Washington telegraph., 1848-04-12

II was the opinion Of celebrated writer that
the glory aud only permanent reputation Of
country must depend upon its authors, Other
buoyant qualities are quickly dssipaled this fame
is durable aud delightful. II Is not their number,
however, that IS 10 he regarded it IS their real
their intrinsic merit The united spendor of the
galaxy is obseured by the brilliant radiance of the
sun That this opinion is correct, need scarcely
be demonstrated In the present state Of the world.
The history Of past times amply confirms the deai
and the unanimous opinion of every civilized
country has added testimonies 10 lis truth. But
the merit Of writers must be solid to sustain the
reputation Of a country; it must be adamunliue to
Withstand the eoroding assaults Of the slream OF
time. In examining the peculiar merits Of those
authors who have supported and increased the
glory Of their countries, aud transmitted II with
uniamished lustrue 10 posierity, we may form
some deicfmlnate idea of what will augment our
own II Is honorable to human nature 10 discover
upon this retrospective view, that there are few
literary characters who have maintained any
dufabc or extended reputation, aud risen superior
10 the storms which opposed their elevation, that
are not improved OF By our aoher Judgments and
who have not tended TO increase the happiaess
and moral state d man. Prejudice may iuilale a
balloon with emptiness, II may Iise in all the
grandeur Of delusiye magnIiiecncei but the slight.
{ aa8 IA H. h. il "a
lose lis bFanes NO longer selfpoisrd il IS PfceiP.
ialod TO the earth, and ouf wonder aud admiration
are ehanged into sovereign contempt
The aathoz Of ancient Greece who have de.
seended to our time, bear strong evidences Of then
uslrious worth. Their credentials eonslfan Us
10 regard them as accredited representatives, Of
the literary reputation Of their country It's not
the vast horde Of yolaminons writers, who al.
tanned bficf aud false popularity during the
latter ages Of ihese republics when nervous ygoi
aud sablime enrfgy were dwndled into an emas.
ouaied deefepiiude, aud eap'ous nicely Of taste
Il is not those men who seemed ls have lost
every spa'k of the aninaiiug Ere Of genius, who
sought temporary elevation, and les' Pffie
luily Of honor. No, thcsn are not the men who
have exalted Greece above the rude barbarian,
who onoompassed her. While the sophists aTs
forgotten, hsr philosophers and poets retain then
pris,ine luslfs and towering maguiioence.
The literary hi,,ory Of Rome, Of Italy, and oI
England, eoroboraies lhess opniOas, and demon
siraies this foundation in nature aud in truth.
Fashians ia writing ac as chaugeabIe as any
other fashions; but the principles Of rational yIrue
Of solid rcelIludc OF understanding. and cofTsrI
taste, are fundamental ingredients in the com
position Of the maiohiy Of men, in all ayes and IN
all countries
The hisiefy Of The literary world Affords scoP'
ior NUMEROUS interesting sPeeulalions; aud assist
IN no small degree IN developing the inl'ieaeiei
Of the human heaH, aud the nature OF the hamai
understanding, Ii throws much light upon ihI
principles Of our being, and displays the Intel
lsctua organization Of our species. II aifara
numerous and valuable moral truths, aud Is Re
plele with Interest sufficient to rouss the alsnol
Of the mos, sluggish.