The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-08-30
yoa mr. usstsias
T'dt parciie Of lie Foolish Builders.


1aken from Old Asnaserip;.
There lived In the east several centuries
ago, a nobleman OF great wealth, and much
understanding, who, with consif able taste
aud judgment, had framed plan, and deter
mined 10 build him magnificent ediio -
Being i.e and prudent man, he took great
care in selecting workman qualified 10 .n-
pefintend, and, with his assistants, TO construct
this stnpendons work for snoh, indeed, il
might be truly called. lie 1T Length perceived
one, who, with very great skill and labor, se-
lceted NIL the materials, and tried aud fitted
them for their respective places. Before how-
ever, the work could be put together, lis wise
protector died His son and Successor, who
was man Of weak parts excessively ignorant
aud vain, determined 10 carry on plc work
but taking II into his head las most young peo-
pie are apt to do,) That he was much wiser
than his fnther, and that therefore he could
select workman 10 superintend Tire business
much better qsalified than any OF those who
had been employed in his fathers time, he
discharged all Of the old work men and cBgag'
Cd WIN Dhly DFI1B hiuFFnl VA JbDh~
ment, and haviDgbut little skill in such matters
himself, he was easily imposed upon. When
the nen gorkmen came, they examined the
materials which hud been prepared by their
there was no lault, and tina, they were sdnii,
rably fitted for the purpose but, either wish
ing TO recommend their own skin totheir new
employer, or TO natter his vanity, they agreed
among themselves timt they would find fault
with and reject n keysione, which had been
prepared with great cure dnd ill, To sustnn
The weight OF ons OF the principal archie, !.
they had, indeed, no substantial objection TO
the stone, but TO give some plausible oolorng
TO their determination, they pretended that il
was too sharp and ponied aud that one alitdc
more obtusc, would make the work stcadier
md give il more stability. The young man
listened 10 their proposal with complaisance,
and Whs easily induced to Accept H. II was
agreed TINT the stone which had been prepared
by the former workmcn should be rejected
TO this lie consented the more readily, rs he
supposed TINT the leost deviation from his faith
ers plan would rebound to hi. own credit, ns
his Gaitertrs aud parasite, Qor the rich are ne
yer without them would no doubt declare II rs
the most uneguivocol evidence of his superior
taste and judgment. The stone wa. rejected,
und the builders directed to prepare another,
according to the plan which they had suggest.
ed; in doing which, however, they being either
Wfdihh(ui or nn-kilfl worktncn, paid but lit
tie attention TO the strength or conaststcy Of
the mntcrial out of which they prepared it,
vainly suprosng TINT If they could give II a
smoother endhandsomrr polish, ii would answer
every purpose. AT length the '1ew Key stone
was produced and received the decided prefc.
renee over the old one, rs II had rmooiher
surface and n more polished outside appearance
The work progressed, the arch was finished,
and the whole superstruciure reared the
splendid ediGce wus nearly completed-the
young noblemnn was pleased beyond express
,ion--the builders were highly complimented
for their skill and the superior taste thew had
lisplayed--bnt, alas how neeting is bliss ,
how transient is Joy All their grntulntions
were soon turned to sadness; for the nc,c kev
aone, not being able TO sustain the weight
gave way, md the Whoie building, in the
twinkling of nm eve wa. tumbled into n
shnpelcss mnss of ruins. Ever since which
time, in NIL that coNntry, Remember The
vain mud foolish builders" has bocn pro.
verb. -
~ "a CIrizES" in our next