Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-26

4 gentlenant OF eminence in that profess
sion, and with whom, if we are not mis-
informed, he was afterwards connecled in
business.
During this period, as well as during his
residence at college. the Eagle, newsps-
per of Dartmouth, and the Farmers jPetk~
iy Museum, well known classic paper of
Walpole, were often euliveped by his
sprigh,ly muse. His extreme d:niaence
produced aimosca religious scruple against
allowing his name 10 be attached to any
of his pieces. 10 this Cause must be at
tributed the circumstance, Of It's not being
generally known 10 what Bard the public
has been indebted for several patriotic
songs, and other very numei Gus piece of
his composition, which have had general
circulation and admiration through our
country.
In the year 1871, Mr.. Fessenden was
induced TO embark for .onden, chiefly with
aview ofintroducing an hydraulic machine,
which, by several Of his best friends, WHO
became sharers in the enletprize, was re-
garded rs very importan; inyentinn. He
found, however, to his great modification,
on his arrival in London, thai his machine
was already common there, and of conse-
quence, every prospect of an emoluiuent
from that source vanished. Ambitious
not 10 return TO his native country with
the disgrace of a defeat, he gave car to q
prcject set on foot by one Of our country
men, then in London, OF constructing
mill to be carried by the water of the
Thames. Several men OF rank ard inllu-
ence, among whom was the then Lord
being patrons of the undertaking, and o.
ther circumstances holdieg cut reason
able prospect Of great success, Mr.. Fes.
sender yentured on purchase of one fifth
of the concern.
The protection OF the great, as is not IN
usual on such occasions, not being couti-
nued long enough to give The mill lair
experiment, and our author being the on
ly man in the concern possessed of talent
as well as character TO take the manage
ment of the establish nent, the burthcn of
the whole necessarily deyolved on him !;
and we understand there is reason 10 APP
prehcnd that his great cxcrlions have hi.
therto been but i'll rcquitea. Ii is here
that the tTanscendant energies of his mind
become most apparent. AMID the vexa.
cares with which this engagement con-
st2ntlY harrassed him, he undertook, and
within the term OF four weeks, part Of
which was under the influence of severe
aickness, which confined him to his bed,
executed ne FIRST edition OF this admirable
work before us!
Another Circumstance which we are
competent also to state,sti,l further cnhan-
ces his talents, and will increase the asto.
nishmcnt OF the reader. pgevous 10 lis
entering on the compositions Of this Poem,
which was in February, sos, ne had been
during his residence in England, through
his laborious ard unwearied application TO
the interests cf the mill, almost stranger
| to books, and unknown 70 men Of letters.
Ills society necessarily consisting Of per-
sons interested in the Concern, happened
| unfortunately to bea class &C iijitera.e men,
who disgraced the name Of mechanics and
tradesmen, and who, To use his cwn ex-
preston, were guilty Of every thing but
common sense and common honesty.
his circumstance, 1t Tnpy well be con.
ceived, was little congeniai to a mind oS
such integrity as We are assured distin-
guishes his ovn, and ihe feelings of so
liked foe to vice Of aver species is ap-
parent in every page OF tbs poem. In
deed this vol. as was said OF nnch lar-
ger one on another OCCASION" Was written,
not in the soft obscurities Of retirement,
or under the shade of academic bowers,
bat amidst inconvenience and distraction,
IN sickness and in sorrow." Like poor
Bloomfield, who often laid down the awi
to record the deeds of the farmers Bar.
Fessenden often laid aside the broad axe
and The chissel 10 indite The seats Of his
Causic.
Before taking leave of Mr.. Fessendeu's
interesting history, we would Just state,
that the ilattering reception OF this per-
Torrance, among men OF letters in In.
gland, emboldened him to comply with
the advice Of friend, (,he only person
indeed in England who knew him TO be
the author Of the book 10 commit to press
a volume Of original poems. The merits
oil " terrible IrGci5gaaoa" having called
forth The high eacomiuns oC Mr. Gif-
lord the very celebrated author ot lie
"BaOam ard WrrQ,d," The "Trersator