No. X.
When casting around for topics, to which the attention of my readers
may be solicited, they sometimes start up in almost every quarter;
and the principal difficulty arises in the task of selection. It is,
however, altogether probable, that like the young lady, who after
disregarding the pretensions of men of sense and merit, at length
gives her hand to some empty-pated coxcomb, my final determination
may not always furnish the most conclusive evidence of wisdom or
correct taste. Notwithstanding this may be the case, it is possible
that here and there, at distant intervals, something may be found
from which improvement may be derived by those who are in pursuit of
it.
On the present occasion, the attention of my little circle is
respectfully invited to a few of the occurrences of the passing
year. We are now approaching the confines of winter, that season
which has been called with great propriety its old age. Previously
to its commencement, and during the continuance of what in this
country is called Indian Summer, the face of nature is expressive
of pleasing melancholy; the sun divested of his ordinary radiance,
courts our gaze--the prevailing stillness is only invaded by the
falling leaf--and every phasis in which we behold her, is serene
and tranquil. At such a period we are led into a train of sober
and rational reflection; and for a moment, feel wisely disposed
to appropriate to our advantage, the truths which it reveals. In
contemplating the progress of decay, and witnessing the beauties
with which we are surrounded, successfully fading before our eyes,
we are forcibly reminded of the solemn fact, that human life, with
all its sublunary enjoyments, is also rapidly hastening to the tomb.
We in some degree become familiar with the image of dissolution; and
the departure of those of our friends and acquaintances, who have
during the past months joined "the immense majority of the dead," is
by the power of association brought to our remembrance. Most of them
entered on the present year full of life and hope, and had every
prospect of outliving many who are now their survivors; but alas!
how vague and uncertain are all human calculations. The past summer
and autumn, have in many parts of our otherwise highly favoured
country, been accompanied with FEVER in its various appalling forms;
and numerous have been the victims to this minister of death. Our
own metropolis was for some time the seat of painful apprehension,
and no one could doubt the presence of a most malignant visiter,
whose footsteps were, however, mercifully arrested by an overruling
hand. NEW-ORLEANS and SAVANNAH have experienced more weighty and
tremendous affliction from this source; and the sufferings of their
inhabitants claim our deep and sincere sympathy. Many of the laws
of nature are still concealed from our observation; but it is our
duty to collect authentic facts, to reason from what we know, so
that in some instances we may ascend from effects to their causes.
_It is certainly the part of wisdom, in relation to_ YELLOW FEVER,
_to guard with vigilance every supposed avenue of approach, whether
domestic or foreign_. The season has been remarkable in many
respects. The earth has been unusually fruitful of her productions:
the crops of bread-stuffs, and vegetables of every description,
have been almost unprecedented.--Apples were never known to be so
abundant and cheap. It may not moreover be altogether unworthy of
remark, that myriads of musquitoes have for many weeks past been our
unwelcome guests. Whether there be any necessary connexion between
these circumstances or not, and in what manner it exists, is the
proper business of philosophy to inquire, and if possible determine.
Among the events which have recently passed in review before us of
Pennsylvania, although we disclaim the character of politicians, the
recent general election could not have been entirely a matter of
indifference. But whether the election of a GOVERNOR, conducted as
it is here with an inordinate excitement of all the angry passions,
be promotive of the great moral interests of society, is at least
questionable. Peaceable citizens very naturally keep aloof from
such a conflict; and from this circumstance alone, the commonwealth
sustains great loss. Whether the immense patronage and influence
of that important office could not be so lessened, by a partial
distribution among other public functionaries, without impairing
its essential dignity and usefulness; and in this way the constant
recurrence of such disreputable spectacles be obviated as that we
have recently witnessed, is certainly a question of great moment to
the tranquillity and character of the state.
Belonging as we do to the great family of man, we cannot glance
across the Atlantic at the important transactions of that region,
without feeling an interest of no ordinary kind. Reference is here
particularly made to the bloodless revolutions of Spain, Naples,
and Portugal. We are hostile to the spirit of revolution, as such,
but the character of these is well fitted to excite our "special
wonder." And it is anxiously to be desired, that the welfare of the
people of those countries may have been substantially promoted by
them; for it ought to be remembered, that governments are instituted
for the good of the whole, and not exclusively for the benefit of
priests and kings. As Christians and patriots, we may on this
subject be permitted to entertain such wishes as these.
With regard to Great Britain, few of us can advert to what is there
transpiring at present, in relation to royalty, without blushing for
the land of our fathers;--the land of NEWTON and LOCKE, of MILTON,
of YOUNG, and of COWPER. The drama referred to, disgraceful as it
is, is nevertheless fruitful of salutary lessons. Of these it may be
observed, this is not the least striking and important, that however
elevated station may be, it is still accessible to the consequences
of guilt; and its occupant may be made to tremble at their approach.
We may also derive from its incidents, an argument in favour of
our own form of government, comparatively simple and unimposing
as it is in its structure; but not less efficient with respect
to the legitimate objects of government, without which, properly
administered, the fabric of society would crumble into ruins, and
lawless violence usurp the seat of order and justice. ☞