Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-03-29
Far the .Alerondria Gazette
THE ESSEYIST.
No. II.
The Uncertainty of Lite.


The Uncertainty of Life.
Alike the busu and the gay,
But futter through Hfe's little day,
In fortunes varying Colours drrst:
Brush By the hand Of rough ns'schance,
Or chRpd by age, their airy dance
7Hey kraue, il. dist to rest" GRAY.
THE shortness of time, and the instability
Of hum an affairs, form an inexhaustiable fund,
from whence the divine and the moralist will
ever draw cogent reasons for the exercise OF
virtue, and submission to Providence yet If
we were to make an estimate by the conduct
of most people, we should almost doubt whe-
Their these things were not matter of specula-
ton instead of fact What anxiety do we see
among mankind to provide for their existence
upon earth Not content with what IS sufficient
to satisfy the demands ofnature or moderation,
the more Providence is pleased to hestow, the
greater is often their cravings after the perish
ing commodities Of this world.
, was once acquainted with person, who
had been what is commonly denominated an
industrious man, his only study was to accu-
mulate riches: By an unweasied labour OF near
" forty years, he was enabled to possess the
vast sum of thirty thousand pounds, with which
he vainly resolved to spend his remaining days
in tranquil ease But alas how soon is the
Babel of human happiness demolished! His
affairs were scarcely arranged, and himself re-
tired from business, when the ghastly king OF
terrors, that unweicome messenger, summon
ed him to another place, for which it would
have been we'll for him had he so amply pro-
vided. Foolish man where is now thy gold
Decended to prodigal son. He, too, had been
for length of time forming specWlations of
happiness in the riches he should one day in
herit. Reader, the above is no fiction. l am
not telling you a pithy tale, saw the father
the funeral but it was tear of custom--not
of affection Wretched mortal he could not
discern the ills that awaited him. He got &C
quainted with a pack of gamesters, and conse-
sequently spent all his time at the BILLIARD
TABLE, where he readily learned a few fashion,
able oatAs. But one fatal night, he played with
a gentleman SHARPER who at a single game de-
pr:ved him ofal his treasure, and, q little while
after Young Tommy terminated his existence
in fit of despondency. How truly applica-
bic is the poetic assertion in this instance.
&C Beneath the rose there often turks a thorn"
The above picture fully proves that man is
blind to his real peace, and eager to entail mise
ry on himself! This should teach us never
to repine, because we are not so rich as our
neighbour nor suppose if we could obtain
what we desire that it would encrease our
happiness. q" II contented mind is continual
feast,' says the old proverb, and if the mind
has not satisfaction, am confident that no al.
ditions of honors or wealth can give it. When
we feel too much attachment to this world. lie,
us reflect on the uncertainty of Human Life
and the certainty of DEATH for it will come
in an hour when we think not, these considera
lions will calm the inordinate desires of the
heart, and produce resignation to all the deal
inss of Omnipotence. Let US not forget tina
we must die, and that we are destined to exis
where pleasure will be no more who mus
witness the dissolution of nature itself, ane
stand betore;the Judgment seat ofheaven. o.
in the language Of the good MIR. Addison,
q .1naid lle zoreck efmatter, and the crush Of
suor2ds." ALBERT.