The Wilmingtonian., 1824-01-22

him down the steep declivity OF guilt,
loften dragging to destruction, beings whose
vital fluid centers in his hearth
In vain l looked around me Tor some
palliative for their sins. In vain ! sought
for some exalted virtue, that should wipe
away the stain.
| In the Hermit's cell looked for pcnl-
tence and resignation--with hasty steps
| advanced to bend in admiration before
the recluse. Lo! imagination presented
to my sight the haggard features and shr'-
yelled hand of parsmonious avarice ]
turned away in disgust, and me thought
soft voice whispered--hypocracy start
ed in amazement.-'Twas imagination
The southern breeze now waited to my
ear the soft harmony of distant music
twas of slow and solemn measure, and
| fancied saw the corpse of the deceased
hero, born to his last, eternal home
Here, l cried, is one who has braved
danger in every form. On the tented
plain. decked in gIitterng steel, he has
borne the piercing blasts of the north, and
on the bloody field, been bravest of the
brave and foremost in every danger.
Surely. said I, bravery must be the true
mobility of the soul, which fame should
hand down to posterity, by writing the
names Of her heroes on tablet OF glory,
and by compelling the world to yield them
its applause.
followed the warrior to the field OF
battle, and sought in vain the image of the
god of love! His disto ted features re-
tlected nought but rage, ratred and des-
lpair his every step was marked with
blood and carnage.
"Whlc detected pity by her side,
Her soul subduing voice in vain apply ID"
Methouglt gazed intensely on the
scene of misery, until glutted with the
sight of gore, shrunk with horror within
myself.
My sckened senses burst the spell that
bound them to the CORY field, and fel'
that all within me was but gloomy chaos
lhe dark mantle of misanthropy was fast
gathering around me. felt an anxious
vaculty of mind as though had lost some
precious burthen; and as my thought:
wandered from object to object; yet rest
ing upon none, as if fearful of deception
| fixed my eyes upon humble monument
that had hitherto remained unnoticed a
my feet. 1t was surmounted with an urn
around which twined the delicate tendrll'
of the vine. knelt beside it to try to de
lcypher the inscription
"To THE MEMORY OF MY cRILD."
Heaven grant, said I, that this may no
be my emblem, The tender vine will
anxious solicitude, sheltering thy menu
ment from the nights cold dew-thy mo
ther, protecting thee from the stormy bill
lows of oppression, and thou ungratefu
Hand cold as the chilled stone.
My heart child me for the picture m,
fancy had drawn. Again l turned towar.
the humble monument, and warm imag
nation painted to my view, the angel
form of female, in the attitude OF praye
Her hands were casped and rested on he
breast, and her face was turned to HEAVIER
lin the attitude of fervent alteration ! Me
thought heard the words" My Child!
AT that instant all the man rekindled j
my breast. | could almost imagine say
the beautfied spirit of her offspring, win
its flight from the realms of the righteous
to wipe away the tear that maternal aifee
ton forced from the eye of its mothe
As contemplated the picture my ianc
had drawn. | felt human nature assun'
its dominion over my breast, and the tul
I'd bulence that reigned within me, gave plac
,h Ito perfect contentment.
ht AS retired from the house OF death,
r. passed the monument of one who had e,
is PRED in defence of his country. stoI
ped TO contemplate the tranquility thi
y. reigned around him now, who oft ha
ad heard the cannon's deaienng roar, whe
ne he met the enemies of his country, an
n The shock Of armies and the crush of hosts
IL | asked myself if was indebted to hlr
81 but my feelings precluded reply.
gaZpd once more on the record oil h
We fame, and from far upbrallins manklr
as for insulting the dead crossed u
nd threshold of Mortality, blessing the har
" that taught US to revere his remains as we
IN as his memory"
S.
1.-THE COUNTRY LASS-a SKETC
:ee.' The sky was clear, the sun h;
''1I' '|passed its meridian, the fields were We
len Idant, the focks bleated in the valley, al
NY natures livery wore a pleasing sml
a. a. Could country lass, educated in the
I"e som of nature, and an admirer OF its charT
T.. III.