USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 18
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Ares Keen,
James Shield,
Seth Bates, Jas. Kenedy,
Jno. Mcclellan, Jno. Parkhill,
Wm. Harper,
Allen Cullum,
Jno. Demass,
Thos. Crawford,
Wm. MeClellan, Daniel Sickle,
John Bigham, Jas. Rolf,
Martin Fernor,
Dan'l. Briney,
Jno. Gaugh,
David Lemon,
Samuel Leward,
Peter Tetrick.
Review.
TOWNDROW's GUIDE to CALIGRAPHY.
Every branch of science, art, and literature is now systemized as well as simplified for the ben- efit of learners. It is to be regretted that the simplification does not extend to the nomencla- ture of subjects. A treatise on corns is now call- ed podography. Mesmerism is neurology, and the caligraphy at the head of this article is in plain English, penmanship.
Mr. Towndrow has, with great propriety di- vided his guide into a series of seven books, cal- culated by example, 10 take the beginer from the elements of the art. No. 1 is designed for the formation of single letters and their compo- nents; and for the purpose of securing their prop- er proportion and space, the copies are ruled with transverse lines for the letter breadtha .- Thia is obviously an important aid and guide to young beginers, with whom proper spacing is one of the last things mastered.
In No. 2, the principle of proper spacing is carried forward to words. In both these books the writer ia confined to letters of one range in
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which there are none used above or below these 1 letter lines. This appears to preserve to pupils the natural position of the hand in writing.
No. 3, takes us by monosylables into fine or joining hand. The spacing guides are employ- ed here also. No. 4, is devoted to words of sev- cral syllables, capital letters, and figures. In No. 5, we have an entire line as copies. No. 6 is the same reduced to a finer size. No. 7. The final exhibition of the system is afforded in em- ploying the learner to carry out by two line cop- ies, any necessary continuous writing, an en- tire letter for example.
The principle of teaching habitually, correct notions of spacing each way, is never lost sight of in these books.
This series seems to be in general use in ma- ny important places in New England, and I do not see why it may not be found equally useful here.
INTRODUCTION to AMERICAN LAW, designed as a first book for students. By Timothy Walker, late Professor of Law, in the Cincinnati College. The objects of this publication appear to be two. fold. It is at once a guide-book for students, commencing the legal profession, and a com- pendious, general view of a subject of which it becomes necessary for the great mass of society to possess correct notions. It is not designed to supercede other elementary works, but to pre- pare the way for their study, and ita claim, there- fore is rather to usefulness than to novelty.
The great merit of such a work as far as the author succeeds in it, is obviously the condensa- tion of the great variety of details that are en- braced in the Science of Jurisprudence, within the compass of a single octavo in such shape that its elements and principles, shall bear in the compression the same proportion, as well as re- lation to each other, as they did to the subject at large. To present these in full and harmoni- ous proportion, and at the same time with proper perspicuity, it must be apparent is no light un- dertaking. My own experience in statistics teaches that no man can condense accurately and proportionately on any given subject, without an ample understanding, not merely of that sub- ject at large, but of all its details, and on a theme of such extensive range, as that which this book epitomises. The knowledge of the writer must be full, various and accurate, or he will not fail to manifest the fact, that however competent he may be to do justice to most of its parts, he is not equal to the whole.
It is hardly necessary here, where Judge Walker ia so well and favorably known, to say how far he has succeeded in the effort. The pop- ularity it possesses with better judges than I can assume to be, must be its recommendation to the public at large.
CORRESPONDENCE.
MR. CIST :
In your paper of the 4th inst., a wri- ter over the signature of "A Citizen," attempts to defend the honor of the Queen City, from a reputed "slur," cast upon it by Mr. Wickliffe, in a letter that he wrote from Tuscany to the National institute at Washington, in which he charges upon Cincinnati the fact, that she is wil- ling to claim her artists and their fame, but not to support them. The defence is a curious one, for the writer goes on to give the best of evi- dence, of the truth of Mr. Wickliffe's charge.
It is well known, that Kellogg was obliged to resort to his talents for music, in order that he might obtain the means necessary to defray travelling expenses. After years of absence he returned,expecting at least, to be able to make a living from the labors of his brush, but was sadly disappointed, and his desire to visit Flor- ence, was fostered and aided, by his friends the other side of the Alleghenies.
"A citizen" asks "has Cincinnati given no evidence of a due appreciation of the talents of Powers?" I say, no-if a mere offer to pur- chase his Eve, by two or three individuals, is evidence, then the honor and credit of the self- styled Queen City, is easily satisfied. Howev- er, the offer is all that in this instance she can pride herself upon ; and a proud claim she makes, indeed, to the credit of patronizing one of her own sons, along side of Charleston, S. C., who has sent him an order for a statue of Mr. Calhoun, aud New Orleans, for one of Franklin. Mr. Pres- ton has purchased of Mr. Powers, his statue of Eve, and "A Citizen," gets out of this part of his defence by saying, "Mr. Preston was among the first to appreciate the unrivaled genius of Powers." It appears he was first in huis patron- age too, -leaving the slow and reluctant charity of the Queen City to come after, when Mr. Pow- ers had mastered his pecuniary difficulties, in a foreign land, and taken his station as one of the first sculptors of the world.
"A Citizen" would have done some credit to the city, if he had have mentioned the order sent to Kellogg by some of our public spirited citizens, for an Altar piece, for the new Cathe- dral. It is the first order of a public nature, that our citizens have sent, out of the city, and she should have the credit of it. It vexes me to see a city or State, after an individual has rendered himself famous by his unaided exertions and genius, meanly sneak in, and claim to divide with him his renown. "A Citizen," shall not aid in doing this, if my pen can prevent it-at least until they prove their claim to a just share, by their future conduct. We are too much in the habit of felicitating ourselves upon the fame.
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of the Queen City, and her artists, without once | Recollections ofa Voyage to Italy in 1800. thinking that we are enjoying ourselves at not one penny's expense.
If the truth were known, and the amount of cap- ital we possess was made apparent to the world, upon which we are doing so large a business, we should be rendered bankrupt, without the aid of the "progressive Democracy ."
VERITAS.
Cin. Dec. 6.
Improved Style of Building.
I have already referred to the houses built side by side on Fourth street, by Messrs. S. S. Smith and S. C. Parkhurst. The latter is now finished, and its appearance far exceeds my highest anticipations. The house has yet to be built which is to deprive this beautiful mansion of its character as the handsomest in exterior of any in the city, unless his neighbor, Mr. Smith whose dwelling has a larger front, and is getting ready in the same style, shall be found, when finished, to surpass it. I would call publie no- tice to the elegant simplicity of the cornice, in the last named dwelling.
Fourth street is the only street in the city,run- ning east and west, which is blocked at each termination, and it seems probable it will al- ways remain thus. This circumstance protects it from being a thoroughfare for drays, wagons, and other loaded vehicles, which mar the clean- liness and smoothness, and block up the passa- ges of many of our streets. It is destined, on this account, to become, for years, the most delightful promenade ground in the city.
Bills of Exchange.
In my article last week of Bank Note engra- ving, I had not room to speak of the specimens of Messrs. Rawdon, Wright and Hatch's check and promisory note work, of which there are various beautiful specimens in Cincinnati. I re- collect, however, and would refer to one fine check pattern, which combines simplicity and elegance in design, with felicitous execution in a high degree. It may be seen and the blanks had at W. T. TRUMAN'S, Museum buildings, on Main street.
MARRIAGES.
In this city on Sunday evening, Dec. 8, Mr. THOMAS HILTON to Mrs. ANN MORTON, of this city.
DEATHS.
At his residence at Bethel, Clermont county, Ohio. last Saturday, the Hon. THOMAS MORRIS, formerly U. S. Senator from this Stale, and lately the candidate of the Liberty Party, for the Vice Presidency.
On Monday morning, Dec. 9, at about 3 o'clock, Miss ADELIA ANN GOSHIORN, of Congestive Fever.
On Monday, 91h inst., Mrs. SARAH A. NELSON HAR- RIS, daughter of David Nelson, of Lancaster, Penn., and wife of Nathaniel Harris, of this city, in the 28th year of her age.
In the midst of all this confusion I aaw a mischievous little dog, of about twelve or four- teen, who had displayed throughout the action as much glee as if it was all a froiic, make a dart at one of the port holes. "What is the niatter, Ned?" said I. "Why, sir, one fellow was firing through the port, but he has my boar- ding-pike with him." After repeated attempts to board and finding his post very uncomforta- ble, our antagonist endeavored to cut loose his lashings; but in this he failed; all who attempt- ed it were shot, till at last his men fairly took to their heels and ran below. Now would have been our turn to board, but we could not spare the men, as the other privateer had ranged itself along-side during the close contest with her companion, and threatened us with an attempt to board from that side. This was the first time during the action we were able to get ali our guns to bear on her, and the firing had become very animated, when a slight squall(the breeze which was very light in the beginning of the ac- tion, had now freshened considerably) striking the head-sails, which hung flapping in all di- rections, brought our ship round, and the bow- sprit of the privateer, which was lashed to her, unable to bear the strain, or probably being in- jured by our shot, swept short off, and we saw, in an instant, she was loose from us. Her crew perceived it also, and hastened on deck, made some sail on her, and stood away from us, at- tended by her comrade, and was saluted with three cheers by our men.
I have often been surprised at the length of time which we hear of battles lasting, and the little destruction of life on one or the other side. This action was fought nearly all the time close aboard, and it lasted upwards of eight glasses, that is four hours. Our ship was literally cut to pieces in her spars, sails, and rigging, and yet, to our astonishment, not a man but the Captain touched. I counted the marks of the grape shot in the lower masts, and the foremast, which had the least, had upwards of forty. The situ- tion of the ship would be best known by the re- port of two naval officers, who made a survey of her when she arrived into Gibraltar, on account of the under-writers. I quote their words, for I preserved a copy of the document. Afier con- demning almost all her spars, as unit to be used again, they say : "We have likewise examined the standing and running rigging, and find the whole of it shot and cut, except of the former, the forestay, mainstay, and bob-stay; and of the latter, the starboard mainbrace, the reef- tackle and mizen stay-sail halyards." Those who know the rigging of a ship, will from such a statement conceive the situation of this one; and yet, I repeat it, not an individual of the
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crew was touched but the Captain. The loss of our antagonist was far different. We saw a number lying dead and wounded upon their decks, and many were pushed overboard from our stern and quarters, three of whom, with marks of boarding-pikes about them, floated in- to Gibraltar, where they were buried two of three days after. When the privateers left us, they stood over to Algesiras. While in Gibral- ter I saw a resident of Algesiras, who said he was there when they arrived, and that he saw twenty dead bodies landed from one of them .-- Two men whom he had had in his employment, and who left him a few days previous, were with them; one was killed and the other sent to the hospital desperately wounded.
The privateers were full of men, so that a shot could scarcely go amiss. One of them mounted two twenty-four pounders, brass guns, on slides, and ten nine pounders, besides swiv- els; the other had ten guns, two of them like the others, working on slides. These guns, we were informed, were worked in both vessels by regular artillerists, nearly all of whom were kil- led. It might have been one of their officers that wore the epaulet. To soften the disgrace of the defeat our antagonists reported in Algesi- ras that our ship was a British transport of eight- teen guns, with three hundred troops on board and that she had fought part of the action under American colors. The colors they could not de- ny, for they were plainly seen from Algesiras,al- though it was impossible to tell in their ragged state what they were. Our ship was unques- tionably saved by the attention which had been paid to the strengthening of those parts which screened the men. A person could not spread his hand from the main chains aft, and on the stern without touching holes made by grape- shot; but the shot had penetrated only throngh the outer plank, and had lodged among the hoop poles. No man could have remained on deck, had not that protection been there. "The bet- ter part of valor," in more ways than one, "is discretion." The action saved the three brigs. They made the best of their way, and their sails were seen hull down to leeward.
After the action was over, I looked on my companions, and could scarcely tell one from the other; the smoke and powder having made them as dingy as so many colliers. The first thing to be attended to was to get something to eat and drink, and Ramsdell who took command of the ship, directed the cook and steward to produce their supplies, "make a bucket of grog steward" said he, "and my lads drink what you will, but take care not to drink too much; we may have something more to do yet; for I see some gun boats coming out of Algesiras. "Oh." replied one of the men, "I'll engage we can
beat as many of those fellows as can lie between us and the rock." After a hearty breakfast, the men went to splicing the ropes, so as to set some sail that would assist them in getting the ship into the harbour of Gibraltar, from which we now saw a number of boats and barges put- ting off to us. They were soon alongside, and hailed to say that they would assist in towing us in. I then first saw that Ramsdell as well as myself, had made some remarks about their dil- atoriness; for, he declined their offer in rather a gruff tone, and said their assistance might have been of some use an hour or two ago.
As soon as the anchor was dropped, the ship was filled with British officers; among whom was the Governor, General O'Hara, who having enquired for the person in command of the ship, said to him, "I am an old man as you see," taking off his hat, and showing his fine white hair, "and have seen many actions both by sea and by land, but I have never before seen a little ship so gal- lantly defended as this has been." And in the evening, the admiral on the station, whose name I forget, sent to request Mr. Ramsdell to go on board of his ship where he received him with great politeness, and said, "a letter from me may not be amiss, to show your owners and under- writers what I think of your conduct to day."- He then sat down and wrote a note, the purport of which was, that after a most gallant defence of several hours against a very superior force, within sight of the garrison of Gibraltar, and some of his majesty's ships laying there. Mr. Ramsdell had conducted his ship into port, in her dismantled state, in a very seaman-like man- ner. This, we supposed, was an unusual tribute of praise, elicited from an English Admiral in favor of the commander of a merchant vessel of a different nation.
Captain Hoggard languished for some time of his wound, and died. He was buried with great respect; a long train of British officers attending his funeral. The American flag was laid upon his coffin as a pall. It was intended to use the ship's ensign, but as there was only about two- thirds of it remaining, Ramsdell said it would look like ostentation to display the tattered ban- ner, and another was borrowed for the occasion.
The cargo on board the ship was very valua- ble; much of it was insured in England, and I since heard that the underwriters at Lloyd's pre- sented the widow of Captain Hoggard with one thousand dollars, and that some of our own In- surance Companies had made her presents also. These gifts are creditable to those who presen- ted them, and have every useful effect upon the sailors who are expected to defend the vessel and cargo; besides which in the present case, the action saved the three American brigs that I were astern of us when it commenced.
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Conversing one day with Ramsdell about the ( action ; "for my part," said ho, "I had determin- ed not to be taken alive. Last year I was taken in the straits. Our ship carried six guns; we had but twelvemen; and we were attacked by two French privateers. I was first mate. I thought we could beat anything. I was foolish enough to be very anxious that they should come up with us, as the Captain carried all the sail he could, on the ship, to escape; but they outsailed us, and got alongside. They commenced firing at a distance, while we reserved our fire till they came close; we then took in sail, and prepared to en- gage. and I have often laughed frequently since at our preparation. Not knowing where we should be attacked. and wishing to be ready at all points, we run two guns out of the stern ports so that we had two astern, and but two on each side. When we rounded to, and the Captain asked, are you ready fore and aft ! it was replied instantly, all ready, sir; and on his giving the word, well, now, then; we fired a whole broad- side, two guns at them; bang! bang! and to it we went. The engagement lasted nearly three glasses, by which time we had three men killed, and our rigging very much cut up, and there ap- peared nohope of escape when the Captain said to me; 'Mr. Ramsdell, I am afraid we'll have to strike at last; for, if they kill many more of our men, we shall have none left to a work a gun." "I am afraid so""" said I, "for we can make no sail on the ship," "Well, then, haul down the colors," said he; upon which I looked round, and behold! we had forgotten to hoist them,and had been fighting all the time without any; so, I had to go into the cabin, get the ensign and hoist it, and we fought another glass, during which we had another man killed, in order to let the Frenchmen see it, before we pulled it down. They boarded us directly from all sides and were so enraged at our resistance, and at having some of their men killed, that instead of giving us some credit. which, if they had been brave men, or anything but privateersmen, they would have done, the scoundrels beat those of us who were left, in such a manner I thought they would have killed every one of us. I swore then that I never would be taken alive, by those kind of land pirates."
I took up my quarters at a very pleasant ho- tel, and as the ship was obliged to remain there from the 20th of August to the 12th of October, to refit, I found sufficient amusement at so very interesting a place. Gibraltar has been suffi- ciently described, and my narration shall be confined to the incidents of the voyage. The Governor, as a mark of particular favor, per- mitted the ship to be hauled into the King's dock to be repaired, and directed that she should · be supplied with anything she should want, and
which could not be obtained elsewhere, out of his majesty's stores. This was understood, how- ever, not to be without paying for them; and I think it cost eight or ten thousand dollars to re- pair the damages done to the ship in part of one morning. The day after the action, I went on board to see how the ship looked, and to speak to the crew, several of whom I found with black eyes and the mark of bloody noses, and on inquiring the cause, was told, having too great an allowance of grog, the evening before, they had had a battle royal, but they said it was all for love, and there appeared to be no resent- ment harbored among them for the consequen- ces. While the ship remained at Gibraltar, great- er privileges of passing the gates of the garrison were given to her crew, than any other sailors; and it was found that men who belonged to oth- er vessels, and who wished to pass the guard at unusual times, on being asked what ship they belonged to, were in the habit or answering: "The Louisa."
On the 12th of October, the ship being suffi- ciently repaired, we sailed from Gibraltar, bound up the Mediterranean, having two ships of eighteen guns each, from Liverpool, in compa- ny. In the evening of the next day, we discov- ered three sail of large ships standing across our course; one of them, a frigate, made a signal, which was obeyed by the two Liverpool ships, who hove to for her; but seeing that the direc- tion in which the largest sailed would bring us along side of her, Captain Ramsdell thought he would prevent any delay by continuing his course, and speaking her instead of the frigate, for which the ships in our company had laid to; he accordingly stood on, and when within hailing distance, took his speaking trumpet, 10 be in readiness to answer a hail which he ex- pected; but no hail was made and the strange ship which proved to be the Minotaur, of 84 guns, was manœuvred as if with the intention of running our ship down, which was very nearly effected.
It appeared afterwards, that the Louisa was mistaken for an English ship, and that the frigate had communicated that the three were all En- glish, and according to etiquette to be preserv- ed by merchant ships, to those of his majesty's navy, we should in such case have hauled up for the frigate to examine us. It was with difficul- ty that our ship avoided the immense bulk which brushed by us, our yardarms being about on a level with her quarter deck.
At the same time we were hailed with a long string of most virulent execrations, and asked why we had not hove to for the frigate. Rama- dell wes a good-natured, good-hearted fellow; off dnty, he would scarce have been known for a sailor; on duty, he felt "all as one piece of his ship."
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His temper was roused by the apparent at- tempt to run us down, and when this was suc- ceeded by the hail I have mentioned, he threw his trumpet on the deck, with the greatest indig- nation, and cried, "I'll be d- if I answer such a hail as that! no, I'll not answer, if the ship is sunk under me for not doing it." At this moment we saw a boat lowered from the Minotaur. I said to him, "They will fire into us, if you don't heave to." We were then un- der top-sails. "1 don't care," he answered,"I'll neither answer nor heave to; they may fire if they please." By this time, the boat, manned with fifteen or twenty men, was pulling after us; the evening was growing dark fast. The officer in the boat was continually calling out : "Why don't you heave to? Why don't you heave your main-top sail aback ?" When we approached the large ship, Ramsdell had taken in sail, and intended to heave to for her. He now could easily, by hoisting sail, have left the boat which was in chase ; but he would neither hoist nor take in sails : he merely said, let him come along- side if he can. At last, by great exertions, he got alongside. Ramsdell then ordered the main topsail aback, and lanthorn on deck ; "but," he said, "throw no rope to them ; let the fellow who commands come on board the best way he can ; and suffer no one else to come on board." The officer, with great difficulty, scrambled up the side, and exclaimed as he reached the deck, "I never saw English sailors behave in this manner before." "You are not on board of an English ship," said Ramsdell. "how dared you to hail me in the manner you did ?"" "Not on board of an English ship?" said the officer with great as- tonishment, "what ship am I on board of?" "Of an American ship, and if I should treat you as you deserve, I would take you and your boat's crew along to the port I am bound to, and there let you find your way back to the ship as well as you could. "Sir, " said the officer, "this has been a mistake; we were told by a signal from the frigate that this was an English ship." " And if it were an English ship, had you any right to hail her like a pirate! Go, sir, to your boat, and tell the Captain of your ship that I expected to find an English officer always a gentleman : and if he asks you who formed so wrong an opinion of him, tell him Charles Ramsdell, of the Amer- ican ship, Louisa." By this time guns were fired and blue-lights burned for the boat; and the of- ficer took his departure in a tone somewhat dif- ferent from the one he had on his arrival.
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