Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-09-07
"WE LIVE TO LEARN"

1t is Of little consequence what people
learn, unless they learn discretion. Here is
world which has been running on almost slX
thousand years Generation succeeding gen.
Grafton, aud each protesting to be wiser than
that which preceded it-and ye! after a!lhow
small is the progress of the human mind in
the essential principles of true wisdom. Age
after age has recorded the history Of lis fol-
loe for the study of posteri;y. but the lessons
have been successfully read and uniformly
forgotten. How few read the history Of the
past with a view to profit by the examples it
contains Of human weakness and human
crime. The story Of misfortunes awakcns n
temporary intcrcst--but how few search care
fully into their causes with n view TO avoid
them. The narrative Of snffcrings produces
liz momentary effect upon the heart, hut who
of US traces up the link Of the chain which
connects them with their parent follies, and
profits by the study.
Whoever has read the works and history
Of Xenophen, has admired more the discre.
ton with which his &c Mus and fancy invested
the Great Cyrus, than the wisdom winch he
displayed himself. The son of Philip OF
Macedon, though trained in the school Of
tho ablrst politician and soldier oI the age
was himself little better than an adventurous
mans drlvelled down into effrmnacy. and
terminated in barbars,n. And Rome had
scarcely learned to rule the world before she
ceased IN rule herself
Demosthcnes covered himself with glory
in the forum. and with disgrace in the field.
Cicero with his eloGucncc turned even Caesar
from his purpose, and fell victim at last, to
irresoution aud weakness. Saust delighted
the world with his splendid cncomiums upon
vittue and wrote them IN the Sanstian pal
ace Which he had built and decorated with
the fruits of his own rapine aud Injustice
And the lives Of the Roman Enperors down.
ward from the Agustan age, sff"rdcd but one
continued commentary upon the miserable
folies Of human greatness.
How little modern ages have proftcd by
past lessons, might easily be shown. How
little men learn from the experience OF 9TH
ers, is seen every day. "With all thy get
ting get UNDERSTANDING" is the wisest of pre-
cepts, and the least needed by mankind.
Now oil this is not the result Of natural
imbecilty, no-most men reason well. The
difficulty is, that il is not permitted to rule
it is but one branch Of the government. The
passions divide the empire with reason-and
man is governed by whichever power hns the
ascendancy for the time.
II IL amusing aud instructive, sometimes,
to listen to the coloquics between the rival
parties.
see now youth sitting under your tree
his brow upon his hand. lie IL pondcring
the path of his future life. REASON Is point
log him to The long pleasant and quiet valley
of unanbtious life-rccommeDd industry,
frugality, and temperance; urges that in that
path there are comparatively but few trials
and temptaiions-lbat it is free from the dis.
quetude and the mschances attendant upon
every other course--that he may spend his
days in peace and conte ntment, if he will but
listen to her counsels-enjoying all the real
sweets OF life, he will experience but few Of
its vicissitudes.- listens and his Judgment
is convinced.
But then ambition raises her VOICE and
she is an eloquent dcclaimer She points
hm to the path Of enterprise, and talks Of
wealth and glory, aud reDown-tells him Of
the pleasure of the world--nterests him with
isolated examples Of success, uulil he feels
himself ashamed of his humble counsellor,and
gives himself away TO ambition
IL is not that reason ~ absent, but that the
passions OF his heart are more powerful.
1--WE live to lcarn:" yet what shall we learn
with such connsclors but "to know the right
and yet the wrong pursue."--[ [Tsn. Emp.
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CHuDREN.-Much smprise has becn man.
ifestcd nj the number Of children who have