Richmond palladium., 1833-08-10

For tie Rieas1 Rsltsaix1.
Friend Ed;sor-I wouA not have wTie-l
ten any more on this subject, if some Of
the Nold Csiendsn had not said in my
presence that shey thought Anna vas enI
the right side, and that she was a much
s.smarte, gisl" than Mary. That touched
my Hooshes pride, thoush l did not doubt
the fact Now make M psetensions to
seyle N wrif;ng,-what have seen and
hard, shisk and believe, lean tell in my
own plain-Iike wav. lhave never asso
ciated in the 'splondors Of . gay eastern
city," therefore know nothing but what
have learned in
"My own-my nasive' Hoosher land.
Iwould not recommend the indiscrimi-
nate reading Of all novels. ] admit that
judicious selection, and previous mental
discipline are indispensable to their USE
falness 70 any mind. speak Of It only
a. IN embcllishment and incentive to
study; not a. making great men or fine
ladies. No adventurous circumstance
makes the truly great man, and 80 many
etcetras enter INTO the formation of the ac-
complished lady, that micro reading cam
not be supposed to constitute il. No ra-
tionai being would for IN instant advance
such anidea. Yet works Of fancy arc un-
doubtedly sources from whence may be
derived fragments Of the undefinable
whole that compose the useful and orna-
mental.
HIsroav, comes to us from thousand
different sources, and the erudite histo-
rian collects the matter Of his volume
from other cleaners in the waste and des-
olated fields Of the past-from time-worn
sayings, and defaced parchments, render
Cd almost illegibie by the mildews Of time
from coins and medals-and tradition,
which at best 10 but shadow. Trace
history back q few centuries, and how
soon does it gather around i, the indis-
ssinct mist Of antiquity, which none can
penetrate? A faint ray glimmers on the
prominent deeds Of some mighty warrior
or conqueror, who arose, and Aourished,
and fell! lthas been truly said, "hissory
6des intofable, and facts become clouded
by doubt and controversy" I admire
history and love poetry. I should de-
light tostand by the ruins Of Baby ylon, and
hear the hollow murmur Of the Euphrates,
and the rushing pinion of the melancholy
bittern ITO muse by the catacombs of
Egypt-the cruuhbling palaces Of Thebes
TO weep at the grave Of Saphronia-1
and gaze upon the seven hill'd city oil
Rome. Ihave been lost in the sublimity
Of Milton-descended into myself by the |
command Of Young.-and examined the
gay partcrre with Hervey. Yet l would !
linger with as much melancholy pleasure
BY the Foutain Of vaucluse, as the tomb
Of Sc'Pio; and I would feel as much inter-
est At the Paraclete or the repose of wer-
tor, ~ at the Sarcophagus Of Alexander.
When works Of fiction are perused as a
recreation, and not a. DISSATISFACTION
It serves to introduce us into other scenes
Of society than those which arbitrary cir
cumstances will not allowu Us to witness, it
mustcertainly enlarge our sphere ofknow-
'edee, and consequently serves to eniiebt-
en-, rather than darken the understanding
Historical romance, founded BY Jane
Porter, which thy correspondent alludes
10, and pursued % extensively by the un. ;
r'val'ed Of his ago, Sir Walter Scott. pre-
sents US with subjects calculated to ava
ke" all the nobler feelings Of the soul.
VIII a highly beautiful wrought picture |.
Of moral sublimify weaken the heart.-
Such heart must he singularly coustitu. /
led. lam unable to comprehend i,s CON- a
position. And an image oftruth per.oui-
lied dosing nothing Of its angelic bright
messy we surely have in the simple Je.n;.
Deans. We have indecision Of char.c,.r 7
IN Edward Waverly; yet DO We find our
'e'ves more undecided in the paths Of ,
virtue, alter contemplating the inconve- =
nlences . want Of firmness occasioned Z