The native American., 1837-12-09
From the London Spectator.
THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW.
By THE REV. ORvILLLE DEWEY, LATE OF New
BEDFORD, U. s.


BEDFORD, U. ).
[Extracts.l
December III have been to-day through
the museum of the Capitol again, and have be-
come convert entirely to the common opinion
about the DYING Gladiator. The truth is, | did
not take time enough before, and especially not
enough of mental time, which is quetness, ease
of mind, leisure of the thoughts, to receive the
impression. The gladiator has fallen; but with II
the last effort of his uncomfortable resolution he
supports himself with his right hand and arm
and seems to contemplate his sad fate with firm
ness, but with feeling of inexpressible bitter
ness. 1t is not however, the bitterness of anger:
for death is in his face, and it has tanned down.
the ercer passions, and left no expression incon-
sstent with its own all-subduing Though |
he appears as if he might be man of an humble
and hard lot, yet there is delicacy spread over
the stronger features of his countenance. that
makes it almost beautiful; you feel as if there
were more than the wilderness of the marble in
his pale cheek. But while he thus Yields to his
fate while the blood flows from his wounded
side, and the pulses of life are faint and low, yetI
he still sustains HIMSELF his hand is firm and
strong; his brow is gathered into an expression off
unconquerable resolution, as well as of unavang
regret; and although, when you look at the parted
lips, it seems as if you could almost hear the
hard breathing that issues from them, yet about
the mouth there is, at the same time, the finestl
expression of indomitabe will and invincible for
titude. In short this is the triumph of the mind
over the sinkings of nature in its last hour
Every thing here invites your respect, rather than
your pity; and even if you should find YOURSELF
giving tear to the dying gladiator, you will feel
tina: it is given quite as much to admiration as to
sympathy,
BEGGARS IN DUBLIN.
Dublin is indeed fine city, and filled with no.
BILE mansions and snowy epuipages but alas! all
is marred by this dismal-looking population. Full
half that meet in the streets are very shabbily
dressed, many in rags,-the boys would collect in
America, and the very dogs would bark at specta-
cles that pass me every moments men and women
on every side begging; women with children in
their arms, imploring charity for Gods sake; yes,
innocent childhood is here involved in the COM
mon mass of misery, and that is the hardest of it
to the spectator. Indeed, have seldom seen any
thing more striking or touching than child sleep
ing in its mothers arms amid all this surrounding
turmoil Of distress. 1t is actually picturesque, if
one may say so: the image of repose amid noise
and turbulence; innocence amid vice and wretch
edness; unconscious ease on the bosom of suf-
thetically than the wan and haggard features Of
maternal solcitude. No doubt, there is good
deal of acting in this system of beggary. For in
stance, saw little girl last evening seated on
the curb-stone of the sidewalk, and holding in
her arms sleeping infant, but holding candle at
the same time to exhibit the infant to the
dest advantage. This is going on the stage pref
ty early. What the receipts were do not know,
but they doubtless expected to be repaid the out
lay of lights and wardrobe and something more.
GENERAL ASPECT OF BELGIUM.
The change in passing from France to Belgium
at Baisieux, just before entering Tourney, is very
striking; altogether in favor of Belgium as to neat
ness, comfortable appearance oflving, and houses;
though thought there was rather a Flemish hea-
viness about the faces Of the people, neater and
more comfortable as they were.
Every where on the route, but especially in
Belgium, the women seemed to do as much and
hard and various work as the men: they tramp
about in wooden shoes, which adds a double APP
pearance of heaviness to their movements, and
almost of slavery to their condition. The country
is very rich and well cultivated; but it impressed
me with strange feeling of melancholy all the
while for there seemed nothing in it but toll and
its fruits; no intelligence, apparently, in the gene
raj countenance; no leisure, no agreeable looking
country houses, or cottages embowered with
trees; no gardens with people walking or sitting
in them; no person having the air Of gentlemen
or ladies riding or walking out as entered or
left the villages and cities; and the cities and vii
lagos not wearing inviting aspect with close
narrow streets, irregular, DID, obstinately fixed in
stone against all improvement, and filled with
men, women, and children, without one being Of
attractive appearance among them-almost with
out one.
CONTINENTAL BEGGARs.
| The people generally look more contented than
our people. 1t would seem, from appearances,
as if there could not be much want among them;
and yet there are many beggars. There is not
the sentiment of shame about begging that there
would be with us. Beggar boys and girls, very
comfortably clad, too, will join the carriage and
run along, singing out, in plaintive tone, Gun
sous, Monsieur, pour charite:" apparently calcu-
lating that importantly will succeed though all
other appeals fail. There is certainly something
very touching in the tones of the French tongue
| have seldom felt any thing of this sort more
than the plea of poor fellow met in Litchhcld,
(Eng.) | said to him, for he was young man,
''You look as if you could work." He seemed
to understand my objection; and l am sure he
annihilated it, as the tears coming to his eyes,
he said ''Je suis Granger, pauvre, malade." And