Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-11-26

OF ever seeing any thing of that kind
produced among us 10 equal them as
compositions. The question is, as TO
the utility of these w@rks, with regard
To the correction Of defects in our native
manners, morals and sentiments. You
advert 10 the apparent effect. they are
affirmed TO have produced in England,
m repressingand correcting those tollies
OF manners aud defects of morals, that
arise from the minor corruptions of the
heart and from medicable dcpravity of
taste, by the exact ludicrous description
exhibited by those writers, not only of
the fern and mede of their external APP
pearance in themselves, but also of their
accompanying aud adhering circum-
stances and accessories. They did no,
SO much search as casuisis into the in
ternal causes, as pourtray the outward
appearances OF moral impertectioS. But
The form and mode of appearance i'm
which these defects, i'll habits, and de.
pariures from the laws of good manners,
are exhibited by these writers, is so un
like theiroutward aspect in this country,
that while we may have the same i'm
Projections and producing The same per-
ucious effects, Yet, as the external view,
III what we read, is so different from the
external appearance, in what we see a.
mong ourselves, we are SLOW TO recog-
niZe the fitness ofthe application of such
lectures to us, and are disposed 10 be
unconscious that we have any thing to
do wlihthem. Again, even when English
books display pictures OF vices and de-
fects, which are every where uniform i'm
Their mode oil appearance yet, as the
accompanying circumstances, in rela-
Ton 10 domestic management and
household arrangement, in fine, as The
COSTUME, If we may so Callit, of the ac-
tors, and as the scenery of the place and
period OF the appearance of these de-
fects is so essentially different from wb hat
they are with us even while we may be
subject TO the same-wc are not ready
torecognize the identity OF imperfection.
lftlls be the case, how inadequate must
be the power OF these essay and novels
10 correct native bad manners or 10
reclaim native bad sentiments Z"
Heaven be praised, cousin Jasper,
your Grafton is concluded ; il would be
less iabnr 10 read sermon OF Sherlock,
than 10 listen TO such a lecture"
Why, ma'am, were TO recommend
foreign works 10 correct native morality,
would point out the British divines III
preference 10 the British essayists. The
eSsaylst aims to correct vice by exhibit.
ing such an aspect of il al IA single point
OF time and place, as 10 causv II Ia blush.
The ridicule aud force of the picture OF
course demitS with the expiration OF The
time and the removal from The place
HE divine searches INTO the inward
sources, and describes the inward mo-
lions OF The human passions, aud his
description must be recognized where
yer the heart beats OF the soul feels"
But come, sir, said the lady again APP
ppalng 10 me, ''you have moi yet expressed
your opinion. Don't you think that the
exact pictures and descriptions OF those
novels and essayIsis are calculated 10
ameiioTale our manners and morals Z"
Why, ma'am, | have not reflected
much on the subject-lui ] am sorry
to say that some scenes have Witnessed
are calculated 10 impugn your opinion"
What scenes do you allude 10, sir 2"
Why, ma'am, ] was once in the house
OF lady, who was very fond of works of
| this kind, and who, moreover, boosted
an excessive sensibility. Often have |
seen her dissolved into tears over the
| disiresses of her favoriie heroines and
heroes, and, al other times, burning with
indignation at instances of oppression
and Ill nature. You recolleci, ma'am,
the scene Of petulanl persec u,ion, ex-
hlbited in madame D'Arblay's Wan
derer," by certain Mrs. Ireton, towards
dependent female. This scene of un-
provoked derision and cruelty, The lady
I'm question, was perusiBg one day, while
was paced so as TO see her without
being seen. The generous sensibilily
OF her bosom could not bear it any
longer. She threw down the book in
transport OF indignation, aud walked
ont OF the room into a poriicO. This
lady was remarkably fond OF clean
house. Lucinda Lucinda !"--called
she, 10 negro girl" come here, you
sloven-did not tell you TO sweep this
floor wiihou, leaving speck of dirt 3
take the broom immediately, YOU imps
yOu-what is that the way to sweep p
don't you see that straw ihere--youliard
headed, good for nothing hussy, clio il
this way, voH blockbead, will you (hy
ing into d passion0 will you do il so,
you !-come here yOu-tbere's for YOU
and, as learned friend of mine used
TO say, vellcaiipg the auricular member
and boxing tie jaws of the girl, she
dismissed her with" go along now you.
Had you a'ivcried 10 her late indignation
on the subject of Mrs. Jreton in the no.
vel, tile lady would have answered, go
IFS quite different case-that Mrs. Ire
ton was insulting an amiable Dependent
and iormeniing free White servant, but,
here, am only correcting this hard
beaded negro girl y
Miss Lucreiia, having more sensiblity
10 this sarcasm on her sex, Than regard Ia
the consistency of her argument, here
turned her attack upon me. "Ah! you
men are always sneering at us women
on the subject oftemper-butr remember
the fable of the lion aud the mana sto
ry Tor your story. knew gentleman
who, by some chance. ligIling nnor