Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-06-08
LIZ. AUs77Ns LE7qERs.l
IoNDeN, May Gath.

the present letter; bur the preceding mott
ces on the English character, which have
offered, will dispose you to consider this.
a commentary, rather than a iitiate my
own authority.
H. Those various prerogatives, which The
! English claim to themselves, above all o.
Their people, might induce stranger to
suppose, they would fling themselves back
IN their easy chairs, and either deride, or
despise all those, who were not self-depen-
dent, seli-supported, and regardless ofthe
Opinions OF every body. Yet these self.
poised characters, am inclined to believe,
sacrifice more to their foolish passions.
than any other people. This can only be
illustrated by instances taken from real
life.
1t is obvious that, in proportion as a
country is free, its people will discover a
variety of passions while the ease and
safety, with which they may be INDUCED.
( will lead many to most preposterous
lengths; and while the man is running
himself bis obsiinacy of perseverance, will
increase to the last; the same spirit which
first melted, propels him forward. He
w'li esteem il more honorable 10 founder
IN desperation, than To stop midway in his
career sratuff fafrafi, guam fneeyiff Jacf-
morris reus, esse.s His passion acts in a
circle, iinds no end, but still progresses in
degrees. The poor, in proportion ,otheir
means, will be IN danger OF low pleasures,
or what is not less ruInous. they viii sacri-
hce to hopeless emulation.
ltthink II necessary TO premise this. in
order TO preserve degree of versimili-
tnde among so many inconsistent traits
as are discoverable among The English.
have frequently thought, if such men
as rabriciuss should visit England, he would
leave the people with sentiments little to
their honor. He would discover that pro-
perry was not only considered the great.
est evil, but species OF crime lie would
perceive disposition TO exchange fame.
! happiness, even principle, for worldly ap-
pearance and the inglorous reputation of
inches; nay more, that the poor cninve5
transient happiness in being lh1ughs
aEflueDt.
Limme-ni n. you know, in sre,i;nr re
the d,fferenI observations which d,fT.ssrs
na'lons make on Strangers, does tn. En-
! giish the superior honour 10 attribute IN
them tbs liberal chara6'e -istic. :. EYJ,ot
sorf OF a nrun IS fhsf ?'' Tie praia, yb;ch
this supposes may, for aught know. h.,
4 &.
the English ever do respect poor man.
il must be under a singular circnnstancs'
Tor they only cease TO respect IN, mselves
IN me degree they approach poverty and
such horror have they of The spsn;cior.
OF indulgence that they become ptodiraI
to counterfeit ailluence, and insure f,n,S.
through fear of present d;stresS. ,rhS
coward, who killed himself, lest he sbon.d
he killed ~ h.
dicuIous-
The truth IS, have noticed il hee,r.
the English. attach TO themselves a wond,
efiui uegree oil consequence they will
naturally do this, IN comparing themselves
WIN me slaves OF Europe. But they un-
fortunately experience, unless they nos.
sess the talents OF a Burke II She idan.
that personal worth commands no resnrss
without certain style IF appea:ance and
tins necessary appearance, with all classes-
except that which is abandoned TO hops,
less wFetchedness, is rated far above ,b,;,.
ab'hty. Hehce, II may easily be credited
that the Ergi sh are generally ext,aya
gant, frequently desperate, and siwa.snn.
happy tor no people descend 10 ,n,.f,r-
tune with less dignity, shan the Enrl;sh.
The fearful calm which precedes sessa;r
or the headlong imPetuosity of NIAGARA,
seizes The unhappy EngIishnan. H,s ns,
tive ffankness forbids him 70 suppress ~.
feelings from far you hear the brewing
storm.
ifthey Possessed the real spirit Of indie.
peDdsnee. they might sill retain all their
pride, but they would discover j. in avery
different manner. Indeed, they som-.
times assert their independent spirit. IN do.
voting themselves TO mad pursuits, bnt
whether they be governed by whim ~.
madpsss, thsy would feel themselves dis.
graced' II they indulged their caprice or
madness ct less expense, than ,isy c@,,Is
then sober senses. He who IS 1apias,;c;
easily tolerated bot if he Is sinp,,lsr
merely to save expense, he ins,antls -
comes contemplate.
MS snhai'owed attachment to wealth
does not spring from the nniser passion -
processing property but rather f,ou =
nm 80 .a.a..