Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-08-21
FROM TIE AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER.
RIGHT ESTIMATES.

h1tII1 vi n
A certain simple story about zvdistle,
related by a certain great man whose
name is familiar to my countrymen, has
been thought worthy to be transmitted
tos posterity; it serves to illustrate at
once the necessity of forming right es-
Inmates, and the propensity of mankind
to become attached, each to some par
ticular object, which, by engrossing the
attention of the mind, and ofcourse, alb
stracting from others, assumes at last a
degree of Fictitious importance, far be-
You'd what its intrinsic merits would en-
title it to.-It would not be hazarding
much to assert, all the evils which re-
suit from the voluntary act of men, have
had their origin in wrong estimates.
When these wrong estimates are made
by men oftalents and influence, in re-
gard to things pertaining to national
happiness and prosperity, their effects
are, to vitiate the public taste, to pervert
the Judgment and direct the views and
energies of the people, in an undue de-
gree, to those objects (Which perhaps
have but dubious OF faint operation up
on the public weaD and proportionably
to abstract those views and those ener-
gies from objects of the highest impor-
lance. The art of making right esti-
mates may justly, from its extensive
operation on human happiness, be rank
ed among the noblest Of sciences. 1t is
the Sublime Economy which, taking a
comprehensive view of all the means Of
happiness, whether great or small, turns
all to the best account, by assigning to
each its proper place in the scale of i'm
Portance. 1t is the supreme taste which
regulates and modiies all minor tastes,
keeping each in proper subordination,
III the grand scheme of universal econo-
my, and thus preventing any from gain
ing an undue ascendance and running
into mania.
BY way of illustration, will here ex-
emplify, in few cases, the proneness of
men to form wrong estimates.
|. When man sets the mere accu-
mutation of wealth in competition with
health and leisure, with domestic chart
ties and end garments, and with the ele-
walton and improvement of his nature as
moral, social and immortal being,
think with all his talents for dealing, he
makes at last but poor bargain.
When community consider the en-
couragement given by mixed multi
tude assembled for amusement) to the
performance of actors and actresses, or
men and women singers, as indubitable
proofs OF the taste and refinem ent' of the
citizens; l think it highly probable they
have formed wrong estimates, both as to
the nature Of taste and refinement, and
also as respects the capacity of such an
audience to Judge.
When every woman singer that is an
nounced, is said to be not only one of
the foremost in her profession; but pos
sessed OF every 'high and lofty virtue
IN short, paragon of female excel
lence; and superadded to all this placed
III the amiable. attitude of a person
struggling with misfortune, and having
"a nigh claim upon the generosity of the
public, think there is ground to sus-
pect in many particulars the accuracy
OF the estimates.
When an audience, however sbril-
Iantand fashionable,' imagine, what they
derive from listening TO a fascinating
song deserves the epithet of hallowed,'
think they have grossly mis-estimated
either the nature Of those sensations, or
the import Of the word hallowed.'
When the pouring'of thousands into
the lap of an INDECENT singer, is consider
ed as more meritorious act of charity,
than the assisting of an INDECENT and in
dustrious mechanic or seamstress in
their endeayors to maintain helpless
family think there may have been an
erroneous estimate, both as to the mo-
tives of the giyers, and the.merits of the
receiver.
When an anna eur of the fine arts con-
sidcrs the cultivation of them as mat
ter of vital importance to the happiness
and prosperity of his country; think
he vastly overrates them. But when he
supposes that an intimate acquaintance
with the merits of the several artists of
the day, and capacity to discuss the
merits Of their productions, are neces-
sary to qualify person of either sex to
form constituent part of good society,"
he shocks all common sense
When a statesman supposes that the
advantages of bridge, turnpike, or
canal, will compensate for the mis-
chievous effect upon the virtue, sobriety,
and industry of the people, ofthe lottery
system, by which the funds are raised
fhirk he hoe mt Hull, s+,,J;oJ a.