The Arkansas advocate., 1830-06-23
MISCELLANY .
RIN AIS.

THE RIVALS.
 It is impossible to estimate the effect of very early eireamst tances onthe open ing mind Of childhood. Had Sir Ben- jamin Vests mother scolded her son for wasting paper, instead of kissing him enthusiastically for the frstrude sketch, perhaps he would never have been Pres iisfteiii oi tile Royal zteadieray of Fine Arts. Had not ornaments fer a dessert been wanted suddenly at Roman Vii- Ia, when the boy Canova was near to carve lions ia butter-and had not these childish attempts attracted the atten- ton and applause of the company perehance the world would never have wondered af and worshipped the genius that produced the waking and sleeping lions in the church of St. Peter al Rome.
 Tie effect Of early circumstances in sssFsssiftg with us the good CT evil pro- pensities of our mixed nature is likewise very remarkable. It is impossible for any of IS to calculate what we should have been, had our minds been acted upon ny the education and circumstan- ees that have formed another mind. | knew a man, whose character was en- tirelY changed from it's natural direc- ton bY au accidental association inI youth. William Brandon was gentle and afeetionate ia his disposition, pos sessed Of aa intellect early remarkable for it's quiet strength, and unpretending cIearaess. There never was a mind so little prone to envy, or revenge. KnowI- edge grew inhis affections naturally ard luxuriantly, without any of the for cing power of pride or ambition. His f,s= resats resolved to give him q college. education; aed for that purpose placed him at the Latin school. There he be- came associated with James Murdock. 2 brilliant. ambitious boy, who fromhis cradle had been ieetgFed upon the ne cessifY Of z making his way h the world 2 This boy was a good scholar; not be- cause he lowed literature; but because t was thing to make boast of.
 William and James kept very near each other: being alternately pronounc- ed the best scholars Tn school. On the part of William it was an earnest, but generous competition; with James it was q perpetual source of iealously and intrigue. The relative merits of the scholars were decided by the number Of marks for tbe best lessons: and on the last day ofexamination William was fou.ld to have two more than James. Murdock having fofseen how nearly C. gual the struggle would be, had paved his way by obsequiousness and fat fefT to the master, and presents to the boys; and William Brandon heard with indignant surprise that the first part in the exercises WAS awarded to his rival. notwithstanding his own superiority in marks. He, however, wrestIed with his feelings and overcame them. But an other trial awaited him on that eyentful day. Inc scholars had been ordered fo lake their seals according to their "a k and Brandon took his at the head. before the arrival of his competitor. asa Az AaszatisgleeiS refused b sitsecond alleging ssisss sslss Thollasaa the irstpaFt was anques- tlopsbly the first scholar; and Brandon refused to relInquish lis seat, because according to the established rules ofthe school, he had an uadosbted right to 1t. A party was formed among the boys AauTdock was the popular favorite ;- and Brandon burning with ieeISpgs he had never before known, haughtily re. kaqnished his claims. With the demor thus rankling within their bosoms, theA entered eossegs together; the ore fiat tlne with a frank. manly hatred; the other see'<ing to gratify revenge by q s-foestant succession Of petty wrongs. by subtle policy, and careful naanoeuvreing,