The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-04-29
ron THE vIRaisIAN.
rAVID Ill Me.

! ron THE vIRsisIAS.
rAyID HUME.
The fame OF iIlusIrous men, is, in GER
tain II nse, the common property oi mhnknd
and every rash and ineonsidernte attempt 10
diminish this moral wealth of the world, in
wolves an offence, odous in itself, and extern
sively injurious In It's consequences
Not the least of the long train of benef-
cial consequences attendant on the progress
of reason in ile world, is an enlarged and
enlightened libcraIuy sentiment in appre-
eating the character Of literary hkors, de-
signed To- extend the boundaries of human
! knowledge, and shbserve the causc oi
truth. Poor, indeed, in moral point OF
view would be all the enduring tfiunIphs
Of philosophy cherries and ensatistacto-
~ the giant strides of civilization in the
world, were they not, by their generous
aud ennhllng influence, calculated to
strengthen aud confirm IN the heart Of man,
n disposition Ia form liberal and impair
! tial Judgments Of the motives of human
conduct (; and 10 accord with unshrinking
I frmness, in despite OF the suggestions OF
/ malrsocncc, and the lrowns Of dogma
ti2iag Intolerance, the need Of praise, whc
/ ther lormoral or intellectual merit, where
yer Justice points 1t due"
! In the exclusive spirit of this sentiment,
and nniulnepeed by any desire To provoke
controversy, by giving seeming support to
religious or scientific her~,cs, recently cs-
sayed1 in a public communication, 10 com
bat some mistaken notions, in relation Ia
the character and writings Of David Hume,
which had been adyancedby writer in the
Virginldn, under the signature OF H." rs
also 10 sustain "A few just aud appropriate
remarks, with respect to the same topics
which had been antecedently published in
the same journal, under the signature oI
p" Whilst engaged in the accomplish
ment of these objects, by developing what
! conceived to be Just and correct views oi
the character AMI lahors of hume, il was
my wish aud constant endeavor 10 steer
equally cAear ofthe indisermnate censure.
of his merciess foes, ard the unqualified
applause of some of his ADMIRERS. Will
a single eye 10 truth and Justice, "nothiue
Iextennatlng, nor setting down aught IN ma
lice | wished neither to exhibit HIM IA
the light OF reckless, unprincipled enem,
To the veal Of his species alike destitnt,
of all moral and intellectual ncrit nor vel
With some tetc of his admirers, 10 repre-.
sent him AS possessing, in their greatest
perfection, all the various attributes OF
head and heart that constitute the first
trade of human excellence and confer
the highest and justcst claim toi lasting
distinction. ranked him not with BOYLE
MI Newton, nor could | yet consent Ia
| degrade him To the level of our eotempo.
rtrv, Carlisle. ON the one hand, extolIcd
MS lofty and splendid genius aeknowedg.
sed his merit as an historian displayed
| the value and orthodoxy of some of his
metaphysical researches aud rendered a
Just tribute of applause To the excellence
OF us personal character on the ether,
denounced the impieiy, aud cudeavored t.
expose the fallacy of his perncious at.
tempts TO snbvert our holy and consolato-
ry religion and admitted the justice o.
the injury which his fame had thereby sus
timed. And that the diversity and prom
lnency OF the points which his works anc
character present TO our contemplation
Justly suhlect his name, under the exercis,
OF sound and discriminating judgment, t.
proportions both of applause and censure
IS indicated as well by the mixed and hete.
rogeneous nature Of human character in
general, as strikingly evidenced hy the
great c'ntrarfety Of opinions afoat in th,
world ia relation To this particular CASE
An essay9st IN last Tuesdays paper, under
the signature of" r." AT the same time
that he admits the multitude of clash.
la0S opinions that are entertained in rsla-
uon 10 Hume, and the difficulties that lie
I'D The way Ola correct estimate of his cha
racter, very 7nodcStiy undertakes TO van
quish these obstacles TO harmonize those
EARRING elements" and to present US with
an analysis of his character, lriihout dis.
ghiSe. And had the impartialitv of this
gentleman, been equal to his rhetoric. !
should willingly have left the subject in his
hands ; but discovering, from the tenor oil
MISCONCEPTIONS, acertalnproneness in him,
similar TO that which Characterised the IA
nous council of Rhadamanthus, TO eran,in,
and condemn remarking that, throughout
the whole extent Of his essay, where praise
/ is 10 he bestowed, the meagre pittance
which IS wrung from him, - darnns hy It's
ialntness = but here censurc is 10 be de-
no1need, he puts il on with {" no nigeard
hand ! have determined to protest a.
galnst The authority of this partial and self
constituted tribunal, and to examine and
10 decide for myself. We will, however.
consider the Judgments of" II !" il not for
their intrinsic worth, at least, for their inge
nuify. In the investigation of subject so
neset with acknowledged difficulties, as
that relating 70 the character and writings