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as military, resident at and near the Cape were present to partake of the sumptuous banquet, and to express their congratulations on the return of the day which gave cause for this proud celebration. The name of Washington is well known in Hayti, as the chiefest pride of an American, and when I see men, strangers to my native land, venerate the memory of that immortal hero of whom they have only heard as the champion of liberty, I shrink with pain at the recollection, that there are, in the United States, vipers who owe the free air they breathe to the virtues of that great man, yet who would be happy if his name could be buried in eternal oblivion.

The appearances exhibited to the view of a traveller, when surveying the face of the country, are of a melancholy character, and cannot fail to excite in his mind the most gomy sen1 sations. He beholds, all around him, the remains of t princely mansions of the ancient proprietors of the soil, fast crumbling to dust. He sees the tottering pillars on which still hang massy gates of iron, almost eaten up by rust; walls, pyramids, marble statues, and many other vestiges of magnificence and splendour falling to decay. Instead of these proud structures, the devastation of which has been accompanied by such horrible transactions, a mean solitary cabin is presented to the sight. Instead of the comforts and luxuries which here once so highly abounded, a miserable horde of ignorant negroes, scarcely enjoy the necessaries of life. These uncheering appearances are eminently conspicuous on the Plaine du Cap, which extends many miles to the southward and eastward from the Cape, and which was formerly so abundant in luxurious gardens, fertile plantations, and splendid edifices.

But the gloominess attendant upon such scenes of destruction, is in some measure alleviated by the civility, which one meets with from the peasantry in travelling. There is a strong contrast between the insolence of the soldiers, who are stationed in the large towns and the politeness of the simple cultivators. Not an individual passes without taking off his hat with the friendly salutation of 'salut monsieur' or ' bon jour capitaine,' which latter appellation is the one indiscriminately given by the lower class of people, as well in town as country, to all white men who,

they perceive, are not Frenchmen. Thus a negro speaking to a merchant, captain, supercargo or sailor, never forgets to entitle him capitaine, that appellation with him being synonymous with stranger, and at the same time the most dignified and respectful title for a private citizen, which his vocabulary affords. The females are equally polite, and never fail in passing to drop a low curtsey, and with a modest smile to greet you with "bo jou moucher."

The peasantry of Hayti exhibit a sad spectacle of the effects of a mistaken policy. They are miserably poor, and live in wretched hovels. The clothing of the men consists of a shirt, and sometimes a pair of pantaloons, made of coarse German linen, and their food of cassada bread, yams, and roasted plantains, seasoned perhaps with a salted herring, which answers the purpose of being pointed at. The women, particularly those of the younger sort, are like the ladies of the city, extravagantly fond of ornaments, and elegant rings are frequently to be seen pendent at the ears of a damsel, who has scarcely any other dress to appear in, but a chemise.

The produce of the plantations belongs one half to the proprietor, who is usually some officer who has laid claim to the soil on account of his services, one fourth to the cultivators, and the remaining fourth is paid to the government for the duty of subvention. On the arrival of any coffee in the sea port towns, to which it is transported in bags, upon the backs of mules, horses or asses, it is taken to the office of the directeur des domaines, where it is weighed and the duty paid in kind. A certificate is then granted, called a papier de subvention, which states that the duty has been paid upon so many pounds, and that the owner is authorized to sell it. Without this paper it cannot be shipped, and at the clearing out of a cargo, certificates must be produced for the whole quantity intended to be exported. Still however there is a considerable deal of fraud practised. Coffee is often brought to market, which is purchased without this certificate, and as a pretty large quantity is smuggled on board of the vessels, it is not difficult to procure subvention papers.

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

MR. EDITOR,

The defence of American genius against the aspersions of misrepresenting foreigners, has of late, been so frequently and so ably undertaken, that an exemplification of its excellence. may perhaps be unnecessary to its support. All, unbiassed by prejudice for the old, or speculative contempt for the new country, have at length been convinced, from the authority of fact, that unlike any people that ever existed, we have not required the progressive advances of time to mature our taste, or give expansion to our talents. We burst forth, like the Minerva of poetry, fully equipped and perfect. The causes which have operated to produce an effect so unprecedented, must be obvious to any one acquainted with the history of the United States, and therefore unnecessary to be mentioned here. Our Barlows, our Ramsays, and our Henrys, have flourished already-and be it mentioned with pride, though kingly patronage has seduced a West from our shores, we have Stuarts in abundance to rival and excel him. Truth, however, can never be too forcibly proved-and patriotism alone will prompt us to announce every occurring instance that may contribute to exalt us in the estimation of our proud cotemporaries. Eager as I find you are to encourage native genius, in whatever shape it may appear, and anxious myself to add one more testimonial to my country's superiority, I offer for publicity the following sketch relative to a man, hitherto but little known, equally deserving as he is industrious. The exertions lately made, to infuse a spirit and love for what are justly and emphatically denominated the fine arts, among the citizens of Philadelphia particularly, having proved in a most unexpected degree successful, I am induced to believe that the introduction of a new artist to notice, will not be unproductive of pleasure to many, and benefit to others.

Jacob Eichold was born at Lancaster about the year 1781. He early evinced a natural turn for drawing, but the solicitude of parental foresight, or the severity of prejudice, prevented en

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couragement, and debarred the means of improvement. Notwithstanding these obstacles, however, though compelled to adopt a trade, stabilitating a future and lasting maintenance, his moments of relaxation, during the apprenticeship, were employed agreeably to inclination, in depicting, with a piece of common chalk, the resemblances of his companions upon the wall, or with a stick delineating their features in the dust. At Harrisburg, where he commenced the copper-smith, the accidental circumstance of a few cattle collecting round his shop, drew forth some specimens of his talent. But, however gratified with the praises of a few friends, the unhealthiness of the situation, which had introduced sickness and disease into his family, induced his return to Lancaster-where, with a disposition somewhat versatile, he entered into the manufactory of tin. The pots and kettles which he then offered for sale, were generally ornamented with some fanciful painting of his own. But thé celebrity such trifling daubs acquired among the phlegmatic Dutch, was not sufficient to satisfy a man like Eichold. He professed himself the limner. Nor was it till after the ill treatment of one, who obliged him almost to resort to legal compulsion, to extort a moderate compensation for his labour, that he perceived his incapacity, and dejectedly threw the brush away. The occupation of his shop now filled his mind entirely; and for some time his ingenuity wasted itself upon the construction and beauty of his tin vessels. Mr. Woolet not long after, made his appearance in Lancaster, and by his profiles obtained some reputation, and considerable money. Eichold visited him, attentively observed his method of proceeding, and again declared himself desirous of public patronage. His prices were small-his likenesses great. He knew not to be sure the necessary art of mixing his colours and his oil-but though hitherto accustomed only to a boot-jack as a pallet, and any thing in the shape of a brush, he succeeded in turning the tide of approbation from Woolet to himself. This almost unhoped for victory encouraged perseverance and labour. His natural modesty united with an ardent, unfeigned desire of amendment, invited amicable criticism for his improvement. Corrections in his pieces were willingly and obligingly made, and continuing to reap the bene

fit of occasional, though defective instruction, he rapidly advanced to the first line of portrait painting. Eichold however, had heard of others. The fame of Stuart and Sully had reached the ears of this humble imitator, and though nature had done much, he thought the lessons of a master in the art might do more. His wishes were gratified. Accident carried our favourite Sully to the tinman's shop, and with a liberality that does honour to his heart, the more so as it is uncommon, he encouraged, criticised, and amended. The glaring faults of intuition were developed, while the beauties of an original and peculiar style were applauded. Eichold now may well be called the pupil of nature and of Sully. As from that hour he has progressed with a rapidity scarcely credible, which promises an early arrival at perfection. Still, however, doubtful as to his eventual success, and resolved to resign the employment entirely, unless opinion shall support him, to his utmost expectations, he has never been prevailed upon to forsake his established trade. A visit will soon be made to Philadelphia, and some specimens of his powers placed at the Academy. So that it rests upon its inhabitants, whether they will, by their patronage and approbation, confirm his predilection for an art that has done our country so much honour, or by their neglect drive him again to an ignoble and obscure profession.

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RUSSEL.

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

ON THE GENIUS OF THE CHINESE.

ESSAY I. PART I.

THE history of nations, in the earliest periods of their existence, when knowledge is too limited, and prejudice too inveterate to allow Philosophy and Reason to dispel the mists of superstition and ignorance, is involved in difficulties almost insuperable: and blended with fiction so absurd and improbable, that astonishment

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