Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-02-12

Every season brings with 1t It's OVID
displays of the divine glory and Per'ec-
tons. The year in all its revolutions -
but the varied Con. Winter IS more
suitsd than any other to impress us win
his majesty and power. Amidst INC
dreary barrenness that SURROUNDS US
we trace the foot steps Of the great GoD
Of nature, who controls the elements by
his word, who layeth the beams OF his
chambers in the waters, who maketh the
clovis his chariot. and walketh upon the
wings of the wind who saith unto the
snow, "be thou upon the earth" hse-
wise to the small rain and to the great
rain of his strength who gcndefeth
the hoary frost of Heaven, and scatter
eth il like ashes who casteth forth his
ice like morsels, and binde,h up the RI
vess as with barsaDd door. /; who look
eth on the earth, and it trembleth, the
pillars of Heaven are sstonished at his
reproef. Lo! these are part Of bis
ways, but how little portion is heard OF
him.
These sublime descriptions of the ma
jesty of God, which fill the inspired
pags, nf jon and DAVID, and which no
human language can ever equal, recur
with very live ely impr es.iens at this s!oo
my season. tits assessor that awakens
msny solemn reflections Nature Is
stript Of her yerdan. beauty, and presents
US nothing bot dreary waste: 1t has
often been ccMpared to the last years OF
bamsn life, and like them, it i, not with
ous its many pleasures. Like them 1t
may have its pleasing retrospects, its
calm ard rational erploynen,s, It's AMI
mating hopes To the prosperous and
happy, it brings season for domestic
comfort, for social pleasures, and intel
lec,usl Improvement Never arc family
blessings so much felt as nav. 1t as
.emblss aud uHites the domestic circle.
Ii strengthens our union and affection
BY bringing Us ncarar to each other. In
Summer We may enjoy many solitary
pleasures--we may ramb'e sfyfshiy and
a!ene-,he.e i, then no domestic heart
tn attrac. Us. But now mutual Decessi-
ties draw us constantly together, and the
cheerful blaze that enlivens parlors, ex-
pands and gladdens orr hearts. The
kindly warmth around us kindles pure
and general warmth within, ard while
the storm is raging and the elements at
war, inspires the kindest affections, and
most ami.ble and endcarins sympst!ies
How much is there in these family en-
joyments to awaken our, siou, gratitude
surely they should leave US to that Con
o. love, who sets the solitsTy in families,
-ho gives TO the ties Of nature 50 many
charms, cheers u. by each others smiles
and binds US still nearer 10 each other
and to Himself. by making Us share to-
sether IN the kind boun.ies OF hi. pro.
yidence. 1t is lie that covers our table
end fills olr cup, who makc,h peace in
cur borders ard satisfies Us with the
finest OF wheat, aho cloths and protects
US frsm his cold, surrounds US with the
choices; comforts. and makes every day
and every hour new monument Of his
tender love.
Winter too is the season for intellec.
tual Improvements. know Of poet
that has ever vsntsrcd upon descrip-
ton of this season, without invoking
some ancient sage, some engaging his
torian or brother bard, TO relieve the
glooms Of its tedious evening. Thomp-
son and Covper, "thcse sweetest bares
of inspired songs" have clothed some
admirable precepts 10 the most aiiurlng
dress, and max c TO doubt, that many
lair reader has found them most salutary
councillors: Advice is generally SO up
pala,abIe a medicine, tia, It reeds TO be
.weetered WITH the charms of peesy, and
the Monitor will therefore venture no
more than Just 10 recommend to ms fe-
male friends, should they find them
selves growing weary OF these winter
evenings. and longing for eayer plea.
sures than home can give them, to so
to these poetic councillors. and he doubts
not that single reading will abundanuy
reconcile them TO their IRE side en-
ioyrnents," and nske them more than
content to resign to Idle prattle and moi.
81 gaiety OF The ball room, for more ra-
,ionsl and improving pleasures.
" The poets or historians page, by one
Made yacal for lhe amusement Of the
rest;
The sprightI7 Tyre, whose treasure of
sweet sounds
The touch from many trembling chord
shakes out,
And the clear voice symphonioua, yet
distinct,
And in the charming strife triumphant
still,
Begaile the night snd set a keener edge
On female industry; the threaded steel
Flies swiftly, and unfclt, the task pro-
ceeds."
But TO the poor and frisndless, with