Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-06-25
MORALS,

90, Happineis!-our beings end and aim.
PoPE.
1t is impoiTble for the attentive OFFER
yer to mipgle in the walks,of focal, life,
) without often meeting with many OF that
clafs of beings who have every reaion 70
be fatished with their lot, but who are un-
happy, though pofeGed of the means OF
fappinefs--with perfons who have bread
enough, and to ipare who have rainent
in the greateR abundance-who have reit
enough, and more than enough-who have
time for attention TO intellectual and mo-
raj purfuit, but who confnme that time In
contemplating with envy, ftuations in To-
ciety higher than their own, equally unef-
iential to their happineE and inacceihble to
their feps.
a little reflection would cure fuch per-
ions ofan error 70 irrational. If they view
ed the iubjed in juf point of light,
they would perceive sthat all pleafure is
relative thing that which is luxury to ore
TO whom it is new, is none TO him who
enjoys it daily. The continual recurrence
of the highs& fen(ual qualifications, will
foon reduce them to aIevel with the loweR.
He who is in poGenion of an ealy fulfil
cheney, and able to command ferries of
plain and humble pleaiurss, is chargeable
with groundieis envy, when he iuffers it
to be excited by the more refined but ordi-
nary indulgencies of perions in fuperior fla.
tions.
Continual repetition wears away the re-.
1ifh Of all ienfual pleafures, and gradually
dulls the livelief delights into Fat and IN
fpid fenfation. That landfcapc which
fills the traveller with rapture, is regarded
with indifference by him who fees it eve
ry day. The fweeteG POUNDS which art
can combine, loie much of their effect up
on an ear which is perpetually lifening to
melody. The cordial that exhilirates the
fober is but "a" cup ofcoid water TO one
who is accuaomsd TO intemperance and
the fofteG couch into which languor ever
funk, is only feat to them who never re-.
cline upon one lelS ioft. The poor, when
contemplating the htuation of the rich,
have no idea of their cares or troubles
they fee the world Gniling on them. they
Zee one continued funlhine of PROPERTY
iettling on their houfe--they behold not
Jingle cloud pa6ing over their head--their
Gtuation is all ierenity, and 70 they fup-
poie mutt be their Eenfations--" they are
not, FAY they, in trouble like other mens
neither are they plagued like other men.
This however is great mifake. In
trouble they ere like other men, and in
<7aaI trouble, but it is ola different ma
ture. From the fuperb pavilions of plea
iure--from the fplendid villas of grandeur
from elyGsn ihades, and fately palaces,
the loudef 6ghs have been heard. and the
mott frequent eSplof0ns of the infIument
of death.
To be happy is not TO lie relaxed, out
Hretched upon the ground, TO repofs among
rofcs and lilies, TO be lulled into drowfy
pleaiure upon the lap of cafe, or foothed
by the Pounds of. fweeteR melody. To be
happy, is /" to be up and doing''--It is
TO be intenlely and virtuouny buly 1t is
to have the heart as full of hope and OBJ
jea, and the hand of occupation, as each
can hold-It IS TO be engaged, TO be ele-
yared, to be quickened into lively life,
and wound up TO high fenfation. After
iuch excitement, iweet is cafe and ref
bur without previous exertion, repois ioon
degenerates INFO pain. None are g reitseis
,as thofe who always ref thoie whon's
!" Sloth CATS into her deepea ileep," de-
prefion plunges Into her dafkeltpi.. Me-
lancholy is as inlsPerable from moiionleis
man, as feculence from water that is flag :,
nant, or ruff from feel that is unufed.
On the eminencies of life, and amid
fcenes of Incidence and pleafure, have thou
fands of unhappy beings found the pit OF
delpair, and in the midi of redundant pof-
iefions been reduced TO the extremity of