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ALEXANDER WHISTELO, 595

A Prussian soldier was detected taking certain jewels and
eorporal ornaments from the image of the Virgin Mary, and
boldly asserted that she gave them to him. The case was
novel, and a counsel of prelates and other learned men was
eonvened, who, not averse to miracles, adjudged the thing pos-
sible. Frederick the Great, understood the trap, and suffered
the soldier! to be discharged; but next day it was proclaimed
that on pain of death, none should thereafter take advantage
of the generosity of the Virgin Mary. Now let it be pro
elaimed by authority of the mayor and corporation, that no
black man ghall hereafter presume to get a white child; but
let the fellow be, in the meantime, discharged.

And now that we have returned from our voyage round
the world, let us look how the thing stands on a nearer view.
Ten or twelve of the most experienced physicians declare
this thing next to impossible. One gentleman says emphatie-
ally, that if it is true, it is a prodigy, and prodigies, he be-
Jieves, do not happen, though perjuries do. Some of the pro-
fessional witnesses have resided long in those countries where
if such facts were natural they must have fallen within their
notice; but they never saw one such as would warrant their
Delief in this case—others have practised in that particular
and useful branch which enables them to judge with cer-
tainty in matters of this nature; and envy cannot deny of
them that they have brought more into the world than they
have sent out of it. The very gentlemen who ushered into
life the babe, whose name will be bright in the annals of
zoology, physiology, pathology, and all the ologies (Doetot
Secor), agrees that it ia the child of a white man. Doctor
Mitchill denies it, partly on the authority of the quadrupeds
of Paraguay, and partly because Miss Williams has deposed
otherwise. Allowing the analogy in such transactions be-
tween mere and four-footed animals, yet I am not so easy in
allowing weight to the testimony of a woman, who swears to
her own shame; and if I did give weight to her testimony, I
should not admit any conclnsior to be drawn from it in this
ease; for it is aa strong one way as the other. She scuffled

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