Litchfield enquirer., 1842-10-20


 cominga burthen or detriment to others who have trusted or endeavored to sustain him, these crowd oLt of being the thought or the hope of mental culture or advancement.- Nay, more, and are WorSe-in the tumultu- ous strife of business and money getting, whether successful or otherwise, the very desire of intellectual elevation is too often Sli fled, or greatly enfeebled, and that death of the soul ensueS in which satisfaction of the physical appetite becomes the aim of life the man is sunk in the capitalist or trader, and the gathering of shining dust made the great end of his being.
 But what shall the youth do who finds his means of intellectual culture inadequate to his wants! l hesitate not to say that he should CREATE more and better just where he is. Not that l. would have him reject any req opportunity "r profler of increased fla cilitieS which may open before him. will not say that he should not accept universi- " education, the means of studying for q profession, if such should come fairly in his way and be seconded by his own inclination. But l do insist that nothing of this sort Is ESSENTIAL to the great end he has or should have in view-namcly self-Culture. To this end it is only needful that he should put forth fully the powers within him and right ly mould the circumstances by which he is surrounded. Are the books within reach few and faulty let him purchase few of 1 the very best, and study them intently and thoroughly. He who is truly acquainted with the writings of a very few of the worlds master spirits can never after be deemed ignorant or undeveloped. To know inti- mately the Bible, and Shakespeare, and the elements of History and the Physical Scien. ces, is to have imbibed the substance of all human knowledge. That knowledge may be presented in a thousand varied, graceful and attractive forms and the variations may be highly agreeable and useful-nay, they are so. But. though they may improve. re- fine and fertiize (so to speak,) they do not MAKE the MAN. If he has the elements within him, no future hour of solitude can be lonely, or tiresome, or proftless. The mild moon and the calm high stars are compan- ionship and instruction, eloquent, of deep sig ni6cance, and more impressive than the pto- foundest volumes.
 But, grant that greater or more varied means of culture, than the individuals mar row means can supply, are desirable, has he not still modes of procuring them! Is he solitary, and our goodly land his isle of Juan Fernandez? Are there not others all around him, if not already of kindred tastes and as- pirations, at least in whom kindred aspira. tions may be awakened! May he not gath CT around him in the rudest township or vi. cinity some dozen or more young men. in whom the celestial spark if not already glow ing may be kindled into warmth and radi- ance! And by the union of these, may not all their mutual mental wants be abundantly supplied?
 And herein is found one of the pervading advantages of the cause would commend.- The awakened youth who has withdrawn to the seminary or the city, may have se- cured his own advancement; but he who has remained constan. to his childhood's home, it's duties and assosiations, will probably hove attracted others to enter with him on the true pathway of lifs The good thus ac- complished, Time nay not measure.- Doubtless many Village Lyceum, many Township Library. owes its existence to the impulse given by some poor and humble youth inspired by the love of knowledge and wisdom.
 V. The great central truth which would impress on the minds of my readers is this promising genuine energy and singleness of purpose-the circumstanceS are nothing; the Man is all. We may De the slaves or toys of circumstances if we will most men, perhaps, are so; and to theSf all circum. siancos .., alike evi-tnar is Fehdered so if not by rugged difficulty. then by soft temp tation. But that man who truly ruleth his own spirit,-and such there is, even among us,-readily defes all material influences or bends them to his own will. Be hopeful, be confident, then, O friend ! if thou hast achieved this great victory, and believe that all else shall follow in due season.
 MT. JOHN DAVIS, a natter of St. Louis re- gently sent to the Hon. HENRY CLAY pre- sent of a hat, accompanied with note-to which MT. Clay made the following reply:
 ASHLAND, 27th August, 1642.
 Dear Sir ;-l have received safely the hat of your manufacture, which you have been good enough to present to me, with your friendly letter accompanying it. l thank you cordially for the hat It fits me per- tectly well, it's texture is very fine, and the style of it's fashion excellent. The ladies you know, are the best judges in all matters of taste, and from their decision no appeal ca;i pe i,ncn. Several of them, being at my house, exhibited the hat to them, and they all lconcurred in decided appreciation of it's elegance.
 sincerely hope that you will succeed in your laudable endeavor to cultivate a taste at home for domestic production. IfVetoes throw down all barriers against the introduce tion of rival foreign productions, the people have remedy in their own hands by giv- ing preference to those of their own coun- try. In giving such preference, they will follow the example of their revolutionary ancestors, and obey the impulse of genuine and enlightened patriotism.
 Wishing you great success in all your en- terprises,
 am your friend and obedient servant,
 Mir. JOHN DAVIS. II. CLAY.
 Mr. Jefferson, the Tarif, and Loco Focos.- It has become quite fashionable for the lea