Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-06-19
:WtsrelIaneous.
From the Nerv York .AmeYiean.

we learn from apreliminary notice, from several
hundred letters written by John Randolph 20 n
Young relative, and which extend through a pc
Pod from early youth to mature manhood
They Indicate very strikingly the peculiarities
loi the writer's character, and combine with
much sagacious observation, sound maxims, and
valuable counsels, good deal that IS egotistica
strange and little. The measure of indulgence
however, which the friends Of that distinguished
individual may be entitled to expect for him
from his contemporaries aud from posterity, will
be judged Of by tha following sad note to letter
elk:
''This letter was written during a
lucid interval of alienation of mind;
which, for the first time, amounted to
positive delirium. Fits of caprice and
petulance, following days of the deep
est gloom, had, for years previously,
overshadowed his mind, evincing the
existence of some corroding care, for
which he neither sought, nor would 70.
ceive any sympathy.
"For many weeks, his conduct to-
wards myself, who was the only inmate
of his household, had been marked by
contumelious indignities which it re-
quired almost heroic patience to en-
dure, even when aided by an affection
ate devotion, and an anxious wish to
alleviate the agonies of such mind in
ruins. All hope of attaining this end,
finally failed; and, when he found that
| would no longer remain with him,
the above letter was written; it is al
most needless to say with what effect.
| remained with him two years longer.
"The truth and beauty of the east
ern allegory, of the man endowed
with two souls, was never more forci-
bly, exemplified than in his case. In
his dark days, when the evil genius
predominated, the austere vindictive-
ness of his feelings towards those that
q distempered fancy depicted as enc
mics, or as delinquent in truth OF no.
nor, was horribly severe and remorse-
less.
"On the contrary, when the benevo-
lent genius had the ascendant, no one
ever knew better how TO feel and ex-
press the tenderest kindness, or to
levince, in countenance and manner,
gentler benevolence of heart"
We fear that the disease, for such undoubted-
lily it became, had originally more connection
with the evil passions of the heart, than would
seem consistent with the "gentle bcnevolence"
thus imputed to his happier moments. Political
disappointment was not, we apprehend, without
its share in inducing ''tho gloom" of his mind
though his aspirations in politics even, seemed
always vague, desiring notoriety apparently
rather than power--and therefore resentng-
Iindifferences of which in his later letters he
more than once complains, personal offence
| We annex some extracts from the Letters:
"Do not undervalue the character
lof the real gentleman, which is the
most respectable amongst men. 1t con-
Isists not of plate, and equipage, and
rich living, any more than in tho dis
cases which that mode of life engen-
ders; but in truth, courtesy, brave
ry, and generosity, and learning,
which last, although not essential to
| it, yet does very much to adorn and
illustrate, the character of the true
gentleman. Tommy Merton's gentle
men were no gentlemen, except in
the acceptation of innkoepers, (and the
lgreat vulgar, as we'll as the small, }
with whom he who rides in coach
and six, is three times as great gen.
ltleman as he who drives post chaise
and pair. Lay down this as a princi-
pie, that truth is to the other virtues,
>, what vital air is to the human system.
They cannot exist at all without it;
and as the body may live under dis
eases if supplied with pure air for its
consumption, so may the character
survive many defects, where there is a
Irigid attachment to truth. All equi-
rocation and subterfuge belong to
falsehood, which consists, not in using
false words only, but in conveying
, false impressions, no matter how; and
tif a person deceive himself, and |, by
my silence, suffer him to remain in
that error, am implicated in the de-
ception, unless he be one who has no
, right to rely upon me for information:
, in that case, it's plain, | could not be
r instrumental in deceiving him.
"To form good habits is almost as
j easy as to fall into bad. What is the
+ difference between an industrious, so.
her man and an idle drunken one, but
: their respective habitsl IT'S just as
| easy for Mr.. Harrison to be temperate
j. and active, as tits for poor Knowles tt
be the reverse; with this great differ
}, ence, that, exclusive of the effects o
! their respective courses of life on theil
!. Responsibility and fortunes, tine exer
!, cises of the one are followed by health
e pleasure and peace of mind, Wills
8 Those Of the other engender disease
pain and discomfort, squalld misery
and the contempt of the world, con
trasted with aflluent plenty, a smiling
> family, and the esteem of all good men
j. Perhaps you cannot believe that Their
ot exists being who would hesitate
p which of these two lots TO choose
Il. tl...-