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SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS.

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partment of Hippocrene" and over the marriage announcements were the words, "Sacred to Hymen." A few selections from the "Department of Hippocrene" folllow:

EPIGRAM.Jack, eating rotten cheese, did say,"Like Samson I my thousands slay.""I vow," quoth Roger, so you do,And with the self-same weapon too."

HOMO VERMIS:—Man is but a worm.We are all creeping worms of earth.Some are Silk Worms, great by birth.Glow Worms some, that shine by night.Slow Worms others, apt to bite;Some are Muck Worms, slaves to wealth;Maw Worms some that wrong the health;Some to the public good no willers,Canker Worms and Caterpillars:—Found about the earth we're crawling,For a sorry life we're sprawling;Putrid stuff we seek; it fills us,Death then sets his foot and kills us.

EPIGRAM.Within the grove Maria lean'd Upon her William's breast,Her head upon his check reclin'd, Her lips to his were press'd. When lo! a rustling noise was heard, Of near-approaching feet,Maria left her lover's arms, And sunk upon a seat. The old duenna hobbled in. . . . "Here's pretty doings, Miss!"What man is this you come to see, "What man, what man is this?" "Oh, governess, I do not know, "But he was very rude,"For as I pluck'd wild roses here, "He came from out the wood. "He seiz'd my hand, he press'd it hard, "And talk'd of Cupid's dart,"He kiss'd my cheeks, and falsely swore That I had stole his heart. "But he will come no more, for I "Have very much incens'd him,For when he wish'd to kiss my lips,"I rose in arms against him."

EPIGRAM.To a Poet.Unthrifty wretch, why still confineThy toil and homage to the nine,'Tis time to bid the nine begone,And now take care of number one.

Of obituary notices there are occasioned interesting specimens. In the Hudson Gazette of June 15, 1802, is the following, copied from a Baltimore paper:

Since death has seiz'd this frightful slave,I'll snatch his virtues from the grave,And beg the printer will but giveA little spot where they may live.

On Sunday morning, May 16, the prowling tyrant death, clandestinely entered the Indian Queen Tavern, and seized on the body of Poor Old Spencer, well known as a servant, and beloved by all for his faithfulness and attention. But his soul (for Negros have souls) disdaining to continue any longer the inhabitant of a body held in servitude, fled from a country that boasts of freedom, but will sanctions slavery, to enjoy eternal life and liberty in the presence of a just and merciful God. Thus have we to mourn the loss of a man, whose conduct might justly be held op, as an example of true honour, honesty and faithfulness, and a convincing proof that a black skin may contain a good and upright heart.

In some of these papers we find eulogies on Martha Washington, who died on the 22d of May, 1802. In the Washington Federalist was the following:

DIED, at Mount Vernon, on the 22d ult. Mrs. MARTHA WASHINGTON, widow of the late illustrious General GEORGE WASHINGTON.—To those amiable and christian virtues, which adorn the female character, she added dignity of manners, suреriority of understanding, a mind intelligent and elevated.—The silence of respectful grief is our best eulogy.

Referring to the same event, was the following in the Columbian Centinel and Massachusetts Federalist (published in Boston) of June 2, 1802:

Composure and resignation were uniformly displayed during seventeen days' deprecations of a severe fever. From the commencement, she declared she was undergoing the last trial, and had long been prepared for her dissolution. She took the sacrament from Mr. DAVIS, imparted her last advice and benedictions to her weeping relations, and sent for a white gown, which she had previously laid by for her last dress—thus in the closing scene, as in all preceding ones, nothing was omitted. The conjugal, maternal and domestic duties had all been fulfilled in an exemplary manner. She was the worthy partner of the worthiest of men, and those who witnessed their conduct could not determine which excelled in their different characters, both were so well sustained on every occasion. They lived an honor and a pattern to their country, and are taken from us to receive the rewards—promised to the faithful and just.Alex. Pop.

Political warfare raged as fiercely in those days as now. Some of the shorter and more piercing editorial shafts shall