Martinsburgh Gazette

Harry Croswell, editor of "the Balance an excellent paper printed at Albany. has lately got to prison, in consequence of his subscribers neglecting to pay him. The following selection from his last paper will shew that although "his body may be bound, his mind is unfettered"

MY OWN CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY.

In the order of arrangements for the celebrating the late anniversary of American independence, published by the corporation, there was no station assigned to debtors confined on the limits, nor did any part of the route of the procession lie on my narrow walks. But feeling an ardent desire to commemorate the day, to the best of my poor ability, I came to the patriotic resolution, late on Wednesday evening, of celebrating in my own way, in my own family, and in my own closet. Accordingly I prepared, with all convenient speed, a song, and a set of toasts. which I now give to the reader, purely for his edification. I drank seventeen toasts, lacking nine (which was not so great a deficiency as appeared in the corporation, when compared with the bill of arrangements,) and as to my song, for the sake of economy, I cut it up into eight distinct songs, and I have no doubt it will go well enough in as many different tunes.- Here they are :

TOASTS.

1. The gaol limits-They confine the body only, while a mean and contracted spirit reduces the soul to bondage. …" Th'oppressor holds The body bound, but knows not what a range the spirit takes."

SONG.

I.
Tho' the body's in limbo, the mind may take wing- (As the bird that's encag'd seldom ceases to sing) Circumscrib'd in my limits, yet, free as the air, I'll view the whole world from an editor's chair.

2: Independence-May we enjoy it in all places, times, situations and circumstances.

II.
Tho' deprived of my freedom, yet not the less free, I will ne'er bow the neck ; I will not bend the knee; Independent of all; e'en my song is my OWN For I made it myself, and I sing it alone.

3. "The feast of reason and the flow of soul."

III.
What though no rich viands I venture to boast, Nor steep in libations each hacknied toast. Yet in feasting and drinking, I'll act out my part, And my toast shall be sentiments warm from the heart.

4. Splendid dinners and anniversary toasts--Gold can buy the one, and wine can wash down the other. "Dainty bits Make rich the ribs, but banker out the wits."

IV.
What is gold without goodness, or wine without wit? Ask not the old miser, or dull tippling cit : Gold's a god that is worshipp'd by fools and by knaves, And wine without wisdom turns freemen to slaves.

5. My friends (in a bumper )-My foes and false friends (in a heel-tap )

V.
Since "friendship's a jewel we seldom can meet." TRUE friends in a full-flowing bumper I'll greet- While to foes and false friends, of the various sects, In heel-taps and drainings, I'll pay my respects.

6. Old friends with new faces.

VI.
What magic affects many groupes that pass by! That brow, how 'tis wrinkled! averted that eye! See, see the masks drop-see the cloaks blow aside! See deceit strive in vain its foul blotches to hide !

7. Politicians who possess _"That glib and oily art To speak and purpose not."

VII.
May the oil from their tongues be extracted with care-- Their purposes sifted their motives laid bare-- May they, when by Balance they are bro't to the test. "Kick the beam" if found wanting in what they've profess'd.

8. My frail vessel, on the tempestuous ocean of politics.

VIII.
When tempests deform the political sky- The gulf yawns beneath, and the waves mount on high; I'LL COMMAND MY OWN SHIP -at the wheel take my stand : With her last plank go down, or come safely to land.