Saturday dinners were alternately given among the principal families, and continued until the death of Francis Brinley, Esq. One principal dish, which was served up on the occasion, was dun-fish, a very choice article. Thomas Brinley, Esq., inforined the author, that they cost at that day, as high as ten dollars per quintal. The process of cooking them was quite different from the ordinary mode now pursued; they were placed in soak over night, then taken out and sewed up in a napkin, and simply simmered over the fire; they were then served up whole, with melted butter and boiled eggs. A variety of other dishes went to make up the entertainment. It was on one of these occasions, that the blacks in the kitchen of Col. Malborn, through carelessness, permitted the wood-work above the fireplace to take fire, and being destitute of brains, did not at once throw on a bucket of water, which would have extinguished it. It spread so rapidly, that before the engines arrived from Newport, it was enveloped in a sheet of flame, and beyond their power to check its progress; its walls crumbled and fell. It has been stated that the Colonel bore his loss with much sang-froid, but this tradition we do not believe. A ridiculous statement was made in a small work, published a few years since, that Mrs. Malborn, for fear that her rich and costly furniture would be injured, prohibited the firemen from entering the house. Now, the presumption is, that Mrs. Malborn, like all other ladies, was so much terrified, as not to dictate on this occasion, but to make her exit from the burning house with all possible dispatch, and hence save her life The wealthy portion of Newport, in those days, lived in epicurean style; perhaps there was no place in the Colonies, that could vie with them in the magnificence of their public entertainments. It was Old-English hospitality,-when the wine was passed round after dinner, and then followed "the feast of reason, and the flow of soul." The town-house of Col Malborn, which is yet standing in Newport, was a splendid habitation. It is an ancient brick building, and has an imposing appearance with its portico, double flight of lofty steps, and its heavy and highly ornamental iron gate and railings. On the gate-posts were placed stone pine-apples, and the iron railing around the portico, bore the FIRST FIRE ENGINE. 135 nitials G. M. in the centre. The interior also presented many vestiges of its former splendor, in its gilded cornices and panel work, and its mantels of rich marble. A splendid hall, with a noble flight of circular stairs, reaching to the attic, displayed the fine taste of its owner. Does the reader ask, where is this building? Alas! the hand of modern vandalism has shorn it of its former splendor; it is now but an ordinary building, and scarcely noticed. Mr. Malborn added much to the interest of the place, and was generous in all his public acts. It is said that he once remarked, "What will not money buy ?"-being a man of ordi nary appearance, a wag standing near, overheard the remark, and was disposed to have some sport. He penned the following lines, and stuck them up where they could be seen and read: "All the money in the place, Won't buy Old Malborn a handsome face." This highly exasperated Col. Malborn, whereupon he offered a reward of ten guineas to find out the author. The real author came forward, and frankly acknowledged it. It is said, that the Colonel was so much amused with the joke, that he paid him the reward, and treated him in the bargain. Commerce expands the mind, and liberalizes the heart. The site formerly occupied by Mr. Malborn's house, after a period of eighty-four years, has been improved by J. Prescott Hall, Esq., of New-York, who has erected a house for a summer residence, but the glory has departed. Mr. Hall's mother was the daughter of Peter Mumford, Esq., of Newport, and his wife being a Rhode Island lady, daughter of the late Hon. James D'Wolf, of Bristol, has attached him to Newport. FIRE-ENGINE, No. 1,-MILL STREET. Engine No. 1, was the gift of Col. Godfrey Malborn. It was manufactured by Newsham and Ragg, of London, in the year 173.6 With the exception of the box, it remains the same, and is pronounced as perfect a specimen of the kind, as is to be met with, even in this day of improvement. Judge Bowler, like most of the wealthy merchants of that period, had his town and country residence. The former is now the Vernon Mansion, corner of Clarke and Mary-streets, and is certainly a beautiful specimen of architecture. And the latter, the farm, now occupied and belonging to the heirs of Isaac Chase, in Portsmouth, which then contained an elegant garden, filled with every description of fruits and flowers, with artificial ponds, &c., at present is nothing more than an ordinary place. Mr. Bowler married, in 1750, Ann Fairchild, of Newport, and left a number of descendants. Vaucluse, the residence of the late Samuel Elam, Esq., he inherited from his uncle, Jarvis Elam, who resided on the place for many years before his death. Samuel was an English gentleman of the old school, and the taste which he displayed in laying out, and embellishing his grounds, is evidence of the truth of the remark. His style of living was profuse, and he could well afford it, for his income was large, and fully ade quate to keep up such an establishment. On occasions, when he gave large dinner parties to his friends, the choicest viands graced his table, as well as superior wines and liquors, of which he was a connoisseur. Many were the entertainments given at Vaucluse, in which the guests were treated with sumptuous hospitality. His equipage was after the English style, with postillion and footman. He had his town as well as country residence; and, on bank days, (for he was President of the Rhode Island Union Bank,) he uniformly took dinner at Newport. An old female domestic, Marcy Sambo, took charge of the house, and provided for the occasion. He was a Quaker, and wore the peculiar garb of that sect, and contributed to the society. He was a gentleman of strong prejudices, but whenever he took a fancy to an individual, he was most strongly devoted. Many an anecdote is related of him, which goes to corroborate the truth of the remark. His port and carriage was truly dignified and noble. His property fell to a nephew, residing in England, who came over to America, and disposed of his whole estate; NEWPORT THE EMPORIUM OF FASHION. 137 and he immediately returned home, his taste being different from that of his uncle's. Vaucluse is now the property of Thomas R. Harard, Esq., and is certainly the most interesting spot on the island. The garden contains seventeen acres, most elegantly laid out, including a labyrinth, with serpentine walks, a fit emblem of ancient Troy. The walks are spacious, and running in different directions, presents a charming and picturesque scenery, and such as a highly cultivated mind would justly appreciate. The farm consists of about one hundred and fifty acres, scientifically cultivated. Mr. Harard is a practical farmer; every thing indicates system and proper management, and a walk over his extensive grounds, would soon convince the reader, that we have not too highly colored the picture. Many other beautiful residences were to be found on the island, in her palmy days; the Overing, Bannister, &c., which shows the taste of the inhabitants at that interesting period. Many of the inhabitants were from the first families in England, and Newport was regarded not only for her commercial importance, but as the emporium of fashion, refinement, and taste. "This aristocratic trait of character has continued among her inhabitants to the present day." The writer from whom we have made this extract, says, "But the change of popula tion, and the death, dispersion, and poverty of those families, has now reduced society more conformable to the general republican manners of the country, and has levelled those arbitrary distinctions, which once so generally prevailed." Now the views here entertained of the aristocracy of Newport, being based on wealth, and the loss of wealth levelling those distinctions, is not founded in fact. The aristocracy of Newport rested on a sub-stratum more durable. It was intellect, and refinement of manners, which made the broad distinction in society. The mere boor, with no other recommendation than money, his society was not courted; while many, whose pecuniary means were limited, were held in high estimation for their moral and intellectual acquirements. This was the peculiar characteristic which distinguished the age, and which outweighed every minor consideration. "Worth then made the man,not money-the want of it the fellow; We wage no crusade against wealth, provided it be justly acquired, and judiciously appropriated. But when it is made the idol, and used as an instrument of power, it then becomes a curse; and induces many to obtain it in the most fraudulent manner, in order that their respectability may be secured. It is truly painful, when we reflect, that man can be so besotted with gold, which will perish with the using; and arrogate so much self-importance, when there is evidently a want of intellectual ballast, which renders them pitiful objects to contemplate. "There's not a day, but to the man of thought, In 1768, the ship Endeavor, commanded by Capt. James Cook, sailed from England for the South Seas, having on board Sir Joseph Banks, &c., for the purpose of observing the transit of Venus over the Sun's disk, which took place on the 4th of June, 1769. After making the observation at Otaheite, Capt. Cook proceeded south, and having made many discoveries, returned, by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, to England, in 1771. She was subsequently engaged in the whaling busi ness, and put into Newport, in consequence of the war between England and France, where she was condemned. She was then sold for the benefit of the underwriters, to Capt. John Cahoone, and his brother, Stephen, (father of Benjamin J. Cahoone, Esq., of the United States' navy,) who were building a packet called the Concord, and the materials which were found suitable were worked in. For many years the lower part of her hull lay on Cahoone's shore, at the south part of the town. It has long since disappeared, having been manufactured into canes, boxes, &c., as curiosities. William Gilpin, Esq., has in his possession the crown, taken from her stern. CUNDALL'S MILLS. The fanciful name now employed is the "Glen." We prefer, however, the original name, as being associated with many interesting events. It is now the property of the Hon. Samuel |