Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-23
FOR THE EFT.

kcessig otor.-By the foregoing term, has
generally been understood, one that searches
into the causes, nature, and effects Of things,
and by exploring the works Of creation and the
field of nature, or diving into the depths of
science, religion, politics, sc. processes to
elicit or develope principles and truths for the
information and benefit of mankind. But of
late, this term, like most other things in this
fluctuating world, has undergone very impor-
taht change in its Specification. Inow under
stand it TO designate one that negiects his own
concerns, to pry into the affairs of others
who, unmndful Of his own faul's, has his argus
eyos on the stretch, to discern the failings Of
oihers-who, instead Of reforming himself, cm-
ploys his time and faculties, in detecting and
decrying the sins Of his neighbors-who never
discovers any thing wrorg in hmsolf-any
thing right in others.
Apropos--In passing through one ofthe plo-
cipal streets of this town, a few days since. |
caught sight of a strange looking non descript
biped, that excited my curiosity. He was step
ping briskly along, and ever ard anon, he ap
peared to discover something that arrested his
attention, when lie would stop for moment,
stich his head into door or window, take UP
something and deposit it in an enormous KNAPP
sack he carried on his back, and then, taking
out pocket book and pencil, note it, as |
imagined, in his memorandum was struck
Wit fn ho
not more than four feet ten inches high;
with very long legs, and Of course, not much
body, and | suspect, but little soul. His
shoulders were at least, as much as three and
an half feet broad; and on his back was
hump that would have done honor TO Richard
Ill. and both together, appeared purposely
formed to accommodate his enormous pack
His head was hung on a pivot, and reyolved
horizontally, about thirty times a minute; for
the purpose of keeping strict look out on
every side. He had but one eye, and could
see but one thing at time; and over this he
wore yellow glass, that had the power Of inn
parting its own color TO every thing viewed
through il. l was amused TO 500 this little
thing, as he tagged and swcated along with
his huge burthen, beneath the scorching rays
Of a summers MONDAY sun-And was sur.
prised, that although he was vocferous IN
warning every one else to bowarc of obstacles
in tho street, and which he pointed out TO
them, he ran plump against every post that
came in his way. watched him for some
time, until a, length, he vanished at the door
Of Printing Office
On inquring Of friend, respecting this
strange animal, he informed mo it was tho
genius of an " Investigator" sent down from
the moon to earth, to pry into the concerns OF
men, and correct their faults. It being his
prerogativc to regulate every body's affairs,
(haying none Of his own TO manage) and to
correct every body's faults, except his own
he is furnished with r,polring head, that
every thing may come under his observation;
with yellow, or jaundiced eye, that every
thing may wear the same hue; and book to
record overy thing he thinks evil, which by the
bye, is every thing but what he does himself
lie is furnished also with a capacious KNAPP
sack. The reason of this is, there arc come
things, in bisvicw so totally and insuilerably
wicked, as to admit Of no possibility Of a
"saping change these, il is his business TO
destroy, ONE esn) and for that purpose he
takes thom TO hi, repository in his pack, ~hero
he first slices ,hom up with split goose quill,
and then pres,e, them TO death. with the as.