The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-26


OF the responsibility ofthe people. fhev have
little active power, but their passive fo,ce i
immense. They seldom trouble themselves to
attack, but they are great in resistance md sar
this reason few persons dare openly 70 onnose
them, although many open safety-yalve for
their Indignation in contempt and abuse Win,
Is Bloomerism but public acknowledgment
OF the might of the mediocracy-an agitation
for carrying change of measures through
committee Of the whole housef The ladies' Of
this faction are not satisfied with changing
their own measures: they must have the sane.
ton, the homologatioD, Of the mediocracy.-
Without this they would consider their pro-
cesdings illegal, and enjoy no rest of con-
science. 1t is even so in the matter of hats
Many persons are dissatisfied with the custom
we have ofcarrying an empty oblong bandbox
on our heads, and 60 about agitating for
change offashion. Why so?-why not please
yourselves, gentlemen? All that is all very
well; but what would the mediocracy say -
Some time ago we received a communication
from several persons, proposing an association
OF strong minded brethren who were to combine
Tor the purpose of letting the beard grow. Ii
was supposed that the extraordinary counte-
nance these hirsute conspirdtors would show
to one another might make favorable impress
sion upon the public; but there appeared to be
tlmidity in their initiatory proceedings which
was not encouraging the mssive came in the
form of Round Robin.
In some nations mediocrity, as power, is
stronger than in others; but China NAV be
pointed to as its grand stronghold. This fowe-
ry land is the centre of the world of common.
place. 1t has no ignorant classes in one sense
OF the word; all are educated up to certain
point OF mediocrity, and genius is kept down
by main force. To surpass the standard
works OF the language-standard two or three
thousand years ago-is an offence at law and
even IT It were not so, the Celestial mediocra-
cy would turn away with contempt from any
thing that appeared to be different in thought
or manner from their classics An emperor
desired to read Chinese version of the New
Testament; and having gratifed his curiosity,
ne returned il with the simple remark 1T is
not classical This was enough. The judg-
ment ran like wildfre through the country.
and third part of mankind wagged their tails
IN triumph. The poor outside barbarians E
Their great book resembled neither the She.
KING, nor the He-king, nor the Shocking! A
great part of the literature of China consists
OF novels and poetry. In the one, they repre-
sent their own manners to the life, and are
never weary of contemplating the common
place image; in the other. they illustrate their
own mind in all its happy desttution of
thoughts and ideas. The schoolmaster pub
fishes his verses by rasting them en- the door
post; the cook glorifes his kitchen walls in the
same manner; all China writes verses; and
conventional edict constitutes all verses poetry.
Among the western nations, the mediocracy
OF England may be reckoned the STRONGEST
Genius is more afraid of it than elsewhere:
and eccentricity does not show itself in public
lest 1t should be mobbed. 1t was not her mid
die classes, but her mediocracv, that saved
England in the late revolutionary year. The
medIocracy could not make out the genius of
Red Republicanism; and it is to the present
moment standing puzzle with this common
place body, how ignorance and crime are to
be enlightened and reformed by having the
government of the country and the fortunes of
the age intrusted to their discretion. Loyalty,
liberty, religion-these are the three great
thoughts Of the English mediocracy, who are
their with own She-king.
1t is pity that there should exist any mis-.
| conception as to the power and vasiness of the
mediocracy. The struggles of genius are
| vain, its anger unphilosophical, its scorn ridi-
culous; and the fact is now so well known,
| that III good society man Of genius is rarely
recognizable. Why should it be otherwise p
Would visitor rush with an Indian war
whoop into rOomful of Quakers, or get upon
the table and stand on his head to amuse the
company; but the presence of genius, though
Hot iSSoShioSot 10 iCh ChhVCuiuS COuuOD-
place and elevating mediocrity, unc conscious.
ly alike to itself and its neighbors. 1t is just
so as regards literature. book to be prospe-
rous must be en- rapport with the circle it ad-
dresses; and it needs not be the less really ta-
Tented for assuming such a garb as will let it
pass freely in the crowd. tranquility and
modesty are not inconsistent with dignity, and
| they are essential to permanent success. Ex-
| travagance and pretenson may make people
stare for time; but not having the sympathy
of the mediocracy, they pass quickly into OBJ
livion. This is the end of many works that
to the few appear to deserve better fate and,
on the other hand, it points to the reason why
numerous productions, Of no value whatever
in critical eyes, maintain a popular place for a
whole generation. Such is the power of the
Nlediocracy and we humbly trus, that in
these few remarks there will be found satisfac-
tory evidence of the homage we render it our
selves.
PATRIDGEs.-Messrs. Editors: observe it
stated in late paper that immense numbers
of Patridges have been found frozen in New
jersey during the recent severe weather.
AUitbip la fun doys instead of any fniti-