Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-05-10
one, Mr.. franklin; but surely it is over

one, Mr.. Franklin; but surely it is over
strained.'
''Not at all, sir; we are told from good
authority, that it was the reading of Homer
that first rut it into the head OF Alexander
the Great to become a hero, and after him
of Charles XII. What millions have been
slaughtered by these two great butchers is
not known, but still probably not a 1.-THE
of what have perished in duels between
individuals, from pride and revenge, nurSed
by reading Homer''
"Well, sir" replied the Governor, 81
never heard the prince Of bards treated in
this way before. You must certainly be
singular IN your charges against Homer"
81 ask your pardon, sir; | have the
| honor TO think Of Homer exactly as did the
greatest philosopher of antiquity l mean
Plato, who strictly forbade the reading of
Homer in his republic. And yet Plato
was heather. | don't boast myself as
Christian; and vet l am shocked at the
inconsistency of our Latin and Greek
teachers, generally Christians and djU ncs
too,) who can one day put Homer into the
hands OF their pupils, and in the midst of
their rectations can stop them short, to
point out divine beauties and subimlties
which the poet gives to his hero in the
bloody work Of saughtering the poor Tro-
jams; and the next day take them to church
TO a discourse from Christ on the blessed
ness Of meekneSs and forgiveness. No
wonder that the hot-livered young men,
thus educated, despise meekness and for
giveness as towards virtues, and nothing
so glorious as fighting duels and blowing
out brains"
Here the Governor came TO pause, like
a gamester at his last trump. But perceiv-
ing Ben cast his eye on a splendid copy of
Pope, he suddenly seized that as a fine op-
portunity TO turn the conversation. So,
stepping up, he placed his hand on his
shoulder, and, in very familiar manner,
said:
"Well, Mr.. Franklin, there's an author
| am sure you will not quarrel wth-an
author that | think YOU will pronounce
laullIess. 1t would puzzle you, keen critic
as you are, 10 point out one"
"Well, sir" said Ben, hastily turning 10
the place." what do you think OF this IA
nous couPlet Of Pope's-
'Inmodast words admit of no defence
For want Of decency is want Of sense"
"No-indeed !" replied Ben. "Why
now TO my mind man can ask no better
excuse for anything he does wrong that his
lcant Of sense"
GLOW so -
"WelI sir, if might presume TO alter a
line in this great poet, | would DO it in this
way:
,Inmodes, words admit of TIN, defence
For want OF dccency IS want Of sense"
Here the Governor caught Ber in his
arms as a delighted father would his son,
calling out at the same time 10 10 the cap
tain:
Chow greatly I am obliged to you, sir,
ior bringing me to acquaintance with this
charming youth! Oh, what delightful
thing it would be for US to converse with
such sprightIy youth as he. But the
worst OF IT Is, most parents are as blind as
bats to the true glory and happiness of
their children. Most parents never look
higher for their sons, than TO see them
delving like muckworms for money, or
hopping about like jay-brds in fine ieath
ers. Hence their conversation is no better
than iroth or nonsense"
After several other handsome compl-
ments on Ben, and the captain expressing
wish to be going, the governor shook
hands with Ben, begging at the same time.
that he would forever consider him one Of
his fastest friends, and also never to come
to New York, without coming 10 see him,