Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-04-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
Hnw 1r srRIREs a srRANGER.

II was tabled that a stranger OF extra
ordinary appearance was observed
naeiup The streets ofone of the magnl
ieent cities of the east, remark'ng with
an eve OF intelligent curiosity every
surrounding object. Several lndi'id
nails gathered around him, questioned
him concerning his country ADD hishu
sincss: but they presently perceived
that he was macqudinted with their.
language, and be sol discovered him-
sell 10 be equally ignorant OF the most
common usages OF society, AT the
same time. the dignity and Intelligence
oe his air ard demeanor forbade thel
dea Of his being a barbarian or a Ia
natic. When al length he understood
by their signs, ihut they w~ished3to be
;ofarmed whence he came, he pointed
with great significance to the sky; up
On which the crowd, Concluded bum
70 he one Of heir deitics, were proce
ding TO pay him divine honours' but ne
no sooner comprchended their design,
than he rejected it with horror; and
bending MS kn.as and raising hts hands
towards heaven in the attitude OF pray
er. cave them to understand that ne
also was u worshiper oil the powers
above.
After alirne, it is said, that The mys
teriou, stranger accepted the hospital
tiles Of OF the MOBILES nf the cry:
under whose roof he applied him
self with great diligence to the &C
olirement ofthe language, II winch
he male such surprising proficiency,
that in a few days he was able to
hold intelligent intercourse with t"ose
around him. The noblest host now
resolved to take an early opportunity
of satisfying his curiosity respecting
the country and quality of his guest;
and upon his expressing tins desire
tn. stranger assured him that he would
answer his Inquiries that evening al
ter sunset. Accordingly, as night p
preached, he led him fourth upon the
balconies of the palace, which over
looked the wealthy and popuIons city
Innumerablcli light, from its busy streets
and splendid palaces were now renee
ted IN the dark bosom of its noble n
yer: where stately vessels laden with
rich merchandise from all parts OF the
world, lay anchored in the port. ImsI
was a city in which the voice OF the
harp and the viol, and the sound OF
the milestone were continually heard:
and craftsmen Of all kinds OF craft
were there; and the light OF a candle
was seen in every dwelling; aud the
voice ofthe bridegroom and the VoIce
of the bride were heard there. lhe
stranger unused awhile uponthe glitter
ing c n and listened to the conlus
ed mu-mer Of mjngling sounds. IneHI
suddenly raising his eyes 10 the starry
firmAmsnt, he fixed them with an eX
pres,ive gaze on the beautiful EVENING"
star which was iast sinking behind a
dark grove that surrounded one OF the
principal temples of the city. MAR
vel not" said he to MS host, "that l am
wont to gaze with fond affection on
FOUNDER sIIcery star. That was my
home; yes, | was lately an 'nhabItant
Of that tranquil planet; from whence
a vain curiosity has tempted me 10
wander OGen had | beheld with
wondering admiration, this brilliant
world of yours, ever one otthe orlgt"
est gems Of oar frmanent: a0d the ar
dent desire ! had long felt to know
something Of its condition, was at
length unexpectedly gratiiled. / re-
ceived permission and power from a.
bove to traverse the mighty VOID, aud
to direct my course TO this distant
sphere. TothatpermisSion, however
onc condition was annexed, to which
eagsrness for the enterprise induced
me hastily to consent; namely, that
must ~thencefourth remain an inhabl-
faut of this strange earth, and undcr
go all the viclsitudes to which Its ma
tives are subject. Tell me, therefore,
| pray YOU. what is the lot OF man;
& explain to ne more fully than yet
understand, all that / hear and see a
Found me-"
"T'ruly, Sir" replied the astonlsh
ed noble, "~althoagh [ am altogether
u%nacquainted with the manners and
customs, products and privileges of.
your country. yet, methinks / cannot
but congratulate you on your arrival IN
our world; especially since it has been
your good fortune 10 alight a part OF 1t
aifording such various sources OF en-
anr - -. or nnnlanl and lmxn