Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-29
THURSDAY, MARCH 90, 1882.
COMMUNICATED.
Thus IN a sea OF folly tosy "--PorE.

Admiration is not always the result of merit
in an object since it is often traced to causes Ell.
Their personal or imaginary Individuals not IN
frequently reject whatever comes recommended
80 them by a native stamp. simply because OF Its
domestic Origin, and admire the production OF TO-
reign talent or industry for the opposite reason.
Thls detect in the judgment of some leads to a
similar error in their estimation OF persons:
they are apt to admire those who wear foreign
baige as OBJECTS more worthy their regard, than
such a. draw their origin from more Ia'niiiar
and Immediate parentage.
The sources to which these follies are all apt to
BE- ascribed have existed throughout every age.
and are now. more than ever, productive OF evil
TO society. Where the nJnd is left to draw in
ferences, from certain authorized facts OF a gene
raj character, its usual error mi be that Of too
great extravaganza Few read. for example,
without the most enlarged, aud even ridiculous,
conceptions of the wealth, grandeur and lupOr-
lance of the chief cities of Europe. Those, es-
pe,ially. whose opinions have not been gradual
ed by the assistance Of travel, are liable to SIN
guldr errors OF the Imagination. They fancy To
themselves, in these populous settlements, the ex
istence of pleasures, which gladden. them into
perpetual sunshine; superabundance of wealth,
before which want is dissipated as mist;-
and, above all, the prevalence OF happy and con-
tented spirit, animating every bosom and smiling
in every face. From such contemplation, they
turn. naturally perhaps to the representatives ct
the favored portions OF the earth. Their atten-
ton fixes, pcrchance, upon diplomatic agent.
Happy the condition Of person thu. distinguish
ed. not only by the patronage OF most gracious
sovereign, but BY the place of his nativity, rich
in the enjoyment OF so many blessings, and the
abode of such real pleasures They fancy TIA,
cloud never settles upon his brow. This Is a
man OF leisure. possesses apparent wealth, aud
is courtrd By the gay, rich aud fashionable Of hts
aye Whar mora can the world aif,rd him than
all this? By such train OF thought are the gay
and volatile often deceived. There are tcn
among the sober ard rejecting, to whom this ex-
ample Of the readiness Of the Imagination to pic
ture whatever is most captivating and agreeable.
has not occurred. But what Is the view which
thus subject presents To 4 rational MAD The
merriments of a populous CITY are not alwa Va
imper,irus to the mseries of human life. Coid
il be possible to form an estimate of the condl-
ton of society, without regard to ranS, In the
chief cities of Europe, IN comparison with those
Of our own country, IN reference to numb1r. we
should b. found tn possess a more decided advan.
tage than one would be hkey to toresee. In
rnint Of wealth, we might yield in the respect.
oniy. that its distribution ia more universal-our
institutions frnwning, a. they should do. upon mo.
MED aristucracies, and all others OF similar
tendency. But il IS not wealth that produces
the greatest share Of happiness. We should be
corrupt indeed. did we envy the enjoyment OF
such a. have appropriated to themselves princi
palities Tor the qualification OF their own selfish
and pro6,less desires. Few Of US could endure,
with satisfied conscience. the objects Of humas
misery that everywhere crowd the theatres OF
European extravaganza. The miserable beggar
shlvering at our door, or psrishng IN the high
way for subsistence, would embtter, tn the very
dregs, the present cup of our rejoiciugs; the evil
dences of wealth would become spe"tres T.
pursue and haunt our brightest moments, and
make our existence a scene of continued horror
and despair
Fashionable occupations may DESTROY time. but
they can never make men wiser better. he
who sets out career of this sort must pre-
pare himself for much gloomy "reminiscences -
Conscience cannot cease to exercise her salu ary
influence, and when she has not the power to re-
clam, she may at least, iuHict merted chasrise
ment. There is M situation ol life, in which we
are not liable to review of the past. Our con.
dtion would be drporaoe indeed, IT. after life
of riot and dissipation, when our appetites have
become blun,ed, aud our capacity for enjoyment
gone forever, We should be left to drag cat the
remainder of existence, upon the resources
which we should then have remaining.
In our estimate of foreign character and pre-.
tensions, it shouid be our object TO guard as much
a. possible against deception. "All is not gold
that gtters." was the adtnonition OF wise po-
ct. 1t becomes US to dlvest ourselves OF every
influence. foreign to the purpose of enlightenns
our understanding, and enaeavor to penetrate
farther than the ornaments of gilded exterior.
Those who expect to shine with borrowed lus-
tire, must become. sooner or later. the victims Of
their own folly. The delu>ion may continue for
a season, but its existence will be brief, and the
reac non may not cease where the folly commenc-
ed. " mere we fail to treat with proper def.
ference the advances of those who are disposed
to meet US on terms of friendly intercourse, we
NAV Look for them in vain. when necessity com.
pels Us to narrow our views, aud content ourselves
in the humble walks OF life.
Could il be possible for US to follow to their
homes the majority of those who resort to this
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