Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-05
FOR THE AMERICAN ORGAN,
"Men and their manners | describe"

"Men and their manners describe"
This was the language and appropriate heading
Of that Justly renowned paper Of English memory,
The Spectator, which, after the lapse Of more than
century, is still the standard work in the library
Of every moralist. Its authors were men Of the
nobest stamp, of bright intelects, and pure char
acters--men gifted with minds that could discern
an hearts that could appreciate the beauties OF
virtuous life. Its existence originated in the hon
orable desire Of correcting the evils and polishing
the Of society, and, by skilfully blending
"the useful with the sweet, and clothing instruc-
ton in an inolensive dress, ii contributed greatly
to the reformation of public errors, and to the
study of refined taste. But ut the demands of
memorable time the Spectator closed its career
leaving the rich legacy of its excellent precepts
and the example of its Christian editors.
But upon the ashes of the old hath arisen mod
erl Spectator. But ., Temporal what degeneracy.
What descent from the sublime to the ridiculous.
This modern genius, wrapping himself like the ass,
Ia the lions skim in this dgnied title, also writes
essays, and the conceptions of his intellect form
the Starlight OF the american metropolis. But
his Spectator differs, little from the original
il one particular. The latter was the offspring of
truth, and voluntary Offering to virtue, and It's
career aud end were alike consistent with its
origin But how applicable, and how humorous
il Martiars descriptionof the other" Iras ct ver
la ocat," one that hires ont his words and anger
Tor it--that lauds virtue according TO the number
uf dimes he receives, and pours out for his patrons
il quantity Of wrath proportionatc to the fee.
Nor il he at all particular as to the truthfulness
Of his writings. Amy conscientious scruples
that head easily outweighed by a sir-pe,,ce,
aud ifhe should hear the cink of dollar, he viii
pour forth such flood Of fsttery or SANDER, Of
abuse or commentator, as the case may require,
will completely deluge the poor subject.
| am fond OF reading the old Spectator, much
more must confess, than this ridiculous imitation,
and am delighted at the little episodes introduced
exhibiting the innocent pleasures Of the social cir
cles, and the humorous entertainments of the club.
oom. Among the references there is one to
The two.penny club erected for the preservation
n friendship and good 'teighborhood" Now our
modern Spectator, TO act consistently with the
title and profession he has usurped, should cstab-
sh or join some club of this kind, and should
spread forth to the public the moral advantages to
he derived from the accomplishment Of such good
ends But unfortunately there is an insuperable
objection in the way.
rhe fifth rule of this two.penny club was as fol-
lows: +" IL any member tells stories in the club,
that not true, he shall forfeit, for epery third
lie, a halEpenny." Now, such a rule as that would
rain this model Of moraiia; there would be n
continual drain upon his pocket for lalfpennies.
II l., moreover, In opposition TO his trade which
i 10 rCcecs half pennies for lies not TO pay them
understand that he has even been expelled from
several soeieties, because Of this sad infrnity,
much to the discrcdit Of his honest prototype.
The halfpenny fines accumulated so fast that he
became unable to pay them, and the members
were compelled TO eject him, for the sake of their
own feelings aud reputation, and for the sake Of
s family. But, for all tie. this natural defect is
not cured, and even his best friends are made the
subjects Of his evil propensity Would that the
old Spectator were living, that he might shake this
,....ll l.. Ii ~ A
make him Of some service to the community
LYON