The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1819-01-06
FOR THE ALEXANDRIA HERALD.
THE NEW YEAR.


Solemn and impressive Is the cont
nued flow of time-To eternity this
stream is ever hurrying, as river to the
'ocean--man floats upon its surface, and
rs gently waited away to that ssbourne
from whence no traveller returns" We.
look back upon the past year, and we be-
hold the same catalogue of crimes, follies,
and 'i'nproprieties-Various have been
she events that have TRANSFERRED and ma
my the changes that have taken place
Here, one monrns the loss of relative or
sfriend-another, the lnisfortunes of trade.
another, the disappointments ofhope-'
Some that were baskmg in the sun beams
OF prosperity, and who thought them:
selves independent and secure from the.
world are now, comparatively speaking.
IN want and distress-othcrs, that were
in obscurity and poverty, have been, by
the sudden freaks of fortune, raised 20
affluence, and elevated stations in society.
These changing scenes these wavering'
situations, are worthy the reflection of a
contemplative mind.
Although our country may be said to
be prosperous and happy--yet there are
MANY evils to complain of--many public
diseases to cure-What the medicine
should be, and how applied do not
pretend to advise. Our mercantile COM
munity are grooming under scarcity oil
moncy--our banks are oppressed by the
gripping enmity of unprincipled brok ers,
and are in tfoubl, and distrcss-A Bank
rupt Law, SO loudly desired, and wished
for, IS yet in emblyo--and the cry of
"hard times" is heard from every tongue
How long this state of things will last
now long our citizens will have to endure
these gloomy facts-it is impossible TO
determine-But, we hope the arrival of
new year, will open brighter prospect
to our view-that trade may rcvive-mo-
ney become more plenty-health and
good spirits abide among us-and the
sreign OF terror" cease.
We can felicitatc ourselves, however,
with the reflection, that our natioual cha
racter continues MISUNDERSTANDING
peaosed--The demon of discord has
long since winged its flight to some other
region, and the unspotted mantle of peace
covers the spear ofthe warrior. Our far
1ners are alive to the importance Of agri-
cultural knowledge. and societies for its
promotion, are rapidly increasing. Lite
nature is not neglected and taste for
the arts and sciences animate our couu-
trymen TO noble pursuits, and useful eK-
periments.
Let us then rejoice with the new year,
and if we have committed any errors, or
nguilty of any indiscret ion in the past,
remember them, and reform-Let us
cease to do evil, and learn to do well :"
make righteousness the girdlc Of our
loins," and recollect "that wisdom excel
leth folly as FOR as light excelleth dark
ness" -.~- OSCAR.
ZENo, philosopher, founder OF the
stoics, SO called from his opening a school
in the portico Of stoa, in Athens-He
was born at Citlum, in the isle of Cy-
pFGss, bu, being driven by storm on the
coast of Africa, he took up his residence
there, and taught philosophy to berfoc-
ton. His principles, it is said, maintain
ed the right Of self murder-asd his SER
want being told the plea Of fate would ex-
culpate him from any crime he should
commit, exclaimed to Zeno, as he was
beating him for theft, eit is my fate to be
trief""Yes sirrab," replied his master,
sand its your tate to be Grubbed Tor it."
.,.t.~S otrf,ue 70, 80