Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-08-09

church. the Dons in. the state, ana tht
| s. ,tsreat oneyers'' of the mart thus frolicS
during the holidays ofindolence, many CIR
| cumstances may, at any stage OF his course
commando Lay Preacher to rest from nl'
labour. Like bishop, Horseley or For
teus, ne is not invested with holy lawn tf
:nspire awe in the vulg ar, nor, like those
illustrious prelates, is he brilliant andlearn
ed 70 excite the admiration of the wlse.--
When he reflects on the obscurity OF nj:
station, and the simplicity of. his lessons
he perceives without wonder, the pauclty
of his disciples Moreover, within thai
narrow circle, which may be justly demo
m: mated my listening Pensioners, Whz
| hath believed 9ur report ? Neither by smiles
nor by frowns, neither by grave precept'
nor merry allusion, has the Lay Preacher
driven the rake from his mistress, or the
reveller from his 'wine. Men persevert
in tracing the path which Passion has cho'
sen. or Habit has worn smooth, and the
mionitory sermon if read, is soon forgot.
ten.
To those, who from the intimacy, OF
partially of friendship, are anxious thai
my weekly adyice!should stillbe given, anc
to the public, who have cendescended once
or twice to ask for me, | will narrate the
private motives, which persuade, or com
pei me occasionally to be silent.
In the first place, l honestly declare
with wonted frankness, that many e0i! spl
rits often have dominion over nv mind
and that Incidence, Spleen aud Ill-humoul
are too frequently suffered to lock up my
quilts, and overser my ink horn.
Like venerable predecessor, | am some
times the victim Of WEAKNESS and pain
fitness, and watchings,' all which are un-
friendly to preaching; nor do | believe the
archbishop of Canterbury himself, could
indite Pastoral Letter, or make Vista
ton Charge successfully, under such I'm
favourable circumstances.
He, who resolves to speculate, flies, il
conformity to the suggestion of Horace, &c
the grove; and, in lonely situation, con
verses with few; besides hisbooks and him
self. But if an author keep no other com
pany, he will not be long qualified to give
linterest and novelty to his researches
Every line will SAVIOUR of the lamp, and G
very page will be mouldy with the damp
air of monklsh cell. Hence, to write
what the world will cheerfully read, it i
absolutely necessary for Man Of Letter:
to obey the advice of the poet Green, ane
make
' Trips through the Town, life TO amufe,
/" To purchafe books, and hear the news,
{" To fec old friends, b.ulh off the clown,
And quicken ssRe.''
Unless he occasionally wandered thro
great city, and forsook his closet, for ;
saunter in " Vanity Fair how could {
Lay Preacher correctly describe, or Justly
censure fashionable follies and the blame
fulluxuries of a capital To ridicule, witt
point and effect, the fantastic foppery o
dress, one must actually look across the
street, or through the coffee house, anc
mark the peacock beau" expanding hi:
gayest plumage.'' To laugh judiciously, a
gowns without waist, or petticoats either
transparent or scanty, satiric writermus
often gaze at the daughters of fashion, anc
SO, one morning, with giggling girls, to tina
great band box of millinery. the shop o
Miss Arysta4 How could recluse au
thor know his right ehoe from his left, un
less he had frequent conferences with Bed
.fasd, that modlsh disciple of St. Crispin
and how. without the lessons Of T;3fu OF
a Freeman, could he describe Tsoma,
crown, or the vast circumference OF Cha
6e,udras2
! Now, it scarcely from these premise.
need be inferred, that to gather materials
for composition, is tae work of one day