The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-03-09
RI ATTN
{ To NE Ediipr eths London Mirror J
he Wind passeth over it, and il il gon5.


structod tcmple--wheh IN magniicence,
attracts the admiration ~ many. but
whose foundation is weak and shallow.
Just So we ought to estimate tie noble
structure of the human lramo-not by
the outward form and pleasing figure,
but by the principles of virtue, that gov
ern and support tho grand pile, and
create II proof against the tempcsts of
this life. Solidity forms tho valuable
property of any specific thing, while or
naments are but the flights of fancy.
In order to sustain the multiarious
movements of this life with ease and
happiness, extremes should DO studlous-
ly avoided. Indeed, the extremes Of a
ny thing, whether in the natural or the
moral state Of the world, is far from be-
ing congenial either with happiness or
virtue. Happiness, as we'll as virtue,
says DR.. Johnson, consists in mcdIoc-
rity ; aud the maxim Of Cleobnlus,
the Lindoin,' medioerity is best, has long
been considered as an universal princi-
pal, extended through the whole COM
pass Of life and human nature Even
the extreme Of fortune forces upon US
many wees and mlschiefs, unknown 10
the middle station Of life while cx-
IRENE health, ono of Natures most val
liable gifts, frequently renders US cure
less and unguarded, aud gully Of many
| lrregularites-which, ut Length, inter-
rnpt happiness and virtue. Beauty is,
OF course an extreme gil Of nature !;
and, If the great Lord Bacon can be re-
he'd on, he evidently shews thc injurious
effects OF this extreme Beautiful wo-
men, says he, arc seldom of any
great accomplishments, because thcy
tor the most part, study behaviour rather
than virtue. Bacon well knew the
feelings OF human nature and though
many may imagine aim to havo spoken
too hastily IN this particular, | am indu-
ced (wlthout going SO far as his lord
. ship 10 conceive that his opinion IS Of
ten too evident a woman, when pos
scssed of these entangIng charms, Is
conscious OF her attractive powers, and
studies to render them if possible more
conspicuous. The great Baroness de
Stael was so regardless of accomplish
mcnts, that she would freely exchange
hall her knowledge for personal harms.
II 1t were IN the least necessary, INIT
merable instances could be shown where
extremes IN beauty has had all the effect
which Bacon would wish 10 attribute 10
II. The ill-tated Jane Shore, and the
crafty Cleopatra, arc sufficient cvdcn-
ces.
That which will, in any shape what
over, whether directly, or indirectly,
promote and noulsh virtue and happi-
ness, IS of itself good, and claims the
love Of all we'll disposed individuals.
! Beauty, 50 far from proving con-
duelve to happiness or virtue, is the
lparcnt Of miscry-the constant attend
ant ON ioIly--and tic source from
whence the forsaken husband and the
orphan child date the origin of ali then
miseries. In short, II entails unhappi-
ness on the posscssors and the admirers.
y cogent argument in support of this is
derived from the knowledge, that f.
males possessing these charms always
attract strong admiration and fancied
love.-that they become SO tamiIarised
to this praise that they are induced to
persuade themselves tllat beauty is a
pre-eminent quality, and needs only TO
be known to receive protection and sup
port.
Beauty has received ccnsure from an
cient as well as modern writers, and
there seems to have been some occa-
sion for ii. Socrates, in speaking OF il,
| has described il as short livcltyranuV:
aud Theophrastus, as a silent fraud
Tie ancient ladies seem to have out
done all attempts on the part Of our mo-
dern ladies to further personal charms.
! The Roman ladies used chalk and white
lead, or pants, for we are told by Man
tai, that tabula was afraid oithe ram,
/ on account OF the chalk ON her face !:
and Lobclla of the sun, because Of tic
ceruSc with which her face WAS painted j;
and that the i,lmous PoppHa, the first
mistress, and afterwards wife Of Nero,
made use of an JUNCTION paint, which
hardened upon tire face, and entirely
changed the original features
To beg pardon ofyour female read
ers for saying thus much, aud to speak
the truth, much blame is attributable 10
Man, for tirst placing a higher value up
on it, and women demand no more.
Men have been found weak enough 10
delicate the whole Of theiractions to The
charms Of beauty--aud what more can
be had
As a closing word, | would wish to
inspire upon all minds, that beauty
though princes have resigned dignity
and power to possess it--though the po-
ct has laboured much in its praise
though the stubborn heart has been soft
a. I,,1f,pr fbaHtf, oil