صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

VOL. IV.

RICHMOND, JANUARY, 1838.

No. I.

T. W. WHITE, Editor and Proprietor.

THE NEW YEAR.

Is commencing the fourth volume and fourth year of the Messenger, we have somewhat to say beyond a mere holiday salutation to subscribers, readers, and contributors.

While we cannot look back upon the past with unmingled satisfaction, we yet derive from it some pleasing thoughts; and much cheering hope for the future. Some useful and elegant talent has been called into exercise, nay, it may be said, has been created; since such is the power of exercise over the faculties, that to afford an attractive field for their exertion is in a great degree to create them. Some new and valuable truths have been promulgated through our columns; and a yet larger number of truths not new, has doubtless been presented in forms more engaging or impressive than before, and has thus been stamped beneficially upon many a mind. Some books, worthy to be read, have been pointed out to the reader's notice; and some unworthy ones have been marked, so that he might not misspend his money and time upon them. And if no other good had been done,-many an hour, of many a young person, which might otherwise have been given to hurtful follies, has by our pages been whiled away in harmless at least, if not salutary enjoyment. So little ascetic are we, as to hold, that whoever furnishes mankind with an innocent recreation, is a public benefactor.

But the past is nothing, except as a help to the future. We are earnestly desirous to render the Messenger a vehicle of LIGHT; of useful truth; of moral improvement; of enlightened taste. To some extent, it has been so already: but to an extent commensurate neither with our wishes, nor with the fund of talent slumbering in the community around us.

FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

the art of composition, to fill twenty such magazines as this, with instruction and delight. Few are aware, how improvable the faculty is, of expressing thoughts upon paper. The gigantic increase of the muscles in a blacksmith's arm, from his wielding the hammer so frequently; the proverbial strengthening of the memory by exercise; or the miraculous sleight which the juggler acquires by practice with his cups and balls; is not more certain than that he who daily habituates himself to writing down his ideas with what ease, accuracy, and elegance he can, will find his improvement advance with hardly any assignable limit. Nor will only his style improve It is a truth so hackneyed, that only its importance rescues it from contempt and emboldens us to utter it, that "in learning to write with accuracy and precision, we learn to think with accuracy and precision." Besides this, the store of thought is in a two-fold way enlarged. By the action of the mind in turning over, analyzing, and comparing its ideas, they are incalculably multiplied. And the researches prompted by the desire to write understandingly upon each subject, are constantly widening and deepening the bounds of knowledge.

Thus, whether the conscious possessor of talents desire to enrich and invigorate his own mind, or to act with power upon the minds of others; we say to him "WRITE."

The Messenger is a medium, through which, the best talents need not disdain to commune with the public. Whatever it contains, worthy to be read, finds not less than ten thousand readers; besides those whom republications procure. And most of these (it is a pardonable vanity to say) are such readers as any author may well be proud to have. Where is the orator so gifted, that he might not glory in addressing so numerous an auditory of the enlightened, the fair, the exalted in station!

The mineral wealth of Virginia is a trite theme of expatiation. It is unquestionably immense By all these powerful considerations then,-by But the mines of Southern intellect, all unwrought, the desire of self-improvement-by an honorable and many of them unknown even by their pro-ambition--by disinterested patriotism-by the prietors, far surpass those of matter, both in number, and in the richness of their buried treasures. Not to speak of persons to whom the ample page of knowledge, rich with the spoils of time,' has never been unrolled, there exists, southward of the Potomac, a mass of cultivated mind sufficient, with only a little industry and care in practising grateful veneration.

pure wish to diffuse light and to do good,-we invoke the dormant talents of the South (especially) to rouse up from their slumber, and employ the means now offered them, of assisting to mould and fashion the age, if not of leaving names, which a distant posterity will contemplate with

VOL. IV.-1

SOUTHARD'S ADDRESS.*

A practice has long prevailed at Princeton college which cannot be too highly commended. The two societies which have so much contributed to the celebrity of that distinguished institution, annually unite in inviting some eminent individual, to deliver, at the Commencement, an oration on some literary topic. The persons selected are usually alumni of the college and members of one of the societies. The same strictness does not seem to be observed in other seminaries which have imitated the laudable example of the college of Nassau Hall; for we remember a most admirable address from Mr.Wirt, which was delivered at Rutger's college, New Jersey, of which, beyond doubt, he was not an alumnus. No inconvenience, however, has hitherto been experienced at Princeton from limiting the field of choice, so numerous are the distinguished men who have been nurtured in her lap, and reared under her auspices. At the late Commencement the address was delivered by the Hon. Samuel L. Southard, a gentleman of the first distinction, who has for some years filled with conspicuous ability a seat in the Senate of the United States. From such a source we have reason to look for sound sense and practical wisdom, instead of studied periods and gaudy ornament. These are pardonable in boys just emerging from the chrysalis state, but are unworthy of men whose locks are whitened by time, and who may be presumed to have chastened by reflection the crude notions of youth, and stored up lessons of sober experience for the benefit of the rising generation. In the production of Mr. Southard we find in this regard every thing to approve. Disdaining both the "power and the inclination to trifle with matters of fancy or deal in flowers of rhetoric," he selects as the subject of his discourse, "the importance of the study of the Bible, in forming the character of literary and scientific men, of scholars of every grade and every occupation." It is indeed a noble theme. We say nothing of the awful majesty of that sacred book which the faithful receive as an emanation from the Godhead. That we leave to those whose hallowed lips are touched with fire. But look upon the Bible as a curious history-the history of the infancy of mankind—of the first stages of human existence-when the mind of man was yet in embryo, untaught of the arts and sciences-unconscious of those great improvements which time has been busy in disclosing; read it as the memorial of cities and of empires that rose to splendor and to power, and have for ages been crumbled into ruins, while in the gorgeous palaces where once a monarch held his state,

"Hisses the gliding snake through hoary weeds
That clasp the mouldering column."

Or look upon it with the critic's eye, and where shall we find a parallel to the beautiful simplicity and pathos of its narration, or the exalted sublimity with which it invests the King of Heaven, or conveys to trembling mortals the denunciation of his wrath, or the tender mercies of his unbounded love? Or read it with the

* Address delivered before the American Whig and Cliosophic Societies of the College of New Jersey, Sept. 26, 1837, by Samuel L. Southard, LL. D.

eye of the philosopher-of the philosopher who teaches

that

"The proper study of mankind is man;"

and where shall we find such a transcript of the human heart; such a chart of all its passions; such a scrutiny into its motives, such a penetration into its recesses; such a ferreting out of its unholy promptings; such an exposure of its deceitful imaginings; such pictures of exalted virtue, of human frailty and of fiendlike depravity? It is altogether admirable: nothing equal to it in this regard does exist; nothing superior to it can exist. When David, the man after God's own heart, plunges into the very depths of sin, we humble ourselves under the mortifying sense of human infirmity; and when the yet spotless Hazael, unconscious of his future crimes, exclaims with honest indignation, "Is thy ser vant a dog, that he should do this thing?" we are selfabased at the reflection, that however strong we may feel in conscious virtue-however we may fortify our hearts against human weakness, the time may yet come when we too may be

"To bitter scorn a sacrifice, And grinning infamy."

Mr. Southard has treated this noble subject with an earnest seriousness that is due to its importance. In his address, the reader will not fail to be struck with the extent of his researches, the cogency of his arguments, and the apparent strength of his convictions. His recommendation of the holy book is enforced with all the zeal of a friend, the anxiety of a parent, and the earnestness of a christian. Let the youth of our land peruse with care this able paper, and consider it as addressed, not to the societies of Nassau Hall alone, but to their own hearts also. Let the words of wisdom sink deep into their souls, and the author will enjoy in return for his labors, that best of all rewards, "the consciousness of doing good."

We could have wished to insert the whole of this interesting article in the present number of the Messenger, but our limits have forbidden. Devoted to the cause of literature, we mainly delight in that which is calculated to elevate the principles and to mend the heart; and hence we ever receive with thanks and circulate with pleasure, those original communications, which to the graces of style and purity of thought, unite the inculcation of virtue or the illustration of the beauties of our holy religion. The moral tale, or the moral essay, the poetical effusion redolent of piety, the glowing language of the gifted orator breathing into the souls of his hearers the nobler virtues, always find welcome with us. Taste and genius are not degraded, but illustrated and adorned, by an association with the productions of the moralist, and the beautiful outpourings of a heart warmed with religious fervor, and animated by love to God and benevolence towards man. We repeat, therefore, our regrets at our inability to insert the whole of the address, and must content ourselves with offering to our readers a few striking extracts.

In entering upon the subject, the author very forcibly presents some remarkable facts connected with the existence and preservation of the Bible.

"What," says he, "is the Bible? It purports to be a commu

but studying it, to become imbued with its simplicity, and force and elevation. Its unaffected narrative--unadorned pathos-pointed invective-picturesque and graphic description--plain yet magnificent energy, cannot be thoroughly comprehended without appropriate effects upon your taste and judgment. Observe, for example, the preachers of the gospel. The manner in which its allurements are depicted-its admonitions uttered, and its threatenings denounced by them, will indicate to you the source from which they have derived their reasonings and illustrations--whether directly from the fountain of living truth, or the stagnant pools of human commentaries. They who have aided their style and modes of thought by diligent study of this work, if they do not rise to the first grade of excellence, never sink to inferiority. Observe, again, two comparatively unlettered men; laborious in their employments, and altogether without the adornments of literature. If one diligently reads the Bible, and becomes familiar with its language and expressions, and the other never opens it, you may tell the fact, by the supe riority of the former, in his ordinary manner of conversation, even upon topics unconnected with the doctrines of the book. The same fact is illustrated by two schools, in one of which it is sedulously taught, and in the other is never read. You cannot converse with the scholars without remarking the contrast.

"There is cause, I think, 'o rebuke those who have written and lectured on style and composition, that among the authors and books recommended, the Bible is so seldom pressed upon the consideration of the student. There is no one superior to it, in examples suited to correct and discipline the taste. There are no works of human genius containing finer passages. Search the volumes of fiction, of poetry and eloquence, and produce the passages most justly admired, and their equals and superiors may be readily found in this work. Herodotus and Xenophon do not surpass it, in the simplicity and beauty of their narrative, nor Homer in the splendor and sublimity of his descriptions. Compare, for yourselves, the unornamented yet intensely sublime account which is given of the creation of the world and of man, in the commencement of the volume, with any and all the efforts of pagan or christian writers. Compare the noblest pages in Homer, those in which he portrays the majesty and government of Jupiter, and his interference in the conflicts of contending armies, with the annunciation of the attributes of the Christian's God, by Job, Isaiah and their fellow penmen, and with the manifestations of his power, at every step, as he led the Israelites from bondage to dominion. Compare the clouds and thunder and scales of Olympus, with the awful exhibition at

nication from the all-knowing and eternal Mind of the universe. | and profusely quote on all occasions, its inimitable passages--a A record of our race-of our creation--powers-capacities and practice which savors little of good taste or reverential feeling-destiny. Its claims, in these respects, demand for it an earnest attention. Its origin, preservation and existence, at the present moment, is a standing, perpetual miracle. A great part of it was written more than three thousand two hundred years ago: and all of it, has been of nearly eighteen hundred years' duration. For centuries the art of printing gave no aid in multiply ing copies and preserving it. Yet from the time when its first pages were written, it has been handed down, from age to age, protected in its integrity and purity-undefaced, unmutilated and almost unaltered. And where are the writings of the nations, contemporaneous with its origin ? of Assyria, and Chaldea, and Egypt? of all those which preceded Greece and Rome? They perished with their authors, or were lost in the wasting of their nations. Where are the writings of Greece? A part, and a part only remain. Of the four hundred works of Aristotle, one of the great masters of human reasoning, and the merits of which would create a desire to save them, but about forty have reached us, and even of these, some are broken, and of others the genuineness is questioned. Not one-hundreth-perhaps not one-thousandth part, of the precious literature of that land of poetry, eloquence and philosophy has escaped the wreck of her liberty and national existence. Rome was the successor-the imitator--the competitor-the survivor of Greece in literature; yet few of her works, which were her pride and her glory, survive. She was, for a long period, the keeper of the Book of the Cross, as she was of the literary productions of her citizens. Yet it remains, and they have perished. The dramas of Livius Andronicus were the first regular compositions in Latin, of which we have any record. Where are they? Where are the works of Ennius, Naevius, Pacuvius and others? We retain a line of one of them--Laetus sum, laudari abs te, pater, laudato viro: of others there is little of any substantial value. Where are the works of Cato, except his de re Rustica? Of Varro? Of all those, to whom Cicero in de Claris Oratoribus, refers? Of some even of his own more perfect productions? Where are the works on natural philosophy and the sister sciences, mathematics and geometry, which have been called the implements of natural philosophy? They were in existence when the Origines of Cato were written, yet now Quae reliquiae? quodve vestigium? Why the difference as to this book? For many hundred years, copies were not multiplied and scattered, so that the ordinary causes of decay and destruction could not reach them. Yet the flames which have consumed palaces and cottages and libraries, have left it unharmed. The eruptions of the volcano have not buried, and the more terrible devastations of the barbarian, have not destroyed it. The siege, and sacking, and utter deso-Sinai, and the destruction of the enemies of his chosen people, lation of the capital, and the scattering to the utmost ends of the earth, of the nation to whom it was committed, defaced not one of its features. The temple was destroyed, but the laws written upon its tables were not abrogated nor erased. The Cross is the essence and the emblem of the record; and while all around the place where it was erected utterly perished, that record, in all its perfectness, was protected. Whether it be true or not, that TOYTO NIKA was written over that ensign, in letters of fire upon the heavens, and conducted the first christian em. peror to victory, it is true that the doctrines of this book were planted by the throne, and extended wide as the empire of the Cesars; and yet when that empire fell and expired beneath the scourge of the northern hordes and the scimetar of the Moham medan, this book, with its text and its doctrines, continued to live; its energies were renewed, and it is still the same as when Constantine became its advocate. It has passed through times of literary and moral darkness as well as light-of barbarisin as well as civilization-through periods of enmity, as well as friendship, to its contents--and crossed that oblivious gulf which divides the modern from the ancient literary world, and where lies covered up, forever, so much of the literature and science of the nations. Other books have perished when there was no hostility to their doctrines; this has survived when the arm of power was stretched out, and every human passion exerted for its destruction."

not only in their journeyings, but at subsequent periods of their history. Make your comparison as extensive as you please, upon any and every subject embraced in it, and apply the most rigid rules of criticism, and you will come to the conclusion, that in correctness, energy, eloquence and dignity of composition, it is without a rival. Why, then, shall it be disregarded by the scholar who is ambitious of excellence in writing and speak. ing?"

In the conclusion of the address, Mr. Southard, speaking of the Decalogue, observes:

"This law is carried out in all its breadth and spirit, in the sacred Scriptures. It has descended from the wilderness of Arabia, through all the changes of times and nations; never for one moment deserting the land which it first governed, for portions of it are still read and taught by a wretched remnant, amidst the ruins of the cities of Palestine; but it has passed from thence over oceans and continents; inhabited the cottage of the peasant, ascended the seats of power, and become the foundation of the codes of all Christian nations. Since the hour of its promulga tion, Israel has risen to the greatness of glory which Solomon possessed, and been dispersed in every land, a proverb and astonishment. Nations have flourished and fled away like the mists of the morning, and their names are lost. Imperial cities, and the monuments of the great have crumbled and been swept

Speaking of the influence of the study of the Bible away with the hearth-stones of the humble; but Horeb still on the formation of a good style, we are told:

"The study of the Bible is an efficient means of acquiring correct language and style; not studying it, to borrow its phrases,

stands amidst the desolations of the wilderness, an evidence of the presence of the Author of this law; and this law has continued to roll on with undecaying power, in contempt of all the passions and philosophy and infidelity of men. Its principles

are still found in accordance with our interests and happiness, | The frigate Macedonian is to be superseded by the and have their home in the inmost depths of the pure in heart Peacock sloop of war; and the number of inferior vesAnd they will continue to spread, until the islands, the oceans sels will probably be lessened. Delay, and even disappointment, seem to impend over the undertaking.

and the continents obey; and until non erit alia lex Romae, alia Athenis, alia nune, alia post hac, sed et omnes gentes, et omni tempore, una ler, sempiturna et immortalis continebit. Of all men, American scholars, and you among them, ought not to be ignorant of any thing which this book contains. If Cicero could declare that the laws of the twelve tables were worth all the libraries of the philosophers-if they were the carmen necessarium of the Roman youth how laboriously, manu nocturna diurnaque ought you to investigate its contents, and inscribe them upon your hearts. You owe to them the blessed civil institutions under which you live, and the glorious freedom which you enjoy; and if these are to be perpetuated, it can only be by a regard to those principles. Civil and religious liberty is more indebted to Luther and Calvin and their compeers of the Reformation, and to the Puritans and Protestants of England, and the Hugenots of France, than to any other men who ever lived in the annals of time. They led the way to that freedom and firmness, and independence of thought and investigation, and the adoption of these principles, as the guide in social government, as well as private actions, which created a personal self-respect and firmness in its defence, which conducted us to a sense of equal rights and pri. vileges, and eventually to the adoption of free written constitu. tions as the limitation of power. Be you imitators of them. Make your scholarship subservient to the support of the same unchanging principles. They are as necessary now as they ever were, to the salvation of your country and all that is dear to your hopes. The world is yet to be proselyted to them. Religion and liberty must go hand in hand, or America cannot be established; the bondage of the European man broken; Africa enlightened, and Asia regenerated. And even here, we are not without peril. Look abroad,; are not the pillars of our edifice shaken? Is not law disregarded? Are not moral and social princi ples weakened? Are not the wretched advocates of infidelity busy? The sun has indeed risen upon our mountain tops, but it has not yet scattered the damps and the darkness of the val. leys. The passions are roused and misled. Ancient institutions are scorned. Our refuge is in the firm purpose of educated and moral men. Draw then your rules of action from the only safe authority. Hang your banner on their outer wall. Stand by them in trial and in triumph. Dare to maintain them in every position and in every vicissitude; and make your appeal to the source from which they are drawn. And then, come what may, contempt or fame, you cannot fall; and your progress, at every step, will be greeted by the benedictions of the wise and good-SALVETE--SALVETE."

We renew our invitation, (and to our youthful readers in particular,) to peruse with diligence this valuable production; feeling assured, as we do, that it will have a strong tendency to lead to an assiduous examination and study of that book, which at this day stands above all others, in the literature of every civilized nation on the globe.

THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION. Every person, anxious for the honor of this country, must regret to perceive the new difficulties that gather around the naval expedition destined to explore the South Seas. The flattering prospects held forth in our last number, with regard to this enterprise, seem to be overcast with clouds. Ill health has obliged Commodore Jones to resign his command: and it is not yet certain, who will be his successor. But whoever he may be,-supposing him to possess equal qualifications with Commodore Jones for the trust-he will require weeks, if not months, to prepare for so long and eventful a cruise, in such a manner as to conduct it prosperously. The squadron, too, is to be reduced.

MY JESSIE DEAR.

A RHYMING ROMAUNT.

PART I.

Shall I tell thee a tale, my Jessie dear,
It is a fearful tale!

I learned it in my dreams yestreen,—
Nay, do not grow so pale.

Come laugh now, and I'll tell it thee,
But if thou look'st so white,

I'll think the vision shades are real,
Which rose upon my sight.

Well! methought that we were wandering
Beneath that tall tree's shade,

In whose spread branches we have heard
The cuckoo's mourning made.

There we did breathe our earliest love,-
Now do not hang thy head,-
Dost not remember how I swore,-
And the stars looked bright,
And the heavens hung o'er,-
That I was thine forevermore,
'Till my poor heart was dead.

It was a lightsome night, I ween,
My heart did bless the fairy scene,
And there was no dark on earth or sky,
But the shade of the oak
We were standing by.

Black was the oak, and vast, and grim,
Tuneless its lofty bowers;
And it stood like a warrior
In his mail,

Or a fiend-giant frowning
O'er the landscape pale,—

"A curse on the bright-eyed Powers!"

We sat within its shady hall,-

Thou know'st the bank full well,-
And we whisper'd of our hopes and joys,
And the woes our love befell.

We talk'd, and we talk'd, and the night wore old,
And the moon run up the sky,
And the shades did deepen,
And the boughs did sleep 'n,-
But by the sight

Of a chink of moonlight,
I saw a deep, black eye!

The eye, the eye was very bright,
'Twas bright as bright could be;
It was so sweet and spiritful,
So full of all most beautiful,

It shone so clear from the black❜ning tree,

So very light,

That the dark look'd bright,

By'r Lady, 'twas like thee!

'Twas strangely like my pretty Jess,
I saw it in the paly light;
The firmament hath not a star
That looks to me so bright.

The moon has burst from a fleecy cloud,
'Tis light, 'tis light as day,

And the glade, and the hill, and the tiny stream,
Gladden beneath its silver beam,

And the night-bird stills his wildest scream:
List! there is music as soft as a dream,

And tripping on the velvet green,
May'st see the dapper-fay!

I drew thee closer to my side,

I whisper'd thee more low,

I vowed, and here I spoke aloud,—

And raised my face to the passing cloud :
"From thee, my love, my destined bride,
I ne'er, I ne'er will go !"

My arm did drop down from your waist,
My arm was stiff as lead,

And you did glide from my embrace,
Like a shadow of the dead.

Outfell the darkness from the tree,
And the eye was in its shade,-
Round and round it circleth thee-
Thou look'st beseechingly to me;
The eye did fire, and then did fade,
And I was alone in the moonlit glade.

A cry, and a bound,
And a rushing sound
Swept by,-

I burst from the ground,
For the spell was wound,
And the fiend did fly!

Wildly I grasped upon the air,

I clutched the stony mound,

I curs'd, and groan'd, and yell'd, and moan'd,
Yet all was still, but the echoing hill,

And my voice came back

Full clear and shrill,

And woke me from the swound.

And when I woke I started upright,

Look'd wildly around for the things of night,
But on mine eyes, the sun broke bright,
And the merry birds carolled to the morning's light.

PART II.

Fie! Jessy, fie! what weeping now,
And scared as any dove,--
'Twas but a dream, an idle dream-
I would not fright my love.

Come dry thine eyes, my winsome Jess,
Come smile upon me now,——

Ring out, ring out thy silvery laugh, 'Tis sweet as a music vow.

And it were true, and did we part,

Would'st not be glad at all?

There's many a heart in this bright world, Would worship thee, for all!

Blisters be on my meddling tongue!

-

This makes thee weep so sore,Wilt heal it now, my blushing girl?

I will not grieve thee more.

Now, blessings on thee, Jess, my dear,
Blessings from Him above!

We'll sing His songs in the still, bright eve,
And pray for His good love.

His seal on thee, no harm may come,
No blast of wicked dream;

And if thy lover's arm hath power,
No ill shall hurt his quean.

Green summer is now upon the trees,
And the painted time comes slow;
But when the leaf is on the brook,
And the solemn pencil hath gilt our nook,
Then, Jessie, then we'll whisper low,—
Resting our eyes on the promise bow,-
To love in calm or tempest loud,

To love in weal or woe!

Philadelphia, 1837.

THE LYCEUM-NO. V.

J. A.

ADVICES TO SUNDRY KINDS OF PEOPLE.

BY GULLIVER THE YOUNGER.

CHAPTER I.

ADVICE TO YOUNG PHYSICIANS.

In former times, Medicine was not at all what it is now. Any one, who knew the virtues of a few simple herbs, could practise it with fame and profit. Diseases were not many, or various. They were mostly rheumatisms, which the gentlemen caught in hunting; or crudities and pains arising from surfeit, after the long fasts which followed the failure of their stock of dried venison and parched corn. The only use for surgery, was to heal scratches and bruises received in their combats with wild beasts, or each other. All these hurts and maladies were readily cured by the old ladies of the tribe; sometimes by healing applications, but oftener by certain cunning words and ceremonies, which hardly ever failed, if the patient had faith in them. As to lectures, schools of Medicine, diplomas, long, strange technical terms, and pursy treatises in a dozen different languages, they were altogether unknown.

But now, the case is quite altered. The kinds of sickness have multiplied a hundred fold; and each kind has a hundred various symptoms, and wears a hundred various shapes, according to the diversities of frame and habit in patients. By this increase of diseases,

« السابقةمتابعة »