Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-22

were predicated. Though we have OBJ.
served this difference in their sentiments,
we do not presume to condemn or decide.
We leave it to sages to determine.
But to return In our republic young
as it is, there have not been wanting instan-
ces 81 ecccntricity, in the conduct of some
distinguished men, for which superficial
observer, and probably a large portion OF
the community, may have been at a loss to
account. But in the - DiScourses on Da-
via" thai admirable key to the knowledge
OF motive, we find explanations no less sa-
tisfactory than striking. We might quote
columns to advantage but at present, we
eonfne ourselves to two short extracts con-
fdent that on peruslng them what we have
said Of Mr.. Adams great knowledge of hu-
man nature, will obtain the ready assent of
our readers.
Estract fran No. Z.
6 The awful feeling of mortified emu
lation, is not peculiar to children. In an
army or navy, sometimes the interest and
partial favor prevail, to promote officers o.
yer their superiors, Or seniors. But the
consequence is that those officers can never
serve again together. They must be dis
tributed into different corps, or sent on diff
ferent commands. Nor is this the worst eff
feet. 1t almost universally happens, that
the superseded officer feels his heart broken
by his disgrace. His mind is enfeebled by
grief, or disturbed by resentment--and the
instances have been very rare, of any bril-
liant action being performed by such an Of
hcer. What monument to this character
OF human nature is the long list Of yellow.
admlrals IN the Britain service Consider
the effects Of similar disappointment in
civil affairs. Ministers of state, are fire.
quently displaced in all countries and
what's the consequence Are they seen
happy in a calm resignation to their fate
Do they turn their thought from their en-
ployments, to private studies or business
Are they men of pleasant humor & engag-
ing conversation? Are their hearts atease?
Or is their conversation on a constant effu
sion Of complaints and murmurs, and their
breasts the residence OF resentment and IN
dignation, of grief and sorrow, of malice
and revenge? Is it common to see man
get the better OF his ambition, and dcspise
the honors he once possess d or is he com
monty employed in projects, inrclgnes after
intrigues, and maneuvres on manGAvres TO
recover them So sweet and donghttul to
the human heart is that complacencv and
admiration, which attend public Offices,
whether they are conferred by the favor OF
a prince, derived from HEREDITARY descent,
or obtained By election of the people, that
mind must be sunk below the feelings OF
humanity, or exalted hv religion or philo
sophy far above the common character OF
men, to be insensible, or to conquer its in
sensibility. Pretensions to such conquests
are not uncommon but the sincerity OF
such pretenders is often rendered suspicious
by their constant conversation and conduct,
and even by their countenances. The peo-
pie are so sensible of this, that a man in
this predicament is ALWAYS on the compass
sionate list, and, except in cases Of great re-
sentiment against him for some very unpo-
pular principles Of behaviour, they are found
to be always studying some other office Tor
a disappointed man, to console him in his
affection"
Extract from No. 8.
After saying that " attention, considera.
ton. and Generalization, comprehend with