not concur in them, I dare to hope that some will; and that all will weigh them candidly. I will even hope that allowances may be made for the different feelings apt to sway an American here in European atmospheres, than when, as political partisans, we assail each other at home; neither party being as bad as the other represents it, and both alike intent upon augmenting the resources, advancing the happiness and extending the renown of the country, which belongs alike to both.

Not knowing what may be the decision of the Committee as to the further disposition of the Resolutions, I will keep them subject to its order. My difficulty in sending them by a private hand to the National Assembly, or Executive government of the Republic, or sending them at all otherwise than officially, arises from my being named on the record as the organ of delivering them; and I can discern no proper mode of separating myself on the occasion from the public trust I bear as American Minister. Nor can I know if it would be the pleasure of the Committee that the Resolutions should be delivered through any other channel or authority, less known and recognized than mine before this Republic.

I beg you to believe in the entire respect with which I have the honor to be,

Dear sir, your sincere

and faithful serv1,

RICHARD RUSH.

ESSAYS:

I.

VALUE OF EARLY EFFORTS AT EXCELLENCE.

II.

LABOUR NECESSARY TO EMINENCE.

FROM THE PHILADELPHIA PORTFOLIO OF 1803-1804.

15

ESSAY.

VALUE OF EARLY EFFORTS AT

EXCELLENCE.

THE present season naturally disposes us to connect with it that period of life, upon the just improvement of which is to depend the fruitfulness or sterility of the portion that will follow. Spring is the season of promise and of expectation, and youth is the period of enterprise and of hope. The heart, in the morning of life, dilated with noble and generous expansion, is filled with anticipations of every enjoyment, and prepared for the reception of every delight. In the estimates which, at this season, are made of future life, difficulties are not to embarrass, or accidents to frustrate. The obstacles between plans and their success are overlooked, experience has not taught disappointment, or longtried efforts at distinction wearied the constancy of diligence, or lessened the eagerness of ambition. Fancy, active in its projections, and plausible in its means, heats to enthusiasm the mind of the youthful candidate for renown. Every pen is to acknow

ledge the merit of his established excellence, and from every voice he is to hear the grateful music of applause. The claims of undoubted genius are to silence competition, and the laurel of victory to decorate his brow. Fame, with all its allurements, in close perspective, flushes his soul with joy; and imagination, passing through different scenes of human elevation, riots in the luxury of its own

creation.

How often such expectations are fallacious, we want not to be informed by the living mortals who are monuments of it, or by any of the thousands on whose obscurity the grave has heaped its mould. We know how small is the number of those on whom decided superiority is conferred, how many are the causes, by which fruition may be interrupted, and hope cut off. But ungracious is that philosophy which inculcates despondence, and holds out examples to depress; which would restrain youthful enterprise, by telling that its expectations are deceptions, and its attempts vain. Rather let every encouragement be given to ardor so commendable. Let it not be checked by the suggestions of the indolent and insignificant, or abated by the counsels of the unsuccessful or the timid. When eminence is reached, this spirit is ever found to have been its prelude. It is the grand incitement to emulation, the nurse of noble sentiment. The philosopher, who attracts notice by the in