The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-01-09

iEe-ur!H oi battalion. or been capable g.
the ISOLATION OF 4 mathematical prob EN- has
Il not been by superior coup d'Gil, S; its u
INFORM x Indispensable concomitants, ,ntre-
pid bravery and discriminating decision -
m what other way can it he accounted Tor ::
and how dearly, intrinsicaily valuable il the
possession OF II to the officer, who draws his
sword III defence of his country, her laws &
her liberties! he should rcgtrt. it rs the
highest accomplishment of his art, and oil
other relatives as only subordinate
We will suppose Il choice to be made from
two persons OK one tc lead an expedition :
ono has read military books; is endowed
with rejecting mind in the common &C
currenccs of life, is accomplished in litcra-
turc and eminent in a profession, distinct
from war the other, on the contrary.
knows nothing theoretically or practically
OF military movements, fails in,the common
arrangements of domestic economy, has no
literary requirements aud is a mere driyel-
Ter IN his business will it be possible 10
decide from this alone, which of the two
will be the better choice? If nature have
granted her favors to both equally, no doubt
the applicant to military studies, the pru-
dent citizen, the scholar and the distinguish
ed civilian, ouator or merchant should be ia
Ken but the other may still be his superior
IN the coup d'aii, and this enviable Gift may
induce prudent commander to prefer him
Tor the expedition.
Let two boys be brought up together; they
are led into a wood blndfolded !; the band
age being removed from their eyes, they
are desired by their tutor to discover their
way to their home the one views each
path and exercises more patient thought
than his companion, who care!essly passing
MS eye over what the other has been so stu
diously observing in an instant. decides on
the proper and the nearest route.
Again; Il place is pointed out to them.
and an attack supposed To be intended upon
1t; the frst boy is asked, where a c,rt to
resist the attack may be constructed with
best advantage; he cCntemplates each site
and hXes on one for the purpose the other
is directed likewise to describe a favorable
position tor defence he rests a glance over
me entire ground and instantaneously de-
cides on the best point of resistance
IN their general studies, it may happen,
mat the youth, who chooses his position With
taFoihess, may make more rapid progress
thanhe who does it still better with scarce
ny moments reflection : the last under
common circumstances may be of slower
capacity than the first yet in what re-
CARDS the sight, he is intuitively more quc <
and accurate ; whence arises this seeminp
contradiction its. the gift of nature we
speak OF, the comp dei the first may pos
sess IT, OUT lie VIII re4une infinitely greater
practice than the other: in the same way
one person requires a longer time to write
poetry than another.
There are few Accomplishments of use or
elegance that may not be ACQUIRED bnt
different degrees of application are necessa-
ry Tor different men, and though one be not
born poet, AN orator or fnancier, GER
tam dispositions viii, more easily attain to
excellence IL certain pursuits than others :
This depends on intellect, feeling and enthu-
s,asm IN the common branches of science ::
cut IN war, there is an additional requisite !;
intellect, and feeling and enthusiasm must
DC accompanied by that rapidity of vision
we allude to; the ACCOMPLISHED scholar.
the accurate historian, the ingenious poet 81
the skiitul musician may have defective
sight that OF a commanding general should
be clear, quick, penetrating and decisive.
RUPERT.