The following verses are extracted from some sent to a lady in Charleston, soon after Oglethrope's marriage, who inquired when he would return to Georgia. They will serve as a specimen of the poetic talents of the day, and will show the respect in which Oglethrope was held.

"The fairest of Diana's train,

For whom so many sigh'd in vain,
Has bound him in her silken train,
From whence he'll ne'er get loose again.

"Help, youths and virgins, help to sing,
The prize which Hymen now does bring:
I too my feeble voice will raise;

To name but OGLETHROPE is praise."

Gen. Oglethrope never visited America after his marriage; he had left his private affairs so long neglected, that they required his utmost care and vigilance. He had expended liberally his own property for the benefit of Georgia, for which he never received a cent in return. A short time before he left Georgia for the last time, a few men of but little repute began to find fault with this · great and good man, and went so far as to send him abusive anonymous letters, and even to publish statements reflecting on his honor and integrity.

How different were the motives that actuated Oglethrope, and that little company! He, without any fee, or prospect of recompense, bade a painful farewell to his friends and relatives, laid aside the almost certain prospects of high honors and the luxuries of riches, for no other purpose than to plant that little colony, and with parental care cherish and protect it: they, left a country already hate- Envy can not brook the blaze of superior virful to them, homes desolated by poverty, the cer- tues; and malice rejoices in the stains which even tainty of want for an almost sure realization of falsehood throws on a distinguished character.” bright hopes. Difficulties were to be met, and ob- Oglethrope stood too high to notice these invidious stacles overcome, but with such a leader as Ogle- attacks. But when an inferior officer, whom he thrope, they feared no danger, nor failed to meet had raised from a private to the rank of Lieutenwith becoming fortitude every impediment. Ogle- ant Colonel, was seen hurling, with unrelenting thrope was vested with the functions of Governor hatred, the shafts of malice and envy at his spotof Georgia the year before he left England, and in less reputation, and striving in every mean and a few years after, he was made General and Com- unjust manner to undermine and blast his fair and mander-in-Chief of all the royal troops in Geor-well-established character, he felt it a duty he owed gia and South Carolina: "It is said that he com- to himself, his friends and his country, to have the

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noble deeds which characterized and dignified his whole life, to bow with gratitude and reverence. For us, claiming as we do the honor of Georgians by birth and preference, we enrol ourselves as humble worshippers of his great abilities and talents, and join our acclamations of praise with Georgia's historian, when he says, "more can be said of Gen Oglethrope, than of the subject of any other prince in Europe;" and were we called upon to point to a man, distinguished by disinterested benevolence, actuated by high and noble motives, whose character and life does honor to humanity, that man would be GEN. JAMES OGLETHROPE.

charges carefully examined and sifted to the bot-censure. Every man, no matter how eminent or He accordingly went to England and ob- good, has his faults; but in judging such men, upon tained a trial by court-martial: several days were comparison, we will invariably find that their good spent in the examination of all the charges alleged, qualities far outweigh their censurable ones. and after sober and mature deliberation, the court to this great man Georgia owes a debt of gratitude pronounced the charges to be "false, malicious she will ever be unable to meet to him she owes and groundless." The Lieutenant Colonel, who her present great eminence and respectability. It had acted so ungenerously and basely, was dismiss- was his generous hand that launched her destinies ed from the service, and pronounced "incapable of on the boisterous ocean of existence; and it was serving the King in any military capacity what- his great hand, that guided her little bark, as it ever." The Governors of six of the American floated on from the shoals of savage cruelty on the Colonies addressed letters to Gen. Oglethrope, one side, and civil dissensions on the other, until, congratulating him on the honor he had obtained like an able and experienced pilot, she was comin establishing his character above the attacks of petent to guide herself. The whole South owes the wicked and invidious, for the superior general-much to his benevolent exertions while a member. ship he had so often displayed, for his unwearied of parliament, and at his shrine it becomes us, exertions and the frequent sacrifice of time and with due reverence and respect for the great and money for the benefit of the Colonies. He had now been in England nearly twenty years, using his influence and abilities for the good of Georgia, aiding and supporting the petitions of the Colonies for redress of grievances, and had now, for the first time in his life, when his head was silvered with age, the mortification to find his influence useless and his talents powerless, and to see Georgia, his darling offspring, together with all the other colonies, wrongfully oppressed, and forced to an appeal The declaration of independence had been made, our alliance and necessary dependence on Great Britain broken off, we as a nation had stepped upon the theatre of action-drawn the sword and struck the blow for independence and liberty," appealing to heaven for the justice of our cause, determined to be free or die." It was at this critical period, that Gen. Oglethrope, being the senior officer of Sir William Howe, was offered the command of the troops destined for our subjugation, he readily consented to accept the command, provided they would authorize him to assure the colonies justice would be done them. Displaying that love and zeal for this country which his former sacrifice of the bloom of life in our interests would cause us to expect, he nobly pronounced to the British nation," that they never would subdue the colonies by arms, but their obedience would ever be secured by doing them justice." But this request was denied him, and agreeable to his own solicitation, he was permitted to remain at home. He was an unfit instrument for tyranny, his measures would have been too mild for an oppressing king, considering himself insulted by his liege subjects refusing obedience to his laws, however burden

to arms.

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Chapel Hill, N. C.

TO ALMIRA.

R. C. S.

BY W. GARDNER BLACKWOOD.

The galley-slave that bends the oar,
(His shadow on the wave,)
May sigh to think he can no more
Breathe the sweet freedom of the shore,
Range sunny fields and woodlands hoar,
Or hope an earth-made grave.

But light, ah, light! the chain he bears,
And bright his sky above!
To him who for a season wears,
With its alternate hopes and fears,
Its joys, its sorrows and its cares,

The silken bands of love.

ALMIRA, all the livelong day,

Like air, or breath, or beam,
Around me doth thy presence play,
As falls around the Periscian's way
His shadow, from the morn's first ray
'Till flowers begin to dream.

When summer skies blithe sunshine bring,
I seek the open air;

Comes then a step, like step of Spring,
A form with her fresh coloring,

A voice she well might claim to sing,-
I feel that thou art there.

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