The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-06-06

sition of wealth But give me some
account of the literature of your
county"
"Of that" replied the Merchant,
81 am scarce competent judge, the
greatest part Of my time having
been employed In commercial studs
les. I am not, however, wholly u1-
acquainted with it; for 1 have al
ways thought that a merchant should
not neglect the accomplishments of
gentleman. The present state of
literature in Great Britain will be
best seen, by considering the per-
formances of the learned in their re-
spective classes. We have but few
historians Of real merit either their
style is slovenly and unharmonious,
OF their matter undigested and con-
fused (; they are either tools of fac
ton, or the slaves of bookseller.
But have had the pleasure of hear
ing, since | came to Ispahan, that
the histories ofEngland and Scot
land, the two divisions of Great
Britain, have lately been written
considerable spirit, accuracy, and
elegance. AS to the histories of
other countries, which have been
published in Great Britain, they are
such mere compilations, that they
deserve not to be called the labors
of art"
"From this account of your his
torians,' said Solyman, II cannot
entertain any great idea of them !;
but what are your orators ?'-" AS
to rhetorical writings" answered the
Merchant, ''we have many that are
truly excellent; spirited and elevated
in sentiment, in language harmon
ious and correct but the powers of
composition are rendered ineffica-
cious by spiritless pronunciation.
The art ofpublic speaking, however
important in itself, seems entirely
to be neglected and the orator pro-
nounces his discourse from the ros-
trum, with as little feeling himself,
and as little influence upon his audi
ence, as if he were reading the news
paper of the day.
"Then, I suppose" said Solyman5
''that your orators speak on unaf-
fecting, or uhinteresting subjects. "
"That is not the case,' replied the
Merchant: "the subjects they treat
are of the last Importance, the du-
ties we owe the Supreme Being, the
dispensations Of his providence, the
eternal obligations Of morality, the
charms of virtue, and the delightful
exercises ofjustice, mercy, and char
ity."
Holy Mithra!'' interrupted So1y-
man, "can the speakers be unaffect-
ed, while they are treating these Sub
iects Do they think of that impor-
tance they really are; or do your
teachers disbelieve and disregard
their own doctrines; or are they un-
concerned what effect they may have
upon the people 70
cit would be uncharitable," said
the Merchant. 'sto admit generally
any Of these suppositions. Their
unanimated and unawakened manner
of speaking, may proceed from in
nocent causes. which those you men
ton are not
81 take it for granted said Soly-
man, "that as you have orators, al
least in point of composition, you
have also poets: for rhetoric and
poetry are nearly allied. Besides,
have been informed, that every coun
try has it's poets; and that even on
the frozen m, untains of the north
the hardy I'M. sbitants open thei1
mouths to sing
s'The love of harmony replied
the Merchant, sis in man natura
passion There is something met
rical and numerous in his motions
his actions, and his words; and h
has always endeavored to reduce thu
last to a kind of poetical measure
even where the art of writing was
unknown or unpracticed. The ar
of poetry in Great Britain hass o
late years, been brought to great pei
fection: the language of the coun
trv is both nervous and harmonious
and calculated to express the tende
and the sublime: in both which spe
cies of writing we have poets tina
have never been excelled. Thougl
the english are, in general, of les
sprightly turn than their neighbcrs
the french yet, in the active pow
ers of inauguration, in the flight
of fancy, and the strains of humo
their writings are by no means infe
rior Hence, the Englisg party is no
only harmonious, but sentiments
and picturesque, abounding wit
strong images and lively description
In short, my countrymen have al
| tempted every different species Q
, poetry, and have eXcelled in each.
t "The account you give me ofyou
/, poetry" said Solyman, "makes m
l very desirous to learn your 1anguag
e There is no species of writing tina
: gives me equal pleasure I caugt
S the enthusiasm from nature, fror
l the harmony and symmetry of he
j works. 1fyou, who have so Ion
been accustomed 20 the elegance {
a the English can bear a specimen c
: the Mesopotamian poetry, will II
i peat to you a performance of m
e own"
: fARE%ELL HYMN TO ffiE VALLEY OF TRIVIA
:. Farewell to the fields of Irwan's vale,
L My infant years where fancy led:
f. And sooth'd me with the western gale,
Her wild dreams waving rOnnd my heat
u While the blithe blackbird told his tale.
i, Farewell, the fields Of Irwan's vale!
n The primrose on the valleys side,
The green thyme on the mountains head,
/ The wanton rose, the daisy pied,
q The wilding's blossom FLUSHING rid,
No longer their sweets inhale
: Farewell the fields of Irwan's valet
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
i "WHERE was John Rogers burne
It to death ?'' said the teacher to me
IS commanding voice.
); I couldn't tell.
r Next p
q No answer
e. "Joshua knows said little gi
,e at the foot of the class.