Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-12-04
AeWw9uicattptts.
on PRoFANE conversation.

to mankind, know of none more pre-
yalent, and, at the same time, SO little to
be excused, as that of swearing and pro-
faneness, especially when we findit pre-
valiing in those whose situation in life,
opportunities Improvement, and know
ledge of right aud wrong, would lead US
to expect better things from them.
1t is not, like many other vices, to be
cxtenuated by the assertion. that there
is an advantage aitendinslt, or that il rs
an addition to the appearance of gsa-
nemuR; 1t is entirely without excuse, and
is oaly shameful hab {, easily acquired,
and scith difficulty laid aside; it Is an Of
fence to the ear of a person who has
any reverence for serious things; ana
often severely wounds the foeimgs OF
those, in whose presence 1t is used; and
we may, with prupriety, say, taat he is
no gentleman, who makes j, part OF his
conversation.
Purity OF conversation, ever has been.
and ever viii be, the prominent feature
in a gentleman, and VINO ever lay claim
to that character, must, by all the means
in his power, endeayour to attain it; and
there is no better method OF accom-
plishing il, than by endeavouring to re-
collect ourselves, before we give vent
to our feelings. A man who is in the
habit of talking extremely fast, will Lei
many things escape him, which, IN his
cooler moments OF reflection, he viii
severely chastise himself for.
Ihaye been msensibly led into these
reflections, by observing the great de-
gree OF profanity prevalent among the
eAiidrea of this place. In walking the
streets, we are frequently shocked at
hearing the oaths and imprecations OF
those who are so young, as to be scarce
able to articulate them plainly and were
we to Judge of their education at home,
from their conduct abroad, we should
be reasonably led to the supposition,
that they heard no other conversation at
home!
In such cases, the blame is not so
much to be attached 10 the childrea, as
10 the parents; and the pre- resumption is,
there are many families, the heads OF
which, make use Of little other than the
most unbecoming expressions, or their
children could not, in so short time,
prove themselves such complete adopts,
Children are initiative; consequent
y, it is of the highest Importance to their
morals, that good examples should be
set before them. 1t is also essential, that
parents should select for their offspring
proper companions, convinced, as they
must be, of the justice Of The addage,
that lone bsd sheep aeilt spoil irhola
.fockn lfparents can, as soon as then
children are capable OF approaching the
necessity of social intercourse, associ-
ate them with those whose manners arc
pleasing-whose morals are good, and
without reproach-who are Invested OF
dissimulatiop aud who not only pro-
fess, but practice disintercsted friend
ship-we shall soon obs rve them have
such partially for their company, that
they will ever evince disposition to be
with them. They will naturally fec
themselves superior Though not yainiy
sol 10 those whose conduct is governed
by every species OF vics and profanity.
and while they treat with contempt tie
detestabie actions in which these neg
lected persons thougatlessly indulge
bcnevolence and fellow-ieeling prompts
commisseration. The wide difference
between the two classes must be obvi-
Gus to every parent: The necessity ther
of giving the proper instruction to theii
children--of timely warning them a
gainst the danger Of forming precipi-
tate connexions--of dwelling to an e.
quality with those whose characters are
not sufficiently known becomes doubly
apparent. Should this method be gene
rally adopted, and pursued with unde'
waiting tenacity, society will become
proportionably respectable; parents vii
have discharged bounden and an all
important duty; and the moralist vii
be left to enjoy the pleasing recollection
that but few more opportunities remain
which require him to reduce to paper
his unwilling cogitations. Cius.
Mr.. Editor: Any thing which is cal
| culated to inculcate exemplary princi
ples of morality--to elicit correct idea
as well of ancient as of modern histor,
to store the mind with every informa
ton necessary to the complete solution
of intricate questions--in short, to ri
themselves of that embarrassment ant
diffidence so natural TO all, every you'll
should take a pride in endeavouring t.
attain. Nothing, it will be admitted, cal
be more conducive, in effecting thes'