Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-21
COMMUNICATED
ON LOVE.


A tale for fools with fancy blended,
And never for the soul intended.
Owing to the absence of that Indifference
which is indispensable to its unbiased IN
vestigation, the subject of love has been
rarely canyassed with freedom and proprle-
ty; involving as it does universal and Earring
interests. we seldom find in its discussion
either patience to reflect, or candor tor
approval. To argue with pleasure and ad-
vantage, we should always conceive our
selves right, and though Influenced by our
own, pay due respect to the opinions OF
others, remembering that the highest evil
aence of candor and good sense, is to ac-
knowledge error when convicted oft. This
useful rule may be reduced to practice in
the discussion of any subject but love; there
philosophy is silent, and reason becomes
mute the deIusiohs of our senses are taken
for the realities of fact, and we believe
because we would not wish TO do other
wise-the ohstinacy Of some render argu-
nent useless. and the prejudices OF others
bid defiance to conviction-tbe mind be-
comes weakened by its efforts to establish
an idea Of perfection land in this state OF
feeling it were contrary to the dictates of rea-
son, and every test Of experience, to expect
candid declaration of truth.
Love is produced by desire, and fnatured
by the influence ofvanity, and is easily de-
Iernined by the safety of the one, or the
modification Of the other. As long as our
wishes do not exceed the possibility OF gra-
LITIGATION, il is certainly pleasurable teel-
ing, but in no state, however refined, is 1t
essential TO the happiness of men; the men
tal and animal temperament OF the human
structure and mind, does not require its wild
and irregular influence to awaken desire or
ensure enioyment--and could we be divest--
ed of il entirely. the calmness remaining
woulj be more consistent with nature, Man
was originally intended for peaceful, I'M
offending creature, gifted with the mcllna-
ton to do right. ana if not with an actual
aversion to wrong, at least full consciousness
oft: the passions were the fruit of SIN. and
slough culled by himself, are in stfic;ness
pnsujtedto his nature, and are rather a train
of attendant ills, without claim to inateness,
which be may reject or receive as good or
evil predomimates; if this be the case, love,
which is so irrational in its operations, and
often so unhappy in its consequences. should
be avoided with scrupulous tenacit5, and
rejected with unqualified frmness. Admit
tine. however, this power OF choice not TO
be vested in us, and that we cannot at will
resist and protect ourselves from the ihaence
Of passion, still we can direct its operations
and check it's intensity interest and wound
ed vanity, are remedies which have rarely
or never proved Intellectual but without
these the passion OF love is al our command
if we have wisdom and courage to govern
II, and is totally imperative when eppos-
ed to the calmness of reflection, and the RI
gor of analysis--to deny this Is to deny the
pre- eminince OF reason, and acknowledge
ourselves the sport of self created madness
on the other hand, TO admit il is but to as
sert the dignity of our nature, and establish
the empire Of Judgment.
Sel6shaess, without doubt, is the founda-
tor of love: 10 prove this, its hckleness, and
the enlargement Of jealousy, are more than
sufficient. If then sel6shaess is the desire
ofhappiuess, and love the offspring of self
ishness, we surely can discard it from our
minds when it is likely to become the source
of misery. Nature then has kindly given the
weapon, and we have strength TO make use
ofit.-Few there are, however, who are will
ling to resist, and even those who have bold
ly quelled the Influence OF love, remember
its subjugaton with regret, charmed by the
spell. they have not the inclination to dis
solve. the dignity of reason is forgotten IN
the anticipated luxury of sensual enjoyment,
the pumage of pride, and the laurel OF con-
quest. the gravity of age, and the enthusi
asln Of youth. are alike spurned with con-
tempt. oil humbled by Indifference. and in
PIE madness of its infatuating domination,
men resign the higher prerogatives of the
mind, tamely degrading themselves TO com
paratiye lunacy.
The regulation of our wants and wishes,
nv our caoacity to enjoy and means of era.