importance, it may wound his opinion, the authors and publishpride. So are men also prone er, are entitled to the thanks, as to attach very great consequence well as the patronage of the public. to the individuals of their town, The mechanical execution of who were justly entitled to the the work, does credit to Mess'rs. appellation of local greatness. If Storrs and Totten, the Printers of the work does not speak of them it; and the Publisher has put it as they could wish, or passes their at a price so reasonable, that it memories over in silence, vanity may be obtained by every reader perhaps, may receive a severe who wishes to acquire useful wound. knowledge, at a moderate expence. Ed. These remarks are made to shew the difficulty of the undertaking; indeed, it is obvious to PRINTING-THE ART OF ARTS. every one. The plan of the work, The discovery of the art of Printis, to the writer, a novel one. ing, in about the middle of the fifOther Gazetteers, merely afford teenth century, forms an important the reader a knowledge of the era in the progress of the human local situation of places--this mind, from the darkness of ignodescribes the nature and produc-rance, to the light of knowledge. tions of their soil-the number It paved the way for the Reformaand kind of manufactories-in- tion, which commenced in the begin deed, an ample statistical view. ning of the sixteenth century, and Could the American reader, be which has been progressing ever furnished with a Gazetteer of since. This art, which, in its ineach state, upon the plan which fancy, conveyed knowledge in rude the Authors have furnished him and misshapen characters, has now with those of Connecticut and Rhode Island, it would be an invaluable acquisition. It would be as vain, as impossible for us to attempt to guide public opinion in regard to this, or any other publication; but, from what examination the writer has been enabled to give it, we frankly declare that, in our arrived, it would seem, almost to perfection. Our country, at this time, may perhaps, claim the honour of manufacturing the finest and most elegant Type, and producing the most accomplished Printers in the world. Even the Edinburgh Reviewers, after vainly attempting to depreciate the excellence of our great national Epic, BARLOW's CoLUMBIAD, confess, that if their trans fast in literature, as they have in book-printing, they have reason to tremble for their literary superiority. Possibly, they may one day, have to yield the palm in both. Atlantic brethren gain upon them as editor of this publication, being unacquainted practically, with the Art of Printing, obtained the certificate of experienced Printers, in regard to its excellence. Since that time, this Press has been essentially improved, and is composed almost wholly of Iron. Prefering the opinion of those who know its value, to those who do not, I present the following account of this Press, from the printers of Goldsmith's Poems, as far preferable to my own. Ed. "Perhaps it may be deemed high ground. after the deserved reputation which Mr. Clymer's Presses have acquired; but we are nevertheless of the opinion (and we have witnessed the operations of both for more than two years,) that Mr. Wells' Press excels his. The constructioDofit is more simple and compact, and its impression is very powerful and even. These remarks, are made in consequence of having before me an Edition of GOLDSMITH'S Poems, recently published in Hartford, by Mr. SAMUEL G. GOODRICH, and printed by Mess'rs. STONE and LINCOLN. Its beauty, as it regards Paper, Type, and Impression, is surpassed by no publication we have seen, recently imported from Europe, or executed in America. We are charmed, to In order that a proper estimate of the the very excess of delight, in see-power of this press may be formed, it may ing these inimitable productions of not be improper to subjoin a short description of it. The frame, platten, and the Beloved Goldsmith," appear several other parts, are of cast iron; and the weight of the cast and wrought iron, from a Connecticut Press, in a shape is about 1500lbs. The power is obtainas elegant, as his effusions are cap-ed by two upright levers, footing in the tivating. centre of the platten; within a strong circle upon the plate. These levers are The Engravings, executed by the fifteen inches in length, one and three fourths of an inch square in the body, and "Graphic Company," justify the ex-four inches wide at the ends. They move pectations already raised, in favour of the genius and skill of that association of accomplished artists. In short, the Publication docs great credit to the enterprising Publisher-the correct Printers the ingenious Engravers-and serves the patronage of every lover of genius and taste. Ed. in sockets of the semicircle of half an inch!; falling back in the centre, two inches from a perpendicular line; this admits of the rising of the platten. They are governed in this joint, and forced nearly to a straight line, by two horizontal levers, attached in connection with the arm or bar, to the back part of the press; which, in gaining the power, are brought nearly to a straight line. The platten is raised by a de-spindle, suspended upon a balance lever, by a balance weight. It is governed in its movements by grooves, attached to the inner edge of the body of the press. WELLS' PRINTING PRESS. In our first Number, we attempted to attract the attention of the public, to the admirable Printing Press, invented by Mr. JOHN I. WELLS, of Hartford. The The manner of hanging the tympan, and securing the girths, is also new. Every part exposed to friction is steeled. The present prices of these Presses, are from 325 to 350 dollars, as they are for size, which we think cheap, considering the cost of the iron, the amount of labour together with their ease and durability."" In addition to this unequivocal evidence in favour of this first of implements in the first of arts, we have seen a number of articles in the Daily and Weekly journals, from abroad of the same import. nery in the "Art of Arts." It is left for a discerning-a generous public to reward merit according to its deserts. By the public, we do not mean our Legislators. Our coffers are not yet groaning with the In a preceding article in this Number, weight of gold, like those of Alexander; headed "American Artists," the produc-nor can it be poured at pleasure by our tion of a genius of the first water, Clymer's rulers. We call upon the Printers of ConPress, is spoken of in terms of the highest commendation, and the munificence of a foreign potentate, eulogized in eloquent strains. While we rejoice in the reputation and the fortune acquired by one American artist, we claim for a citizen of Connecticut, a superiour rank-we claim for JOHN I. WELLS, the reputation of having produced the master piece of machi necticut, to begin the grateful task of rewarding one of our own citizens, and of showing the world, that they are not always to prefer that which is "dear bought and far-fetched"—and that they will no longer seek abroad for that which is produced in greater perfection at home. Ed. INCORRIGIBLE ODDITY. THE character of austerity is per occasions, is surely a shining generally attributed to the clergy. ornament in the clerical character. It is justly applied to that profession The following occurrence, founded in papal countries, where the inso-upon fact, shews the danger of an lent arrogance of priests, is in ex- improper resort to it— act proportion to the stupid ignorance of the people. But in our Republic, where knowledge is so generally diffused--where freedom of thought, and of speech is so perfectly enjoyed--where the rights of conscience are and will be inalienable, it is totally in vain, for that profession to excite awe or veneration, by imperious carriage, or mysterions pretensions. They can excite respect only by blameless lives, and a miable manners. Levity is certainly a blot in their charcters; but, humour, properly chastened by dignity, and exercised upon pro for The first settled minister in Conn. was a man of distinguished science, and of the most unblemished morals. He loved his flock bet ter than he did their fleeces, and they mingled love with respect him. But he was so outrageously odd, in his private intercourse, and public administrations, that it was calculated to counteract the effect of his pious and moral instruction. His breth ren of the church often "dealt with him," in regard to his oddity. He affirmed, that he was wholly insensible of any oddity in they assured the divine, that they had giv his manners or language, and would en up all their objections but one, and endeavour to reform. But the pro-ed-" Well brethren, what is that one obthat was too serious an one to be slightpensity was too strong to be yielded, jection? Why, Sir, in looking over the and rather increased. The neigh- Psalms, we find very often right in the bouring clergymen, who held middle of one, the word P-A-U-S-E, and him in the highest estimation, ex- we cannot find that word in the Bible." horted him to correct himself, in this objection, he said he would try to obWithout exposing the ridiculousness of regard to his facetiousness and hu-viate it. "You read brethren, that the mour, but all in vain. A council Lord saved David from the paw of the was finally called, to see what mea-Lion, do you not?" Certainly," ansures could be taken to reform swered they. "You also read that he saved him from the paw of the Bear.” “We brother It ended in the do." "Well, bretheren does not the paw most cordial manner; and the cler- of the Lion and the paw of the Bear make gyman declared that, by divine as- P-A-W-S?" "O certainly, Sir, and sistance, he would endeavour to di- we object to Doct. Watts' Psalms no vorce from his head and heart, every thought and word that went astray. The council requested him to close the interesting interview with a prayer. He complied; and after returning thanks for numerous bles-ticle, is from the pen of a genius, sings enjoyed-and for the exces-to whom the world is indebted sively agreeable interview they had more." BOTHERATION. [The following humorous ar just brought to a close-" And final- for speculations as profound as ly," exclaimed he, "may we so hitch this is facetious. The expressive our horses together in this world, word, Bother, is in very frequent that we may all meet together in the stables of salvation, in the world to come-Amen " “Brother—, brother said the moderator, thou art incor rigibly odd." WATTS' PSALMS. use, even among the gentry. When a lady is persecuted by the intrusive officiousness of a host of Popinjays or Dandies, she beseeches them not to bother her. The Physician and Lawyer, when the infallibility of their opinions It will be recollected by many who are now living, that these inimitable versions of the Psalms of David, were strongly opposed by those who admired the version and practice is doubted, pettishof Tate and Brady and Sternhold and Hopkins. A worthy clergyman in Con-ly declare, they will not be bothernecticut, felt extremely anxious to intro-ed by ignoramusses. No one sufduce Watts into his congregation. It was strenuously opposed by many of the mem-fers more from botheration, than bers of his church. The sagacious divine the Editor of a public journal. knew the difficulty of combating preju dice, and that when men adopt a notion He may well say, I have been bothwithout reasons, they cannot be reasoned out of it. He humoured them in the following ered, I am bothered--I shall be bothlaughable manner. He called upon them to show their objections to Doct. Watts' ered; and in the midst of this bothPsalms, and said if he could not obviate eration, he certainly has a right them, he would no longer urge the use of this version. After long examination, occasionally, to bother his readers. out of pure revenge. in not being able to find its derivation from a Latin. We say grieved, because,however elegant the reader may find its grammatical variations in the English, they would be far more beautiful in this language, as may be seen in the following declension, supposing it to be a Sing. Plu. Nom. Bother, Botheras, Voc. Bother, &c. Bothero, поип. Or, as in 2d. declension, Nom. Botherum, Gen. Botheri, Dat. Bothero, This word, which has hitherto been kept in obscurity, and only heard in dram-shops and brothels, has lately been brought forward by high authority, and assumes a place in the most important records of our country. It may therefore be proper to inquire into its grammatical construction, search for its Etymology, and assign for it a pro-As a verb, Botherare, per rank in our American vocabulary; and surely a word of such sounding majesty, and high import, There is a word in our English, (to say nothing of the great charac-derived, we presume, from the old ter who has adopted it,) deserves a Saxon, which very much resembles most conspicuous one. I begin by conjugating--Inf. Bother, Ger. Both ering, Part. Bothered. Plu.—You might, should, could, or would have Bothered him, them, or his knightship. Botheravi, Acc. Botherum; &c. Botheratum-which exceeds our Botheration. our new adopted dissyllable. We mean Botcher. This word signifies, as every one knows, a bad or clumsy workman; one who does not understand his business ; but, whether this can have any application to the parties here concerned, we leave the wise and learned to determine; and will conclude this essay by congratulating the lovers of improvement, on this elegant and important accession to our language. Good LOGOS. EDITOR'S CLOSET. This Number completes the first half The importance of the sound and signification, will be prettily increased by turning it into a noun, thus-volume of the RURAL MAGAZINE and Botheration. FARMER'S MONTHLY MUSEUM. deep solicitude-it has been prosecuted In searching for its Etymology, we acknowledge we are at a loss. We cannot accurately determine the root whence it is derived. We were in favour of the Greek Bothros,nishes some evidence that it has been favourably received. Other publications of which signifies a pit or ditch. Now, this kind, are generally the joint labour of if one could get his enemy into a a number of hands. The "assistance of ditch, he might Bother him considera- other gentlemen," was promised, but has bly; but then the difficulty of get-not been realised. The work has been ting him there, would be, as we have it in the gerund, Bothering. ' If it will not attach to a Greek root, we are almost equally grieved We solely furnished by the Editor, except a 13 |