Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-05-09
MISCELLANEOUS.



ters TO bis sou been benefit TO society p
To say that in no instance have individu-
ais, or even society at large, been bene-
fitted BY The perusal Of them, woald be
an assertion, which, perhaps, il would be
difficult to support. Notwithstanding this,
however, it is too plain to be denied, that.
10 many instances, both individuals and
society have been seriously injured by
such perusal that those letters have,
10 great extent, operated as deterio-
rating drug upon Tie morals Of the com
munity, aud been the source OF many
evil aud corrupt principles. To answer
the question, therefore, it would be ne
cessafy to form an estimate of the benefit
and injury received and then to deter
mine whether the former or latter has been
most extensive. 1t is not the object oil
these remarks to attempt such an estimate
though the writer is persuaded that, 10 the
mind Of every competent judge, Of correct
moral feelings, the latter will greatly pre-
ponderate their immediate object is TO
notice 10 what particular CheslerfeId's
system of education was deficient and to
make some observations upon different
parts of his letters.
Chesterfield would have his son to be
very learned. 10 this he was perfectly
justifiable. He would also have him out
wardly moral and correct 10 his deport-
ment. This too was very justifiabIe
anxiety. But, particularly would he have
him shine in the fashionable circles. He
would have him appear we'll, nay dazzle
at court. This, in fashionable lord,
may have been very excusabIe soiici-
tude, exercised as it was in behalf of one,
whose prospects were like those of the son
Of Chesterfield. But, amidst all his care
for the youths advantageous appearance
at court, his lordship forgot that there
was another court, 10 an appearance at
which not vain anxiety TO please and
be distinguished, not an unwearied pursuit
of the bubble of popular applause, nor the
qualification of an idle curiosity-but stern
necessity, would compel his son.
Here, then, was the essential defect in
his system OF education. Though his anx-
iety for his sons improvement seemed 10
want bounds, yet he did not suffer it to
extend TO that point, where il would have
found itself but just entered on state of
reasonable exercise. Chesterfield himself
was but friend, and not the champion,
OF moral virtue. So anxious was he that
his son should be amongst the most fash
ionable at court, SO trifliDg a qualification
amongst the greater part aud so absolute
a discredit with some, was religion es-
teemed, that he either criminaIly forgot
his duty, or as criminally feared lest be
should SO deeply tincture the mind of his
son with the questionable principles of
religion as to render him, at times, an OBJ
ject Of ridicule amongst the fashionable
beings at court. Had he rightly estimated
the true object of our being, the absolute
necessity Of forming correct religious
habits, and Of making all things on earth
subservieDt to the great concerns Of futu-
rity, hardly would he have been led TO
the neglect of duty, which, above all
others, he, as parent, should have been
most solicitons TO perform.
But, though neglect of his sons reli-
gious education, was the grand defect in
the system contained in his letters; and
though he bore seemingly open and de-.
cided testimony in favor Of virtue, yet,
upon stricter examination it will be
found, that the general tendency Of his
Ietters is TO create unfavorable impressions,
if not towards those common virtues in
which mankind generally agree, yet at
least towards the higher and more Sublime
virtues of our holy faith. Among the uu-
merous observations, which are to be found
10 his letters, of such a tendency, one 10
the 10th may serve as specimen. He
there says, sWere l to begin the world
again, with the experience / now have Of
ii, / would lead a life of real, not Of ina
ginary, pleasure. I would enjoy the plea.
sures of the table, and of wine; but stop
short of the pains inseparably annexed Ia
excess in either. i would not, at twenty
years, be preaching missionary of alb
stemiousness and sobriety (; and I should
let other people do as they would, without
formally and sententiously rebuking them
for it," Observations like these were
well calculated to create, in young mind
an aversion TO religious appearances; fol
If an old and rejecting person could allow
himself TO speak lightly of preaching
and {" sobriety," young and unreflectino
one, naturally averse TO serious things
would very readily receive the faint; and
unhesitatingly contract a prejudice against
even the name of religion.
II the l42d letter also is an OBSERVE
ton, in which his lcrdship expresses his
belief that 1t is more difficult to guard
against excess in virtue, than IN vice. BY
the remark, he would seem gently to eau