The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-07
eoanuxieArrp FOR THE uInALp.
On tfe Lnfsenee of Literature,

Delivered before the " Literary Budget Society
ts Of Alexandria,"
Amongst the vast variety of objects which
claim the attention of the human mind, there is
none which yields more pure and unminglsd
delight, or offers to the benevolent heart more
expanded theme for reflection and gratitude,
than the contemplation Of the progress Of lite
nature and science. Cold would be the heart
that could behold the intellectual powers of man,
rescued from the cherries and paralysinr SER
vltude of ignorance and superstition, that could
watch the sublime and majestic Eight of genius,
or trace the steps of reason and philosophy,
through the mysterious paths Of nature-Cold.
indeed, would be the heart that could be hold all
this without delight, or indulge in its contempla
ton without emotion. Yet, scenes like this NAV
be familiar to all intelligent beings. No e1ertion
OF a vivid fancy--no magic delineation of poetic
enthu'lasm-no imposing voice of eloquence is
required to solicit or demand attention to the
splendid prospects which originate in the pro-
gress OF the human mind, and the developement
of its various faculties. The civilization of the
world--the ameliorateI aspect Of society-the
exalted relation which man now occupies in re-
spect to the august plan of creation-are cir
cumstaAces scconspicuous that the plainest rea-
son must confess their magnitude, and the sober
est fancy acknowledge their reality. To appre.
ciatc with that accuracy which they SO justly de-
mand, the infinite blessings and advantages
which arise from the cultivation of literature g.
science, the mind with involuntary exertion
| looks back to the period when their influence
was unknown to the world, and the oppression of
ignorance as extensive as the earth itself. Though
| endowed by nature with all the various faculties
| which now distinguish ard exalt the human
| character, he situation OF man was then deplo-
rable indeed with mind which the author of
all things had framed as unique stionably perfect
and as positively susceptible of expansion an :,
Improvement, as those which have adorned tn u
theatre Of life in more enlightened ages. How
seldom was he worthy of his exalted DESTINY
| how seldom did he accomplish the g reat purpo.
! ses which his intelligence rendered possible, and
for which it was bestowed. The page of his
existence conveys to us no pleasing grateful
| emotions stained with criminalty and vice, it
is a melancholy picture over which humanity
must sigh as it contempates-a dark and por
tentous cloud, filed with the conflicting elements
Of passionate perverted energies of intellect
which the arm of reason was too weak to direct
or controul Compare this representation wi tn
The present state of human society. How differ
ent is its aspect So little analogy is there in the
| contrast, that we might almost believe that diff
| ferent species of beings had inhabited the world
at different periods of time, and that those who
| now have their being are constituted with more
pure intelligence than those who lived in the dus-
| ky aras of fable and romance. But the adoption
| of this opinion, however warmly the imagination
dence, which,when deliberately examined, is too
clear to be disputed, and too strong for refuta-
ton. The uniform experience of every indivi-
dual exhibits events copiously illustrative of the
circumstance in the deyelopement of mental ca
pacities from the years Of infancy to the matu.
rest age To what then, we may exclaim,is this
mighty change to be attributed, Where NAV
we behold the agents which have achieved so vast
a work Has some power, with more than hui
man energy and wisdom, interposed to break the
letters which enclosed within their hdeous grasp
the principles of mind Has ray of light from
some mysterious and undiscovered source, beam
ed through the dark veil, and dispeled the lu-
rid shade that paralysed the soul An inferno
sing power there was, but not remote from man;
ray Of light did shine, but its source was with
IN his bosom. The original elasticity and vigor
oil the mind, may, by unpropitious events, he i'm
paired--its strength may be northumberland its
energy exhausted for time--but, possessed Of
a capacity for thought, and framed for the par
t'cIpation of the noblest enjoyments, to remain
for ever degraded and inactive were impossibIe.
Conscious of its ability, it must eventually tri
umph over opposition, and seek employmep.
worthy of its greatness Here is the origin OF
that change to which have alluded Pleased
with the comforts, aud dissatisfied with the ma.
ny privations which necessarily existin a savage
state, wish to improve the one, and alleyi- |
ate the other forms the first step in the progress
Of civilization; those improvements that are |
most obviously useful and with most facility ac- |
are first attended TO the operation
of their influence incies to further advances
new wants and new feelings arise which call for
Qualification and the powers of the mind, being
with its desires, a succession of
discoveries, and consequent train Of enjoy ments