North Wales Gazette

MISCELLANIES. A curious method of exchanging horses took place at Gisburn, a few days back, be- tween a Mr. T. within the township of Wad- dington, and a Mr. H. within the township ,of.Gifibitrii, viz.-The parties were 28 hours i in bargaining, drank seventy glasses of gin and vvater, smoked nine ounces of tobacco eat two large bowls full"-of water porridge, with one quart of treacle. Mr. H. was to have 3f. to boot, two cheeses value twenty-five shillings each, two days keep for himself and horse with Mr. T., and two bottles of wine each day, with one apple-pie, the size of half a peck, and a cheese, next Christmas. The ballot for the Militia will not take place until June next-, anless by a special order from his Majesty, agreeable to the power vested in hixn by A<< £ Parliament. Name,s.-Some time ago, tiie Cumberland Packet advertised the want of Inl assistant in an academy kept by Mr, Woodhtad; the Bir-' mingham paper 'likewise noticed the re-as- sembling of tbe scholars of the Miss Bratl*; ana the last Staffordshire Advertiser, an- nounces the opening of the school of the Rev. Mr. Shult. A gentleman on Thursday, in Oxford-street, near Che comerof Bond-sl ret, accidentaly stip. ping from the pavement, by the mere sud- denness of the shock, fractured the patella of his rlcft .knte, which was effectually separ;tted in the centre, and one part went down his shin. the other above his knee. "Such is the' structure of "this bone, that it would require the stroke of a clever to cut it asunder, and yet, in this case, the separature was occasion- ed by the sudden divukive force of the mus- cles of the leg and thigh. The learned Chairman at "Stafford Sessions, adverted to the notorious practice of passing- counterfeit money, which he said was become quite a commerce among hawkers and ped- lars of almost every description.—Making-; counterfeit money isone of those crimes which that county and Birmingham share almost ex- clusively betwixt tlieiii;tl)e.iiiture of tlie.dif- ferent manufactories affording a peculiar fa- cility to impositions of this kind. The pubtic therefore cannot be too much on their guard in fiiis respetft; as the circulation of this base ctfiiris more general than is suspected. ^Germany.—shom cos-eridge's friexd — In the North of Germany, the whole lake of Batzeburgh is at this time ollemass of thick transparent ice.; a spotless mirror of nine miles ineKIclIl thclüwncH of the rills, which irise from the shores of the lake, (pre- clude the awful itublimity of Alpine scenery, yet fur the want of it by beauties, of which this very iowness is a necessary con- dition. One morning, I saw the lesser lake completely hidden by mist* but the moment the sun peeped over the hill, the mist broke in I he m idel Ic, and in a few seconds stood di- leaving a broad road all across the lake; and between these two waHs of mist the #nn 'light burnt upon the ice forming a ro»d*of golden fire, intolerably bright; and tbe«iist walls themselves partook of the blaze J in the multitude -of shining colotirs-tliis is out second frost. About a. mouth ago, before I tie. 141aw came on, there was a storm of wind; during the whole night, such were the thun- ders and bowlings of the breaking ice, that m el t11!>Y 4eft a conviction on my mind, that there are sounds more sublime than any sight can be, more absolutely suspending the power of comparison, and more utterly absorbing the mind's self-consciousness in its total at- tention to the object working tipon it. Part of the ice which the vehemence of the wind had shattered, was driven shoreward, and frozen again. On the evening of the next day, at sun set, the shattered ice thus frozen, ap- peared of a deep blue, and in shape like an agitated sea; beyond this, the water, that ran up between the great islands of ice, which had preserved their masses entire and smooth, sliofile of a yellow green; but all these scat. tered ice-islands, themselves, were of an in- tensely bright blood colour; they seemed blood and light in union 1 On some of the largest of these islaads, the fishermen stood pulling out their immense nets through the holes inade in the ice for this purpose, and the men, their net-poles, and their huge nets, were a part of the glory say rather, it ap- peared as if the rich crimson light had shaped itself into these forms, figures and altitudes, to make a glorious vision in mockery of earthly thitigs.-The lower lake is now all alive with scaters, and with ladies driven on- ward by them in their ice cars. Mercury, surely, was the first maker of scatcs, and the wings at his feet are symbols of the invention. In seating there are three pleasing circum- stances the infinitely subtle particles of ice which the scate cuts up, and which creep and run before the scate like a low mist, and in run-rise, or sun.set, become coloured; se- cond, the shadow of the scater, in the water seeeu through the transparent ice and third, the melancholy undulating sound from the scate, not without variety and when very many are seating together, the sounds and the noise give an impulse to the icy trees, and the woods all round the take tinkle tal We believe scarcely in the memory of the oldest person living has there been susli a series of mild weather at the season, as what we have experienced for several weeks past, insomuch, that if we may credit the state- ments of our various contemporaries, to the instances of gooseberry and other trees blos- soming and even yielding fruit—birds in a state of incubation—we are informed that butterflies, reanimated by the genial heat of the sun, have been seen gaily Sitting i i the daisied meads-and to complete the met -or ologic phenomenon, the notes of the suy cuckoo have been distinctly heard. How ai- tered now the scene! how changed the face of nature! a frost, a killing frost succeeds the berries, too tender to bear the rigour ot the nipping blast, drop beneath their branches —the gaudy butterfly no more is seen—deso- lation hunts the feathered tribe, and the echo of the ominous cuckoo no longer fills the air. An awful but instructive lesson is here afford- ed of the incertitude of human nitture. i' All the Irish estates of the Cretan faniU?, in the county of Wexford, forfeited by '6' attainder of that family in the late rebellion JL have been restored to it by Letters Palest 1 under the Great Seal. I It is curious that Staffordshire should cut such a figure in parties as to find a second of the address (Peele) and the mover and sv 1 conder of the amendment (Earl Gower Mr. Ward.) These are some of our pari18* mentary tactics which are ridiculed by reigncrs. Without taking these given plO < tions into detail, we should observe that •• the case of Mr. Ward, be agreed to second aD amendment, which was supposed to be Dot known to him,and which is [hea mendmeot of an address that was not known to the person moving the amendment; and which addre,i is itself the answer of a speech supposed to W unknown to all.—Staffordshire Advertiser. j The Law's Delay.-It may possibly be tbe recollection of some persons still living* that in an early period of the last century» viz. some eighty years ago, there lived in !re* land gentleman, named Burton, who kept 8 banking-house in Dubliu, and another 1,11 Clomnel, whosecredit was so emiuent, that lt became proverbial in Ireland, where, when thet goodness of security was described, it was usual to say it was as good as Ben Burton." It, happened, however, in the chapter of casual- lies ever attendant on human affairs, that hø. uest Ben Burton failed, and his affairs vverg thrown mto the bauds of trustees, he gl°" rious uncertainty of the law" rendered this trust an hereditary concern and for seventy* four.years the business had been involved ig litigation. It was not until the last spring that the subject was brought to a final issue in Chancery, when the descendants of the first trustees paid to the posterity of the original creditors their respective dividends upon the claims of their forefathers:; which dividends, a-s the whole produce of Mr. Burton's assf^t* were thrown into thefunds, had accumulated very considerably iusomuch that one gentle- man, named Fitcpatrick, the hereditary lega- tee, for auoriginal sum of of 9791. recei ved, as his dividend, U:pwds«f<60001. "Beltcr lutt than never."

8 bydd andyn yn y dwr yn isels Fo'i nesir ir dyfnlwr. Al bob gwlarJ y daw bradwr, J drtal y gwan dan y dwr. Pen ddarffo dyddio, a diweddi gwaitb Ag weithian ynigreilu. Sth)wyr bydd trwendvdd gu, ,s Dwf eurwallht edifarhaiu A »

SAOtVDQK Sacred still to liberty Snovzdon shall thou ever be, On thy brow the eagle nests, Atr thy base the peasant rest*, Hound thee freemen, patriots, dwell, Jilea that love thee tinowdon well I i ot the AliiS, Italia's pride, j Nor the Appenine beside, Nor the patriot rocks of TELL, Please idiy fancy half so well \I Tyrants now those rocks possess, Tyrants all the land distress. Like the giant of the skies £ n (radon's mighty summits rile; As on Orellana s aide, B.) i h (mr terror and our pride, 3 he mountains raise ttwir monstrous form And repel the wintry storm These ar-e thirds that plainly show T'nat wbich mau should ever know: lie who foriuM1 this mighty mass, .Also made the btade of grass j lie who form'tf the day anil nighf, Cave Tlie ea;ie stren^li of sigbl He who bar creation be, Shaped the leaf of ev'ry tree, Atui throughout creation's chain, Notti ng has he made in vain! Tremadoc. D.

D ESCRIPTIO CANIS YENATICI. C] clierwyn, ci coler-aur, Pa su? na thai ei bwys aur, Xr ho?r rodd ir eryr grii2 t It, Yw gwiw ti!«i gafaelgaeth •, Jleilydd ar f^nydd yw fo, Huflel chwyrn deliwch arno, Ennitlfaes egwyhllaes gwiw, Cetiau hoewdlws cyrihedliw, Chwimwth gefii^rwth ysarnr) r, Ceiffi-an aU) croen earw a phryf Ci glew-a dyn lew i lawr Call fib Ilatiiaidd cawellfawr, Crwra chrwyn am bob croen a cbig, Hudsl yvv am hoerlJ ewig. Jlstjwr iwrch was .Ià ei ryw, 4 roi nald ar wauu ydyw: Bgriwr mat blardd daeraidd dig, Gwtydsu yn garedig; Ci addwyn rraíi ymddwyn frest, Ffartd mtwn pa if a fforest, To ei yatan hoyw rym hynf, Trwyadl ydyw mewn troiwyiit <?was gwaedlyd wiw esffudlam, all gwynt fod pvnf ei gaui} y "Fo yw'r gwalcb a feia ar gwu X I^e del och a rial ollwn J\y wyd poh tjwjllf a biau, Oní ifj i wybr neu ffau. D v rai ond i adeohyn, Ymbrofl ar gwjsgi gwyn, O chlyw roi lteru-#chlaw'r Ilwyn. Taer o goed ty'r ei ga ,.wyn, Liyna glod gwr llawen laD. lle^v ifanjrr or jrynllyfan Ai g-erdddlad williad weitd, A- ronyn or ewinedd, J'un swydd fydd hela fenswo, A tiial cei ditbau o hwn. W. LLYN.

STATE- IDY PARTIES. JbriHgt&from Redhead Yorke's Political Review] THE lethargy of the Spanish councils, the reverses of their arms, unbalanced by a single instance of ood fortune. the disappointment of the pifhlic espc-clations on the failure of the e\peciition to the Scheldt the suspension and delicate-nature of our relations with the United States of America; the late divisions in the cabinet; the alarming state of iusubor- • dination into which the East Indian army has ifalleti the hopekss condition of the conti- nent of Europe;; together with many other considerations, -,forcibly call us to iiiake auirl- trospection into our domestic affairs, that we; may form some idea whither we are going, and by whom our national energies arete be henceforward directed. No nation was ever placed in a predicament of greater, and more multiplied difficulties; nor was there ever a period, when solid, experienced, and vigorous intellects were so necessary to watch over the public interests, as at present. By eollecitirig around him, and by employing in the-service of the state, all the genius, ability, and zeal of Frenchmen, the ruler of France, hasbeen nni- formly successful iu all his enterprizes. He has made fortune itself obedient to his con- centration of mental energy and even upon the supposition that such a sagacious policy had not been attended with success and tri- umph, he would have escaped the reproach of his subjects, because they would have fslt that he had eoitted no means of ensuring them.— When a government holds out e ii courage iiietit! to men of ullderslandiug when it becomes f itself the patron of such persons; they witi not naturally rally around it; they will not: strive to-repaji with usury the patronage ex. n .1 tended to them; and the probabilities are in favour 6f thatirtate which is thus intellectu- ally and vigorously kolden. Bu this is not the only advantage which t4icy enjoy; foi they are sure of being supported, even under ad versity, by public confidence. Who has for- gotten the unsuccessful issue of the late Mr. Pitt's efforts, during the moments of great, and unexampled dilfictiflies t Have we not seen a rebelltofl in the sister kingdom, :»nd a clandes- tine confederacy incuacing- the tranquility of: this country, at the same time, while the -Hank slopt ils payment, a mutiny broke out in tiit fleet, as;d theencmy had vanquished all our' allies, threatening its hourly ii-itl) invasion Of all the calamities which can befal states, I know of none so alarming as these. It has been mentioned above, that the un- interrupted successes of France, are, in a !rcal degree, owing to the encourage^neiit which her government has afforded to men of -aVili-- ties. A question therefore naturally suggests itself, which is susceptible of a very uwUjise 1 answer, upon this occasion. Every "rational man will answer, by the same propx, quatin- cations, and means being resorted to by ber adversaries. But this is not the opinion of the other continental cabinets; at leant they bave not adcd IIpon it. On the contrary, they have pursued a course so systematically the reverse, that if they had not all been beaten to the ground by the French, I gti-ould ntft have besit-.ited to have pronounced that the government of France wascomposed of a band of pitiful drivellers. However, there is no drivelling in the French system nor do we discover among them the slightest traits of imbecility or dotage;—iiothing like crossing and jostling; uo -preference to titled or weallhy ideotcy no squabbles for the loaves and fishes; no political pratings three or four hours long to badger an opponent into silence, by stupifying his senses into steep in fine, no jockeying to uphold the government or a system. They say little, but they do much. From the marshat down to the corporal; from the minister of state down to the custom-house officer, every one knows his business. What is the result ? Activity, vigileuce, energy, promptitude, unily of will and action in pub- lic measures, and success their infallible at- tendant. But look at the other governments. Divisions, jealousies, engendering embarrass- ments ift council and in action; imbecility covered with the hoar of antiquated preju- dices; languor and despondency, incapable of invention and foresight, appealing to pre- cedents, and daring to expect that genius, ta- lents, and public spirit, will be proud to at- tend at their beck, to prop their declining feebleness, and to make amende for their poverty of intellect by a vigorous display uf their own energies. These reasonings, and these melancholy facta, do not imlily that an administration is to run up aod down a country, to beat up for recruits; nor do they suppose, that every man of abilities would be brought intc the public service, by such metoi, But if the administration itself be composed of intelli- gent, honest, and puMjfc-tpirited individuals, men of capacious aod vigorous intellects would be attracted to ttiem as naturally as sleel is to-f-he loadstone. We know that there cannot be room for all, however great their claims ma) be; but, upon the whole, there! will always be found a suthcieucy of talent to manage publicatfairs., We have now observed the causes of those calamitous effects which have befallen the continental governments, and perhaps, I may be asked, whrt have their faults to do with the state of parties in England ? To this I answer, more thall i, generally imagined; for in the first place, the condition ofthe conti- nent has been always made the touchstone by which we arc called upon i.ojudge of the me- rits of our ministers t an din the next, because the example fur.sisited by the ruined states of Europe, of the fatal effects of feeble, divided, and selfish councils, applies most forcibJy to our country, which is at this time, the prev of discordaut parties. It must not besupposed that the governments of the continent were without their parties also. They were rent by parties; there have ever been a party for peace, and a party for war; a party for alli- ances, and a party against them a party tor sharing with the freebooter in the plunder of the world, and a party for remaining indiffe- rent spectators of its devastation. Each of these has had its chiefs and its adherents, public spirited and seifish. There has been no communion of principles, none of (interest, consequently, none of will and action. But their collisions led to secret cabals at court, and to a want of concert ui all public operati- ons—tne people, became the victims of the scitistiucss oi their rulers. Having before our eyeo auch palpable evi- dences, it behoves us to look at home, and I to inquire into the respective pretensions of the different parties which now, in their struggle for power, divide the interests and wishes of the people, it is not my intention, however, to brandish a weapon against the utility of parties in a popular governmenf. But, there is a line of demarkation beyond which a party spirit ought not to be carried and it is our province to watch over its pro- gress, that we may be able to decide, whether any, or which existing party, be deservedly z, entitled to the confidence of the nation. l

Lf2VORMOUS SNAKE DESTROYED. We had gone through mud and water, the negro looking every way with an uncommon degree of vivacity and attention, when, starting behind me, he catted out, 16 me see snakee and inetfect there lay the ani- mal, rolled up under the failing leaves and rubbish of the trees and so well covered, that ft was -some tiiiie before I distincttv per- ceived ttte head of this monster, distant from me above sixteen feet, moving its forked; ■tongue, while its eyes, from their uncommon brightness, appeared to emit sparks of fire-- ii now, resting my piece upon a branch, for the purpose of taking asurer aim, fired; but missing the head, the ball went through the body, when the animal struck round, and with such astonishing force as to cut away all the underwood aroundtmn with the facility; of a scythe mowing g-Tirts; and uouncing his tail, caused the mud and dirt to fly over our, heads to a considerable distance. Of this proceeding however we were not torpid speci tators, but took to our heels, and crouded into the canoe. I now found the snake a little removed from his former station, but very quiet, with his head as before, lying out among the fallen leaves, rotten bark, and old moss. I fired at t immediately, but with no better success than the olhrr time; and now, being butslightly wounded, he sent up such a ctoud ot dust and dirt, as I never saw-btit in a whirlwind, and made us once more suddenly retreat—Having once nrore discovered the snake, we discharg- ed %ttth our pieces at once and with this good effect-that he was now by one of us shot through the head. David, Avlra was made, successfu I conclusion, ran leaping witlnjtfy and lost no time inJbr'nig-j ing the boat rope, in rurderlo drug him dtmn to the canoe; but this again proved not a very easy under-t-tfk-ing, since the creature, not-s withstanding its being mortally wounded, still continued to writhe and twist about in such a manner as rendered him dangerous for any person !to alil)rotcli The negro, how- ever, having made a running '-noose on the Tope, after-some fruitless atlempts to uiake an approach, threw it over his head with much Sextetity ? and now, all taking 'hold of the rope, we dragged him to the beach, and tied hir1110 the stern of the canc/b, to take him in tow. Being still alive, he kept swimming like an eel; aad I having no relish for such a ,tiiil)init,- on board, whose length (notwith- standing, to my astonishment, all the negroes ùedaloeâit to 'I)c but a young one came to its half growth) 1 found upon measuring it to be twenty two feet and some inches; and its thickness about that of my black boy QuacQ, who might then be abwst twelve years old, and round whose waist I --itice,nicasured the creature's skin. 61 The negro David having -^climbad npa tree with the end ofa rope, let it down over a strong forked bough, and the other negroes hoisted upthe snake, and suspended hini from the tree. This done, David with a sharp knife between his teeth, now leftitlic tree, and clung fast upon the monster, which was still twisting and began his operations by ripping it up, and stripping down the skin as he descended. Though I perceived that the animal was no longer able to do him any injury, 1 confess 1 could not without emotion see a man stark naked, black and bloody, clinging with arms and legs round the slimy and yelliving mon- ster. This labour, however, was not without its use, since he not only dexterously finished the operation, but provided me, besides the skin, with aibove four gallons of fine clarified fat, or rather oil, though there was wasted perhaps as much mote. When I signified my surprise to see the linake still living, after he was deprived of his intestine* aod skin, Cara- maco, the old negro, whether from experience or tradition, assured me he would not die till after sun-set. This wonderful creature in the colony of Surinam is called Abonia. Its length, when full grown, is said to be sometimes forty feet, and more than four feet in circumference; its colour is a greenish black on the back, a fine brownish yellow on the sides, and adirty white under the belly: the back and sides being spotted with irregular black rings, with a pure white in the middle. Its head is broad and flat, small iu proportion to the body, with a large meuth, and a double row of teeth it has two bright prominent eyes is covered all over with scales, some about the size of a shilling; and under the body, near the tail, armed ttith two strong flaws like coca- spurs to help i illseizlIlg its prey. It is an amphibi- otis animal, that is it delights in low and marshy places, where it lies coiled up like a rope, and concealed under moss, rotten tim- Iller. and dried leaves, to seize its prey by sur- prise, which, from its immense bulk, it is not active enough to pursue. When hungry, it will devour any animal that comes withm its reach, and is indifferent whether it isa sloth, a wild boar, a stag, or even a tiger; round which having twisted itself by the help of its claws, so that the creature cannot escape, it breaks, by its irresistible force every bone in the aninufls body, which it then covers over with a kind of slime or slaver from its mouth to make it slide and at last gradually sucks it in, till it disappears; alter this, the Abonia cannot shift its situation, on account of the great knob or knot which the swallowed prey occasions in that part of the body, where it lists till it is disgested tor till then it would hinder the snake from slidingjalong theground. During that time the A boma wants no other subsistence. I have been toid ot negroes be- ing devoured by this animal, and am disposed to credit the account; for. should they chauct to come withiu ttt reach wbem budgry) it would as certainly leizethem as -amy other animal. The bite of this suake is said not to be vene- tnous; nor do I believe it bites at all from any other impulse than hunger."—Stcdmart's ,Eo,pedition,flo $urinant, Vol. 1. p. 170.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND tEFLECTtON* ON FASIWON AND DRESS. Exti-aeted fi-ora the First Nzimber of flte New fics of ha Bcltte Asstmblee. In addition to the observations for the fire* sent Inonth, we have to present our fair read- ers wiPh a description of the several Court- dresses worn at the Drawing-room, on the birth-day of ollr beloved Majesty the Queen. A long course of experience, and a series of the most attentive observation, have fully convinced irs, that singularity and extrava- gance in attire are by no means the character" istics of women of rank. Fashion with the-1ft is seldom seen to exceed the buuods of nature ,o,r of grace, at least among those who possess a good taste, and are therefore the truest standards for style and elegance. It is an ex- cessive ambition of novelty, and a too I;rgst cagei -jturrasliionaiiioti,ibeaSueok.*M leads to eccentricity and produce* MMcntet. Sweetness and modesty, with innocence, deli* cacy, and sensibility, render a youthful feiral* the most object iu nature these g-oord qualities of the mind should be net forth in the person by a neatness marked with Cleo gnc-e, simplicity combined with grace A too conspicuous attire, wilh a superabundance of decoration, puts to (lightevery charm, and i robs tbe senses of every tender emotion. TbO timid sensitive plant recedes only from the touch i bad it sensibility, it would shrink alike from observation. The suo bursts oof upon us at once in all its splendour, but re* serves till its meridian his brightest rays who, from the great parterre, would selict the gaudy tulip, and reject from his bosom the modest lily, the humble violet, or the blushing rose ? As the noblest piles are »up* (Iort-ed by pillars of the simplest architecture, so the daughters of nobility, the props of our most ancient houses, exhibit in their person5 the least of decoration. Having selected a variety of the most fl- shiouahle dresses, we have only a few remark! to make upon their more particular form.- Pelisses are made to the shape of a watking length, to fit without a band. Fur trimming* have taken place of gold and coloured edg* ings. White muffs aud tippets uow distinguish the woman of fashion boots must be edgcti with sable. Mauttes are made longer and wider, trimmed with broad sable or swans- 'down; they have arm-holes, which, when not required, are buttoned with three small buttons; this is a great convenience, as it prevents the frequent exposure of the chest. Morning dresses are made high in the neck, with lace let in on the bosom, in the forts of a festoon of flowers, or a bouquet, composed of the most delicate needle work and lace# the sleeves arc worked with small spriggs to correspond plain cambric is now preferre4 to the-Freucb cord. The sashes are of mus- lin, edged wirh lace. Trains are fasiiiotiablep but short dresses for convenience, are more general. Yellow Morocco shoes, with a small bunch of jonquilles worn in a lace cap with 3. full border, tied with a yellow handkerchief render this a most becoming dress. Dinner dresses are mostly made of cloth of stuff, high in the neck, with a failing collar of fine embroidered muslin or frill of iare A bouquet of natural flowers in coloured em- broidery on the bosom, worked round the arm-holes, with a wreath to correspond long sleeves with lace cuffs. In the evening, or full-dress, the gown, are mostly made in the frock form, the sleeves long, and the waist much sliorte-r, Grace and nature have once more resumed their cio. pire, consequently the long st,ays arc wholly exploded. Satins, velvets, gossamer gauses, and coloured crapes are much worn, but line India muslins, embroidered round the bottom, accord best with the nymph-like air of out youthful belles, with bouquets in the bosom, and flowers on the head placed a-la-Daphn6. Smaii silk jackets, edged with lace, are iike- i!l, silO (J 'Y etegant. Tiara caps, persion, of Siciiiaa turbanv, or silver gause or muslin, artf the prevailing ornaments for the iK'fld. The neck continues I., be partially covered, a small lace handkerchie!' thrown over ri shoulder. Satin aud swansdo-vn tippets slill very fashionable, as are while satil c<> aud mautles, trimmed with swausduwu. l:l\ arc very generally wuru. t)