Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-09-21
NJ 7 s. IAM u a n y 0
From the Philadelphia Gazette
"A LEAF FROM THE VOLUME LIFE

A few days since, on our way up Cbesnu,
street during one of those very stormy DAYS
winch have OF late been so prevalent, Our Al
tention was strongly attracted to group ON
the side walk, whose violent gestures were al
SO The admiration OF sundry little bows, and Of
such passers as were Drawing rain which
poured In torrents. A man IN ragged habili
ments, having his hat slouched over his face.
was doggedly replying TO the representations
OF an aged dame, of very decayed exterior.
whose bowed form, shabby dress, and bagpn ri
wrlnkied countenance, denoted one who had
long ouiietted with strong passions and many
ViciSsitudes. The mans countenance bore
marks Of high intellectual qualities. con-
tour OF the lace-classical, dark, deep set ewes.
OF much intensity Of expression, overlung bv
thick black eyebrows, mouth more yolupt,I-
Gus than energetic, and thick dark hair-indi-
Gated TO our observation manysided cbaroc-
ter, prone to much of good and evil. and likely
10 continue in either, as the bent was frs,
formed Three interesting looking children.
two girls and boy, completed the group.-
ihey bore such resemblance to the man that
( tPif,hystansers at once pronounced them his
the shame of this public exposure of the quar-
reis OF their protectors, and shrunk as much
as possible from observation. The boy being
younger, played about the pavement, appar-
emily Indifferent as to the result of the alter
cation, being, no doubt, accustomed to similar
scenes.-No umbrella protected these wander
ers, and their thin garments were saturated
with rain. The aged crone was by no means
sparing in her vituperation. She poured out
a volly of words, to which the man, who, we
Judged from his manner, was inebriated, made
little answer, except few incoEerent mutter-
! ipnc no OF ,s,ol H.. a.
dragged him along the street, followed by the
children, he making but little resistance
!, Reader, this sight affected us almost to tears
We knew the persons ofthe parties. The man
was once, and is still noted as poet of nc
mean abilities; the others were his mother
and his children. OF excellent natural parts
fostered and improved by careful education
he had in himself the power of becoming al
eminent and respected citizen. But he want
ed that strong moral sense, that determined
principle, without which, intellectual ability i.
of little avail in preserving the best parts o
mans nature intact, lii all the vicissitudes ant
temptations of life. A fondness for pleasure
for constant and lively sensation, led this mar
to seek the power OF gratifying his tastes by
means less studied than the hoped-for end
He lost the respect Of those with whom III
associated, md then descending from ore stel
of degradation TO another, he has become TIN
creature he is nova common vagabond,
street drunkard.
How potent warning to beware of the mis-
use Of ability! Genius or great talents ar
: dangerous possessions, unless tempered wit
prudence and guided by judgment. The La
, tin proverb say truly,
"Grcat wit to madness sure is near allied
A"1 thin partitions do their bounds diyidc.''
man with his eyes open meets with man
such instructive lessons in Ills daily walk
From this book Of life, he who reads with
willing spirit and an anxious desire to b
taught, will gather unlailing wisdom An il
cident, such as this we have noted,is pregnar
: with lile-guiding suggestions. How it teache
us caution, lest we fall into error, since gre;
abilities will not always save the possessor
How ltenlorces conenmeni in those who hay
. but the common allotment of intellectual pow
f err, since extraordinary endowments brin
n with them extraordinary temptationsl Ho
it enjoins the proper use and enjoyment
what good lies within our reach with d choe
full and conebted spirit without desiring 9th
mans scope or that mans power;'' for W
know not what hidden sorrows, what seeds
horror, may lie concealed Under these brilia
. qualities that excite our envy.
:, we nlght 1oilow ms poor creature to u
s miserable shelter from the elements which |
r calls home--:might depic: the tortures of di
grace and guilt, aggravated by the cutting +
proaches of his mother, whose temper is [
no means improved by a long series of har
ships and privations; but the subject is OF
we feel no pleasure in dwelling upon. II
) imagination of the reader can supply Il
y rest. If the lesson can be of any avail,
simple incidents are enough They need |
further enforcement from US