Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-15

as well as ourselves, All UneSe Siurtous uoueIs u
guide and animate their efforts, the Americans
have only to imbibe the spirit of intellectual dis
function, and to feel the STRINGS Of literary am
bition to leave the present generation of Europe
an writers far behind them.
In illustration of the truth of our statement,
that America is rising in intellectual character,
we refer to the work before US, especially to that
portion of it, entitled "a Tour through Italy
and Switzerland in 1892" 1t breathes a pure
classical enthusiasm-every object of beauty or
sublimity-every circumstance illustrative Of men
aud manners-whatever regards nature or art
the world Of matter-the world Of mind-are
all treated in the spirit of a man who thinks,
feels and writes under the influence of a correct
judgment and fervid imagination, informed and
chastened with a. rich store Of previous know
ledge and attainments; and it ought likewise TO
be remembered that these pages were not elabo-
rated for the press-the author poured out the
~fullness OF his soul to relieve himseIf, and TO sra-
tify his friends, but without the most distant
view of publication.
The society in which Mr.. Griffin happened
once or twice TO mix, while on his s%ojourn here,
wounded his nationality of feeling; some often
sive articles in our public journals likewise
awakened his displeasure; and he babe adieu to
England, as he expresses himself, "a more par
ftdl American than ever.
OF the former, Dr.. Mcvickar observes" that
Mr.. Griffin was SO unfortunate as to meet with
some whose patriotism went beyond their polite.
ness, and it is probable beyond either their know
ledge or Judgment" The author says that ''in
this Mr.. Griffin was unfortunate, since, judging
from his own experience, such language Is as
rare in England as it is misapplied; his recol-
~lections of a recent visit not furnishing him with
.n-Sl~ ..to..o IS M oIno,fol n ,vhn r
not also liberal in his feelings towards America;
and though often ignorant of the detail of her In
stitutions, yet appreciating justly their nature
and influences; and reciprocating with paternal
frankness those sentiments of respect and amity
which unguestionably belong to the better part OF
the American community. These are sentl-
ments, it may be added, not only just. but mu-
tually becoming; they spring naturally from the
sympathles OF a common language, literature, and
faith, and no feeling or considefate mind would
willingly wound them; wo then TO that pen, or
to that policy, by which such bands are Sc
vered, and which seeks to SOW dlscord where ma
ture hath planted peace"
So cordially do we approve Of these sentI-
ments that we are happy to give them all the
publicity in our power.
of Mrs. Trollope, and her ~travelsin the Unit.
ed States, he thus speaks, in a subsequent pas
sage:
Domestic Manners o fthe americans. By Fran
css TrOHope.-This q work, which, thOug, Its
author be clever, and itself amusing, has, never
theless, singuiarly disguised US. 1t is equally
unjust to America and England; unjust to Anne
RIGA, in the unfair tone of ridicule aud exaggera-
ton adopted In describing its customs; and un-
fair to England, in supposing that such carlca-
lures will satisfy the interest and the inquiry so
ripe among US respecting our transatlantic neigh
bors. A clever and impartial work on America,
is vet desideratum in our literature. From the
very company 10 which Mrs. Trollope left Eng
land, viz. Miss Wright, it may be inferred how
very UtOpian were ner vIs,ons. NO Wonuei
they were disappointed. We do not think 'hese
pages worth detailed criticism: we only protest
against the Judgment which could md n"'hihs 10
approve or to admire In the industry. the energy
the progress of America. Contending with pre-
iudices is. indeed, fighting with shadows; and
what else are the opinions Of the Quarterly! lhe
night and the dust of past ages are upon them: a
clear light aud a fresh air are already rising, and
to their utter destruction.
Hard tin,es.-There is no virtue less under.
stood than economy, though in these lines it ris-
es to the rank of one of the cardinals, and It may
protect them all. Economy is relative; and what
is economical in one man is profuse IN another.
In this plain republican country, more is sacri-
feed to ostentation than to necessity Pride Is
a lofty rider. but it now and then gets a TALL
Pride persuades a man. and a great many men
to wear a coat of English fabrication, and when
it is time to pay the %tailors. the importers have
sent all the cash away TO pay for the cloths. and
there is none on hand to pay tailors, or TO specu-
late with. An old coat is an old friend, when a
new one is necessarily an enemy.
"Have more than thou showest,
Lend less than thou owest,"
was the advive Of one of Lear's sage retalners,
and the counsel is vet good. We are not OF the
belief. however, that the present distress in what
we call the commercial world, and which extends
to the universal world, is a consequence OF a
want of economy. II we buy of a foreign nation
more than we can pay for in produce, we must
nav the balance in cash, if none IS left at home
to paw taxes. The fluctuations of the money
market are Of late .ears the greatest evil. in trade