The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-07

Imagination. Being rich, he showed his wisdom in &
yet broader light by the liberal disposal ofhs wealth
He wanted nothing and therefore not forced to
deceive any one. Three lovely wives studied to
please him, when he amused not himself with theil
discourse, he occupied his hours with philosophical
studies.
Near his beautiful dwelling, ornamented in the
richest style of the East, and encircled with dec-
ious gardens, lived an old Indian woman-a bigot
as weak minded as she was poor.
The Bramin one day thus addressed
" Would to God had never been borned" "And
why y demanded !. Because" said he, " have
studied for forty long years. and those forty years
count as lost. teach others, yet remain ignorant
my SELF This mournful truth hath bowed my spirit
even to the dust, and made life wearlsome burden.
| am born-I have my being in Time-yet know
not what time itself is. | stand point between
two eternties, as our sages say, and yet have no
idea of eternity. | am composed of matter, yet
have idea of matter, think and reason, yet
could never comprehend what produced thought.
am Ignorant whether my understanding be simply
faculty. such walking or digestion, or whether
think with my head as l seize with my hands.
Not only the principle of thought is unknown to me,
but the cause of motion is hidden from me likewise.
know not why exist, yet every day am tortured
with questions all these various points; answer
must, yet have nothing definite to say. speak
much and remain confused and ashamed with my
self after having spoken.
The matter is changed for the worse when the
ignorant demand of me whether Brama was crea-
ted by VItsonon, or whether they are both eternal
God is my witness, | am utterly Ignorant on the
subject, and my answers betray my ignorance
All, reverend father, they will say, tell us why
such a flood of evil has inundated this beautlous
earth am in as great pain as they who ask the
n III. IL Il.
provided for the best in this world, but they who
have been mutiIated in battle will not believe me,
nor can /. | shrink into myself, overwhelmed with
shame for my ignorance. peruse our ancient
books, and they but to deepen mental gloom.
converse with my companions; some reply that
the best philosophy is to enjoy life, and to mock
and deceive mankind while others think they
know something yet they but lose themselves in ex-
travagant ideas. Every thing adds to this one de-
vouring sorrow; and | am well nigh delivering up
my soul to despair when l reflect that, for all my
studies, know not either whence l came, what |
am, whittier go, or what will become of me-
The state of this good mans mind gave me real
pain. Never had | met with reasonable
or honest than this good Bramn and | reflected
that because he had been gifted by nature with
more enlightened mind and a sensible heart
han the rest of his caste, he was on that account
but the more miserable.
The same day called upon the old woman who
iwet in his neighborhood. | asked her if she had
ever felt sorry that she did not know how her soul
iad been created. She did not even understand my
question, nor had she ever reflected for a moment
IN human life or the thousand questions that tor
nented the mind of Bramin. She believed with all
,er heart in the metamorphoses Of Vitsnou and pro-
'ded she could obtain now and then some Of the
acred water of the Ganges, she believed herself the
lappiest woman alive.
Struck with the contcntment of the poor creature,
returned to my philosopher once more. Are you
ot ashamed said |. of deeming yourself unhappy
,hcn but few steps from your door there dwells
hat withercd automaton, who thinking of nought,
ct lives happy and conentr
You are right replied he; : a hundred times
ave said to myself, how happy would be, where
as ignorant as my poor old neighbor -and vet |
ould not purchase happiness at such a rate. This
nswer of my good Bramin made a greater mpres-
on on my mind than all that had passed before. l
amined myself, and found that l would not wish
be happy on condition of becoming a Ounce. |
referred the question to the philosophers, and they
ere likewise of my opinion. There is, however,
aid to myself) furious contradiction in this
ay of reasoning-how then shall act in this
,ater I They who live content with their existence
re perfectly convinced that they are content; but
,ey who reason much are never sure that their rea
,nlng is correct. Ii is then clear, said l. that it is
ettcr to want common altogether, seeing that
S possession but renders unhappy. Every one
as of my opinion; and vet l found that very few
ldeed would accept the bargain, and become weak
,inded in order that they might be happy. Thence
conclude that though we set great value on happi
ess we prize reason yet more. Yet after all, to
refer reason to felicity is well nigh madness. How
an explain away this difficulty As we do all
thers.-There is much to talk about on the ques-
on.-New Yorker. {