Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-28
From the Mobile Register.
SATURDAY EVENING.

How much is to be done2 NV hopes and fears
Start up alarmed, and DER lite's narrow verge
Look dOwn--on what?
"Could but retrace my steps through life re-
tanning my present experience, how many Sc
rious mistakes mi ght avoid; in numerous instan-
ces where passion betrayed me should reason
govern where prejudice mised, candor should
be my guide; how many omitted duties should
be performed; the effects of howmany errors be
averted." 8 Were life to live again, how differ
ent should the retrospect appear"
Perhaps there is not human being to whose
heart reflections like these have not come at
some period of existence. There are none so Ell :
tirely enraptin business or drowned in thought
less amusement or besotted by criminal gratifi-
cations, as never to have one hour of self COM
munion;--as never to cast lingering look up
on their devious path, or give one anxious
thought towards the uncertain way upon which
still rests the shadow of futurity. But natural
ly as such reflections arise they are as vain as
they are specious. In general, they are deceit
full emolhents, which serve only slightly, to heal
the wounds which conscience in faithfulness in
flicts. 1t is easy, when the excited feelings have
had time to subside to review series of actions,
and imagine how much more wisely they might
have been conducted; for according to an old
saying, after thoughts are best ones but in TRUTH
thesame occasion would rouse the same passion;
in spite of experience and good resolutions we
tons which had conquered before, and thus fur
nish fresh materials for new selfreproach
In support OF this assertion, we can cite as ev-
idence our own practice, and that of men in
general Ifindeed we be candid in saying that
were we to live again the years that are past
they should be applied to nobler purposes, why
do we not begin to live to day? We need not
supplicate that the lengthenng shadow which
points to fe's meridian should be mifaculously
thrown backward; we have yet a life before
uS-uncertain it is true in its duration, but
long enough to live TO duty. We may not,
cannot resist the impetuous current which is
hurrying us through time; it were in vain to sigh
for the smooth wat ers of youth and innocence
which we have left behind but surely, prudence
might teach us to crowd the brief space which
remains, with works of such nature as shall
not embitter our final. review of life Even
though far advanced on our voyage, it is not
too late to :" put good works on board, and wait
the wind that shortly watts US into worlds I'M
known" That such is not the usual result of
the reviews which men take from time TO time,
OF life, is obvious. The alarmed bosom is Stiled
by half formed resolves of reformation by inef-
tectual regrets and cheap acknowledgements;
while warned by conscience, convinced by eX-
perience, the individual too often pursues the
very course which he has been deprecating, I'M
til awake at last too late, he finds " his brittle
bark is burst on Charon's shore"
Many, many thus trifie through life, childishy
playing with opportunities which may never re-
turn and indulging that maddest of all folly, to
reject the claims of duty, even when their force
is deeply felt--to say tomorrow, when Heaven
and conscience say, to-day. How common is it
to hear suchpersons lament their past useless
ness and errors with every appearance ofsincer-
ity but one-that of beginning to amend. 1t then
poor deception we put upon ourselves, when
we rest upon the desire of being virtuous with
cut striving actually to be so; it is fallacious
nope that soothes us with the expectation that
we shallbecome, at some future period what we
are not willing to be at present The future
alas what frail support to creatures of day;
how many unfuliled resolutions, disappointed
hopes, obliterated promises, are written on its
uncertainty! With what presumption does man
reckon on the coming hour2 1t never has been
promised aim. Of all the minutes which COM
pose the ages of times duration, the only one
. pvef winch we have control is the one that waits
apon US now. The use of time, the instant wise
IS inenl OF Its moments, is the only means
u ~ alaAlng 1t blessing. Absurd or wasted, it
plate. "'''' p'i''iui -
Should we then, in an hour of solemn retire
~. fehect upon the irretrievable past. when
rs errors rise painfully upon the memory. cast
.ls gloom over the future. when reasons. con-
Suuulhg WIN our bosom monitor bids us pause :
en lne dissatisfied spirit recoils as it SURVEYS
iesponslDllitlcs and omissions, let us beware
NV Wv we trust to any mere resolve. however SIN
'r we may be in its formation. Whatever
V'f pe fpe cause of our anxiety. whether auilt