Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-16
Arms

A long period has elapsed since the Phil
anthropist gave his sarcastic correspondent
Madam Laura Isabella, assurances of fur
Their notice. Indeed, it is not improbable that,
in the variegated and fascinating round of
those elegant studies and refined occupati-
ons, which her letter so glowingly described,
she has utterly forgotten both my promise
and myself. Should the contrary be the case,
should she still remember the Rustic, let her
not ascribe the interruption of my feeble and
desultory essays to caprice, i'll humour, in
, dolence, or dependency. 1 cannot freely
dispose Of my hours much less, can con-
trout the elements. The summer has been
remarkable for hail storms, and other phe-
nomena of a convulsed atmosphere. Even
the lonely vale, where my modest possessions
lie secreted,' could not escape the ravages OF
the mischievous spirit that turks in the dark
impending cloud, and howls in the destFac-
tive hurricane. For several weeks, no re-
freshing breeze had caressed my flowers and
my tresSNo fertilizing shower from the
South East had invigorated their growth
The lately babbhng stream now ceased to
murmur I; its bed was almost dry, and the
blossoms on its banks mourned their fadec
honours. Night herself seemed bereft of hei
cheering dews: in short, all nature impati
emily waited for refreshment end solace
.Refreshment came, but it came not in gen,
tie FORM Amid an almost universal blaze
of lightning, amid loud and prolonged peal!
of thunder, rendered still more terrific by
the simultaneous roar of conflicting blasts
and the hollow and confuse reverberations of {
mountainous country, an immense deluge o
rain broke down from a lurid sky, anC
spread on all sides horror and devastation
For poor Charlotte and myself, it was, in
deed, scene Of woe! Independently from
more serious ravages, the storm laid prostrat,
a charming little vista, in front of my cottage
to whose pleasant shades | Frequently resor
ted with my darling child. There Chariot,
delighted to read, to work at her needle, or
with her pencil, to take sketches from tn,
surrounding landscape. 1t was there that
found her, as related in my last essay, melt
ing, with romantic sensbility, over an ele
CANT and pathetic exhibition of fictitious dis
tress, just before Madam Laura Isabella
communication reached me. Ever sine
that fatal storm, all my time, all my thoughts
all my exertions, have been employed in re
pairing the mighty havoc; and thank IIea
ven my humble retreat is nearly restore
to its former smiling aspect. l am, there
fore, able to resume my pen and the be-
use j can make Of it is to dellneate a &c
nuine sentimcntalist, one whose humanit
is never confined to mere destinations Symp
toms, never evaporates in fruitless signs
but one who holds virtue chief to consist
active benefcence. and social usefulness.
so doing, | am under a necessity of introdt
cling again my venerable friend, Henry Sar
ford but ] trust that the reader shares
my partially for his exalted aud amiab
character, and, Of course, is inclined to e.
cuse my frequent mention Of his eminei
virtues.
in one of the small farms, into which M
Sanford has dividcda certain portion Of h
considerable estate, and where he has moi
than once enjoyed the pure satisfaction of a
fcrding to misfortune, age, or infrmi,y,
welcome asylum, lived, about twenty yea
ago, with his widowed mother, most into
esiing youth, whose prcname was Fredc
ick The avenues Of Mr.. Sanford's benev
lent heart never were shut against the 8
cred claims Of indulgence but poverty, VIII
virtucus aud uudeserved, might DC sad
exercise over him an irresistible ascenda
cy. With Frederick and his mother, {.
was precisely the case, They had Sc
brighter days, and Mr.. Sanford knew it we
He knew that a weak and dissolute sensus
ist had, by bis rashness and intemperanC
hurled into an abyss OF distress an amiat
wife, and a most promising Son. To alley
ate that distress was the worthy SANFORD
most ardent and fonGcst wish; but he
not find it easy to carry into execution {
noble plans which he had formed 20 that {