tive land; that man would be as been seen to listen to him, and inwretched as unprofitable in polish-stantly abandon all to follow him. ed societies, and never did exist Believing himself destined to reform even prior to their origin. Dio-mankind, he treats them without genes imagines he can discover the smallest deference. His syssome resemblance of him among tem leads him to inveigh against the Spartans: "I have found men vices and abuses, and his character no where," said he, "but I have unrelentingly to pursue those who seen children at Lacedæmou." are guilty of them. He never ceasTo represent in his own person es to attack them with the weapons the man of his idea, he has under- of satire, and an irony a thousand gone the rudest trials, and emanci- times more formidable. The freepated himself from every species dom that reigns in his discourses, of constraint. You will see him renders him agreeable to the peostruggling against hunger, appeas-ple. He is admitted into good coming it with the grossest aliments, pany, which he serves to enliven by refusing to gratify it at entertain-ready repartees, sometimes happily ments where the table is covered set off, and at all times frequent, with abundance; stretching out his for he hesitates at nothing. Young hands for alms to passengers; at people court his company to make night, shutting himself up in a tub; trials of his pleasantry, and avenge exposing his body to the injuries of themselves of his superiority by inthe weather, under the portico of a sults, which he supports with the temple; rolling himself in summer most mortifying tranquillity. I on the burning sand, and in winter have often seen him reproach them walking, with naked feet, amid the with expressions and actions that snows; satisfying all the wants of put modesty to the blush, which innature in public, and in places fre-clines me to believe that he has nevquented by the dregs of the people; er himself been guilty of those excourageously braving and support-cesses his enemies impute to him. ing ridicule, insults, and injustice; His indecency lies rather in the acting in opposition to established manner than in any thing really ofcustoms, even in things the most fensive to good morals. Eminent indifferent; and daily exhibiting talents, great virtues, and prodigious scenes which, whilst they excite efforts, will never make more of the contempt of sensible men, re-him than a singular man ; and I veal but too plainly to their eyes shall always subscribe to the judg the secret motives that influence his ment of Plato, who said of him: conduct. I one day saw him, dur-" He is Socrates in a phrenzy.”

ing a severe frost, embracing, half naked, a brazen statue. A Lacedæmonian asked him if he suffered ́ pain. No, said the philosopher. What merit is there then in what you do? replied the Lacedæmonian.

Diogenes possesses depth of understanding, firmness of mind, and liveliness of character. He delivers his doctrines with such perspicuity, and explains them with so much energy, that strangers have

For the Emerald. DESULTORY SELECTIONS,

AND ORIGINAL REMARKS.

PIETY.

If ye are able to resist me (said Darius to the Scythians) stop and bravely fight. If ye dare not, ac knowledge thy master-The King of the Scythians replied: I neither

fly not fear any man. It is our custom to wander quietly ovet our vast domains during war as well as peace. We know no blessing like liberty, and acknowledge no master but the Gods. If thou wouldest prove our valor, come and insult the tombs of our fathers..

ALCIBIADES.

demanded firmness and resolution. He then united prudence with activity, and pleasure never stole from him any of those moments which were necessary to the advancement of his glory, or the promotion of his interest.

A character of this model would of necessity advance in the affection of a people, whose general passions were love of glory and greatness, and the loose morals of the man whom they were thus elevating to power might justify the following address to Timon:

THE character of Alcibiades as displayed by the Greek historians, presents a bolder view of brilliant and fascinating vices, and engaging and effective virtues, than any recorded in the annals of the Republic: One day when Alcibiades from Some historians have stigmatiz-ed the suffrages of the people and the height of the rostrum had gaine ed the memory of this Athenian with every reproach, and others honored it with every eulogium, without it being possible for us to charge the former with injustice or the latter with partiality.

He appears to be one of those premature and astonishing geniuses who create such admiration by the splendor of their talents, and draw so much affection by the amenity of their manners, that instead of their being obliged to consult opinion in their actions, opinion itself takes rules from them.

That elevation of sentiment produced by virtue was not to be sought in his heart, but in it was found that intrepidity which the consciousness of superiority inspires. No obstacle, no danger could either surprise or discourage him; he seemed persuaded that when souls of a certain order do not perform all they wish, it is because they have not courage to attempt all they

dare.

was returning home escorted by the whole assembly, he was met by T1MON, usually called the misanthro pist, who, shaking him by the hand said Courage Boy; continue to advance thyself to power and glory, and I shall be indebted to thee for the ruin of Athens.

The versatility of his talents gave him command and respect wherever he had occasion to appear.

The Spartans admired his frugality, the Thracians his intemperance; the Baotians his love of the most violent exercise; the Ionians his taste for indolence and voluptuousness; the Satraps of Asia a luxhave shown himself the most virtuury they could not equal. He would ous of men had he never known'

the example of vice; but vice hurried him on without making him its slave.

The influence of his example corrupted the manners, and that corruption joined with evil councils, ruined the state.

Those excesses of levity, frivol- "The young Athenians fixed ity and imprudence which esca- their eyes on this dangerous modei, ped his youth or idle hours, were and unable to imitate its beauties, no longer seen on occasions, that thought to approach it by copying,

and especially by overcharging its thority, not the inclination of the defects. They became frivolous be- parties, unites the sexes, gallantry cause he was giddy; insolent be- soon breaks the slender ties, in cause he was bold; regardless of spite of common moralists, who the laws because he paid no respect exclaim against the effect, whilst to propriety of manners. Some they pardon the cause. not so wealthy, but equally prodigal with himself, displayed a luxury that made them ridiculous, and drew down ruin on their families; their disorders were transmitted to their descendants, and the baneful influence of the example of Alcibiades subsisted long after his death."

A BON MOT

is often productive of serious consequences. Theocritus had high ly offended King Antigonus, who had but one eye: The prince however promised to pardon the culprit if he would appear before him. With this condition he refused to comply; but his friends drew him along by force, continually repeating that he would be pardoned if he appeared before the eyes of the King. The unfortunate wit, recollecting that the King had but one eye, could not refrain from a bon mot, notwithstanding the critical circumstances in which he was placed : “Ah," said he, "if the safety of my life depends upon my appearing before the eyes of the King, I am undone." This railing was the cause of his death.

EPIGRAM.

THE damsel too prudently shy
THE damsel too prudently shy

Or too forward, what swain would
possess ;

For the one will too often deny,

And the other too soon will say yes.

EXTREMES.

Extreme old age is childhood, extreme wisdom is ignorance; for so it may be called, since the man, whom the oracle pronounced the wisest of men, professed that he knew nothing. To proceed; push a coward to the extreme, and he will show courage: oppress a man to the last, and he will rise above oppression.

CONTEMPT.

BOLLIERE said contempt was a pill which might be swallowed, but which it was impossible to chew without making wry faces.

NOTICES.

A correspondent observed a remark poor in one of our public papers that " Corsica is rather badly off, being compelled to import slaves after having exported so many Emperors, Princes Cardinals, Dukes and other great articles." But it seems to him certain evidence of when it can import the raw materials the prosperous situation of a country and export them manufactured into articles of such great value!!

Wit is of a quality so dazzling, that it is very apt to conceal by its splendor, the dangers into which it leads its possessors. An unfortunate repartee, or a piece of ludicrous satire often destroys friendship, creates enemies and occasions irreme-a diable uneasiness and pain.

CONJUGAL FIDELITY

Is always greater in proportion as marriages are more numerous and less difficult; but when the interest or pride of families, or parental au

The Circuit Court of the United States was opened on Monday last. The throne of grace was addressed in Present, Judges Cushing and Davis. pertinent prayer by Rev. Mr. Emerson, and a charge was delivered to the Grand Jury by the Chief Justice.

The charges on these occasions are deserving of more attention than they tures upon criminal law and are capable usually receive, they are practical lecof giving much useful information to the citizen..