Gazette of the United-States. [volume], June 13, 1789, Image 1

About Gazette of the United-States. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1789-1793

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[No. XVIII.]
THE TABLE T. No. XVIII.
« One of the chief Tifipjior.s between a wife m.n
, a holts, that while the latter J,/covers whatever
r ~J, hi o ire ft, the farmer only communicates
tisfvej m*J J"£S e J[> J, J
*kiti>t"t er, ° '
A TALKATIVE, forward youth, was presen
ted to a celebrated teacher of rhetoric, to
k iDftrnded in the art of oratory. The guar-
L, of the intended pupil enquired of the pro
fZr what sum he usually demanded for a courle
Sftraffion ? The inftrudtor without giving a
lea answer to the question replied,
ever was his com 111 on price fortuiuon he lhould
occasion alk a double sum ; ' for, laid
r «. ifcall be obliged to teach tlus lad to hold
fcktoiifrne, before he can with propriety oe learnt
to speak. It is not only necellary that a perlon
ftould know hew to speak but when to-fpeak. I
Jwavs tod trouble in managing a boy wlio is dis
posed to make more use of his tongue than Ins
"somany eflavs have been written on the sub-
ill-timed, indiscreet conversion, tliat
Lhaps no reader will wish to fee luch a topic
introduced. There is, however, one quefhon
connected with this fubjedt, that I have a mind to
X- persons are at a loss to determine which
facceeds bell in the world, a man of a modejl, or
mfuiittt carriage. There is great difference of
opinion on thia point. Indeed the fame perlon,
ar different times, thinks differently on it.
When one observes a man of small abilities,
and a narrow spirit, whose company is courted
in (he rjoft falhionable circles, merely becaule
he favs what he pleases without rellraint, and
fears and regards nobody, it is apt to force a
conclusion that impudence has very attractive
chirms. On the other hand, when a perlon of
dull genius and reserved manners, beguiles peo
ple into a belief that he polielies great wisdom
and penetration, it leads to a fuppolition, that
silence and gravity are the moll iiiiallible means
to secure reputation.
What rule can therefore be formed to diretfl
the Heps of a youth, iniiitroduciiigliimfelf, with
the belt advantage, to the world
Perhaps few directions can be given, that will
be applicable alike to all persons and to all situ
ations. The condutfl and behaviour of any par
ticular peifon must depend on his difpoliuon,
and on the obje<fts he proposes to accomplilh
by his intercoufe with mankind. If he has a na
tural volatility of spirits, and wiihes to obtain
thofepleafures that result from being noticed in
a great variety of mixed companies, he will find
that prattle and vivacity will promote such views
more effectually than a inodeft diltant misdemea
nor. The fact is, he a<fts in his proper charac
ter, and avoids the charge of affectation. He is
trifled with, without being ridiculed ; and at
tended to, without being refpeefted : He is well
received in many polite parties, and cats many
good dinners. Senfiblemen fay he is merry and
harnilefe; and those who have no more under
ftandingtban liimfelf, declare, that he is a man
of wit and humour: His noise and buttle give him
aconfequence with the undifcerning part of man -
kind; while those who ■view him, as he deserves,
donotwiih the trouble of difpnring his pretentions
tofach a degree of eftima:ion,as he acquires. In
ihort, he becomes a privileged mail; nobody of
fend him, «r is offended at liim. He fays what
te pleases to others; while they in their* turn,
% what they please to him, without any ill hu
mour on either fide.
Eat aperfon of a different temper, and who
ias different wiihes to gratify, must model his
manners upen far other principles. A man of a
flow perception and grave call of mind, can only
ofnveimportance by concealing, ss much aspol
"hle, the defccrs of his underltajiding and the
toldnefs of his heart. For this purpole, his in
tercourfcs with men should be few and reserved.
de fliould speak little, and affect such an air of
jcyftery as will make people imagine, that he
back fomctfring much more important than
*hat he communicates. He will no doubt have
*nonlege enough toraake some proper remarks ;
"id he fbould have prudence never to make tiny
frif Those who are as dull as him
c't think he is a prodigy of wisdom; while those
ave penetration to fee through the disguise,
it not in their power to convince other peo-
P eof the deception. This prudent man commits
0 a «, and delivers 110 opinion that can be ur
E e to his. rea ] <JifadvaHtage. In short, he is a
Jgative character, which can stand tlie brunt
« positive attacks.
cm we f ay to appearances that are so
nrutraqictory : They lhew the difficulty of draw-
SATURDAY, June 15, 1789.
ing general conclusions, with regard to our con
duct in life. Men inuft ast in some degree
from their predominant disposition, and from
their accidental situation in society. My obser
vations thus far have supposed that these two
characters ; the one remarkable for sobriety and
reserve, the other for jollity and loquaciousness
were alike void of superior understanding or
attainments. They both gain more estimation
than they deserve, but for different reafbns.
The popularity that each of tliein sustains would
be loft, if they were reciprocally to a&the part,
the other hadalTumed.
The subject (hall be once more introduced.
CHARACTER OF THE FRENCH.
From Sherlock's Letters.
IN England the French have few friends. But
they have one ; and that one am I. They could,
not, I acknowledge, have a feebler advocate; but
while 1 have a tongue tofpeak, or a pen to write,
wherever I go I'll do them juftite.
Let every man who inov/J that nation speak of
it as he found it; if he lived in their intimacy for
years (as I did) and if he found them ill natured,
ill-mannered, treacherous, and cowardly, let him
speak his mind. I quarrel with no man who jud
ges for hiD'felf, and who speaks the truth. But
let the indulgence I grant, be granted to me a
gain ; and let me be permitted to tell the world,
that, however other men may have found them,
I found them good-humored, good-naturedj brave,
polished, frank, and friendly.
They tutre my friendj, faithful and just to mc ;
Bu: ftruius lays they are petjiditus;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke;
Bui here I am to jpeak uhat I do knozc.
I found them all animated with a desire to please,
and always ready to do me every service in their
power. I owe them a thousand obligations. 1
had faults; they corrected them : 1 wanted know
ledge ; they informed me : I was rough ; they
foftened me : I was lick ; they "vilited me : I was
vain; they flattered me : I had need of council ;
they gave mc the best advice: every man has
need of agreeable company; and every man may
be fare to find it in France.
OF THE LADIES OF FRANCE.
Bythtfamr.
WHEN a French lady comes into a room, the
fii ft thing that strikes you is, that she walks bet
ter, holds herfelf better, has her head and feet
better drefled, her cloaths better fancied, and
better put on, than any woman you have ever seen.
When she talks, she is the art of pleasing per
fonified. Her eyes, her lips, her words, her ges
tures, are all prepofTefling. Her language is the
language of amiablenefs ; her accents are the ac
cents of grace. She embellishes a trifle ; she in
terests upon a nothing ; she foitens a contradic
tion ; she takes off the insipidness of a compli
ment by turning it elegantly ; and, when she has
a mind, she fliarpens and polishes the point of an
epigram better than all the women in the world.
Her eyes sparkle with spirit; the most delight
ful sallies slash from her fancy ; in telling a story
die is inimitable ; the motions of her body, and
the accents of her tongue, are equally genteel
and easy ; an equable flow of foftened fprightli
linefs keeps her constantly good-humoured and
cheerful ; and the only objects of her life are to
please, and to be pleased.
Her vivacity may sometimes approach to folly ;
but perhaps it is not in her moments of folly she
is least interesting and agreeable. English women
have many pointsof superiority over the French;
the French are superior to them in many others,
i have mentioned some of those points in other
places. Here I shall only fay, there is a particu
lar idea in which no woman in the world can
compare with a French woman ; it is in the pow
er of intellectual, irritation. She will draw wit out
of a fool.
[• Published on Wednesday and Saturday.]
EXTRACT FROM 44 AMERICAX ESSAYS."
ON EMIGRATION,
Cal'un non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt;
Quod pttis, hie ejlj
Efl u/nbris ; animus Ji te non deficit aquas.
Horace, Epift. xi. lib. i.
IT is evidently wife and prudent in the Scotch and Jrijh, parti
cularly those of them who are poor ; as alio in the inhabitants of
any other country, alike circumstanced, with refpe& to exceflivc
population, and poverty, and the consequent difficulty of acquire
ing lands, or any other property, and many of them of procuring
even the neceflaries erf life, to migrate to countries more fertile, and
less populous ; where, with a moderate fhareof industry, they may
probably soon become lords of foil, and enjoy a plenty of all the
neceffariesof lite,with new and plealingfenfations of independence,
and cons quence, never fek in tne depressed and servile state of the
poor in Europe : Yet it is by no means prudent, or commendable,
in the present inhabitants ot the eastern States, who in general en
joy all the neceftaries, and many of the conveniences of life, with
health, and a competent (hare of liberty and independence, to re
move into the remote interior country, or Wefiern territory, with the
vain hope of meliorating their fortunes or circumstances.
As I am one of those who have been induced to quit my-native
foil, with the hope of reaping some advantage by tne exchange;
and having seen many different parts of America, from Nova-Sco
tiaeaftward to Weil-Fiorida, 1 am induced to draw this conclusion,
That the new countries, which owetheir population to emigrations
principally from the eastern States, are more indebted to the fertil
ity of human invention, than to the extraordinary fecundity of their
foil, or any other natural advantages ; and though from a compar
ative view of the state of the poor in Europe, I have reason to be
lieve, that they would make a very eligible exchange, in takiag
the chance of any situation within the boundaries ot the United
States ; yet I mull inlift that I have yet seen no country where I
conceive the induflrions inhabitants of the New-England States, par
ticularly the mechanics and farmers, could remove with the proba
ble profpeft of greater real advantages, taken in the aggregate, than
they enjoy at home: It is therefore of the last importance, espe
cially to those who have families, that they consider, and deliber
ate well, before they conclude to reftgn their old friends, their
near and dear relations—their healthy, cheap, plentiful, and happy
country, and proceed to the serious, momentous,aud often ruinous
bufinels of plucking upflakes.
So powerful is the attachment of mankind to the place of their
birth, that however poor, barren, cold, comfortlefs, and ungrate
ful their native country, yet few men emigrate without regret.—
Go to the inhabitants ot Nova-Zembla, and describe the rich lux
uriant fruits, the fertile fields, warm (uns, and constant vegetation
of the tropic clunes ; yet, will they fcora them all, nor dare to
burst their arQic bounds, but fondly hug their cruel pole, and pa
tient delve their ftubbornfoil; there they contented toil afruitlefs,
tedious, half-year's day ; and under fierce relentless ikies, on beds
of bard, eternal ice, wrapped in theirfrigid zone, fre<xe, sleep, and
starve an equal night—few their enjoyments, and their trouble 9
few—they know no luxury, and seal no gout.
Yet as the mind of man is informed, dilates, and expands, so
his. wants and ddires cncreaie; to gratify which, he ventures*
though relu&antlv, abroad ; still the dupe of early prejudices ; he
js frequently led by them into many ridiculous extravagancies ;
R.ufes on the pleafurcs he enjoyed at home; forgets the Tubs ; and
if he meets a disappointment, often rims home, like ftrickea chil
dren to their mothers,and like there otten meets another scourging.
The hardy, brave, and yet unconquered Swiss, hired into foreign
service, meet dangers, and death, in any (hape, with steady front ;
yet tlicxe are certain tunes peculiar to their country, which are »ot
permitted in France to be played in thole regiments ; their native
inuiic having been repeatedly found to produce very serious con
sequences, by kindling such an ardent and irrefiftable desire to re
turn to the;r own homes, and beloved houlhold gods, that no
flattery, or threats, bribes or pumlhmenis, could prevent melan
choly, mutinies, and desertions.
Mr. Kolien relates, " That one of the Dutch Governors at the
" Cape of Good Hope, brought up an Hottentot according to the fafhions
44 and cufioms oj the Europeans—teaching him JeveraTlanguages, and
44 instructing km fully tn the principles ofthe Oiriflian religion ;at the
" Jame tune cloattuvg him handsomely, and treating him in all refpeds
44 as aperfonfer whom he had an high efleem, and whom he defignedfor
44 some bcncjuial and honorable employment. The Goiemour ajUrwards
44 sent him to Batavia, where he teas employed under the CommiJTary for
44 feme time, /ill that gentleman died—and then he returned to the Cape
44 of Good Hope. Hut having paia a visit to the Hottentots of his ac
-44 quaintanie, fie threw off all his fine cloaths, bundled them up, laid
44 tieto at the Governor's feet, anddefiredhe might be allowed to renounce
44 Jus chrifliamty, and to live and die in the religion and cufloms of his
44 anceflnrs ; only requeuing that he might be permitted to keep the hanger
44 ana cottar which tie wore, in token of his regard to his benefatlor.
44 While the Governor was deliberating upon this, Ccarce believing the
44 fellow io be in eamefi, the young Hottentot took the opportunity of
44 running away, ana never afterwards came near the Cape, thinking
44 himftlj happy, that he had exchanged his Europeandrefs for afheep-Jkir. y
44 an j that he had abandoned the hopes of preferment for thefociety of /us
44 relations and countrymen."
44 Tne Enghfk Eafl-lndia Company made the like experiment upon
44 two young Hottentots, with no betterfuccefsSee Millar,oq the
Diftintlion of Ranks in Society, chap. in. page ixg, quar. edit
Hence we fee the almost invinceable attachment of mankind to
the place of their birth, of which few feel the power and operation
till deprived of the enjoyment; this privation we find is fome
t mes insupportable under the most favorable circumstances, as in
the cafe of the Hottentots; it is therefore natural to suppose, it
would not bemore tolerable in cases of difficulties and disappoint
ments, which all are sure to meet with, who are so unfortunate as
to emigrate from polished life and manners, into new, rude, re-?
mote, uncultivated countries. E. C.
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.
[London, March 30.] The revolution which
has taken place at Geneva is the more remarka
ble, as it is the firft time these 3 J years, that the
whole republic have, with one consent, made and
agreed to any laws, nor was there ever a greater
day of rejoicing than the 13th ult. On the 7th
the Senate laid before the council of 200, the
laws required, which were approved of, inglobo,
by the majority 133 againlt 9. On the 13th,
they were carried to the Council-General, and
approved o£by 1327 votes against 54.
The moment the fcrunity was declared at the
Cathedral,a general acclamation of joy was heard.
They afterwards went to the town-house, where
all parties embraced each other. The Senate was