About Savannah daily republican. (Savannah, Ga.) 1818-1824 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1819)
r r ■ iMbfemitlii t*S SAVANNAH REPUBLICAN FREDERICK S. FELL, CITY PRlKTBR. VAii t nn:>, gunHT—cocrtri. sis, «' *»»• l'ATASLB r.V A 111' A VCR, ffffAi.u xxws »*i> mfw AiwsirrissMisr* a"EA« no/(i rxrAA. — i.lu nvrT Df "W'tit, omli 4-" non Tii»; xiw f«'Rt coumbiak. ^ No. H. ft RBUTH.VOT A.VD AM MUSTEK. In the Richmond Enquirer, heretofore a government paper, a phillippx ha* ap peared uildEr tne signature ol “Algernon Sidney:” All_ the exceptionable acts of general Jackson’s military fife are spread in array to prepare the way for his sacri- ’ficc. 'r he motive* which influenced the writer, are of no consequence,- Whatev er is; truth ought tOabe told, and whether the truth is spoken by a man in private or in pufc'ic life, by the hunter of the desart or the minister of the cabinet, it is still the troth, and equally entitled to respect and Consideration. That general Jackson may have com mitted drfors is nnt contested; but that those errors proceeded from a disrespect to the constituted aathoritiee of tne coun try, or from a wish to confound the dis tinctions between civil *ml militaey au thority, or Ironi an intolerant disposition 'to bear down all oppssition to bis will,; presents * different question. A general ■whois selected by his government to -achieve an important service to his coun try, must undertake their service with cou rage and residefinn. The best efforts of. ’his physical and moral powers are in re quisition. He is hound to perforin hi , part faithfully and honestly to the utmost "of his ability, and nothing mohf.. Gen eral Jackson is censured by this writer Im hi* conduct to the-governor of Georgia, Tor intimating to him, that while he was in the field, commander u't the southern mi litary district, “the governor could not is sue a military order.” This is partially •right, and partially wrong. With respect to «ny military operation on the part of “the United States, Jackson was the com mander, and the governor of Georgia could not interfere with him. If the governor sent troops of that state to co-operate with *hiin, Jackson wa* to dispose of them in tin manner which hr, and not the governor, deemed best calculated for the service.— In those military operations, if such hail arisen, which concerned the state of Geor gia only—then the governor was coni inandcr in chief, and could direct the oper ations. Jackson’s intimation to the governoi ' related only to to those operations which concerned the United States, and he was right. The collision of authority is not a difficult question. The authority of tne United States is paramount to that ol the state governments in objects which relate to the safety of the whole United States Jackson, the commander of that district, was the authorised, legitimate represents tive -of the government of the United -States, and in that capacity he was to con front the forces of the state (jg^ignated to ■co-operate with him. So much lor that. With respect to his objections to the orders of the war department, he was right in this:—that the interference with the subordinate officers on a military station ought to go through the commauder of the station, otherwise the safety ol the coun try may be essentially endangered. It was an imprudent and ill advised measure in the war department to attempt to regu late the command at the different posts in' an extensive military district, without a perfect understanding with the comman der of the district. Jackson’s opposition to it was founded in good sense, and al though in point of strict right he ought to have submitted, yet submission might have been attended with fatal consequences, for which he would probably have been -responsible. His conduct shows, nut a js ^Weif'ct of the constituted authorities, ,. but a bold am! prudent patriotism to set the war department right on that subject • The war department may possibly commit errors as well as general Jacksou or other men. Jackson was a veteran; he had con fidence in himself, and justly too. lie wa* never a ' mere mercenary soldier, •fighting for pay only, and conceiving him self bound to obey orders, whatever disas trous consequences might result to the country. He saw the mischievous effects -of that arrangement, and .he opposed it with a virtuous patriotism, at the risk ol "being displaced from his command. The 'acquiescence uf government is the highest 'of all proof* that he was right, and that lie tnerits no censure on that account. In Europe, the military are machines; in this country, they are, or oiighl'to be, raenlsvho have tne safety of the nation at heart; and any commander of experience ought to in dicate without hesitation his ideas of any measure of the war department which is fraught with mischief to the general safety. ' General Jacssou is again censured for his conduct at Ncw-Grleaiis—his tyranni cal measure of martial law, anti his treat ment of the civil autnorities of that place. This Alg-rnon Sidney of Virginia was not at New-Orleans at the time of this inva sion: he has collected his facts from a pub lication called tire “Life of general Jack- son,” and from the legends of the day.— lie fight* and he writes at his fire side, i^nng at home in Virginia—but he felt not --'al tUe time, nor does he now feel, the im minent, and pressing danger which hover ed over that city. The citizens of New- Grleaos, rescued u) general-Jackson from slaughter and robbery, could accuse him in style? . , ~ Tue plea Of necessity for the general’s summary proceeding, nc calls the plea o! ..It tyrant. He it to—none but a cominan- der prbmpt, firm, vigifent and resolute, could have saved that devoted city front •JextructUm. A spice of tyranny wag salu tary xvhen danger was without, and treachery and cowardice were basking within the city. Some mtn, are greater -ticklers fur the forms rtf proceeding, than fur the essential matter to be accomplisn- ed. Jacksbn’s object was to defend the city, and beat back the intruders This Algernon Sidney would not permit this tiling to be done but under favor of the ad vice ami con,el of the civil authorities.— An interruption to the proceedings of the legislature, or the forms of courts, is in his opinion a heinous offence, for which the general i* to be tried and punished. Thi overweening delicutv looks as well as if a clearer into superstition, he would gener- | fortified island in its harbor, be could, like al ly avoid scrutinizing it closely through James Otis, make the agents of Britain policy, well knowing tkat as religion is a suh-1 tremble by the thunder and lightning of jecl forever rising with the rising mind, his terrible eloquence, and is the, very circumference of each man’s I Long before his powers of mind and circle of knowledge, it should be left un- strong constitution failed, he was affected touched. Hence to some he appeared lib. I with a remarkable paralytica! shaking of eral. to others ton indifferent, to a few pro- the head and arms. This did not appear foundly wise. Situated and circumstau- to depend on a diminished euergy of the ced as he was, (wbil« Britain was iosiu-1 organ ot intellect, or its nerves. It seem- iousfy pressing on.os with her parliamen- ed a* if.his material frame trembled at the tary supremacy,) he often found it neces- energy of Ins soul. Stephen Hopkins, the -ary to manage men by an address that 1 Samuel Adams of Rhode-Island, experien- concealed the precise end he aimed at.— I ced the same affection full 30 years before Shallow men called this cunning, and wise I his powers of inind failed nuuSe were in llaines, and .Mr. Algernon [ men, wisdom. While searching into the Sidney should hesitate to taken lady I designs of the British and their adherents, mund ihcwaist and carry her out, for fear I lie kept himself so close and reserved, that I some future Tacitus. He was born the «• i. a ... l.a* _ . I ’a. i. LI I AA.I ..f km. f “7 OO anil «11 <*( I fliu Such is the outline of the picture of Samuel Mams, which may be filled up by of outraging her modesty Or, if a man f they stood, as it were in the light to him, 122d day of September, 17252, aud died the were drowning he would not pull him up I and he in the dark to them, while an air 13d of October, 1803, in the 82d year of his !>y lie hair of this head, for fear of commit-1 of smiling frankness adorned his reverent I age, leaving a glorious memory for the ad countenance and general deportment. | miration of mankind. Tempus. When evil practices were on foot against t.ug aa assault and bat'ery. “‘he people of New-Orlean9 evince the fulness of their gratitude uy the subscrip-1 our commonwealth, his vigilance and pene- tio'i to pay the fine of the general, in which I iration defeated the designs, aud left its no person was permitted the honor of sub-_| enemies to wonder whence he obtained his scription more than one dollar. So much I intelligence. He was guarded and cau-1 the city, state, and United States, during STATISTIC. New-Yobk, January C. A statistical taule of the population of lor this good natured accusation. tious, and with a mind selfbalapced, he be-1 the last one hundred and twenty years:— writer, is the conduct of the general in tne I to his confederates. His secrecy was com- Semmole war. He took Pensacola an:! St. I mensurate with his seriousness. With all Marks—Arbuthuot and Arnbristcr were I his sobriety, thoughtfulness, carefulne«s put to death. and great store of secret observations, he A march Yhrt»gh.»Jfore»t of four hun-1 declined not, when policy called fur it, the dred'Miles without provisions, is not like I convivial circle," where his temperauce a ride of a summer’s morning through a I gave no offence, and where his cool ai.i* Virginian plantation. Tl*e hardships, the 1 commanding judgment never for a moment perils, the fatigues his men endured, and j left him. °eriods. City N. Fork State -V. Fork. U S- 1697 4,302 1749 100,000 1,046,060 1756 10,881 1771 21,863 170,000 2,000,000 1786 23,614 1790 33,131 340,120 3.929,326 1800 60 489 586,050 5,309.75^ 18.5 75.770 1810 96,372 959,220 7,238,903 In 1815, the corporation, for the purpose ndiired with cheerfulness while he was their leader, speak volumes to every heart; With a benevolence, circumscribed in no less bounds than the whole family ol of making a jury list, ordered tl»e number | of inhabitants to be taken, which was re turned at upwards of 108,000. That en umeration, however, was generally consid- I ered very incorrect; the actual number supposed far to exceed that returned. It not infected with a bunk worm’s spleen, I mankind, he bore a.bigh aud exalted mind or the pedantry of a smatterer in eithcs/j tenacious of its owu opinions, yet lie re It was his duty to terminate the war, and I laxed them when great aud extraordinary put an end to the cruelties and outrages I occasions required, is in the appointment practised upon the frontier settlements.— I of a southern man t« command the then 16 P r “! u “* d • tl '® P ,esen J number amounts The Spaniard* engaged by treaty to keep I army of New-EngLnd men.* To (he to and by the United states cen- the Indian* quiet. It was not in their I governors appointed by the king, aud be-1 ““9 ^18*0, the number returned will be power British gold had set the Indians I fore British generals, he was laconic, 148,000. If the city of New-Y ork should to work. What was Pensacola when Jack-1 proud and lufty; but to his fellow citizens I continue to increase in the same proportion son captured it? a refuge for outlaws and I attentive, conciliating and fraternal. To !t * ias done any ten years within the robbers, and receivers of stolen goods — I his copatriots in congress, he kept a just I j asl 30, that >s» three-fifths every ten years, What were Arbuthn ot and Ambrister,I and due distance between himself and| ,n 1830 its population will amount to the setters on who cried havoc, the pay-1 them, never admitting any one to a very J ‘355,000 and in 1840 to408,000^and at the masters of bloodinoney for human scalps? I near approach, and no one to all his se " * * 0 ,0 nnn Were they natives ol England? were tli<-y j Crete- ^ — accessaries of the British government?—Sol His zeai and matchless industry .in se end of the present century-to 6,848,000.— Daily Advertiser. much the worse. It adds, alike, disgrace I curing the liberty ol hi* country to their country, infamy to their conduct, whether in the cabinet, in the legislature, SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. A letter to the editor of the Richmond <F,Tii correspondence with I Enquirer, details the circumstances of one fin the other colonies, arid K ll'“* most shocking instances of suicide, we have ever heard of: it is stated that and guarantees the justice of their punish-1 in town ineetin L ment? I influential men The court martial who condemn.’ d them, through the press, never cooled or remited.. need not the library of Mr. Algernon I He laooured while others slept. Wholly captain Robert Houston, of the United Sidney to look over, or hi* wise casuistry I engrossed with the good of tue common-1 S,tates arm?> had left Lexington (in Rock- ro direct them. What they did was the I wealth, he appeared rarelv to think of his I JO-ham County, V a.) for Cariis.e, Penn, impulse of true humanity, of souud com-1 own; and never seemed to aim at person-1 ln compliance with military order.-: but mon sense and of unimpeachable patriot-1 ;d or lamily aggrandizement. He hail no 11 ad pnly proceeded as far as Staunton, 30 ism, and the most perfect justice. But I ambition to flit any high office, for what I miles on Ins way, when a singular notion the war was ended, the Indians were sub-1 office could add to the honor of such u I sl 1 r “, h ", n . *' et urning to Lexington, dued, and clcinencv ought to have been I man? He was the remote cause of high I whilst on J l,s return, in a sudden fit of extended. To whom? To tlie wretches office to others, but turned away from all J le jumped out ol the stage, drew ho had instigated that war. To the I distinctions that excite envy and create I ,l18 knife, deliberately ripped himself uj wretches who in three months would have I nvaUbips- When, in after times, a I Wlt h 14 and tore his bowels from then instigated another war. To the wretches J grateful people elected him governor (l f| sea t. He also endeavored to cut his throat who sold themselves to the infamous em-| Massachusetts, it was inflicting an honor I ,l0!l1 ear t .° ear ; but from the loss ol blood ployment of working upon the feeling* ol I on him. Such a station could not but 6. I 16 .failed in the attempt; however cut his savages, and exciting them to plunder and I tedious to such a mao, whose mind, feed-1 ' vnst ." 1 a horrid manner. All this yvas massacre. Howandtvnenis the frontier I ing on its own great ideas, turned away I <lun ® 141 sac “ a short time, that it was im- of our country to be rendered safe? If I from pomp and parade as from an am-1 possible for the passengers in the stage to Mr, Algernon had been on the frontier, he I lice to make superficies appear solids* I have hindered his dreadful purpose. Il would construe the doctrine of his books I He labored, with many others, to establish I ,s sal< l “ ,a t he was prevented last summer a little differently, would find some texts I certain opinions respecting our rights, and 11 40 ”* committing suicide—the cause ol there to justify the conduct of the general, I the legal power of England over such co-1 derangement is not known, and of the court martial. He would find I lunies; and when just opinions were es-1 ■ that foreigners taken in arms, are not to be I tablished, no man wielded tne public opi- I ^ ew-Orleans, December 12, 1818. tried for treason by the civil authority oflnion with greater judgment aud effect. I resterday, several trunks of merchan any government. But he would find that I That one of the independence of these I <»ize with a large quantity of Spanish books men, no matter of what nation, who are I states remained for soife time, like the I and papers, found secreted in a house in taken co-operating ivith savages, are ideti-1 lifeless ball sleeping in the cannon, until I l ! ,e *°) ver faifcburg, were upon infornia- tified with them; and if lateen, are the pointed and fired by thi* skilful and in-1 4 ‘ 0n given to the revenue officers, seized most proper objects lor reprisal and lor I trepid man. Its report echoed through-1 by them and carried to the custom-house, example. out the world, and its effect is seen ami rh eso goods are supposed to have been Cold 19 that heart, dull the intellect I felt at this day Yet wlere is the breath- J deposited there by some of the pirates and and wretched the patiiotism of that man, | || >g marble, or monumental brass of this I smugglers yvho infest our waters. The who cannot find in his own bosom, and in I great man? Some others wrote and spake I lj o°ss and manuscripts are apparently his oyvn powers of reasoning, a full justifi-I hi finer strains of eloquence; but who la-1 those of the Spanish bishop supposed to cation lor the conduct of general Jackson. J oored harder than this poiueer of Atneri-1 )ave " nel ^ murdered by a noted pirate and Let such men retire and hide themselves j can independence? So stern and success- J " ,s associates a few years since—the his n that England which .they admire, and I 'ul was ins oppsitibn to the encroachments I °* which affair is not within our snow piostrate themselves before that ministry I *f B' ltain, that George HI: when he of- j la,l S e » hut is probably recollected by most whom they adore. They are worthy I ered an amnesty to the iuhabitants of the I °* ,““ r readers. ... to live under such a government,, and to I voited colonies, aiune excepted Afamuel lno above-mentioned gooris consist, as succeed to the honorable aud. lucrative I-Moms and fiis generous associate. Had I‘ ar as they have been examined, of call employments of an Arbuthnot or an Am- I we not then possessed that “righteousness j coes > nankeens, platillas, linen, cloth brister. In the dens of the Seininoles I which exalteth a nation,” and the British | etc ‘ they may find spirits congenial to their jpow^r had prevailed, and the two pro own, and a humanity commensurate with I scribed patriots been brought by tbe band the piety and patriotism of a Hartford | H * tyranny to the scaffold, Adams could '■ not have said t.. his rich coadjutor—“you, by your influence over me, have brought ne to this!” Thus “knowledge is pow- erfor say what we will ot wealth, it is the man of great intellectual powers and inflexible virtue, who shall stand, after all, like a rock amidst the waste of ages. And in proportion as republicanism gains round, men will cume to be estimated TUE REPUBLICAN. TUESDAY EVENING, Jabcabt l#, 1819. Abuiham D’Lios,sen. and LxculihH. M’Istosb, jits yesterday appointed by the justice* of the inferior court, to take tbe returns of names in Chatham county entitled to draws in the present land lottery. EDUCATION. It will be observed by our reader*, Ln this day’s slice-, that Doctor James Enwaun, has arrived in SAVam.ah, and proposes delivering lectures, dur ing his stay, un the new system of education — The Lancaster mode of instruction is admitted by all to be superior to any other. The people of this city and its vicinity w ill nut, we trust, permit the opportunity of gaining information upon thii interesting subject, to pass unimproved: We are informed, that it is the intention of Dr. Edward; should ne not meet with encouragement thi* evening, to leave this place in a day or two, with out ottering himself again before the public; »nd thus the exh.bitiuns of the advantages to be derived from the general diffusion of his plan of educa tion, will be lost. It is, perhaps, one of die strongest maxims deducible trom ou: constitution, that our republican existence depends on Kener- al information among the people. This i$TI doc trine not only unphedin the very nature of our government, but bos wen been ii cilcated by all our ablest politicians, how imperative then is it on us to enci urage every institution which tends to diffuse knowledge to the rising generation. Convention. From the Button Fatriot and Dady Chronicle, De Mohtco“—The mighty dead.”—Thompton. A SKETCH OB ODTUMX OF THE FICTCBE OF SAMUEL ADAMS. Benjamin Frakkliii was a great philos' , her; Samuel Adams a comp' _ ^ „„„ m o cj o cian, or philosopher in action. He was I fgrttiuehMgire^nii^orce'iaay take away" with the common’ branches of English which affects deeply I Samuel Adams was cornel/ in person, Shoes. Just received, by schroner Reliance, ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY-FOUR * PACKAGES SHOES $ BOOTS, In addition to a large assortment—all for sale. SAMUF.L EVAN3, red ttore, eait of the Exchange, do mi the Bluff. jan 19 -IS A Private Tutor. a aa a | i. vwuu, u.v.1 VW.UW w v* EOVUIBW.U . A young man, who has been tor several years epher; Samuel Adams a complete pulitt- I f or w | lat p^ey reaUyiare, and not for what I engaged in teaching school, and who is well ac- cian, or philosopher m aettou. He was furtllueha sgiven,and force may take a way, hinted with the common brancl.e- **r that sort of character which affects deeply I Samuel Adams was cornel v in nersnn e location, offers his services to a smp thin kin a men but excites nut the adinira I Sa,nue * Adams was comely in person, toa sma u num b er offaroihes.eaher in thn town »h!n ,.f fh?!nA«4Srf*.l^ ..haervVr A I of a S reeable slze > a “f* a countenance ex- or its vicinity. Sufficient testimonials of moral turn uf the superficial obse vcr. A capa-1 p re9t> i ve of benevoleuce; neither supercil- (character and practical ability can be be given.— cious mind, intrepid heart, deeplj intent I |0Ug diffident, nor sloomy, but rather a For further information apply at this office. on a revolution he was too politic openly winning softness, especially when con- ian 19 g 15 . -*.■•- * - - * versing with children, to vyliom he was at- J House Bell-IIanging. to avow, he skilfully touched the secret springs that moved die spirits of men t0 j tentive. In ordinary affairs, he had a| S. A. STEPHENSON respectfully informs the reat and brilliant deeds. His coinman-1 suot |ung eloquence corie3Dondit,*r to his I'ad"** and gentleman of Savannah.. that he furnish- devoted to his countrv’s ,aui. I es bouses with Belis, in the most improved man- * I naturally affable manners; out when great ner pract i c ed in England. He returns sincere occasions called, as wheu he drove the two j thanks for the encouragement received since hi3 British tegimentsf. frum Boston toa small I arrive] in his cit\ ; and particuly acknowledge; * The case was this:—When a host of half arm- ding talents, all devoted to his country’! independence were set off with spotless I morals, void ot personal ambition. Most I other learned men read more than they I think, hut Samuel Adams thoaght more I than he read, although deeply versed in I ed men were suddenly collected around Boston, Grecian and Roman history.' He sedul-1 ,n 1775 > inconsequence of the alarm of“rAe bat- -ajr ..*•)«"*!>.*.*•** policy. Great in hunseit, he coinpreheu- (looked 10 no suiiltorky beyond the Provincial Con- ded the greatness of the steady Roman, I grtas and Safety. This large assemblage of im- and felt the diftercuce between that un- I pe*fectly equipt yeomamy and independent com- mixed character and that of the heteroge-1 P a,,i f wert roluatee f-°" hout d, ‘ e o-'ganixation ,» ♦* ivjau . ^ I fur tiRir existence and supplies. Mr. Adams had neous Rnton. \ *th uncommon knowledge | previously observed: to some of his confidential of otne r mens heartes,^ he took care to | friends, mat if d commander in chief oe required, discipline his own the kindness of those gtntlemen who have recom mended his workmanship. I S. A. S. follows no other business than Bell-Hang, j ing—nor is any person authorzed to engage work | in his name. Cj*Please apply at the house of Mr. W. Pearce, [ painter, Bryan-street, next door to J. Bilbo, esq. j*n 19 —4*i. 15 Hazen Kimball. -1. Received, By the Behidere, fro-n Botton, SO barrels N E lium, and __ 59 kegs Butter With'the natu. ally I colonel George Washington m ist be the man.— I For sale low, if taken from the vessel. strong passions of the lion, lie, by what the I Tllls a S, ree< l with his general policy. As he al- 1 -inci-nr, oiled uhilosonhv and we religion viys Mc coa6de ‘d m the cause of his “dear New- .tan 16 a disciplined these constitutional energies tthymm h* tte'dJluthlre^ioS Savannah Female Alite Sooiety. to the meek aud huiubie spirit of a Christ- J through the agency of the more powerful provin- I The members of the Savannah Female Mite ian. A sense of religion* Without any as- I ^ oi the centre. It Is easv to trace thb policy |3ociety are r«Juested to call «n the sub.-criber burned sanctity, adorned his nautklly knmgh the whole course of the revo'ution. «« for stern character, constituting him the com-1 t*-ord ^ 0rt,, » the Prhne lyimister of England, Helena Smith, s6c y ru , 4 ... * . ° , , ; I sarcastically oalled these British troops, ever at-1 ' uwcua ournu, ry. pie to gentleman. As no man cotrid see j tePi "Samuel Adam' regiments.” j jan 13. —-r ’ THEATRICAL. Last night, the tragedy of the "Apostate,” wa* for the first time, brought before a Savannah au dience—and played with great approbation—the applause which the actors drew from the audi ence, would seem to set criticism at defiance ’Twere useless for us to enter into an elaborate criticism (indeed uur limits will not allow it,) upon Mr Finn’s .Mulac—for we should never cease, in pointing out the beauties which Mr. F. elicited, and the originality he disphtyedyflirotigh- out the character generally. We have seen Cook, Cooper, and other celebrated actors, and we do think tltat Mr. F. was in no way inferior, but in many instances, luperior to them. Our highest expectations were surpassed. The character of Florinda, was most admirably sustained by Mr*. Gdfert. She pourtrayed the passions of love, ha tred, rage and despair, in a manner highly grati- fying to a brilliant aud very discriminating au dience—indeed,a more attentive audience never graced a theatre. Mr. Young in 1‘escura—the stern and unrelenting spirit ut cruel ambition was ably supported. Mr- Faulkner, in the character Op Alvarez, merited applause But ocr admiration is abo ati ranted in the character of Hemeya, re presented by Mr Mode, the aid of his graceful fi gure, gives this perh.rmer superior advantages, but, in the highest degree, he evinced the most correct and chaste conception of the pares. The play closed to the entire satisfaction ofevery one. In all the leading turns of the human heart we d.scover no stronger trait than that of passion for amusement- Its force is irresistible. It is a pro minent feature throughout animated creation: It may lie seen among tile beasts of tbe field. Who has not witnessed tile sportive gambols of the iamb, and the play ful feats of the antic horse?— Even the sober ox, released from ins toils, and urged by instinct, awkwardly capers upon his na tive hilts. But to our own species. Amongst the st objects that attract the no. ice of children, are scenes of amusements; as they increase i,i years, and are put uuder occasional restrictions, how eager do they return to their pastimes for refreshment and gratification? This inclination for amusement does not cease with childhood. It is incorporated with our very existence, and follows us through every turn and circumstat.ee in life. In age, it may become sobered and ; ake different directions; but is constantly showing itself in a thousand shapes, from infancy to manhood; in the savage and philosopher, in the slave and in tha free-man. Such is the stength of this thirst, for recreation, that even in the prison it beguiles the tediousness of confinement, and snatches an oc casional respite from the moments of dispair! I? may be dissipated by circumstances, and damp ened by obstructions; but neither sorrotf-mor disappointment, superstition nor ignorance,^an finally destroy it. The child is pleased with hU rattle; the philosopher is amused with his discov eries, the mathematician with his theorems; the poet in his fancy; the savage in his war dance; the divuie in his homilies: but all in turn are fatigued and sees; variety, and more animated pleasures.— With these facts before us, how can some people talk of obstructing amusement; or how can (hose ( who indulging in it be charged with immorality? The multitude are a* heedless as the torrent TIiwy inclinations may be checked, but tbe force of na ture urges them on; their passion for recreation cannot be smothered; it will burst out somewhere and it is the business of the wise and tile good, only to check its extravagance, and give it prop-' er direction; to unite pleasure and morality, in ■ th*: same scene—to mingle instruction with amuse ment; and thus invite men to be innocent and reasonable in their relaxation. Such are^pr views of human nature. Under these impressions, we are the friend and advocate to the drama. Scenic representations contributed very material ly towards the civilization of the ancients—it must be apparent that the influence produced on the people from the representation cf the trage dies of sEscbylus and Sophocles were of tlie most salutary kind. In Greece and Rome, at the peri, od of their greatest refinement, the theatre was the pride and ornament of the republic. It was considered not only as a place of amusement, but instruction. A vein of religious and moral senti ment runs through most of the Greek tragedies. Of the plays of Eupirides and Sophocles, Dr. Blair observes, that “they are elegant and beautiful in their style, just, for tlie most part, in their thoughts ' and they speak with the voice of nature. As a tra gedy is a high and distinguished piece of composi. ion^ so also in its general strain and spirit, is it favorable to virtue. And therefore, the zeal, which some pious men have shown against the entertainments o’ the theatre, must only lessen the abuse of comedy.” The horrid spectacle* of the arena were slow ly superceded as the drama advanced towards perfection from its prestine rudeness. The refined, chaste, and mors) come dies of Menar.da, were yemsifcable for their fits? ’
