Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-04-16
81 are tempted to n0nder sometimes u,


in this present age, where so wide and fertile a
field, with such rich variety of subject, is pre-
sented. there should have arisen no modern
..spec;ator." We never rise up from the enjoy
nent Of the infinite hurnor, the keen truth,
the profound wisdom and observation contain
ed in the chapters of this weil-known work,
without a conviction that more Of such writing
would greatly benefit US in short, that we need
n 'Spectator" among Us. This, Of course iS
only thought OF our own, IN opposition to
which several serious obstacles Immediately
suggest themselves, not the least Of which lsi
that the Addison or Steele of our age is yet to
nrise-until which time itwerc as well, perhaps,
10 foreso the idea, however fancful and agreea'
bic, or establishing such institution as
"Spectator" among US. For what has been
said Of the present time being fertile in subjects
might, we suppose, have been said Of every age
since the flood. "The field,s the world, the ma.
terfal has always been abundant and ready,
nothing has ever been needed but the observing
eye, the skilIful hand, the discriminating mind,
to select and arrange from its abundance things
rare and profitable"
The papers Of the Spectator" are perhaps
the truest history Of the age in which they wers
written-its manners and customs, its virtues,
its vices, follies and inconsistencies-and read.
ing them as they have been depicted, we arc
impressed, not with the originality Pecnliarity
of this history, so much as with the strong re-
sembIance it bears in all respects to that of our
own age. little change of time and circurn.
stance only is needed to make them almost
identical, so that it would not be difficult to
Imagine what the Spectator" of a century and
a half ago, might, and would write, were he
among US. Think what rare subjects there
would be for those "rnorning pages" what
holding up to view of the: fashions and foies
what general Sitting and renovating we i'm
agine might take place, if the Spectator Of
the seventeenth century were to make sudden
descent upon the progress and enlightenment Of
the nineteenth
Since, however, VIC have only the records Of
what he saw in his day and generation. very
careful perusal of these might be suggested as
a substitute; and this we recommend, even to
those OF our readers who perhaps may smile at
being recommended "to read the SpectatoT"-
TINT long established aud worldwide, famoua
hani, ,vbich o4"a,,, InGU" has read.-and If.
concluding these random remarks upon an old
theme, cannot better recommend to the fire..
quent psrusal of all, the pages of the Spectator,
than by giving at length his paper, No. 10, upon
the "Uses Of the Spectator"
at is with much satisfaction that hear this
great city inquiing day by day, after these my
papers, receiving my morning lecture with be-
coming seriousness and attention. Ny publish
er tells me, that there are already three thou
sand of them distributed every day; so that if
] allow twenty readers to every paper, which ]
look upon rs a modest computation, may reck-
on about three score thousand disciples in Lon
don and Westminster, who | hope will take care
to distinguish themselves from the thoughtIess
herd Of their ignorant and inatte-tiTe brethren.
Since have raised to myself great audi
ence, shall spare no pains to make their in
struction agreeable. and their diversion useful.
For which reasons have endehvorcd to enliven
morality with wit, and to temper wit with NOR
nlity, that my readers may, if possible, both
ways find their account in the speculation of
the day. And to the end that their virtue and
discretion may not be short, transient, iutermt-
ting starts of thought | have resolved TO re.
freshcn their memories from day TO day, till
have recovered them out of that desperate state
of vice and folly into which the age has fallen
The ruin that lies fallen but single day,
sprouts up in fOllies that only to be killed by
n constant and assiduOus culture 1t was said
of Socrates, that he brought philosophy down
from heaven to inhabit among men; and shall
be ambitious to have it said of that have
brought philosophy out Of closets and libraries,
schools aud colleges to dwell in clubs and as.
semblies. at tea.tabIes, ssand in coffee houses.
would therefore in very particular manner,
recommend these my speculations to all we'll.
regulated families that apart an hour in every
morning for tea and bread and butter; and
would earnestly advise them, for their good to
order this paper to be punctualIy served up, and
TO be looked upon as part of the tea.equpage.
Sir Francis Bacon observes, that well writ.
ten book, compared with its rivals and antagon-
lists is like Moses serpent, that Immediately
swallowed up and devoured those of the Es-p.
tans. shall not be so vain as to think that
where the Spectator appears, the other public
prints will vanish; but shall leave il 10 my
readers consideration, whether it is not much
better TO be let into the knowledge of ones self
Poland; and to amuse ourselves with such writ
than TO hear Of what passes in Russcovy or
ings as tend to the wearing out OF ignorance,
passion, and prejudice, than such as naturally
conduce to iniane hatreds, aud make cnmities
irrrconcilNbeg In the next place would re.
commend this piper to the daily perusal of those
gentlemen whom l cannot but consider as my
good brothers aud allies, mean the fraternity
Of spectators, who live in the world without
having anything to do with it; and either by the
aftlueree OF their fortunes, or laziness Of their
diSnOSitiODS. have other huSineSS yvith Tim