Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-08-29
Cbar1eSto1s, dug. Is

Cbarlestoas, dug. Is
A little work, entitled ,Rscrsations Of
Geo. TaIeten, from the pen OF a gen
tleman of this city, has recently been
published by Messrs. Duke s. Brown,
ae their Office in Broad-st.; resembling
In appearance, the popular book OF IT.
wing, called the Sketch book. 1t is writ
ten with no small degree of the good
taste, graphic skill, and simplicity
of that authoy Of the new, or rather re-
viewer of the old school of English
Composition. 1t consists Of two Tales
the first of which is given. to the des.
cription of English rural life and scene
ry, aud the second TO tho picture of a
country residence and manners in Ca
rolina. We selsct from the latter, the
following extract. The author, altho'
he principally employs his pen in the
description seeSternal scenery, is we'll
qualified, we believe, for the delinea-
ton of the passions and sympathiss of
mankind, which must always hold
controlling interest over the outward
shapes of things:
considerable labor had been bes-
towed to make the stream wind thro'
the grounds beneath the deep banks of
turf. Willows plan.ed along the mar
gin, hung their verdant tresses over
the water. Several little islands were
scattered up and down, and from the
centre of each grew large tree, a.
round whose trunk benches were pla-.
ced, Oh watch remember to have seat
ed myself when boy, at the side OF
Maria, and listened to the clear tones
of her voice, making music with the
wild notes of little gsitar which hung
across her shoulder with broad blue
sash. At this time passed rustic
bridge, and leaning carelessly against
a poplar. was amused with obser-
wing a flock of geese, proudly arching
their neeks as they hoated slowly down
the stream; or else catching the wind
an their half raised wings, sailed swift
ly to the further end of the pond. All
these objects brought the remembrance
OF former days SO softly on my the mind,
that gave myself up to the luxury of
thought. The pleasure we derive from
subjects or events immediately before
us, is often so keen and violent az to
disturb the tranquility of our feeling ::
whereas the memory Of days that are
gone, como so ever the soul, chastened
& softsnad by time--hops may cheer
by its quick succession of image-but
In hope there is never completion of
happiness that state of sober feeling,
induced by the tho'ts of other times,
when the rsugh lines and angular pro-
iections which crossed and fretted our
path. are diminished, and melted down
by distance, can alone yield to the heart
of man, fullness of satisfaction.
s'Such were my feelings, when the
report of q gun startled me it was a
most provoking noise, for it broke one
of the finest day-dreams that ever
floated around the mind. was pro-
ceeding to chiie the boy who shot,
when observing Maria at the further
end of the garden. forgot my displea-
sure, and hastened down the plum
walk to meet her. Resolving to APP
proach without being observed. turn
ed down a green alley between rows OF
wild orange, and surprised her as she
was walking pensively across it-tho'
startled, asmile told me she was not
displeased at being interrupted-so ta-
king her arm in mine, we paced lei
surely along A few turns brought Us
TO the foot of knoll, which with afllt-
tie more exertion we soon ascended.-
Its top was shaded by a grove of young
pines, which embosomed a little chapel,
ingeniously constructed with laths ans
twisted moss; it resembled the holy re-
treat of some pious hermit, who, leav-
ing the world his blessing, sought out
some ''quiet spOt--some sacred wood,
to make his peace with Heaven This
chapel was q fancy of Maria's, and
displayed not only ingenuity in the de-
sign, but taste in the execution. It's
windows were pointed, after'the Goth
ic manner, and its roof covered over
with bark. A table and several bench.
es. were the only articles it contained !:
on the table bible and Church of Eng
and prayer book generally were left,