Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-09-14
For the Spectator.

A communication appeared in the last YIN
dicator," over the signature of Paul Poplln's
Friend" addressed to the "Visitors OF the west
ern Lupatic Asylum" in which the writer In
dulges in the charitable, and, to some persons
delightful pastime of finding sinister and fegned
motives for other peoples conduct. But as ne
in this instance measures mine by the just ano
elevated standard that regulates his own actiohs
| hope | may be allowed to commend to MS at
tention the following lines FROM Englands great
est epic poet:
He that has light within his own breast,
May SIT / the centre and enjoy bright oay
But he that hides dark SOUL and foul thoughts,
Benighted walks under the mid day sun;
Himself Is his own dungeon"
The writer in the indicator says: my friend
Paul never came squarely and fairly up to the
scratch in his life, and would NOT be persuaded
by all the eloquence could bring to bear to DC
so in this instance" Now the nodesty OF the
gentleman makes him much underrate the lnf1u-
ence of his "eloquence," for it is probable the
readers of the Spectator" will be inclined 70
think, by the time they reach the end OF this
brief communication, that "hiS friend Faul" has
been brought up, to use his own elegant and
classical phrase, pretty "fairly and squarely to
the scratch"
Ihope l will be excused for expressing, in this
place. my qualification at enjoying the sincere
friendship of this writer, being we'll satisfied
that the favorable opinion of man whose tenn
per can only be rufhed, or his equanimity dis
turbed, by such terrible calamities as not being
invited to dinner, cannot be too highly appre-
ciated. His communication is, however, In the
highest degree facetious and witty, and the read
ers of the "Vindicator' ought to feel under many
obligations to me for having brought to the COL
umns of their favorite journal so sparkling a
writer I enjoyed its racy humor and bright
flashes highly, albeit they were at my expense.
don't know that it detracts anything from the
merits of the article in question, that its wit is
of that kind which is best expressed by applying
the thumb to the tip of the nose, and manipula-
ting the atmosphere with the digitals-for to do
this gracefully requires SKILL taste and judgment.
By the way, if my friend has but such casual
connection with the "Board Of Visitors" as
would be indicated by his having only occasion
ally "Aung at him" an invitation to dinner, when
they were at command by the dozen," how
does he find access to their records so as to as
certain that "before the last quarterly dinner
they passed o resolution restricting the invita-
lions to two friends apiece2" / do not think
this resolution has heretofore been made public.
|, surely, never knew until saw this communi-
cation. that the hospitaties of the W. L. Asylum
were dispensed upon dualistic principle l.,
however, never had an invitation flung" at me
even when they were as plenty as Sir John Fsl
statfs reasons.
But do not, like my friend, value hospital-
ties, the charges of which are borne by the pub
lie treasury, high enough TO feel ''aggrieved" at
being omitted even from the sumptuous quarter
" entertainments of the Directors of the Western
Lunatic Asylum.
Now in reference 10 the concluding paragraph
of the communication of "Pau Poplin's Friend"
have no hesitation in expressing the opinion
chat the Board of Directors Ut the W. l.. Asylum
have no right to "drink toast to any particular
person" or persons whatsoever, on these or any
other occasions, or to feast their friends, either
>ingly or in couples at the expense OF the State,
and that this whole matter of elegant and costly
dinners at the Asylum is great abuse, which
reflects as little credit upon the Board as 1t re
dounds to the interest of the Institution.
When Governor Wise shall again PROFOUND
searching interrogatories to the Directory in ref
erence to the management of the Institution over
which they preside, hope he will not forget to
enquire the number of these "Aldermanic ieasts"
during the year; tie number OF guests usually
present; the principle upon which they are Sc
ected; the authority under which these enter
tanments are given /; the Influence they exert ID
promoting the comfort, welfare and happiness OF
the unfortunate inmates of the Asylum; and
what it costs the State annually, to enable the
Board. like the celebrated Capt. Rice ITO gin
treats" to their friends. PAUL PopLIN.