Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-09

ed States, he rendered important services 10 MS
country, and established clai" to the eVeriast-
Ing veneration Of his felow-cltizens. The ao'est
state papers issued by the old Congress were
written by Mr.. Jay. and his essays IN the fede-
ralist are worthy Of being there.
Soon after negotiating the famous treaty o'
1894 with England, he yielded to sincere love
of retirement and study. having served his coun.
trv efficiently and faithfully, dedicated himself
in modest and noiseless seclusion, to learning,
philanthropy, and devotion. The evening Of his
life was long and quiet.
Richard Henry Lee From what has been said
and written of this distinguished man. it appears
that from the commencement Of our Revolutionary
struggles to their end, he wasor patriotism, states
manship. and oratory, regarded as the Cicero OF
his country. Hewas remarkable even "amldst
the crowd Of patriots" for sensitive and impa-
tent love of liberty; and this he encouraged and
nf1amed BY a fond contemplation Of those bright
and melancholy examples, which the victims OF
ancient and modern tyranny have lett In the cha
racters of Phocion, of Cato of Sidney and OF Rus
sci This gave to his classical and chaste elocu-
ton tone of depth and Inspiration, which, set
of as it was by majestic figure, noble coun-
tenance, and graceful delivery, charmed while
it reused or convinced his auditory. Though he
never poured down upon agitated assemblies,
cataract of mingled passion and logic like Patrick
Henry, vet he visited the excited attention and
enchanted fancy Of his hearers, with regulated
flow of harmonious language, generous sentl-
ment, and lucid argument which, like the stream
OF a far descended flood, had more OF the force
than the noise OF torrent
In his personal character, he was just, benevo-
lent, and high spirited; domestic IN his tastes,
and too proud to be ambitious of popularity.
The following remarks from correspondent of
the New York American, under the head Of
=. Our Churches" are so just and we'll express
ed, that we think we shall be doing service in
re.puhlishing them
There are some points of church regulation to
which the argument Of private property cannot
be applied, and shall briefly discuss some Of the
prominent ones.
| should like TO inquire. for instance, why the
neither extremity should, par erceueace. be term
ed the heal Of pew. and, as such, become the
place, and the only place for iadys Some may,
perhaps, deem it gratuitous. if say that, in the
house of the king of kings" where mankind
are professedlyl cOngregated to worship Him,
strict rule concerning best and second best''
paces, is an uniting etiquette; but, setting aside
this consideration. where is the intrinsic differ
ence between the two ends of pew?-and, il
there be none. why should a custom be tolerated
which has no foundation but that same ever
lasting fashion, and no consequence but that
of keeping a whole congregation IN confusion
during the commencement OF every servIce!-
It Is no uncommon thing to see four gentlemen
parade themselves out OF pew to admit one la
DIV, and march back again in Indian file, with as
much good humOr such an unnecessary dlstur-
bance would naturally inspire; while, in the mean
time, a dozen families are waiting for the aisle to
be cleared before they can proceed to their own
seats. This thing occurring every Sabbath, and
simultaneously in every part OF every church,
produces a confusion quite unbecoming the time
and place. When gentlemen attend ladies to
the church, there certainly can be no objection
to their yielding the precedenceo seats IN an &C.
cupied pew; out there are objections. and serious
ones, against dispac,ng persons already seated.
The late DR.. Mason expressed his dlsarprobation
of this custom from the pulp wish clergymen
Ct the present day would exert their influence to
the same effect.
Another custom, prevalent in all public assem-.
bes, is especially Objectionable in church. II
an umbrella happens to fall, three hundred peo-
pie, at a moderate calculation, twist their heads
over their shoulders to ascertain the precise spot
where the event took place. II a child cries, or
door is closed with more than ordinary empha-
sis. the same result follows: Bonaparte's Imperi-
al Guard never obeyed "right about face more
promptly. nor with more mechanical precision,
than the church going people OF New York per-
form the same evolution at the we'll known man
date of top-heavy umbrella. The utility of this
| shall not have the hardwood II questions; but
who that goes to church with devotional purpose,
can fail of being ANNOYED at the hustle which the
reverson of so many head,, and especially of
many huge bonnets, necessarily produces? The
casualty of dropping an umbrella, or book, is
insignificant in itself. and could never prove an
Inconvenience if people were content to let it
pass without Rotice; but every one makes it his
business and looks ito 1t as such, it becomes a
perfect nuisance, so to speak, and sis repl roach
| to any people"
The manner Of conducting the music in many
Of our churches, is fair subject of complaint.
The Episcopal service 10. not liable to this objec
ton. because the organ. even if not accompanied
by good singing, at least gives regularity and