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THE
RURAL MAGAZINE,
AND
LITERARY EVENING FIRE-SIDE.

Vol. I.     Philadelphia, Fourth Month, 1820.     No. 4.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

THE DESULTORY REMARKER.

No. III.

He whose object is to make animpression on the public mind, mustfirst, as an indispensable preliminary,secure the public attention. Muchthat is said or written, partakes in sogreat a degree of an unimpressiveand a common-place character, as tobe utterly disregarded. To succeedin obtaining the public ear, is as difficultas it is important. This successis perhaps most efficiently promoted,by listening with attention to everyremark of criticism, whether good-naturedor severe;—by then adoptingthe counsels of wisdom, and leaningon the solid column of experience.If these papers should fail to acquirepopularity, and, like many of theirpredecessors, sink into undeservedoblivion; it shall not be from the wantof a disposition to please, but fromthe absence of higher powers. It isthe peculiar province of genius torender prolific the most sterile soil,to invest with interest the most intractabletopic, and to mould into theform of beauty the most unpromisingmaterials. For this rare and brilliantendowment, no adequate substitutecan be found.

Should every public speaker, orpublic writer, be required to confinethemselves to what is absolutely original,or strictly relevant to their subject;what would become of a vastmajority of the tribe of authors, andninety-nine out of a hundred of ourorators in Congress? Of a speechof three or five hours in length, oneeffect may be confidently predicted;that those of the audience who do notfall asleep, will be fatigued and justlyirritated, by such an unwarrantabletrespass on their time and patience.Our national character is not yet completelyformed; but some features ofit are assuming a permanent shape.Among these, there is one, by nomeans calculated to elevate us in theestimation of the rest of the world.Instead of that simplicity and Spartanbrevity, by which republicans shouldbe distinguished, we habituate ourselvesto the unnecessary use of a multitudeof words. We are giants inprofession, but pigmies in action.It has been confidently asserted, thatthe speeches of one of the membersof our federal legislature, from Tennessee,have actually cost the UnitedStates more money, than would defraythe entire expense of completingthe Delaware and Chesapeake canal.[122]Now that the Missouri discussion isterminated, how honourable to thenation, it is not my present purposeto inquire; it would be desirable toascertain whether the vote of a solitarymember was changed, by theendless speeches which were deliveredon the subject. If not, I shouldpresume it was a pretty clear point,that they cost the PEOPLE muchmore than they were worth; and thatsuch a prodigal waste of the time andtreasure of the nation, is highly reprehensible.But instead of arraigningthe conduct of others, and exposingtheir weakness and defects, itmay perhaps be the part of prudenceto spare our censure for errors to bemet with much nearer home. Bygiving publicity to the following communication,I trust I shall not trespasson the indulgence of my readers;while at the same time I shall evincea spirit of no fictitious candour, bywhich I wish at all times to be actuated.

"Harrisburg, March 20.

"To the Desultory Remar