The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-10-27


memorial theme or regret amongit philosophers.
Inaccurate terms are the perpetual pitfall and
trap of thought. To this prolific fource ofdi-
cord and deluhon, may be traced the prevalence
Of many vulgar errors, much Of the impious ran
cour of religious controversy, and much of the
acrmony and alienation that diigrace the hiftory
of literary and philosophical difcuifions. In our
very copious vocabulary, 4 word can fcarcely be
found, of which the Ggnihcations are more va
rious and underlined, than ixNuy. Our ears are
familiarized to the phrafes, iuxuries of the Ia
bic, of drefs, 0ffurniture, of eeuipage luxuries
of fenfe, tate and fentinent luxury OF pity,
and luxury OF revenge ldXury OF Joy, and lux
ury of woe.-Erom this diveri:ty and even con-
trarety of import, tine much aeitated and yet
anfettied oueition, reipecting the moral tenden-
ces of luxury, probably originated. Perhaps
the following obiervat,ons, II peruted with can
dour and attention, will erve in ioInc meafure to
difipate the obicurity that envelopes this fub-
jeet. Various as ara the hgni6cations of the
term luxury, there is one circumstance common
to all. By luxury, is always underitood fome-
thing procured or prepared by labour, ingenu-
ty and art or fonething, the enjoyment of
which preiuppoies i :enhbility awakened and
refined by the excitement and culture incile at
TO civi!ization.-In conformity with this expla-
milton, all luxuries are reducible to four ditiuS
claaaa. Si:h, thofe pleafures that prefuppoie
any degree OF intellectual refinement or cutiYa-
ton, the pieaiures that flow from tate from an
ohfervation Oh analysis of the phencH:cna Of na-
ture, from the contemplation OF rhc h:,tory,
frutluTe and profpeSts of ENTHUSIASTICALLY,
toe pleaiarcs derived from the cultivation and
expanded exerciie OF the fympathr;ic affections,
love, friendhip, coiDpaiG00, charity, patriotiim
and general 6eniiicence.-I hirdiy, all thoie pro-
du6ions ef art, that contribute &c the health,
isc,lrity, accommodation ard comfort OF animal
Enthusiastically, all thoie articles of ieniua
refinement and eXpenhve fplendour, which have
been invented and fabricated, not for the p,lr-
poie OF comfort, utility and convenience, but for
the qualification OF pride, vanity and oftentaton
Tie three .ir;t c,ai.cs of iuxures have an OBJ
yious and permanent foundation in the nature
OF man they conititute the original fources &
eiicntiai eieneuts of human happineis, and in
proportion as they are multiplied aud DILUTED,
facicty will be improved aud civilization extend
ed. The puriuits of elegant literature and ufe-
fnl fience, the exerc;fe OF difinterc9ed fynpa-
thy and expanded beniGcence the scquiiition
Of whatever can contribute to the health, onge-
sity, comfort and Recommendation Of animal ex-
htcnce, can be discouraged and profclibcd only
BY dognatiitS. wLoit. notions muf DC alike obi
Gus 20 the initinGts of nature. the fuggefions of
common fcnic and the deductions of found phi
.ofcphy. The obfolete jsrson of deious ITO
les, the b!ltphcr,o;.5 rant of cloiteercd monks,
are not, ?. this enlightened ezra and in this land
OF iioeralty and liberty, entitled to the compli-
mcnt of a ferrous refutation. Can any rational
being be found, who would prefer the condtion
OF the prineval iayage, covered with rug, fub-
Gfng on acorns, roots and berries; fheltering
hiinicif from the fury OF brutes mere ferocious
and faDguinary than himfelf, in a hollow tree or
fub.erranean cave deltitute of tate, fentmentrj
literature ana tcience, to that of an accomplish
ed man, poGeitiug AL the comforts OF food,
cioathng, furniture and building, which refult
from the Improvements CT fcientifc art, with
mind enlightened by Phiotophy and glowing
with beneyoieuce? The palpable and odious
ahurdity of the phofophy Gf phIofophy it can
DC called that would teach us TO prefer the IA
wage to the civilized fate, mutt render fuch pe-
cnlatons al leaf as innoxous as they are mon
hrous. an indignant moraliit might be tempt
ed TO exclaim "Peace, b!aiphernous babb!ers,
sbfurd vifonaries, dead as you are TO all that
eeyates Che mind, and dive.ted Of al that en-
nobes tue condition OF man, you execute juG-
tlce you puniiIh yourfelgrS."
BIT aitbo' no competent enqnirer can enter
tain doubt refpettng the pofive utility OF the
three frit ciaiies Of luXureS, there is room Tor
conideraole difference of opinion concerning
their comparative value and attractions, and
concerning the limits within which fenfnal gra-
tiGcatioa ought 10 be confined. The calls of
appetite arc but occafonal, the periods of gra
tifcation ihort, ard intervals of vacant time of
comfortable duration regularly recur. 1t is dur
ing teie intervals, which the inferior animal and
the favsge mao couiume in apathy and lumber,
tina. the progreiiive mind opens its penetrating
eye and lpreads its daring wilgs exuts in its
iide pendence, and expatiates with unfcttered
suetgy. Thcie intervals conftjtute the genuine
opuleDce ofciyiliz=i man lefure.
The happihcfs OF every individual, and the
PROPERTY OF every fociety chentislly depend up
OF the judicious employment OF leifure. The
range OF feeGtion is limited. All human plea
furcs may be reduced to two claHes thofe of fen
tynent and thofe of fenfe. From A fair partici-
patton of the former, vsf majority of man
kind have heretofore been and win long CONT
nue. TO be lamentably excluded. Until capa-
city and taite for the p!cafures that arfe from
cultivated resfon, expanded benificcuce and ac-
tive utility can be exteniiyeiy DILUTED, the MATS
Of mankind Will nsGeharily devote the greater
part Of tasr lefure, or more properly, the inter
yas Of renHlion from their tolls, to gambling,
pluttony, frivolous and fayage paC.irles. and
b4cchanaan iutemperauce. !urciy thofs
who are capable of weighing in tie baianc,, aud
comparing in the clear light % impartial reafOn,
the comparative value Of thofe ple1itircs, can
ntSheftate to prefer and puriae the former.
The reinsnents OF icnfua peafure, By the CON
Rant and concentrated application OF fOme ir-
fiiaiing material 70 the corporeal org7rs, tend
to snfcebl@ And wear out the fcnhbili.ies, both
,aCf hi ,f,1