Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-03
Daily paper
Country paper
From the Nelo York American.
So per annum.
5 per annum.

LIZ
&c &c. vol; Philad. CAREY, LEA q
D. on.pn This is selection, as we learn
'f,on, preliminary notice, from several nun
dred. letters written by John hanooipn u
vonng relative, and which extend through Pc
Rod from early youth to mature manhhoou.
They indicate very strikingly the pecuilarl-
rios of the writer's character, and combine win
,nuch sagacious observation, sound maxims,
.nd valuable counsels, good deal that Is ego
,;stical strange and little. The measure OF IN
a,loence however, which the friends OF that
d;stinuushed individual may be entitled to ex-
meet for him from his contemporaries and from
posterity, will be judged of by the following sao
note to letter elk:
mTh;s letter was written during lucid inter
val of alienation of mind; which, Tor the nrs!
time amounted to positive dehrlum. fts vi
canrice and petulance, following days OF the
deepest gloom, had, for years previously, over
Swallowed his mind, evincing llle eAlsseno o;thor
some corroding care, lof which nc noi'o'
souuht. nor would receive any sympathy;
For many weeks, his conduct towards NY
Golf who was the only inmate OF MS nousenoiu,
had been marked by contumeIous mus 49,, TO-
,,hich il required almost heroic patience 10 en-
dnre even when aided by an aftectonate deVo-
s:n ord an anxious wish to alleviate the ago
o" &c snch a mind in ruins. All hope OF attain,
inc this end, finally failed; and, when ne iouno
that would no longer remain win hin luo
above letter was written; IS alnloS' ,;tb him
TO say with wnal enecl ieniA
two wears longer. - u,.o
THE truth and beauty OF the eastern aheso-
WV of the man endowed with two souls, was
never more forcibly exemphhed than IN ms
case. In his dark days, when the evil genus n!e
predominated, the austefe VlnalctlVenes59 e. Grcy
feelings towards those that dlstempereu lahoy
denicfed as enemies, or as delinquent IN tfuth
or honor was horribly severe and remorseiess'
On the contrary, when the benevolent gem
us had the ascendant, no one ever knew ucs
ter how to feel and express the tenoeIeSt Nliu
ness. or TO evince, in countenance ana mahhei'
gentler benevolenee OF heart"
We fear that the disease, for such undoubted-
w If became, had originally more connection
with the evil passions of the heart, than "ouiu
seem consistent with the "gentle benevoiehce"
thus imputed to his happier moments. Poiiti-
cal dsappointmenI was not we apprehehd,
tits share in inducing "the gloom" OF his
,r;nd-though his aspirations in politics even,
saemed always vague, desiring notorlety appar-
entlv rather than power-and therefore resent
tna--;ndifferences of which in his later letters
he more than once complains, as personal Of
fence:
We annex some extracts from the Letters:
uDo not undervalue the character of the real
gentleman which is the most Respectable
amongst men. 1t consists not of plate, and
euuipage, and rich living, any more than IN the
diseases which that mode oflife engenders; but
in truth. courtesy. bravery, generosity, and
learning which last, although not essential to
il vet does very much to adorn and illustrate
the character of the true gentleman Tommy
Merton,s gentlemen were no gentlemen, except
in the acceptation of innkeepers, (and the great
oil he IL whom
who rides in a coach and six. is three times as
great a gentleman as he who drives post
chaise and pair. Lay down this as principle,
that truth is to the other virtues, what vital air
is to the human system: Ihey Cannon exist az
all without it; and as the body may live under
diseases. if supplied with pure air for its con-
SUMPTION so may the character survive many
defects, where there is rigid attachment TO
truth All equirocdtiOn and subterfuge belong
to falsehood, which consists, not in using false
words only but in conveying false impressions,
no matter how; and if person deceive him.
self and T. by my silence, suffer him to remain
i'm that error | am implicated in the deception,
unless he be one who has no right to rely upon
me for information: in that case, tits plain,
could not be instrumental in decelvlng him.
"To form good habits is almost as easy as to
fall into bad. What is the difference between
an industrious, sober man and an Idle drunken
one, but their respective habits! lis Just as ca
sy for Mr.. Harrison to be temperate and active,
as lis Tor poor Knowles I'D De TIE Ic'SISej Will
this great difference, that, exclusive OF the Ell
fects Of their respective courses of life on their
responsibility and fortunes, the exercises of the
one are followed by health, pleasure and peace
of mind, whilst those of the other engender DIS
ease, pain and discomfort, squalid misery, and
the contempt of the world contrasted with'afflu-
ent plenty, smiling family, and the esteem of
all good men, Perhaps you cannot believe that
there exists being who would hesitate which
of these two lots to choose. Alas! my son, vice
puts on such alluring shapes Incidence is so Sc
ducing, that Qike the flies in Esop,) we revel
whilst the sun shines, and for few hours tenn
porary pleasure pay the price of perishing mise.
rably i'm the winter of our old age. The indus |
trious ants are wiser. By little forbearance
at the moment by setting just value on the f.
ture, and disregarding present temptation, they
secure an honorable and comfortable asylum.
All nature, my son, is volume, speaking COM
fort and offering instruction TO the good and
wise. But the fool saith in his heart, There is
no Cod he shuts his eyes to the great book OF
Nature that lies open before him. Your fate,
my dear Theodorick is in your own hands,