Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-24
COMMUNICATIONS.
THOUGHTS AND REMINIscENcEs-No. l.
Sanguis hominibus ct ANNA stunt pecuni9
Has ergo quisquis possidere non potest
Vivos is inter mortuus deambulat.

1t was not thus in Sparta, where gold and silver
were banished from circulation, where ireemen were
not permitted to practise any of the ways OF accu-
mulating riches, but where the business of getting
money was left to slaves and helots, the Of
flee of serving up the meals; nor was it thus in the
early days of Athens nor at Rome in its best days
of honor and liberty. But in this period Of advanc-
ed civilization he who is without money walks
dead man among the living; and another EPAMI-
MONDAYS who, having invited his friends to his table,
said, 'Gentleme,, be secure f! treason acOud nerer
come to such poor dinner as this will not soon
be seen.
But if the living be only animated by selfish
sentiments, and the spirit of mortal life; if they
not merely use but worship gold if they regard it
as the only or chief badge of honor, and estimate
character by the standard of wealth: and if the
" dead are not without some sparks of an immor-
tai fire, some of the spiritual the beautiful, the
eternal, some aspirations after life beyond this
life, the former are more emphahcay the dead,
and the latter truly the living"
What in our age avails all this fine philosophy
If we walk in perpetual martyrdom; if we are
gaZed upon by reluctant even compassionate
eyes, like loathsome forms from the vaults Of the
sepuchre; if we compelled to seek an obscure
way, lest we encounter the reproachul looks of
creditors, or of those who would bury poverty, like
the Dead out of their sight, what is consolation.
The high spirit, fortitude, and triumph Of mar
tyrs. The history of this species of maryrdom
will never be written, for of such record it may be
said, g the world itself would not contain the books
that might be written"
Are there no other consultations Yes, the man
who has no property may have the more charity.
If he have nothing of his own to care for, he may
seek the wealth and good of others, and become
free and happy partaker in all the public prosperity.
| Like the generous sun, he may look on all and
shine on all with benignity.
He that has nothing Of his own will naturally, if
benevolent, throw his affections around all the
appropriated treasures of the creation, and all the
| possessions and happiness of his fellow-men. He
thus enrches his mind without robbery, and feels
himself !" creations heir" by title signed and
sealed by its infinite Author. His are the murmur-
ing streams, the waving forests, the golden harvest
the song of birds; all the charms of the landscape
and grandeur of mountain scenery, all that the
ing reveals, and all the dread magnfcence of hea-
ven and, more, the smiles of innocence and beauty
the flashes of wit, the treasures of philosophy, the
delights of society, the pomp OF wealth, the honor
and the glory of his country and OF other natons-n
all he shares, through the "loophoes of his retreat"
with heartfelt Joy. Such a man is not Dead but
imparts well receives the spirit Of exalted
life.
That admirable poem, sThe Old Cumberland
Beggar," by Wordsworth, reveals the connexion
between the unfortunate and the dependant and
those emotions and acts which are alike the life and
happiness of the more favored individuals in socie-
ty. The old man walks his rounds, dead man
among the living, in one sense, yet in nobler as
well as truer sense, the awakener of holy and per-
petual life in all who see him; kinder of kindly
emotions and the flame of charity OF which not he
alone but whole communities experience the bene-
fit. Thus, in an apostolic sense, though poor he
makes many rich, and the very image of death i'm
parts to many hearts the glow of an undying life.
Some years ago was walking in the crowded
streets of London. had visited the great thorough
fares and most imposing scenes of this vast city ;
trod the pavement of st. Paul's, and meditaed in
silent awe amid the sepulchres of poets, philoso-
pliers, of statesmen and kings, in Westminster Alb
bey but il was solitary mother, following the
remains of her child to its grave, that than all
arrested my attention and touched my heart That
one silent mourner: see her now--her weeds of
sorrow, her trembling sep-deaf to all the sounds of
that mighty city, blind to all its pomp and magnih-
cence; her heart in the coffin borne on mans Shout
ders before her. all desolate and alone, awoke ideas
in my soul never to sleep more. The sight was but
for moment: the poorest of the poor she may
have been-friendess she doubtless was yet she
was woman and MOTHER following in agony the
! lfeless form of her child to the mansions of the
dead and forgot in her presence the cathedrals
the palaces, all the magnhcence and spendor of the
greatest metropolis of the world. A form of life
she was, though death had thrown veil to her over
all things living.