Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Professor Richardson, of Glasgow, is not only an admirable poet, but as a prose writer may be ranked with Goldsmith and Mackenzie.—We read with great delight the ensuing extract from one of the most interesting of his performances. The theory of its accomplished author is perfectly correct, and it is supported by all the powers of elegant and beautiful illustration.—Port Folio.

Minds differently fashioned, and under the influence of different passions, receive from the same objects dissimilar impressions. Exhibit the same beautiful valley to the miser and to the poet. Elegant and lovely images arise in the poet's mind; dryads preside in the groves, and naiads in the fountains: Millions of wealth seize the heart of the miser; he computes the profits of the meadows and cornfields, and envies the possessor. The mind, dwelling with pleasure on those images which coincide with its present humor, or agree with the present passion embellishes and improves them. The poet, by figuring additional lawns and mountains, renders the landscape more beautiful or more sublime; but the miser, moved by no compassion for wood nymphs or naiads, lays waste the forest, changes the windings of the river into a dead canal, and purchaseth wealth at the expence of beauty. Now as the influence of the passions governs and arranges our ideas, these, in return, nourish and promote the passions. If any object appear to us more striking and excellent than usual, it communicates a stronger impulse, and creates a more vehement desire. When the lover discovers new charms in the character of his mistress if complexion glow with a more engaging, his love becomes ungovernable. The imaginary presentations, more even than real of jealousy, simulate our desires; and our passions administering fuel to themselves, are immoderately inflamed. Joy is in this manner elevated: anger more keenly exasperated with additional malice; and envy hurts with melancholy brooding over her ideas of misery and disappointment, is tortured with anguish and plunges into despair.