The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-11-30
in, for the critics tell us his beauties are

Inj lOT IHe cFltlcS lcil US MS DeautleS are
inimitable,'
Yes, sir, and the naturalists tell US that
the beauties of the basilisk are inimitable,
too
The baslisk, sirl Homer compared
with the basiliskl l really don't under
stand you, SIR
why, Imean sir, that as the basilisk
is more to be dreaded from tho beautiful
skin that covers its poison, so is Homer,
for the bright colorings he throws over bad
characters and passions. Now, as don
think the beauties of poetry are compar-
able to those of philanthropy, nor thou
sandth part SO important to human happi.
ness, | must confess, l dread Homer, es-
pecially as the companion of youth The
humane and gentle virtues are certainly
the greatest charms and sweeteners of life
And suppose, sir, you would hardly
think OF sending your son to Achilles tc
learn these"
Il agree he has too much revenge in
his Composition"
eyes, sir, and when painted in the col
ors which Homer's glowing fancy lends,
what youth but must run the most immi.
net risk of catching a spark of bad fire
from such blaze rs he throws upon his
pictures"
"Why this, though an uncommon view
ofthc subject, is, confess, an ingenious
one, Mr.. Franklin; but, surely, lis over
strained"
"Not at all, sir; We are told from author.
Iity, that it was the reading of Homer that
first tput it into the head of Alexander the
Great to become hero, and after him oi
Charles XII. What millions of creatures
have been slaughtered by these two great
butchers, is not known; but still, probably
not tythe of what have perished in duels
between individuals, from pride and re,
vcnge, nursed from reading Homer.
"Well, sir" replied the Governor, ID
never heard the prince of bards treated in
this way before. You must certainly be
singular in your charges against HON
en-"
"Ask your pardon, sir; have the homo,
to think of Homer exactly as did tho great
est philosopher of antiquity; mean of Ho-
mer to his republic. And yet Plato was a
heathcn.'
Here the Governor came to q pause
But perceiving Ben cast his eye on splen.
did copy of Pope, he suddenly seized thai
as fire opportunity to turn the conversa-
ton. So stepping up he placed his hand
on his shoulder and in a very familiar man
ner, said:
We'll Mr.. Franklin, there is an author
that | am sure you will notquarrel with; an
author that l think you will pronounce
faultless.'
"Why, SIR replied Ben, Il entortsin
a most exalted opinion of Pope; but still,
sir, think he is not without his faults"
at would puzzle you, suspect, Mr..
franklin, as keen critic as you are, to
point out one."
"Well, sir said Zen, hastily turning to
the place, "what do you think of this IA
nous coupet of Pope's:
'Immodcsl words admit of no defense,
For want fdecency iswant of sense.
II see no fault there"
"No-indeed" replied Ben; "w!y, now,
to my mind man can ask no better ex-
cuse, for anything he does wrong than his
want ofsense."
GLOW so?"
"Well sir, if l might presume to alter a
line in this great poet, l would do it nthis
way:
"Immodcst words admit of THIS defence,
"rhat want ofdccency is want Of sense"
Here the Governor caught Ben in his
arms, as delighted father would his son,
calling out at the same time to the cap
tain
"How greatly 1 am obliged to you, sir,
for bringing me to an acquaintance with
this charming youth! 0, what delight,
full thing it would be for us to converse
with such asprightly youth as him! But
the worst of it is, most parents are blind tc
the true glory and happiness of their chill
dren. Most parents never look higher fol
their sons than too see them delving like
muck-worms for money; or hopping a.
bout like jay-birds in fine feathers. Hence
their conversation is no better than froth OF
nonsense"
The Governor shook hands with Ben
begging that he would never come to New
York without coming to see him.