Major John Handy was a merchant of Newport. He was the son of Charles Handy, Esq., a distinguished citizen of Newport. He entered the Revolutionary army, to defend the honor of his country, and was promoted to the rank of Major. He died in Newport in 1828, aged 72 years.

The late Thomas Handy, Esq., brother of the Major, was a gentleman of dignified and courteous manners. He married Mary, the daughter of John Henry Overing, an eminent merchant of Newport. Mrs. Handy was truly a most estimable lady, endowed with those rare virtues and accomplishments which rendered her an ornament to society. Of a large and highly interesting family of children, but four survive her. Mary, who married her cousin, James Overing, of Westchester, N. Y.; Matilda, widow of Mr. Levi of Philadelphia; Robert, of the U. S. Navy; and Augustus, the wife of Mr. Sinclair of the city of New-York, a Counsellor at Law.

These reminiscences, though highly interesting in their character, yet nevertheless recall to mind solemn and affecting thoughts on the ravages produced by time, in the domestic circle, and should teach a salutary lesson of the fading and transitory nature of all earthly glory. As the Haudy family held an important position in society, and was highly regarded, a mere glance at their history we view as important in a work of this kind.

General Charles T. James, whose recent election to the Senate of the United States has created such an unusual degree of interest in the public mind, stands intimately and prominently connected with Newport, and we have felt called upon to notice his origin.

His grandfather John James, and his maternal grandfather, Charles Tillinghast, settled in Newport at an early period. His grandfather Tillinghast, was a devoted patriot; he was in Sulli van's expedition on Rhode Island, and was subsequently seized in his house at night by a band of British soldiers, and carried off. His sad fate was never satisfactorily known; it was, however, reported that he had died of the small pox.

Silas James, the father of the General, was born in Newport, and although a lad, was also in the expedition with his grandfather; he afterwards removed to West Greenwich, where he improved a farm, and was repeatedly elected to represent that

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town in General Assembly, and was also chosen Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held for many years.

There were six of the name of James, engaged in Sullivan's expedition, which proves them to have been men of the right stamp, and eminently fitted for that stormy period.

In 1827, the Newport Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers, appointed a committee to receive donations in books, or otherwise, for the purpose of establishing a library for the use of the members, and the apprentices of members. For more than thirty years the funds of this Society, although never extensive, have been invariably and zealously devoted to the most beneficial purposes. This Association, as far as its resources would permit, has clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and instructed the ignorant. It has ever been rich in disposition to do good, given to hospitality, and distributing to the necessities. of the indigent.

THE ASIATIC CHOLERA.

The Asiatic Cholera made its first appearance in August, at Jessore, a considerable city about one hundred miles north of Calcutta. After desolating some of the fairest portions of Asia, it penetrated the northern part of Europe, and sweeping over a great part of that continent, reached the British Isles. It has mastered every variety of climate, has passed mountains and swept over seas, proving equally fatal amid the burning sands of Arabia, and on the frozen shores of the White sea; and in the space of less than fifteen years has swept off more than fifty millions of the human race!

This dreadful disorder, two or three years previous to its appearance on this continent, was scarcely known to exist by a great portion of the American people. It first began to attract attention here, when it was known to have reached England, and its destructive ravages in Paris created alarm; but the hope was entertained that the Atlantic would prove a barrier to its approach. But when that barrier was passed, and it was known that this destroying angel had begun its march of death on this continent, a general consternation prevailed through the land.

It soon reached Albany and New-York, from Canada, and shortly spread dismay and death among the inhabitants of many of our cities.

At the June Session of the General Assembly of Rhode Island of that year, they recommended a public fast. The preamble of the act says:

"Whereas, That scourge to the human race, the Asiatic Cholera, has made its appearance on this continent, and as no human exertions can effectually resist the approach of this threatening pestilence which 'walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon day,' it becometh us humbly and devoutly to acknowledge our dependence upon, and to implore the aid of Him in whose hand our breath is, and whose mercies endureth forever; therefore,

"Resolved, that Thursday, the 5th day of July next, be, and is hereby set apart, as a day of humiliation and prayer to Almighty God, that he would stay this plague, and avert the appalling visitations of his judgments."

Newport was remarkably favored; but few deaths occurred, and those originated from imprudence. And it was remarked that the health of our cities, other than this disorder, was better than what is usually the case at the same season of the year.

In 1849, when this disease again made its appearance in this country, sweeping off very many in our larger cities, not one instance of death from the disease occurred at Newport. And when it is considered that there were some four thousand strangers visiting at Newport, which, added to her own population, made the aggregate of 13,000, it is most certainly an evidence of the remarkable healthiness of the climate.

The present population of the Island, according to the census. of 1850, is 12,228, viz.: Newport, 9,963; Middletown, 832, and Portsmouth, 1,833. The fertility of the Island is, perhaps, unexampled; this is owing, in a great measure, to the facilities for obtaining manure, which consists of Menhaden fish and sea-weed, which are abundant, and which seem particularly adapted to the soil. The exports have consisted of potatoes, onions, apples, pork, &c. Farms distant from Newport, are usually from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, according to their location and the quality of the soil.

The farms generally are small, having been cut up and

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divided from time to time. This, however, is preferable, as a few acres, well cultivated, will yield far more than a larger quantity, partially cultivated. It was the saying of Virgil, "great farms to look at, and small farms for profit." As an illustration of this truth, it may be found in the proceeds of the model farm of the late Judge Child, of Portsmouth, which contains about forty acres of land. It was stated to the author, that he had realized $1000 per annum, independent of his living. Farming is a most honorable employment, and the most independent which can possibly be followed. It is said that when the early Romans praised a good man, they called him an agriculturist and a good husbandman; and that on a certain occasion, when a distinguished citizen of Rome was visited by a foreign ambassador, he was found cooking his repast of vegetables raised by his own hand from his seven acre farm.

It must appear obvious to the mind which has given the least attention to the subject, that more land is held in possession than is scientifically cultivated, and which is rather an expense than a profit to the owner. If the farms on the Island were still subdivided and parcelled out, it would not only increase the population, but also be far more productive, as there would be less land to manure, and a greater attention bestowed on the subject.

Those seeking a country-place, may take for their creed, that

Man wants but little land below,

Nor wants that little dear.

The town of Portsmouth, a few years since, purchased a farm containing about sixty acres of land, as an Asylum for the Poor. It is most delightfully located, and every necessary comfort is furnished the inmates, which their condition requires. It was an act highly creditable to the town, as it went to ameliorate the evils of poverty, to which all are exposed in this world of vicissitude and change. Dyre's Island lays nearly opposite the Asylum.

Since penning these thoughts, we have met with the Report of Thomas R. Hazard, Esq., on "The Condition of the Poor and Insane in Rhode Island," in which he has presented a most melancholy picture of the treatment of the poor in the Portsmouth Asylum. For the honor of the town, if such be the pain.

ful fact disclosed, we would indulge the hope that an amelioration of their condition may at once be effected.

Let it not be said, that in the nineteenth century, and more especially on the island of Rhode Island, where toleration has been so highly enjoyed, that a want of principle exists towards a class of unfortunate beings, who have such strong claims on our sympathy and compassion. All are liable to misfortune in this changing world, and the prosperous to-day may be in adversity to-morrow. This shows the necessity for those having the supervision of the poor, to treat them with that degree of kindness which they themselves would expect, were they in the same unhappy condition. And none can lay claim to the character of a Christian, who do not feel called upon to soothe and miti gate the evils of poverty, so far as in them lie, which we conceive to be the test of Christian character, agreeable to the teachings of the Saviour, recorded in the 25th chapter of Matthew.

Mr. Hazard has shown a commendable spirit, in thus devoting his time and attention to the investigation of this most important subject; which has already led to an improvement in the condition of the poor, in many of the towns in our State. God speed the day, when Rhode Island shall be found foremost in every good work to advance the happiness of man. We take pleasure in being able to state that a marked improvement has taken place in the Portsmouth Asylum, since the publication of Mr. Hazard's Report, and to him belongs the credit.

In 1808, a deposit of coal was discovered in Portsmouth, by Doct. Case, of Newport. It was worked for a time, and then abandoned. It was subsequently renewed by a company from Boston, but being impregnated with iron, it was found difficult to ignite. One of the proprietors called on a lawyer of NewYork, who was rather of an eccentric character, to recommend the article, which he cordially did. But the certificate proved to be such a one as would not be likely to advance the sale of the article. It was as follows; "At the general conflagration of the universe, the most secure place to be found, would be the coal mine at Portsmouth, R. I."

More recently a company from Providence have taken it in hand, and have succeeded in finding a better quality of coal. For manufacturing purposes it is said to answer as well as the