Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-19
TIE PORTLAND YANKEE.

THE PORTLAND YANKEE.
When David Garrich, was at the zenith of
his glory, he was one day called upon. BY q
noble lord, who had determined TO make the
stage his profession, who asked the cele-
brated tragedan wha. course he should pur-
sue, to attract public attention, and ensnre
SUCCESS. whilst deyotng his time and talents TO
the stage. "My Lord" responded Garricks
al have now lived some forty years, aud al
though have the vanity to believe, that l
have risen to emjnence by the forcr Of my own
talents and industry. long practice and obser-
vation has assured me, that he who is the
most impudsnt, vulgar, pedantic and egotisii-
cal, is far more certain OF SUCCESS, than the
industrious, aud the really moritorions. I
have seen the veriest blackgnard rise TO whst
is esteemed nominal eminenco, whilst thou
sands Of the really deserving have failed, and
died amid the depths Of obseurity. II you
hope for success, my Lord, assume as much
impudcnce as you can muster; and my word
for it, you will, in the end. sacceed IN acqu.r-
ing, due proportion Of noio,ieiy."
John Neal, the Editor of the Portland Van
kco, seems to have adhered to the advice Of
Garriok, and by variety of methods. has at
last succeeded in making himself known to
tha world. as the manufa cturcr Of coarse scnr-
rility, low obsccnity-aye, low ohscegi,y and
profanity.
As it may bo amusing 10 or reaccrS to
know something Of Neal, man who has sue
ceedod in blowing himself into notice, il will
lie well enough to give slight sketch Of hrs
history,-though in alDrdiug it, sc confess
that we make too much of .hc man, and at
,nch to him degree of consequence, 70 which
he is not entitled. According to his own ac-
count, he was born in the state Of Ma nc, and
educated in grocery store, where, like Pat
Murphy, he evincod remarkable talent for the
drawing of rum, :" and a talent Of drinking il
too," and by dint Of bis consummaie Industry
in the departments Of " rum liking" and
rum drawing" he gathered around him a
goodly number Of those rum bibacrs who mhao-
it the brothels Of n country village. Among
tho champions Of tho quar-, pot. and julcp
tumbler. he acquired an ale house celebrity;
and as he was remarkable for his sarrn'ity,and
assurance for his cgo;isln and vanity,--and
cooId make doggre zong for the gin drink
crs who visited the neiyhhnr;ng taroG,fs, lie
succeeded III acquiring tic roi'"ia,iun Of
" smart .fclio,p," apd in little time, obtain
cd tho enviable tile OF king ampng
hogs" and "a hog among kings"
Having thus made h;msclf the cocfs uf tho
walk. sli tho hero of the villlsc, Ire cym-
menced business on his own accumt and risk :
but as The tides OF the time turned ngiiuat him,
he became bankrupt In iortrne, il not ia sAmc,
yhea TO cudc the Vigilance and nrrsrit Of in
jurcd neighbours, he took np his Tine cfmarch
for Baltimore, whcp with the remnant Of " Ia,
remained of ruired fortunc,lc cnmmpne CT! the
study Of the law, but Nith what success we
cnnnot tell. nor is il material 10 DIR reade.s
over few pages ofsiny Lurd HALE, Coke,
puFcndorf, Sclden, Chit:y and Jacobs, he was
admitted TO pra otice at the Mary land bdr, ou,
bcng do6,ient in mind and acquired attain
ments, he failed in his efforts 10 obtain patron
ronasc, when as last resort, he commenced
writing for the Baltimore Telegraph. At the
onset. he made no particular dFpl"y of'alcnts,
nor is it known tina. the Telegraph Gourshed
whist be wrote for il, or Acquired any particu-
lar Distinction. Finding that his oyorts, uUd
laundering productions, did not enhance the
OF the Telegraph, itg rroprictcrs
wisely Suffered hipi 10 retire in'o country quar-
tcrs, epd poS,cly no,lted him, tha, his services
wcro col any longer wanted. Finding bimsclf
thus thrown upon the world. John Neal, like
q r,ut,cnt man, and indeed, prudence IS the
only good Trait in his character, retired Hom
"newsparcr bu1ncas," and set birlselfup Is an
author, and cas; uron tho world two or three
novels. all Of which have hscn read by few,
mud have only been rcruscd 10 be de- piscd-
lis principal rovel, Logan, cannot be FRO
nounced positively had, or positively good;-
wah all is faults, !, certainly possesses some
f,,w merits, but they ure not ol suhC lent i'm
poriancc 10 save il from the deep damnaiion'
!, has received, or to rescue il from mcr,ed
oblivion. Ills Randolph is an odd compound
a. : sti,a ,oarsc s-,.-Hfty anl 'c' es'ccri.