The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-19
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. v,
approach MS In fat more Objectionable fhape.
Of all the impediments and adverfaries to the
diffuhon of knowledge s, the practice of virtue,
Injuries of this clafs are probably the mott in
tra6able and implacable. Deianira's poifoned
tunic, Pandora's death-fraueht box, Circe's en-
chanted cup, are their appropriate and empha-
tic emblems. They conftitute the peculiar
badges of defpotic government, the principal
fources of national degeneracy, and the conta-
gious pets of a perverted and aoortive civzat-
on. They entail upon poterity the felhlh and
malignant pafiions which philofophy and fcience
iabourt to extinguifh, aggravate the degeneracy
OF enllaved, and corrupt the manners of eman-
cipated nations. They preclude or pervert the
advantages which mankind would otherwife
derive from the immenfe improvements in the
productive powers of labour. and circumfcribc
the incalculable benefits which an unfhackled &
extended commerce is 70 admirably fitted to
dilute throughout the habitable globe. They
afford fpecious colouring to the falfe philofo-
ply that prefers the favage to the civilized fate,
and an inexhauftible fource of plaulible and in
diguant defamation to the elevated minds, that
delight to contrat the manly fimplicity of the
ancient republics. with the poliihed lttlenefs OF
regal titled Europe.
All confederate and impartial moralifts cordi-
ally concur in deploring and reprobating the
Paihon for ienfual refinement and expeniive
the civilized world. The Gightelt reflection
mutt be fufficient to convince every unpreiudic
ed enquirer, that the PATTON for the aluring and
exPeniives but ufeleis and pcrncious refine
ments IN drets, equipage, building, furniture,
and the luxuries of the table, 70 deeply rooted
IN the minds of the opulent clafes of fociety, is
one OF the original pillars of oppreflion, and
Will continue to prop the fliattered edifice, af-
ter the outworks of prefcrption are demolhed,
he f,>aI i,l1 &C C. a.s.-
into dutt. The permancnce and practical blef-
hngs OF republican liberty its beit fruits, per-
ional virtue and national happinefs, e1ent-
ally depend upon the gradual and eternal ex-
junction of tbofe fatal and Fictitious propenG
ties.
The arguments calculated to imprefs thefc
convictions indelibIy on the mind of every per-
ION END owed with clear understanding, and a
benevolent heart, are regarded by the writer of
TINS clay, as obvious and incontrovertible But
hetore ne enters upon the confederation of thefe
arguments, it will be proper to explain more
Precilely, the difference which he conceives to
1uohit betwixt the third and fourth claf1es, into
which, IN the preceding part of this cliay, he d.
vlded luxures. Every article OF drefs, diet, fur
nlture, equiPage or building, which is faihioned
and procured foley for the purpofe of
Perionai accommodation, health or comfort, be-
longs to the third clais: Every article which
badge OF the hyperion wealth or rank of the pro-
pretor or Purchater, in order to excite the ad-
mIration and wonder of the giddy multitude,
and crafty the pride of opulence, belongs to
the fourth clais. A watch, for example, 70 con-
fructed as to meaiure time with the utmoft
practicable preciiion, and capable OF being pre-
1erved from injury, and carried about with the
ieaft poiilble Inconvenience, is luxury of the
third clais watch of which the cafe is cary
cd and en- - - A. !
pick manner, adorned with a chain, feals and
trinkets of the mott precious materials and fil-
perb Workmanship, is luxury of the fourth
clais. A carriage contributed for the purpofe of
transporting our perfons and luggage in the mott
commodlous, fate and expeditions manner, is a
luxury OF the third clafs: a carriage fuperbly
ornamented, richly gilt, painted and carved is
luxury OF the fourth clafs. Diamond rings, dia-
mond buckles, gold fnuff boxes, & an inhnity of
other trinkets and baubles by which the wealthy
fpo,t away the burthen of their opulence, be-
long iubfantialy and exclu6vely to the fourth
clafs. In order to perceive in a clear light, and
feel with awakened fn6bility, the pernicious
tendency of luxuries of this fort, we have only
to reflect that they are exeiyf1elp the produ95
ofbuman iabom. That the opulent may he
furnilhed with thefe inGgnifcant baubles, null
ttudes of men are condemned to incefIant,
loathfome and perilous drudgery, to abieet 6
lNOigcNCt, I'D brutal ignorance ana
inienfibiity. Yes the opulent may calcu-
late in every sUPERFLUoUs decoration they an
mex to their perions, their furniture or their e.
quipage," how many beings, as curioully or
ganized, and as richly endowed as themfelves,
are deprived ofindependence and leifure, of e.
very opportunity for intellectual and moral i'm
provement, and even of any tolerable fhare of
the means of animal comfort and accommodate
ton.
Let the opulentcompare fora moment the no.
bic and benifrent purpofes which fuperfnous
wealth might accomplish, with the manner in
which it is ufually expended, and they cannot
fail to recol from the contraH, with humiliati-
on and remorlc. Let the flave of avarice, fem
fliality orparadc, folace for moment his weary
and wounded mind, by the perufa Of thofc ex-
uuifite lines, in which the charms Of benifi-
cence, arc difpay'd in light 70 brilliant and
with coloursf 70 attra6tiveIy fair.
But all our prafes why lioud Lords engrofs
Rife, honeft Mute! and fling the man of Rols
Who hung with woods yon mountains lultry browl
From the dry rock who babe the waters Aowi
Not to the Ries in gfrke5 column ton,
Or in eyond falls mGgnj5eeatlyisf
But clear and artleis, pouring through the plain,
Health to the fck and foiaee to the twain.
Whole caufeway parts the vale with fhady rows!
Whole feats the weary traveller repole'
Who taught that Heaven directed ipire to rife