Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-09

oeen represented; as to the i0ss which the coun
Try has sustained by his death recollect very
few instances, in which he even endeavored 10 ac-
compsh for the country, objects worthy of the ex-
srtons OF a great mind. lie never cordially and
heartily co-oPerated with those who sought
reform in the House of Commons, and yet, he
was TOO sensible man not to perceive, not 20 be
well convinced that no object short of that u as
worth any serious effort; nay, he must have been
well convinced, that his frequent contests about
comparative trifles were calculated to amuse the
nation with false notions and expectations; that
ne was drawing their attention from the true
cause OF their calamites diveiting the course Of
the public mind from its useful end ; affordne a
shield to the citadel of political evil by wearyng
and exhausting the assailing force in skirmishing
about forage, beyond even the foot of the glacis.
Pauty appears to have been his ruling passion.
He was constantly in search after triumph No
| thing short OF daily victory seemed to suffice
This necessarily led him 10 pursue, in Parliament,
Ia petite guer1e. Nothing was too little for him
no subject too contemplate no adversary too
feeble; no quantity or kind of applause beneath
his eager acceptance. The cheering of the Hon.
orable House, the clappipgs of play-actors, he
hum of the Bible Society; all were swallowed
with equal avidty.
Much has been said about his obenness and SIN
certify. But it unfortunately happens that this
character has been given by the most profound
and most successful hypocrite upon the face of
the whole earth; and, indeed, he appears not to
nave wholly unmerited such praise at such hands.
For where was his sincerity, where was his prin-
ciple, when, afler most furious attacks on Perci-
val and Castlereagh, he protested that he meant
nothing disrespectful TO them, and walked out of
the House with them arm-inarm. Either he be-
heved what he had said of their conduct, or he
did not; and in either case his insincerity was
manifest. This was, too, calculated to produce
\ .Attr zf-- 4
nearing him, for years, Gccnsinr Perciyal, heard
nm amongst the foremost, saw him the very bell
weather OF the flock in extolling his character
and Conduct, and in voting large sums of the pub
Inc money as compensation for his pu5lic servi-
ces Hit be just to call such man sincere, in
sincerity does not existin the world
do not say, and do not think, that he was
Premelitatedly deceitful. He was led away by
his vanity. Having obtained from one side. the
praise due TO bold sssailant and defeater of the
MINISTER, he next sought from the other side,
the praise of candour and liberality. His vanity
was atoul-feeder, but il was admirably calculated
to nuiiify all his attacks, and to keep alive a
remnant OF that popular delusion as to party
when had still remained after the coalition of
the Grenvilles and the Wings
Among those who were at all under his NOW.
er, he was ntolerant His vanity forced where
II had power, all to administer to it; and where
II mad not power 10 enforce it, it to STRAIT
agems to gain its ends. That he was really in.
sane, at the time Of putting an end to his life.
have no doubt; and, it is fact well known. that
vanity IS the most frequent cause of insanity as
wen as ofsuicide. Why do we hear of so ma.
ny men killing themselves when they fall from
great riches to poverty 1t is not because thew
lear punishment, for they are sure to receive
none 1T is not because they fear that they shall
want the means of existence, for the mere bau
Dies IN their families will afford them such
heis' not To say that 1t is time to die when those
means rLll 1T not because they fear the re-
ProacheS OF the world for the world is too just to
reProach men with their misfortunes it is be-
cause they feel, with as much certainty as they
ieel the warmth of life within them that the dai-
~ and hourly adulation, which has fed their yani
ty, has fed from them for ever. Never having
contemplated the consequences ofsuch a change
mtner circumstances, their minds are overpow-
eieo ny tne oiow; they can no longer endure the
world, and, in fit ofphrenzy, they leave it.
10 this cause attribute the untimely death of
Mr. Whitbead, who had manifestly begun to ex-
PerIence great falling off in the applause, to
which he had long been accustomed, and vino
saw, IN the events upon the continent, an endless
source oftriumph over him. He, who had never
brought his mind to endure the absence ofprase.
VINO had enjoyed all that he wanted except that
praise OF which ne never was glutted, saw no.
thlnS lett worth his living 10 enjoy. AS man
possessed ofgreat mental powers, ] lament that |
ne has ceased to exist. I lament more especial |
~ the cause and manner of his death, because |
they' were derogatory to such a mind, and be- |
cause they must necessarily have inflicted great
pam on numbers, by whom he was, doubtless, be- |
loved. But in the teeth of fashion, good natlired |
ignorance, fraudulent cunning, and all-powerful |
can't, must, and will say, that L do not regard |
ms death as the smallestloss to the public, being
FULLY convinced, that his exertions, for some |
years past, have tended toprolong rather than a.
bridge, the duration of the calamties of the coun-
try.