"The prettiest girl in town!"-indeed master Fred!" muttered the wrathy belle, as she trotted her little foot in vexation, "I never new a sprig of the law yet, who did not lack either wit or honesty, fortunately your weakness appears to be about the region of the heart-you may reach the Judge's bench, but you are no judge of beauty." every one in general, and with Jessie Vinton in lighting up her misery, without warming her heart, "Ah! listener-you remind me of a certain personage, who is said to be ever present at the mention of his own name." "His stay would be short, methinks, if he feared the flashing of-beauty's cycs, come give me a kiss, sister, and I will go to my books again." "Not I, indeed! how do I know who might get it before the rising of to-morrow's sun." "I will promise on the honor of a lawyer, to send it direct to Doctor Charley, through the kind. ness of Jessie Vinton." If Fred had not known the precise weight of that soft little hand of hers, he might have stayed to determine, but as an open window afforded a most favorable opening for a speedy exit, he took an immediate departure. "Mama!" exclaimed Jessie, who came tripping into the room, her bright face radiant with happiness," mama, I have so much to tell you;-and just look here; see these beantiful shells, this Lucy told me, came from-I have forgotten where but look mama, did you see anything so lovely as the delicate red, and now put it to your ear, listen! would not you imagine a fairy of the ocean to be appeared anon, with a boquet of beautiful exotics, held at arms length, exclaiming while her eyes seemed to vie with her teeth in whiteness. "Look-a-here, Misse Winton,- -see dat!-real flowers!-for Miss Jessie I spose, but I is not a gwine to tell who brung-em, cause why I don't knows yah! yah!" "The cloud disappeared muttering as she went, "I tought so ;-I knowed as how it was'nt weak eyes, as brought him to the window so much, his heart is weak-not his eyes-they are affected but not by hard study, I reckon, yah, yah." [Concluded in our next. ] BIOGRAPHY. SAMUEL FINLEY BREEZE MORSE. "FRANKLIN drew the lightning from Heaven, but Morse gave it a voice," was the eloquent remark of one, who with others, gloried in claiming this celebrated professor as an American, whose name shall go down to posterity, as the founder of a new era in the transmission of intelligence. And truly, when the nations shall converse across their oceans and the winged words shall fly to the ends of the earth, uniting the whole human race in a circle of knowledge, conveyed in "one language and one speech," then shall the name of Morse be recorded, when those of heroes and emperors shall have been lost in the vortex of revolutions. Stay brother," exclaimed Emily, "I have a nestling within that rosy cell, murmuring, and mission for you." sighing to return to its home among the coral Prof. Morse was born on the 27th day of Sepcaves? Mama, why is every one so kind to me?—tember, 1791, at Bunker Hill Charlestown, Mascan you tell ?" "Command me sister." "For this evening then, I want a boquet, a splendid one, and, do you hear?-a white japonica for my hair; will you procure me these, before seven ?" "I will try." "Because my daughter is so kind to every one, perhaps, but what have you to tell me, love?" "Well, I hardly know where to commence, but Lucy's brother Charles has returned you know, and such beautiful presents as he has brought to his sister-mama you cannot imagine-there is that beautiful piano, with a pile of new music so sachusetts-the great battle ground, famous forever in the annals of our country. He is the son of the late Jedediah Morse, the father of American geography, and the great-grand-son of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, President of Princeton college, New Jersey. He was educated at Yale college, where he graduated in 1810. "And promise also, that you will not reserve all the half blow roses for Jes"-but Fred had disap. peared. "The rogue !—the theif!-he will surely do what I forbade-how thoughtless in me to re-high; then such a love of a dress, which he pur-cultivate a taste which he had acquired for the mind him of it; but I would as soon shake hands with a barber, as to carry a boquet were she also to have one-the chit! I am astonished that Lucy should invite her to the party, but I for one, am determined not take the least notice of her, the entire evening; the prettiest girl in town, indeed! But here comes little cross-eyed Katie with my dress. Fred shall not see it, until evening, then side, by side, with his Beauty, he may make his own comparisons-but men take odd fancies-there is no accounting for them." chased at the great store in Broadway; Stewart's, "Which, my child, the chain or miniature ?" "Mrs. Vinton fixed her eyes upon her daughter's The widow Vinton was engaged in refitting a dress for her daughter to wear to the party. It was her own wedding dress, a richly embroidered muslin wrought by her own youthful fingers,and trimmed with costly lace which composed a part of her own mother's bridal robe. And many a tear had gemmed her lashes since she had been engaged at her task. She thought of the time when those del-pressed the cold brow of her departed husband. icate folds veiled her own joyous bosom-when sorrow had been a stranger to her heart, and friends near and dear had clustered round. She thought too of that sad hour, when her bosom companion, was torn from her side by the angel of Death, leaving her lone and destitute, save the little one at her breast, whose presence seemed the only tie that connected her with earth, and the only ballast that stayed her soul from its upward flight. She remembered that the friends of her prosperity like the stars on a cloudless night, beamed for a season, From the dews of Death they had received the "Hush! a knock! run to the door Jessie." In the following year he went to London, to fine arts. He resided there for four years, and was a pupil of those distinguished masters, Wash. ington Allston and Benjamin West. During this period he produced many choice paintings, and re. ceived a gold medal for the best specimen of sculp. ture. The subject was the Dying Hercules. This was his first effort in sculpture. At the same time he had several paintings in the Royal Exhibition. In 1815, Mr. Morse returned to his native country, and occupied his time for seven or eight years, chiefly at the south, as a portrait painter. But higher honors awaited him. In 1821, or 1825, he was the prime mover and getter up of the Na. tional Academy of Design, of which we have just reason to be proud. In 1829, the subject of our sketch again visited the old world, and remained in Italy and France, pursuing his studies in the fine arts, until 1832. During a considerable portion of this time, he resided in Rome, Florence and Venice. He returned from Havre to America, in the packet ship Sully, and on his passage his active mind conceived the idea of the electro-magnetic telegragh. All the telegraphs in Europe, which are practicable, are based on a different principle, and without an exception, were invented subsequently to his. Says Prof. Morse, in a letter to Stephen Vail, Esq: "The thought occurred to me in general conversation with the passengers. I ought perhaps to say, that the conception of the idea of an electric telegraph, was original with me at the time, and I suppose that I was the first that ever associated the two ideas together. Nor was it until my invention was completed, and had been successfully operated through ten miles, that I for the first time, learned that the idea of an electric telegraph had been conceived by another. To me it was original and its total dissimilarity to all the inventions, and even the suggestions from others, may be thus accounted for. I had not the remotest hint from othcrs, till my whole invention was in successful op eration." The claims of Prof. Morse are now universally acknowledged, and at a very recent meeting of the British Association for the Promotion of Science, Sir Robert Inglis, the president elect admitted that to the United State belongs the honor of having first successfully introduced the electric telegraph. The personal appearance of Prof. Morse bespeaks the philosopher. He is tall and slender, has an intellectual forehead, and the snows of time have slightly sprinkled his hair. A more unassuming man cannot be found; and, had it not been for his extreme modesty, congress would have em. ployed him to construct the first experimental line, between Washington and Baltimore, at a much earlier period than they did. He is not a man of ordinary mould, for were we to deprive him of his imperishable honors as the discoverer of the telegraph, we must, as an artist, still place him high on the pedestal of fame. MISCELLANY. dreadful agonies. Nevertheless his features were calm and serene, and his physicial pains seemed to be vanquished by the purity of his soul, Great God,' said he,' I thank the, that I am only suf fering from the fangs of the tiger and not from re morse.'" vades our Courts, State and Federal, from the AN HONEST Boy.-That "honesty is the best policy," was illustrated some years since under the INTOXICATING DRINKS. -"The habit of using ardent spirits by men in office, has occasioned more injury to the public, and more trouble to me, than all other causes. And were I to commence my administration again, with the experience I now have, the first question I would ask respecting a candidate would be, Does he use ardent spirits ?" -Thomas Jefferson. mer if he would bring it to his house. "Certain ly," replied the farmer, "with pleasure." " "Well," said the grateful man, "what will you pay me for the barrel when the cider is gone?" The Rural Repository. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1848. GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK. GODEY'S LADY's Book, for January, is before us arrayed in a garland of flowers. Its embellishments are numerous and following circumstances, detailed in the Rochester HEAR!-HEAR! cannot be surpassed. The Equestrian Fashion plate, and the Model Cottages, render the book, if possible, more valuable. Its pages are filled as usual, with the most interesting and useful matter. Grace Greenwood has become one of its editors, who with the assistance of its former ones, will shortly contributes to this number as well as Miss Leslie, Mrs. Hale, bring this magazine to the highest degree of perfection. She T. S. Arthur and others. The Music is far superior to that Letters Containing Remittances, Received at this Office, ending Wednesday last, deducting the amount of postage paid. THE HABIT OF READING YOUNG men should always cultivate a habit of reading for it may be to them, not only the means of information, but the perennial source of many of of any other Magazine. Any one sending $3,00 to L. A. the finest and highest enjoyments of life. They Godey, Philadelphia, will receive the Lady's Book, and the who make good books their constant companion, Lady's Dollar Newspaper for one year. It would be well to will never want good and faithful friends in their SHERIDAN once succeeded admirably in entrap-subscribe early, as many were disappointed in not receiving prosperous days, or their seasons of reverse. There ping a noisy member, who was in the habit of in- the first numbers of last year. can be no blank in the lives of those persons, who, terrupting every speaker with cries of “hear! from active love, hold daily fellowship with the hear!" Brinsley took an opportunity to allude to wisest and best of the race. We think we could a well-known political character of the time, who hardly be tempted to exchange our habit of rea- wished to play the rogue, but had only sense ding for any other friend it may be our fortune to enough to play the fool. "Where," exclaimed find on earth. And we are sure that any young Sheridan, in continuation, and with great empman who will make this habit his friend, will ever hasis, "where shall we find a more foolish knave, esteem it among the wisest steps of his life; and or a more knavish fool than this?" "Hear! hear!' so we counsel the young, from our own experience, was bellowed from the accustomed bench. The among all their getting in this world to get the ha-wit bowed, thanked the gentleman for his ready bit, the love of reading,-and always to have at hand a good book with which to fill up every leisure hour. In this way they may come at last to to know that the gems of life are found in its waste places. SELF-MADE MEN. reply to the question and sat down, amid convul- M. J. B. Stephentown, N. Y. $1,00; S. P. Allen's Hill, N. Y. $1,00; E. V. A. Valatie, N. Y. $4,00; P. M. Sempronius, N. Y. $1.00; P. M. Fulton, N. Y. $1,00; P. M. Reed's Corners, N. Y. $1,00; Miss F. Mabbettsville, N. Y. $0.624; J. B. Groveland, Mich. $1,00; P. M. Cedarville, N. Y. $5,00; M. D. Southville, N. Y. $1,00; P. M. East Lansing, N. Y. $4.00; Miss S. S. West Greenfield, N. Y. $1,00; K. D. Portville, N. Y. $1,00; B. F. C. Rosendale, Wis. $5,00; W. H. H. C. Westville, N. Y. $4,00; P. G. V. V. Pleasant Plains, N. Y. $3,00; C. B. H. Fulton, N. Y. $2,00; I. S. Lawrenceville, N. Y. $1,00; E. S. B. Crown Point, N. Y. $4,00. MARRIAGES. In this city, on the 3d inst. by the Rev. Henry Darling, Mr. Thomas Jefferson O'Conor, of Stockport, to Miss Georgiana Bullock, of this city. On the 16th ult. at the residence of D. W. Gantley, Athens, by the Rev. Mr. Cornell, Calvin Burr, to Julia A. daughter of P. Hosmer, Esq. At Wilmington Del. on the 20th ult. by the Rev. Mr. Van to Miss Caroline B. Lisle, of the former place. At Stuyvesant Falls, on the 18th ult. by the Rev. John C. Van Dervoort, Mr. John C. Van Hoesen, of Catskill, to Miss Mary Aun, daughter of John Talmage of Stockport. CLERICAL JOKE.-At a meeting of the church the pastor gave out the hymn commencing with "I love to steal awhile away," when the chorister "If you are to be an exception," said Mr. Crab.commenced singing, but owing to some difficulty be to his young friend," you will be the first in all in recollecting the tune, could not procced farther Deusen. William H. Fleming, of Greenport, Col. Co. N. Y. my observation and experience. You may take than "I love to steal" which he did three or four the whole population of Maryland, and select from times in succession, when the clergyman in order it 50 men, who are most distinguished for talents, to relieve him from the dilemma, waggishly reor any description of public usefulness, and I will marked that it was very much to be regretted," answer for it, they are all every one of them, men and added "let us pray." who began the world without a dollar. Look into the public councils of the nation, and who are they that take the lead there? They are men who made their own fortunes-self-made men, who began with nothing. The rule is universal. It per DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS." I once met on DEATHS. In this city on the 28th ult. John Lott, in his 61st year. the sea-shore," said the eastern poet Sadi," a pious year of his age. of Dr. William Barthrop, in the 78th year of her age. WHEN life, with all its cares, is o'er, Let no pale marble raise its hend Above dark and lonely bed; Or proudly sculptured stone proclaim Or aught be found, from which to trace. Far in some lone, sequestered dale- From Neal's Saturday Gazette. EMERETTE. BY BARRY GRAY. It was evening, and the moonlight rested on the frozen ground, And the lake was locked in silence, in a chrystal casket bound. While the leafless trees like spectres, moved their shadows on its breast; As the breeze in mournful cadence told the story of their rest Near I stood beside a willow, listening to the viewless wind, That was whispering all unbidden tales unto my simple mind. For the forest trees were dreaming, and their voice stole slowly by, In the language nature gave them,-in the music of the sky. They were telling of the summer, when the sunshine warm and bright, Gleaming through their waving branches, bathed their trunks in golden light. When their leaves like modest maidens, trembled as the shadows fell, While they hearkened still on tiptoe to the distant village bell. When the brooklet, as it wandered through the mazes of the the wood, Wooed the flower with gentle murmur, that beside its low bank stood. When the robin's home-born music, and the cat-bird's piercing cry, Fell alike upon the school-boy as he idly rambled by. When all nature robed in beauty lay before them in its light, Seemed the earth a pleasant garden, decked with flowers gay and bright. Thus of summer did they whisper to each other on the wind, And they told sweet tales together, in a voice so low and kind. One that in my heart I treasure, as a story that is true, Floated on my mind in beauty, as a cloudlet o'er the blue. "Tis the tale of two young lovers, who beside the fountain wooed; How the youth with words of kindness won the maiden to his mood. He a student from the city, free from study for a time, Seeking 'mid the woods and flowers, fancies which to weave in rhyme. She a simple village-maiden, with an air of careless grace, And a joy forever beaming in her laughing sun-burnt face. It was in the early morning that beside the spring they met, Where they first looked on each other-student Charles and Emerette. BOUND VOLUMES. We now offer to the Public, at the lowest possible reduced prices, any of the following Volumes, viz: Vols. 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24, handsomely done up in Pamphlet style, with Cloth Backs, and thick Colored Paper sides; one side printed with Title Page, the other with beautiful Engravings. These will be furnished for 62 Cents single, Eleven Copies for $5,00. They will last nearly as long as those bound, and as they are trimmed a size larger it will not injure There he filled her urn with water, from the fountain gushing them for future binding. o'er, Then beside her through the meadow, bore,it to her cottage door. Also the sume Volumes half bound, in a very neat and tasteful style, with Leather Backs and Colored Paper sides, with Printed Title Page, &c. for 75 Cents single, or Nine Copies for $5,00. Also the same volumes half bound, in a neat, substantial and durable manner, with Leather Backs and Corners. Marble Paper sides and Lettered on the Back, for $1,00 single, or Seven Copies for $5.00. The Postage on the Stitched Volumes, will be about 17 Cents; the Half Bound, 20 Cents to any part of the United States. We have also on hand any of the Volumes above mentioned bound in Double Volumes (two Vols, in one.) for $2,00 single or Three Double Volumes for $4.50. These are bound in the neatest and most substantial manner. Postage about 40 Cts. each to any part of the United States. We have also some Volumes of a smaller size in Pamphlet style, viz: Vols. 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9, which we will sell for 374 Cents single, or Nine copies for $3.00. The same Volumes bound at 50 Cents single, or Seven Copies for $3,00. Postage on Stitched Volumes 10 Cents.-Bound 16 Cents to any part of the Union. Persons sending for a Club of Bound Volumes, can make choice of any number of the Volumes mentioned, and include the present, unbound, in it at the same rate if they wish; but where there is no choice, we would prefer sending the most of Volume 18th, it being as good a volume as any of them If any one should wish to get one for a sample, before they get up a Club, they can have one sent at about the wholesale prices, say 50 Cents, or one of each of the two first mentioned for $1.00 and the last 75 Cents. N. B. We have also, a few copies of Vols. 10, 13, 14, 15, and 22, at $1,00 ench, unbound. Also of the small size, Vols. 4 and 7, at 75 Cents each unbound. We can furnish a full set from the commencement Bound, and all but Vols. 1 and 2 unbound. New Volume, September, 1848. RURAL REPOSITORY. Vol. 25, Commencing Sept. 30, 1848. EMBELLISHED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. Price $1 Clubs from 45 to 75 Cents. THE RURAL REPOSITORY will be devoted to Polite Literature; containing Moral and Sentimental Tales, Original Communications, Biographies, Traveling Sketches, Amusing Miscellany, Humorous and Historical Anecdotes, Poetry, &e. The first Number of the Twenty-fifth Volume of the RURAL REPOSITORY Wll be issued on Saturday the 30th of September, 1848. CONDITIONS. THE RURAL REPOSITORY will be published every other Saturday in the Quarto form, containing twenty six numbers of eight pages each, with a title page and index to the volume, making in the whole 208 pages. It will also be embellished with numerous Engravings, and consequently it will be one of the neatest, cheapest, and best literary papers in the country. TERMS. ONE DOLLAR per annum, invariably in advance. We have a few copies of the 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23d, and 24th, volumes, and any one sending for the 25th, volume, can have as many copies of either of these volumes as they wish at the same rate as that volume. All volumes not mentioned above will not be sold, less than $1,00 each, except when a whole set is wanted. Clubs! Clubs! Clubs! Clubs!! 2 Copies for $1.50,being 75 Cents Each. do. $2,00, do. 66 do. 3 Names of subscribers with the amount of Subscription to be sent as soon as possible to the publisher. No subscription received for less than one year. All the back numbers furnished to new subscribers during the year until the edition is out, unless otherwise ordered. WILLIAM B. STODDARD. Hudson, Columbia, Co. N. Y. 1848. EDITORS, who wish to exchange, are respectfully requested togive the above a few insertions, or at least a notice and receive Subscriptions. A Semi-monthly Journal, Embellished with Engravings. ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM. VOLUME XXV. W. B. STODDARD, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. JUDGK EBMONES. THE father of this distinguished jurist was born in the city of New-York, at what is now the corner of William and Liberty streets, on the 27th of August, 1760. When the war of the Revolution broke out, he was a student at college, in Rhode Island. He, however, immediately left his studies, and enlisted in the army as a private soldier. In various capacities, he served during the whole war having risen from the ranks to an ensigncy, and finally, to an assistant commissary. He was at the battles of Monmouth, Yorktown, etc. On the establishment of peace, at the age of twenty three he started to seek his fortune, having nothing but a horse, saddle, bridle, two blankets, and a little continental money. In 1784, during his wanderings, he arrived at the site of what is now the city of Hudson, then called Claverack Landing. There as one of the few settlers, he opened a small store, in which buisness he was found by the emigrants from Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, who purchased the land and laid the foundation of the city. He was at one time a member of the Assembly, and high sheriff of the county, and he continued in trade until the war of 1812, when he again entered the service of his country. He was soon appointed pay-master-general of the militia, in which office he continued for several years after the termination of the war. He died at Hudson, in 1826 and within a few years, a beautifu! inonument has arisen in its graveyard, erected to his memory by his sons. His wife, the mother of the Judge, was Lydia Worth, daughter of Thomas Worth, one of the first settlers of Hudson. She was a descendant of William Worth, 1 PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, NUMBER 7. who emigrated from Devonshire, England, in 1640 and settled in Nantucket. From this common stock have descended, Major-General Worth, of the United States Army; G. A. Worth, Esq. president of the New-York City Bank; and the Olcott and Edmonds families. After the death of Gen. Edmonds, his widow resided chiefly with her son, the judge, until she died on the 20th of November, 1841. She was a member of the society of Friends, and instilled into her children many of the tenets of that respected sect, which have evidently influenced their conduct through life. Judge Edmonds, was born in the city of Hudson, on the 13th of March, 1799. His early education was at private schools, and at the academy at Hudson, where he prepared for college. In October 1814, he entered the sophomore class, of William's college, Massachusetts, in company with John Birdsall, afterwards circuit judge of the eighth circuit, and attorney general of Texas. In 1815, he solicited his dismissal from the college, and entered Union college, at Schenectady, where he graduated in July, 1816. His share in the exercises of the commencement, was the fall of Poland. On leaving college, he began the study of the law, at Cooperstown, with George Monell, Esq. afterwards chief justice of Michigan. After remaining at that place about six months, he returned to Hudson, where he studied two years, in the office of Monell & Van Buren. In the fall of 1819, he entered the office of Martin Van Buren, in Albany. He continued with the ex-president, residing in his family, until May, 1820, when he returned to Hudson, and entered upon the practice of the law. He continued at Hudson, until his removal to New-York, in November, 1837. Inheriting the military disposition of his father, we find the judge, at the age of nineteen, a lieutenant in the militia, which commission he held for about fifteen years, when he obtained the command of his regiment. This office he resigned, in 1828, on being appointed, by De Witt Clinton, recorder of Hudson. To this day throughout the old county of Columbia, the judge is addressed as colonel, military honors appearing invariably to take precedence of all others. At an early age, he took an active part in politics, ranking himself as a democrat, and the first vote he ever gave was for Daniel D. Tompkins, when he ran for Governor, against De Witt Clinton. In 1830, the judge was elected by the democrats of Columbia, to the Assembly, in which body he soon became a leading and influential member. In the fall of 1831, he was elected to the state Senate, receiving in his district, an unprecedented majority of over 7,500 votes. { Upon the organization of the judiciary, under the new state constitution, Judge Edmonds was nominated for Justice of the supreme court by the bar of New-York, and by the Tammany party, and was elected by a majority exceeding any of his colleagues. This result cannot but be gratify fear, and no duty exacted from him but that of im- In the senate he served four years, during the whole of which time, in addition to other duties, he was a member of the judiciary committee, and for the last three years chairman of the bank committee. It was also during his senatorial term that the subject of nullification, arising out of the forcible resistance of South Carolina to the tariff laws, oc. Passion, prejudice and selfishness, all combined cupied the public mind. A joint committee of the to place obstacles in the way of this proposed retwo houses was raised on the matter, and the judge form, and its progress was very slow. Yet it was a member on the part of the senate. An ela- steadily advanced, and when, in 1845, the judge borate report, drawn up by Mr. Van Buren, then resigned the office of inspector, his system was in vice-president of the United States, was made by the full tide of experiment. It has been continued Mr. N. P. Tallmadge, the chairman of the com- by his successors to the present time. It has also mittce. About that time, Mr. Tallmadge was been introduced into the state prisons at Auburn elected to the United States senate, and opposition and Clinton, and is now the governing principle in to his report on nullification unexpectedly arising, all our state penitentiaries. With a view of carthe defence of it devolved upon Judge Edmonds. rying out his plan, in December, 1841, he instituThe debate lasted more than a week during which{ted a " Prison Discipline society," the object of time the judge stood alone against six of the most which is the reform of prison government and the prominent senators on the other side. The result aiding of prisoners, on their discharge, to lead honwas the adoption of the report by an overwhelming est lives. This society is in very successful oper. majority. ation, and enjoys a large share of public confidence. How great an amount of good can be accomplished by a single philanthropic individual; and for this one movement of the judge, how many poor wretches will rise up and call him blessed! For this the tear of gratitude shall fall upon his grave, while angels proclaim that," he who turneth one sinner from the error of his way, shall shine as the stars forever." "Man dies, but not one of his acts ever dies. Each perpetuated and prolonged by interminable results affects some beings in every age to come." In 1834 the judge was chairman of a joint committee of the two houses, to whom was referred the subject of the United States bank, which its oppo. nents alledged was creating pecuniary distress, with a view of extorting from congress a renewal of its charter. In the summer of 1836, Judge Edmonds was appointed by General Jackson, a commissioner to carry into effect the treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes of Indians. This business took him during the summer to Michilimackinac, where for nearly two months, he was encamped with over six hundred natives. In the ensuing year he received appointments in relation to other tribes, but in the fall of 1837 he relinquished them and removed from Hudson to New-York, where he resumed the practice of law. He almost immediately found himself in an extensive and profitable busi. ness among the merchant princes of the commercial emporium. In April, 1843, without any solicitation on his part, the judge was appointed by Governor Bouck, an inspector of the state prison at Sing Sing. It was with much hesitation that he accepted this unthankful task. The labor was indeed Herculean. Scarcely any discipline was maintained in the prison, and the female prisoners had the entire control of the officers, hundreds of the males were entirely idle, and the earnings fell short of the expenses by over $40,000. But within eighteen months, a great change was effected, and the female portion of the prison was brought into com. plete subjection Strict discipline was introduced and maintained among the males, and the annual deficiency in the revenue was reduced to less than a tenth part of the former sum. This task, however, was easy in comparison with a reform of a different character which he sought to introduce. He found, that for more than fifteen years, the system of government which had prevailed in our state prisons, was one purely of force; and where no sentiment was sought to be awakened in the breast of the prisoner but that of during his judgeship he had made several decisions that warred upon popular prejudice, and immediately before his election he had, with others of the democratic party, protested against the admission of Texas into the Union, as eminently calculated to lead to a war with Mexico and to perpetuate the extension of slavery. Subsequent events have justified the sagacity which marked that act, while the act itself has subjected the gentlemen engaged in it to much obloquy and censure from their po litical associates. This proceeding was, however, rebuked in his triumphant election by the public, who honored him for his independence of character. The judge has one brother, Francis, cashier of the Mechanics' Bank in New-York, and somewhat distinguished as an artist. He has also three sisters, two of whom reside in the state of NewYork, and the third, the wife of Colonel Webb of the United States army, is living in Illinois. The family of the judge consists of three daugh ters, two of whom are married.-American Biographical Sketch Book. TTALES. THE CAPTURED BANNER; A YARN OF THE MONTEVIDEAN WAR. "CURAMBA! QUE INSOLENCIA !" These words were uttered by a lovely woman, whose flushed cheek, flashing eye and knitted brow spoke even more than words of the indignation which filled her heart. She was the young wife of Commodore Coe, the commander of the small navy of Montevideo. The lady was Spanish by birth as well as in feeling, and the cause of her anger was the sight of a ship which had been for two days standing off and on before the harbor, using every signal of insult and defiance to induce the vessel of Coe to come out and fight him. This the latter could not do for two reasons. The first was illness which confined him to his cot; the second that he had not one third of the crew; not even men enough to work his battery. On the 18th of February, 1845,- Mr. Edmonds received the appointment of circuit judge of the first circuit, in the place of Judge Kent, who had resigned. That office he held until June, 1847, when he was elected a judge of the supreme court. In the discharge of his duties as circuit judge, he was always fearless and independent, reminding us of the famous Matthew Hale. A most extraordinary instance of this was exhibited at the anti-rent trials in Columbia county, in September, 1815. The counsel employed in those trials, had been engaged in the same cases at the circuit in March preceding, and had then manifested no little combativeness. They displayed the same warmth before Judge Edmonds, and carried it so far as to At the moment when she muttered the words come to blows in open court. The offenders were which commence this sketch. Brown, the comgentlemen of high standing, and personal friends of mander of the Buenos-Ayrean ship had hoisted a the judge, and both at once apologized for their flag at his gaff, whereon was embroidered, in large contempt of court. But the judge, with great legible letters, the inscription: "COE THE COWpromptness, committed them both to prison, and ARD!" This was more than his noble, fiery wife adjourned his court with the remark, that it was could stand; for well she knew her husband's not his fault that the cause of public justice was truth and valor. After gazing one instant at the thus interrupted. Perhaps none regretted this mo- flag, she raised her jeweled hand, and taking there. mentary outbreak more than the parties themselves, from a diamond of great value, she cried to the whose manners in private life are courteous in the officers and men who stood around her on the deck. "I will give this diamond to any man who will bring me yonder flag!" extreme. This event attracted a great deal of attention throughout the Union, and was noticed by Europern papers as "evidence of advancing civilization in America." The most gratifying feature of the case was that it did not disturb the personal good feeling which had previously existed between the parties engaged in it. For a moment there was no response. The men looked at their officers, glanced at each other, but volunteers for a service so desperate seemed scarce. "What is there not one of all of you who dare the trial? Is my husband's ship indeed manned with cowards?" exclaimed the lady while her beau |