Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-24
Southern L;'erary Nesseueer for Man.

contents TO be unusually interesting. The lead
ing prose articles are 'sNotes and Commentaries
on Voyage to China" "a day or two in Ireland"
''Scenes and Incidents Of the Old Dominion, No
l." ''Storming of the Arsenal at Vienna" Ear
ly History of Louisiana "Scenes Beyond the
Western Border"
The specimens of original poetry are pleasing
and prove that the genius of civilization, with its
train OF locomotives, electric telegraphs and arti
fetal rivers, has not yetexpeed from the Old
Dominion the genius of Poetry There is n
Parnassus still in Virginia, which the poetic muse
delights to frequent.
But the most valuable commentator that we
can bestow upon the quality of the present num-
Der OF the Messenger is to lay before readers
extracts from some of its articles. The following
is taken from the ''History of Richmond -
1t was, at one time expected, that the silk
worm and the mulberry would be largely cult
waited in Virginia, and that Richmond would be-
come market for silk, and place of manufac-
ture for its beautiful fabrics. AS when rightly
looked at the handsome houses and the extend
ed streets, the wealth aud the commerce of Ly-
ons, in France, were built up by the insignificant
silk work, $50 that not inappropriately, it may be
termed, one vast cocoon,) similar cause acting
here. would produce similar and equal results
Such anticipatiOns have been disappointed, BY
the entire absence of the silk culture in Virginia;
although it may be demonstrated that the worm
f1ourlshes here, that it can be made profitable,
and that for the cultivation of staple crops our slave
population is peculiarly fitted. Yet, it is thought
better by our farmers to impoverish their lands,
and to make bare support for themselves and
their slaves by the present system of cultivation;
while the thrash gang, as it is called, consisting of
the woman and children, could attend silk worms
enough to pay all expenses and to enrich their
owner
1t is no new thing in Virginia. to raise silk;
attention was early paid here to its cultvation and
the coronation robe of Charles Second of England,
was made from silk raised and spnn in the coun-
ty of Gloucester.
Again, of another article, we believe that the
great staple OF China can be raised in Virginia
1t remains to be shown with what success and
at what profit. Tea is saleabe article, its use
increasing, and becoming UNIVERSAL its effect on
man good one and its price great. These are
inducements to cultivate it. An effort is now
making to introduce it in South Carolina, with
every prospect of success. Lower Virginia, in
its relation to the ocean, and its prevailing Winds
in its numerous rivers intersecting and render
ing unhealthy the country, in the tendency to
malaria, &C., closely resembles China. We
have too large population las was said in
speaking of silk, another product of Chna,) that
from exhaustion of the soil, and the absence of
staple crops, do not support themselves by their
labour; who grow up and are sold off, to pay the
expense of bringing them up, and to support
those who stay behind. The cultivation of the
tea plant, as of the silk worm, would give prof.
table employment to this class and thus prevent
that constant sending off of slaves to the South
ern States, which is rapidly depriving Virginia
OF her laboring population.
Again, i'll tea drinking, and tea producing coun-
tries, there is but little malarous influence; it is
probable that the bad air, bad water, and album
dant malaria of China, compelled the use of this
plant skilful physician discovered its proper
ties, and made its use universal. Now the mala-
fious tendencies OF our lower country, are well
known; and in this point of view, perhaps, the
cultivation of the health giving tea plant, may be
thought worthy of consideration.
Wine making is another occupation that has
never flourshed in this State. Although we are
opposed to its use; yet the mass of men will
ever drink, ifs better that fermented liquors
should take the place of distilled spirits; wine is
certainly less hurtful than whskey, and il is more
patriotic as well as more wholesome to drink the
pure wines OF our own country, than foreign
adulterated mixtures. Wine drinking countries
are temperate countries; drunken man is rare
sight in the lands where the vine grows freely
The same cannot be said of whiskey, and rum
drinking community. The vine can be raised
with profit on our soil, and its fruit may become
profitable source ofconmerce. The very black
berry that covers our worn out soils, will yield
wine, equal in strength and similar and superior
in medicinalproperties, to the best Port wine.
1t will be seen from the abov that the Messen-
geris devoted not only to elegant and ornament
al literature, but embraces in its extensive range
much that is useful. We have room for only one
more extract, which we shall clip from the con-
clusion of an ''Introductory Address on the open
ing of the Richmond Atheneum, by Hon. John
Rober son. We commend to all persons the fol-
lowing reflections upon the fruits of intellectual
culture:
''Moral truths as we'll as physical not only are
not innate, but are not always obvious. They
must consequently be tau ght :-acquared by the
assiduous culture aud exertion of our intellectual
faculties. Wisdom delights in truth. 1t was
Wisdom herself, who in the reverend form of
Mentor guided the footsteps of the youthful Tee-
machus, and taught him the lessons of virtue
Such lessons cannot be two often repeated, too
earnestly inculcated. 1t is thus alone that the
heart and the understanding awakened to
perception of the beauty and fitness of virtue;
to comprehend fully that unless we do Justice to
others, have reason to expect it will be done
to that crime, even when successful, ends in |
misery; in short. that virtue is only conforma-
BILE to nature and to the will of God, but |
the indispensable means of insuring our happi-
ness--here and hereafter. An unframed mind |
may doubtless take these truths upon trust: but
as readily may reject them-for Ignorance is ever
weak and credulous; the victim of unregulated |
passions the dupe of error. Rational convictions
take root only in minds to some extent previously
enlightened.
''But 1 would not rest the proposition, that ed
ucation tends to promote sound morals, upon alb
stract arguments alone. Let us appeal to facts:
the best test and on y sure foundation of just
soning-and does not experience show that the
obligations of justice, truth and charity, though
too often violated are more respected among civil