Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-21

ments, allureil them 10 associate in con
siderable parties, By the attraction of
pleasure. Social sympaiiies inspired
them with new Difference for social du-
ties, and at ieagth witt, a correct taste for
the gratifying urbanIties of life. II 'raSG
sublime Institution Of dncicat times to conSe-
c,ate BY monuments AID festivals, the memory
Of iiaiuiSuniS wAo had rendered essential ser
riceS TO Mankind.
Festal song,t dance, procession, cere-
monies, We're the first Sylvan hand
maids Of humanity and devotion. The
primal patriarchs were Familiarity. enter
tanned by " singing men and singing wo-
men" as we learn from the lips ofancient
Barzllai, in his iudicious apology TO King
David, FOR remaining at home, when in
yited to Court. Music, garnisi,cd BY na,-
ratire s0ns', was the charm of The BANQUET
for Kings and Rulers Of the Earth in the
first civilizing ages. Precious fragments
of primnval history acquaiEt us With the
fact, and Homer, in later age, delight
fully informs MS, that in those early days,
the minstrel had free access to tie mon
arch. Attlle royal feast he was welcomed,
to cheer the care-worn Ruler with song.
On such splendid occasions, pouring out Il
liberal libation to Jupiter hospitalis-the
Bard attun'd his Harp and raised his
voice Then it was that the Dignitaries
OF the " olden time" felt that benignant
influence WHICH is 30 powerful to Danish
acerbity, assuage irritation, and oblite-
rate those causes of discomfort, weari-
ness and vcXation, that scatter 50 many
thorns over the rugged paths of life =
In word, If we except the first fanatic
Turks, it is notrecolected that the foun-
ders of any celebrated Nation have ever
prescribed the regulated and temperate
enjoyment of wine, dance or music al
though some wild Sectarians of the East,
like modern Monks i'll the West, have OK
TOLD notifications as meriting Heaven,
that they might practise with more inn
punity, their secret denominations upon
Earth. Wisdom certainly never will in
terdict the milk Of old age, or the gesture
and intonat'on OF yoltag gladReSs when en-
joyed in circles of society, where the
dehcacy of one ser creates refinement and
the consideration Of the other prohibits crcess.
For In such associations, cultur'd intel
lect, and correct taste, guarantee the
proper point of qualification, g. proclaim, TO
all, that in the Indulgence IF any passion o..
propensity, the margin Of crceSS is beyo,M tie
iimit Of delight. Butte return. Each seDa-
rate State @. Greece III the progress OF re-
finement, had separate Calendar. which
seemed 10 afford an abstract OF IFS an
mails, by festivals commemOrating events
the most glorious to its cities and these
public amusementS were SuDerintended
by the gravest magistrates. But, the Del
phic and Olympian entertainments, land
two Others were enjoyed in common by
all their communities, and became loca-
ted in process oflime, on federal or con-
federated ground. Hence, adorned bv
dance, music, wrestling, races, recita-
tons, banquets and imposing ceremo-
MES, which were gradually, by iudicious
alterations and improvements, adapted TO
delight and instruct, these great festivals
were rendered most perfect.
The celebration ofthem being fixed, at
the return of certain seasons, became
measure of time and bond Of union
The Oiympiads were considered even bv
the stern Lycurgus himself. among the
most important of the Greek institutions
The preparatory discipline to which the
youth were obliged TO submit, who aspir-
ed to the laurels designated for the va
rlous victors, Injured their bodies to
hardwood, and the generous strife for in
tellectual pre- -emIneDce expandedthes soul.
Partly by such methods a noble band of
youth was trained, who became the shield
the clarion of war resOunded through
Greece, these were alert to display the
boldest eXertions OF courage in the field:
or their fervid and patriotic eloquence,
IN the forum, rebuked superstition, sham
ed sloth and ignorance, and often stiled
the angry tumulis of the multitude.-
But, these were not the only benefits that
resulted from such admirable exercises
converted into public amusements.-
Greece like our free country was subdi-
Vded INTO many states. These differed
IN magnitude, internal forms of policy,
local Interests, dialects and habits. There
arose state-dissentions among tlem.-
When threatened by common danger from
foreign invasion, it was vital to the public
welfare that the GrH.snd mice Of faction
ShoHfd be arrested: and that aR should H.
mite IN the common defence. This salu-
tary effect it was discovered could not be
produced by their feeble form of federal
combination. The celebration of those
sOlcmnitles az fixed seasons. afforded not
merely truce to hostile acts IL angry pas
siOns, but national holiday of the most
imposing aspect Che feast drew togo
thcr cOncOurse of citizens-ii offered
wide COnvivlal party, AT wbic, most of the
leading patriots of the land felt it a plea
sure to assist and duty to attend At
the PytIlidds and OlympIads, therefore in
ternal disseniiOns disappeared. Men OF
opposite parties and from the renofest
corners of Greece, met each other at
Observation-Disclosures and pubicamusement
with competency. And altbo females