Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-06
Tho Anfinuc.
Che Observations OF a Philosophical
Friend OF Ours.)

| CThs Observations OF a Philosophical
Friend OF ours)
1.-THE constant service of the antiqu,
world,
When service sweat for duty, not fol
need" AS You Like II.
"Quid faciunt stemmata: quid prosunt
reyes ?'-Juvenal.
What's the use Of stocks and royalty?-
Free Translation.
The philosophy Of devotion to the an
| tique is not altogether clear and obvious
Old monuments and old churches are to
be revered and honored, because they
keep in mind the heroism, virtue, and de-
votion Of those that have gone before US
So far as they raise the virtue, animate
tho SOUL and quicken all the powers OF
life, they are of incalculable value. They
are eloquent. To those who know their
history they impress the lessons OF life
times and Of ages at a glance. More
over, portraits and articles Of apparel
Of the wise and good, identified and as
ISOLATED with them, protract and keep
fresh their influence and example. They
keep them before US. The virtue and
good sense of the man gives the life and
value to the article.
Moreover, a piece Of furniture an old
house, or a suit of clothes may teach
virtue by the excellence of its taste and
workmanship. II it is genteel, of heart
stun, Of the best material. wisely planned,
and honestly and thoroughly finished, It
admonishes us, inspires US, and estab-
fishes our standards. Its virtue never
dies.
But If an old house or relic has nothing
of virtue or high humanity about It; If 1t
commentaries only the pride, luxurious
ness, and extravaganza and greed OF an
old proprietor, antiquity will not make
it honorable. The setting Of original sin
in the human breast will sufficiently per-
petuats all that. The portrait of big
wig, with eyes lifted up and eyelids o,
how lofty! with very fine clothes and a
very red nose, does not get much better
for age; but goes on keeping up its vices.
The Egyptian pyramids are as despicable
as they are venerable. They show what
human skill and labor can accomplish.
But they show how cruel tyrants may
make men beasts of burden.
The destruction. of the Bastile removed
from the earth the monument Of the pride
and savageness of the occupants Of
palaces, and the originals OF portraits.
Age alone does not make venerable.
The hoary head is q crown of glory, when
it is found in the way OF righteousness.
How i'll grey hairs become a fool and
Jester!
The world is not growing worse, but a
great deal better. And our age is showing
men and women Of a style and character
equal to any that have ever been known.
They don't all have their pictures taken
or their biographies written. But they
make advancing civilization. They are
the salt OF the earth. They may never
be known to posterity. They embody the
distilled virtue and accumulated wisdom
OF all the past. They are an unac-
knowledged society for the preservation OF
all antiquities that are worth preserving
1t is we'll for US TO bear in mind that
this age is not progressing hind part be-
fore. There are solemn words 10 be re-
Numbered Think not 10 say within
yourselves, We have Abraham TO our
father God is able Of these stones to
raise up children unto Abraham, by the
inspiration OF truth and virtue. More
over. the Old Adam is TO be cast into a
deep pit. Old things have passed away.
and all things have become new. The
New Jerusalem is to come down from
Heaven as a bride adorned for her hus-
band. The order OF the day Is: The Sc
lection of the 1ttsst.