Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-06-17
OBSERyER.-No. 6.
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OBSERVER.-No. 8.
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The very age and body OF the time.
fiis form AID pressure"
The sentiment OF Sterne, 'that Of all the cants
which are canted in this canting, world, the
can, OF criticism is the most tormenting,' is the
language of every honest heart; and, indeed,
what can be more teasing than the prating Of
our every day critics: Every thing Is found
fault with, and nothing can be done which is
not subject to some of their pertinent. TOR,
ought 10 say, mspertinent) remarks. We invo-
luniarlly exclaim-
.Stulte luid heu volts frustra puerilibus opte
Que non ulla tulit, testre. feretre dies.
Optd.
.Why thinks the fool with childish hope to see,
What never is, or was, or e'er shall be-
EiphnstOn.
The scant of criticism is another OF the
fashionable follies winch shall take notice OF,
and which deserves some check. 1t seems to
peryade all ranks from She very chief OF the
tashlonables down to the corner lounger. Men
who are looked to for exampes-men who are
disting uisnsd 10: mental suPeriority-and men
who are viewed with derlsion and contempt
al are equally alike, with regard to this folly
all equally engaged in it-and all are more or
less addicted to 1t. Censure should be given
when circumstances demand it, and praise Is
due when noble action calls tor 1T; but instead
of pursuing this course of conduct, we are too
apt to mix the good and Dad IN one prom scuous
heap, and TO criticise upon. and ind fault with
all. But here am not to be considered as one
who deprecates the idea Of holding up to con.
tempt the vices of mankind. On the contrary,
had | the tongue of Demostbenes, or the
pen of Homer, l would proclaim TO the world
the present miserable state Of society-the pre-
sent enormous vices which are concealed un-
der the mantle Of fashion; and ueJite sans pear
should be my motto. 1t is only to the indiscri-
inmate use of criticism that object IT we
were to draw line between the actions OF men,
So as to distinguish the good from the bad, then
indeed criticism would be ofincalculable hene-
fit: hut as long as it is perverted in this man
nsr. it will answer no good end in any manner.
Those who are envious of the good qualities
of others. instead of sndeavoring to emulate
them. strive to cloud and obscure them. They
srit,cise upon every action: every word Is
Set in note book.
Learned and conned bv rote,
To cast into their teeth
and their Imagination sometimes supplies 'ne
place of truth.
I'm the SINE manner it is with the LADIES'
The superior dress of another, calls into action
all the latent powers of their tongues. La
did one ever see such an abominahle scarf :
saws one. cit really isn't fit to wear For my
part,' says another, Il think her whole dress
exceedingly ugly and Questionable Thus eve'
nv body plays the .eant Of criticism and most
frequently the unfortunate sufferers quite heat.
en- of the field. There can he no profit nor
honor in acting in this manner, and the only
incentive to it is that malignant vice. envv.-
This passion is deeply rooted in the hearts OF us
all; but more particularly does it show itself a.
mons the fashionables. 1t is vice when
should be put down; it is vice hideous and
unseemly, and corrodes the whole system:
il is deleterious in its effects, and requires
strong exerticn to keepit under. Surely then
INV time Ia. not been mispent in calling your
attention to it.
A sense of duty requires me now to tender
nv most unfeigned thanks, for the hberahty
and kindness which yonr readers have shown
towards these feeble essays. One alone OF the
character which have attempted to describe.
has raised his chattering:-my answer shall be,
silent contempt. The only motive winch has
induced me to write these numbers, IS a con-
v;ct;o, that the times should be noticed: vice
has nroeressed far enough, and it should be
thwarted. Other duties compel me to drop
th. subject for the present; and at more ia
vorsbfe opportunity shalt resume it.
Can't. Macdonough is appointed to the
Constitution lrigate, bound TO the MedIter-
,anean. Captain Nicholson, of the onta-
rio, is supposed to have the same dest'na'
~ ENJOYS ARRIVED.
Do, Antonio Jose Csnas, and Don Fer.
n,nJo V alero, ENJOYS from the Province
ot Guatemala, TO the United States OF Anne.
r;ea came passengers in the brig Mary,
arrived a, Newport en- Thursday from