Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-04
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
LITTELL's MUSEUM.

The following extracts are taken from varie.
ty OF articles in the last number Of this we'll Sc
Iected miscellany. The observations upon the
English Press in the first extract, might be en-.
larged upon with advantage TO our own, whose
recklessness frequently induces one to believe,
that while every other species Of property is am.
ply protected, character, the most valuable Of
all, may be assaied upon the slightest grounds,
and injured with mpunity. In politics especial.
ly. if ever leviathan mind ventures among the
mnnows that astate that stormy sea. It is treated
in its approaches to station, BY those who already
occupy it, as whales are by sailors. when they
pump out the bilge water to drive away the mon
STEERS from their ship.
The seeing to the support and establishment of
good Papers is as essential as electing good mem.
bers Let no man say this Paper is too clever,
too able, too witty. too industrious, too inform.
ing, to want subscribers: let such persons now
learn once for ALL that these are qualities which
appeal to the few.-that noisy appeals to gross
preiudlces, a, rhetorical handling Of common
places, or the vet more vulgar resources of bloc.
DIV murder, rotten scandal, or filthy exploit, are
more to the taste of the general, than the most
pointed or most efficient piece Of writing that
can leave the pen of the most accomplished wri-
ter Of the age. Let each man take up the cause
Of his favorite paper 1.-THE favorte he dares avoto)
as If il were his own,-for it is his own; and by
inqulring into its wants. BY the aid OF his SER
vices, by the contribution Of his active exertiOns.
do all that within him lies for the propagation
and establishment Of the opinions he approves
and Joins in. The duty Of subscriber is not
done when he has paid his sevenpence or his shil-
ling. or perhaps only contributed his centesimal
fraction to the club or reading room; for II he be
one Of the elite. let him look around him, and see
how few there are like him, and whether or not,
Of those few, the most have not been drawn into
some other and less worthy channel. or have ne
yer had their attention awakened' TO the great
poiuts Of the duty of the Public to q good Jour.
nal.
Iceland.-Hans. FInsten, native Of this re.
mote quarter of Europe, has lately published an
interesting pamphlet on the diminution OF the po'
pula,ion Of Iceland, owing to unfavorable years
He observes, that, previously 70 the fourteenth
century. the number of inhabitants was comput.
ed at 100, 900, but that, at present 1t does not
exceed $4,000. Hopes Of renewed increase
are derived from the declining violence OF volca.
mic eruptions, the lava and ashes of which have
acted very periodically, both on the health OF
individuals and ANIMALS, as well as from the ex.
tension of horticulture and fisheries, the latter OF
which are no longer prosecuted in fragile barks,
but in stout seaworthy vessels.
The sublime.-Our German friends are in the
habit of publicly announcing the demise OF their
near relatives with tribute 10 their memory -
In how poetical fashion this is sometimes done,
take the foh owing: which we have pilfered to the
very letter from Rbensh paper-in prOoi:--
8. The insnosi feelings OF nv adored husband
went TO sisep. quietly and happily. IN the 10th
instant. The extent of my suffering none know
better than mvseli: nor my present condition, nor
the sfagnation of business. -nuoh less the dead
,eeiydn. which altogether strains my IONS lie,
rho dear departed. Frederick NJ, was my
husband. epeyu inch of him; he was partner 10
all the Affections Of life with myself; and Ssi'
therefore, euery one speedy and happy an
End a. his. 70 enjoy the folly Of Lille with
groaniny of the Spirit. this is what call mr.
me and understanding; patience and wakefai,
ness. and melancholy and ecsfncy and to ou'ia
The mansion of peace in ones own bosom. are te9
thousand times more costly possessions than go'o
or p;rfue Our business will not hitch; and
will do my utmost as ss'dow.
his not, in truth. upon the highways OF soci-
civ that any man will acquire knowledge OF hu.
man nature. That narrow view OF it winch Is
c,Iled know,edse Of the world may, indeed. be
obtained there; but this commonly excludes
more kno~ ledge Of human nature than II cum.
nrses. All that is best worth knowing 10 the
paturs Of man; all that Of which men OF The orid
are. il not unconscious and incredolous but little
sne,;,.ut--his stronger affections, his prOloun.
der pass"u. more fixed sympa.hs,, ii, Ii. more
fatal antipsthiss most commonly IN. ,ns p,s
s;on are the most exuberant growth PoPuious,
cities have been reputeJ to be chosen sbodes Of
wickedues.; put it is in reality. only the lesser
criminal statistics show. to the disproot Of the
current opinions upon THIS mattel om; ,. i"t by the
rural population. Its viii them that good and
evil appear each in their unmitigated strength,