Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-05-20

tin. Those who are destined for the church,
or political career, go to the universities
of Oxford and Cambridge. Cambridge is
particularly devoted to mathematics, in
memory Of Newton; but the English, &c.
morally speaking, do not hold this study in
high estimation for they think it very
dangerous to good morals when carried too
far. They are OF opinion that the sciences
harden the heart, deprive life OF its en-
chantrnents, and lead weak minds to athe:
ism, the sure foad to all other crimes. On
the contrary, they ma intain that the bellies
leltres render lite delightful; soften the
soul, fill US with faith in the divinity, and
thus conduce, through the medium of reli-
g'on, to the practice Of all the virtues.
When an Englishman attains manhood,
agriculture, commerce, the army and navy,
religion and politics, are the pursuits Of
life open 10 him. II he chuses to be what
they call gentleman farmer, he sells his
corn, makes agricultural experiments, hunts
foxes and shoots patridges in autumn, eats
fat geese at Christmas, sings ooh the roast
beef of old England," grumbles about the
times, and boasts of the past, which he
thought no better at the nomenclature
all, Inveigbs against the minister and the
war for laising the price Of port wine. and
goes inebriated to bed, intending to lead
the same life on the following day.
The army, though So brilliant during the
reign Of Queen Ann, had fallen into state
of disrepute, from which the present war
has raised it. The English were long
time before they thought Of turning their
principal attention to their naval force
They were ambitious of distinguishing
themselves as continental power. 1t was
remnant OF ancient opinions, which held
the pursuits OF commerce in contempt
l be English have, like ourselves, always
had species of physi0gnomy by which
they might be distinguished. Indeed these
two nations are the only ones in Europe
which properly deserve the appellstion. If
we had our Charlemagne, they had their
Alfred their archers shared the renown
of the Gallick infantry; their Black Prince
rivalled our Duguesc,in, and their MarIbo-
rough our Tureune. Their revolutions and
ours kept pace with each other. We can
boast of the same glory /; but we must de.
plore the same crimes and the same mis-.
fortunes.
Since England has become maritime
power, she mas displayed her peculiar &C.
MUS in this new career. Her navy is dis
tingushed from all others in the world by
discipline the most singular. The Eng
lish sailor is an absolute slave, who is sent
on board vessel by force, and obliged to
serve in spite OF himself. The man who
was SO independent, while laborer, ap-
pears to lose all the rights Of freedom from
the moment that he becomes a mariner
His superiors Cypress him by yoke the
mos, CALLING and humiliating. Whence a.
rises il that men Of 90 lofty disposition
should submit to such tyranny? 1t is one
OF the miracles of a free government. In
England the name Of the laav IS .almighty.
When the law has spoken, resistance is at
an end.
LIDO not believe that we should be able,
OF indeed that we ought, to introduce the
English system into our navy. The French
seaman, who is frank, generous, and spi-
rited, wishes to approach bis commander
whom be regards still more as his comrade
than his captain. Moreover, state Of such
absolute servitude as that of the English
sailor, can only emanate from civil autho-
rity /; hence it is to be feared that it would
be despised by the French; for unfortu.
nately the latter rather obeys the man than
the law, and his wishes are more private
than public ones.
Our naval officers have hitherto been bet
ter instructed than those of England. The
latter merely knew their naneuvres, while
ours were mathematicians, ana men of SCI
ence in every respect. Our true charac-
ter has, in general, been displayed in our
navy, where we have appeared as warriors,
and as men improved by study. As soon
as we have vessels, we shall regain our
birth right on the ocean as well as upon
land. We also shall be able TO make fur
Their astronomical observations, and voy-
ages round the world--but as TO our be-