Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08

lscription correspondent to the nature OF
those pleasures. Such is the constitution
tof man, so eager in the pursuit of pleas
lure, that he is never satisfied with the
present attainment of Knowledge or happi-
|ness. At no time is every individual cir
cumstance exactly suited to his wishes.
He suffers his imagination to rove 10 fairy
fields in search of happiness, and while he
steals every rose, leaves the thorn for some
one less susceptible Of pleasure than him.
self. Scenes of pleasure succeed each
other, as rapid as the thoughts of his
mind. He extends longing view to that
lperiod, which he expects soon to enjoy
to that hour, which is to bring along with
it all the joys of life. 10 the silent flight
OF time, the wished for hour arrives, but
brings noe the expected blessing. Not
withstandiag his hopes are thus deceived,
Ibis expectations thus blasted, he pauses
Inol to contemplate the issue of new hopes
He is still solaced with some new prospect.
Fancy paints with equal transport, scenes
4 of future bliss. He expects that youth
will supply the deficiencies of childhood,
land manhood afford the happiness which
youth denies Thas man is carried for
ward from one stage OF life to another
still expecting, still deceived. Disap-
i pointment increases the eagerness of desire,
! and present Inconvenience are lost in an-
ticipation Of future felicity. Delightful
Iobjects are ever 10 view, but never within
reach. The arm is extended 10 receive
Ithem but they eIude the grasp.
The pleasures Of anticipation are not
limited to any class Of society. Wherever
man is TO be found, wherever there is a
mind susceptible of happiness, or heart
capable of being affected by the most ex-
quisite pleasures of our nature-there
Hope extends her genial influence. But
remove the curtain that shades our future
prospects, and how would it affect even
the pleasures of the present moment
|, / Alas! every rose withers, every ENJOY
ment dies. At every age, and in every
situation of life, are the pleasures of an
| ticipatien experienced. Hope promises
consolation to to the unhappy, and reiiei
, to the miserable. Even TO the wretched
captive withdrawn from the light Of ma
: ture, when that door opens, which is but
/ a gloomy prelude to the dreadful death
which awaits him, hope enters. Although
: the coming hour rarely, if ever, brings
+ with it those sweet enioyments which We
t anticipated, yet the pleasure. Of expecting
them is great. 1t is moi as might be sup
+ posed true, that the pain of disappoint
ment over balances the pleasure OF antici-
patton. No--ttle mind will net turn from
, the fair prospect before it, to linger or
the pain of disappointment. There is nc
cessation. Hope succeeds hope, like the
waves on the surface of the ocean. When
: 1.-THE ardent youth commences the pursuit.
E lof science, conscious perhaps Of possess.
f ing some uncommon qualities, and natural
lily fond of novelty, he thinks he has en-
tered a field perfectly suited to his dispo-
e sition, and particular turn of mind. lie
] Iimagines himself, as it were, passing down
: a gentle stream, whose fowery hank pre-
: sents, one carried scene Of beauty. But
when the love Of novelty ceases to ope-
{ rate, he soon finds himself surrounded
by difficulties, which seem too formidable
/ to be encountered, and obstacles almost
insurmountable. He sees before him q
} hill to be assembled, which demands the
most unwearied exertion, and finds him
self still struggling at its base, unable tc
!. advance even step toward its summit
r When in the moment of dependency, ev.
? ery effort seems vain, it is then that hope
{ comes and illumines his path--she ami
+ mates by the reward she offers, and ell
courages with the promise that these diff
tcuties will soon be lost in the splend6r
e of bis attachments. Imagination holds up
: to him the charming shadow of human
! greatness, and he pursues with eagernes'
: the fitting phantom. This is not the only
$ individual instance. Every one, from the
5 careless momeats Of childhood to the more
thoughtful period of an advanced age; nc
f matter whether he basks in the sunshine
, of success, or struggle against misfortune,
5 he is alike affected by the pleasures Of
] anticipation.
: AS far as my observation has extended,
+ / think there is no class of community,
that ought more to guard against antici-
pating success than authors. Even ne
) who takes his first step with trembling,
: VINO places before his first work the most
! modest apology, for intruding upon the
public, when it is mentioned perhaps in
, some newspaper, or passed unhurt the
dread tribunal of English reviewers, folio
after folio in rapid succession are thrown
upon the world, without any mercy upon
the public, or himself. Imagination car
iries him forward to future generations, and
he there receives the reward, which the
lnresents age does not think proper 10 be