The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-13
LOCAL MATTERS.
Mn. JOHN r. THomPsoN's Lecture at The AtaenGnm'
7aursday Erening on 1.-THE Mutual Relations Of

Ma JOHN r. THomPsos's Lecture at The Athengnm'
Thursday Evening, on "7ae Mutual Relations Of
Commerce aud Literature"
This lecture was one Of the most agreeable that
has yet been delivered at the Atheneum. It
abounded in Wholesome truths, humorous ustra-
tons and poetic excerpts, and couched in plain
and accessible language, feelingly delivered lit.
tie more animation of manner would have been
an improvement. The audience, though email,
were evidently fully satisfied with their lecturer
and his treatment Of the theme.
Mr.. 7. Promised his remarks by stating that he
should endeavor to present ideas that practi-
cal, ard render them attractive possble and
although the observations he should make upon the
characteristics OF literature might not call into exer
else the thinking faculties of the audience to any
great extent still, perhaps some OF the more prom
inent might not be forgotten. The views he would
take would be of general nature and first he
would pause a moment to enquire what was the
legitimate office of literature, and what ends had
to subserve. Its duties were mutifarious.
1t was the chroncler OF the history of the past and
the scenes of the present The action Of ankind in
all its phases recorded by 1t. Literature was
also teacher and such, its responsibilities wee
| weighty. Out of this obligation of teaching, grew
the correllave duty to expose and denounce the
offences of the moral and social world-and this
was the office of SATIRE Satire, to benefit should
| be devoid Of prejudice or maligniy. The sense
| of the comic was far more general and extended
than the of the pathetic; and thus the power
of satire was great. The death of little Nell was
| read by but few, in comparison to the many that
shook their sides over the diverng ballad of the adj
| n Inbp SuVift cd the
English government at his pleasure through the
medium of his laughter moving and satirical writ.
| ings
Cervantes and Clifford, ALSO by the same literary
power, achieved marked results. Thackery was
now the scourge and fear of frivolous fashionable
| life
| Poetry, another form of literature, exercised a
most grateful Office. 1t was the exponent of the
pure and beautiful of life, the counsellor of Attic.
ton, the nsprer of noble sentiments, and the diff
fuser of generous sympathies.
By many, literature, because it did not de area
dividend was regarded of small Importance.
And. indeed, it was OF to be wondered at that the
literary man was regarded as dreamer, because OF
his disregard of the rise and fall of stocks. The
literary man did not give grand entertainments, or
| build cities, or freight the with ships. The
| practical business man did these things and
| was known and caressed by the whole community,
| who saw Immediately before them the practical
results OF his labOrs. And yet the literary
| could not be called dreamer, when the benefits
| which he had conferred upon mankind were taken
| into consideration. Columbus and Fulton, and
| Morse were men of this character, and how mighty
| We're the results of their labors! After all, the
| dreamer ocalled-was the practical who
most certainly shaped the destines of the world
| He gave forth the ideas that were acted upon by
the world Without his portraiture of the causes of
great epochs and acts in the past,and record of the
indications and working of the hand of Providence
in all human atfairs-devoid of the comparison
which he instituted between causes and effects-the
simple statement of facts merely would present his
tory in the aspect of Poyphemus without his eye.
| Seeming anamolies were at once explained by the
| workings of thought-by it the various phenome
ma of the worlds progress was held up to view. 1t
was thought that had ever held absolute sway over
mankind. By thought certain principles had become
| fixed in the minds of men from which cleaned con.
tinualy fixed rays oil light, to Hume the long and
| clouded march of humanity. The influence of
thought was not always perceived or understood.
| Ages often interviewed between the conception and
fultilment of thought 1t might be said with much
| OF truth that Napoleon rode upon the wave which
| the genius Of Voltaire generated. Many great men
were but the instruments of ideas originated before
| them. One of the mightiest of the day might be
| acting in accordance with thought that fell I'M
| needed from the pen of some acute tn nker cen
fury ago.
| Mr.. L. next proceeded to consider how far the
powers and labors of literary man We're modified
and influenced by external causes, and how ne stood
| affected by the acquisitions of the world around
him.
His relations to the world were of two fold ma
| ture. By his works he was clothed in an IDEAL fas
cinatng, and even extravagant character, when up
| ON intimate acquaintance he was seldom found in
his manners character to be any better than the
| average routine of moItals 1t was sad disap-
pointment to many, who admired the productions
OF certain writer's, to find those writers npon per-
sonal acquaintance, redolent Of the fumes Of bran
dy and tobacco. And this ideal of the imagination
concerning authors led mankind generally to judge
OF their faults harshy. Thus it often found
that brilliant talents were accompanied by an err.
| ing nature; and those faults which in men gener-
| ally were passed over, were often magnified into
crimes when the characteristics of authors and
writers. If the fatal debasement of intemperance
settled upon gifted mind in short period, his
name became kissing aud aby-word in the com
nuni!y. If one became bewldered with the glare
OF false philosophy and wandered in the mazes of
scepticism there was no kind friend to tender him
the key OF promise wherewith to unlock the doubt
ing castle. Anathema, rather than remons.rance
towards such unfortunates, society always chooses
to employ; and by this unrelentins course many
misguided, but gentle and naturally noble SOUL had
been driven to war against the institutions of soc
ETY.. Again, when the legions of idleness and the
cohorts OF medocrity triumphed over some daring
leader in the paths OF literature, it was victory,
not over the errors of the victim, but the better
feelings Of his nature, and the finer instincts of his