though evidently not the same which had been lost.

In 1830, Filumena Sevis, a girl rather older as well as wilder than she, stuck her scissors into her eye, and the surgeons pronounced the wound incurable. Don Francisco directed her to go to the church and wet it with oil from St. Filumena's lamp, which she did and was cured. A bright mark was left in the spot that had been wounded. The girl, meeting afterwards a cousin who had been burnt by fireworks at the saint's festival, sent him to try the same remedy, and with equal suc

cess.

"Dominico Moccia was the first person in Castelvetere who ever named a child Filumenia. This mark of attention pleased the saint; and it was soon perceptible; from sensible signs of the purest friendship, that she watched over her little ward in a very careful manner. As there are in that part of the country a great number of winged insects, which torment the inhabitants with their continual stings, the mother of Filumena took care to protect her every night with a veil, which she wrapped round her. In the morning, when they came, as usual, to make her little toilet, they did not find the veil over the body of the child, but at the end of the cradle, and folded with great care. A second observation increased their astonishment, for they found both the face and the hands of Filumena unbitten, although they had been exposed to the insects all night."

[Her parents resolved, at this time, to visit the tomb of the Saint, but did not undertake their pilgrimage until their child was three years of age. When little Filumena saw the shrine uncovered she expressed great terror, and afterwards said, when the cause of it was asked by her father, on their way home,] "Ah, papa, it was because she wanted to take me by the hands, and said, 'Stay with me, Filumena, come here, dont go away,' and she wanted to take me quite away from Signora Justina, but I did not want to leave my papa and mamma." "Touching kindness!" adds the book, "goodness, condescension, truly fit for the elect!"

[A learned ecclesiastic communicated the following to Don Francisco.-A little niece of his, likewise named Filumena, had her clothes laid with her mo her's one night, on a chair, under a lamp which was burning before a picture of the martyr; and in the mor

ning it was found that a spark had fallen and burned the mother's dress, while that of the little daughter escaped with only one little hole "-a proof of what would have happened, if the vigilant protectresss of children honored with her name had not taken care to extinguish the threatening spark herself.]

THE FIRST AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT-THE FIRST MOVEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION.

The very first movement of the Revolution was made in the city of New York, by the convoking and holding a convention of the Colonies, (or States,) as early as March, 1762, to remonstrate and protest against the oppres sions of the Mother Country. Fortunately I can afford you that information from authentic tradition in some of our oldest families in New York, which establishes the fact that the first great movement originated with and was carried through by two gentlemen of this city, who were much distinguished in their day and generation. These gentlemen were ROBERT LIVINGSTON and JOHN CRUGER, whose names you find amongst the first on the roll of that convention. From the pen of the latter of those gentlemen proceeded the admirable memorial to the Parliament of Great Britain, published in that Journal; and in all the proceedings of this Congress he took a leading part. In the year of its session he held the important offices of Speaker of the Assembly and Mayor of the city of New York, and was in other respects one of the most distinguished of its citizens. Of these facts, as well as some others connected with our early history, you will find a record in the number of the Knickerbocker Magazine for January, 1943, in an editorial article under the head of "Election to Parliament of Burke and Cruger for Bristol," in which some notices are given of the efforts of Mr. Henry Cruger in Parliament, in favor of the independence of our country, of which he was a native, being a nephew of the above named Mr. John Cruger, and, like him, born in the city of New York.

New York has hitherto quietly and most strangely allowed both Boston and Mecklen burg (in N. Carolina) to claim the honor of the first movements in the birth of our Revolution, in acts which occurred ten years later than this great and glorious proceeding in the city of New York.

The first emigrant of this (Cruger) family, in 1660, came to America purely from a love of freedom and independence, this family in Bristol, being of great wealth, and tracing their descent from Sir Philip Cruciger, (Crossbearer) who went with King Richard to the crusades.

From the Knickerbocker of January, 1843.

THE ELECTION OF BURKE AND CRUGER FOR BRISTOL.-Mr. Henry Cruger was three times elected to Parliament, and alike distinguished in and out of that body. His effective exertions in behalf of American liberty and interests will not soon be forgotten. He was the first, and till within a few years, the only American elected to the English Parliament. Mr. Henry Cruger (who was Mayor of the city of Bristol at the time of his election as colleague of Mr. Burke) was born in this city in 1739. His father, who, like his son, had been Mayor of Bristol, was also a native of New York; his father one of the largest and most influential merchants of his day, having emigrated to America as early as 1660.

Among the sons of this first emigrant, John (uncle of Henry) was three times Mayor of New York, and Speaker of the house of Assembly, to which office he was elected in opposition to Hon. William Livingston, afterwards governor of New Jersey. He was a delegate also from this city to the first congress of the States held in America in 1765, whence the first protest was sent to the king and Parliament against their unauthorized encroachments upon the rights of the colonists. Mr. Henry Cruger, the colleague of Burke, removed to Bristol when quite a youth, and was afterwards known as a large merchant: his elder brother Nicholas remaining in New York, engaged in extensive commercial transactions, particularly with the West Indies, where he had it in his power to patronize the afterwards distinguished statesman, General Alexander Hamilton, then an orphan boy in his counting room, whom he sent in one of his own ships to this country. General Hamilton was always proud to acknowledge and prompt to reciprocate these early kindnesses of Mr. Nicholas Cruger. Meantime Mr. Henry Cruger, a gentleman of polished manners, well cultivated mind, and great personal popularity, was elected Mayor of Bristol; and it was through his urgent solicitation, that his friend, Mr. Burke, was induced to become a candidate for Parliament, he being then an almost entire stranger to the people of Bristol and it is believed that mainly through the influence of Mr. Cruger the election of Burke was secured; since, elevated and enviable as was his subsequent renown, he had at that time obtained but little distinction.

The

In some of the first published notices of the life of Mr. Burke, a ridiculous and inalicious anecdote was related by some enemy of Mr. Cruger, to the effect, that he made no address to the people at the polls, but con tented himself with making the exclamation:-"I say ditlo to Mr. Burke !" absurdity of this story is proved by the fact recorded in the newspapers of that period; namely, that Mr. Cruger, a well known citizen and Mayor of Bristol, in a very able and eloquent opening address, to which his colleague handsomely referred, introduced Mr.

Burke for the first time to the electors of the city. Mr. Cruger, therefore, preceded and did not succeed Mr. Burke, in addressing, the people.

Some of his speeches in Parliament have been republished in the Life of Peter Van Schaack, Esq., heretofore noticed in the Knickerbocker. Mr. Van Schaack having married a sister of Mr. Cruger, a long and interesting correspondence on American affairs was maintained between them. Among the speeches contained in this biography is the maiden-speech delivered by Mr. Cruger in Parliament. In relation to this speech, and the effect it produced upon the minds of his hearers, a letter from the Rev. Dr. Vardill, rector of Trinity church, New York, who was then in England, contains the following remarks:

Administration applaud him for his mode ration; Opposition, for the just line he has drawn, and all men for his modest eloquence and graceful delivery. His enemies are silenced by the strongest confutation of their charges against him of illiberal invective against the people of England; by his manly defence of his country, and honorable approbation of its opponents, wherever he thought them justifiable. I was in the house on the debate. It was remarkably crowded with members, and the galleries were filled with peers and persons of distinction. When Mr. C. rose, there was a deep silence. He faltered a little at first, but as he proceeded, the cry of Hear him, hear him!' animated him with resolution. Hood, the Irish orator, sat behind me. He asked, 'Who is that? who is that? A young speaker? Whoever he is, he speaks more eloquently than any man I ever heard in the house. I took great pains to learn people's sentiments, and found them all in his favor. Mr. Garrick, a few days after, in a discussion on the subject, said he never saw human nature more amiably displayed than in the modest manner of address, pathos of affection for his country, and graceful gesture, exhibited by Mr. Cruger, in his speech. My heart beat high with anxiety, I trembled when he rose, with the most awful and affecting jealousy for the honor of my country. When Hear him, hear him!' echoed through the house, joy rushed through every vein, and I seemed to glory in being a New Yorker.'

.

Among his friends and associates in Parliament, as recorded in the life of Van Shaack, were Burke, Fox, and Sheridan, and 'particularly with Charles James Fox, his political principles brought him into great intimacy; and he was one of that illustrious band of the champions of freedom, who espoused the American cause in the British Parliament.'

Mr. Cruger returned to his native city of New York, where he resided during the latter portion of his life, and where he died, at the advanced age of ninety years. -Niles's Register.

694

The Leading Events of the Life of William Wilberforce.

Communicated for the American Penny Magazine.

The subject that I have chosen for this article, is "The leading events of the Life of William Wilberforce:" one of the greatest men, in the true sense of that word, the world has ever produced. His life was the scene of many, various and important events; but, as it would be impossible, in the space allotted to me, to make due mention of all of them, I will content myself with introducing to the reader's attention, some of the principal ones, and those which more espe cially distinguished his public career, together with a notice of his character, both public and private; prefacing the whole, with a few words concerning his younger days.

His

Mr. Wilberforce was a native of Hull, in England, where he was born August 24th, A. D. 1759. His frame, from his infancy, was slight and feeble; and, during his whole life he had to contend with that enemy so common to great men-"ill-health." eyes, also, were constitutionally weak, which prohibited him from using them during his long parliamentary course, except in particular instances; requiring, therefore, the constant employment of a reader, and an aman. uensis. Indeed, he was wont to say, "that he was thankful he had not been born in less civilized times, when it would have been thought impossible to rear so delicate a child." But against all those infirmities of the body, were opposed a "vigorous mind" and an "affectionate temper." His character early inclined to piety; and, for some time, the circumstances in which he was placed, subjected him to a religious influence. But his friends, perceiving it, "became alarmed;" and he was immediately removed from this

dangerons situation," as they thought it. From that moment-his twelfth year-it became their greatest desire to smother in his breast this rising regard for serious things; and he was accordingly introduced to all the pleasures and fascinations of society and the world; and he himself has recorded, that "No pious parents ever labored more to impress a beloved child with sentiments of piety, than they did to give him a taste for the world and its diversions." The task was apparently an easy one, and, apparently, easily was it performed: but the fire was only smothered, not extinguished. It lay smouldering for years, unknown to all outward observers; aye, even to himself, until the time should come when it should burst forth. "A rare skill in singing, and a natural talent for society" were powerful assistants to the wicked intentions of his friends-if they can be so called and ready passports wherever he went. Thus, his time was spent in one constant .ound of company and amusement, until he entered college, where he was immediately exposed to still more blighting influ

ences.

His companions were the licentious and profligate, who spent their time in drink

ing and gambling, and whose conversation was even worse than their lives. From the most corrupt of these he withdrew himself at last, but still spent his time in card parties and other idle amusements, while his better companions were busy with their studies and lectures.

He had resolved to enter upon public life; and, on leaving college, he accordingly stood and was elected to parliament from his native town. I will not enter into a particular account of the course he led here. Suffice it to say, that gambling and cards, at the various clubs to which he belonged, and the society to which his ready talents gained him admittance, consumed all the time which his parliamentary duties left unoccupied. At the end of four years, an emergency arising in York, he suddenly formed the idea of standing for that great county. The station was one of great responsibility; the county being a tenth part of the whole kingdom. He was a young man, of mercantile origin, having no connection or acquaintance with any of the nobility or gentry of the place; and to crown all, had to contend against the influence of the regular nominees, both men of large fortune and great connexions. His success seemed almost impossibility; but his natural powers of eloquence, exhibited at a public meeting, held before the election, prevailed against his opponents and secured his triumph.

But the time was fast approaching, when his character was to undergo that change which gave a totally different coloring to his whole after life. A continental tour being determined upon, he invited his friend, Dr. Milnor, to accompany him, as one well fitted both by his talents and by his social powers for an agreeable companion. He was, however, at this time, wholly ignorant of his religious character: "otherwise," he says, "it would have decided him against making him the offer; so true is it, that a gracious hand leads us in ways that we know not, and blesses us, not only without, but even against our own plans and inclinations." brief: the discovery of his companion's true character soon led to conversations and discussions upon serious subjects, and finally to their examining the Scriptures together; and by degrees he imbibed the spirit of this Holy Book. Serious reflection showed to him the 'deep guilt and black ingratitude of his past life," and he determined thereafter to devote himself to the service of God. He returned home an altered man; and, from that time, led a new life.

To be

His first public attempt was to form a "Society to resist the Spread of Immorality." This was soon in "active and useful operation ;" and "before its dissolution, it had obtained many valuable acts of Parliament," and "greatly checked the diffusion of blasphemous and indecent publications." It" afforded also a centre, from which many other useful schemes proceeded, and was the first

example of those various associations, which soon succeeded the apathy of former years."

But, as I have said before, it would be impossible for me to mention here, all the acts of humanity in which he was either the prime mover or the chief participator. To the principal one of his life, therefore, and the one, which, of itself, would have rendered his name immortal, will I more especially confine myself. Every one will, if at all ac quainted with the subject, readily understand me to refer to the Abolition of the SlaveTrade.

There has been considerable dispute, as to whom is due the honor of his having first stirred in this question-whether to himself, or to one of his friends, Lady Middleton. There can be but little doubt, if we may believe his own words, of its having originated in his own breast, and of its being the "fruit of his religious change;" although Lady Middleton's application to him to move in the matter" was," as he said, "just one of those many impulses, which were all giving to his mind the same direction."

"His abomination of the Slave Trade," writes one of his school-fellows, "he evinced when not more than fourteen years of age; and one day he gave me a letter to put into the post office, addressed to the editor of the York paper, which, he told me, was in condemnation of the odious traffic in human flesh." And upon his first entry into Parliament, before his religious change, he had been strongly interested for the West India Slave, and expressed the hope, "that some time or other, he should redress the wrongs of those wretched and degraded beings.

The question of Abolition did not originate with him. It had been previously agitated, first by Quakers in this country, and afterwards by the same sect in England: but to him, undoubtedly, belongs the credit of his having taken upon himself, and as faithfully carried through, the most noble though arduous undertaking. Some years before, Mr. Burke had thought of undertaking the cause: but, perceiving the difficulties he would meet with-indeed, thinking that its success was impossible, he abandoned it lest it should bring unpopularity upon himself and his party. But no such servile considerations moved Mr. Wilberforce. He was actuated by higher principles. Conceiving himself to be called. by God, to undertake this work, he set about it in a manner becoming such a call.

It was

not for his own glory, but for that of his Maker, and in His fear, that he entered upon it, and in His power confided throughout. But what a task was before him! To abolish the Slave Trade-a traffic which had existed from time immemorial, which was closely connected with the commercial interests of the cour.try, and upon the continuance of which depended the support of the colonies. It was an enterprise of no ordinary character, and he felt its difficulties. Parliament was opposed to it, and the Administration as a

body was opposed to it. The first thing then to be done was, to awaken the "slumbering indignation of the country against the cruel and bloody system." For this purpose books on the subject were widely circulated, and much knowledge, in regard to the true character of the Trade, diffused. And in this, as well as in his future endeavors, he found a powerful ally in a society of religious men, formed for the purpose of "raising funds and collecting the information necessary for procuring the abolition of the Trade. It was now found that it was absolutely necessary "to possess a great body of distinct facts, upon which to base the first attack in the House of Commons ;" and, to procure this, Mr. Pitt consented to summon the Privy Gouncil, to act as a Board of Trade, to look into the state of the commercial intercourse of the country with Africa. At this moment it was thought that Mr. Wilberforce would be forever removed from the conduct of the A disorder of a very serious nature se.zed upon him, and the result was most doubtful. He soon, however, recovered from the violence of the attack, and was enabled to resume his duties.

cause.

Firm

During his illness, the country friends of the cause, who had sent no less than one hundred petitions to the House, began to grow impatient of delay; and some even cried out for a new leader. It was deemed expedient, therefore, that something should be done; and his recovery being without hope, he resigned the cause into the hands of his friend, Mr. Pitt, who immediately brought forward a resolution, binding the House to consider the question at the next session. It will not be necessary to speak in detail of the different steps of the attack, which was made upon this blood-thirsty monster until it was finally destroyed. They can be found elsewhere. A more general view will answer our purpose. For the space of twenty years did this great leader in the strife ply his unwearied strength in this holy cause. was the opposition made by his opponents and innumerable their resources. They defended Slavery, not only on the ground of jus tice and policy, but even on that of humanity. It had existed, even in Africa, from time immemorial. It was sanctioned by the Old Testament, in which some of the characters, especially held up as examples, are said to have possessed slaves, both male and female. The government had invited the carrying on of the Trade, and therefore an immense sum of money had been embarked in it, all of which would be lost by its abolition. It was necessary that the colonies be cultivated, in order that those commodities should be furnished, which habit rendered indispensable. If the trade were stopped, the supply of slaves would be cut off, and with it the necessary produce, which would then have to be purchased of foreign nations. Its humanity was also maintained.

(To be continued.)

With such a fine, spirited and pleasing picture before us, how can we avoid wishing to add a few more facts respecting these active, harmless and graceful, yet somewhat mysterious birds; and how can we turn to any other writer than the universal favorite, Wilson, who has spread so much attraction over the path to the study of ornithology? Of those swallows which seem to claim our peculiar attention, by the choice they make of our chimneys as nestling places, Wilson says:

"They arrive in Pennsylvania late in April or early in May, dispersing themselves over the whole country, wherever there are vacant chimneys in summer sufficiently high and convenient for their accommodation. In no other situation with us are they observed at present to build. This circumstance naturall suggests the query, Where did these birds construct their nests before the arrival of Europeans in this country, when there were no such places for their accommodation? I would answer, probably in the same situations in which they still continue to build in the remote regions of our western forests, where European improvements of this kind are scarcely to be found: namely, in the hollow of a tree, which in some cases has the nearest resemblance to their present choice of all others. One of the first settlers in the State of Kentucky informed me that he cut down a large hollow beech-tree which contained forty or fifty nests of the chimney-swallow, most of which by the fall of the tree or by

the weather, were lying at the bottom of the hollow, but sufficient fragments remained adhering to the sides of the tree to enable him to number them. They appeared, he said, of some years' standing. The present site which they have chosen must, however, hold out many more advantages than the former, since we see that in the whole thickly-settled parts of the United States these birds have uniformly adopted this new convenience, not a single pair being observed to prefer the woods.

Security from birds of prey and other animals, from storms that frequently overthrow the timber, and the numerous ready conveniences which these new situations afford, are doubtless some of the advantages. The choice they have made certainly bespeaks something more than mere unreasoning instinct, and does honor to their discernment.

The nest of this bird is of singular construction, being formed of very small twigs fastened together with a strong adhesive glue or gum, which is secreted by two glands, one on each side of the hind head, and mixes with the saliva. With this glue, which becomes as hard as the twigs themselves, the whole nest is thickly besmeared. The nest itself is small and shallow, and attached by one side or edge to the wall, and is totally destitute of the soft lining with which the others are so plentifully supplied. The eggs are generally four, and white. They generally have two broods in the season. The young are fed at intervals during the greater part of the night, a fact which I have had frequent opportunities of remarking, both here and in the Mississippi territory.