The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-10-23

exclusive exercise of the latest passions. his rude
and untamed spirit, restrained by no law and
moderated by no charms of social intercourse
impressed upon the language which he employ
ed TO give expression TO his imperfect and newly.
q FORMED ideas, seal and stamp that could not
fail TO make the character of the age conspicu.
Iouss, II we seek an example let us look Rome,
an empire that sought TO expand its almost
iilimitabe dominion whithefsueter its armies
could penetrate; war, its delight and conquest,
Its chez ambition; who can wonder that its
Language should bear upon it the impress OF
their martial god, and move ralher TO the sound
of trumpet and clarion. than "to the Dorian
mood of flute and soft recorders"
From architecture we derive important infor-
nation OF an antiquarian character! the pro-
gression of manners see evinced in the de-
veloped taste for the fine arts, and architec cture
affords us means OF gaining an acquaintance
with the varied huns Of a peoples disposition
and taste. In the Doric style we see the aus
terity of the national character displayed, the
Ionic shows to posterity simplicity combined
with elegance the Corinthian eXibits to us
rich and luxurious people, seeking to build up
new improvements on the more simple con-
Isiructions of their predecessors. But most Of,
the original models Of beauty and mugnifc,nce
are no more: like the age they characterized,
they have passed array aud can be studied only
IN their relicits among the memorable things
that were. When we look towards those plains
once covered with Gourishing cities, the seat o.
Liberty and science, whose streets were wont to
Ieeho with busy sounds OF commerce, and whose
/ buildings stood forth in all The beauty Of chase
and elegant art we see nothing but vast regions
strewed with The rIius Of past magniiicence,
lund we cannot help feeling sensible regret Ct
/ their instability. Yet vhlle we louk in vain
for the weIl-proportuned originals, we cannot
tail to admire the active, generous and investi.
gazing spirit Of The present age, which has al
'pId"d 10 the cultivation Of modern architecture
! 50 much aid by lis sarch, into the style of the
Nlnalns Of antiquity
| 70 language tirn, md 10 architecture we look
Tor information in regard to national character
, 0i totmer perio i> but to Trace peoples pro-
/ grrss IN al! the man points of character and in
/ 'tc pcularites OF private life that give tone TO
/ 10 lie PoPurar dispositions, we must examine
/ the remains OF ancient art as TX mpiiied in
iii IT paintings their medals and their mOuu.
ments From the venerable and valued relics
"t are enabled to obsin an insight into the de-
fails OF domestic life F.; TO see them, so to speak
III the comparatively insignificant sph"r. of
social duties, und we rise from thpirCussriuDla-
tIun what an accurate appreciation ,,i their
m"rtl worth. The ininute,t circumstances H..
conn 'JIImbie b. cause they illustrate ilr gr.at
obi Ct Of our study in the same manner as the
rudrst Inventions Of early ages are entitled TO
uur r. SprCt, bvcauS' they opened th. way for
Subsequent discoveries in the arts Of c:en hG, !
Fr"t" ili2 remains Of thrir scul pture we harr
the most authentic information in regard To !
their religious aud political institutions We /
imire, IN their coins and marble monuments.
the sim Ie elegance and the true and un Xaggrra- |
ted sublimlty that makes them so rclnaTkabIe
Elr'sr precious remains have, ut times opeu ,d !
to us su'rces III genuine information or present
ed TO rs some interesting picture Of domestic
llir. II Is by the study Of such works Of the
best masters OF antiquity that we become con.
fTsant WIIh iu'rsts Of b,auty and grandeur
aud the artist. trhose aim it is to arprovr as
mae ~ r"sHlblp the effect ideal FORM can learn
many lesson in beauty of outline and complete.
ness "t their examination. Mlchsel Angelo
found IN the rrmans Of ancient art freom"nt
opportunities for adding to the cxcelhnce Of his
own productions while Raphael studied their
n"mr simplicity and granduer of expression
win The most dligent attention.
The examination Of medals recalls to us long
succession OF heroes whose name history has
made familiar, som" of whom were prominent
as the h"ruic guardians Of their country BY
protecting their civil rights at home or spread
ing the terror of its arms abroad and not
heroes alone are presented TO our vision, as it
we've. hut Others, whose efforts were no less
b'n"liclal when employed in the fostering of
those arts that improve and adorn mankind,
MIny are thus rescued from oblivion, and from
the obscuri,y in which they Hsd been reposing,
and are made 10 shine forth as bright objects in
the darkness that surrounded them. A regular
serious OF medals is history which transmits
t. us g. at transactions, whether OF peace or of
war, aud is AN important elutidatii1 of ma
ITEMS annals.
The study of antiquities, ts has been well
observed by learned sritet once far removed
from all arts of elegance is now become ar at
tendant on the muses., hardrhaid TO history, TO
poetry and philosophy. From This united infIu-
ence many are the advantages which ha I'VE been
derived to general knowledge. Particularly
much of that obscuritt which overspreads the
first periods in the history Of every nation, has
already been happily remoted from our own by
the diligence and sagacity of able antiquaries
And what, indeed, may we not expect farther
from an age in which every department Of
science IS advancing to perfection in which
history has attained degree of excellence un-
known TO any former period of English litera-l
turc; and poetry and philosophy have gained
new honors.; and lastly, what may we not
hopefully anticipate from an era in whose charac.
ter that has so conspicuous place, which is
essential 10 the success of this study an inauisi-
tive curiosity and ferven love Of truth.
-----s--------
ALI that your friend says to YOU, as to his
friend, is entrusted to you solely, Much of
what man tells you, in the hour of afIliction
IN sudden anger, or in any out-pouring of his
heart shond be sacred. In his craving for
sympathy, he has spoken to you as to his own
soul.
-Contentment abidps with truth. You will
generally suffer for wishing to appear other than
what you are whether it be richer, or greater,
or more learned. The mask soon becomes an
instrument of torture.
The best teachers are those who can seem to
forget what they know full well who work out
results, which have become axioms in their
minds with all the interest of beginner and
with footsteps no longer than his.
Depend upon it, the most fatal idlcness is
That OF the heart; and the man who feels weary
ct lie, may be sure that he dose not love his
fellow Creatures as he onubt Y