Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-06-29
For IAs Herald.
LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDE OF
A PHILOSOPHER
20, "A. Herald.
Ne 8


brain seemed ,ecming with various plans Of be-
nevolenec, by which he hoped materially to i'm
prove the condition OF mankind. The reforma-
ton Of vice. the dissipation Of error the relief OF
poverty had equally received his attention In
deed no form or cause ofhuman suffering seemed
to have escaped his notice and FOR each he propos.
ed some measure ofrelief The ardor OF his feel
ings a, first attracted my attention. The benevo-
lence Of his object and general correctness Of his
theories, soon won my respect and should have
considered him withou, farther question, one Of
the benefaciors OF our race, had not observed
look OF calm incredibly, at times indeed of pity
upon the counenance OF my friend as he listened
to the development of schemes which promised
greatly to increase the amount Of human happ-
ness, and almos, to realize the poetic fiction ofthe
golden age Anxious 10 learn the reason Of such
conduc, on the part Of a man whose heart II was
well ALVAREZ was ever open to anything which
promised to alleviate wreichedness, | took the ear
lest opportunity presented by the departure Of the
company, to inquire, howl happened that he took
little interes 10 the projects Of this second How
ard
! 'Ah my dear SIR said he, had Howard suffer.
cd his zeal 10 ovaporato in discussing plans of be-
nevoence in the social circles of England, he
would never have awakened the sleeping spirit of
humanity Throughout. Europe or left name to be
honored by the world. But to answer your ques.
ton more definitely, will give an outline of the
history fthe individual whose benevolent schemes
have attracted your attention, which am the bet
ter able to do as he was the companion Of my ear
ly years. In youth, he was Of a kind and sympa-
thisng disposition, to such degree, that the evils
which are suffered BY mankind had engrossed his
attention, long ere most have seen enough Of the
world to be aware of their existence His time
was accordingly spent in forming plans of useful
ness, the accomplishment Of which should be the
object of his ripper years When he attained his
majority and came in possession of the estate which
had been left him by the sudden death Of his ia
Their, the increase of his means of action, seemed
to render proper a corresponding enlargement of
his benevolent designs. That the counsel and ex-
perience of others might aid him in the prosecu-
ton OF his wishes, he entered into correspondence
with distinguished philanthropiss, stated TO them
his views, invited their criticisms, and either alter
ed his plans to meet their suggestions or spent the
time in finding arguments 10 sustain his own po-
sitions. His reputation for philanthropy was soon
widely known, and frequent calls were made up
on him for assistance. But the claims of public
charities were neglected, for he must reserve his
means to be enabled to carry into execution his
own more important because more extensive meas
ures for accomplishing the common result, viz
the alienation of misery; and the tale of private
distress was silenced by the assurance that soon,
yes, very soon, when he could bring his plans in
to operation, not only this, but every case of suf
ferng should receive attention and relief And
thus with him his life passed, in nursing schemes
of future good while present suffering has remain
ed unsoothed and with heart actuated by mo-
tives ofthe purest benevolence, and life devoted
to pursuits of kindness, he has never vet received
the highest reward which philanthropist can de-
sire, the fearful blessing Of heart grateful, be-
cause unburdcned of its weight of sorrow HUI
man misery, my dear sir is of amount too great to
be removed by any single effort, of elements too
vatious to yield TO any single solvent
In early life' he continued. q was accustomed
TO mediate much upon the ills of life and ardeny
to long for the time, when to lessen their amount
should be within my power But so great was
the variety Of objects which claimed nv attention,
that found it difficult to decide where best
might exert my ability, and the extent of the field
at the same time discouraged nv exertons
soon learned however that he, who would lessen
the current of human misery, must not stem the
flood but dry up the fountain, and accordingly
began to examine the sources of our unhappness
And as marked how often careless word may
mar our enjoyment, and the slight causes which
rob us OF our peace-and observed how an ap.
proving word can cheer the mind when weighed
down by Encouragement or single smile relieve
the burdened spirit, began TO doubt the utility of
those schemes which have for their object the ex.
termination Of wretchedness, and to perceive the
necessity Of individual exeron, to prevent or TO al
leviate those minor evils which by their frequent
occurrence constitute the bulk of human sorrow.
And as | still farther reflected, that seasonablo
kindness can often remove the cause Of unhappi.
ness ere II has attained the degree beneath which
1t can not be reached by extended systems of be-
nevolence-,ha, the gloomy misan,hrope who is
dead 10 all the finer feelings Of humanity, and
loathes the sight Of his fellow men, because IN the
hour Of his sorrow and affection they deserted
him, once might have been saved by single word
OF kndness-that the child OF shame, whose heart
beats with no fe..nn of ,,ir,na or hone of hanni