May 29. Violent hail storm in Wilkes; crops destroyed; trees bereft of their leaves, and hail lay for 12 days in some places, though the weather was warm. Oldest citi

zens had never seen any thing like it.

Diseases.-The two principal diseases, of which any considerable number of persons die, are Bilious fever and Pleurisy.

Fever and ague, rheumatism, dysentery, &c., &c., obtain, but are seldom fatal. Dyspepsy carries off some; consumption, or breast complaint, as it is termed, affects some persons; but where it proves fatal in one instance, our mild climate restores a hundred invalids by that disease from more northern latitudes. A case or two of cholera obtained among the blacks on the Ogechee some years past; but none of our cities or towns have been visited by that dreadful scourge.

Bilious fever, our most common complaint in the fall months, is not so frequent as formerly. Ten years ago, persons from the middle dared not visit the southern section in the sickly season; nor those of the upper, the middle; but now they travel through all parts without apprehension of danger. Hundreds of families from the upper and middle regions have settled themselves permanently in the southern section.

Rain. The quantity which falls in a year in this State is from 42 to 47 inches. Showers are frequently so partial that only one, or a part of one plantation is moistened by them, while all around is parched with drought.

Zoology.-The alligator, a loathsome amphibious animal, and the ugliest creature that crawls or walks on this earth, infests the rivers of Georgia. It has been found in the neighborhood of Milledgeville, and even in Murder creek; but does not frequent the upper parts of the State. In 1800, Mr. Ellicott opened several of them, and found in their stomach wood, charcoal, and various indigestible substances. It is supposed they swallow these substances in order to prevent the parts of the stomach from collapsing during the dormant state, when they take no sustenance.

The largest alligators are 16 feet long. Before stormy weather, they make a singular roar or bellow.

her arm.

When killed, the body emits an intolerable smell of musk, and it is asserted that its head contains a quantity of that drug. They will chase children, and a negro girl was so much injured by one, that it became necessary to amputate It is difficult for them to overtake that which they would devour, because they cannot make a quick lateral movement, or change their direction. They are destructive to calves and pigs, and their skins are good for tanning. It is said a rifle ball will glance from their bodies, unless it goes in a particular direction.

The opossum is a singular animal, about the size of the woodchuck of the Northern States, and of a light greyish color. It climbs trees, and is very fond of poultry. It has ten or twelve young at a time, and, when attacked, these hide themselves in a kind of pouch which nature has provided under the abdomen of the dam. It is a most deceitful little rogue, and, as soon as caught by the dog, pretends to be dead. This circumstance has given rise to an expression in the country, in regard to any individual who feigns himself sick, or what he is not really, "He is play

ing 'possum with you.”

Gopher is a species of the land-turtle, burrowing in the ground in the low country. It is able to walk with a heavy man on its back.

The coach-whip snake is a curiosity. The head and a part of the body are black, and the tail brown, resembling very much a carriage whip.

The glass snake is from one to two feet long, and of a grassy green. At some seasons of the year, take it up, and falling, it breaks into many pieces; and it is said that, after you leave the snake, the parts find each other, coalesce, and the reptile crawls off!

Ornithology. The mocking-bird,(Turdus Polyglottas) peculiar to the Southern States, may be properly denominated the nightingale of America. The color of the bird is a pale blue, with white stripes in its wings, and its size and form do not differ much from those of the blue jay,

as it is called in New-York. He has a variety of notes, and though he sings no regular and continued strains, he makes a great deal of music. If he could modulate his voice a little better, he would be the most melodious songster in the world. When the moon shines brightly, he frequently sings the whole "live long night."

and

The red bird is one of the most beautiful of his species. The male is of a deep scarlet color, with a tuft upon his head, and about as large as the robin. He whistles as plainly as the mocking-bird or parrot, chatters a great deal, and has occasionally one very sweet note. The female is rather a brownish red, and, though not destitute of voice, seems to think that whistling is not becoming for her sex. Character, manners, customs, and amusements.-The people are generally polite and affable in their manners, hospitable even to a fault. The distinction into classes of society, which obtain in the Northern States, is unknown in Georgia: a man in homespun is as good as one in silk or broad-cloth. There is a bold independence of character among the poorer classes truly republican and praiseworthy. This trait, no doubt, derives its perpetuity from the fact that every man is a land holder, and has the means of living in his own hands: he is not compelled to submit to the dictum of a lord of the soil for permission to work his lands.

Drinking, and cursing, and sabbath-breaking, are bad habits among us; but the former, within ten years past, has greatly abated.

Dancing, chicken-fighting, and horse-racing, used to be favorite amusements: the first two are out of fashion very much now; the latter seems to be growing again into greater use. A vivid picture of our former manners and customs may be seen in a work, published in Augusta two years ago, entitled "Georgia Scenes and Incidents," and ascribed to the pen of Judge Longstreet.

Divisions.-The State is now divided into 90 counties. These counties are also subdivided into militia districts, being from 8 to 12 or more in each county. In each of these districts is a captain and a company of militia.

At its session in 1825, the Legislature divided the State

into seven Congressional districts, in each of which a member for Congress is elected; but the act was repealed in 1826. The Senators in Congress are chosen by the Legislature.

*

Government. The government of this State is vested in a Governor and the General Assembly, which consists of a Senate and House of Representatives, all chosen by the people. The Governor holds his office two years, and members of the Legislature one. Each county sends one Senator, and Representatives in proportion to its population, i. e. 3,000 representative population entitles to one Representative; 7,000 to two; 12,000 to four. Persons must be 25 years of age, have been citizens nine years in the United States, and three in this State, before they can be eligible to the office of Senator. They must be 21 years old, have been citizens seven years in the United States, and three in Georgia, to entitle them to a seat as Representatives; and must possess a freehold, the Senators of $500, and the Representatives of $250. The President of the Senate is Governor ex-officio, in case of the death, or incapacity of the Governor. The elections are held on the first Monday in October, and the Legislature assembles on the first Monday in November, and generally sits about two months.

Judiciary. The power of administering the laws is vested in a superior and inferior courts, and in a magistrates' court. There are tent Judiciary circuits, for each of which a Judge of the Superior Court, who holds his office three years, is appointed by the Legislature. The Judge and grand jury in the respective circuits constitute a Court of Equity.

The Judges of the Inferior Courts, five in each county, are elected by the people. Their jurisdiction extends to civil causes of all kinds and of any amount, except where the title to lands is concerned. They also try slaves for capital crimes, officiate as a Court of Probate, and are the general guardians of the poor.

The first election of Governor by the people was in October, 1825. There are mayors' courts in the cities of Savannah, Augusta, and Darien.

Names of the circuits are Chattahoochee, Middle, Eastern, Northern, Flint, Ocmulgee, Southern, Western, Cherokee, and Coweta.

There are two magistrates in each militia district, who hold courts monthly. They take cognizance of debts to the amount of $30, with interest and costs, and also of the crimes of slaves which are not capital.

Factories.-Factories to make cotton and woollen cloths have been established in two or three counties; but owing to the high price of labor, they have been but short-lived. Since the late tariff, however, they have begun to start up in several places.

In 1810, the Wilkes Manufacturing Company was incorporated with a capital of $10,000. About this time, one was brought into operation on Little river, in Morgan, but they were short-lived. About 1828, one was erected 4 miles below Athens, on the Oconee, by Judge Clayton and others, and it was found profitable. In 1830, another was erected at Athens, which was burned soon after its operations were commenced; it was, however, rebuilt. After this, the number began to increase, and the capital invested has been very productive.

The following is the best list to be procured:

1 four miles below Athens:

1 at Athens.

1 two miles southwest of Athens, on the middle branch of the Oconee.

1 twelve miles west of Athens, on the Appalachee, at the high shoals.

1 eighteen miles below Athens, in Greene, at the Scull shoals on the Oconee.

1 three miles west of Eatonton, on Little river.

2 in Upson county, on Potatoe creek.

1 three miles above Columbus on the Chattahoochee. 2 ten miles southwest of Augusta, on Spirit creek. One of these was in Jefferson county, but removed.

1 on the Ogechee, nine miles above the shoals, in WarThis is owned by Mr. Shiver.

ren.

1 in Newton county, three miles southwest of Covington, on Yellow river.

1 it is believed at Burnt Fort, on the St. Illa, though it is not certain, but the mistake was made for steam mills at that spot. In all 14.