43
l'.\PEnS OF ~[m.\HEAC' BGONAl'AflTE LA)IAR
Your worshipers may kindle with inthusiasm in the light of your smiles- they may sing yonr praises in strains as polished & refined as your own 11:1t irt- l'l<>g·a1H·c & gra<.:e- they may gather around in the festive hall, all emulous to excell in their devotions and testifv the boundlessness of their admiration. 0 they ma_v be proud to toiich the hem of your garment; they will weave chaplets for your brow and strew your path with the gathered spoils of a hundred bowers. But bear you in mind the unwelcome truth, that the facinating charms that extort this romantic idolatry will quickly vanish like the hues of the rainbow or the dews of the morning, and with them will perish forever all the devotion which they once kindled. I make this reflection, not that I am in- scnsible to personal beauty; for I too have worshipeel at its shrine; but I make it for the purpose of shewing you the folly of placing your happiness upon the triumphs of beauty; and warning you against the instability of all affection that is exclusively based upon its power. For the world I would not wantonly mar the joys & hopes of youth, by tying them down to the rigid severity of reason & reality; I am disposed to allow them some little latitude in the indulgence of guilt- less vanity & romantic feelings; but still even at the expense of wounded pride, I must for their own welfare, admonish them of the utter worthlessness of all beauty without loveliness, and the folly of all knowledge without virtue. Next to the love I bear to my country you stand highest in my affection. Your sex is entitled to my deep & lasting gratitude. .All the happiness that I have enjoyed in life, has :fl.owed from your kindness; and if I possess any enobling or vir- tuous qualities- any principles of honor above the lowest of my fellow creatures, I owe it. all to you; for it has been your influence that has smoothed the rugged asperities of nature and [made] me a happier and a better man. How then can I be otherwise than deeply solicitous for your welfare. And how can I be otherwise than delighted with this days exhibition of those intellectual and moral qualities, so essen- tial to your own happiness as well as the happiness of others. To com- pliment you for those qualities- to express to you the plea.sure which their exhibition has imparted to me was the object of my rising to address you. It is ever pleasing to award to worth its merited honors; and I have only to regret that I could not perform the task with more ability. If I have wanted genius to do justice to your merits, you must acceprt] the will for the deed. But how can I take my seat without bestowing due praise to your preceptors. Surely if honor be· due to any, it must be to those who devote their time and attention and a high order of intellect, to the arduous & responsible task to rear the tender mind & teach the young idea how to shoot. Whilst your performances gain you the applause of nn enlightened audience; they cannot fail at the same time to secure for this institution the con- fidence & patronage of a generous public- [Endorsed:] Adtlress to the children at a school Examination )[iscellaneous.
Powered by FlippingBook