Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-05

ed INSIGNIFICANT or unknown. Mr.. Maxwell al
yerted to various instances in illustration OF this.
He referred to the feuds--to the religious ieel.
inss that prevailed, TO the ardent loyalty, to the
devotion of the highland chieftian, and the ro'
mantle fidelity of others, all illustrated with so
much power and interest He spike OF the
power Of Scott in describing the battles, perso'
nal contl.cts and forays, and remarked as to the
truth of Burns's description OF dying soldier,
SO forcibly portrayed BY Scott.
Ma cauld faint hearted doubtngs tease him.
Death comes VII fearless eve he sees him,
VII biuidy hand welcome gi'es him,
And when he fa's
His latest drought and bst ers sab HIM
In faint huzzas
ME- Maxwell said, that no one but a Scotch
man could fully appreciate the novels OF Sir
Walter, where Scottish life and character were
the prominent features. The Scottish tongue
was enormously supposed by many to be kind
of corrupted Enelish-this was not SO. 1t had
been, aud was yet. to a considerable extent. q
national language. 1t was the native tongue OF
" allace and Bruce, OF the statesmen and p,trl-
OTIS and scholars of Scotland. 1t was connected
in its expressions aud pecularities, with the man.
ners aud feelings of The people. 1t had to the
ear and heart Of Scotchman, an influence and
puwer, arising from the dear charities of domes-
pleasures-That with this diff, uly interposed
to the English or American reader. 1t was only a
wonder that they eniuyed and rei>hed SD fully,
what could not BE- so well understood by stran
ger. Hut he was afraid that he was getting out
Of the topics which we're appropriate TO the oc.
casiun of his remarks. He would direct their
attention to the writings of Scott. IN another
point of view 1t was great merit. as he
thought. that Sir Waiter Scott wrote for man
kind. He was noparty slave, no bigoted secta-
ran, no vena partizan>hls path was not hack
neyed by prosttu,ed learning lie wrote for the
amusement and qualification Of the world. With
no vanity or arrogance. No ribald vein was to
be found in the rich mine OF his intellectual trea-
sures Not one drop uf bitterness had been pour
ed into the golden goblet out of which all Britain
had Quaffed SO many years with Sratlfed delight
1t was worthy Of notice that though the pro.
auctions of his pen had been published in the
most despotic countries Of Europe, where guards
are placed against the publications of the British
press. yet that the Dlgots and tyrants IN church
and state, had not yet taken the alarm as to the
effect Of Scott's writings in political view
1t was not. he thought, that these writings
were exempted, on account of their discOnnec-
ton with liberal political principles Of personal
freedom aud political principe-it was because
tueV III 'HiS particular udu
not been discovered. The truth was, that in the
works Of Scott, the principles Of personal free,
dom aud political privileges, were most strongl y
and frequently put forward. I, wa. not so much
in the direct avowal and open confession, as in
the Incident and sentiments connected with prl-
vate and individual conduct and feeling. IL II
be true. that liberty thrives best where the do
mestic affections are right set and grsciousv cul
tivated, it NAV yet be reserved for Waltar-Scntt
to have made more powerful effort in favor of
freedom, than has yet been attempted by any
professed political d'squisi'on
But who. he asked. could louk on the last thur
ty years Of the private and pubic ile of Scott
without admiration? l. was an example for eve.
nv man. IL Kindness, domestic endearment,
hospitality, gentleness TO every creature, ne love
! Nv and amiable, how estmabie must Sir W alter
Scott be in the opinions Of the world. His SIN.
ceTity--hs exemption from the arrogance and Va.
nifty OF literary men-the we'll arranged system
OF his atflirs-hs sense 0findeprndenc. & his con.
vIctons Of duty-all unite to make a strong con
trast when ne is compared with manv of the il.
lustrious names III English literature. Dryden,
Pope, Swift. aud other distinguished names. were
more or less impeiled by political preiudices,
sectarian views and feelings. or private SPLEEN
IL could not be said OF Scott as was said by Gold.
smith OF Burke:
Who. born for the Universe, narrowed his mind
And to party gave up what mean: for mankind +"
He said. he could not help thinking that Sir
Walter Scott. in the days Of his prosperity, when
ne was receiving rich reward for his literary la
bors. must have thought and acted in the spirit
OF Burns's advice to young friend:
To court dame Fortunes golden smile
Assiduous wait upon her;
And gather gear by every vile
That's justified by honor;
No for to hide it in a hedge,
Nor for train attendant,
But for the glorious privilege
0f being Independent
And he thought likewise, that the glorious sem
timent. also so gloriously expressed bv Burns.
when ruin had fallen on his for,unes-when he
saw 10 moment the prospects of whole life
snatched a~ay-he thought that the sentiment of
Burns was ever in his mind to sustain and cheer
lin
Wha FIJI honest nnvertv