Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-21

X
dually sinks under it, and falls, alas "ne-
yer To rise again This has been the
mourntul end of MANY, whose fate would
have been far different, had they been pro-
perry tutored; and this will be the fate OF
many more, unless considerable attention
is bestowed on this part of their education.
1t is too Oxen supposed, that eloquence
is the gift of Nature; whereas nothing is
more incorrect. The old aphorism, Poe
"a nascitur sed orator fit" did not originate
IN Ignorance, bu: III wisdom. Nice and Gu
rious observations on the human intellect,
led to this conclusion and the experience
f, OF ages has confirmed its truth. The OPP
{ Mon of Sir w. JONES, on this point, is con-
| elusive or, at any rate, must go far in in
ducing a further examination of the max-
i'm. liz letter to Lord ALTHRoPE, he
saws, GO Did YOU find it necessary, or conve-
nient, to speak on the state of the nation
! II is noble subject, and with your know
ledge, as well as Judgment, you will easily
| acquire HABITS Of eloquence; but habits
| they are, less than playing on a musical
! instrument, or handling a pencil; and as
| the best musicians, and finest painters, be-
gan with playing sometimes out oftune, and
/ drawing out OF proportion, so the greatest
orators must begin with leaving some peri
! DDS unfinished, and perhaps with sitting
! down in the middle of sentence. 1t is
only by continued use, thar speaker learns
70 express his ideas with precision and
snundness, and to provide at the beginning
of period, for the conclusion of it but
to this faci ity of speaking, the habit of wri-
! ting rapidly contributes in wonderful de-
gree. | would particularly impress this
truth upon your mind, my dear friend, be-
cause am fully convinced, that an English
| mans real importance in his country, will
| always be in a compound ratio Of his virtue,
! his knowledge, and his elOquence: withou;
all of which qualities, little real utility can
I, result from either of them apart; and
am no less persuaded that a virtuous and
knowing man, vino has no natural impedi-
ment. may by habit acquire perfect eio-
Qnence, as certainly as healthy man, who
has the use of his muscles, ma, learn to
swim or scate."
/ The reason why the truth ofthese obser-
vations, is not universally acknowledged,
will be found in that love Of pleasure, which
DESTROYS all desire OF excellence.
&c Ever present in the very lap of love,
"lnglorious laid, while music flows "a
round,
"Perfumes, and oils, and wines, and wan
ton hours,
show is { to be presumed, that an i'm
precision can he made, of the necessity OF
solitary and patient industry The MIND
enervated by luxury, clings to her disgrace
full chains, and thinks him an enemy who
would seek her liberation. And, although
sometimes,
"Amid the roses. fierce repentance rears
" Her snaky crest a quick returning
| gPang IT,, -. -,
when honor still,
"And great design, against the oppres-
"Of luxury, by fits, impatient heave -
yet the struggles are in vain and the un-
happy victim wallows in his Circean plea
sures, with renewed eagerness.
To be patiently cndurant of labor, when
the effects of industry are scarcely percep-
:. tible, requires such firmness and nobleness
} of mind, that it is not surprising that it is
so seldom Witnessed. But however ardu-
. Gus the task may seem, it is sufficient en-
c0ura cement TO know, that it has been Of
: ten accomplished To what do we owe the
! brightest characters that the world has pro-
duced, but to labor Was the mind of any
: one of these men laid open to our inspectl-
on, from the first dawning of his reason
) could we witness his privations-his pains
his difficulties--hs struggles-could we
see each step of his progress, until his lu-
} minous entrance into the world, we could nc
longer hesitate in asserting to the asserti-
on of Sir JOSHUA, that nothing is denied
; TO well directed labor-nothing is to be oh.
t ined without it,"
al Would students OF all descriptions, weigh
. we'll these few ervations-ahd would
= studepts of law, in particular, ask them
= selves, what are their views, it might be
e of some advantage to them. NVould TN,
> latter paw more attention to forensic elo
|, quence, and in their little societies riva
i the sages at the bar. they would come for
{ ward, with greater eclat 1T first, and main
). tain their reputation afterwards. Thel
|, would then render themselves worthy O
j. the sacred deposits which will IN time b,
h placed in their hands, and acquire tina
Y wealth, honor, and applause, which ar,
Il the need of successful, virtuOus endeavora
n The SUPERIOR utihty of a neaosfafer.
!, The more man can be made 20 think tn
IS better books have the tendency but they ar
= dear and scarte--all the lazy, and almo.
n the buy, neglect them, because it IS a task
&c Who would begin that could motor woul
* not finish the reading Of one every bod
l. reads the almanaC--but the lessor, thong
good, is too seldom taught.
D. a newspaper is cheap, of small bull
A. and goes every wherc--besi0es, iJis a tres
e which always creates an appetite, for CT