Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-02-05

with WHICH they are invested Dy natural
affection, because they differ so grossly
in their persons, manners and opinions
from the fine forms Of fancy, and from
the poetical minds, whose residence is
a novel or a song. In word, the world
will become to her solitude, and its in
hsbitants strangers; because her taste
for living has become too. refined, too
dainty, 0 relish any thing found in real
life.
Under the influence of this education
persons of both sexes, also, are in ex-
IRENE danger OF becoming voluntary
prey to the modern philosophy, and to
the principles of encbantment and per-
dtion which it SO successfully holds to
minds destitute OF sound principle and
defensive prudence. Unsccustomed 10
think, 10 reason, their minds WILDE per-
picked by every argument advanced a
gainst their opinions. The admission Of
truth, the comprehension Of good sense,
require the tolls Of sober, vigorous
thought. The admission OF fiction, and
of philosophical as truly as OF. poetical
fiction, demands nothing but the luscious
indulgence of fancy. To a soft and
dainty mind, taste fascinated By men
tai luxury, how much more centennial is
the latter employment than the former,
How improbable is it, how hopeless,
that such mind can fail to reject the dc
Gates of sober truth and sound under
standing, rand from a elf-mdulgence,
by habit rendered indispensable, imbibe
the wretched doctrines created by the
philosophists of the present day how
improbable is it, that any mind, which
has once imbibed these doctrines can
escape from absolute ruin
know that this education is express
" attempted with view to superior re-
finement; but tits net refinement of
the taste, the understanding, or the heart
1t is merely refinement Of the magma.
ton; of an imagination, already soft and
sick Of a sensibility, already fastidious.
Ts a genuine perfection Of taste it bears
nc more resemblance, than the delicate
white of decay to the native fairness Of
complexion or than the blush of hec-
tic to the bloom Of health. In every
part of it the dictates Of common sense
are laid aside :: that which is of the
Importance is most regarded, and that
whichis Of the greatest, most forgotten.
To enable children to appear with such
fashionable advantages as to gain adni-
ration and applause, i, the sole concern
To enable Them to be what they ought
to be,-wise, virtuous, and useful,-is
left out Of the system. The mind, in
stead of being educated, is left to the
Gaze of accident and fashion. Dress,
manners, and Accomplishments are pla.
ced under expensive masters, and re-
gulatedIwith extreme solicitude. With |
this education, what can son or daugh- |
ter become3 Not a man or woman,
but well-dressed bundle of accomplish |
ments. Not q blessing, not an heir OF |
Immortality, but a fribble or doll.
An Irishman who was on board a |
ship, and who believed in ghosts, in |
guired of his messmates if the ship |
was haunted. CAS- fnll of'ghosts as
church yard" replied they, "they are
ten thousand strong every night. p
This so terrified Pat, that whenever |
he turned into his hammock, he poll. |
ed his blanket over his head and face,
so that from his knees Gownwards he |
was always naked and cold. "lhat |
there purser's a terrible rogue! be |
serves out his blankets that don't fit a !
man; they are too long at top and too !
short at bottom, for they cover-sny head
and ears, and my feet arc always per |
ishing with cold. / have cut several |
pieces off the top end sewed them to |
the bottom, bet it don't NIKE it bit
longer.