Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-11-07

Is, tndt. UoWc'ct eCCeuuiCs NC 10 '""" W.
the nobIest personal cndowmests. The
perusal of those lines called to our recol-
lection al, that we had read about bis Iii
yorce; in which. though the particulars
that led to that deplorable event we're
not handed over to newspaper paragraph.
lists for the sport Of the malignant Sian.
derers Of The world, there was nothing to
inculpate him in any unfeeiing charge OF
angenerous or dishonorablc conduct;-
while the bountifulness Of his nature and
the extreme sensibility Of his heart sccur-
ed him from unworthy surmises, except
from the unworthy. Having also recol-
lected to have read, in review Of high
reputation, which could not be suspected
Of Partially to him, because it is esta-
blished upon and advocates political OPT
MONS opposite to his, bes,ows very ex'
allied character of his lordship, We were
at the pains to leok out for the particular
volume OF that work which contained it,
and were lucky enough to get it into our
hands on Friday, at the very same hour
that the arrival Of the National IntelIi-
genoer put US in possession Of very
sensible and 1--WE will say it) generous es-
say censuling the lines and repelling the
assertion that they we're lord Byron's.-
We, therefore, Immediately resolved to
publish that piece in the place Of what
we intended to write ourselves, and along
with il extracts from the review we al
Jude to, for the purpose Of uudeceiving
the public, and Of suggesting to the pub.
Usher of the lines the propriety Of stating
what the name Of the publication was
from which he took them, in order TO
shift the odium Of the forgery from this
country, if it did not originate hsrs, to
that in which it was fabricated.
For the extract which we offer for the
purpose Of presenting lord Byron in a
more just point of view to the public, our
readers Of reflection and taste will be
thankful, on account Of the beauty Of the
writing, the nice discrimination of cha
rac:er, and The generous feeling with
which it is frausht; and particularly as
it contains an admirable history Of him
and his muse, and it will be the more sa-
tisfactory because coming from quarter
| where no partiality can be supposed to
exis,-the truth Of the portrait will BE-
more readily Acknowledged.
1t has been reserved for our own
time to produce one distinguished exam
pie Of the muse having descended upon
bard Of a wounded spirit. and lent her
lyre to tell, and we trust to sosthe attic
tons Of no ordinary descSption-Gfsie
tions originating probably in that singu.
lar combination of feeling ,rkieh has bten
caiis;! The poeticat temperament, and which
has 80 often saddened tie days OF those
on whom it has been conferred. II ever
| man could lay claim to the character
in all ITS strength and all it's weakness,
with its unbounded range Of enjoyment
and its exquisite sensibihty Of pleasure
and pain, il must certainly be granted to
lord Byron. Ner does it require much
time or acquaintance with human nature
10 discover why these extraordinary pow
ers should in many cases have CoDtI lbu-
| ted more to the wretcbedness than 10 The
happiness Of their possessor."
"The imagination all compact which
the greatest poet who ever lived has as
signed as the Distinguishing badge Of his
brethren, is in every case dangerous
gilt. 1t exaggerates, indeed, our erpecta-
lions, and eau often bid its possessor
hope where hope is lost to reason; but
the deiusive pleasure arising from these
visions OF imagination resembles that Of
child whose notice is attracted by frag.
ment Of glass, to which a sun beam has
given momentary splendor. He hasiens
to the spot with breathless impotence,
and finds the object OF his curiosity and
expectation is equally vulgar and worth
less. Such is the man Of quick and ex'
! allied powers of imagination. His fancy
over estimates the object Of his wishes
and pleasure, lame, distinction, are alter.
nateiy pursued, attained, and despised
when 10 his power. Like the enchanted
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