The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-12-12

inc rclatlOIS VI lutuOIS " SOCIAL lie, OF |
their habits, manners, dispositions in
society, as contrasted with those dis
played in their writings, a great deal
that is inter esting might be said. A
man Of letters is often man with two
natures,--one q book nature, the other
a human nature. These two often
clash sadly. Seneca wrote in praise
Of poverty, on table formed Of solid
gold, with two millions of pounds let
out at usury. Stcrne was a very selfish
man; yet writer uncxccl!cd for pathos
and charity. Sir Richard Steele wrote
excellcntly wei! on temperance, when
he was sober. Dr.. Johnson's essays
on pvlitcness were admirable; yet, his
You lie, sir!!' and You don't under
stand the question, sir!' were too COM
mon characteristics of his colloquics.
He and DR.. Shelbcarc were both pen
stoned at tic same time. The report
immediately flew, that the king had pen
stoned two bears, hc.bcar and she
bear. Young, whose gloomy fancy
cast such sombrc tinges on life, was in
society brisk, lively man, continually
pclting his hearers with pucrile puns.
Mrs. Carter, fresh from the stern, dark
granducr of the Night Thoughts, cx-
pressed her amazement at his ilippancy
Madam said he, 'therc is much diff:
ference between writing and talking
The same poets favorite theme was the
nothinyncss Of worldly things; his fa-
vorite pursuits was rank and richcs.-
Had Mrs. Garter noticed this incongru-
ity, she might have added. Madam,
there is much difference between wri-
ting didactic poems and living didactic
poems Bacon, the most comprehcn-
sivc aud forwardlooking of modern in
tcllects, and il. feeling one of the most
benevolent, was mcanly ard Wickedly
ambitions of Place NhYPles Lee.
turea.
CoynENslNG.---1 ersssgs5s = be many
authors Who understand this art, but
few who practice it, though it is far
f:on, being the least important that be.
longs to writing. True, the production
Of ideas must ever stand first, but to
what undue lengths will the unchecked
fancy 20 even in the strongest minds;
and it is only by keeping them within
proper bounds, discarding the weak and
supe:auous, and adopting the true and
beautiful, that we can ever hope to give
anything worthy of the admiration Of
posserity. Some can never write letter
without filing the whole sheet, and if
the ink holds out they will write across
and across the paper again; so that what
at first was scarcely inteligblc, at last
dcfies not only the skill and ingenuity Of
man to understand, but defeats every
attempt to read it, while a clever mans
letter is ever short, pithy, aud intclli-
gent, and you feel satisfied on arriving
at the end Of his cristlc. Many young
author Of real talents, begins his pro.
tess'on BY labouring too much in the
collecting and joining together Of words
10 collect words will ever be a common
t.aaf' ,aasv hhaoy ,t"vsr!;.::%i!natn and con
dense IDEAS rare aud difficult one
The very best author is but an artifcer
OF higher grade. and he assured that
by learning to condcnsc YOU will great.
ly increase the number of Your readers.
AN ANECDoTE WELL ToLD.-Du-
ring the recent Railroad Convention
at this lace, towards the closing scene
a resolution was introduced by one of
our Anderson friends. proposing that
the Company proceed to purchase land
and erect work shops at Anderson will.
age for the entire route. Various
amendments were offered which cut
down and altered the resolution materi.
ally when Gen. Whitncr arose, and
with much gravity remarked, these
amendments reminded him of an anec.
dotc related by DR.. Franlin of cer-
tain John Brown halter by trade,
who desiring to advertise drew up an
advertisements follows, "John B,oap,s
makes and sells hats, .to,' rcady cash.
but before publishing it, he concluded
to consult his friends. Showing it to
one he advised him to strike out "for
ready cash, for" said he, "your patrons
will soon learn your terms" Brown
thought this we'll enough, and meeting
another, his counsel was to ''leave ont
makes, for it is no matter who makes
thcm," and this was stricken out, and
the advertisement then read 'sJohn
Brown sells hats" Presenting it to
third i'll this form for his views, he 1cpli-
ed, "who in the name of Heaven would
suppose that you gave hats away, ] |
would leave out sells hats also,' which
was done, and the advertisement then
read simply, "John Brown"
This anccdotc was told in an admita.
bic style, and never was ono lnore an.