The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-06-06


day, and to quaf old Falernian, constitu-
ted the neplus ultra ofhuman felicity: But
lie is very evident, that he was not embued
with the. prophetic spirit: nor even with a
reasonable belief in the Improvement Of
the future age, and the refinement of ITS
social system. What would the Roman
Epicurean think, if he could, in remote
vision, have taken passing glance at the
wonders Of modern times, or only at the
potent and magical influence Of the Nice.
titan luxury! Can we believe that he,
then, would have celebrated his "noctes,
ceneque deorum,' unaccompanied. with
panegyrics upon the precious Virginiau
plant? Old Falelnian wine has, to this
day, lost neither its flavor, nor its reputas
ton. A friend Of mine tells me, that he
lately drank, at the ruins Of Horace's villa,
some of this celebrated wine, and that it is
really very delicious. But how does the
vine, under the most. favorable cline, or
culture, compare with that invaluable
plant. which grows, or should grow,
around the streams Of Helicon, and for
all that is known 10 the. contrary, may
adorn the plantations Of Elysium! No per.
son of sound judgment, or correct moral
principle could institute the comparison.
Light and darkness present no more strik-
ing contrast. Indeed, the opinion is3not
without advocacy, that the introduction
of Tobacco into the old world, has con.
ferred a greater blessing upon mankind,
than the Improvement of the arts and
sciences since that time. And, no doubt,
had that benefactor Of the race, Sir Wal.
ter Raleigh, lived in the Horasian, age, hs,
would have been elevated to the Peerage
in the Roman mythology; and you'd hare
received more honor for his successful en-:
terprise to Virginia, than the triumphs
which should have been awarded to the
discoverer Of the New World. is itnet
very remarkable, ,!thst this fact has not, as
vet, fastened itself upon. the attention Of
mankind9 How is it that poesy has over.
looked the claims Of Tobaccol Where,
among the millions of pages thrown of,
annually, from the teeming press, shall
we find the truly elegant, and classic ode
to that useful and invaluable plant, which
benefits and delights so large portion Of
the world! Pondering over this thought,
on impulse (shall it be said of inspiration!)
penetrated my Imagination; and prompted
the desire to remedy the deficiency of
taste complained Of; and wipe off its
fodium. But how! And that was the ques.
ton. I knew that 'pocta nascitur non fit.
Albeit, no man can tell what are his capa.
Utilities, until they be tried. The Eglet
|must essay with new Aedged pin;ons, m
tmany trials, before the bold flight to the
sun is successfully attempted. This was
Ia comforting reflection. AMI encouraged
Iby it, did adventure upon the dangerous
|experiment. Then seizing the pen, /
forthwith thus began;-- -
o Osweeteoas weed, the gods to feed
= Moro luscious far than their nectar
Here, it is 10 be remarked, that those
lines are not less harmonious than express
siye of sense by sound. The emphatic
word "sweeteous," is entirely original,
l{Walker would have rejoiced to coin it,
and, so very appropriate! When your
man of true taste replenishes his mouth
with the grateful guild. what word can
convey just idea Of his first sensations,
SO forcibly as the term sweetens;" and
as the ready flow follows the pleasing
mastication, what is so expressive, as the
euphonic word "luscious!" So it does ap-
pear then, that I was really under the rap
turous influence of the muse. But her
Ladyship, true to the sex, proved very
versatile and inconstant; and positively
refused, at that time, other influence of in
s,;rotion Rnt fip for poetry! What is