The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-06-30

and of course had little or no leisure for
reading, or transcendental philosophy
In law the lawyers were thoroughly read,
and the doctors in medicine aud the
storekeepers and clerks were reasonably
well versed in the principles of trade,
and followed diligently the callings to
which they had devoted themselves.
But for Kantean philosophy and Carlyle
isms they had no taste, and always look
ed little blank when these were intro
duced, as they invariably were ty Miss
Gray, who secretly enjoyed the annoy
anco she occasioned.
The effect upon the mind of Miss
Gray was as might be supposed Be-
fore she came to Floraville, she had a
very good opinion OF herself; this good
opinion, since her residence there Of a
few months, had increased very consid :
erably. She felt herself superior to the
common mass around her. In fact, she
looked down upon the very elite of Flora
vile.
No matter how skillfully the doctor
managed difficult and dangerous case
of illness no matter how profoundly
versed in legal science the lawyer might
be = no matter in fact how estimable in
character and useful in his professional
sphere the individual who came in con
tact with Miss Gray, he was an object Of
contempt if not thoroughly versed as
herselffn all the lore of authorship.
Like all whose self estimation is based
upon attainments not used for the
public good, Miss Gray valued herself
very highly.
Among the dwellers in Floraville was
a Young physician OF quiet habits and
retiring manners, named Phillips. He
was ambitious of professional distinction,
and therefore a hard student. For lit
erary and miscellaneous reading he had
neither time nor taste. He went into
company only occasionally, and then
kept aloof from the gayer circles. His
reputation was that of man of intel
ligence and close thinker. Most of
the young ladies held him in kind of
awe.
Some months from the time Miss
Gray arrived in Floraville elapsed before
she obtained an introduction to DR..
Philips. Frequent illusions to him
were made in her presence, all tending
to give her an idea that he was a per-
sonage of higher intellectual character
than any with whom it had been her
fortune to meet in that benighted Sec
ton of the country. All this made her
anxious for an opportunity to measure
swords with him, and show him her
superiority. Such an opportunity finally
came They were thrown together one
evening in private circle, into which
DR.. Philips came without suspectng
the presence of Miss Gray. He was
altogether unprepared for the meeting.
But few minutes were suffered to
elapse after the introduction before the
young lady opened her battery with
guns double -shottcd, in order to cope
with a supposed strong antagonist.
"You have read, of course" she said
very early in the conversation, " the
Article on moral suasion in the last num-
Der Of the Quarterly. Don't you think
the writer has made his case very
clear 7"
Now, DR.. Philips had not looked into
any Quarterly, for the last five years,
and hardly knew the meaning Of the
new term moral suasion. He was an
honest, straightforward sort Of a man,
and could affect nothing. All that was
left him was to reply, with slight blush
that he had not read the article to which
she alluded.
Z" All, indeed Then you have lost
an intellectual treat. l have not en-
joyed an article so much fora long time.
| have been trying to make out the
author. 1t must be either Maccaulay
or Lord Brougham. The former |
should think, from the eloquent style in
which it is penned. What clear
thinker and brilliant writer that Ma
cauly is /! You remember bis article on
Milton ?"