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THE REFLECTOR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1818.
NO. 50.
MISCELLANY.
A great nation without literature, or whose
literature is bad, is like a great man, who
cannot converse, or who converses idly.—
Strangers will form but a mean opinion of
his merits. Literary men, and not an here
ditary aristocracy, are the ‘ Corinthian ca
pital of polished society.' Rut such men are
wanted by us more for use than ornament.
We want men formed among us, formed to
love and value their country, formed under
the influence of our institutions, our manners,
and bur religious, and inoral habits, whose
writings may perpetuate, and give eH'r acy to
those feelings and principles, from which
our present blessings are derived, and w it 1>-
out which they cannot subsist. We want
men among us, who may counteract the lib t-
tinism, irreligion and looseness of principle
which appear in one class of European wri
ters, and the bigotry to established prejudi
ces, which is found in another. We owe too,
something to the world, as well as to our
selves. If we have really attained to a de
gree of political happiness and intellectual
freedom, without example, we are placed in
a situation to become the instructors of othei
nations. We have lessons of more impor
tance to communicate than to receive—This
subject of our literature is' one, on which it
is not irreverent to apply the language of
scripture, and to say that we ought to he m
stunt in season, and out of season. No man
at the present day, can give better proof of
his patriotism, or serve his country more ef
fectually, than by promoting its literature
[ the prospect of opening the way There is no secret about the manner in which
"istant, unappreciated good. To this is to be done. There is but one thing
wanting—encouragement.
DU. FRANKLIN,
nm a Review of the Life ami Writings
franklin, in the last number of tlie
Bterican Review.]
iuiklin was distinguished by great
rood sense respecting the common
[he world ; and by a freedom from
pit and visionary calculations. Rut
}lrncies were accompanied, though
lot necessarily accompanied, by
lling defects. 'There arc some men,
bjeets clearly as they are in tticrn-
who observe likewise their near
est obvious relations ; but who pay
rd to their relations to higher ub-
invisible and the remote: men
Rights are never conversant in the
Jhc immaginution, and busy with
leal perfection. They regard man
jy as a being of this life, with cor
al wants and desires, and enjoying
a certain quantity of good or evil,
proportioned to his external cir-
i; but they think Tittle of those
which in the greater part are but
' developed, and scarcely conceive
1 infinite in reason, noble in facul-
l apprehension like a God.’ They
beets of pursuit, the value of which
fcd by all; and in their endeavors
Jem, keep the open road which is
the multitude. They are never
Sture into untried and hazardous
I utility which is obvious to all, con-
bauty. They are desirous to do good;
ire equally or more desirous to have
ation of doing good ; and therefore
propose to effect, must be so mo
le advantage of which may be tin-
by the generality. Rut it is not
natter of calculation, than the habit
[own minds, to put but little value
(movements, which cannot be weigh-
jasured, and which make no show in
peal table. The character of Frank-
nbled, we conceive, in some of its
bat which we have just been desrrib-
lis mind was defective in the liighei
■conceptions and feelings. Ho w as
In to distinguish himself by bold ef-
Ithankless sacrifices,
franklin's high reputation as a man
pure and science is perfectly well es-
As a man of science, lie was no
LITERARY.
CUAK.VCn-Ut OK I'UO.USUN, AS A \\ Kl 1 !0K.
lie is entitled to one praise of the highest
kind : bis mode of tiiiuKing, and of express
ing bis thoughts, is original. iiis blank
verse is no more the blank verse of Milton,
or of any other poet than the rhymes of Pryor
are the rhymes of Cowley, iiis numbers, ins
pauses, his diction, are of bis own growth,
without transcription, without imitation.
Me thinks in arpeculiar train, and he thinks
always as a mail of genius, lie looks round
on nature and on life, with the eye winch
nature bestows only on a poet ; the eye that
distinguishes, in every thing presented to
its view whatever there is on which imagina
tion cun delight to be detained, and w ifi
mind that at once comprehends the vast, and
attends to tiie minute. The reader of the
as some of his eulogists seem to I Seasons wonders that lie never saw befon
bought, the rival of Newton ; but
devoted but a small part of his life
liic pursuits, he is entitled to a dis-
rd place among philosophers of the
lass. As a line writer though lie
liniself without the benefit of a lite-
feutiou, or the society of literary
[may he compared with Addison or
|li. He is their equal in wit and hu-
nicc observation, and in ease and
If language; and be possessed far
Btcncss and force of mind than ci
te had but little imagination as
1 though he occasionally discovers
of fancy, both in the conception
Ic, and in particular expressions;
pc speaks of ‘ line promises being
l like the forms of last year's clouds.'
hot vouch however that the figure is
for lie was not very conscii iitious
nnitting such petty larcenies. In
we meet occasionally, though hut
bith some trifling blemishes, which
apposed to be occasioned bv his want
Education. But it is always admi-
lits precision and perspicuity. It is'
larcnt as the atmosphere: and his
lie before us like objects seen in one
barest days, when their very bright-
listinctncss alone give us pleasure,
i of his papers cn Electricity, he
iis other works of various subjects
ll philosophy, morals, politics, and
economy; and he shows a mind
blit have enabled him to attain the
kputation as an author upon almost
these subjects, if he had directed
iter siiarc of attention. There are
|nd discussions in some of his letters
s, which an inferior writer would
[ufacturcd into a volume, without
r essential argument or illustration
his writings, also, in which such a
[is to be expected, have, generally
decided moral tendency ; and
fcd to form correct habits of think-
[tioii. From this praise, however,
iccept, as formerly mentioned, the
b>f the memoirs of his own life;
lever is a curious and valuable do-
[ the study of human nature,
ling of the fame of Franklin, as a
bait nee and science, we cannot help
{how few men of this elass our
61 boast of, as having distinguished
) by their writings. We are look-
3, indeed, to better things ; but
Ich, very much, yet to be (lone, to
the approach of what we hope for.
power and office into those pursuits and stiw
dies which they share in common with the
poorest of their fellow citizens. What other
people beholds its rulers after a long life of
public service, in the calm of voluntary se
clusion, shedding upon the humble pursuits
of agriculture the last rays of those high fa
culties which have been filmed in the coun-
ils of nations ; and whfin an old age so em
ployed after a long course of public service,
is consecrated, if we may so speak, by lion-
st poverty, as in the case of Mr. Pickering,
the speetacie assumes a double interest,
which every man must feci who loves what
gia.fine and elevated in republicanism.
Exeter Watchman.
FROM TIIF. SFAV-Y011K EVENING POST.
In the spring of the year 1813. I procur
ed from Mr. Floyd’s nursery, at Greenwich,
18 young peach trees, of different kinds,
which l planted in my garden, so as to ripen
in succession, all of which are now in health,
except one which was blown down and de
stroyed. My neighbors have, since that
time, not only lost their trees which were
planted the same season, but many others
subsequently planted.
After examining all that had been written
on the subject of peach trees, that came, in
my way, and the malady affecting them ;
mid comparing what I had read with my own
observations, I considered the cause of their
destruction arose from a worm at the root,
which is generated twice in a year from an
insect that lays its eggs in April and Septem
ber, at the foot of the peach trees.
1 remembered several years before that I
hud read, that a gentleman in Maryland or
Virginia had preserved his peach trees by
putting Tobacco round the trees just be
low the surface of the earth. 1 therefore
pursued the following system, and hitherto
with success, having had from my trees these
four years past, a good crop ol excellent
peaches, and of various sorts, and the treiis
are now in good health.
Late in the autumn I procure from the
woods the surface of the ground which is de
cayed leaves, and put three or four shovels
full rou." I each tree in the place of as
much earth, which l remove. It is
the best possible manure you ran apply to
trees or plants of any discretion ; but as
every person cannot procure it, I would re
commend any other well rotted manure.
Ashes is good, and some have applied round
soplier may theorize on its chances of sue- other kind of trees with success the sweep,
ess, and the proud man may be disgusted ings of their turf houses and of their wood
i great subdivision of labor, before the arts
of composition are brought to any great de
gree of perfection. The great avenues to
wealth must be filled, and many left idle i:i
hereditary opulence or mediocrity, before
there be leisure enough, among such a peo
ple, to relish the beauties of poetry, or to
reate an effectual demand for the produc
tions of genius. Though these causes may
for some time retain the genius of America
iu a state of subordination to that of Europe.
cannot persuade ourselves that its condi
tion lias ever been so deplorable as to form a
iroper object of contempt. There are a
hundred authors in America who would be a-
sbamed to write like their raluinuiators, an I
ten thousand men who arc not authors, that
are entitled to feel eompassioii {.»r their inso
lence and their vanity. The truth is, that
American genius bus displayed itself where
ver inducements have been held out for its
exertion. Their parly pamphlets are often
written with keenness and spirit, and their
orators frequently possess vehemence, cor
rectness and animation, that would command
Lite admiration of an European audience.
Edmburg Review.
Judge, Johnson (of the Supreme Court ol
the United States) is engaged in writing th
Life of general Nathaniel Greene. The work
is to contain, besides a biographical memoir
of the general, bis correspondence, hitherto
unpublished, with the commander in chief,
and with congress, besides the correspon
dence of other officers and individuals.
AGRICULTURAL.
AtihiCl.LITUAL SOCIKTlKS.
Should the history of the present age of
our country ever he written, there will be
lew e\ cuts on its pages upon which the phi
lanthropist of other times will repose with
more pleasure than tin the establishment of
Agricultural Societies. The plan of these
institutions is equally removed from Utopian
romance which aims at more than can be ac
ompushed and from a more common infirm
ity which talks of every thing and attempts
nothing. It lias for its object those benefits
which are every where valued, and which
come to our business and bosoms,” and it
derives its life and activity from a principl
which pervades every class of society—the
spirit of emulation. The politician may
smile upon its humble aspirations ; the pliilo
what Thomson shews him, and that lie nev
er yet nas felt what Thomson impresses.
Iiis is one of the works iu winch blank
verse seems prop* rly used : 'i'licmson's wide
expansion of genera! views, and his enumer
ation of circumstantial varieties, would
have been obstructed and embarrassed by
the frequent intersection of the sense, which
arc the necessary effects of rhyme.
His descriptions of extended scenes ami
general effects, bring before us the whole
magnificence of Nature, whether pleasing
or dreadful. The gaiety of .Spring, the
splendor of Summer, the tranquility of Au
tumn, and the horror of \Y inter take, in tlieii
turns, possession of the mind. The Poet
leads us through the appearances of things
as they are successively varied by the vicissi
tudes of the year, ainl imparts to us so much
of his own enthusiasm, that our thougiits
pand with his imagery, and kindle with his
sentiments.
The great defect of the Seasons is want ol
method ; but for this l know not that there
was any remedy. Of many appearances
subsisting all at once, no rule can be given
why one should be mentioned before an
other ; yet the memory w ants the nolp of or-
cer, and the curiosity is not excited by sus
pense or expectation.
Iiis diction is in the highest degree florid
and luxuriant, such as nmy be said to be to
his images and thoughts both their lustre
and their shade ; such as invest them with
splendour, through which perhaps they are
not always easily discerned. It is too exu
berant, and sometimes may be charged with
tilling the ear more than the mind.
These l’oeius, w ith which I was aeqainted
at their first appearance, l have since found
altered and enlarged by subsequent revisals,
as the author supposed his judgment to grow
more exact, and as hooks or conversation ex
tended his knowledge and opened his pros
pects. They are, 1 think, improved in gen
eral ; yet I know not whether they have not
lost part of what Temple calls their race ;
a word which applied to wines, in its primi
tive sense, means the flavor of the soil.
The highest praise which lie has received
ought not to he supprest; it is said by Lord
Lyttleton, in the prologue to his posthumous
play, that his works contained
“ No line, which, dying, lie could xvisli to blot.”
Literature isoneof those fine manufactures
which a new country will always find it ea
sier to import than to raise ; there must be a
great accumulation of stock in a nation, and
with its details,—but let its patrons be
stired that their exertions do not pass unno
ticed, or unrew arded ; they have the bless
ing of the patriot, who knows the fountains
>f his country’s greatness, and of the Chris
tian who would have these fountains remain
pure ;ind unrorriipted.
The visions of Utopia have almost been
realized in the public spectacle which has
been exhibited of assembling the fathers of
the state, and all who are elevated by wis
dom, and powerful by wealth, to celebrate—
not those splendid events which dazzle tin
imagination and effect not our our daily hap
piness, nor any of those triumphs which are
purchased at the double cost of the lives of
others and the virtue of our own nation—
hut the triumph of agriculture over public
indifference and fashionable prejudice.
If there be any thing which deserves to he
associated with the attractions of fashion and
popularity, it surely must be that pursuit
than which no other affords so many sources
of manly gratification, or is so intimately
connected with public happiness. Public
enterprise can be turned into no channel so
important; individual rivalship can be pre
sented with no objects so useful as those con
nected with agriculture. There are few
modes in which public or private wealth ran
be distributed to such good purposes, as in
the encouragement of competition, and the
patronage of experiment among our intelli
gent agriculturalists. And there is certain
ly no field in which science and research
can find objects so various in their
nature or more important, in connexion with
public improvement, than the theory of agri
culture. Under such considerations we glad
ly welcome the recent additions to the nuin
her of the institutions wc are noticing, and
remark with pleasure every promise of re
spectability and usefulness which attends
the agricultural societies ill this country,
Did tlicso institutions need any thing to
dignify or animate their exertions, they
would find it in the spectacle of such men as
James Madison and Timothy Pickering
publicly devoting to their instruction the last
efforts of those talents which have guided
and controulod our national fortunes. The
address of Mr. Madison to the agricultural
society of Albemarle county, and that of
Mr. Pickering to the society in Essex, are
now before the public, and will hereafter be
found in the library of the statesman and the
pocket of the farmer. Wc can scarcely im
agine any fact more interesting in connexion
with our political situation than the retire
ment of such men from such high walks of
house.
1 have every season, about the beginning
of May, applied the tobacco in the following
manner—once or twice it lias been done in
September :—The earth from two or three
inches in depth from the surface round the,
boily is removed, so as to enable several
leaves of tobacco to be wound round the bo
dy, and then the earth is brought close to it
gain, which keeps the tobacco moist, aiul
lie juice gradually finds its way to the ex-
reiue ends of the roots. In no one instance
have 1 discovered any worms ut the roots of
my tree.
I mention another experiment to preserve
my trees from injury by early frost, which I
made last winter, and which l intend to pur
sue hereafter, namely—In January last, af
ter very severe frosts, and tiie ground frozen
deep, I directed a quantity of long stable
manure to be thrown at the foot of each tree,
which remained late in llic spring, tin:il the
warmth of the sun had penetrated thruugii
it, by which means the frost was not drawn
from the ground until some time after the
other frosts of the garden bad been thawed.
The consequence was that the vegetation of
the trees was kept Inn k, and the trees did
not blossom until after the frost, which oc
curred last spring pretty late, and destroyed
most of the. fruit in my neighborhood. I
have within a few days returned from a visit
to the western part of this statr as far as On
tario county : I found the pcaeh trees heal
thy, but with little or no fruit. The causo
assigned was the frost iu the spring, which
destroy ed the fruit in the bud.
I differ from your friend, from Carolina
on subjects of raising pearlies from the stone.
My information and observations on this sub
ject are, that if you plant the stone, you will
get the fruit of its parent stuck—not the in-
noculated fruit; and that to have fine fruit,
you must innoculate, and then you are sure
to have fruit like the tree from whence you in-
iioculated ; but which, however, may parti
cipate in some degree, as to its ripening earli
er or later, from that parent stock. As to the
innoculatcd tree dying at the time the parent
tree dies, within my observation it does not
often happen. Peach trees have for a num
ber of years lived so short a time, that I think
the opinion has arisen from mistake. It does
sometimes happen that you get fine fruit from
the stone; but the chances are so much a-
gainst it, that I would not rccomincfid it,
when the other course is so universally suc
cessful. A IfKW-JEKSEY FAUM