Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-10

~" ~ ~ I" ",oiosi III Siititc anu QISsa
tisiaction, which the master seemed M.
to observe. praying them repeatedly ~
cat and push the glass. At leup,b
when t'iey began to look at their waicI '
es, the master ordered il, the'dinnor
At this word they Frightened up, wbe,
in came leg of mutton boiled wifi,
turEips, and pot or two of strong hesn
This dish was little more satisIaeto.,,
than the other, as they expected yery
different fare in such a magnfc,nt
house. There was, however. sreat
sacrifice of conscience and veraciiv il
praising the mutton and the beer. Bn.
sohs yawned, and half the gigot 70
manned even among a numerous com
many, when the master, seeing tbe;,.
distress, nodded unnatlced TO an nm
hoary- headed domestic. who alone baS
appeared along with the mutton, an5
who staid respectfully at tire sidcboard
to serve the bread or the beer H.
went out, and the company was left fl
a languid conversation; their eyes say
ing more than their tongues.
On sudden the folding doors a.
pened and a train of twelve servants
entered, bearing on maSsy plate the
choicest fish, flesh, fowl-alI the dclica
cies Of the season. Two without livery
took their places behind the master, the
others, in splendid uniform behind the
guests. The number of wines present
ed was computed at fifteen, and even
the richest guests were astonished at
the splcndour and variety of the fest
val. When All equal dessert was ser.
ed and the wine began to circulate, al
prudent and wary guest thought it was
time to request our opulent merchant
to explain his sentiments, as he had
promised. All was fixed in mute at.
tention, when he made this memorable
answer: s. Gentlemen, my sentiments
are already explained; the lesson is al.
ready given. When our ancestors
were gradually rising to wealth under
the yoke of Burgundy. Austria. Spain,
their frugality was contented with our
first dish, and they even blessed TIE in.
ventor. In their second period, when
the noble House of Orange, when Mau.
rice of Nassau was establishing our
power in the East and West Indies. and|
commercial wealth beg an to overflow
all our ports and canals, still habits 81
prudence UCcasi0ned economy, aud curl
rich senator's dined on plain mutton. ii
drank wholesome beer. The dinner q
have had the honor to give you is al
moderate specimen OF our present eys-
tence. Add the luxury and pomp of
houses, furniture, cquipages. and
judge as you we'll can, of the difference
Of expense; a difference which l would
venture to say. would have, even for
one year, been regarded as a fortune
by our bearded ancestors"
But to system Of economy so vast
as this tale would recommend, to Dor.
row with some variation the Language
of another, objections will be urged.
Some we'll meaning persons will argue
that a return to those frugal habits
which formed the wealth of other times
would produce inralcuIable distress.
The ministers of luxury must be thrown
out of employ; those branches of our
commerce which are connected with
their labors must suffer. and the public
revenue would in consequence decline.
These are certainly serious consldera'
tons: but we think it would be no dIl' |
fic"lt task to prove. beyond all doubts
that the evil apprehended would be
greatly compensated Cy the good pro-
daced. 1t is well remarked by Hume,
that ''there is no abuse SO great in cNl
society as not to be attended with a
variety Of beneficial consequences. De
supports this assertion by shelving tha'
even the suppression of the Mons'
teries. in the time of the eighth Henry
was a subject of serious complaint
though that the measure was most de'
sirabic, will not be denied. So in ITO
present day, if men were suddenly
become wise and honest, what exten,
sive calamity would be the consequence:
A general peace would be nothing to u
IF we take into our consideration tnV
immense crowd Of judges, advocates
students, attornies, convey ancers, fle'S'
.ailers, turkeys. sherifs, police OIL ID.
GERS, &c. that wotiId at once be throw
out Of emnioy. we must be alarmed lOr