New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-11-16
LITERAT q.

II Although politics is, to q professed politica
paper, the chief and most important thing, it il
pleasant sometimes to be able to turn from tn,
graveled path and wander away into those leaf,
and outrageous bowers wherein the higf
priests and ministers of literature have thei,
temples the towers, turrets and pinnacles d
which leap up, with more than Moorish airi.
ness, into the skies overhead.
In the stern struggle between opposing par.
ties and inimical factions, there is always labor
care and anxiety. In the pursuit Of letters
there is pleasure and profit. BE who was Of
all politicians, perhaps, the most politio, and,
at least for time, the most successful; he
who in the full sweep Of his glory ruled, with
out rival, from the Tiber far away towards the
Orient and the 0ccident; who stood the Cidolon
and most perfect personation Of ancient repub-
licanism Cicero himself, in his oration for Ar
chias, and his immortal treatise concerning old
age and friendship, bears strong testimony to
the inextinguishable love Of letters that had
ever abided with him, oheered, soothed and
supported him through all trials, troubles and
| reverses. So, too, Demosthenes; SO, in later
times, soyereigns and great ministers Of State
men who controlled the destinies of the world
and shaped the character Of the ages after
them.
II is something notable and we'll deserving Of
regard, how the truest happiness is, after all,
the simplest and most easily attained--w
the reach and command of every one. Many
unlearned men have enjoyed life more truly and
endured less suffering in their transit from the
npo Ia IN he @bay,k
power and ruled royalty among the peoples.
And Of those who, in high places, shaped the
course Of things and made history, only the
lovers Of literature have been able at the close
of their political lives to find fresh, sufficient
and never failing happiness compensation,
comfort and solace for the stings of ill-fortune,
the desertion Of friends, Or the loss Of power,
That which, in the days Of their grandeur, had
been but incidental to the great objects of their
ambition, rose suddenly from its secondary
state to the highest rank, and was competent to
occupy all their attention and supply all their
wants. 1t was solace and sufficient compen-
sation q kind friend long under estimated, but
true and reliable; support which failed mot |
when all other supports gave way.
This fact, which stands out so plainly on the |
worlds history, should instigats all to turn
some portion of their time and attention to the |
study Of letters. If they do not rise into the |
rank Of the immortals, they will yet be able to
those who have SO risen, to read |
their history with clearer eyes, and more fully |
the character Of things and their
causes, They will be able to form opinions
based on sound reason, and to teach others, in
stead Of being taught by them, They will lead
The Lives of men rather than brutes, and enjoy
more satisfactory and perfect existence than
hey otherwise could do. A little time taken
rom business or from useless relaxation would
n the progress of the year supply them with an
AMOUNT Of information, the value Of which no
igures can estimate.