Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-10
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10 Nh. EQt0r.-l was lb CouSe'sa'io"
friend Of mine the other day, upon a topic OF
some interest to me, when | was most famliia>
ry accos,ed by a person, whom reeollec'ed 10
have seen some place or other, but with whom
/ could not boast the honor Of an acquaintance.
] was at 6rst somewhat indignant a, the fel-
lows imper,inence, bu; recollecting the old, but
homely adage I" better have the good will OF a
dog, than his i'll will" l repressed a rising OF
resentment, and replied to his SITUATIONS with
as much courtesy as ] could command.
Seeing, however, that he was disposed to
protract the period of our interview, and as he
increased in vulgar confidence in proportion as
i INDUCED him, l thought proper TO adopt a
more distant %civility, and if no: to check him,
at leas, to let him know that was disguised at
his conduct: had hardly come to this deter.
mination, and was about 10 put II in execution,
when he slapped me on the shoulder with an all
of such easy freedom, and self-con6dent equal
ity, that my passion, which was only repressrd
not exlinguished burst forth, and | should GER
tainly have knocked him down,ha tot my friend
interposed and prevented me. The fellow how
ever, seemed to understand this last demon
s,r alton Notwithstanding he appeared to lack Of
penetration before, and became eloquent in his
often repeated proiesta,ions, that he did not in.
tend 10 offend me sc.
wss glad however, after / left him, and be-
came cool, that ! did not strike him, it would
have been a poor and mean revenge, for which
! never should have forgiven myself.
Passion is q magnifying medium, and there
is nothing so bad, which If seen through it will
but exhibit a greater degree Of eBormi.y and a
more vindictive touch Of maligni,y. Its W
dark and repulsive character is reflected on ev-
cry object exposed TO its resentment, and rem
ders i, h hateful, by throwing over it the shadow
Of its own deformiiy. Passion and Reason
canuo, exist together, they are differen. in their
natures and consequences, and when the form
er Yields the sceptre Of sovereignty, the latter
will be Invested OF its functions, and rendered
silent in its monitions. Thus it happened in
the case under consideration. Had ! but giv>
en- reason q hearing, | should not have beer Sc
duced by the precipitancy of passion into a
course equally unjust and ridiculous. Not that
mean to be understood, that such ignorant
and vulgar i~nsolepce should beitolera,ed. But l
mean that we should let reason and reflection
dictate the course We should pursue when as.
sailed by it. Unless we do, without correcting
it, we may not only become a3gressors our
selves, but through the blindness OF passion
disturb the harmony and violate the decencies
Of society.
Besides that passion is .an incorrect judge,
and inves,s every thing with a colour not legi-
iimately belonging to it, it is calculated TO give
those with whom we are angry an importance
they Go not merit, and a power they should not
possess, BY permitting Them frequently 10 rem
der Us ridiculous and divest US of our dignity.
We should as far a. we are able, adapt the pun
ishment to the nature Of the offence, by taking
into consideration the circumstances Of the
case, with the motives and character of the in
dividual who offends.
He, who so far forgeis his own dignity as a
man, and his becoming pride as a gentleman,
by pushing an acquaintance where it is unwel-
come, and by vulgar attempts at familiarity
when it is disgusting, should be treated with
bitter scoru and contempt without the distinc-
ton Of a blow, or the honor of chastisement.
Tender handed press a nettle ,
And it stings you for your pains,
Squeeze it like a man of mettle
And il soft as silk remains.
IT'S the same with vulgar natures.
Use them kindly they rebel,
But be rough a. nutmeg graters.
And the rogues obsy you well.