Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-17
to him in boyish friendship, few re-
inained sinadfast. Operatcd upon bY

to him in boyish friendship, few re-
mained steadlast. Operated upon by
selfish reputation. they had taken the
opinion of the multitude in preference
to their own, Few even among the
wiscst act in accordance with their
own judgment. 1t was thus with the
companions of fAugustus. In boyhood
they admired the generosity Of his soul
the dawning rccklessness of his
character-thc freedom Of his cOmmu-
nings, and the bril|iancy of his fancy.
He was looked upon as their leader,
and enjoyed his power with urbanty,
never was arrogant save when the
right ofthat power was held question:
able, or iasuIlcd. When he burst up.
on ,hc public in his new character
they were at first astonished. Angus
tus scrutnized his former associates,
convcrscd with them in trendship-
dcspscd those who swcrved from
their former allegiance. through mo-
tives of policy, and warmed in the
friendship of those scattered few, who
still estimated him as in more youth
lul hours.
Ii is an cdifying scrutiny TO exam
inc into the changes which fortune ef-
fccts, in our youthful companions.
The cold bow Of recognition, and the
constrained chow dye de" from those
whom we know our interiors in mind,
and who were once so in fortune, are
equally productive of profitable re-
Elections. Man is a selfish unprinci-
Piled creature, and to recount over
broken friendships, and cold neg lects,
is at once an unpleasant and unprbtlta-
bic employment. lie that suffers
much at heart in consequence of his
friends duplicity, is seldom a happy
man. Indeed, happiness is seldom
found with the rejecting disposition
carelessncss and gaiety-the insensi-
bic and apathctic are best adapted
with the ways Of the world, and the
deccits ofsrlf-intercst.
In every change Augustus Staunton
found a friend in his father. He was
his only child. and was idolizcd with
an interchangeable affection. In the
midst Of his adyersitics. and when the
public press was tccming with sarcasm,
rcprchensivc and defamation against
him; he had poured out his most &C.
crct thoughts to that parent in conf
dcncc. He declared to him the mo-
tives for every action, as well as the
current Of thoughts, which had actu-
ated his opinions Of religion. ''l &C.
knowledge" said he. "that am "A
skcptic; doubt the immortality of the
soul, and the existence Of an hcrcaf.
ter. | feel, that according to the
laws Of Moses, have widely erred
from the path Of religion, feet that #
there is an eternity of anguish, lfthcrc
is a prince Of the powers of the air, ]
will be his victim. Of The existence
Of these things, however, have maay
doubts. If have any fears they are
those dcrivabse from superstition and
education, for ia my moments Of calm
est r"asoa ard dciberation, | spurn
the idea OF such mockerics, as dcgrad-
ing and contemplate. III could con-
vince myself of an eternity | should
be much happier. There is no more
abjecl conception to proud man, than
that of his total annihilation at de lth.
And yet, my father, this is mine. Per-
haps these circumstances are the pro-
duct ola false judgment; the delusions
of an imaginative mind. could phi
losophically account for them all
could conceive of sophstry which
might unravel the mystery, but the
web ofperplexity would become more
cntangled by its mazes. Still | am
open to conviction. ! will listen pa
ticntly to the arguments Of my senior,
and most especially to yours. SO far
as regards the opinions which have
been lavished upon my book, andupon
the principles Of its author, by the
mass of mankind; ! care nothing. It
is only for your sake, that | have thus
: narrated few Of my thoughts. |
know that to your calculating fo.bcar-
ancc, they must seem the visionary
outpourings Of all unripe judgment.
1t may be so, but until my nature is
changed, and until that judgment is
more maturely formed, ] must remain
the abject thing am.
Such was Augustus Staunton in char
actcr, when he became the associate
Of Adclia Montrose. His form was
tall and slender-his features regular
and well moulded-his countenancc