Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-15
.ssstsesuauso,,s Department.
PRIZE ESSAY;


which obtained the premium Thr.v Dollars offered by
the proprietor of the Philadelphia Album BY Miss
l.. NJ FRANCES, Of Wa,cr,own, Massa chusc,,s.
On hc Importance Of Mental Resources
stand out of my sunshine said Diogenes to Alex
amer, when the Emperor asked what service he could
do hm.-And, naughty as the Philosophers reply
may sound, 1t implies only the honest independence
Which every highly gifted and well balanced mind may
:cei toward those who merely possess the accidental
distraction OF rank and fortune. lie bo reduced
l" pitIiui eXtremitics, who needs the conIescendng
stne oil The proud or the earties tiatey of the vain
either TO rouse him cxeltion, or 10 warm him into
happiness iic power of self excitement is the most
desirable of all atiainments and il is the most rare
10 love knowledge only for lis usefulness, and thus
convert II INTO source OF happiness-to form and
strengthen vrtuous dispositions, only for the sake OF
the deep tranquility they brinc-is task performed bv
lev" Yet experience constantly proves TO us that
mere are no o'her means OF attaining permanent hap
Pness' lie TO whom naturels all open volume, where
truths OF the ottiest import plainly written NAV
smile oil the thwartng influence of general circunsan
ces, and he who fnd in the fAil of an apple, or
the hues OF The wild flower, abundant food Tor the rea-
son aud for fancy, may well say TO the world Stand
out my sunshinc.'
do not mean that scifshncss is bliss even where en-
J"ytneht is OF the most dignilled kind An emnerce
"hicn paced US above the delightful synpathes OF
social H'e, would indeed be unenyabie; but surely
that which places above the ever-chancinn tide Of
circumstance and opinion is very desirable. The
st"dy OF nature, than any other study tends to
produce this internal sGn3iuc across which the veyo-
nous cares OF the world the most but Iittne
shadows. Politics, love OF gain, ambition, renown-
every thing, in short which can be acted upon by the
passions OF mankind have corrosive influence on the
SoNi. But nature pursues her course with the same
ih1Jestlc step, the serene smile whether ner-
chant is wrecked, empire oyerthrown. The
eva feelings or our nature dec her holy tenn
pie. They may indeed close its portals against ,bo
restless and the bad; but the radiant goddess is ever
within e altar. ready to smile upoa those who are
pure enough 10 love her quiet beauty. Ambition may
play mighty game--t may crack tie snews of a
nlp n9tIn nj Ito
ma.on dancers to ITS own stormy music. But sum-
ana moon and stars, go forth their sublime mission
independent oil It's powers; and lis utmost cannot al
ter the ia's which produce the transient glory of the
rainbow. Avarce may freeze the genial currents of
nc sGu but il cannot diminish the pomp of summer or
RESTRAIN the Prodigay of autumn. Fame may pursue
Gtcrn5 phantoms, until the diseased heart loses all
relish tor substantial good but with all its eager asp
Tatous II neither change nor share the immortality
o! he minutest atom.
Here then is 4 sequescred spot where the weary
may rest safe from the whrlyvud of its own passions
Here Is a mirror made 10 reject heaven alone, and
which the Prccus forms of human puu!iou can ne.
var darken.
He who has stecrcd his bark ever so sllilfuly,
through the sea OF politics. rarely if ever finds qui
ct haven.-Hs yexalious and his trinmphs have all
oeen of an exciting character Both dependent on
outward circumstances, over which he had very limit
ed power and when tie precarious breeze had subsi-
ded, he finds TOO late that he has lived on the breath
OF others, and that happiness has empire ,oi,, him
and what IS the experience OF him who has existed
only Tor wealth, who has safely mOored his richly
teighed vessel into the spacious barbor of successful
commerce: Does he ind that happiness, like modern
love, can be bought with god' You see him hurry.
'ng about purchasing ii in small quantities. wherever
taste and talent offer for SALE but the article is too
ETHEREAL to be ba!ed for future use, and it soon eyap
"iateS INTO the vacuum Of his intellectual warehouse
lie wio has lived for fame only, will learn that happi
loss aud renown are scarcely speaking acquaintance.
'-Feh II he grasps the rainbow he has so mady pur-
sued he viii find its nts fading with every nassno
r'oui, aud EckerinS al every changing ray. Nor is
ne VINO has wasted the energies of his youth in disen-
faH5Ing the knoUy stCin Of controversy more likely
- una the evening Of his days c!oulless and serene
ne oemon OF dog'7atlsiD, OF doubt, will grappe
hn closely, and convert hs carly GLOW of feeInu
and elasticity of thought into raucofou, perrdice or
shattered faith But the deep stream of philosophical
knowledge IS nninged by drop OF bitterness lis
gnrgng waters constantly speak of the heaven from
winch they How, and the quiet sound luis the listening
spirit into peace.
iiago, like infancy must have its things, what
be dgnifed battery and barometer. telescope
aod prism Electric power may be increased with less
cangcT tan The power OF man, is safer TO weigh fhe
'ir Uah neghbor5 motives; it is less agtating to fix
nc eye upon volcanoes the moon than upon iem2es
I'D ''e political Northumberland il Is far easier TO sepa
az. "'''e 'he coioTS IN ray of light than it is Il
oIena Inc many ccorcd hucs Of truth turned out o
the'r course By tue three c0rncrnd rIas Of
tic VINO drinks deeply al the ioun,lin Of naiura
science, VIII reflect all aicrni him the I;gir - rl
beams on his own tranquil spir II The syinnat,,y y
heart and intellect Is within hi, reach ne will anio,
'tnorc highly than any other i8au, brt If he !. aIon
- Tie world, can, with So much sincerity =,
g. the indictments Of fame, the glitter of wealth, an
ie aufemen5 OF pleasure, stand ye out Of my sun
shine."
7toD,sLo'ed JzoDs ulc Spanish.
LnYy IS q vice without pleasure; it torments wbe