Vandalia Whig and Illinois Intelligencer from Vandalia, Illinois • 3

KENTUCKY RIFLEMEN. We have individuals in Kentucky, kind reader, that even there are considered wonderful adepts in the management ol the rifle. To drive a nail is a common feat, no more thought of hy the Kentuckians than to cut off a wild head, nt a distance of one hundred Others will bark off squirrels one after another, until satisfied with the number procured. Some, less intent on destroying game, can be seen undei night snuff I ing a candle at a distance of fifty yards off hand, without extinguishing it. I have been told that some have proved so expert and cool as to make choice of the eye of a foe at a wonderful distance, boasting beforehand of the sureness of the piece, which has afterwards been fully proved when the head has been examined.

Having resided some years in Kentucky, and having more than once beta witness of rifle sports, I shall present yon with the results of my observation, leaving you to judge how far the rifle shooting is Understood in that state. Several individuals who consider themselves expert in the management of the gun, are often seen to meet for the purpose of displaying their skill; and, betting a trifling sum, put up a target, in the I centre of which a common sized nail is hammered for about two-thirds of its length. The marksmen make choice of what they consider a propel distance, which may be forty paces. Each man cleans the interior of his tube, which is called wiping it, places a ball in the palm of his hand, pouring as much powder from his horn as will cover it. This quantity is supposed to be sufficient for any distance within a hundred yards.

Ashot which comes very close to the nail is considered that of an indifferent marksman; the bending of the nail is, of course, some what better; but nothing less than hitting it right on the head is satisfactory. Well, kind reader, one out of the three shots generally hits the nail; and, should the shooters amount to half a dozen, two nails are frequently needed before each can have a shot. Those who drive the nail have a further trial amongst themselves, and the two best shots out of these generally settle the affair, when all the spoi lsmen adjourn to some house, and spend an hour or two in friendly intercourse; ap pointing, before they part, a day for ano-i tiler trial. This is technically termed Driving the Nail. Harking off Squirrels is a delightful in my opinion requires a greater degree of accuracy than any other.

1 first witnessed this manner of procuring squirrels whilst near the town of Frank fort. The performer was the celebrated Daniel Room We walked out together, and followed the rocky margins of the Kentucky we reached a piece of flat land thickly covered with black walnuts, oaks and hickories. As tile general mast was a good one that year, squirrels were seen gamboling on every tree around us. My companion, a stout, hale athletic in a homespun ing shirt, bare legged, and moccasined, carried a long and heavy rifle, which, as he was loading it, he said had proved effi cient in all his former undertakings, and which he hoped would not fail on this occasion, as he felt proud to show me his skill. The gun was wiped, the powder measuied, the ball patched with six-hundred thread linen, and the charge sent home with a hickory rod.

We moved not a step from the place, for the squirrels were so numerous that it was unnecessa ry Co go ntler them, boon pointed to one of these animals which had observed us and was crouched on a branch about fifty paces distant, and bade me mark well where the ball should hit. lie raised his piece gradually until the head (that being the name given by the Kentuckians to the sight) of the barrel was brought to a line with the spot which he intended to hit. The whip-like report resounded through the woods and along the hills, in repeated echoes. Judge of my surprise when I perceived that the ball had hit the piece of bark immediately beneath the squirrel and shivered it into splinters, the concussion produced by which had killed the animal, and sent it whirling through the air. as if it had been blown up by the expl sion of a powder magazine.

Boon kept up his firing, and before many hours had elapsed, we had procured as many squirrels as we wished; for you must know, kind reader, that to load a rille requires only a moment, and that if it is wiped once after each shot, it will do duty for hours. Since that first interview with our veteran Boon, I have seen many other individuals perform the same feat. I he snuthng ot a candle with a ball, I first had an opportunity ofseeing near the banks of Green river, not far from a large jjigeon roost, to which I had previously made a visit. I heard many reports of guns during the early part of a dark night, and knowing them to be those of rifles, I went towards the spot to ascertain the cause. On reaching the place, I was welcomed by a dozen of (all stout men, who told me they were exercising for the purpose of enabling them to shoot under night at the reflected light from the eyes of a deer or wolf, by torch light.

A fire was blazing near, the smoke of which rose curling among the thick foliage of the trees. At a distance which rendered it scarcely dutinguishable, stood a burning candle, as if intended for an offering to the goddess of night, but which in reality was only ffty yards from the spot on which we ail stood. One man was within a few yards of it, to watch the effect of the shots, as well as to light the candle should it chance to go out, or to replace it should tne shot cut it across. Each marksman shot in his turn. Some never hit either the snuff or the candle, and were congratulated with a loud laugh; while others actually snuffed the candle without putting it out, and were recompensed for their dexterity with numerous hurrahs.

One of them, who was particularly expert, was very fortunate, and snuffed the andle three times out of seven, whilst all the other shots either put out the candle, or cut it immediately under the light. Of the feats performed by the Kentuckians with the rifle, I could say more than might be expedient on the present occasion. In every thinly peopled portion of jMie state, it is rare to meet one without a of that description, as well as a tomahawk. By wny of recreation, they often cut off a piece of the bark of a tree, make a target of it, using a little powder wetted with water or saliva, for the eye. and shoot into the mark all the balls they have about them, picking them out of tinwood Ornithological Biography.

From the Alexandria Gazette FEMALE EDUCATION. The influence of civilization, the di vine precepts of Christianity, and the humanizing consequences of education and letters, have at length elevated the female sex to that rank and station in society which are properly due to loveliness, ex cellence, and virtue. We may well re joice that we live in an age when we daily and hourly experience its effects, in our own persons, in our families, in those nround us, and in society generally. Woman is now no longer the mere slave of to his whims and caprices, and made to be inferior to him, in mental acquirements as well as physical abilities. Nor is she now in the condition in which was placed during the age of chivalry, however superior that may be reckoned (o the other situation of which we have spoken.

All this has passed away, and vve have a new era dawning upon us. full of brightness and promise to that most interesting portion of the human family, on whom are centered so many hopes and cares, and far the largest portion of our affections. The female sex is now regarded as deserving of a more than ordinary share of attention, and as pre-eminently entitled to all the aids of Education which it ie in our power to bestow. Destined to be our and not our partners of our joys, and not the mere subjects of our wills the almoners of comforts, and the assuageis of the griefs incident to our does, indeed, become a matter of passing interest with us, that they should be so trained and nurtured in their youth, as to realize all our fond expectations, and be, in truth, what we know they were intended to last, best gift to The subject of female education is one that has often engaged us, because we delight to dwell upon what is so attractive. There is in it all that can enlist the noble, manly and good feelings of our nature.

It is a study for the most philoso phic mind, never wearisome, but always full of fresh and delightful associations and reflections. Nothing can be more pleasing to a virtuous and reflned than the contemplation of the progressive improvement and increasing know ledge ol the female sex. We believe that for the most part a liberal and correct system of female education prevails in this country; and, although there may be instances where the bullion of useful learning is not valued as highly as the glittering baubles of fashion) and its accomplishments, yet these are ra ilicr exceptions to the general rule, than otherwise. It is for the instructors of our daughters to remember, that those under their care are soon to he wives and take their stations as the herds of families, over which they must preside with dignity, moderation and that hence, there are qualifications and requisites far, far, more important for them to obtain, than the mere polish of fashionable education. Let this truth ever he impressed upon the minds of tlicr young of the other sex.

They will he valued, admired, loved and cherished, hereafter, by their natural protectors, not in proportion to their skill in the ajjcclations that sometimes prevail in society, but just us they are possessed of the homely virtues of good sense, true politeness, ainiableness of temper, and those other trails of character, which so much adorn a woman, even when she has lost the charms of youth and beauty. But let us not he understood as objecting to the introduction of accomplishments into the routine of female education. These, properly received, are the ornaments of the mind, more enduring and more fascinating, too, than the aids which art gives to nature in arranging the outward apparel. The sternest ol the might not disdain to he accompanied by either of the Graces. It is these which complete and perfect the female character, making it all that we could desire it to be, and all which we would wish to have.

AWFUL DISASTER AT SEA. The Mardon, sailed from Newfoundland on the lltli May. On the morning of the 13th of May, in lat. 46 20. long.

45 50, when about 400 mile? from Newfoundland, being completely surrounded with ice, their attention was aroused by hearing a gun fired, shortly after which they described a boat at some distance. The captain instantly hove to, (ill the latter came along side, when he took the individuals in her on board. They reported themselves to be the second mate and.twelve of the crew of the Harvest Home, Captain Hall, of New castle, from London for Miramichi. They informed captain Mardon, that on the 9lh of May, the Harvest Home was struck by a pieceof ice which stove in her hows. All hands were immediately put to the pumps, by which means they succeeded in keeping the vessel afloat for two days, at the expiration of which lime the se cond male and 12 of the crew quilled her in the long boat, the captain and first mate come to the determination of remaining on board.

After they had been out one night, being loath to leave the latter in such a perilous situation, they returned to the vessel and requested the captain and mate to leave her, hut (hey persisted in their determination, they would stick to her while a tim her remained They had, however, got (he jolly boat ready in case the danger should become imminent. The crew having again pushed olf, they became bewildered among the masses of ire, by which they were surrounded and totally uncertain what course to steer. On the next day they again fell in with own vessel, which they had mistaken for another sail. This time they found that the captain and mate had left her. Two of the crew now went on board, ind while they were busy in endeavoring to get more water and pmvisions, saw a boat containing about thirty individuals approaching in an opposite direction; they immediately boarded the vessel having, as subsequently appeared, done so in the hope of succor.

They proved to he the captain and crew, and part ol the passengers (including two females) of the Lady of the Lake, of Aberdeen, bound from Belfast to Quebec, with upwards of 200 passengers on board. Those who had boarded the wreck of the Harvest Home, when they saw the state she was in, with her hold full of water, made a simultaneous rush to return to the boat which was at that moment pushed off and several of them were precipitated into the water. One of them, however, was fortunate enough to make good hU leap info the boat, which contained the crew of the Harvest Home, and has now am ved at Liverpool, in the Lima. He states that the Lady of the Lake struck upon the ice and immediately filled, when the captain and crew took to tne boat, leaving the sinking vessel crowded with the remainder of the despairing and shriek ing passengers to the number of 160 or 170. The crew of the Harvest Home state, that after they left their vessel the last time, they saw nothing more of the other boat.

Several of the individuals who had fallen into the sea when the latter was pushed olF, were drowning, hut ii was impossible for them to render them any Paper. FORMATION OF CHARACTER. A taste lor useful reading is an preservative for vice. Next to the fear of God implanted in the heart, noth ing is a better safeguard than the love ol good books. They are the hand maids of virtue and religion.

They quicken our sense of duty, unfold our responsibilities, strengthen our principles, confirm our habits, inspire in us the love of what is right and useful, and teach us to look with disgust upon what is low, and grovelling, and vicious. It is with good books as it is with prayer; the use ol them will either make us leave oil sinning, or leave off reading them. No vicious man has a fondness lor reading. Arid no man who has a fondness (or this exercise is in much danger of becoming vicious. He is secured from a thousand temptations to which he would otherwise be exposed, lie has no inducement tc squander away nis time in vain amusements, in the haunts of dissipation, or in the corrupting intercourse of bad company.

He has a higher and nobler source of enjoyment to which he can have access. lie can be happy alone; and is indeed never less alone, than when alone. he enjoys the sweetest, the purest, the most improving society, the society of the wise, the great, and the good; and while he holds dehghtlul converse with these, his companions and friends, he grows into a likeness to them, and learns to look down, as from an eminence of purity and light, upon the low-born pleasures of the dissipated and profligate. The high value of menial cultivation is another weighty motive for giving attendance to What is it that mainly distinguishes a man from a brute! Knowledge. What makes the vast dil If.rence theie is between savage and civI zed nations? forms me principal difference between men as they appear1 in the same society? Knowledge.

What raised Franklin from the humble station of a printer's hoy to the first honors of his country? Knowledge. What raised Simpson from the loom, to a place among the first of mathematicians; and Herschcl, from being a poor lifers boy in lire army, to a station among the first of astronomers? Knowledge. Knowledge is power. It is the philosopher's (rue alchemy that turns every thing it touches into gold. It is the sceptre that gives us our dominion over nature: the key that unlocks the store of creation, and opens to us the treasures of the universe.

PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY. We glean the following facts from the report of the Buston Prison Discipline Society: of these are reckoned indulgence of parents, disobedience uncorrected, Sabbath breaking, useless holidays, theatres, had poor housesand prisons, lot eries, especially in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, arc uri incalculable evil. They have had a most debasing influence on the colored people in New York) and the prisons are supplied with about ole third of all their inmates in that city firm this class of persons. They suffer alio, from neglect of education, from contempt, so that they furnish a very hrge proportion of all the convicts. In the Charlestown prison about one sixth of lie convicts are colored; in Wethersfield prison more than one fifth; in that on Bkikwcll's Island about one third, and in tbs female department of the Baltimore pison more than 50oul of 51 females, in Mirch last were colored.

Finally, intemperalre is set down as the immediate exciting cause of about threefourths of the crihes in the These are some of the moral beauties, some of the benign and salutary effects, flowing from the emancipating policy ol the ultra philanthropists. Throughout the whole of the seuthern states, not onefourth of the amount of crimes, depravity, and destitution, he found among their entire slave population. Good fy form one nf large mixed eompatiy, and a diffident stranger enter the room and take his seat among you, say something to him for sake, even although it he only, evening, Do not let him sit bolt upright, suffering all the apprehensions and agonies of bashfulnesi, without any relief. Ask him how he has been, tell him you know his friends so and si. any thing will do to break the icy still ness in which very decent fellows are sometimes, frozen on their dehut before a new circle.

A Thousand Dollars Premium! We call the attention of our talented friends nf Peace to the liberal Premium whir li is ottered by tbe American Peace Society, for tbe best Essay for settling, by the amicable arbitration of a National Congress, instead of resorting to War, all differences which may hereafter arise between Sovereign Powers. The writer of such an Essay will not only entitle him self to the handsome premium ottered: he will enjoy a much higher reward, should I composition produce the happy fleet proposed, in the consciousness of having brought about a system of Peace and Harmony in Society, which will prove an inappreciable blessing to all future Int. Accounts had reached Jamaica of the plan entertained by the British Government for the emancipation the slaves in their colonies, and had been received, as to be expected, with undisguised indignation. It is impossible to convey an idea of the unmeasured abuse heaped upon the originator of the plan, unless we copied the article entire. Some apprehensions are, we presume, entertained of a rising among the negroes, as the 29th June tin? Governor General, hai Mulgrave, issued a proclamation enjoining on them patience and confidence the gracious intentions of the sovereign in their and assuring them that it shall he his especial care to communicate to them fully till the conditions of the contemplated change, as soon as they shall become Enq.

The Baltimore Gazette has this severe hit upon Mr. Fidler, whose travels in the United Slates have just been published in this country: to 1 nive been a complete thorn in his side. Much of his work is taken up in keeping I a tally of her groans and grumblings. I from his own account of her, she seems to have had a remarkable talent of drinking whiskey in her tea instead ot upon the whole, seems to have been a perfect wife. By the way, Mr.

notes sound muchj more like those of the solemn lyre than the merry strains of a Bai'tists in the United appears from Annual Register, that the whole number of Baptist Communicants in the United States is, 409,6 Churches 5513; ordained 3153; Assoc inlions 311. In the year 1832 there were about 50,000 baptisms by the pastors of the several churches; nett increase of communicants during the same peri- 48,224. Five of the States con tain more than one-half of the whole number of communicants, viz: New York Virginia Georgia, Kentucky South Carolina total of live States 215,610. In Maine there are in Pennsylvai ia 11,103. The proportion to the whole population in Maine is about as one to 26; in Pennsylvania, as one to 100; in Virginia, as one to 18.

The Baptist denomination of the United States have eight colleges, embracing between 400 and 500 pupils. The old-! est college is Brown University, established in 1 64, and Hie largest, Hamilton Seminary, which has 130 pupils. NEXT PRESIDENT. It seems from the movements of Judge friends in the West, that he is very soon to be announced as a candidate for President in 1837. Some of the friends of Mr.

Van Buren have hoped till lately that the Judge would consent to be a candidate for the Vice Piesidency under Mr. Van Buren; all hope of that has now vanished, and it is admitted by all, we believe tliat Mr. is to he the western candidate for the Presidency, while Mr. Van Buien is to make all possible arrangements to secure all New England. The south will probably unite upon some man either of Virginia or S.

Carolina, lor whom the entire south will be likely to go; and unless the great west shall be able to carry their candidate by the electors, the House of Representatives will have to choose the next Judge has many, very many friends in the north, and it would not bo trange if he were to receive neatly all lhe electoral votes of New England, in December, 1837. Mr. Van eastern tour will call out in the west Mr. friends rather sooner than they otherwise would have appeared openly in the field, for the next Concurd Paper. THE MYSTIC LETTERS.

I Every reader knows the deep and varied learning of the principal editor of the West- minster Review, and few are ignorant of his unequalled acquirements in dialects and Ian- guages. The subjoined most recent performance of the kind, so far as we are given to the public through theLondon Times; perhaps, because he thought it the readiest mode of arriving at a suitable explanation of the mysterious inscription. Our readers will form their own opinions of its import; it might seem presumptuous iu me to attempt to decypher that appears to have puzzled the learned author from whom we quote. (Translatedfrom the Gull Language,) By Dr. a Manent.

graved or the stone of In letters lour, aid letters three: And ne'er did King of the Culls go by But those awful otters scared bis or he knew a prophet voice had said, As long as those words by man were read, 1 he ancient race if the Gulls should One hour of peace or plenty share. But years on flew, And the letters slil more legible grew, At top a T. an H. a a E. And underneath, D.

E. B. T. Some thought them as Jews, ho deal more in Scrip than Scripture, use, bile some surmised an ancient way Of keeping accounts, (well known iu the day Of the famed Didlerious Jeremtas, Who had hitherto a wonderful bias,) And proved in books most boring, the 'Politick way of scoring. this be, there never were vet Seven letters of the alphabet, 1 them, formed so grim a spell, Or scared a land of Culls so well, As did tins awful riildle-me-ree Of T.

11. E. J). E. B.

T. Hark! it is struggling cry, help, ye nations, or 1 die: fis fight, and on the field Where 1 expire, your doom is I ho Gull King hears the awakening call, lie hath his Peers and Patriots all, And asks, noble Gulls, shall we Stand basely by at the fall of the Free, Nor utter a curse, nor deal a blow And they answer with a voice of thunder, Out fly their flashing swords in the do they rest suspended there? What sudden blight, what baleful charm, Hath chill'd each eye, and checked each arm Alas, some withering hand hath throw The veil from off that fatal stone, And pointed now', with sapless finger, Showeth where dark those letters Letters four, end letters three, T. II. E. D.

E. B. T. At sight thereof, each lifted brand Powerless fills from every hand; In vain the Patriot knits his brow Even talk, his staple, fails him now. in vain the King like a hero treads, His Lords the Treasury shake their heads; And to all his talk of and No answer getteth His Majesty But II.

E. D. E. B. In short, the whole Gull nation feels fairly spel! hound, neck and heels And so, in face of the laughing world, sit down, with banners Adjourning all their dreams sublime Of glory and war other time.

or the Stone of 1 which see Westminster Abbey. BRITISH POWER IN INDIA. The British East India possessions extend, with few interruptions and those only ol tributary or allied States, from Cape Gormorin to the Himalaya mountains. 1 his immense territory comprehends the richest part of the continent of Asia, contains a hundred millions of inhabitants, and yields an annual revenue of about £22,000,000, or a hundred millions of dollars. The land forces consist of 250,000 native and 25,000 British troops.

1 he debt of the company in 1832 was £49,210,000. The civil and military servants of the company do not exceed 4000, will) whom all Ihe business is rnnsarted and their armies otlicered. The tolal number of whites who exist among the hundred millions of India inhabitants does not exceed 40,000. So enormous, says a writer in Magazine, is the disproportion between (lie British rulers and the native subjects, that it is literally true what the Hindoos say, that if every one of the followers of Brama were to throw a handful of earth on the Europeans, they would he buried alive in the midst of their conquests. Only sixteen vears have elapsed since the Mahralta Confederacy was finally broken up and destroyed, and Hie Indian government left pearealdy in possession of these dominions.

The gross receipts and disbutsernents of the East India Company since 1814 have amounted to the enormous sum £478,103,336, or nearly two thousand four hundred millions of Am. I hereby forwarn all persons against purchasing three several promissory notes, executed by me to A. Baldwin, as they were fraudulently obtained, and I do not intend to pay the same till compelled by law. All said notes bear date the 5th June, 1833. One for two hundred and fifty dollars, becomes due the 15th of August instant; one for six hundred and twenty-five dollars, becomes due the first day of January next, and the third for six hundred arid twenty-five dollars (as near as can recollect,) becomes due tho first of May 1834.

The above notes were given in purchase of a patent right for burning gas, which proves to be a gross deception; a fraud was practised on me in obtaining the notes, and 1 am resolved not to pay them but at the end of the compulsory process of law. ELIJAH SKIDMORE. Aug. 11th, 1833. WAN TED 1 MM EDI ATEL Y.

Six Journeyman Carpenters, workmen well acquainted with the business, and of steady habits, will receive liberal encouragement: No others need apply. HODGE PHILIPS. Vandalia Aug. 14, 1S33. (17-tf.

TAKEN UP ID James Smythe living about nine miles north east of Hillsboro, in Montgomery -ounty, one strawberry roan Mare, about seven or eight years old, about fourteen and a half hands high, with a young colt, the mare lias black eyes, left hind leg scarred; the coil sorrel, Id face, both bind feet white; both appraised to thirty five doL lars, by Joseph Miller and Samuel Nelson, beiore me tins 34 dav of June, 1833. IIIRAM ROUNTREE, J. P. A copy attest: IllUAM ROUNTREE, CVk. NOTICE.

3 WILL make application to the circuit court for the county of Edgar, and state of Illinois, at the next September term, for leave to sell the whole of the real estate lying in the counties of Edgar and Clark, of which John P. Vance died seized, as the personal estate is insufficient to pay the just demands against said which timeand place all persons interested in said real estate, are requested to attend and shew cause why it should not he sold for the purposes of paying the debts of said estate. SAMUEL VANCE, Adm'r. 14-3 of John P. Vance dec'd.

rSHAKEN UP, by Joel Cowan, living on Big-creek, Clark county, Hi, a tiea-bitten-grav horse, heavy made, light mane, his right hind hoot white, two saddle galls on his back, crest fallen, fifteen hands and one inch high, trots and paces, supposed to be thirteen years old, appraised to thirty dollars, by John Stock well and Sanford, before me, this 10th of July, 1833. J. Ilarlan.J. 1 certify the above to be a true copy from my estray book. J.

HARLAN, J. P. A true copy from my estray book, Julv 17, 1833. J. HARLAN, CUk.

JOHNSON COL NT CIRCUIT COURT. April Term, 1S33. Ward Ensminger, 1 Robert Fortenberry,) rjlHlS day came the plaintiffs by Gatewood, JL their attorney, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant is not an inhabitant of this State, and being called made default; therefore, it is ordered by the court that the defendant be notified that the plaintiffs have issued an attachment against him for debt and that hit state attached to satisfy the said debt and costs, and that unless he appear here on the first day ol the next term of the circuit court to bo hoiden for the county of Johnson, at the town of tenna, on the first Monday after the fourth Monday of October next, and file special bail, there will he a judgment against him and hit said estate will be sold to pay the said debt and cost--; nnd it is further ordered that publication of this order-be made in the uearest newspaper for three wei Us successively. A true copy test, 13-3? JOHN McINTIRE, Cl'k..