Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-11-13

all agreein Lhc truth OF all The. IA Is rcIs,.
ed III the Gospel Aud The various doc
'r'nes and their mutual persecution seem
10 be toreto!d by Christ himself. For he
TOLD his disciples, that there would he
false teachers and cruel prosecutors. You
mentioned said I, amongst the emp,ov.
meets of your time, social converse with
Inc .people--pray are your common peo.
PIE qualified 10 enjoy rational con, ersati-
on :. Yes, SAID he,-ands that too on subjects
which people of an high rank, and posses.
sed OF considerable degree of inlorma-
ton, by regular education, in manyao
ther countries, are often shaiuelully icno-
rant OF. Tie time which is expended In
IDLE ridiculous amusements, is cmployed
here, IN enquiries afteruseful knowledpe.
Hence, our conversation is never on triy;.
al, frivolous, or even uninterestinp suh.
Jects. Our farmers frequcatly, after re.
lating to each other the state oftheir farms
and crops, and their experiments in hus.
oandry, compare their journals of the wea-
tier, and meteorological observations, and
endeavor TO ascertain what degrees of heat
aud moisture and weight of tn. atn,os-
Phere had promoted or retarded the We
ge,aiion of the different objects of their
cul,iva,ion-ihey then fall into pfiIoso-
phical enquiry, respecting the nature and
accuracy OF the Instruments used in The
course OIL Their observations, such as the
'nerniome'er, barometer, hygrometer and
omofometer--and then naturally discourse
on ths different theories of the ascent az
vapours; thr production of clouds, -r,,;,.
winds, sc. and on the wonderful no,nr,.
OF vegetation and ofvarious manures. and
the manner (which they may be s,nnos-
ed 10 assist the gSowth of vegetables. II.
ven our poorest mechanics have leisurc ~
attend on some of The public lectures hv
"nich their minds are greatly expanded.
ana ihey are all we'll grounded in The prin-
cpies oil thelrresPecsiSe employments and
operations and they vie with eaci, other
IN acquiring theoretical, as well ne .,
PRACTICAL knowledge of their variaus ,,,,.
LESSONS. You may Judge then, confirmed
The cid man, how much time NAV ba -
greeably employed in conversation w;tb
people thus eniigbtensd, and so well dis.
posed 70 communicate and receive inIor.
manon' Have youno anusemsnts said T.
To unbend your minds, so much enpag,d
IN thought and a5struse specula,ionSs
The mind replied he, when properIv
trained to think methodicalIy, and accnc.
TONED to snalyse subjects Of its inyes,;ra.
uor, acquires an habit of performing, p.
operations with as little faligne as an
ncahhy well exercised body bears csns;.
dera6e labor, and indeed witbon, ;ncnr-
ssnience; and in wha; you perhaps cali
aos'ruse specuIatiops, there is a nrocss.
observed, which is registered as il werr
az certain stages, furnishing easy restino-
places Tor the mind. Besides, the most
studious amongst US find their minds snfE;.
Gently unbent by the bodily exercise n
which they resort, by working on ,be;r
farms, in their gardens, or in Iabor.to.
ry; or, BY the agreeable conversation ,v;,,
their family or friends. Some ;ndr.5,,n
oend or recreate themselves witt, music.
which serves OF some instruments as an
exercise OF The body, whilst'i; snIiyen. The
mihd, sootbes its sorrows, animates ;,e
hopes, warns its devotion and e,ev,,es;,s
admiration OF the divine Author Of har-
mony IN extacy unspeakabie. Have vo,
DO games OF Chance or skull, said I, snch
as OF cards, dice, billiards and chess, ,ba
hrst and second are the best contris,d eo,.
the tr1al OF our tempers, and exerc;se &c
patience and integrity and the third To-.
the display Of skill and dextcr;,v in ,hs
application OF certain philosophical and
geometrical principles, and the last is,bs
most ingenious continuance FOR the eyer.
else ofinsenuity & deep design and na,
excellent Introduction to tactics am, mil,
tary 1rstagems end maneuyres2 On,
young people he replied, on that accom-,
were long INDUCED with billiards ana
chess, but they were both found Ike ali
other games 10 be too apt 70 withd,aw The
attention from even important and Decss.
sary duties. Some time a(,er lbrss =.
musemenis were abandoned, cur ro,,rt,,,.
men indulged their taste for theatrical
hibiiIons; for they were well calcyis,s,
10 fufnsh the mind with excellent in,irnr.
tloni Religious aud moral sen,;n-n,.
were conveyed to it through an agreeeh,
ciaonei, and there was exhibited 10 f,~i
view, as Il were, living and real evan
PIE OF Virtue--and at the same lime The
were made acquainted with the manner.
customs and history OF nations yitho,, ,b
Trouble and expense of travelling, and;
more striking nDanner than historv. q
mere verbal description could poss;bi
eiieCt. But the religioo. col .,.i..,