ORIGINAL PAPERS. FOR THE EMERALD. THE WANDERER, No. 61. = "Take physic, pomp !” So various are the abuses of prosperity, so multiphed the infirmities of the affluent, that we every day have more or less occasion to exclaim, "Take physic, pomp !” The sick are not confined to chambers. At the corners of streets and on the sofas of parlours, in boxes at the theatre and on the benches of the ballroom, “he, that can meď'cine to the mind diseased," may find patients innumerable, that will keep him in practice as long as he lives. would operate like electricity and shock thee into feeling. What cause for pomp has " poor human nature?" Is it wealth? We are in this house but a moment. Can it be cause of self-gratulation to monopolize every thing, when we can carry out of it nothing? Is it strength? An insect can sting it away. Is it beauty? A sun-beam or dew-drop may in a moment destroy it. Is it wit?" Alas, poor Yorick!" Is it wisdom? “The wisest" was the meanest of mankind. "Toke physic, pomp!" Go to philosophy and follow her prescription! Drink deep of self-knowledge. It is a bitter drug. It must kill or cure. But either saves us. But Shakespeare by pomp meant wealth and truly wealth and pomp are nearly synonimous. There is a pride of purse that is pitiful. It Who art thou, that darest vaunt prevails no where so universally and thyself in the face of heaven, and in so great a degree as in this mewhat is the cause of thy vaunting? tropolis. We have but few among Art thou the owner of immense the opulent, that can take merit by tracts of territory; further than the the hand and lead it forward in life. eye can reach do thy possessions All that seems here to give rank, is extend? What then? The grave wealth; and yet the distinctions of is all thou art heir to, and the worms society, are as rigidly regarded as will dispute with thee the possession if they had better foundation. The of that. Thou art at best merely formalities of etiquette are as punctenant at sufferance of any one par- tiliously observed, as if they were ticle of that earth, over which thou tests of worth, or criterions of unpretendest title. Shame burn thy derstanding. Talent is no ticket proud heart to cinders! "Take phy- of admission to genteel company. sic, pomp!" Look from the win- In the circles of the affluent judows of thy splendid mansion to venile merit can find no patron. the house appointed for all living. Any one there would be ashamed to One knock of Death at thy door countenance worth that was poor. A smile would be condescension physic, pomp!" Thy vision is ob and notice disgraceful. A frigid superciliousness of deportment damps the ardor of genius and checks the aspirations of laudable ambition. This is the curse, that attends a commercial people. The circulating medium becomes a standard to test not only the value of materials, but the value of men. Where wealth is the only distinction, men make it their only object, and to obtain it, think nothing a sacrifice. Since riches alone sanctify and make honorable, without regard to the means of acquiring them, it should excite no wonder, that men are so prone to keep constantly in view the end, with as little regard to the means. Thus, the love of wealth approximates the love of fame, til it creates a sordid contempt for what is in truth the first born of this nobler passion. The merchant despises the man, whose horizon is not confined to the walls of his counting room. He considers literary ambition a disgrace, and shuns the imputation of literary excellence, as reproachful. So true is this, that a young gentleman in trade, that would indulge literary propensities, is driven to countless shifts and expedients to save his credit. If he write, he must write by stealth. If he advance an opinion on any general topic, he takes care that it is out of the hearing of his bustling companions on 'Change, who know no other figure, than an arithmetical sign, and never came to any other result, than the foot of their account. From this last charge a few should be excepted. But age has given firmness to their nerves and a hardihood to their characters. Even these, however, are not exempt from the adium consequent n the truth of the first. "Take scured. Purge it with euphrasy. Let the scales fall from thy eyes, that thou mayest see merit, and when once seen, for the honor of humanity, cease to say, "I know thee not." When I see a man of pride, with isicles on his brow, send a beggar, that asks alms, to the work house, "for the Select-men have provided for you;" I pass him in scorn. Hast thou so much pride, and canst show no sympathy for her, that has little? "Take physic, pomp!” There, grandmother, is enough to get thee a dinner. Abundance should administer to indigence. Ye, that abound in superfluities, remember there are those, that want necessaries. "Shake the superflux to them, See that affluent despoiler of fe male innocence! He has just set out in his career of crime, as yet a noviciate in fashionable iniquity. "Take" what? "Not poppy nor mandagora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the east, Can ever medicine him to that sweet sleep, Which he had yesternight." There are many infirmities of the affluent, to which medicine should be gratuitously administered. But the Wanderer is already weary of his ramble, and can visit patients no longer. To cure all the follies of pomp belongs only to The physician of value." The attempt by man would be hopeless. No drug-shop could afford antidotes enough for the poison. BIOGRAPHY. Some account of Vincent de Paul, the founder of several charitable institutions. VINCENT DE PAUL was born 1576, in a village near the Pyrenees. He |