Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-08

whitening and acknowledging pOtcn-
cy of despair. II is in vain Tor man to
presume he can bid defiance to ADVERSE
ty, let it approach him under ever so in
sldl0us a mask.-Iiuman nature is the
same weak and subservicnt thing in all
its forms aud capacities. The individu-
al who is fuA Of high thoughts and po-
tent faculties, is also possessed OF the
weakness and passions Of a mortal In
one feature or another Of his character
these weaknesses will be displayed, and
hc will thus be made liable to the adver-
sites Of lie. the children Of genus
are especially liable to misfortune. -
Their passions are stronger Than those
Of ordinary men, and their p~ropensities
to have them INDUCED are grea'er.
These passions lead them into excuses,
which II is impossible to avoid, because
they are inherent, and not 70 be res
framed by the will. VI it'll genius there
is little of that cold and Flooding dispo-
slti0n calculated for the obtalnment OF
wealth. All is haste and enthusiasm,
rccklcssness and adversely. 1t cannot
GIoNNI3 NV oplOl' hf'' ''' ~
embraced witn a view To mciccnary a.
molument by calculating k%navcs, WI! be
passed by with careless lndilitrCnco b.
the gifted in mind. 1t is therefore that
the children Of genius are so frequently
the children Of adversely. They Provide
rather for the mind than for the body,
aud feast Of Apollo with them, Is far
preferable to a feast Of ManImon. 1t
is, perhaps, a necessary provision OF
the Creator, that man should be So une-
quail in mind, as well as dependent upon
fortuitous circumstances for his standing
in society, and his individual rank. Yet
we have often pondered upon the idea
of there being no distinctions OF this
kind and imagined the revolution ii would
effect in the order Of life. If these
were the case, however, it would be
necessary for dispositions, principles,
aud feelings 10 be balanced more equal
ly than they are al the present age; OF
the obloquy that would proceed from a
division Of tastes aud habits would be
productive Of continual collisions. Ii is
astonishing, however, in the present state
Of society, TO observe the influence OF
seli-intcrcst upon man, even SO lar as
matters Of a mercenary nature arc al
fectcd. This motive is indeed the prime
minister to all our designs and passions
high and low-aIl classes and grades
of mankind are its subjects. 'Self-in-
terest'says a French writer appears to
me TO resemble dust, which the demon
throws into tho eyes Of men, in order IL
make them blind to justice, duty, hon
ON and friendship. 1t is interest that
stiles the natural sentiments Of relations
for each other, embroils man and wife,
sows the seeds Of hatred among broth.
ers and sisters, ex%tinguisles friendship
among friends. In public it assumes
the name Of prudence, but in private il
stoops to any mcanness or injustice tina,
can promote its ends. Ii is this pass
ion, therefore, that has u great influence
upon our prosperity or adverstty-in'
deed it has the greatest influence. Man
kind frequently, in an attempt to better
thoir condition, through an interested
motive, plunge themselves into guilt anc
inlamy, and thus destroy their every
hope OF happiness. Seldom is any deco
Of v~lllainy ultimately successful. The
ways of Providence are so Inscrutabie-
the mazos Of destiny so intricate, thai
some Plan which to the eye Of interes,
would seem certain to ensure success
frequently ends in ruin. 1t is thus tina,
men frequently find themselves surroun-
dcd with adversely, when they anticipate
an altogether different result. Nothing
will so properly bear up the mind Of one
thus situated, as d consciousness OF rec
titude and virtue. lie who has not this
stay to support him in the dark hours oil
trial, generally grows weary OF the world
and Of Iiie-becomcs desperate, and
dies "unpitied and forgotten.
ROMEO.