Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-06-20
For the Gagstte.

aye, who from your naturai olSPosi-
ton, as well as from your education, are
in all things good and kindly affectioned,
be favourable to this work"
1t should be the pride of the people OF
the town to have the Museum finished,
and ready fer tire reception of visitors
1t will have no doubt, in the course OF
time, amply compensate the donations OF
its patrons. twill unquestionably afford
satisfaction to those, who delight in view
ing the works of nature and art. The ex-
pense necessary for the contemplated pur-
pose is trivial indeed when compared with
the pleasin. effects which are to flow from
it. The Jsplendours of the great God OF
the Universe are displayed in every part
of creation To the traveller and naviga-
tor, every opportunity of becoming &C
quainted with the glorious discoveries OF
divine wisdom is afforded; not SO is the
case of those, who are compelled by ne
cessity and the nature of their employ
ments to remain at home. To them Is
denied all chance of beholding more of
the beauties and wonders of the world,
than what the place which they inhabit,
presents Books may indeed in some de-
gree supply the want; but they have not
the same animated effect as she sight is
capable Of bcs,owing. To see the great
ness of God unfolded in stdpenduous and
minute objects, not only convinces the
senses, but fills the mind with unfeigned
reverence and piety.
1t is calculated to impress ignorance
with awe, and to confound the philosophy
ofthe sceptic, Into ones mall spot all the
beautiful and singular productions of ma
ture and art are collected. 1t is in truth a
grand reservoir, which is supplied from
every part of the globe. In the consider
alton of important subjects, we are apt to
o;erlook the rights of the feeble, beautiful
and far "dearer part" of humanity. For
tunately for the happiness of mankind,
the tyranny which was one exercised over
that sex, has been converted by the pro-
cess of time and civilization into mildness
and respect. We are bound by the love
which we ought to bear towards them, to
form some innocent and useful institution
where they may have a chance of graft
flying laudable curiosity. Their station in
society does not permit them to travel in
the pursuit of discoveries; confined by
custom and habit to fixed residence,
they cannot like the other sex 60 in quest
of information. In this view of the sub
iect, independents of other arguments
equally eogent, it is the duty of those who
have it in their power to patronize the
Museum.
"Woman the pride and happiness ofmaD,
Without whose soft endearments nature s
plan
Had been a blank, ADD life not worth a
thought"
demands this institution from US, as an
act of perfect justice.
This town formerly exhibited much pub
lie spirit.& indeed many years % in that
respect, it stood on high pre- eminence.
In point of charitable gifts to our sister
cities, it displayed an honorable sense OF
henevolence; and philanthropby has been
one of its distinguished characteristics
What then is to prevent US from bestow
ing some of our largesses towards the ed
i6cation and amusement of our own citi-
Gems. To appeal in these disastrous times
TO public liberalfty, might in some mea-
sure be deemed an act of temerity. The
writer requires no proof to satisfy him of
the possibility of the truth of the asser-
tion; but in this instance he is inclined to
think that generosity will be construed
into an act of justice. The demand is ex-
ceedingly small, and the Pecuniary dona-
ton may with strict propriety be termed
loan; for the use of the money, an ex-
hibition of magni6cence in creation and
ingenuity of art is returned. hardly
know of any plan being better adapted to
furnish instruction to the minds of rising
youth; to impress them with knowledge
Of their Infinite Parsnt; and in these