The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-26

the man ut practical use fulness and bepevo
ience, to the faithful and warm friend. n,
affsctionate husband. the tender and watch
ful parent; it is polluted and disgraced b,
they empty declaimer, the wretched syco
plant, the Inactive speculatist. and, above
all, by that Acourge OF society, the base de-
tractor OF whateves is noble. exalted, gene.
rous
Excuse me, good Cecil. my feelings have
BETRAYED me into aggression. l pass to the
conversation at which Ihave hinted Only
LEI me inform thee that, after having been
led by his father, through systematic range
OF liberal and solid studies, Meimo h e ldest
son, Edward. sailed last spring for Europe,
IN quest OF that multifarious and important
knowledge. upon the requirement of which,
every nope OF usefulness and eminence in the
nedcal Career, for which he evinCed an ear
iy prediction. must necessarily rest.
My kind neighbor, said Mclmoth to me,
on the melancholy occasion above mention
ed, have earnestly wished for this inter-
view: II had been nv ardent PRAYER, NV
fond hope. that Heaven should so far pro-
iong my existence, as to allow me TO see nv
Chiiuren assume their stations in society, as
respectable and useful members of it. Thar
happiness is denied me--my dissolution an
pr2aches, and'--here interrupted him, and
ongan to express better hopes--.it is in vain
resumed my friend, it is in vain i'hou
LnVe'ruth. surely wouldst not deceive me
aia me rather to meet the fatal blow as be-
comes man and a christian. Thus much
L request Tor myself; for my children.
nave more to ask; of updeyi
ating compliance with the solemn dictates
OF such friend, broke from nv lips. He
cpntinued--' thou knowest how reluctantlv
parted with my Edward, but tell me, Love-
ruin could chain down my noble boy TO
an ingio'ious o5scuriy. Could dostn him
10 ih'eHectual barrenness and insignihc ance :
where, IN his native stare, could his ardent
'hirst after natural knowledge have been
grained Where are our ANTAGONISTS. orr
ootahists, our chemists. &c. In population.
IN wealth, in physical resources of every
description, Virginia has rapidly progresse d
-out ner moral Course seems to be retro
grade. he assertion is neither uncandid.
nor harsh 1t IS not even my own only
reverberate a Cry which resounds on all
sides. Degeneracy. political, forensic sci
entlhc, is Every here subjecl of Iamenta
taiion. Under such circus 81 ances, | suffer-
ed my Edward to g.. Yet, | feared for his
innocence, t. r his virtues, for his patriotism.
As well as tor his personal safety. AT his
age, habits OF thinking, and modes of action
re not yet confirmed. Much is TO be an
'Publicanism. and 10 morals. am happy %
lind, however, that his political PRINCIPLES re-
main mistaken, and his heart pure. His last
ietCr, whist evinces his enthusiastic and
rapeurous admiration OF the intelleC ual blaze
winch has suddenly burst upon his mind, CON.
arms likewise expressions ot regret at being
I 'rfron US. and from MS native country. TOO
torci0le, TOO affecting not to be sincere. A..
las! the beloved boy little thinks of the crneI
blow which now threatens him in the person
OF his father! Here Melmo,h was oyerpow-
cred by his sensibilit,
Tears behaved his venerable cheeks
Onaoie TO proceed he pointed to letter ON
ms bureau | took it up, and read as fol.
lows:
My last apprized thee, beloved father.
OF IN arrival at iris. 1 was, when wrote
Il, nearly In the situation of one reused AT
inlc day, from prol 'nged slumbers. The
SOFT. Progr ssive tints of morn had not
prepared me tor meridian corruscation--I
could only wonder and admire, Such = n i'm.
mense mass ofresearch and discovery Sncb
lofty and glorious fabric of genius. i'm.
provement, and science AS l contemp,a
teo the brilliant scene, mine was the fond
imPassioned gaze OF the rapturous lover
The domain OF thought, the regions of intel
iect, appeared to me asgrandized. as i, hv
and exultation at this majestic disolav NJ
the dignity OF our species. Then il was
that fully perceived how and why man
Constitutes the first link in the chain of sinh
lunary existsaces. Had l ever been inclin
ed to doubt that his soul is ray of immor-
tai and divine light, surely, whatI then
saw before me, must have warmed me into
the consoling belief for, thou hast taught
me, my generated parent. to admit
proofs from sentiment as well as from reason.
ing.
TO those fervid & enthusiastic emotions
mas succeeded plan of studies, in which 7
shall steadily persevsre The four wears
" Inch am to spend in Europe, shall not
1 trust be lost to myself, to my Country. to
humanity.
Chemistry, compared anatomy,S & draw
ing, that art subservien, TO almos, eyery
department OF physical SCIENCE, employ
considerable share of mytime Botany shares
with them my attention. Among the all
most countless plants here presented to the
Students view, ] have recognized several
natives Of Virginia. have hailed them as
old trends they have awakened in nv
mind pleasant train of associations. Yet
must confess it, have not met them here
without a secret sentiment of shame. This
originated in the painful reflection that. ad
never left my native state, | should haze.
remained ignorant, not only of their tons
In the vegetable empire, their properties,
ana ther virtues, but even of their names.
the blush ought to have crimsoned
my cheek alone, or might Justly have been
transferred to that uf our Countrvtnen who.e