The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-08-28
MISCELLANY.
From Sights and Shadows of Scottish Life.n
CONSUMPTION.

- ~ NV
The moss-roses are still clustered in their
nndecaying splendour above the porch of Cal
der Cottage the bees are murmuring in their
JOY round the hive on its green sward. rich
with It's white ana purple cIover; tho turtls-
doves are cooing on the roof with plumage
Frightening in the sunshine while over all is
she'd dim and tender shadow from the en-
towering sycamore, beneath whose shelter
was built. many long years ago, the little hum
bic ediice. In its low simplicity, it might be
the dwelling of the poor but the heart feels
something in its quiet loveliness that breathes
OF the spirit of cultivated life. A finer charac-
: ter of beauty peryades the still seclusion than
the hand OF labour ever shed over IFS dwelling
IN the gratitude of its Sabbath hours all A.
round seems ministering 10 the joy, and not
to the necessities of existence; and as the eve
dweils on the gorgeous ornaments which SIM.
and AIR, and dew have showered in profusion
over the blooming walls, the mind cannot but
think Of some delicate and gentle spirit retired
from the world it had adorned, and ENJOYING
in the twilight of life the sweetness and seren.
ity Of nature.
Such were its inmates few short months ago.
The sound of musick was heard far down the
romantick banks of the Calder, when. in the
silence of evening, the harp was touched with
IN these humble walls, or there arose a min
gled voice OF spirits hymniDg through the
woods. But the strings of the harp are now
silent, and the young lips that sung those
heavenly anthems are covered with the dust.
The lady who lived there in her widowhood
VAS sprung of gentle blood; and none who
had but for moment locke on herpal coun-
tenance, and her figure, majestick even under
the burden of pain, could ever again forget
that image, at once so solemn and so beautiful.
Although no deep lines disturbed the meek ex.
preston of that fading face, and something
that almost seemed smile still shone over
her placid features, yet had that lady under
gone IN her day hardships, and troubles, ard
calamiies that might have broken the heart,
and laid low the head of manhood in its
sternest pride. She had been with her hns.
band in famine, battle, and shipwreck. When
his mortal wound came, she sat by his bed
side: her hand closed bis eyes and wrought
bis shroud; and she was able to gaze with a
steadfast eye on all the troops marching with
reversed arms, and with slow step, TO melan-
choly musick, when the whole army was
drawn UP al HE funeral on the field of battle.
Perhaps, then, she wished to die But two
children were at her knees, and another at
UeF DOsOIu duu WI ucf ttiufn 10 0eT NAIVE
country, she found heart to walk through the
very scenes where she had been most blessed,
b fore those infants were born, and to live in the
very dwelling to which he who was now buri-
ed had brought her a young and happy BRIDE
Such had been his last request; and seven
teen years Of Resignation and peace had now
passed ever the widow, whose soul was with
her husband at morning and evening prayers,
during hours Of the day when there were ma
nypresent. and during hours Of the night when
there was none but he eve Of God to witness
her uncomplaining melancholy. Her grief
was calm, but il was constant it replied not,
but II wasted away and though al called her
happy. all knew that her life was frail, and
that one SO. sad and torrowful even in her hap
piness was not destined by God for old age.
Yet for her none felt pi,y--a higher feeling
arose in every heart from the resignation so
perfectly expressed in every motion, look, and
tone-and bsautifnI as she was on earth, there
came across the souls Of all who behtld her