Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-09-23
THOUGHTS ON DEdTH.

THOUGHTS on DEdTH. Il
Milton has very iudiciousg represented
the. father of mankind as seized with hor-
rors and askonishment atthe sight OF death,
represented to him on the mount OF VISION.
For surely nothing can SO much disturb
the passions, or pefplex the inteilects OF
mau, as disruption ofhis union with "
sole nature, a separation from every thing
that mas hitherto engaged or delighted him;
a change, not only ofthe place, butthe man
nsr Of his being; an entrance into a state,
not simply unknown, but which perhaps ne
has not faculties to know; an immediate
and perceptible communication with the
su,,rsme bc:ng; and, what IS above all dis
tressful and alarming, the final sentence and
unalterable aAotmenr. Yet we, whom the
shortness Of life have madeacquainted with
morality, can, without emotion, see gene
rations of men pass away, are al leisure to
establish modes Of sorrow, to adjust the.
ceremonial of death, looS upon funeral
pomp as a ceremonial in which we have no
concern, and turn away from it to triAes
and a,nusements, without detection of look,
or inouietude cf heart. Tits indeed appa-
rent from the constitution Of the world,
that there mustbe atime forother thoughts;
and a perpetual meditation upon the last
hour, however it NAV become the solitude
of a monastery, is inconsistent with many
duties of common life, But surely the re-
mernbrance ofdeath ought to predominant
In our minds as an habitual and settled prin-
ciple, always operating, though not always
perceived; and our attention should seldom
wander so far from our own condition, as
not to be recalled and fixed by the sight OF
an event which will soon happen likewise
90 ourselves, and of which, though we can
not appoint the time, we may secure the
consequence. Yet, though every instance
sof death may Justly awaken our fears and
quicken our vigilance, it seldom happens
that we are much alarmed, unless some
close connection is broken, some scheme
frustrated, orsone hope defeated. There
ar therefore many who seem to I've with
out any reelection on the end oflife, because
they. are wholly-invelv within themselves,
and look on others as unworthy their no.
fICe, WiLnOul dill 2 "A NNNe>sAOSA ~ 81
or intention Of bestowing good. 1t IS IN
deed impossible, without some naortifca-
ton of that desire, which every man feels
Of being remembered and lalnented, TO be-
hold how little concern is caused by the e.
ternal departure even Of those who have
passed their lives with public honor, and
been distinguished bysuperior qualities, or
extraordinary performances it is not posi-
bic TO be regarded BY tenderness, except by
a few. That neritwhich gives reputation
and renown, ,lifases, but acts weakly In
every single breast; It IS placed at dis
tance from common spectators, and shines
Ike one of the remote stars, or which the
Hight reaches us, but not the heat. The
wit, the hero, the philosopher, whom ell
Their their tempers, their fortunes have
Kindred from intimate relations, or tfnder
intercourscs, die often without any5other
effect than that of addin5a rev topic to the
conversions Of the day. and impress none.
with any fresh conviction Of the fragility Of
our mature, because no4e had any particSl-
lar interest in their lives. or were united to
them BY a recIprocationlof benefits and en-
dearmsats. Thus We find It often happens,
that those who in theit lives have excited
applause, and attracted admiration, are laid
at last IN the dust Without the common no.
81