Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-25
FOR THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.


able and intelligent persons, and am ne
yer better pleased than when in their com,
pany; but my hopes have often been disap
pointed, by the peculiarities of Some who
were present, and who instead OF permit
ting the discourse to flow in its PROPER and
unrestrained course, direct it to particu-
lar channel, for their own qualification, or
without dwelling upon any subject, digress
with as much celebrity and frequency as
Mr.. Shandy.
Among the foes to the freedom and
pleasure OF conversation, are those, who
obtrude remarks on their own profe ssions
or occupations. Is Fulvius present---if it
be only observed as cause of regret, that
some late violation of the public peace, has
passed without due punishment, he In
stantly interrupts you with an air of Joy
aud impatience, and asks il you were at
court yesterday " Did you ever hear such
verdict as the Jury found in the action of
Detinue, Peters versus Peterson? con-
suited Crok jag. and all the reporters, and
every one is directly, unequivocally and
decidedly in favor of the defendants. adj
vised his counsel to move for new trial,
or move tito the Distric by Supersedeas."
Or Is Medicus in the same mixed compa-
ny, probably you will hear much about SUI
doriRcs, stimuIants, sedatives, galvahism,
sc. Ssc- and he will talk in so complete "a
| technical stile, that you will understand
him as little as you would an Hindoo.
Religious will continually introduce re-
Iigious topics, as if it were criminal for
divine to enjoy innocent mirth, or as if he
thought like the devotecs Of old, or the
Monks OF La Trappe,s that the Almigh-
ty Intended us for no other purposes but
to discuss religion, and to think and talk
Of death.
Sceptcus who has lately read several
new treatises, will suffer you to listen to
nothing but his comments on the futility
ofancient systems. He will deny that the
Sun is the source of heat, or deny the re.
aiity of Objects. He will contend that me
are capable of arriving at such a state of
I perfection as TO render all legal restraints
unnecessary, or with a certain very inpe-
NOUS but fancifuf writer, that perhaps in
| a century from now, ships will sail under
the ocean with as much facility as they at
present sail on the surface. He cannot be
at rest unless the discourse is cnntraversi-
al, and will remind you of these lines OF
Hudibras--
IT'S strange how some mems tempers suit,
Like bawd and brandy, with dispute.
Who's their own opinions stand fast
Only to have them claw'd and cauvast,
And keep their conscienccs in cases
Ashddlers do their crowds and bases.
Neer TO be us'd but when they're bent
To play fit for argument.
Discuss, and set paradox,
Like strait boot upon the stocks,
And stretchi II more numerically
Than Helmont. Montague, White or Tully."
Pedanticus is young man, who has
read, or rather SKINNED many books. He
has few ideas of his own, or has never
suffered reflection to produce many. He
cannot give a reason for an opinion
he advances. He more resembles COM
mon place book, than any thing / know.
His design is to pass for a man of read
ing, genius and taste, and to attain that
character, 1t has been his practice, 10 note
every passage that strikes his fancy, and
get it by rote, and by repeating it in every
company often, whether it be applicable
or not, he has gained the reputation Of
great erudition, and aprodigious memory.
For his quotations there is no peace.
THERE'S no end to them, Sc whenever he ap.
pears, you must either rudely outtaIk him,
affront him, or remain in profound silence,
for he resembles Aarons rod, he swal-
lows up every subject ofdiscourse. Men
ton Bonaparte's name, he attacks you
with long passage from Quintus Curtius,
as parallel, between the French Crom-
well, and the Macedonian robber--that
the British have taken some Spanish yes
sells without previous declaration Of war,
he assails you with a page Of Vaitell
THAT the Americans have been unfortu-
nate before rripoli, you will have the
whole history Of unsuccessful and success
ful attacks that have been made on Algiers
and the other Barbary powers by the Eu-
ropeans. Once when two Merchants,
we're speaking slightly of the price of to-
bacco, he exclaimed with sudden start as
if out ofa profound rcverie, =" this reminds
me OF story read sometime ago" and
then proceeded in the ridiculous narrative
contained in the letters Of the younger
Lord Lyttleton Of the strange being who
joined some Englishmen at a hunting
| match