The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII, Part 7

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 438

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How wide the limits of that benevolence may be, it is impossible to conjecture. If the imperfection of lan- guage suggests a doubt as to the degree of destitution which makes an "orphan, " the greater weakness of our nature forces upon us the melancholy inquiry,-what child is there who may not be a poor orphan? Who is there indeed among us whose children may not yet need the blessings of this institution? Let none of us in the confidence of prosperity deem his own offspring secure. Alas! all our prosperity is so vain and shadowy, and misfortune is so constantly in ambush to assail us, that it were presumptuous in any of us to suppose him- self beyond the reach of vicissitudes, which would ren- der such an institution the happiest refuge for his chil- dren. Yes, fellow citizens, this college is our own; the property of us all. It is intended to remedy misfor- tunes to which we are all equally liable. And it should be a source of great consolation to each of us, that if, in the ever-varying turns of human life, misfortune should overtake, and death surprise us, they who bear our names, and are destined to be the fathers of our de- scendents, will here find a home where they may be prepared for future usefulness, and become in turn the protectors and support of their more helpless relatives.

Hereafter, thanks to the bounty of Girard, every fa- ther among us may, on his death-bed, enjoy the reflec- tion, that although unprovided with fortune, there is secured to his sons that which is at once the means of fortune, and far better than the amplest fortune without it,-a good education. This consideration, if any such

incentives were wanting, may serve to stimulate the sense of public duty in those who administer the institu- tion, to render it worthy of their own children.

For this purpose, happily, it is only necessary to fulfil the design of the founder, which provides ample means and expressly enjoins the employment of them, to give every kind of liberal and useful instruction.

They would much err, who, comparing this institu- tion with any ordinary standard, regard it as an alms- house or a poorhouse, in which a certain number of pauper boys, housed together, to be kept from harm, are to receive some hasty rudiments of instruction, and then to be thrust out on the world to make way for a similar swarm of unfortunate children. By no means. The comprehensive benevolence of Girard looked to higher and better things. It is not a poor school nor a charity school, nor a free school, in their ordinary ac- ceptation. It is, as he denominates it, a "College." The peremptory prohibition that "no distinctive dress should ever be worn," reveals his purpose that these youths shall not be designated as objects of remark or contempt by their contemporaries-that they shall be distinguished only by their conduct, and shall not wear the livery even of charity. The instruction too requir- ed, is of the highest character, embracing almost every thing worthy of being studied in the circle of human knowledge. "They shall be instructed," says he, "in the various branches of a sound education, compre- hending reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, geo- graphy, navigation, surveying, practical mathematics, astronomy, natural, chemical, and experimental philoso- phy, the French and Spanish languages-(I do not for- bid, but I do not recommend the Greek and Latin lan- guages)-and such other learning and science as the capacities of the several scholars may merit or warrant."

This excludes nothing-nay, it embraces every thing necessary to form a well educated man. How far this instruction is to be carried-whether when the degrees of talent and disposition come to be analysed, some are . to be instructed up to the point of their appropriate ca- pacity, while the more intelligent and more diligent are to be carried into the higher regions of science, are questions of future administrations, to be decided by experience. But it is manifest that all the means of education, thorough, perfect education: are to be pro- vided; that every facility for the acquisition of know- ledge should be at hand; nor is there any reason why the Girard College-liberally endowed beyond all ex- ample-should not be superior to any existing establish- ment, in the talents of its professors or the abundance of its means of instruction; and with the blessing of God, so it shall be. There shall be collected within these walls all that the knowledge and research of men have accumulated to enlighten and improve the minds of youth. It will be the civil West Point of this country, where all the sciences which minister to men's happi- ness, and all the arts of peace, may be thoroughly and practically taught. Its success will naturally render it the model for other institutions-the centre of all im- provement in things taught no less than in the art of teaching them-the nursery of instructors as well as pu - pils ;- thus, not merely accomplishing the direct benefit of those to whom its instruction extends, but irradiat- ing by its example the whole circumference of human knowledge.

To this intellectual cultivation will be added that, without which all instruction is valueless, and all learn- ingthe mere ability for evil-that moral discipline which makes men virtuous and happy at their own fire-sides. "My desire is," says he, "that all the instructors and teachers in the college shall take pains to instil into the minds of the scholars, the pure principles of morality, so that on their entrance into active life, they may, from inclination and habit, evince benevolence towards their fellow creatures, and a love of truth, sobriety, and in- dustry." When this harmony between the heart and the understanding ceases, mere knowledge is a curse,

ADDRESS OF NICHOLAS BIDDLE, ESQ.

[JULY

and men become intellectual statues, with the perfect forms of manly exterior, but cold, and selfish, and worth- less to the community which endures them. Our youth too will not fail to be deeply imbued with that enthusiastic devotion to republican government, and that knowledge of his public rights and duties, which should form the basis of the American character. It is thus that the founder strictly enjoins "that by every proper means, a pure attachment to our republican institutions, and to the sacred rights of conscience as guaranteed by our happy constitution, shall be formed and fostered in the minds of the scholars."

Nor need there be any dread that such an education will disqualify them for their pursuits in after life. In this country all pursuits are open to all men, nor need the humblest citizen despair of the highest honors of the republic. They err who suppose that because men are instructed, they may desert the ordinary walks of employment. There never can be such an over educa. tion of the mass of the people. Men labor not for a want of knowledge, but for the want of bread. The cultivation of the mind, like the cultivation of the soil, only renders it more productive, and knowledge be- comes the best auxiliary to industry by rendering the laborer more intelligent and more ambitious to excel. The youths thus instructed will go forth into the various pursuits of life, many of which are in their nature me- chanical; but they will begin with the disposition and the power not merely to excel in them, but to rise be- yond them; and they will emerge from their workshops, as their countrymen, Franklin, and Rittenhouse, and Godfrey, and Fulton did before them, reaching all the distinctions of the state which may be honorably won, by talents and character.

That the scene of so many blessings may be appro- priate to them, it is intended to make this structure worthy of its great object ;- worthy of the name of its founder, and of the city which he was so anxious to em- bellish. Among the sciences most needed in this coun- try, where individual wealth is hastening to indulge its taste, and where every state and city and county re- quires extensive public buildings, is architecture. In- dispensable in the rudest forms of life, it becomes the highest ornament of the most enlightened. In every state of its progress, the style of its public works displays the character of the nation which rears them. Dispro- portioned and grotesque among a course and unlettered people-in nations more advanced, often over orna- mented with the gaudy profusion and the caprices of tasteless wealth-it is only when sustained by the public spirit of a community at once enlightened and generous, that architecture attains its highest glory-a refined simplicity. Of that perfection it is proposed that this structure shall present a model, the equal at least of similar works in any other country, and not unworthy of the best days of antiquity-a structure which will at once gratify the honorable pride of every citizen of the United States, and form the best study for all the branches of industry connected with architecture.

- The enjoyment of so many advantages devolves on us, fellow citizens, the duty of great care and vigilance to preserve them.

After bestowing upon our city this rich inheritance, Gi- rard adds this emphatic declaration. "In relation to the organization of the College and its appendages, I leave necessarily many details to the Mayor, Aldermen, and citizens of Philadelphia, and I do so with the more con- fidence, as, from the nature of my bequests and the be- nefit to result from them, I trust that my fellow citizens of Philadelphia will observe and evince special care and anxiety in selecting members for their City Councils and other Agents."

on the administration of it. For myself and my col- leagues, to whom the high honor has been assigned of sharing in that administration, I can only say, fellow ci- tizens, that we have assumed the trust with the deepest sense of its responsibility, and a determination to exe- cute it in the spirit of enlightened benevolence which animated the founder; and we shall in our turn retire from it, with the hope that our fair city may always find successors who to equal zeal, add greater ability to serve it.

Under such auspices, we confidently trust that all the expectations of the founder will be realized. With this delightful anticipation, we now invoke the blessing of Gon on this great undertaking.

In the name of Stephen Girard, of the city of Philadel- phia, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Merchant, and Mariner, we lay the foundation of this Girard College for Orphans. We dedicate it to the cause of CHARITY, which not only feeds and clothes the destitute, but wise- ly confers the greatest blessings on the greatest suf- ferers;

To the cause of Education, which gives to human life its chief value;

To the cause of Morals, without which knowledge were worse than unavailing; and finally,

To the cause of our Country, whose service is the no- blest object to which knowledge and morals can be de- voted.

Long may this structure stand, in its majestic simpli- city, the pride and admiration of our latest posterity; long may it continue to yield its annual harvest of edu- cated and moral citizens to adorn and to defend our country. Long may each successive age enjoy its still increasing benefits, wlien time shall have filled its halls with the memory of the mighty dead who have been reared within them, and shed over its outward beauty the mellowing hues of a thousand years of renown.

SKETCH OF THE PROPOSED BUILDING.

The College is located on a tract of land containing forty-five acres, formerly known by the name of Peel Hall, situated on the Ridge road, 14 miles from the city. This estate was purchased from Mr. William Parker, by Mr. Girard, a short time before his death, for the pur- poses of the college.

The building is peripteral, being 160 feet front, by 217 feet on the flank, including the porticoes.

The columns are six feet in diameter at the base, and 54 feet 6 inches high, including capitals and bases.

The order is Grecian Corinthian, from the monument of Lysicratus, or Lantern of Demosthenes at Athens.

The superstructure reposes on a casement, in the form of a truncated pyramid, composed of 12 steps sur- rounding the whole building. The passage between the columns and the walls of the cell is 15 feet.

All the columns, entablature, and pediment, are to be composed of white, and the cell of light blue marble. The floors, and stairways, are also to be composed of marble.

The vestibules are each 26 by 48 feet: they are or- namented with 16 rich Ionic columns, antæ, and enta- blature, supporting a ceiling embellished with lacunari.

Each story contains four rooms 50 feet square in the clear. The two rooms across the south end of the first story, are divided from each other by marble columns, and entablature of the Corinthian order, so that they may be used as one room, for the purpose of exhibitions, &c.

The whole building is to be heated by means of fur- naces placed in the cellar.

The college is located parallel with the city streets, fronting the south. The land at the base of the building is 26 feet above the reservoir on Fair Mount The whole height of the edifice is 97 feet, making the eleva-

That the generous confidence with which he has thus committed to us the execution of his great designs, should never be betrayed, we owe equally to the name of the founder and to the interests of our posterity; as the whole value of this institution will depend entirely I tion of the roof 123 feet above the said reservoir.

YORK BARRENS.

1833]

Among the interesting objects exhibited at Peel Hall, on Thursday, on the occasion of laying the corner stone of the Girard College, was a piece of sculpture worthy of notice in itself, but especially to be admired when considered in reference to the age of the artist.

It was a small basso reliero of Mr. Girard, from Otis's likeness, done on marble, by a lad about 16 years of age, named WILSON, an apprentice, as we learn, in the marble cutting establishment of Mr. Sailor, in the north. western part of the city. The likeness of Mr. Girard was, so far as we could judge, fully equal to Otis's por- trait, and the work was finished with taste. We have seen nothing of late that reflected more credit on an artist than does this juvenile attempt of Master Wilson. Weare sure from the commendation bestowed on the work, and the admiration excited by the faithfulness of the likeness, that the matter will be in good hands, and that the capacities of the boy will be more fully inquir- ed into, with a view towards an improvement of his ex- traordinary talents. - U. S. Gazette.

From the Columbia Spy. YORK BARRENS.

Such is the title given to a considerable section of land situated in the south-eastern part of York county. As the unfortunate title has given the place a worse character than it really merits, perhaps some of the rea- ders of the Spy may be gratified with a brief sketch of the country, the people, their customs and manners.

The townships of Chanceford, Lower Chanceford, Town, Peachbottom, Hopewell, and part of Windsor, comprise what is usually denominated the " Barrens of York," containing in 1830 a population of more than 8000 souls. The soil generally is gravelly and poor, in- terspersed here and there with farms of undulating sur- face, and soil loam of good quality. The title is not de- rived-as most persons suppose-from the sterility of the soil; but from the circumstance that some 100 years since, the Indians, for the purpose of improving it as a "hunting ground," subjected the whole face of the country to fire as often as they deem it necessary to do so; and when it became in possession of the whites, nothing but barrens on every side were presented to the view-hence the name. As an evidence that it has un- dergone this fiery ordeal, it is only necessary to say, that large quantities of land which twenty years since were clothed with barrens, are now thickly covered with thriving young timber.

It is a district of country well watered with durable streams, many of them large enough for water power of every description. Grist and saw . mills, oil and fulling- mills, are numerous, still many eligible sites remain In- improved. The principal mineral discovered is iron ore, for the manufacturing of which, there are two Fur- naces in Chanceford, and a Forge (Castle-Fin) in Lower Chanceford.

The greatest natural curiosity is the "Narrows" of Muddy creek, situated on the Baltimore road, about a mile south of the confluence of the two streams, (Big and Little Muddy creeks. ) The road crosses the streams near their junction, and with a steep ascent for more than a mile winds its way through scenery that is in a peculiar manner, wild, bold, picturesque, and ro. mantic. On the top of the hill for about two hundred yards is the narrow pass; which is not more than ten or fifteen feet in breadth. On the right hand about three hundred feet almost perpendicularly below, flows Lit- tle Muddy creek due north. On the left flow their uni- ted streams directly south to the farthest extremity of the pass; where they abruptly turn to the east and smoothly glide toward the Susquehanna. On the left the descent is still more precipitous, so much so as to produce giddiness in most persons who venture too near the brink.

In Peachbottom township slate is found in great abun- dance and of an excellent quality forroofing. A chain

of mountains-though omitted in most maps-enters this township, (having passed through North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, ) and passes on to the Susque- hanna-traverses Lancaster county between Pequea and Octorara creeks-forms the boundary between Montgomery and Berks, and reaches the Delaware be- tween Northampton and Berks. Pursuing a northeast course through New Jersey, it enters New York between the sources of the Wallkill and Passaic rivers-forms the Highlands near West Point-and enters Canada un- der the name of the Green Mountains.

The inhabitants are principally of Scotch and Irish descent, and for sobriety, industry, and purity of morals, are not surpassed by any body of people in the Union. Every landholder lives by the sweat of his brow. Sla- very is almost unknown among them. They appear to have adopted the admonition given by Trapbois to Glen- varlock-" The wise man is his own best assistant," and are aware that no man is truly independent, who depends on the labour, or fidelity, of others, for his comfort. Their system of farming heretofore adopted is a bad one, and one that has tended much to impover- ish the soil. Having an abundance of woodland, the practice was to clear a field every season. Wheat is universally the first crop sown on the new land. The average crop is from 18 to 20 bushels per acre. The second crop is rye. Corn follows, and then oats. This is the usual course. It is then left out for a year or two, and the course begins again, until it will produce noth- ing. More recently, as they have improved their sys- tem of farming, the face of the country begins to wear a more favorable aspect, and from their persevering in- dustry and habits of economy, all of them live comfort- ably, and many of them have become quite wealthy.

Huskings, choppings, and quiltings are frequent among them. At the former the neighbors meet at dark; the corn having been previously pulled, and haul- ed in a pile near the crib. The hands join it, the comic story and the loud laugh are heard. The whiskey bot- tle goes round often, but seldom are any seen intoxicat- ed. Four or five hundred bushels are husked by nine or ten o'clock. A plentiful supper is provided, and the frolic ends with some kind of play-mostly one called " The Brogue," at which those that are not expert are soon heartily beaten. At the latter the ladies spend the afternoon in quilting-the gentlemen assemble early in the evening-a fiddle is generally provided, and they are soon seen

"Tripping on the light fantastic toe."

This is the only amusement of which they seem to be immoderately fond, and many of them have acquired an ease, and grace in their movements, that are not often surpassed.

Education, there, as in most country places, is too much neglected. All however endeavor to give their children the rudiments of an English education, and many of them are taught the classics. They have ge- nerally a good classical school, at which several young men are annually fitted for college. Students from there have generally been distinguished at college, and some of them have taken the first honors. Many of them are now located in different sections of the Union, hono- rably and profitably pursuing their various professions. The most distinguished of whom are Senator Rowan of Kentucky, and James Ross of Pittsburg.

In a word, the inhabitants, in the aggregate, are kind, hospitable, and rather intelligent. I know of no place where the valetudinarian, or the man wearied with the toils, and vexations incident to a bustling world, could retire for a time, with more prospect of advantage. The pure freshi mountain breezes, and the icy coldness of their limpid bubbling springs, impart a salutary and invigorating effect to the former; while the turbulent passions of the latter are delightfully calmed, as he tra- verses their interminable forests, admiring the works of nature, or pursuing the different varieties of game that sport upon their boughs, and gambol in their shades:

DESCRIPTION OF DELANY'S CAVE.

[JULY

or angling for the speckled trout, which glide in goodly numbers, through the silvery fluid that gushes along in unsullied brightness over its pebbly bed.

LAUSUS.

From the Brownsville Philanthropist. DESCRIPTION OF DELANY'S CAVE

IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PA.

Having understood that there was a cave in Laurel Hill mountain, situate eight or ten miles south of Union, which had never been thoroughly explored, (by human beings, ) we determined on trying the experiment. Ac- cordingly on Monday morning the 20th of April, after providing ourselves with ropes, candles, and the neces- sary implements for producing fire in case our candles should go out we set out, accompanied by J.G. Miller. After a pleasant ride of some fifteen miles, over a country most beautifully diversified with hills and vales, all clothed in nature's mantle of green, we arrived at a small village at the foot of the mountain called Hayden- town, from thence ascending the mountain in a north- easterly direction for about five miles, we arrived at the dwelling of Mr. Hamilton Abrams, the farm form- erly owned by Mr. Delany; here we left our horses, and also left word that if we did not return by the next morning they should come to our relief. In fifteen minutes we found ourselves seated at the mouth of this awful cavern. It is situate some nine miles south-west of Uniontown, three south of Nixon's mill, and a half a mile east of Mr. Abrams's farm house, rather on the north side of the ridge some 70 or 80 yards from its summit. Around the entrance is a sink hole, something of the shape of a common funnel, about 20 feet deep, from which the entrance is to the westward, seven feet wide and four high in the centre. At 20 minutes before 3 o'clock we entered, and immediately found ourselves in a pas- sage near 12 feet wide and from 20 to 80 feet high, of a regular descent about 48 degrees for 40 feet. After passing down 15 or 20 yards, a branch took off to the left about 25 or 30 yards, and again united with the main passage, which now takes a northwest course, of a more moderate descent; here we were struck with astonishment, and paused for a moment to take a view of the grandeur of nature. This apartment was about 14 feet wide and 40 in height, side walls perpendicular, with a roof formed of two tremendous rocks which appeared hewn out for that purpose, extending from one end of this hall to the other, being near 150 feet. From this hall is a more contracted passage in the same course which leads into a very large room, sufficiently spacions to contain one thousand men, the roof about 12 feet high, and floor very uneven being composed of large rocks. A narrow descending passage to the right of this room leads into another apartment which is about six feet wide and 12 high, and some 20 or 30 feet in length, with a small spring of water running through it: from this we had to return the same way we went in, to the large room, and again pursued much the same direction as before; we arrived at a place which has hitherto been called the "narrows," but which we shall designate as the "flats," which are of an irregular width, but so low that we were obliged to drag ourselves along on our bellies for about 150 feet when we came to a perpendicular descent of about 20 feet which we suc- ceeded in climbing down without the use of our ropes, which we now left at the top of this precipice. After passing some distance though a very uneven and irreg- ular passage with a considerable descent we found our- selves at the head of a large avenue, about 20 feet wide and 50 or 60 feet high, and near two hundred yards long; the floor was sandy and all covered with white spar, but quite thin; the wall on one side was complete. ly covered with the most brilliant white spar, which hung in various forms, making a most elegant appear- ance by candle light-through the centre ran a con- siderable stream of excellent water which for the last

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII, Part 7

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 438

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 438