The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1824-02-14

temperature OF Tie nci6htS ana Tic saey 10 oiteh
matter of observation. No spectacle can be more
grand than that afforded after shower of sleet in the
winter, when brilliant icicles are suspended from
the pendent boughs, and the projecting rocks seem
plated with silver the whole glittering and chang
ing in the sunbcams, presenting all the various hues
which delight the vision, the tnts deepening or les
SEEMING according to the color of the plant, shrub or
object thus decorated. When the sight is first d.
rected to the brightness of the hills, so proudly be-
decked, the beholder loses, for an instant, the
membrancc of winter, and fancies that he the
whole landscape robed in the gay drapery Of spring
But description is vain. Naught but an actual par
tIcpatlon in the pleasures of the can convey
an image of its magnifcence.
The hill to the west, which nterposes its COM
paratiyely diminutive head, as if, by contrast, to
show the superiority of its gigantic neghbors, is
another spot suited to the employment Of the con-
tempative mind. 1t is on this mount that the cele-
braed rock is poised, which attracted the obsera-
ton of Mr.. JEFFERSON, and which now bears his
name. A large piece of it was tumbled from its
curious resting place, by the direction of person
who had suffered the turbulence of party spirit to
rage in his bosom and excite hostility to the sage
whose title had been given to it. The remnant is
still subject of inquiry and examination by every
vlslter, and IS marked by the carvings of those who
ascend to view it, each anxious to associate his
name with that of the philosopher. This massy
rock, which sits loosely upon its kindred substance,
seems, from ITS position, to menace destruction to
every thing beneath. But years have rolled by, and
surrounding objects, animate and inanimatc, have
crumbled to the dust, yet this still regns, in proud
majesty, the monarch of the scene.
On the romantic summit of this HILL too, shaded
by grove of pines, and encrced BY the Drier and
the wildrosc, rest the remains of those once dear
to friendship society, and loye-the tender parents
whose watchful vigilance had guarded their infant
pledges--the ev otcd husband and wife whose con-
slant delight it to dispense happiness around
and within the precincts of their pr lcetl dwelling
the fond brother and sister, whose affections were
centered n their relatives, and whose opening viz
tues gave early hopes OF future the
lovely babe, whose chcruh smile had oft dispelled
the sorrows which clustered around and sought en-
trance at the paternal threshold.
Here, IN the evening, Invested of every feeling
but those which fit the mind for the exercise OF gra
tltude and devotion, the secluded and pcnsive wan
derer may commune with his sorrows heave a sigh
over the grave of his affections; and shed tear to
departed worth. Here may the admrcr Of Nature
feast his soul upon the glorics Of creation; he can
gaze upon the starry armament ''sn;nng 70 the
makers praise; upon the bright "queen of
night" rolling in cloudlesS maesty througi the hca
vens, or upon the united waters, silvered bv her
orient beams, rushing beneath the cliffs, and purs
ing through the VISTA their RESTLESS Journey to the
"vasty Deep
Such is the place for meditation. and such the
moments to cherish the feelings which are inspired
"INcn is tie time,
FIR those 1shO,a zpisdom and zrtom noture charm,
70 steal themselves from tie degenerate cro.ed,
ind soar abo7'e this little scene If things;
10 tread io.v-thoughted rice beneath fLs;f fef.
10 soothe the Mrobbing passions into bcoce
ind zroo Lone Quiet IN her silent 4yoihs."