Knickerbocker | Page 5

much less
would there be of fine-spun theory and specious argument; how much
more of practical truth! Always supposing the logical combatants did
not lose their patience and resort to material means and knock-down
arguments; of which, judging by the spirit sometimes manifested in
theological controversies, there would really seem to be some danger.
Oh! it is a very easy thing to sit in one's study and demolish an
opponent, who after all is generally no opponent at all, but only a man
of straw, dressed up for the occasion with a few purposely-tattered
shreds of the adversary's cast-off garments.
* * * * *
NOTE BY THE 'FRIEND.'--The foregoing is a correct sketch of our
conversations, especially as the reporter has, like his congressional
brother, corrected most of the bad grammar, and left out some of the
vulgarisms and colloquialisms, and given me the better side of the
argument in the last conversation; it is very correct. But it seems to me
that the question put at the commencement is as far from being solved
as ever. It is as difficult to be answered as the question, What is
Christianity? to which every sect will return a different reply, and each
prove all the others wrong.
Portsmouth, (N. H.) J. K. Jr.

LINES SENT WITH A BOUQUET.
BY PARK BENJAMIN.
I.

I've read in legends old of men Who hung up fruits and flowers Before
the altar-shrines of those They called Superior Powers: It was, I think, a
blessed thought That things so pure and sweet Should be esteemed an
offering For gods and angels meet.
II.
I imitate that charming rite In this our sober day, And, when I worship,
strew sweet flowers Along my angel's way: And, if my heart's fond
prayer be heard, The offering I renew; For flowers like books have
leaves that speak, And thoughts of every hue.
III.
They are Love's paper, pictured o'er With gentle hopes and fears; Their
blushes are the smiles of Love, And their soft dew his tears! Ah! more
than poet's pen can write Or poet's tongue reveal Is hidden by their
folded buds And by their rosy seal.
IV.
Mute letters! yet how eloquent! Expressive silence dwells In every
blossom Heaven creates, Like sound in ocean shells. Press to my
flowers thy lips, beloved, And then thy heart will see Inscribed upon
their leaves the words I dare not breathe to thee!

THE ALMS HOUSE.
BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.
It is not my purpose in the following narrative to point out all the evils
arising from the modern practice of relieving the wants of the poor and
destitute which prevails in this country and in England, where the arm
of the law compels that pittance which should be the voluntary
donation of benevolence; one consequence of which system is, that the
poor claim support as a debt due from society at large, and feel no
gratitude toward any of the individuals paying the tax. The payer of the

tax, on the other hand, feeling that he can claim no merit for
surrendering that which is wrung from him by force, and expecting no
thanks for the act, and knowing that in many cases it operates as a
bounty on idleness, hates the ungrateful burthen thus imposed upon
him, and strives to reduce it to the least possible amount. In this way
the ties which should bind together the poor and the rich are sundered.
The benevolence of the patron and the gratitude of the dependent,
which formerly existed, is changed to dislike and suspicion on the one
part, and envy and ingratitude on the other.
Doubtless one design of Providence in suffering want and misery to
exist in the world, is that the benevolent virtues should be kept in
exercise. He who was benevolence itself, seemed thus to think, when
he said: 'The poor ye have always with you.' But man in his selfishness
virtually says: 'The poor we will not have with us; we will put them out
of our sight.' For in many towns in New-England, and probably in other
States, it is customary to contract with some individual for their support;
or, in other words, to sell them by auction, to him who will support
them by the year, for the least sum per head. To illustrate some of the
results of this system, the following incidents are related from memory,
having been witnessed by me in my native place (an interior town in
New-England) at an age when the feelings are most susceptible. And so
deep was the impression then made on my mind, that I am enabled to
vouch for the accuracy of the details.
A meeting for the purpose of disposing of the poor of the town for the
ensuing year