The Wilmingtonian., 1823-11-06
BEING IN LOVE.

Being in love, like being in debt, is to be in
state of apprehension. From the first develope.
ment in our heart, of that sensation which informs
us that an object is not indifferent to US, to the
moment of certainty, there is perpetual irrita.
ton that makes what may be styled the fever OF
the passion which as medical men would say,
takes variety of character, from the slower kind
of temperate climates to the intense pSroXysms
of tropical ones. The high spirited man, warm
in constitution and full of ardor, will generally
find love tropical affection while the lover of
a thin diluted blood, viii be scarcely sensible of
the insiduous advances OF his disorder. With
some, beng in love is merely matter Of calcu-
laton and contract-with others, it is register
of sighs and melancholy, Of romantic sensations,
and impracticable expectations. Part OF the anx-
iees of this important period in human existence,
arise out of the conventional forms of society
The state of nature knows nothing but physical
love- the other, generally, has sprung from re.
fnement. Accordingly the most whimsical things
have prevailed in love affairs, invented perhaps,
to season the approaches of the lover with yari-
ETY.. One man advances, as certain, that love ex.
Djres with the first kiss; he therefore, prudently
avoids sauting his mistress with his lips for a
duzen years. A second confounds the means
with the end imagnes the state of being in love
is the happies', and looks upon what the passion
ate lover halls as tine summit OF his wishes, the
possession of his mistress. as the first step of
loves decline Another is so fastidous in his
views, and possesses 50 much of what Phrenolo
gis,s would call adorativeness," in his pericran
ium tina, being in love, with him, (and oftcntimes
bending at shrine at which no mortal being bu
himself would feel inclined to bow the knee) j.
an act ofcomplete devotion. Thus, much of love
depends upon imagination, rather than upon any
thing positive, for there are Instances of being in
love with an imaginary object, as in some singu
larIy constituted dispositions with statue, like
the Parisan girl who fell in love with the Apollo
Bevilere.
The epoch of being in love, notwithstanding
all, is the most agreeable in the whole course OF
lifi.. The soul has then no craving 10 gratity,-
Existence is At it, highest premium, tor ii is theI
we are tarthest from indifference. He who is il
love cherishes lite, and but enjoys it the bette
for little drawbacks III other affairs, which onl,
heightans loves relish when we return to it. |
IS 4 better and pleasanter thing than money get
ting, or courtiership, OF sullen study, or madden
ing ambition, or a thousand gasping desires tina
engross us wholly without our satisfaction IN thei
pursuit. These are solitary objects; being il
love is participated with another, and therefore
is a more social pleasure. The romantic ting,
which often colours our conduct is an agreeable
characteristic-it increases the attraction, anC
confers-a hallowed charm upon the passion. Be
ing in love is restraint upon evil teellngs-a sit
uation favorable 10 virtue. The love OF woma
is corrective of our pervcrse natures, and Will
ITS season iaStS, lic'Io t'C he"is A"Ss a
unbiased and discriminating centenaire answe
what part of life he could look back upon wit
the most kindly feeling, what portion OF his d'
parted years he most cherished in his remen
brance, and he will doubtless answer, the tim
when he was in love. The memory of that del
cious season, its little adventures, its hopes fear
aud enjoyments, always come over us with a t''
Of pleasing warmth, sunbeam piercing Il
clouds ofdeparted time, and irratllating for a m
-nent our tottering steps and grey hairs Ben
in love mingles US with the better things Of Ill
keeps beautiful forms perpetually before the eJ
gives US pleasing dreams, elevates the spirits, al
e:xalts our views. 1t tempers our harsher disp
sitions With the gentlcness OF beauty and subdu
our proudest pretcnsions 10 the government
tears ant caresscs, OF niidness and persuasion
He who mas never been in love is miserat
blockhead, who is ignorant Of the highest joy Il
dis,empered life possesses for mortals. Being
love is, in fact, a sort OF meilenium far above
,ife's other good. would desire no better st;
chan that of being in love for thousand yea
and, Is Qun wished he had a mouth from III
lad to Nova Scotia, and every inch Of the v
palate, that he might fully enjoy John Dory
Tyo,..d demand the temperament of youth, fr
Sc - Ger 20 twenty-five, for the above space
,;I.., Il, A., ita ardent susceptibility, to helgh
aag sa,E s:zsoa 81 Innocence sad happiness.