The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-08-11


art of printing aud the freedom of the preis are
70 admirably adapted to Gifpenfe! For, of ali
the forms which the demons of dar.neis can at
flme TO corrupt and dettroy mankind, fophi1i-
cal fpeculdt,on an. veua. Gctious are BY far
the mott eIeGtua. May they not be employed
to accomplish (vhat is at preient detideratum
| in moral fcience) correct analysts OF the pro-
per province and purpoies OF s,nuiive literature,
iliuttrating their reaionidsS OH theft important
! fubie6ts by critical reu9rkson she inechanfm &
moral tendency of ruch literary productions in
poetry and proie, as may attract any couGdera-
! bic fhare OF general cur:Ofity and admiration !.
May not enlightened men, thro' the medium of
periodical eilays, inherited in the public prints,
call the attention of parents and patriots 20 the
folenn confederation of that morneutous and ne
elected fubje6t, the Establishment of public
ichoo:s + Thro' this medium, may they not
difcuis with advantage the important qucftion
whether fuch etablihuents ought 10 be effect
ed foley by the genius and erterprife of indi-
vidusls, aided by local patronage and fpontane-
GUS contributions: or, whether academies
fhould be ehablilhed and endowed ut the public
expenfe, the various departments distributed in
TO profeiorilips, and initruGtors appointed by
truftees Incorporated by the legislature In o.
ther words, whether the demand for juvenile
Instruction, like the demand for bread, !hould
be fupplied by the unfettered competition and
unaliiited induAry of individuals, or adequately
provided for by legislative interference and ma
tional inftitutions?
May not periodical eGays be employed with
peculiar advantage to improve the minds & man
ners ofwomen,to extinguifh that rage for expen-
hsefplendour & foreign fafhions, & that fondnefs
for fcandal which mutt neceiiarily occupy the
attention and diffipate the activity of uncultva-
ted minds; and by exciting taite for literature,
reflection and rational conversation, baniih th0fe
frivolous, unhealthy and unamiable 5mufe-
ments, which are at preient 70 fatally faihiona-
bic amongt the fair ? May not the reafon-
ings of enlightened men through this medi-
UNI, have powerful tendency to divert the
predominant patton of every generous and en-
lightened fpirit, ID: io1e Of diFiniFion, into its
natural channel, the acquilition of uieful know
ledge, the exhibition of liberal accomplishments,
and the achievements of moral enterprife & ex-
banded bene6cence ? In fine, might not an ex-
tenfive combination and regular flcceffioh of
fuch literary a1ociations, fpeedily retore that
fimplicity of manners and dignity of foul, that
characterized the ancient republics, and eradi-
cate from the minds of our people their predi-
lection for thofe expenGve luxuries, which con-
fitute the baubles of our colonial childhood, the
badges of the arifocratical diftindions we have
abjured and the idols of the abominable pafi-
, ons, which we have fworn on the affairs of the
revolution to expunge from our fouls?
Can the enlightened patriot conceive or con-
trive plan fraught with more extenfive benefits
to his country than this Can a generous and
heroic ambition, pant for purer glory, OF a
more fplendid prize than is here propofed
P. S. The writers of the efTays, the frft of
which is now prefented to the public, will not
probably attempt to invehigate all or even any
comfortable number of the topics, which have
been juf fuggefted. The writer of the preceding
efay however, INDUCES hope from the number
of his literary ahociates, the corresponding di-
verify OF iubjects which will naturally divide
their attention, and the abundant leifurc which
the intervals OF rotation will afford, without an
injurious or involvement interference with
their profefiona duties, that their enays will af-
( ford fome degree of anufement and improve
ment to every defcription of READERS.
! He INDUCES hope that the title pre6xed
to the efays, will be found neither an unrnean-
ing emblem, nor faithlefs indication of their
character and tendency. Not that the
mott attractive ornament of vernal Ky,
the beauteous offspring of the glittering dew
drop and the folar ray, the welcome har-
binger of fruitful fllowers and exuberant vegeta-
ton is chofen to aliegorfe & their high
hopes ofthe literary attractions, moral utility
of their efiays. The title of the Rainbow was
feiected on account of its novelty and for the
purpofe determination. The Rainbow is in
tended to convey no other enblematic reference
to the efays it difcriminates and adorns, than as
its varied hues and tranlient duration, may
ferve TO indicate the diverfty of anuGng topics
which they will embrace, and the fugi-
tive form they will afume. Perhaps in another
point ofview, the Rainbow may ferve to denote,
wildly and juftly, the intention of the writers of
/ thefe, ahd the general tendency of, moral and
I miicellaneous efays.
We are taugb. by the traditions of our fathers
TO believe, that this lovely phenomenon, firf
made its appearance in the Ky, to announce the
cefation of deluge, and the returning mercies
of an offended God. The bow fufpended in
! the celeAial arch unHrung in fgn of peace, pre-
! tents to the Chriftian mild nemento of the for
mer difpleafure and delight token of the
; future benignity of his God, affords beautiful
/ fubieGt of alluGon to the poet and analysts to
! the philosopher, ravfhes with its beauty even
e" the brute unconfcious gaze" and is hail
ed by the peaceful huibandman as the plea
! fng pledge of veinal luxuriance and au-
tumDal plenty. Is not the Rainbow, there-
4 fore, happily fitted TO indicate the attractions
and utility OF fpecies of competition, which
has an analogous influence in moral nature ,
which divides the " rays Of fcience" into ali their
native and beautiful colours; captivates, by its
novelty and variety the attention of every de-
I fcriptionof readers, and flowers its prolific
! bounties on minds Of every dimenion and in all
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