Origin of the name of the Ship "Le Bon Homme Richard." -The late Capt. John Paul Jones, at the time he was attempting to fit out a little squadron during the Revolutionary War, in one of the ports of France, to cruise on the coast of England, was much delayed by neglects and disappointments from the Court, that had nearly frustrated his plan. Chance one day threw into his hands an old Almanack, containing Poor Richard's Maxims, by Dr. Franklin. In that curious assemblage of useful instructions, a man is advised, "if he wishes to have any business faithfully and expedi tiously performed, to go and do it himself;-otherwise to send." Jones was immediately struck upon reading this maxim, with the impropriety of his past conduct in only sending letters and messages to Court, when he ought to have gone in person. He instantly set out, and by dint of personal representations procured the immediate equipment of the squadron, which afterwards spread terror along the Eastern coasts of England, and with which he so gloriously captured the Serapis, and the British ships of War returning from the Baltic. In gratitude to Dr. Franklin's maxim, he named the principal ship of his squadron after the name of the pretended almanack maker, Le Bon Homme Richard, Father Richard.

An Indian Trap.-Among the first settlers of Brunswick, Me. was Daniel Malcolm, a man of undaunted courage, and an inveterate enemy of the Indians, who gave him the name of Sungurnumby, i. e. very strong man. Early in the spring, he ventured alone into the forest for the purpose of splitting rails from the spruce, not apprehensive of Indians so early in the season. While engaged in his work, and having opened a log with small wedges about half its length, he was surprised by Indians, who crept up and secured his musket, standing by his side. "Sungurnuinby," said the chief, "now me got you; long me want you; you long speak Indian, long time worry him; me have got you now; look up stream to Canada."-"Well," said Malcolm, with true sang froid, "you have me; but just help me open this log before I go." They all, five in number, agreed. Malcolm prepared a large wooden wedge, carefully drove it, took out his small wedges, and told the Indians to put in their fingers to the partially clefted wood,and help pull it open. They did: he then suddenly struck out his blunt wedge, and the elastic wood instantly closed fast on their fingers, and he secured them.

Literary Notices.

The first number of “The Philadelphia Museum, or register of natural history and the arts,” has just issued from the Museum press of Philadelphia. The object of the work, in the lauguage of the Editor is, “ to diffuse a taste for the study of natural history, as well as those delightful arts which contribute so much to the improvement and gratification of the mind."

Washington Irving is reported to have collected materials for a new work during his late tour in Germany.

Another highly important work respecting Napoleon is soon to appear-the Journal of Dr. Antomarchi, who was the physician appointed after the departure of Mr. O'Meara, and who attended Napoleon in his last moments. It is said some extraordinary particulars relating to the Emperor will be divulged in this work.

The well known and learned Julius Klaproth, whose travels in the Caucasus and Georgia appeared some years since, and who accompanied a Russian embassy to China, is preparing for publication, from new and authentic materials, a Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Description of the Empire of China and its Dependencies.

A collection of the Reports of Bow-Street cases, made for the newspapers, is about to be published with illustrative engravings.

A compilation of all the Memoirs relating to the Duke da Enghien, translated from the French, is soon to appear.

An Opp TITLE.—A book has been recently published at Philadelphia, having the following title:

MIRTH FOR MIDSUMMER.
MERRIMENT FOR MICHALMAS,
CHEERFULNESS FOR CHRISTMAS,

LAUGHTER FOR LADY-DAY, Forming a collection of Parlour POETRY, and drawingroom DRÓLLERY, suitable for all Seasons ; and supplying smiles for SUMMER, amusement for AUTUMN, wit for WINTER, sprightliness for SPRING. Mirth--Merriment--Cheerfulness—Laughter.

JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY.

MRS. ROWLANDSON. The attention that, within the few last years, has been bestowed on the more minute parts of our early history, is highly commendable. It has a higher and better purpose, than merely to satisfy a vain curiosity; it connects itself with the best feelings of our nature, and serves to raise in our estimation the character of those from whom we are descended. It is the historian's duty to describe national character in the aggregate ; and general, and sweeping outlines, are all that are required at his hands. But our province, though more humble, is, we confess, not without its pleasure ; it is for us to treasure up for the use of the future historian, and to set forth in detail whatever

may

illustrate the peculiarities of character, situation and conduct, that so strongly marked our ancestors, and distinguished them from the rest of the world. The more critically we examine these particulars, the more shall we admire the courage, and perseverance that accompanied them. The situation of the early settlers, was of no ordinary kind; it

; was full of gloomy doubt, of continually impending danger, of actual and intense suffering. A plain representation of these, without any aid of the imagination, might almost pass for an interesting, though highly wrought fiction. Something like an-air of romance hangs about them, and we almost forget that they once existed in sad and painful reality. The wide spread and surrounding wilderness, the length and inclemency of the winters, a climate constant only in change, slender settlements, scattered habitations, together with the continual dread of Indian hostility, combined to render their situation perilous, full of anxiety and distress, and at the same time, served to form characters, that stood forth in bold and manly proportions.

Even in a time of peace, their security was often more fancied than real, for their savage enemy, like some nations,

а

high in the scale of civilization, regarded treaties only as a fit opportunity to gather up their strength, and ripen their plans, in order to strike a more effectual and deadly blow. Their approach was noiseless, like the pestilence that walketh in darkness; and a dwelling wrapt in flames, or a family barbarously murdered and scalped, were usually the first intimation of their appearance.

In war, peculiar caution seemed necessary on the part of the settlers. Osttimes the husbandman going forth to the peaceful labours of the field, was laid prostrate by an unseen hand. The quiet of the sabbath, the calm scenes of domestic life, the sleep of the cradle, were broken by the horrid sound of the war-hoop, bringing death and desolation in its notes. Frequently death itself, was in comparison a happy fate, and so did the poor captive deem, when dragged from the scenes and employments of domestic life, and surrounded by a gloomy wilderness, and a cruel foe. Looking back, he might behold the dead bodies of those he held most dear, and the consuming fire, that numbered his habitation amongst the waste places; while before him the prospect of lasting servitude, removed far away all consolation ; or the cruel preparations, or the actual and intense suffering of torture, reduced life itself to one protracted scene of agony, and made the cold embrace of death seem like the greeting of a beloved and affectionate friend.

Many of our border towns suffered extremely from Indian warfare. In some instances, almost all the dwelling houses were destroyed, and such of the inhabitants as escaped death or captivity, were forced to take shelter in places of greater strength and security. In the following article, we purpose giving some account of the captivity of Mrs. Mary ROWLANDSON, of Lancaster, Mass., making, ad libitum, extracts from the narrative of her various "removes” as set forth under her own hand. Few of our towns ever suffered more than Lancaster from the incursions of the savages. A great number of the inhabitants, at successive times, were either destroyed or led away captives. At the time of which we write, the town was utterly deserted, and four years. elapsed before it was again settled : such was the dismay that struck into the hearts of the inhabitants.

Previous to the year 1675, most of the Indian tribes dwelling within the limits of New England, from New Hampshire to Connecticut, had formed a combination against the English. They felt that this might, and probably would, be

their last and most desperate struggle; that if defeated, they might retreat into the wilderness, while success on their part would compel the English to quit these shores.

The plot seems to have been well and carefully laid, and was ripening apace. The attack was to have been simultaneous from Cochecho to the Narraganset country; but the disclosure of the conspiracy to the English by a friendly Indian,* forced the enemy to a war, for which they were not fully prepared, and the want of concert and system thus occasioned, contributed very materially to their final overthrow.

Metacom, son of Massasoiet of Pokanoket, better known by the name of King Philip, was the principal agent in planning the war and hastening the commencement of hostilities. The inimical disposition he had for a long time felt to the English now burst forth into open violence-odia in longum jaciens quae reconderet auctaque promeret. Finding that his intrigues had been discovered, as the only means of safety, he was forced into a state of actual war in a great measure unprepared. The other Indian tribes, surprised at this unexpected discovery, and at the conduct of Philip, while equally unprepared for war, were compelled to join him in his attempts against the English.

In this state of things, on the 10th of February, (O. S.) 1675, early in the morning, Philip, with several hundred Indianst under his command, made an attack upon Lancaster. They approached in five several parties, and began their work of destruction at the same time in as many different places, setting fire to a number of buildings and murdering many of the inhabitants. After destroying other parts of the town, they came to the garrisoned house belonging to

* John Sausaman, a praying Indian, was the person who disclosed to the English the conspiracy of Philip. The information he gave, cost him his life. He was met, not long after by three or four Indians on a frozen pond, where they knocked him down and put him under the ice, leaving his gun and hat upon the ice, to make the English believe, that he accidentally fell in and was drowned. When the body was found and taken up, the wounds appeared on his head. An Indian happened to be on a hill at a distance and saw the murder committed: he concealed it for some time, but at length discovered it. The murderers were apprehended, and tried at Plymouth, on the Indian's testimony and other ciscumstances, were convicted and executed. The murderers,it was said, were employed by Philip, who, by their detection, was obliged to commence hostilities prematurely.

+Consisting of a part of his own tribe, and some of the Nipnets and Nashawas.