Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-12-07
FOR THE GAZETTE.
TO LEYANDER:

1890
Though possessing. perhaps, less expe-
rience of the tender passion which Levan-
der describes with so much fancy and feel
ing, venture with difidence tocontest the
truth of one Of his opinions.
Personal charms, improvement'of mind,
and that amiableness Of disposition which
seems indispensable to the forming of a
perfect female character, must ever call
forth the admiration and win the esteem Of
every sensible feeling mind. The same
endowments in our sex ensure, at most, the
lukewarm feelings Of respect, esteem, sc.
Even the more animated sentiment Of
friendship is seldom the reward of any dis
tinguishing trait of virtue or talent. We
listen with rapture to the bold impressive
eloquence of the public speaker-our SYM
pathies are with him, and our minds occu-
pied at bis pleasure by the varied senti-
sentiments and feelings it is his object 10
inspiTe.--Bu: when these short-lived i'm
ressions have vanished, and the orator is
met in the ordinary course of Business,
what has he gained the momentary need
of .applauding countenances.-While our
hearts accord to him the full measure OF
genius, envy of those great powers of mind
which carried as irresistibly along with the
current of bis own " burning words" pre-
cludes the possibility of any practical evil
dence even Of our languid good will. |
might here cite many examples Of trans
cendant talents, accompanied with all the
aids Of apparent public and private virtue,
in which the sudden loss Of power or for
tune proved the melancholy hurnbling fact,
that no support is 10 be expected in the day
,of calamity from single adhering friend.
But Levander will think, perhaps, have
forgotten my subject. To the point, then.
II, in the person Of man be concentrated
every requisite to form character which
the world may view as the ne plas ultrd OF
human attainment, Of whom it might be
said 81 no country could appropriate him !"
if, say, in such character we see the fai-
lure Of friendly professions, when trials and
distresses sink him from the elevation to
which virtue, talents and prosperity have
raised bim,--is il possible that any similar
qualifications in lovely woman can origi.
nate the pure resist.ess feeling Of love -
No, indeed: they may be the foundation
Of friendship SO rare that IT'S proverbially
but name.
The unsympathising bosom, however,
that never felt the glow Of friendship, may
still know within il the existence OF one
rirtuous principle tender attachment.
A God piiies the desart mind, and inspires
an isolated sentiment Of virtue; points out
the appropriate object, and leads il will
ling subject into the soft bondage Of wo-
mans afe actions.
Stuical principles. frigid philosophy, and
perfected vice, alike yield to the onnipo-
tent power Of love. Perfection 10 virtue
belongs to none but a benevolent Deity,
by the universal gift Of this paramount pas.
sion, translates bis creature into a new
world OF enjoyment; hunbles him INTO
gratitude for the unexpected, ihexpressible
bliss, and thereby secures his obedience 10
every vir.uous intimation, confirming bis
happiness here, and ensuring bis sveriast-
ing felicity in world Of unalloyed love.
PHILO-LEVANDER.