Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-02-19
Miscellaneous.
cosrENTMENT.

CONFINEMENT.
All the iealEpleas1res and convenien.
cies OF life lie 10 narrow compass. bit
| il Is the humor OF To ankind to be always
looking forward, and straining after one
who has got the start OF them in wealth
and honor. For this reason, as there are
none can properly be called rich, who
have not more than they want: there are
few rich men 10 any Of the potter na,ions
but among the middle sort Of the people.
who keep their wishes within their for
tunes. and have more wealth than they
know how 10 enjoy
Persons Of higherrsnk live 10 kind
o. splendid poverty; snd are perpe,ual.y
wanting, because. instead OF acq1iesciny
in the solid pleasures Of lie. they endea
voar 20 outvle one another 10 shadows
and appearances. Men of sense have at
all times beheld with grea, deal Of mir,h
Ibis silly game that is playing over their
heads, and by contracting their desires
enjoy oil that secret satisfaction which
others are always 10 quest of.
The truth Is, tl5iv ririicufeus oi,sso aftrr
imaginary pleasures cannot be sufficiently
exposed. as il is the great source of those
evils which generally undoa nation. Let
a man estate be what il will, heis poor
man. il be does not live within il. and lat
orally sells himself 10 sale to any one that
can give him his price.
When Pitticus, after the death OF bis
brother, who had left him good estate,
was Offered gre alter sum Of money BY The
king Of Lydia, be thanked him for his
kindness. but told him he had already
more BY hall than be knew what to do
with. 10 short. content is equivalent to
wealth. and luxuryio poverty !; or. to give
the thought Hofe agreeable Turn. Con
tent is naiursl wealth. says Socrates to
which Luxury is artificial power.
ty.'-.9ddison.
/A<FATHER's CARE ron HIS Son.
Beautiful and becoming 10 the eyes OF
The paternal God. is the unwearied al
tachmeni Of The parent TO The child! A.
las, how little does the unthinking spirit
Of youth know OF the extent of its dsvot
edness. There sits the frosard, freiful.
and indolent boy. The care that keeps
perpetual watch over his moral and physi
cal safety, be misnames unjust restriction.
The foresight that denies itself many a
comfort 10 provide for bis future wants.
he denounces as sordid avarice. He turns
from bis fathers face 10 GOODNESS or ID an
ger. Boyl boyl the cloud upon that
toil-worn brow has been placed there by
anxiety. not for self. bat for an impatient,
peevish son. whose pillar be would glad.
" s,rew with roses. though thorns should
tbicken around bis own, Even at the
moment when bis arms is raised 10 infic;
cbsstisenent on thy folly. thou should
bend and bless thy parent. The hear,
loathes the hand that corrects Thy errors !;
and no, for worlds would he use the rod
Of reproof. did be not perceive The ne.
cessily Of crushing his own feelings, TO
save thee from myself.
NIcHr.-Night is beautiful 10 itself.
but still more beautiful 10 lis associations;
il i not linked. a. day is, with our cares
and our tolls. the business and liitleness
Of lie. The sunshine brings with Il ac-
ton /; We rise 10 the moraing. and our
task is before Us; but night comes, and
with il rest. II We leave sleep, aud ask
moi Of dreams forgeifnlness, our waking is
IN solitude .sndour employmeniis thought.
Imagination has thrown her elory round
The midnight-the orbs Of heaven, the
silence. the shadows are stepped 10 poe