Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-10-22
[From the N. Y. Weekly Messenger.
VANITY OF HUMAN GREATNESS.

L
The following advisory remark, by an in.
spired prophet to his familiar friend. contains
a volume Of instruction: .4nd setkeSt tho,
great things for thy self? Seek them not
Nothing is more certain than the vanity OF
human greatness, not only for that it is trans
itory and perishable, but also because it is
often accompanied with a more than ordinary
share Of discomfort and vexation.
If we consider the first and greatest Of all
worldly distinctions mean extraordinary gifts
Of nature-even these. FOR the most part, are
heavily taxed by the impartial hand of the
giver. The few men Of real original genius,
flew indeed in comparison to the number Of
those who lay claim to that high disinctioul
SO fer from being the happiest, are often the
most wretched Of mor,als. The irritablcness
and spleen of distinguished authors, and es-
pecialy of poets, are proverblal. The same
texture and tone of the nervous system,
which qualify them for soaring into the re-
gions of fancy, or for painting nature in all
hues, disqualify them for enjoying in an equal
measure with the rest Of mankind, the COM
mon comforts and blessing of life, not to men,
ton the bitterness Of rivalry and the torments,
jealousy, which they are fated to feel and en-
dure, So that, as regards ease and comfort,
plain common sense, with controlled passions,
is far better than genius, when taxed, as it
often is, with morbid sensibiity, and with
passions violent and ungovernable.
The greatest beauties are seldom the most
amiabe, the most discreet and respectable, :,
or the most happy Of women while, not un-
frequently their beauty has been their ruin.
And indeed if we were to make a general
survey of the extraordinary gifts Of nature,
and weigh together in the balances, their ad-
vantages and disadvantages as regards the
comfort Of the possessors, we should find that
in many, if not in most instances, the latter
are fully equal to the former.
Nor are the gifts Of fortune exempt from
heavy taxation. Vast wealth brings on its
possessors load Of ucessant care, generates
dispositions and feelings incompatible with
quiet enjoyment, and oft-times makes profit
gates of her children. Nay, even power,
that idol of bnman ambiton-even power, for
which riches themselves are chiefly convert
ed, is, ordinarily accompanied with more of
vexation than enjoyment.
While, on a time, ! was reading in the
Memoirs Of General Lee, that Washington
when speaking on the subject Of death,
would often declare, that he would not repass
his life were it at his option While reading
this extraordinary passage, ] was touched
with momentary surprlze. What can this
thing be so? The man whose life was COW
cred with glory, beyond that Of almost any
other mortal-could he be unwilling to travel
over again the same brilliant path, and to en-
Joy anew the same high honors! could he
find such life tedious and irksome!-A few
moments reflection we're sufficient, however,
TO convince Inc that the thing was neither
incredible nor wonderful. In the seven years
of war, and the eight years of his administra-
tion, his solicitude and anxiety, lest haply by
some imprudent step he should commit the
interests of his country, far out-weigbcd, in
all probability, every thing of real enjoyment
that human greatness can bestow. Nor is it
to think that during those fif.
teen anxious years, many day layborer, nay,
many menial servant, enjoyed a greater por-
ton Of unalloyed worldly comfort, than the
Illustrious man whom the world held in such
admiration.
The object Of the foregoing train Of reflec-
ions, is not at all to decry genius, or beauty, Z
,r riches, or power; but rather to evince that 8
nan or woman, in moderate circumstances. .
md ungifted with any uncommon endow-
nents, may be quite as happy without these c
plendid distinctions as those are who pos c
ess them. For the enjoyment Of every es. :
entail comfort that this world can afford,
,cre is need only Of health and competence,
,gether with a contented mind and thankful
cart. II