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and he feems to be very kind; I dare fay he will truft you. Pray, fir," cried fhe, turning found inftantly, "how much are your muffs and tippets?""Only eighteen dollars, madam; and they are very fine for that money." "Eighteen dollars," quoth 1: "the Lord forgive fuch extravagance, as that would be in us poor folks! My dear, if the muffs are worth that money, let us leave town; for I tell you at once, I cannot purchafe one, without robbing our family of neceffaries." "O ftay, one minute, my good man," rejoined my wife; I dare fay, the gentleman will abate fomething of his price; don't be scared at trifles." "If I do madam," said he, "it will be that you might have one. Won't you take a muff without a tippet? That will come very low. We fell them, at only twelve and a half dollars. What do you fay, fir," turning to me; come, your lady wishes for one very much, and it would be a great addition to her appearance?" Why, I fay, fir,” replied I, "that I am unable to get fo much money by honeft means; and as for turning rogue, to purchase my wife a muff, I fhall not do it." 66 Why now," cried my wife, "I think you quite unkind. Pray, fir, what will you abate from your price?" "Why, really, madam,” said he, " rather than you fhould not have one, you may take it at twelve dollars." There," replied my wife, turning to me," fee how kind the gentleman is, and he'll truft you too; I dare fay, he's feen your face in Boston, before now; have

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you not, fir?? "O yes, madam," replied he, "I have seen him before; I'll credit you," "Come now," faid my wife, "I don't fee as you can make any objection; only think now, only twelve dollars; and you'll make that in fome fortunate bargain; come, my dear, there an't fuch a nice muff in all the town we live in."

I can't fay, whether I was filent most from aftonishment, or from grief and mortification. However,

they both concluded, that, from the circumftance of my being filent, I had given my confent; when the gentleman renewed his oratory to my wife and you must have a tippet, madam, to be in uniform; it will be quite unfashionable not to have one with fuch a nice muff; and they are very warm and confortable, I affure you." "Yes, my dear," refumed my wife," I had about as lief have no muff, as to be without a tippet, it will look fo unfashionable." "Come, fir," faid the merchant, "I will put them both at seventeen dollars, and that is abfolutely one dollar lower than I ought to afford them." "Come, my dear,” cried my wife, "I fee by your looks, that you almoft give confent; and shan't you take pride in feeing me in fuch a nice tippet?" Come," faid the gentleman, you give your confent, that your lady fhould take one." "All the confent that I fhall give,' replied I," will be, not to quarrel with my wife in public." "Well, fir," returned he, as your lady feems to be determined to have one, I think that is about equal to confent."

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Here my part in the dialogue, for I cannot call it either a comedy or tragedy, ended; and from my fi lence, being overpowered with the number rather than the weight of their arguments, they fell to examining the quality of the muffs; and in due time, I received a very polite invitation "to walk." As we were leaving the ftore, the merchant was good enough to observe, that ninety days was the longest time he gave credit." And I thought I could difcover a little lefs politenefs or nicety in the manner of the obfervation, than what was fo obfervable a little before. "Ay, ninety days, fir," said I," I fhall not forget it, I affure you." And that is what I have not been able to do: For, every time my wife has fet her foot into our nearest neighbour's door, which has pretty frequently happened fince our journey to Bofton, the new muff and tips

pet have been tackled on. And it may be proper here, that I may do juftice to the good qualities of these ufeful garments, to remark, that let the weather be what it might, my wife has never been abfent from church, one Sabbath fince our return. And, whatever the cause may be, the has not only been a constant attendant herself, but fhe urges others to do the fame. In fhort, the has taken vaft comfort from them. But I have been at my wits end on every Sabbath, left the congregation might uncharitably fuppofe (though it is not probable to me, that the thought entered her mind) that he took fome pains to prefent this muff fair in the faces of the whole audience, as much as to fay, "There is not fuch another in the whole houfe." And every time I've feen thefe, I have been prefented with a bill of feventeen dollars in ninety days. These ninety days are now reduced to about ten; I have already received a letter, by way of admonition, from our good creditor; and, to prevent a writ, I have no method to purfue, but to part with two (for one will not do it) of those three cows which have for feveral years fupported my family.

Did you fufficiently notice, my fair readers, the fentiments which carelessly dropped from the lips of my wife, while in the Bofton ftore, "There an't fuch a nice muff in all the town we live in?" And did it not betray the fentiments of more than one of your hearts? And for the fake of having the niceft muff, the coftlieft gown, the fineft bonnet, and the best outfide appearance of any in your town; would you not perplex your husband with debts all his life! I am no auftere declaimer against the decent fashions of the world; and once I could indulge my family in most of their wishes. But misfortune upon misfortune has followed me fo clofe, that one cow in my yard is worth more to me, than all the muffs and tippets in New England. Yes, ye fair, many of your good-natured husbands will feel

the weight of the fashions, before they die! And what will you get to yourselves, by following, or rather driving them, with fuch speed? The name of extravagance, the enmity which always accompanies ambition and parade, and the shame of vanity! If you value your own happiness, if you would put on the appearance of Chriftians, you must feel no mortification at having a brighter gown, a coftlier muff, or a finer bonnet, ftand fide by fide with and if your yours; husband's purfe require it, you will gain more love and esteem, in having your hands muffled up in the fkin of your old cat, than in all the furs of the Ruffian empire: and if experience do not teach you the fame leffon, I give you leave to ftyle the writer of these hints, by a name which I fhould dread more than all others

A HATER OF YOUR SEX.

Massachusetts, Jan. 8, 1798.

Copy of a Letter addreffed to the late Prefident of the United States, by an Epifcopal Clergyman in Vermont.

SIR,

THE

HE event which our church had good reafon to expect, for many years, has taken place.

The legislature of Vermont, at their laft feffion, converted our glebes to other ufes, than they were appropriated to by ancient grants and charters. The lands of the fociety in London, for propagating the Gofpel, are alfo feized upon as confifcate. The pretext for this is, that by the operation of the late treaty of peace, and the laws of Nature and nations, thofe lands had become forfeit, and of courfe, the property was vested in the state.

Ira Allen, Efq. introduced the meafure, by petition, from the trustees of the new college, for a conveyance of the fociety's land to that inftitution. His object was, to enhance the value of the fettlement of Burlington, on lake Champlain, of which he is chief proprietor, by building a feat

1

of learning, and providing a revenue for it, from this property of the fociety. These trustees are compofed of the governor of the ftate and speaker of the house of affembly for the time being, of the prefent diftrict judges of the fuperior court, and feveral other laymen, joined with a minister of religion from three denominations. The epifcopal clergyman, however, was not confulted upon the defigned petition; although he is brother to the governor, and refides at the diftance of only a few miles from the governor, mr. Allen, and mr. Hitchcock (the diftrict judge).

Doctor Williams, now minifter of Rutland, formerly a profeffor and inftructor in Cambridge college, and author of the natural and civil hiftory of Vermont, may be faid to be the father of these measures. He was offended, because we would not make him our bifhop. His friends hold him up as a candidate for the prefident's chair in the new college. Stephen Jacobs, Efq. (under dr. Williams' influence) ushered the feizure of our glebes into public debate, in the legislature, of which he was a member-Mr. Jacobs was lately the attorney of the district of Vermont.

Mr. Allen, by the independence and grants of Vermont, became poffeffed of extenfive tracts of land: He has neglected to affign us our glebes in fome towns, in which he is largely interested, until we confidered ourfelves bound, to make a fmall purfe, to enable one of our congregations, to fue him for its right in that townfhip. The action, however, was not

commenced.

Public officers, and men enriched by revolution, and places in the national and ftate governments, have effected a perverfion of our glebes, in a state which obferved a neutrality, during part of the war, and was too feeble to render it any fubftantial aid. This, after eleven years peace, in contradiction alfo to the opinion of able flatefmen and lawyers and the whole church.

The generals and other officers of

the late army, the flain veteran, and fuffering citizen, have thus been made the means of wresting a property from us, which religion, liberty, law, honour, and juftice forbid every man, from converting to other, than its original ufes.

This is but part of an uniform fyftem, from the firft fettlement of America, to deftroy the church; printed hiftories and public papers confirm this idea. A new injury is now intended to be added to thofe formerly done, by the legislatures of Maffachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, aided by governors Langdon, Hancock, and Huntington, and the political, civil, and military influence of prefidents Langdon, Stiles, Willard, Wheelock, and the colleges and clergy of New England.

The public files, authentic facts, and inconteftible witneffes prove, that my charge as to the above bodies, officers, and individuals, is true. They have often departed from their duty as Chriftians, their honour as patriots, and their dignity as gentlemen, by taking public monies, and ufing improper influence in their stations, to injure the church and the focieties of methodists, baptifts, &c. By means of party colleges, unjuft political and religious prejudices have been excited against us. Our children often meet with, and are conftantly expofed to injury in the northern fchools and colleges, becaufe of our religion. The colleges have for many years taught, that epifcopalians are attached to monarchy: to prefent the facts which corroborate these charges, would be to write a volume; the materials are at my command-my duty calls me to the task.

I hoped that my respectful corref pondence, and the regular information I have given feveral years to my civil rulers who belong to the church, and to my ecclefiaftic governors, would have faved our property by their aid. In purfuance of that uniform conduct which belongs to me, in my place, while time and

health permit, I lay this before your excellency for a place in your files, for the infpection of pofterity. Copies of it will be fent to the bishops in the ftates for the fame purpose.

By the perfeverance of our clergy and brethren, and by our mutual exertions, we were recovering the property, which is chiefly entered upon by trefpaffes, and is under confiderable cultivation. Religion was about to extend, in a more venerable degree than ever, among profeffed Chriftians, who are divided and contentious, on fo ferious a fubject.

A plundered church-late complaining army-tumultuous infurrections and avaricious defires to plunder the neighbouring provinces, do not accord with the honour or profperity of a Chriftian nation, or men proud of a fuccefsful war and honourable peace-a good form of government, and flourishing affairs.

The prefent ecclefiaftical hiftory of America is a very exact tranfcript from the hiftory of England, after the civil wars and revolution.

Prefbyterianifm, owing its power and origin to the people, will always call the popular power to its aid.The majority will there determine what is truth and right, however ignorant, avaricious, or bigoted, this majority may be.

The clergy and churches in general, are happy and ufeful in the provinces, while we are oppreffed and timid in the states. "Witneff es to conftant injury," we are scarcely permitted to fpeak or remonftrate, in our defence. We are fold in an age, vainly boafted to be an age of reafon, into the hands of men, who defpife and revile Chriftianity, who wrong us with impunity. Very many of our foes compofe the councils, and frame the laws of Ame

rica.

Your excellency remains as the difinterested friend of religion, liberty, and law. May, your adminiftration be always bleffed, in extending what

is regular, and reftoring what is right. I am molt refpectfully

your excellency's devoted fervant, JOHN C. OGDEN. Dartmouth College, Dec. 22, 1794.

From the (Philadelphia) General Advertifer.

An Account of a new Species of Wheat. TH HE hiftory of a forward Winter wheat, accidentally difcovered in Virgina, is a fhort one. A mr. Ifbill, in the county of Caroline, of that ftate, about feven years past, purchafed of a merchant a quantity of mixed wheat, and having fown it, when his wheat was in flower, he obferved a fingle ear almoft ripe. Hence he conceived an idea, that it might be a different fpecies. To dedetermine this, he carefully preferved the wheat produced by this folitary ear, which has now multiplied to fuch a degree, as that feveral thoufand bufhels will be produced at the next harveft; it having been distributed into many hands.

But the character of this wheat de

ferves greater attention. And as in all probability, it has not yet entirely unfolded its qualities, it is much to be defired, that the beft informed botanical knowledge, and the most accurate agricultural experiments were united in its investigation.

The following obfervations, have for their basis several trials upon different foils, made in the two last years; a term fo fhort, that it would be dangerous to allow them an unfufpicious reliance.

This wheat ripens from 15 to 20 days earlier than any other; the straw is fhorter by about one-third, than that of any other kind, and the fame proportion is maintained in the length of the ear. But the ear always poffeffes a full and prominent appearance. The ftraw is encumbered with very little fodder.

The circumftance of its ripening fo early, produces the following important effects.

1ft. It is never deftroyed by the ruft. An effect, towards which the nakedness and lowness of the ftraw, by allowing more freely the action of the fun and air, muft confidera bly contribute. Upon this point, the experiments appeared to be conclufive. The two laft years were fingularly unfeasonable upon wheat in general, after it was in the ear, where the experiments were made, and moft fo upon this particular fpecies. But this bade defiance to the peftilence, and weighed above fixty pounds to the bufhel, whilst all others fuffered a lofs of about one-third in quantity, and did not in weight exceed an average of fifty-five. The experiments were made in fix different places; upon new, old, ftiff, light, poor, and rich ground. And the different forts of wheat were fown on the fame day, immediately contiguous to each other, early and late.

2d. Being ripe, before cockle has arrived to a vegetable ftate, it is never affailed by that enemy. And it is probable, that the feed of the wild onion may feel a fhock from the fame caufe. Ás to cheat, it did not make its appearance among this wheat; but it is to be expected, this, like other wheat, is liable to degenerate into that weed.

3d. If vegetables extract much of their food from the atmosphere, as the experiments of doctor Prieftly feem clearly to prové; and if more of this food is obtained, when the air is condensed by a degree of moisture, than when it is in a state of rarefaction, it refults, that this wheat cannot equally impoverish the foil, with any other fpecies; because it arrives to maturity before the heats of Sum mer have driven down vegetables, to pasture themselves almoft exclufively, upon the ftore of food abforbed by the earth.

4th. Admitting this theoretic argument to be inconclufive, it will not weaken the force of another, which is experimental. Clover was fown upon four of the fix lots of this wheat, and also upon its contiguous rival.

The clover-and where there was no clover, the weeds fucceeding this wheat-fo far furpaffed in growth, the clover and weeds fuccceding the other kinds, that their fuperior luxuriancy was diftinguifhable almost as far as they could be difcerned. And though this effect should be attribut, ed to the removal of the forward wheat from the ground, earlier than the other; yet it must ftill be acknowledged, that it will have a prefervative influence upon the fertility of

the foil.

5th. Wherever the climate will admit of the cultivation of artificial graffes, the laft obfervation deferves confiderable attention: And it may be enfored by others having a fimilar tendency. Before, as well as after, the forward wheat was cut, the growth of the clover fown upon it greatly exceeded that of its neighbour, and it alfo came up better. Whether this is afcribable to the low nefs of the wheat, and its not being burdened by any operative weight of fodder, or to any other caufe, it is yet an effect, as recommendatory of it to northern climates, as its fafety againft ruft is to fouthern. The product of the grafs, either for hay or pafture, is greater, and it alfo acquires a ftrength of conftitution, capable of withstanding the Summer heats. Thefe it almoft univerfally furvived; whilft the contiguous clover, debilitated by being oppreffed with a greater burden of ftraw, and to a later period, perifhed, generally in great quantities, and in fome fpots, entirely.

6th. If Indian corn is cultivated to a confiderable extent, it usually fuffers at harveft. The harvest of the forward wheat is over, when the corn is yet young, and therefore recoverable; whereas it often happens, that it fuftains irretrievable injury, by arriving to an advanced state, during the neglect incident to the later harvest.

7th. When potatoes or other vegetables, which are gathered late in the fall, are used as a fallow crop,