Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1851-11-05

and the most moderate system OF livelihood:
And rumina,ing and questioning thus, the
spirit within is apt TO rebel. and even 'he
DEGREES Of the omnisc:ent to be imPiously
doubted.
Weforget the blessings we enjoy-we for
get thousands who are suffering become
selfish, ungra.eful and dissatisfied, and thus
we make ourselves miserable, in the very
spirit Of envy and discomfort. There is no
greater folly than that of an individual who,
contemplating the fortune of another, pines,
and whines, and complains, without making
an effort to better his own condition. There
it no more deplorable deluson than that
which nduces.he belief, that happiness is on
ly to be found in the sffluent or fashionable
circles There is no more wrelched mono
maniac than the man who, insensible 10 the
comorts and enjoyments fhome and health,
and family and friends, still yearns after some
una,lainable position, or groans in spirit, be-
cause some neighbor happens to be more for
,unate in worldly affairs. And yet how wide
spread-how almost universal-is this feel
ing Of envy! How prone is the human heart
to covet the prosperity Of another! How
apt are the multitude to desire change of
posi,ion-to imagine tina. they are peculiar
ly unfortunate, and sigh for almost any 9TH
er destiny! They are discontented, if they
are constantly employed, and they are more
so, if they have nothing TO do. u has been
we'll said, that zone great source OF vexa,ion
proceeds from one indulging too sanguine
hopes of enjoyment from the blessings we
expect, and too much Indifference for those
we possess We scorn a thousand sources
ef.o ;ubt boI in tho n
,erim; and permit our comfort TO be disturb
ed, and cur time to pass unenjoyed, from
impa,ience for some imagined pleasure at
distance, which we may, perhaps, never OBJ
tain, or which, when obtained, may change
its nature, and be no longer pleasure"
And-in the language Of Dr.. Johnson
"every man is rich or po or, according to the
proportion between his desires and enj oy-
ments. Of riches, as of every thing else, the
hope is more than the enjoyment; while we
consider them as the means 10 be used a.
some future time for the attainment of fell
city, ardour after them secures US from
WEAKNESS of ourselves, but no sooner do we
sit down TO enjoy our acquisitions lhan we
find them insufficient, to fill up the vacuisies
of life. Nature makes us poor only when
we want necessaries, but custom gives the
name OF poverty to the want Of superAuities.
|. is the great privilege Of poverty to be hap
py unenvied, TO be healthy wi,hou, physic,
secure without guard, and TO obtain from
the bounty of nature, what the great and
wealthy are compelled TO procure by the
help of art. Adversely has ever been con-
sidered as The state in which man most
easily becomes acquainted with himself,
particularly being free from Aalterers. Pros
perity is too apt TO prevent us from exsmin-
ing our conduct; but as adversely leads us
to think properly Of our state, it must be
beneficial 10 u.s."
Many suppose that an idle life is surroun-
ded with pleasure, and yet daily and hourly
they see ldlers Of the time rushing on step
by step into some new vice-somc new ex-
cess-,hat is certain to involve in speedy
ruin, if not in early death. The true phi
losophy is to deserve the gifts Of fortune,
and to make every honorable effort to OBJ
tain them. If unsuccessful, the conscious
ness of right will still IAN unfaiIing source
Of satisfaction and pleasure, while the hopes
Of better reward in the future, will bright
en- and increase as the sands Of existence
runs rapidly away. 1t is difficult, we are
aware, to be conten,ed. With many, more
over, petty grievances and slight misfor-
tunes annoy, depress and make unhappy.
5 Most of US are too apt to imagine that
there is something formidable and serious
in mere passing cloud. We fancy that
some signal calamity is at hand, when by
faith. patience and resolution, all will soon
!. be we'll again. If the sky be overcast, we
f are moody. If a meal be spoiled, we lose
our temper. The slightest causes, the most
trifing circumstances throw us off our BAL
ance. And if we permit this stem to con-
tinue, it will soon become a constant source
of inquietude. "Man is born to trouble as
the sparks fly upwards" This is our fate
this is our destiny. We cannot escape it.
No matter how apparently fortunate our
lot, annoyances and errors, pains and pen
allies will be mingled with our portion.-
But these are varied with many and invalu-
able blessings. IL our senses are all perfect,
we have great reason 10 be grateful to the
beneficent Author of our being. Is our
sight unimpaired-is our mind clear, and
are we in the enjoyment Of all our faculties?
IL the answer be in the affirmative, we have
cause TO be thankful. We are emlnen,ly ia
vored and blessed. And if we desire to ap-
preciate these blessings, we should seek ou.
the abodes of the wre,ched, the blind, the
halt and The lame-then contrast on, condi-
tion with theirs, return TO our closets, and
acknowledge that our murmnrs have been
unreasonable, unlus. ard ungra,eluI. In
slead of being envious and disconten,ed, we
should strive TO be generous and cheerful.
Instead Of looking with longing eyes upon
the brighter fortunes OF others, we should