Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-04-11

will observe, that at the bar, as we'll as
in other professions, abilities alone de
not suffice. Proper opportunities must
occur for the. display of natural genius,
and acquired talents and to me such
opportunities never presented them
selves; for, to great detriment of the
profession, Astrea and the golden age
now seemed to have returned. All my
Iacquaintances manifested paeihc dis
position, which almost drove me to
madness. Hence the secret poison of
disgust crept into my professional
pursuits--and finally migrated from
the Forum to the Counting- House. A
wealthy relation of mine, who died
soon after, bequeathed TO me, sum
by which i was enabled to enter up
on extensive commercial operations.
l was not unsuccessful 1t was
then that l became acquainted with
young Lady, whose personal charms,
engaging manners, solid virtues, and
refined mind, abundantly supplied the
want OF fortune. A tender sentiment
soon bound us to one another, and we
married. Fortunate epoch of MY ex-
istence Rapturous period. Alas so
much felicity did not long endure The
same day that gave Charlotte TO my bo-
som, robbed me Other amiab!e mother.
My commercial operations had, of late.
been % prosperous, and the excess of
my afH6Non now rendered me incapa-
ole OF NeFnding to my concerns. Hence
a rapid arrangement in my affairs. AL.
ready, ruin and shame stared me
in the face, when, pressing Charlotte
to my bursting heart, / exclaimed in a
paroxism ofcommingled sorrow, alfec-
ton, and despair; 6 No, my babe. hu.
initiation and want shall not bethy lot.
Rather, alb ! rather let thy parent wrest
from the soil which the sweat OF his
brow shall fertilize, the bread that is
to feed us BOTH" This project had
originated in feeling it was con-
hrmed by reflection. Upon settling
my concerns, / happily found that, af.
ter discharging every debt, enough was
lett to me 70 purchase, in some distant
couuEs aefhodest, yet comfortable re.
treat.~1 | ID not hesitate, and notwith-
standing the opposition of my good
friend, Mrs. Allear, who advised me
TO study medicine, because, she iocu-
laN OBSERVED, Z" that profession would
aakd. 9e ample opportunities of a.
venging upon. mankind the wrongs of
forrltnp - I ran,o,,aJ ,,,;.l = ~
the romantic county of y, where the
labours OF new settlement, together
with the soothing cares Of parental af-
lection, and she sweet rftiprocation of
tena erness from, my CKaslotte, as soon
as heE little hearkdissnguished her IA
thesgradually CELEBRATED many cruel
remembrance. Myfriend, Mrs. AL
lear, insists upon our Being in desert,
but there is no such thing, We have
good-natured, sociable, well informed
neighbours, with whom we frequently
exchange the courtesies of patriarchal
hospitality. The festive dance, the
cheerful song, the innocent glee of
sympathetic Inirth, are. no strangers
here. EvenShe fine afs are cultiyat.
ed. What | knoy of frawiug and mu-
sic, 1 communicable Charlotte and
few lovely girls ofthe vicinity, who
often visU her. a he Culture of the In
tellect and of Tie heart is, however, the
primary object ofmy attentton nor do
her studies prevent that amiable child
from attending to domesticscares.-
the very moment that write this, she
is preparing for me simple repast-
no less interesting, no less beautiful in
her modest robes Of Virginia cotton
with early blossoms of the newborn
spring entwined in the jetty locks that
shade her snowy forehead with the
rosy tints Of health on her cheeks
with innocence and sensiblity in her
eyes-than the city-belle in the flow
ing drapery, and rich shawls of Ben
gal, and with all the minaudertes of
studied grace, and rehearsed smiles
Dye, children of vanity, avarice, or
Ambition, who forsaking your rustic
household gods, your paternal shades,
y9Gr hereditary fields and meadows,
yAnly pursue, in the hustle of cities.
the glittering and deceptive phantoms
ofsplendour, wealth, and Office, believe
L 4