The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-15

"Well, sir, skilful gardener. with his hot
house, would give US nearly as fine pine-appl.
as any in Jamaica. And so Mr.. Pope, with hi
/ fine imagination, has given us Homer with more
of his beauties than ordinary scholars woulc
find in him after forty years study Of the Greek
And besides, sir, if Homer was not translated
l am far from thinking it would be worth spend
ing five Or six years to learn to read him in his
own language 1Eat " s
''Y on differ from the critics. Mr.. Franklin, fol
the critics altel us his beauties are nimitable' .
"Yes, sir, and the naturalists tell us that the
beauties of the basisk are inmitable too''
'The basilisk, sir? Homer compared with
the basilsk! Irealiy don't understand you, SIR
- "Why, mean, sir, that as the baslisk is the
more to be dreaded from the beautiful skin that
covers its poison, SO is Homer for the bright
colorings he throws over bad characters and
passions. Now, as don't think the beauties
of poetry are comparable to those Of philan-
thropy, nor a thousandth part SO important to
human happiness, must confess dread Ho-
mer, especially 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 to learn these
II agree he has too much revenge in his
composition Id a @5 s.0 #v'
Eyes, sir; and when painted in colors which
Hemer's glowing fancy lends, what youth must
run the most imminent risk of catching a spark
of bad FIRE from such blaze as he throws
upon his pcturese"
"Why, this, though an uncommon view of
the subject. is, I confess, an ingenious one,
Franklin; but surely it's overstrained.''
"Not at all, sir. We are told from good au-
thority that it was the reading of Homer, that
first put into the head of Alexander the Great
to become a hero, and, after him, of Chales XII
What millions of creatures have been slaugh-
tered by these two great butchers is not known;
but still, probably, not 1.-THE, Of what have
perlshed in duels between individuals, from
pride and revenge nursed from reading Homer"
"Well, sir" replied the governor, Il never
heard the prince of bards treated in this way
before. You must certainly be singular in your
charges against Homer"
"Ask your pardon, sir. I have the honor to
think of Homer exactly as did the greatest
philosopher of antiquity-I mean Plato-who
strictly forbade the reading of Homer in his re-
public. And yet Plato was a heather. Idon't
boast Of being christian; and yet am shock
ed at the inconsistency of our Latin and Greek
teachers, generally christians and divines too,
who can one day put Homer into the hands of
their pupils. and in the midst of their recitata
tons can stop them short to point out divine
beauties and sublimties which the poet gives
to his hero in the bloody work of slaughtering
the poor Trojans, and the next day take to
church to hear discourse from Christ on the
blessedness of meekness and forgiveness. No
wonder that hot-lvered young men, thus edu
Gated, should despise meekness and forgive
ness as coward's virtues, and count no hing
SO glorious as fighting ,duels and blowing out
brains.''
Here the governor came to pause, like a
gamester at his last trump; but perceiving Ben
cast his eye on a splendid copy Of Pope, he
suddenly seized that as fine opportunity to
turn the conversation. So, stepping up, he
placed his hand on his shoulder and, in a very
familiar manner, said:
"Well, Mr.. Franklin, there is an author that
l am sure you will not quarrel with, an author
that think you will pronounce faultless."
''Why, sir" replied Ben, Il entertain the
most exalted opinion of Pope; but still l think
he is not without his faults''
Il suspect it would puzzle you, Mr.. Frank
lin, as keen critic as you are to point out one "
''Well, SIR" said Ben, hastily turning to the
place, "what do you think of this famous coup
let of Pope's?-
"1mmodest words admit of no Defence
For want of decency is want of sense"
Il see no fault there'
''No, indeed?" replied Ben. "Why, now,
o my mind, a man can ask no better excuse
or any thing he does wrong than his want of
sense"
"How so?''
"Well, sir, if might presume to alter line
If this great poet, would do it in this way:
''Immodest words admit of this defence:-
That want of decency is want of sense.'
Here the governor caught Ben in his arms,
IS delighted father would his son, calling out
It the same time to the captain: .....
"How greatly I am obliged to you, sir, for
bringing me to an acquaintance with this charm
ng youth! Oh, what a delightful thing it would
,e for us to converse with such sprightly youth
IS he! But the worst of it is, most parents are
hind as bats to the true glory and happiness
# their children. Most parents never look
higher for their sons than to see them delving
lke HuCh-WoIHS iOl nOley OT hopping aDOuL
ike iay-birds in fine feathers. Hence, their
is no better than froth or nonsense"
After several other handsome compliments
o Ben, as the captain expressed wish to be
,ong, the governor shook hands with Ben,
egging at the same time that he would forever
onsider him as one of his fastest friends, and
lso never to come 10 New York without COM
ng to see him. ....~-r.. ....- .. ..- !
---S~~N-~~-~<>~-~---~-
A FALs1FIcArroN OF H1sToRY.-Such is the
rue character of an electioneering pamphlet,
irculated at the south, endorsed by John Sill
ell, whitewashing Mr.. Buchanan on the slave
y question. We commend to the readers of
hat pamphlet, the following morsel of truth
which is not to be found in the document: +.
The following resolution, introduced into the
United States senate by the hon. VIM. c. Rives,
he lth of January, 1888, and voted against
y James Buchanan, we have not, we believe,
heretofore published. We give it now
Resolved, That any interference with the
ubject of slavery, in the territories of the U.
states. in which it may exist, is inhibited by all
he considerations in regard to the rights and
otorocfe IF the inh htapts of tho ca ii tor,;+o