The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-09-30

cursors of storm. A strong wind blew up
the Bay, producing hea'y swell and DASH
ing the waves against the impregnable ram
parts of the Battery. A few stars yet twin
kled in the north and west, but were fast dis
appearing behind the gathering clouds. The
cricket had come forth to chirp his last notes,
and to chant an elegy at the departure of his
little day Of mirth
At such an hour, we groped our way
through the gates and along the paths of the
Battery. On approaching the entrance of
the Bridge, the visitant stumbled over the
ruins of the star, which on Tuesday evening
blazcd upon the summit of the pyramid
Of light; but which had now dropped from its
sphere, and strcwcd the ground like the
fragments of an exploded and quenchcd
meteor The lamps of the pyramid itself
were cxtinguishcd and nothing save its faint
outline was discernblc. One solitary light
flung its rays over the ruin and served merely
to make darkness visible"
The canvass extended over the Bridge re-
maincd unfurlcd but the carpet was remov-
cd, and a few dim lamps Giimmcring along
the vista, were merely sufficient to direct the
footsteps of the passenger, and to disclose to
his view the shattered remains of garants
and cvcrgrccns covering the floor. As the
hollow trampling of thccroud echoed through
the long arch, it brought to mind images Of
those l. lrk and gloomy avenues, leading to
deserted halls and haunted castles, frequently
described in tales romance.
But what was our surprise on entering the
ampithcatrc? The tiiumphal arch at the
Threshold was demolished. Its rude form
wasindccd standing, but its glory had depart
rd.-rhc civic wrcaths withcrcd and scre,
and the bust of Washington, the spirit of the
place, had been removed to one 0Ithc recess
cs, to adorn the table, at which two or three
visitants were taking refreshments.
The canopy, the central pillar, the trans
parent columS---whcrc were they9 Fallen,
crumdcd, and blocking up the hall with piles
of rubbish One half Of the splendid canopy
1 had been removed, and the remainder, torn
into tatters by a high wind, was tapping and
rattling in tie evening breeze. The centre
Of uN{5H WAS stripped OF its spiral gailands
and its enlblematic chandeliers; and testoons
and banners which hung i'll the dome had beer
removed, and were thrown to%c thcr III dllscr-
cnt parts ct the area a few lamps scattered
in different parts Of the Castle, shed a dim
i light, as il the proprictors were anHious tt
conceal the seat of desolation.
\ he paNllloll, GhCc 50 SilcilGid allu SO flCn-
" adorned, had IL some measure shared the
fate Of the other ornaments. 1t is worthy O
I remark, however, that the Star u La Fay.
ctfc was still! bcaming with the same bril-
liancy as ever, even amidst the ruins, fuin'
ishing bcau,ifui emblem Of the lustrc OF hi
own character, which has proved itself IN
capable of being obscurcd by the efforts o
tyrants and the gloom Of dungeons.
For an hour We sauntercd alone Oh the bat
tlcmcnt OF the castle, pausing at one time t
observe the empty galleries, the stiffness 0
the banqueting hall, the throne Of dcsolatiol
below; and at another to listen to the dash
ing of the waters against the fortress, thu
whistling Of the wind through the shattered
canvass, and tho low, plantivc airs from al
, almost deserted orchestra, which at distan
intervals broke upon g the dull ear of night,
and echoed among the ruins.-'Thc >sccn
| wts full of instruction, awakening a train c
sober reflection, and prcsentinga perfect con
trast to the splendour, the gaicty and pleas
i urc of the icte, when the heart danced III sal
lies Of delight, and tho cares OF life were 10
+ a moment forgotten.