The American preceptor; being a new selection of lessons for reading and speaking. Designed for the use of schools. / By Caleb Bingham, A.M. author of The young lady's accidence, and Child's companion. ; [One line of quotation] ; Published according to act of Congress.

THE UNFORTUNATE PHILANTHROPIST.

IN the year 1775, a ship lying at anchor in Table-Bay at the Cape of Good Hope, was driven on shore in a violent storm, and the crew reduced to the ut|most distress and danger. Their cries for assistance were distinctly heard by the inhabitants; but at first there ap|peared no prospect of relief from any quarter.

2. The swell of the sea, which broke over the ship with the greatest violence, made it impossible for them to save themselves in boats, and highly dangerous to attempt it by swimming. Some of those, who ventured to swim to the shore, were thrown against the rocks and dashed to pieces; others, as soon as they had arrived at the shore, were car|ried back by another wave and drowned.

3. A Dutchman by the name of VOLTEMAD, who happened to be a spectator of this distressing scene, was touched with compassion of so noble a kind, and at the same time so operative, that, mounting a high spirited horse,

he swam him over to the ship; encouraged some of the crew to lay hold of the end of a rope, which he threw out to them for that purpose, and others to fasten themselves to the horse's tail; then turned about, and carried them safe on shore.

4. This animal's natural aptness for swimming, the great size of his body, the firmness and strength of his limbs, prevented him from being easily overpowered by the swell of the sea. But, unfortunately, this generous and active veteran himself became a victim to death.

5. Fourteen young persons he had actually saved; and while endeavoring to preserve more than it was possible for him to do in so short a time, he and his horse were both drowned. The occasion of this was as follows.

6. After the seventh turn, having staid a little longer than usual to rest himself, the poor wretches on board were afraid that he did not intend to return; for this reason, being impatient, they redoubled their prayers and cries for assistance; upon which, his tenderest feelings being wrought upon, he again hastened to their relief ere his horse was sufficiently rested.

7. The poor animal, almost spent, now sunk the sooner under his burden, inasmuch as too many sought to be saved at one time; and one of them, as it was thought, happened unluckily to catch hold of the horse's bridle, and by that mean drew his head under water.

8. This bold and enterprizing philanthropist commands our esteem and admiration the more, as he had put himself into this danger for the relief of others, without himself being able to swim. The Dutch East India company caused a monument to be erected to the memory of this unfortunate philanthropist.