Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-15
THE ENIGMA OF ENIGMAs.

to no end.
THE ENIGMA OF ENIGMAs.
In Great Britain my figure has been
seen, but my shape and countenance
are unknown; and in Ireland my name
is involved in tune, though | have
little to do with politics, and perhaps
less with music. Ichange colour like
the Cameleon, and my shape like Pro-
teus. / am found in many shapes
and sizes, but with no difference Of
effect, whether small or great. My rca!
name is Ssmper Mem. In my early Pc
RODS I befriended Adam, sheltered
Cain, and saved Noah. l came up
with Joseph's Wagons from Egypt
returned thither with the patriarch
Jacob. 1 helped Moses against Am
alex; but was first overwhelmed in the
Red Sea, when Pharaoh, and all his
chariots where eugulphed in death
Though, as to size and stature | am
perfectly Indifferent, | have my own
characteristic shape. But it is all alike,
whether found in the wing of a gnat,
or the fan of lady; whether ascend
the elevation Of Mont Blanc, or become
as lofty as the fixed stars; exist in bo-
DIV of an animalcule am crowned with
all the beautiful hues of nature before
the sun; or rank the Alps and Corde-
Heres, in comparison with my height,
as gerry little things. always retain
my name and nature; and, like disci-
pie Of wisdom, true to my principles,
| never sacrifice one thing which |
ought to retain; Or in any instance de-
part from the line of rectitude. My
antiquity issequal to my shape. I was
not only before the most ancient philo-
sopher, buta assisted the sun to spread
his rays when he first shone on the So
lar system. In height am giant or
dwarf. at pleasure; man intimately
acquainted with my powers, may call
me forth in any shape he pleases. l
appear at command as soldier, armed
with sword, gun, spear or shield, OF as
shepherd feeding his flock; but feel
no reluctance at having my likeness
taken under the shape ola pen-knife, a
hen-coop or a wheel-barrow.
| Pride is principle with an elastic
spring, and vivifying power that is
almost capable of raising the dead.
Pride contends with me for my very
name, but Proteus as l am, l am very
often the victor, and whenever / have
made lofty pride subtend to my plea
sure raise the nodding crest humble
the towering plume, as suits my pur-
pose, for though high and erect, | am
low and humble. When to bend and
Dhen 10 stand upright, are philoso2hic
points, which are portrayed in all
the multifarious forms of my unchange-
able nature; and thus am fitted not to
be the instructor of sect, but the pre-
ceptor of world. have great inte-
rest in crystallography, s preoccupied
geology,beiore light itself was formed,
or man in being. lam settled in Ameri-
ca, and never deserted the Ohio or
Mississippi, that great American Gan
ges, the father of many waters, yet |
am to be found on every chord Of the
Irish harp and l express myself in the
words" Erin maporneen, Erin go 6ragh."
My changes of embodied forms are
not only many and various, but dupli,
Gates of myself are continually multi,
piled with more accuracy than stereo-
type, with as much speed as time
The wind blows my likeness over the
earth, still remain unknown and in
crease in countless numbers. am in
visible and visible daily to every man
in the world, sometimes on his person.
sometimes not; but | have long been
suspected of Cabalistic arts and not
quite without reason, for have devel.
oped many occult mysteries. AS an
agriculturist and gardiner, l forward
the plough, but am very partial to the
i. spade, the pick axe or hoe, and often
visible day and night, in any field Of
Indian corn for many weeks together
l am often king among republicans.
and a republican among kings-yet
am to be found in every tuft Of grass
and leaf and flower in creation; and
some of my progeny, (for 1 have a
} numerous family are as old as my
self fla few quilts are thrown on
table, I abide among them; but l have
a fixed residence in most places from
the equator to the poles. l am useful
, in motion but rest as quietly in a box,
as l ride rapidly on the hurricane
/ have been possessed by blind phi
; losopher and his dog, and yet can
give full as much gracefulness and
dignity to all the motions OF man, as
. the far famed line of beauty. Tho
of superior order, and in myself the
evidence of more wonders, than man
| 80, rurnhsr IN ns.eure have none