The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-02-15
Frouthe N. o. True Delta.
The Great httle of the Age.

has been distinguished by some peculiar
characteristic-sone all absorbing subject
which, for the time engrossed the atten-
ton of mankind. thirst for military re-
nown, spirit Of cmquest-chivalry, with
its attending circumstances, poesy and song
Ia wildspiritpf adventure and discovery,
&C., eachin turn was, during its day and
generation, theprevailing passion which
directed the energies of men towards a
single object, whether for the recovery of
the Holy Sepuhhre, or for the discovery
of new lands in he unknown realms of
ocean. These Infections lead us to en-
quire, what is the great characteristic of
our own times-Wlat the absorbing pas
sion of our age? The answer is found at
once-money. A hirst for wealth is cer-
tainly the characterize of our times, which,
giving birth to that Enterprise, energy and
activity for which the nineteenth century
is so eminently Distinguished, has led to
those vast enterprises, the wonderful ad-
vance of art, the Important discoveries in
science, and the gigantic schemes which
were never dreamed of by the widest
schemer of the las century. 1t has brought
distant places within few hours of each
other; it has rendered intercourse between
persons hundred of miles asunder, but
the work of a moment. The wish of the
poet has been accomplished:
-"AnnihiLte both time and space
And make two overs happy"
1t will ere longput girdle around the
world, which vii render practicable in
stantaneous inteichange of thought be-
tween the most distant parts of the globe.
The trumpet of G,briel, unless the the laws
regulating the Transmission of sound shall
be changed, in prsclaiming the awful fiat,
that slime shall be no more," would be
preceded by the photographic dispatch!"
1t has already connected the western with
the eastern continent by steam ferry, and
will, ere long, bind With an iron band the
Atlantic seaboard with the shores,
"Where rolls the Oregon and hears no sound
Save his own dashing."
We witness inventions and improve
ments as numberless as the sands which
sparkle in the Libyan moonlight-projects
and plans of every kind for the general
benefit Of mankind, but for the especial
benefit of the inventors; for the prime mov-
ing cause, the progenitor, which brings forth
these vast conceptions from tho womb u
the intellect, is money. We have bridges
in the air, not needing support from the
mundane sphere; aerial carriages, which
would have realized the wish of the psal-
mist, 'sOh! that had she wings of doye!''
destined by their inventor 10 ride upon the
whirlwind, and soar in ethereal realms
where none but aronauts and poets ever
ventured before-sehemes vast and min
ute, from the linking of mighty oceans tc
taking the vote of Legislative bodies in q
minute! Dreams, many of these may be
termed by the sceptic, but scarcely less
improbable than realities which we have
witnessed with our own eyes.
Reform is the order of the day. The
good old customs of our fathers have be-
come obsolete. Their ideas are growing
antiquated. We only revere the past fo
the works of genius which it has trans
mitted to US. Our literary geniuses are
engaged in the great strife for wealth; and
in that contest, productions of the mind are
below par. Our sweetest poet is mer
camille clerk. Another is the editor Of
partisan newspaper. They have "hun9
their harps upon the willows" and hav,
adopted more lucrative calling-the.
are engaged in the great battle of the age
The conveniences of life, which satisfied
the wants of our fathers, are now repudia
ted. The primeval forests, which furnishes
them with warmth, are discarded now
We have better material. Gun-powde
gives place TO gun-cotton-the extract c
whales blubber the invention of the chem
ist; the moons rays to the more brilliant ligh
of gas, and some invention to mitigate tn
rigors Of winters cold, and summers hea
are not beyond the bounds of probability
Judging from the stupendous schemes an
Herculean tasks which have had their in
ception and completion in our time. Nay
the very sun himself may even be disper
sed with by some improvement. We ar
almost led to exclaim-
sfTis well that he is placed so high,
Or some reforming ass
Would soon attempt to take him down,
And light the world with gas!"
: If the theory of Kirkwood be correct, thi
: our whole solar system was once include
; in the diameter Of the sun, and that all th
: planets were formed by successive layer
detached from this body, and ergo, the su
0 will eventually be used up, and converte
: into worlds, mankind need not be in tt
!: least alarm, in prospect of the loss of II
great dispenser of light and heat. A stoc
: company would soon be formed in tt
: North to supply his place, and, at liber
1 profit, furnish light and heat to all creation
q Yes, the great strife of the age is Fl
r money. Go walk our streets-improv
a ments every where meet our eyes. w
|. see, at every turn, some new invention
# some before unheard-of nostrum, for Il
It cure Of all disease that flesh is heir to, SON
+ new swindling gcontrivance-innovationu u
on innovation--improvement upon II
o provement. Expedients before unhear
u of for the amassing of wealth, are deyelopt
!, every year. In times past, the danseu
e at our theatres, who clothed herself WI
r the fewest fgleaves, and could make Il