Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-07-27

Though know that this happened i,
fsraiiy as have related, yet there il some
tWng so extraordinary, and .almost ;ncr.
usoie, IN ihe circumstances, that perhaps
shouio not have mentioned it, had il no
nsea anesied, and known to the inhabi
'an's OF Geneva, and all the English VIII
are at present here. -
wny suicide is more frequent in Grea
h'nain aud Geneva than elsewhere, woul
DC = matter OF curious investigation. 10
~ appears very extraordinary, that mel
siouiu bemcst inclined to kill themsefve
=" countries where the blessings oflife al
best secured. There must be some strong
and peculiar cause for an effect so Prepos-
ferrous.
Before coming here, was Of opinion,
that the frequency OF suicide in England,
was occasoned IN great measure by the
stormy and uneus. al climate, which, while
it'clouds The sky. throws also gloom o.
yer the minds of the natlves.--Io this
cause foreigners generally add, that Of the
use OF coal, ms cad OF wood for fuel.
lrested satisfied with some vague the
org, bulk on these taken together But
nehher can account for the same effe CT at
Geneva, where coal is not used, and where
the climate rs the same with that of Swift
>zsrland, Savoy, and the neighboring parts
OF France, where instances Of suicide are
certainly much more rare.
Without presuming to decide what are
the remote causes of this fatal propensity,
It appears evident to me, that no reason.
ing can have the smallest force in pre-.
Fening 1t, but what is founded upon the
souls immortality and future state
What effect can the common arguments
hass on man who does not believe tina.
necessary and important doctrine ?-He
may be told, that lac did not give himself
lie. therefore be has no right to take il a
way THAT be is centinel on post and
ought to remain till he is relieved - what
IS all this to the man who thinks he is ne
yer to be questioned for his violence and
deser,ion
ifyou attempt to pique this mans pride,
by asserting, that il is greater proof of
courage to bear the ills of life, than 10 flee
from them; he will answer you from The
Roman history, and ask, whether Cato,
Cass'us, and Marcus Bru,us, we're cow
ards!
The great legislator OF the Jews seems
tohave been convinced, tina, no law or ar.
gumen' against suicide could have any in
haence on The minds Of people who were
Ignorant OF the souls immortality and
Therefore, as lac did not think il necessary
TO instruct them in the one, TOR reasons
which the Biship of Gloucester has yin
folded IN his treatise OH the Divine Lega-
ton OF Moscs,) he also lhought it snper-
haoustogive them any expresslas against
the other.
Those philosophers, therefore, who
have endeayored 10 shake this great aud
important conviction frem the minds OF
men, have thereby opened door 10 sui
eide z well as to o'her crimes. For who
ever reasons against that, without found.
ing upon toe doctrine of stare, will soon
see oil his arguments overturned.
II must be acknowledged, indeed, thai
IN many cases this question is decided by
mems feelings, independent Of reaso,ings
OF any kind.
Nature has not trusted matter Of SO
great importance entirely 10 the falible
reason OF man; but has planted in the hu'
man breast such love OF life, and horror
OF death, as seldom can be overcome even
by the greatest nisforMnes.
But there is disease which sometimes
affects the body, and afterwards commu
nlcstes lis banefuI influence TO the mind
over which it hangs such cloud of hor.
rors as renders life absolutely insnpport-
able. In this dreadful state, every pleas
ing idea, is banIshed, all The sources of
comfort are poisoned Neither fortune,
honors, friends, nor family, can afford the
smallest satisfaction. Hope, the last pillar
OF the wrctched falls TO the groud--Des.
pair lays hold ofthe abandoned sufferer
Then all reasoning becomes yain--Even
arguments Of religion have no weight,
and the poor creature embraces death as
his 'iy friend, which, as he thinks, may
terml ate, but cannot augment, his mi
sery
FRoT THE NATIONAL IHTELLICEEcKR.