The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-04-25

OF the MIND which renu6Ts US hioIe tnop
des,rous Of pleasing and Of being pleas
ed. We rode on unconscious OF the rapid
ity of our progress. the hours flew on
winged feet" not until the sinking sun
setting in blaze of crimson, and OF gold
behind the far off ridge, arresting our en-
raptured gaze, did we remember the ne
cessity of determining upon some place OF
shelter for the night; after short consul-
tation it was agreed that we should dlverge
from the road lew miles, and visit the
residence of gentleman in that neigh
borhood with whom we were intimately
acquainted, our jaded steeds obedlent to
the spur soon carried US to the mansion OF
our friend, where we were received with
all that kindliness and hospitality, which,
however partial may be to the blunt. ho-
nest welcome Of an English farmer, can
not but acknowledge is universally The
characteristic of Virginia gentleman
Until late hour the night was gaily spent
in the society, and conversation OF the la
dies OF the family, whose charms, and
accomplishments might have given brIli-
ancy to the ball room, or added a wreath
to the chaplet of Genius.
At early morn, awakened by the bark
ing of dogs, the nsigbing of horses and all
the mingling sounds of country farm
yard, | sprung from my bed to behold
sight more glorious than the dadem of tine
world. To the west in grand and lofty
perspective lay the Blue Ridge, grey in
it's appearance, and but indistinctly seen
by the early light of morn, its cones and
peaks, and broken surface, its projecting
rocks, and lofty trees, its many colored
soils seen as far as the eye could trace, in
their huge, rugged and disordered state.
appeared to my as1onished imagination a
miniature wreck OF the world 1t was in
deed a stupendous sight; | looked upon
myself, | telt the feebleness of man, |
felt the littleness of earthly things. TO
the east the rising sun just tipped the leaf
less tops of the distant trees; gazed upon
the mighty orb with delight, sublimed to
awe, it seemed the smiling emblem OF
smiling Heaven, and in the fervor of my
spirit, exclaimed 80! earth. O! man,
thou hast indeed God" To the north
aud south of the mansion of my friend, lay
a valley smooth as the surface of the un-
rufied lake; its extremities bounded by
edifces, the babitatlons of neighboring
gentlemen, at its foot sweet murmuring
ran little stream, which as the suns bright
beams occasionally played upon its sur
face through the opening trees, seemed all
ternate gold and silver; the cattle drink.
ing Of the pure elements; the sheep stray
ing upon the distant hills; "the stately
goose, wild Cabling DER the pool" and
even the voluptious hog wailowing in his
congenial mire, altogether atfordeda sight
so purely sylvan, SO fraught with inno-
cence and peace, that never while memo
ry retains her seat--can forget the i'm.
pressions it produced.
After an early breakfast, prepared by
our kindly considerable friend, with many
wishes for the safety and pIeasantness of
our journey, my companion of the road
and myself departed. He dwelt with
rapture upon the graces and attainments
OF the ladies of our host; he recalled with
delight those sweet sounds of social cor.
verse, to which he had listened with an
attention, such as the doating mother gives
to the feeble plants of her sickly infant
to describe blooming cheek be saw not
the wild and picturesque landscape thro'
which we were rapidly hurrying; to paint
the cerulean blue of soul beaming eye,
he beheld not the lofty Cat-Harpin whose
shaggy sides we were about to ascend;
felt that our tastes, and sympathies did not
correspond, and in envy at the buoyancy,
and llghtsomeness of bis elevated spirits,
felt selfish pleasure in the idea. Altho'
| admired female beauty, and revere fe-
male excellence, yet loved the charms oi
nature more. the craggy precipice tower
ing in awful grandeur amidst the thunder
cloud, or the gentle rivuet softly steal
ing down the vale, possessed more attrac-
tons for me, than all the Establishments
Of fashion. or the smiles of loyliness; my