Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-06-13
ALEXANDRIA:
ISATURU.aF, JUNE IS, 1918.
FOR THE GAZETTE.


Of that gilt, with felicity unequalled e.
ven by himself in any part OF his other
works. The consequential manner with
which the worthy baronet, when sitting
on the bench, gets rid Of question that
calls for hi, decision, by leaving it still in
doubt, and retreating under cover OF o
piece of common place" Much may be
said on 10th Sides is full Of nairetts as an
illustration Of his character, and OF the
reverence with which even the simple
utilities that fell from him were received
by the people among whom he dwelt.
This old boe,less saying Of Sir Rogers
made, when was young, such lasting
impression on my mind, by that whimsi-
cal application Of it, that upon every &C.
curl ence that has since arisen, to which
it could fairly be applied, it has never
failed to start into my head and truly it
is astonishing to think what vast num-
her I have found of the transactions Of
lille, to which it is suitable, and which hu-
man ingenuity, well practised in the per.
version Of truth, may render so dubious
as to make decision upon them very ha.
zar,lous.
OF the many questions which have Tor
ages exercised the skill of casuits, / know
none that remains at this day suspended
in more total INDIGESTION, than that Of the
value Of riches. On this, it may tru y be
affirmed, that not only much may be said,
but for time immemorial much has been
said on both sides. On one side men Of
wise and pious mind', justly diaident OF
human virtue, have considered the alb
sence of wealth as the safest standard
and the most efiectual boundary to the
desires Of a good man. .qgu.'s prayer,
backed by the strong, scriptut al, oriental
figure that " it is easier for camel to
60 through the eye Of needle, than for q
rich man to enter into the kingdom OF
Go )" are BY these prodaced in proof Of
the excellence Of their principle. And
certaiuly nothing can be imagined more
conformable to wisdom, or more natural
to mind intent upon exemption from
vice, than the wish Of Agur; in which,
while he prays for dsliverance from the
infeicitiss of poverty, he also desires to
be saved from the dangers o! superauous
wealth-csnvinced that the first might
tempt him to invade the property Of his
neighbour. and the latter to 8 wicked a.
buse Of his own,
Yet the humility and moderation Of
this beautiful and impressive passage OF
holy writ, could not rescue it from at
taek.-l' has bseD censured and eontro
verted as the ejaculation OF a narrow
hsart-the conception Of selfish, unso-
cial, irigid imagination, couteDted with
bare safety. and the negative enjoyment
Of uninterrupted security; neither hoplng
for nor aspiring to the honor and happi
ness of diffasing comfort beyond its own
contracted circle. After all that envy
can invent-(ssy those advocates OF
,weathl against pecuniary accumula-
ton, i. is the man who misapplies, and
not he who acquires. that is the criminal
agent; if to reward industry, alleviate
d'st,e.s, and support helpless indigehce.
are the great and most satisfactor. duties
Of life, how (say they can riches make
salvation d;fficultf How can the same
thing enable US to exercise the first Of
virtues, yet endanger its future rewards :
For this reason, CONTINUE they the very
desire Of wealth in good man, is meri-
furious, as showing a wish to qualify
himself for diffusins good and diminish
ing evil. lie deprecates poverty, not be.
cause it subjects him to new temptations,
but because it renders benevolence impo.
| tent, leaving him often to witness distress
which he cannot relieve, and to grieve
for wrongs which it i, not in his power
| to redress.
All this is sophistry-plausible indeed,
but still sophistry. Were men as they
| oush, to be, Asur's prayer would be fol-