Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-10-27
= Sir Thomas Moore.
From the Republican Chronicle.
THE STRICT OBSERVER.

OF all the evils that infest society, there
is none which bears GU It's front such indel-
ib!e marks IF opposition to every thing
virtuous, or is SO obnoxious to all princi-
Piles of justice, benevolence aud liberality,
as the vice of Islander.
The hasiy ebulIitions Of anger may be
lpardoned-+the follies occasioued by the
flowing bowl may be partially excused
but the malicious intentions of Islander adj
nit of no palliation, as it is crime gener-
ated in the womb Of envy, propagated by
the heart Of micked,aess, and brought forth
by the tongue of deceit. II is like the
midnight assassin, who stabs his victim in
the dark, without the possibility Of de
fence; and the wounds if gives are incu-
rable aud deatbly.
The slanderer is like an ungratelul trav-
|eller, who arrives at magnificent city,
where the lofty spires rear their heads IN
majestic elegance he finds the people
contented, peaceful and happy; they re-
|ceive him into their confidence--but he,
possessing mind incapable Of enjoying
He sets FIRE to the centre of the city, and
coniemplates with an inJerlsal pleasure on
the wreck of those by whom he was never
injured.
Horrid as is the picture here drawn of
Islander, il falls infinitely short of the orr
ginal 1t is impossible to calculate on its
pernicious effects, as its course is marked
with the bleeding carcases of its mntilated
victims who are inundated on the altar
which its votaries have raised, to offer
their inhuman sacrifices. And yet this
hideous monster is making its way with
gigantic rapidity into the hearts Of our own
citizens. Even in the breast of lovely
,uoman, whose mind is susceptible of the
most soft and endearing expressions
whose heart is capable of the most noble
feelings, blended with the most sympathet-
ic sweetness-even in her breast SANDER
has fixed its deadly fangs and arrayed
itself in opposition to every virtuous and
refined sentiment,
Visit the lady's drawing room, or the
gentleman's coffee-house the private en-
lertainments and public festivities aud
you cannot fail to perceive Islander some
times arrayed in the garb of caador, and
at other times in the habit Of justice, de-
Tending injured merit; now assaiIing pri-
vate chsracter-then sacrificing public
reputation. But whatever disguise it
assumes, or whatever character it repre-
sents, its movements are the same-blast
ing the fairest reputation and blighting the
most blooming virtue.
Reputation is gem, the value Of which
exceeds all calculation. In adversely it
is the solace of our cares; in prosperity
it is the guide of our philanthropy and
benevolence in sorrow it is the friendly
hand that wipes away our tears; 10 joy
it is the zest that brightens every pleasure
aud increases every delight; in this world
it is the rock on which our hopes are
built--the anchor on which our future
prospects fasten-the helm which guides
our actions to the port of correctness; it
lis the meteor which lights the dreary
wanderer through the wilderness Of life,
and when the hour of death arrives, to
summon us to the world of spirits; it is the
ladder 90 which our hopes ascend to trans
fix our ideas on that celestial haven where
no sorrows pervade-where no delusive
visions disappoint! Ref Of this, we are
like bark without rudder or sails; Life
itself is but dreary waste, where no YER
dure springs up in the path to beautify
the scene, to give variety to the prospect,
or to impart charm to the journey.
We behold the young man arise like
lstately cedar in the commencement of his