Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-23
THE YOUNG PHILOSOPHER
AND HIS PHILOSOPHY.

By he Author Of "Jss. and Earnest"
In room which soothe to say, was some.
what moved from the basement story, sat
Arthur Jarvis His elbow was placed upon
small table near the fire, his head rested
upon his hand, and he appeared buried in
meditation. The subject of his meditation
was his own situation. He was without
money, and therefore without friends, and he
was an author by profession. At five o.
clock he was to call on bookseller, who
had promised toread his manuscript, and give
an answer. This would be the sixth trader
in brain-work who had done these two same
ihings-or, to speak more certainly, the last
all Of which had been in the authors dis
favor. Arthur Jervis amused himself bitter
ly by imagining, with the vivid minuteness
which anxiety gives, the coming scene. He
has entered the rich booksellers door, his re-
quest to see the principal, after some car
less and irritating delay, is granted. The
principal is disguised in an appearance of
wisdom, ard commences the interview BY
an ominous shake Of the head. The book
is clever-very clever. but in the present
state of the market he really could not I'M
dcrtake it without name. If Mr.. Jervis
had done anything before, the work might
take but as it was, he must beg to decline
for the trade would never look at first work.
NJ. Jarvis bows, says few words not very
distinctly, and with a miserable aaectaiion
Of proper unconcern, puts the manuscript in
to his pocket and walks out Of the shop.
"And thus though, Arthur, twill it he.
Five times before has it been so; and this,
the sixth, will surely not be different. If l
could only get before the public" exclaimed
he, rising and pacing the room; "lfI could
but get before the public feel that | should
dc. The booksellers politely advise me to
publish at my own expense. At my own
expense Tenpence would not be enough
and that is abou: the extent of my fortune :
q little more or less,-it may be nnepence-
j, may be elevenpence | remember" con-
,nued he, speaking aloud to himself, for lack
Of better company, remember the en-
thusiasm and yearning love for the world
and all in i! that felt when composed tina,
work. 1t seems 10 me now like pleasan,
dream. Then believed men destined tc
reach state but little below perfec,ion.-
The prevailing vice, hatred, dscord, and de.
ceit, | considered the necessary effects Of the
existing forms of society and as these were
originally founded in ignorance, so belicv.
ed that the increase Of knowledge must infal
libby cause their gradual fusion into those o
a more rational description, and that truth
and love and justice would at last over thu
whole world be something more than names
The present superior power of evil consid
cred temporary, and designed to involve thu
future superior power Of good so bore pa
tieHt'y with men as they were, by ihinkin,
what they might be, and would be. Chart,
seemed to me mere mild wisdom, and harsh
ness bu, brutal folly. This was, then, m,
creed, which had completely saturated NJ,
mind and tinged every thought and action
and under its influenced wrote my first work
What is my creed nowl / have none.-
Man may be improbable but know wei
tina, he is bad enough as it is and when h
strikes me shall ! no, strike againl II
has done nothing 10 make me love him-nc
will !. Whilst the world continues deadl
struggle Of brother against brother, VIII
would stand still and preach harmony an
happiness, and so be trampled TO death +
No !" exclaimed he, pacing the room MOI
rapidly; 81 will not constitute myself
teacher Of common sense when the teachr
OF common sense brings poverty and col
tempt. II write at all must write sincere
ly !; and, since find il so difficult to publi'
my thoughts, will write no more. W
descend into the arena, and cant and chea
and love and hate, like the rest. II Gt
have given me talents, and use them badl
and for myself alone, let society alone
responsible God, who gave them, kno,
that begin life with the best intentions; b
necessity makes me wording"
As he uttered these words the little Dut
clock, which ornamented one side Of 4
apartment, struck FIVE. Arthur stopp
short in his hurried walk. at is the liz
ofmy appointment" said he, "and, before
60, this is my determination when I
rich bookseller returns me my manuscript
will not hawk it about again. ! will preser
il as record of former state of mind n,
quite passed away. Once loved me
now hate and despise them and i'll pr
IDENTIFY conceal my real feeling from them,
will be only that may more ehIectually tn
them to my purpose"
So saying, he proceeded to his little be
chamber, which was adjoining, poured {
some cold water, and bathed his heated fol
had then changing bis coat and taking
his ~, he stirred The fro ssrefol'y toes'b