The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-26
CHE enquirer.
RICHMOND, JANCARY %. 1911
(FOR THE ENQuINER.)
THE OLD BACHELOR.
No. XI.

Mobilitate viget, viresque acqurit eundo
FIRO. ZEN Lib. 4 v. us.
each moment briggs
New vigor to her flights. new pnions 70 her
wihgs.
DRYp
The last mail brought me from different
quarters of the State the most pleasing
proofs that Galen's well-ntended prediction
has tailed: for The Old Bachelor, find. is
read and cad. TOO. with the most propiti-
Gus cts. Asthe number of my CORE spon-
dents Is beginning to encrease, avail mysf
OF this occasion to settle with them the few
sin pie terms on which our intercourse is to
Continue.
hope need scarcely say, in the first
place. that nothing will fluid its way % The
public under the sanction of The Old Ba-
cheior. but what is calculated, according to
MS opinion, to promote the Cause in which
he has embarked: Uirtuousiy 10 instruct, or.
uinocenffy 10 amuse: no letter, however ell
egantiy written, whose aim is malevolent,
misch'ev0us or vicious, will be farther no.
ticed by him than to be committed to the
fla mes.
Nor will it be expected by his correspon-
dents, eyes where their communications are
well IL ended, that a Whimsical Old Bache-
lor will always agree wi h them in point of
sentiment and taste. He may sometimes
judge soialsely as to suppose that however
praise-wofthy in design, their productions
may, nevertheless, not be calculated. to adj
vance the purpose OF his papers. In such
cases he must be permitted to withhold
them altogether from publica zion, under his
signature :; but he will ar the same time, con
slider himself bound to have he manuscript
returned, sealed, he Editor Trough whose
lands ne will have received it, tor TIE pur-
pes' OF being awarded, If desired, to the
Authors addr' IS.
A. other times the Old Bachelor may be of
p'nlnn, that letter with a few alterations
II going to change ether its sentiments or
rincipi,s. may be better calculated t. pro
note his purpose 4: in such case, he will
make the alter Gtun without ceremony or a
Pologs There may be cases in which lie
nay differ from the opinion of a correspon-
uent IN such Gas S. If he gives the let
ter, he will express tine difference of opini.
OIL.
On these conditions and under these quail
hcations, his correspondents may rely on
ms most graceful acknowledgement; for
their contr buttons, and on their being, in
'ne time interviewer with The Old Bache-
inr'S web. so as TO Diversity the work accord
ing to the best of his judgment.
Here follows letter tr IN one to whom he
feels we'll assured that he will never have
I" propose either condition or qualification ::
II Is from his first correspondent and his
hrst friend Lovetruth. Even the sorrows
and the tears of my old friend are full of vir
tue and instruction. His is pen,
To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,
10 raise the genius and to mend the heart.
"To DOCTOR ROBERT CECIL.
CARA-SELvA, Jan. 18th, 1911.
&c RPSherteJ Er;e,J
Thy eighth number was
Yesterday hailed by The small circle at Ca
ra-Selva. Doubtless, ny approving smile
IS calculated toinspir't and energize its OBJ
Ject Thy esteem brings along with it some
'hIng balmy and invigorating. Yet, wonder
not, Good Cecil, it even tiny ladugent receu-
ton OF Loyetrnth's hasty address. and thv
hattering appeal to his feeble pen, want he
power entirely to rouse his mind from its pre-
sent detection and to efface from his dark
ned brow every Sombre tint of melancholy
mourn, honest Cecil, mourn tor a friend.
might say. or bIohcr My worthy
iaighoor, Charles Melmoth, is no more. Last
week, his noble spirit, freed from the shac-
kles of mortal y re-ascended to its native
heaven. Alre idy the sod. and other pious
emblems Of affsctionate sorrow on his humble
and solitary tomb have been wiihered or
dispersed by the rude blasts Of winter but
MS venerable figure il still seen by he eve
OF friendship; his voice still vibrates on my
ears IN short, L can, at his moment think
OF n'thing speak of nothing, but the depart
ed Melmoth.
When the tempest ofgref shall have sub
Sidec, when only placid recollection of Mel
moths intellectual and moral excellence
'hail remain, when, with steady hand, /
snail be able to guide the pencil, and 60
spread the colors of biography, may at
tempt to retrace the manly and dignhed fea-
lures which were combined in the Character
OF my friend. The picture shall be faithful
yet' rear some among us viii take it for an
antique, or for some fanciful delineaton Of
ideal worth. At present. dear Cecil, ClesuI-
tory illusions only can BE expected from
Lovetruth and, unless the impressive, and.
alas tue las cOnve sation which passed be-
tween Melmoth and myself, be deemed bv
thee not altoge her irreladVe TO the laudablc
purpose which thou hast IN view, this. my
second letter, must remain confined thy
own breast Indeed, ] wish for no more
than the sympathy of heart like thine.
Parental affection was prominent trait
in the amiable and exalted character of nv
Friend Death, FIVE years since, tore from
his bosom beloved wife, and left he warm
est sensibilities OF his widowed heart to cen
ter ia four children, three sons. and daugh-
ter Melmoth had always considered their
education as his first duty the performance
OF this duty now became the chief solace of
his declining age. His children were his
delight, his pride, his triumph. Lovetruth,
he once satd 70 me AT siut1f Of G,i,le