Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

MISCELLANY.

For the Portland Gazette.

STRIPLING—no. IV.

Cesmere ne quis eos, nec quis contingere jussit,
Diis ive morem, aut veniendi poscere causas.

HOR. That none may interpose, to cause delay,
Or fondly curious ask them of their way.

PITT.

If we take a survey of United America, the idea immediately strikes us, that an inquisitive desire to be acquainted with those things, which are aside from their particular concern or management, constitutes a part of the rational character of its citizens. They are distinguished by that idle chitchat concerning newcomers, and the affairs of their neighbors, which Knox and other writers have so successfully ridiculed.

A person can fix up his residence in but very few of our country towns without experiencing the truth of this observation. His merits or demerits are in the mouth of every inhabitant, the theme of every conversation in the village. If he chance to be of note, the question is immediately in agitation, whether he be what he seems, can support the character, which he assumes; or whether he has taken it on, for the purpose of shielding him from the effects of public resentment for some crime, he has committed, or of preserving himself from the ignominy which is likely to fall on him by some affair, in which Venus was concerned.

Should he be of the lower ranks of society, enquiries are assiduously made to ascertain the truth of his being a gentleman in disguise. a second Sir William Thornhill, who has retired into the country to obtain a partner for life who could love him for himself alone. An opinion of this kind has, oftentimes gained credence sufficient to cause many matrons, who had the character of being sagacious in such matters, to instruct their daughters, Misses, who were qualified for entering in negotium generandi, how their deportment should be, that they might be able to take captive the heart of the stranger.

Notwithstanding the contempt, which may be cast upon a people, to which this custom, this desiderium sciendi, if I may be so termed is habitual, I am fully persuaded it is not disadvantageous, seeing that it is the life and support of a republican government. To prove the latter assertion many arguments need not be adduced. The experience of all ages testifies the truth of the position.

Do we bring to our view those nations, that are now existing, we find that this curiosity is prevalent where liberty is predominant; unheard of in a manner, where tyranny is exercised. Do we turn over the pages of ancient history, we perceive, that this has been the case in every preceding age. The inhabitants of Turkey are remarkable for their not being solicitous concerning the circumstances of others; those of the United States for a contrary disposition.

Turkey for the complete subjection in which he is held by the iron rod of despotism: the United States for that constitution, which secures equal rights to every grade of her citizens, and which is the admiration of mankind. Greece was celebrated for her inquisitiveness and loquacity; Persia for her reserve. Greece for her high notions of liberty; Persia for the abject slavery.

So long as the spirit of watchfulness is exercised by all ranks and classes of a republic, their liberty may be considered to stand upon solid foundations. Should it sleep, should the farmer instead of scrutinizing the actions and characters of his rulers suffer his attention to extend no further than the limits of his farm, and the merchant wholly employ his time in hoarding up heaps of that metal, which is extracted from the mines of Potosi, what would be the consequence? Designing monarchists, in the form of demagogues, would shortly consign them over to the shackles of tyranny, and they would be left to repent, at leisure their fatal supineness.

T.