Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-07-11
From the True american,
rHE LECTURES OF FATHER PAUL

From the iTate .1n 20 y tc ~
TIE LECTURES OF FATHER PAUL
1t is impossible that it should be
otherwise. The fluctuations in trade
the stagnation of commerce, and the EN-
|barrassed state Of the circulating medium
as necessarily produce pecuniary diff
|culties among men in business, as dark
ness succeeds the departure OF the sun,
Perhaps atpo period since the commence.
|mpnt of the war has the evil pressed
with more painful force than at the
present time. Be II the labor, as it is
the duty, of wise heads to devisea system
which shall come {. with healing on i.s
wings . and restore to health and vigoui
1.-The iapaire' prosperity Of our country
Mine be the humble task, to endeayor t.
lalleyiate an evil which | profess not the
liability to cure.
g Know thou myself" is maxim,
more honoured, in the acknowledgment
Of it's eycellency, than BY its observance
How many are there in this vast cit
!! who dare not commune with themselves
/ and frankly enquire into their own moral
ar religion state? How many are there
who have not the irmuess even to ex.
famine into their worldly affairs, but turn
Iaway with eagerness to any business OF
amusement, rather then to take a cool {
flair survey of their situation?
Could I bore that this, humble essay
would meet the eve Of one ingenious,
Embarrassed man, would say to him,
:. Sit down, nv friend, and hear me one
moment. Whatever may have been the
cause Of your difficulties. it is not toe
late to prevent them. Perhaps you may
conceive them greater than they really
are. At all events, ascertain to your
own satisfaction your true sltuatlon.-
Pace on paper every debt you owe, and
Istats all the means you possess to mee'
the demands ofyour creditors. Resolve.
firmly resolve. betide what may OF
veal or wo'--to keep that little monitor
that sits enthron d in your breast, your
friend. Let no temptation lead you to
barber FIR moment one dlshonorab!e
| Thought, Character is better than wealth
la gooG name is more precious than the
mines of Potosi. State your situatloa
fully to some judicious friend and be 60
Iverned by bis advice. Retrench-econo-
|nise, secrets let me tell you, that contain
all the ,irtucs SO eagerly sought by the
|alchymists Cut down your expences to
the narrowest limits that de2ency and
comfort will admit. Then ask your
heart fit does not beat lighters Then
say if the morning sun does not rise with
renewed splendour and tell me if the
bird that Marbles in your cage has not
ladded new melody to his song"
Perhaps, among all the difficulties that
arise to perpex the bosom OF a man, who
has been prosperous and lived luxurious
Ily, but on whom fortune frewns, there
ARE few that affect him with more pain
than TO disclose his situation to his ia
Unity. 1t is firmly believed that many a
IMAM who has the nerve to GO into battle
| with smile, would shrink from the
words to the partner 81 his BOSOM" We
|are poor"
Do YOU behold that large and elegant
building on the left Observe the turni-
,tpre it is decorated like the habitation
|ofa prince. Do you see those servants
Ithat carriage? Look at The table it is
spread with all the luxuries Of the season
land The goblet Cows with the choicest
|vines from the stores of Lewis and Of
Wager. This is the babitation of Lycias.
lie was rich He married lady Of re
|snectable family, and eStrao,djnary &C
accomplishments. The oranges OF the
ines, numerous and unforeseen, have
swept from him the greatest portion Of
Ihis estate, and he endeayours to co .cea'
his embarrassments under the increased
.plendour ofhis esta 3lishmen'. and to
drown his own reflections, in the hustle
and gaiety OF fashionable trivolity.
ThinS you that Lycias is happy !
Close upon that smile there follows a
Ugh of anguish; and his heart is prey
ltnthe vultures of despair. He has not
the courage To tell Lucretia his situation
Inc cannot.--Wouid she chide him !? oh
lBo. The heart Of a women, in whom
confidence is placed. is ever kind. She
might hang on his bosom one moment in
tears--no more. The mother and the
wife would prevaii-shc would cheer
lhim with her smile--she would animate
him by her fortitude, and throwing the
arms of her children around his neck, in.
! viteshim with her to make their educa-
l:ion the sourceof their amusement e hap
lpiness. Reducing bis expences to le-