Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-05
III I S. o q Il u a n & o
POVERTY is THE NURSERY OF GENIUS.

From her trammels have sprung the bright
est jewels that have ever adorned the pages of
renown. AS nights dark drapery from the
stars, so adverse poverty from genius, evokes
IFS purest resplendency. AS balls bound ac-
cording 10 the force with which they are hurl-
ed to the earth as perfumes exhale sweetness
IN proportion 10 the violence with which they
are pressed, SO genius towers accordingly as
/ you altempt,o chain lis wing, or beams bright
Ter In proportion as you try TO exlingish its
ETHEREAL rays; for adversely developes lis hid
den resources, and brings into powerful exer-
else its gigantic energies. When the elder
PITT, by the irresistible force OF his own gem
ids, was emerging from the shackies of auver-
slty, and had gained seat in the British Par
lament, 10 crush him, he at once had arrayed
against him, the might of logic, the potency
of royalty, and the splendors Of eloquence;
yet like some stupenduous pyramid, he rose
majestic amid the opposing ruins which his
own omnipotence had created.
But poverty is the nursery Of genius. Chas
Fox, one of the most brilliant and accom-
plished debaters the world ever saw, lived and
died poor. Edmund Burke, whose thoughts
were of burning eloquence, and whose elo-
quence was of The purest wisdom, was also
poor. John p. Curren, one Of the brightest
jewels of the Emerald Isle, who ROBBED the
very soul Of inspiration in the differing attire
OF an overpowering oratory. The great Phi
lips who rose and shone like some splendid
meteor, was unaided either by the alliance of
fortune or connection. Unrivalled in the
pomp and magnifcence of his diclion, like the
ighlnngs OF Heaven he flashed upon, wiiher-
ed and blasted, everything he smole. Alex
Ham xyl,o e H.
most powerful inte!ecis with which mortal
man was ever endowed, was once an humble
store clerk. His thoughts and his systems
sprang from his genius, like the tabled Miner
va from the mind of Jove, all perfect, stamped
with the eternal impress Of their godlike ORR
gin. Chief Justice Marshall was born in
humble circumstances, and received his early
education from his father-Nlarshall, whom
no ambition could seduce, nor popular clamor
ntimidate; with sagacily, purity and erudi-
hon and wisdom unsurpassed, he sat unique
and pre-eminent in the Supreme Judiciary OF
the United States, maintaining steady innex-
Utility amid all the mutations of principles
and revolutions of parties.-Danie Webster
was born in INDECENT circumstances, and re-
ceived his earliest education from the schools
of New EDgland-W ebster, whose mind, like
the full orbed sun in its noonlde splendor,
can penetrate and light up the darkest empires
Of thought and Northumberland WASH
ington was an humble surveyors boy-,-Wash-
ington, in whom, as a radiant mirror, were
exhibited the united beauties of every excel
lence, the perfection Of every ideal, and the
glory OF every model. Andrew Jackson was
born in the most humble circumstances-Jack-
son, the immortal hero of New Orleans,
Emuckiaw and Tobopeka, the distinguished
patriot, the illustrious statesman, and the de-
voted friend. Henry Clay was once POOR
orphan boy-Clay, whose splendid eloquence
is the worlds rich heritage, whose fame is
eternlty's, and whose patriotism is the empire
OF freedom. Benjamin Franklin was once a
poor printers boy-Franklin, who rose Ike
his kite against opposing winds, and to whose
philosophy the storms thuDder-boll and its
winged lightnings yielded. Shakespeare, the
glory of the British Drama was once pooi
theatre door-keeper. Herschell Was once a
poor filer's boy i'll the army-Hcrschell whose
home was amid the solar walks or milky
ways OF Heaven. Milton was once an hum
Die teacher-Millon, whose genius, like Sera-
2hm and Cherubm with whom he Familiarity
conversed, seemed celestial exhalation from
the throne of his God,
And yet. notwithstanding all these facts, ]