The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-30


q mere imaginary line. Perhaps Hame's
Essay upon National Characters is superior
TO any thing that has been written on this
subject. He seems inclined to attribute
much more co neral than physical Causes,
r., the formation of national characters
'fhe character of savage man is, in great
degree, the effect OF pny steal Causes, while
that Of civiiizt:d nations depends chiefly up.
ou moral capses. An examination of this
sne".1n, however, upon general principles.
Is foreign to my purpose.-fne author asst
mentioned, remarks, that ia the formation
Of the Characters of nations, those leading
and important circumstances which inhu-
enCed their original organization into soci-
sites, or their emigration and settlement in
new countries are indelibie, and never total
ly obliterated. but by the extcrminatioa Of
the inhabitants. This observation may be
illustrated by many instances, ancient and
modern. The Greek character is still vi
sible at Narseilles the Miesian in Ireland
the Ancient Briton in Wales and the en-
terprize and spirit of adventure of the Lon
ton Company is not eXtiaguishsd in the
"'ancient dominion" In skelching so much
Of the national character of the Virginians,
as belongs to my subject, we shall have oc-
Casion to apply the remark of Hume, and
reason, believe, to be satisfied OF its JUS
tiCc.
1.-The causes which led to the establish
ment of the colony of Virginia, and the,
manner ct its settlement, were peculiar 20
themselves.
"The national character of the present
Inhabitants of those states, which were set
tied by dissenters from the established
church of England, has received its entire
bias and aspect from this circumstance.-
The hardy sons of those venerable sires,
sustain their pilgrimage on earth with ad
mirable sohriety, prudence, thriftiness and
content: Unambitious, but of the comforts
OF lite, they follow, most frequently, the &C.
cupation of their forefathers. The pulpit,
the bar, the druggist shep, (not indeed fill
led with "a be8sarly account of empty
brxes,") the counting house, or the mocha
mes stall, are often hereditary in the fami-
lies OF these laborious people and the des.
tiny of IA farmers is decided for him,
and his let is cast for life, before he has ar
rived at an age to acquire the first rudin,ents
OF knowledge. Wnerc they ,uru their at
tention to science, the national character is
still pre:erved: Il lucrative professorship,
or the profitable sale OF some laborous
composition, are the rewards Of many long
years OF probationary study. From these
circumstances, perhaps, it may arise, that
our Northern brethreH far excel us i'll their
progressive Improvement In manufactures,
and the several branches OF natural phloso-
pify. For reasons, however, which will now
he offered, it is certain that Virginia has
produced more public characters of emf
nence in the political world, more orators
and statesmen, than all the remainder of
the United States combined together. So
large a portion of enterprizing Virginians
nave eh'srated To the other states, and have
been selected by those who possessed the G.
icetive franchise, to represent them in ;he
grand Council or the nation, that a ms jofiiy
ut the members Composing that body, have
been said (by those, indeed, hostile 10 the in
dtueTce OF Virss Ais,) to be natives OF The I'm :
cicnt Dominion.
Virginia settled under the auspi
ees OF the London Company, which was an
associations composed. in part, of noblemen
and gentlemen OF conspicuous characters
* enlightened minds, for the purpose of PEG.
pling new country. Their views were e.
lesated, their operations upon Il large scale,
and their success commensurate with the
eXertionS made to obtain it.
Virginia was settled by Fnglishmen,
from the metropolis of their Country /; by
men or adventurous spirits and enterprizing
characters: Among these, were ruined
gentlemen, broken btronets, and beggared
lords; men, who had received good etiuca-
tions, whatever they might have made
OF them: They formed class by them
selves, and aped the naughty airs and mock
ed the gorgeous splendor OF European ariStoc-
racy yet, they preserved some of the iitera-
tnre, much or the politeness, and all the pride
OF the fashionable circles of civilized Eu-
rope. This state of society had the effect of
giving toHe and character to the manners
and morals of tile whole population of the
colony, without affecting It's political insti-
tutions. The pride OF these Self created
iordlngs, by the force OF example and habit,
gradually reached the very lowest Of the
people, and became, as it were, a national
feeling: This inspired them with a vain
idea OF their own Importance but, ut the
SAME time, it also excited in them very ele.
va'ed sentiments OF their rights and Diivi.
legts.
- some of these men, who affected n 50
peliortty over the other settlers of the cello
NY, we've tr.n5itory visitors, and from dis
Satisfaction, or some other cause, returned
again To F.agland; but the effects produced
ny the ppilSh OF their manners remained
the names Of others, who became perna
jCht inhabitants, are extinct, and where
they are to De Iound, they are amongst The
oDocurest inshe state. According to The II
inform vicisSi;udc in human aiI,iirs. white
thfse were G ,ing 20 decay, others were ri
sag ~ opUence and pride. They too af-
trt'al distinction from the poorer classes
=, o?le, AMI Initiating the manners of those
t'i'y lad been accustomed to look upon as
srr"rims, c.nti..ued thnt state If society,
W''Ch asa been Introduced bS - original
sy',iets or visitors from tinEladd
lh the latter days of the Roman Repub
JIG, there spraGs up Il, sort Of fiongrci 40.
At.N ii-i.f xtyf,,