The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-12-05

given rise to the following fragment. have
borrowed the motto : the style and sentiment
are above my imitation.
I came 10 the tombs 81 my friends, aud ! ask.
ed qvhsre are they? And Echo answered,
g" Where!''
1t was autumn when arrived at the town
of N.-This was the place oil my nativity.
Here bad spent the first and hsppiest mo-
ments OF my life. To this spot. du,ing an
absence of MANY years, my mind had often
reverted with the most endearing sensations,
for did not forget the companions OF my
YOUTH nor the scenes of my childhood.
sought for that humble roof, beneath which
drew my first breath it was still standing -
The old gate. the door, and even the well re
insmbered latch were all there each had its
association and tailed not to produce emotion.
inquired for those, 10 whom was bound BY
the strongest ties OF duty and affection. Where
are the former inhabitants of this place And
Echo answered, Where'' went to the
:. inheritance" o. many OF my friends and ac-
quaintance, and asked where are they? And
Echo answered.. Where!"-rhe places that
had known them knew them no more.
Failingto satisfy my inquiries among The
living, ! repaired TO the repositories OF the
dead The place seemed TO accord with my
feelings walked slowly among the tombs
deciphering each inscription as passed. Al
length. my eye caught the stones, which stood
in memory Of my friends.-And as | dropt
tributary tear, read the unsaiisfyisg records,
which they bore. These, SAID |, are their
memorials, bu! where are they? And Echo
answered., Wherei"--i am aware that here
res, their tenemenis Of clay, but these, diyest-
ed of life, are nooe other than the clods, which
cover them. Where ~ that ethereal spirit.
which once animated these now LfsIess DO.
dies Where is that boosted reason. those
warm affections, tina, exalted intelligence.
those sublime faculties Of the soul, where are
they And Echo answered. Wherer'
As | stood bewildered in the mazes of doubt
| observed>at little distance, monument.
that rose superior 10 the rest, and approached
II The marble spoke largely of the ATTAIN
mcnts OF him, whose remains sIumbered be-
nrsih of his requirements in knowledge Of
his fame, Of his hopors, and OF his riches
But | read with astonisbment at the close,
Death is an eternal sleep"
Lost in perplex'ty. stood fixed, till the
approach Of funeral procession arrested my
attention. ! drew near where il stopped. II
was small and conducted without osten;a,ion.
The dead need no pomp; the glitter ofpar
rsds is Ill suited To express real sorrow. Next
TO the corpse stood Two aged people, who bad
followed 10 the grave az only child a daugh
;sr, cut off IN the bloom OF life aad beauty
Near these was \ youth. scarce turned OF
twenty, whose dcl,oacy seemed striving 10
h'de the extent Of his grief, les, some tsstid-
,ous being should Turn his affection TO ridi.
Guile. or pity II as weakness. They were
not decorated with costly suits Of sable yet
melhougbi had never before seen persons
clothed IN deeper mourning Beside these, 1
noticed clergyman and few others, who
seemed near friends or intimate acquaintance.
As the osllin sunk slowly 10 The grave, the
holy man (such was The custom of the place)
began short address. His alierance was at
6rs. slow. aud his voice solemn. lie spoke
OF The fraiity OF human life. and OF the certain
ty OF death. He began, - Dust unto dust
II lis appointed u.io men once to die. Your
fathers, where are they! And the prophets,
do ihe' live forever Man dieih aud vast.
eth away he coneih forth as flower aud is
cni down he heeth also as shadow and con.
t'nueih not. His breath goeih forth, be re
turneIb TO his earth. A. nower Of The field,
50 he hourisheth for the wind passeh over i,
and II IS gone and the place thereof shall
Know il no more There is no man that bath
power over the spirit, 10 retain the spirit
neither bath he power in the ,~y Of death
and there is no discharge in that war. The !
time IS short, 1t renanelh, that they, who !
have children be as though they had none
and they iha, weep as though they wept not !
and hey that rejoice as though they rejoiced
not aud hey that buy as though they pos.
sessed MOI, tor the fashion OF this world pass !
eth awsy.-When few years are come then
we shall go the way, whence we shall mol re-
turn. I'VE must soon say 10 corruption. thou |
art my father and TO the worm thou ART my |
mother and my sister" These are some Of
the passages with which the pioss man en-
forced his momenious truths. White speak. |
my, lbs tones Of his voice. his look. his man.
mr., the appearance I'll his auditors, fixed as
he monuments around them. the open grave.
the hearse. aud folded pail, with combined
effect, served TO produce sensations not TO be |
described. After short pause, during which,
his counienanee became more animated, he !
continued, Though after my skin woy1f !