Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-28

!, tleesaton for The other .-All those grand dis
eoveriss, which indicate his superiority over the
res, OF the creation, and have been productive oil
incalculabe good to his species, are attributable
to science. The invocation OF letters, OF the ma
rnefs compass ard of the press that great engine,
operating with boundiess energy on tie enlarge
,nent and diffusion of his mental powers, are the
indispuied offspring of science. Without her se-
NAL aid, no philosopher, no statesman, no orator,
would have been ever known in our wsrld.
I have enumerated some of the higher benefits
which man has derived from learning and science.
Other circumstances and considerations, merit
moments attention. Study, judicousiy and per-
severingly pursued, by those who possess any ca
paciy, conducts all such, with absolute certainty,
to the attainment Of knowledge, and knowledge
is power.
While society was in its infancy, those indivi-
duals, to whom nature had communicated force
of mind, shrewdness and strength of intellect,
superior to what she had granted to the mass, en-
countered little difficulty, by dexerity of manage
ment, by the practice of those articles, which TIA
lent always knows how TO employ, in grasping
any degree of power their less spacious fell
-men, which interest ambition disposed
them to obtain. This is the true origin of kngly
authority: and, after monarch had once possess
Ell himself OF sceptre and throne, it was easy
TO retain by fraud, and the force " hch his eleva-
ton enabled him to command, what had been
first thought after establishing himself completely
in the seat Of power, would be, by what means
that power should be perperuated to his descen-
dants. Hence. laws of hereditary right, 60
uernn1ent aswell as TO property, were imposed
on his unthinking subjects, who easily diped
into the persuasion, that the great qualities OF the
sovereign would descend, unimpair ed, to his pos
terity. But the succession TO royal sway has
been, in all countries, subject TO interruption,
whenever the reins Of government have been held
bys weak hand, or some superior and ambitious
genius has arisen On such occasions, power has
been often transferred, from the heir of royalty
to the tenant OF humble life, TO the military
adven:urer, whose sagacity and talent enabled him
TO seize on a crisis proptious to his views.
An order OF men, protesting to move in an
humble sphere, but under the guise of humility,
concealing the most nordinate lust of power has
established an unbounded sway in most ages and
nations. Among the savage tribes of America,
they are corjurors and medicine men. Amongst
civilized people, they are priests, the oracles of
wisdom and dispensers of the favour of heaven.
Before the invention of printing, knowledge was
limited to inconsiGerable portion of every So
ciety. The productions of genius and talent came
TO the hands Of but few, because copies could not
be multiplied, and their scarcity rendered them diff
hcult of access. For long period, the priests
were the only clerks that is to say, they alone
possessed the art Of writing. OF course, the
little science which existed confined to their
body. How long they perverted it to their own
aggrandisement, aud TO the depression of all con-
di,iohs and ranks, even that oil royalty itself, the
history of the middle ages sufficiently discloses
But when the sun OF science arose on the revival
CT learning; when literature, by the agency of the
press, was difused amongst all classes, the pow er
OF the priesthood began 10 decline; and, counter
acted as il has been, by the progress of learning
there is little reason to fear, that it will ever a.
uatn tran ita mat Er,ifs tha
pons Of reason shall be permitted their fair and
free exercise. The proper remedy for the evil has
been applied; and if the light of knowledge was
extended to every individual in all the countries
OF our globe, the reign OF oppression would every
where cease. and we nigh, hope for the occurrence
'of that golden age, which has existed, but in
the fancy OF poets.
Talents, perfected by knowledge have generally
succeeded in gaining the highest elevation to the
individual VINO has been distng uished by them, in
whatever country his lot may have been cast, or
whatever may have been the form Of government
under which he has lived. Does he belong to a
monarchy! The prince demandS the assistance of
his abilities, for the accomplishment OF his scheme,
of policy, and promotes him to rank and power
Is he the citizen of Republic? He will acquire
the confidence of the people, he will gain an as
cendsncy over them, by which he will reach the
highest offices within their disposal and will OBJ
tain all the power, which can DE conferred by their
favor.
The political constitutions of the States of our
Union, and of the Federal Government are so
formed. on the basis of representation, that each
particular section of country is represented in
both of them. 1t is an advantage worth gaining,
TO establish literary Institutions amongst ourselves,
at which our young men may be educated with all
the feelings OF warm attachment to the spot, and
to the vicinity, wbei their talents have been cul
tiva,ed, where they have enjoyed the honours Of
literary distinction, and where they have been
qualified for public life. A representative in the
State or National councils, thus prepared 10 serve
his county or his district, will be animated By mo-
tives frsm which the best results may be presaged;
and bis power TO render essential service to those
who have yielded him their confidence will be in
exact proportion 10 his talents and know ledge.
In private life, in the bosom of domestic retire.
nent, and in the evening of days, there is re-
source in literature, which ignorance never can
supply The habit of study in our early time be-
gets fondness RELISH for intellectual pleasures;
and reading Is an employment, amusement,
which beguiles many hour that would other
wise hang heavily about u.s. 1t was the saving of
the celebrated Lucius Cary, Lord Falkland, no,
more emnen,ly distinguished for his chvalrous,
than for his literary Character, pity unlearned
gentlemen a rainy day."-It is difficult to con-
ceive how The minds of the ignorant and unlettered
are occupied, when not engaged by any objects
acting on their external senses. Not so is it with
those who have taste for books. How delight
full are their enjoyments, while medi,ating with
the philosopher; reasoning with the ogician;
catching the lessons of experience and instruction
spread before them by the intelligent historian, or
biogrspher; weeping With the tragic, or laughing
with the comic muse; rising with the poet in the
flights of his enrsptured fancy, glowing with the
orator. in the feryor and force of his soul sub
DUNG eloquence.