The Arkansas advocate., 1831-05-04
NEHSGELA4AN N.
From the N. Y. Constellation.
 AMBITION.


 Ambition, when properly attempered may be productive of the most benetl- cial, and advantageous results, to the world at large. It is to the powerful influence of this passion, that mankind arc indebted for discoveries which will have a most important bearing on their interests, as long as the earth on which they tread,s shall reyolvc among the stars of heaven. What was itthat impeli- cd an obscure Gcnoese pilot, forward in tha! trackless and adventurous path, whose termination was to be tlIe shores of our own blessed country? Was 1t the mere force of intellect. which enabled himin dasEise of opposition which might have dauntcd the lottiest genius, and weakened the most determined purpose, 10 guide the first European bark across s!.a 55o,l. 55so,s. bosom Of tic Atlantic, and proclaim for the first time the aston ishing tidings, that | western world was washed by it's noble watersl No. To genius we owe the design, but to ambi- tion it's accomplishment. We do not presume to say that to this passion alone, we are indebted for the discoveries Of Columbus, Newton, and host of others, whose memories will be cherished when the soil that gave them existence may have been forgotten. but VIC do assert. that as ambition independent of genius, can never effect such mighty results, nei- ther can genius, independent of ambi- tion, produce any thing of importance.
 This passion, however, can only be productive of good, when by being pre- perly restricted in it's operation, it exists In the mind in heaithful state. There are bosoms, in which it is deadly and consuming fever. ltscxistence then be comes a curse, rather than blessing. Like the burning lava of q volcano, 1t destroys every thing within its influence. It withers the modest energies of the soul, and renders abortive the most vigo- rous efforts of intellect. Were these the only effects d diseased ambition is capable of producing, they would be sufficient to deter us from the inordinate pursuit, of either living or posthumous fame. But it seldom relinquishes its power. until it has eilcctually triumphed over its unfortunate victim. and hurried him to an early and uatimcly grave.
 Itissaid ofthe young sculptor whoraised the statue of Charles II. placed in the royal exchange, that though frequently admonishcd by his physician to relin- qnlsn a profession, the laborious nature of which, with the strong excitement oi his feelings, was rapidly impaiiing his constitution, he still persisted in bis h. Dor. Even when the fatal hectic told that consumption had s.marked him for it's own,n lae continued to toll with iil- creased ardor, declaring thatif he could but finish his statue, he was willing to die at its foot. He lived to see its com pletioia, but not to enjoy tic iInmortafi- ty it threw around his name. He died a martyr to distempercd ambition.
 From Cro1y's Life and Times ef George IF.
 ERsKINE's we'll known habit of talk ing of himself, often brought the jest of the table against him. He was often panegyrising his own humani- ty. sTherc," said he, ssfor instance ismy dog; wish it to be happyin this life, wish it to bchappy in the other. Like the indian, I wish that wherever l gomy faithful dog shall bear me com pany.n .sAnsl contounded unlucks dog he would be- murmured Jekyll.
 III II tAe London world was amused hyy MIsGAy's retort on EREsKrNE, in one of these fits of laudation. The trial was on some triviai question oi patent for q shoe buckle. Erskinc heldup the buck le to the jury, and harangued on the ey- traordinary ingenuity of an invention that would have astonished past ages. sslEow wosla my ancestors have look cdupoh this specimen of dexterlty,' said He. From this point he started ln- to :. p:si,e 5,;f gyric onhis for orefathers. Min cay was Counsel for the opposite side. IIe concluded his speech with, .'Gen- tscusc:s, you have heard . geea aeal te- day of my learned friends ancestors