Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-30
With partial aim their censu

"--With partial aim their censure
Acquits the vultures, and condemns the
doves.H
d CLIFFORD
MOROSO and Hilario, the one a man, and
the other boy, both passengers in a vessel
bound to a distant region, having providen-
tally escaped the fury of violent tempest,
were thrown together on the desolate shores
OF solitary island, in the vast eXpanse of the
Western Ocean. Moroso had Just reached
the meridian of life nature had gifted him
with lofty, bold, and towering genius, but
his temper was harsh and imperious in the
highest degree the despicable suggestions
OF egotism generally determined his conduct,
and to the tender feelings of the heart, he
was a9mest an entire stranger. Not so the
interesting Hilario; his disposition was soft,
tlnid, WEAVING; with handsome, graceful and
delicate forms, he possessed mind eminently
pcrfectible. 1t is true that he dealt in SEN
sation rather than in thought, and that his
fancy was much more active than his judg-
ment solid. But, then, there was such a
charm in the unaffected and sparkling salles
of his fervid imagination Such a loneliness
IN his ingenious and affectionate manner
1t seemed as if his gentle bosom had been
formed to harbour only sentiments of tender
ness, benevolence, and sympathy. When the
sombre clouds of melancholy darkened the
brow OF the Responding Moroso, with what
engaging earnestnesS would his thoughtless,
but cheering companion endeavour to dispel
them The boosted powers of the one had
braved misfortune, when at distance, but
were sinking under its actual pressure; the
unaspiring gaiety of the other parried its
blows without even an effort, or the consci-
BUSINESS Of magnanimity.-Had Moroso con
descended to cherish, to expand, to strength
en- by proper culture, the valuable germs
of moral and intellectual excellence, which
nature had fo7dly planted in Hilario's breast,
happiness might still have bloomed for both
amid the naked rocks and dreary solitudes
OF their sea-girt asylum, and in situation
which distracted them from the sweets and
Injuries of extensive social enjoyment.-
But mark the folly of vanity, and the mis-
takes of egotism Moroso's ideas and feel
ings were all absorbed in the selfish princi-
pie! Instead of making Hilario the friend of
his bosom, or of raising him, at least, to an
equality with himself, ne eXerted his superb
or powers for no nobier purpose than that of
subjecting the poor boy to laborious and
degrading OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES was the re-
suit One cad of the chain had, indeed
been made fast round Hilario's neck, but the
other end might be said to encircle that of
Moroso himself. From the moment the lat
ter ceased to be kind, the former ceased to
be aiFectionate. Farewell 70 friendship, that
divine sentiment, the offspring of mutual be-
Devolence, and the treasure OF the unfortu-
nate Farewell to the unreserved and con-
selling illusions of reciprocal confidence J
Bent under an oppressive load of pain
full and debasing Offices, Hilario lost his
cheerful, interesting prattle $50. Away few
his benign, ] had almost said, MS celestial
smiles. Thus did Moroso soon reap the
bitter fruit o. his absurd and cruel policy.
He had sefvant, it is true ,ebut Ia bad no
friend. HeF~ssast tl-ssssf this moral soli-
tude; yet, 8e was little calculated to sus-
tain its horrors. In the world, his naughty
mind, had been energized by the stimula-
ting pursuits of avarice and ambition now
LEFT to itself and no longer actuatcd by tue
powerful impulses Of the social passions, it
sunk into languor, apathy, and despair. In
vain - But Of this enough for my pre-
sent purpose.
Reader, you are surprised, perhaps, indig-
naDt at the senseless and barbarous conduct
of Moroso. You pronounce him worthy,
more than worthy " the forlorn and desc
late condition to which ne had, in some mca-
sure, condemned himself You But,
pausea moment ....... This voyage to dis
tant region IS human life; frequent and vio-
lent tempests attend IL often, too often, are
our fondest hopes wrecked and annihilated
by their resistiess fury; even then a safe and
tranquil retreat is somewhere found---and
seldom is the poor sufferer left to himself
OK infinitely more interesting, more
loyelA more afectionaJe than Hilario,
mean, Nc wife Of his bosom, generally shares
MS delNny, endeayours Co soothe the cares,
and to heal the wounds Of his heart .... Re
feet on this, Gentle Reader; then look round
you; observe the general condition Of women,
and cast, ifyou dare, the iIrsS stone al Moro
50
And, in tie first place (Rcader, it IS to
you that speak again) what features, do
not say Of generosiey, bu. of candour and
justice, can you, or myself or any other i'm
partial person trace in toe indiscrininste ia
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