Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-05-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
FOR THE GAZETTE.

Being at leisure one fine day in autumn,
/ resolved on making short excursion
Unto the neighbouring country. The
scenery OF the surrounding country was
beautifully interspersed with variety Of
objects calculated both to please and ID.
struct. Here an extensive plain seemed
TO invite my steps; aud there change oil
the scene into prominent little hills, and
deep vslies, persuaded me to relinquish
the plain, aud seek for amusement 10 their
agreeable windings. Into one of these
yaIies at length entered, and pursued
1my way, not minding whittier ii led me,
There was something SO irresistibly pleas
ing in the walk, that | could not refuse
myself the pleasure of following its vari-
Gus windings amongst the hills on either
hand. The banks were remarkably steep,
and very thickIy overgrown. The bottom
Of the valley seemed as if intended for a
walk: il was strewed with the remains Of
The flowers of spring and summer; and
every object conspired to fill my mind
with pleasing kind Of thought. heed
iessly continued my pace, till, at length.
reflection began to suggest the propriety
of ascending the hills 10 order 10 enjoy
he prospect around them. Accordingly
turned to my left hand, and entered the
first path which seemed to lead to the sum
nit of the hills; but soon found it OBJ
structed by bushes which grew very thick.
A little farther down the valley there
seemed another opening through which |
thought | might more easily gain The de
sired elevation. Having entered it, it
soon became difficult TO puisne by reason
Of thick growth of briars. Discouraged
10 the secoBd attempt, ] resolved to pur-
sue the valley till more commodious
place Of ascent offered itself to my wishes.
Thus | went Oh, thinking every path 1
came TO better than the preceding one,
until I came TO try il, when it always
proved worse. The result was, was
obliged TO ascend through a thicket Of
bushes and briars; not without being
much iacerated by the way. My stay in
| the valley had brought the day almost 10
close. The sun had set in the west the
cold dews were falling around me; the
gray twilight of evening had begun TO
lsprrad It's shadowy wings over the face Of
mature; and all things coBspired to render
ii necessary to return home.
Being somewhat thoughtful, II occurred
to me, that as moralists frequently draw
important lessons of instruction from very
simple occurrences, as the bee does from
the most inconsiderable OF flowers por
ltion Of her liquid sweets, so I might,
without laying claim to the character OF
Ieminence as moralist, extract such a
Iportion of instruction from the circum-
Istances Of my walk, as would render even
an afternoons ramble of some service to
lme.-The commencement Of the excursion
considered as the beginning of life. The
Iplain which was entered frst, compared
TO that part OF our existence, when as YET
the passions and feelings Of our nature are
inactive. and human life presents but al
anvarying uniformity. At a more adj
vanced period, the several propensities
aud passions Of the heart, as they begin
10 assert their agency ia the direction Of
our actions, all gravitate to their various
centres, or assume their respective chan.
nels Of motion; which, when once entered
lead us, through their intricate windings
into all the variety of good and i'll tina
Ichequer human life. The remains o
those flowers Of spring and summer, which
lay in my path, we're representative Of tb,
decayed blossoms Of our early faculties
(which fall from their native stems, ant
are trodden down 10 the path of life By
the unheeding foot Of old age.
/ When, 10 the progress Of our existence
we see the bloom Of the youthful imagina
Ition, the flowers Of wit and genius, an,
the blossoms Of early reason and iudgmen
IfalI, promiscuously scattered 10 our way
we then behold SO many sad monitors L
inform us Of the arrival of old age, an,
the consequent near approach of death.
Il The manner ia which | continued heed
lessly to pursue my walk, without think
ling of the beautiful prospects which pre-
sented themselves from the summit Of th,
hills, reminds us Of the carelessness ant
indifference with which we pursue oul
journey through life, eager Cor nothing bu
to seize upon the limited pleasures of
limited scene; aud never aspiring beyont
the narrow boundaries of interest ant
Sense to those sublime prospects, those il
linitable enjoyments, which present them
SELVES to the mind from the height Of tina
sacred elevation to which virtue aud reli
Igion exaIt us.
i The hill which, after various attempts
finally had the resolution to ascend
brings to our thoughts the condition Of the
pious man; which is, in every sense, an
elevation far above the low pursuits d
vice, and the grovelIing enioyments 81
t.eo...ot .xl..~..,.a TT~l.- Ans. ~