be attested by many witnesses. There is no
regularity in these reports, as they are heard at intervals of a day,
a week, and sometimes of months: but for the last year they have
become very common, and are heard almost every week more or less."

* * * * *

EXTRAORDINARY INSTANCE OF GAMBLING.

It is well known upon the western waters, that the firemen and other
hands employed upon the boats spend much of their idle time in playing
cards. Of the passion for gaming, thus excited, an instance has been
narrated to us upon the most credible authority, which surpasses the
highest wrought fictions of the gambler's fate. A colored fireman, on
board a steamboat running between Saint Louis and New-Orleans, had
lost all his money at poker with his companions. He then staked his
clothing, and being still unfortunate, pledged his own freedom for a
small amount. Losing this, the bets were doubled, and he finally at
one desperate hazard, ventured his full value as a slave, and laid
down his free papers to represent the stake. He lost, suffered his
certificates to be destroyed, and was actually sold by the winner to a
slave dealer, who hesitated not to take him at a small discount upon
his assessed value. When last heard of by one who knows him, and
informed us of the fact, he was still paying in servitude the penalty
of his criminal folly.

* * * * *

GEN. TAYLOR'S PATRIOTISM.

In answer to the complimentary resolutions passed at a meeting in this
city some weeks since, Gen. Taylor says, "It is a source of
gratulation to me that the meeting refrained from the meditated
nomination for the presidency. For the high office in question I have
no aspirations. The government has assigned to me an arduous and
responsible duty in the prosecution of the existing war: in conducting
it with honor to the country lie all my real aspirations."

* * * * *

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE.

The October number of this splendid work will be found to be equal, if
not superior, to anything and everything of the kind in the literary
region. It presents three superb embellishments--"A Cure for Love,"
mezzotint, by Sadd; "View on the St. Lawrence," fine steel engraving,
by C. F, Giles, and a plate of fashions; in a new style, besides a
piece of first rate music. This work is published monthly by Isreal
Post, 140 Nassau st. Terms, only $3 per