Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-11-05

time from the 1ifSLsuaWutnS OF mSH0s
ry TO the fatal dissolution, be sees and
feels nothing like the vacuum which his
departure has created. 1t reminds him
that he lived with him in the highest
state of felicity: and Oh conscience,
thou nice and delicate torturer Of the
brain, thee invoke for the consolation
which must enjoy. if have any. To
thee appeal for the comforts which
thou art able to afford to the diseased
mind. Inever wropged him; he was
elder than myselfand ! always respect
ed him as such. ! looked up to him
the inheritor Of my fathers virtues,
and Justly entitled to the highest and
most unalloyed respect and and admi.
ration. Reproof. if any ever fell from
his lips wss midas the sweet breeze
of evening. 1t was the calm effusion
of an honorable mind intent on the pur-
poses Of a durable good. II resembled
the mild rays of the setting sun, having
impaired its benifcent influence to an.
mated nature.
But now, oh painful reverse of every
thing which we love. Dark clouds Vt
afiliction hover around form studded
with natures pcrest diamonds. The
chill messenger of earthly separe-
ton lays his heavy hand upon the bo-
som of one of Creations fairest sons.
That form which had escaped the tenn.
pestuous fury of thirty five summer
suns, now falls PROSTATE before the
parching hand of disease. Fever RACES
uncontrolled within his veins; strength
and beauty and activity are now OF no
/ influence to resist the all powerful at
| tacks of this subduing adversary. Oh
| medicine! thy professor like an angel
| of light and goodness was unweaeied
in his attentions towards his esteemed
patient. filthy powers could have saw
ed, thy favored and accomplished pupil
wouldihave snatched my, brother from an
early grave. Genius was here arrested;
friendship was checked in every lauda-
BILE attempt to prolong for few years
the existence of the most ingenious and
best of men. Flattered with expecta-
ton, and buoyed up with hope, be-
loved mother and sisters constantly
watched & supported the last moments
of him, who reciprocated every stten.
ton which could be given. Dutiful to
the last period of ability, he obsyed the
kind requests of his affectionate mother
and when all other voices we're extinct
as to him. hers only could he hear
Strong expression Of fillal love in the
conflicting agony Of deathl In that aw-
full hour which is to separate a lovely
plant from the tender stock which gave
It birth, how intense and painful must
be maternal feeling9
IDS this the fatal hour
So charged with horror; how my bosom starts;
Amaz'd at IT'S approach! my God the scene
How dark and tsrribls-thou plying power,
Boundlsss thy msrcies. may Thy plying eye,
Creator merciful, who ne'er hast failed
To suscor the distressed, be still his friend;
Assist and guard him."
1t pleased the Angel of the Lord who
has dominion over the termination of
time to blast every expectation of fell
city The scythe had already been
pointed towards the amiable victim, and
it was predetermined that he should no
longer DO an iDhabitant of the earth
Strength was vanquished, the blood cir
culated feebly in its channels, and the
arteries of life were growing rapidly
extinct. At this sad hour Of iDcertitude
to the anxious and enquiring friends
who were around his bedside, a whis.
per Of hope was still breashed into their
ears and they entertained belief
founded chiefly on The purest affections
of deep rooted love, that the current
Of life would be turned towards its ma
tural fountain. But alb! how were they
disappointed tbs iron grasp Of destiny
became visible in the fixed eye, the
cold hand and fading pulse. Their
sensss became the alternate prey Of
hope and despair; and thou oh God!
only possessest the power to reconcile
these opposing passions of the human
mind. Thou only can pluck out the
hidden sorrow from mind distressed;
thou only can extract the thorn, leaving
the wound healed by the influence of
thine own eficacious balsam.
What answers the duplication or
wish of friends? What avails the sin
cers prayer of pious minister of God?
Why that agonizing sigh, that melting
tear? the deep toned groan of an agitat-
ed breast? Life is shadow and human