Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-17

! Critic, approach nol--fi lends we need not fcar.n
II has been justly remarked that ga
person who escapes censure, must be
totally insignificant: and we may with
equal justice add, that censure frequent
ly attacks those who are least deserving
OF it.: and is not confined to those ac-
tions which are glaringly blameable OF
imprudent, but is often pointed, either
from malice or ignorance, at those which
arc from their motives, praise-worthy
and cnnobling. There is no shield that
can ward off the attacks of censure; and
we must seek, only in our own con-
sciences, for that 1gis which shall ren-
der them harmeless. One instance in
particular, which came under our i'm
mediate observation; veriies, if proof
were wanting, the truth of these re-
marks.
Constance had entered life with waym
and enthusiastic feelings: worshipper
of truth, she determined to make SINGER
ity the basis of all her actions. She was
naturally frank and Ingenious, and the
course of reading she had pursued, to-
gether with the observations which her
limited experience enabled her to make,
determined her to act always consistent
ly with her own ideas Of right, without
regard to the opinions which might be
formed of her conduct; in short, she
was an advocate for independence of
character, and perfect sincerity. II is
true, experience told her, when still very
young, that she had offended some of
her inmates by her sincerity, and that,
though it was applauded by a fs,o, it was
ridiculed by others, and dreaded by
many; still Constance perscvered in
what she considered to be right. And
it must be confessed, that her extreme
youth and inexpericnce, often disqualified
her from being proper Judge as to the
degree o! sincerity she might practice,
without infringing on that independence
in others which she advocated for her
self. 1t was fault of youth, and in al
ter life, Constance had learned to smile
at her own romantic views; and though
always warm advocate for sincerity,
experience taught her, that Mat ri,fue
may be carried to excess! She did not
argue this however, when, at the age of
fourteen she refused handsome inde-
pendcnce, because the person whose
legacy it was, had injured one who had
been dear to her, and because her inde-
pendence of mind forbade her to receive
iavours from one whose character she
had dospised-and in the sincerity of her
heart, and in pursuance of the line of
conduct she mad laid down for herself,
she rejected the gift, with all the scorn
she had felt for the giver; and urging as
her reasons "that the independence of
her character, and her sincerity, must
be sacrificed, where she to accept of an
obligation which must prevent her ex-
pressing her opinions, and acting as her
feelings dictated. Constance was CEN
sured for misconduct: but she knew her
motives were good, and sho needed it
not. With all this sincerity it may be
supposed that Constance was q being
,mloring and mlored. L, was quite the
reverse. She was an enthusiast in
friendship; her friend might exact any
sacrifice, and she was ready to make il.
She believed, in the warmth of her un-
Sophisticated heart; that sell l'convenience
pleasure, or wishes, ought to be laid
aside, if they were in contradiction to
those of her friends. She was disposed
TO love every body: but then, she was as
certain TO offend somo by the sincerity as
she called it--and biuntness as they chose
to style il, other remarks. She hestated
no., 10 tel them Of their faults: it is