Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-16


from the gentlest approaches of benevoence,
and nauseates even the soothing cup presen-
ted blythe friendly hand of consolation. Mr..
Sanford, therefore, was compelled partly to
relinluisll his generous schemes i'm favour of
Frederick, and his aged mother. All he could
prevail on the high minded youth to accept
was n free access to his library. Willis
fortune smiled on his Parents, Frederick had
been made to tread the Aowery paths of ele-
giant literature and for poetry, in particu-
lar, he had imbibed decided taste. A warm
a9ption. and a tender heart are gener-
ally 4lied. Frederick was no less conspicu-
GUS for tue one than for the other. All the
moments which he could spare from the la
oours OF his new situation, apd from the du-
ties OF iilial p.cty, he devoted to the elegiac
muse; not aware that he thus imprudently
cherished and cultivated those seeds OF mel
ancholy temper which adversely, and cheer
less solitude had planted in his bosom!
fvot many months elapsed before his poor
mother sunk under burthen of painful re-
collection, and torturing anxiety, which not G.
ven the exemplary tenderness Of her Son
could remove. Then it was that Frederick's
scnsi6ility dcgcnerated into kind of phren-
zy. He was. convinced of tl,spfmmortality of
the, soul, and to. that cop16Gtion he added
beEer, which, il errones6(g, is yet dear to ten
del minds. He thas,ht that our departed
hishds., wrapped the mysterious shades of
the night, love 5wandcr, through the silent
cypress-grQSG to reposc themselves in some
humid gpeeto, or on the green hanks of some
soliDsy lake. Accordingly he would often
roam, at the midnight hour, in those places
for which his mother had shewn prcdilec-
ton. HIS disordcred fancy realized, in some
measure, the pious illusions of filial tender
ness, and he returned from those melancholy
8mtles Somewhat comforted and refresh
NnAhe 0can time, the sympathy Of the
geAerou5<Slr. Sanford was conspicuously dis
playett He inscnsibly won the wretched
mourner from the selfish and unmanly luxu-
| nv OF grief, and allured him to the study of
| polity and law, holding out to his view bright
| and encouraging prospects of future useful
ness and cminence. The good and worthy
| man contemplated with delight the rapid adj
vances of his ftrotege. As his own ideas of
legal studies were vast and splendid, and as
| be intended to rear a solid structure, he took
tare to lay a, broad basis, and to provide a
Hbund& materials He had always lamen-
Ted TINT error p fatal, yet so common, which
RdueeS youth chiefly to rely on WHAT term
Nnatural gadus, and to neglect that judi
| cious cultnfe, which, far from checking the
growtlref innate talents, increases their vi
gour, and promotes their expanding luxuri-
ancy. He did not consider the vernal sea-
son of life as period destined by nature to
amusement and relaxation, but as a busy
era which virtue Consecrates to labour and
! to useful requirements; nay, like celebra-
ted lawgiver of antiquity he looked upon
the whole circle of human existence as con-
tinued education, every succeeding moment
of, Il al
liable accession of knowledge. 1t is easil,
iNgined that he did not confine Frederic t.
II asperitieso Of professional research. From
ftoAN taught the youth to derive al
SiMted experience, and, as it were,
PIN edre Old age the ancient orators i'm
par him their energy, their copiousness
their sublimity the mathematician, thei
depth, subtlety, and symmetry of reasoning
the poets, their creative and plastic powers
their picturesque and animated imagery
their holiness of language, and, especially
, that fascinating harmony of style, which
whilst it spurns the shackles and monoton
of Xerse, vies with it In suavity and grace
, T--AIn oestowing so much attenti
h on theimproyement of his favourite, whom
enpN dyed whh parental affection, MI
RnfQR aApired tpr him to something beyon
, $satek trak of forensic routine. II
5 tnAgm revere 6ally of a government wher
theSpnipotesSy of opinion is substituted i
the pfssee of physical force. ohm nothin
appeared SO dignifed, SO truly worthy {
f the human character, as the empire of elo
/ quent truth over whole nation. A lette
which he wrote to Frederick on this subjeC
will better explain his ideas, his views, an
, his hopes. - But here perceiy
that Ihave nearly come to the end of my pa
per; and my cottage does not at this mC
ment contain another sheet. 1 must, there
fore, intrcat the reader, whom this tale
benevolence may have interested to wait pa
tic9tk,efor the sequel.
TIE MANNER IN WHICH GREA'
Il YATAINDECLARES WAR.
$ Ertrad from London morning Chro'