Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-01
SELECTIONS.
ENIGMA.
From the Raleigh Sta.l

was handed to us, by gentleman of this
place, for publication.
ltwas known to the Almighty before
the creation of the earth, and continues
a portion of all his judgments and his
mercies. 1t was with Abraham, when
about to offer up his son Isaac, and COM
posed part of the burnt offering, which
was received as substitute. 1t was
possessed by Solomon though unknown
to his father David, and was used in the
temple at Jerusalem, though it entered
not into the composition of gold or sill
yer, or iron, or brass; neither was it
found in the quarries of Zaradotha, or
the forest of Lebanon. 1t was on the
mount with Moses though it was not
engraved upon the sacred tables, and
yet it formed a part of every COM
mandment. 1t was not at the tribunal
OF Plate, nor even among the Jews,
who thirsted for the blood of Jesus,
and yet it travelled with Simon of Cy-
rene, who bore his cross, and was with
the Redeemer, in the agony of death.
1t was with the malefactor, who pray
ed to be remembered, and yet it enter
ed not into Paradise. 1t was seen with
the women who sold Doris, and vet
was not recognized By the officiating
priests. 1t formed part of the Sa-
viour's vestments, and vet, when they
cast lots, it was not divided. 1t dwelt
in Rome, but was unknown to the Ce-
sars, and was at Patmos, though not
mentioned by St. John the Evangelist.
1t was at Bethlehem in the manager,
but was not with Joseph in his flight
to Egypt. twas with Columbus, when
he discovered America, unknown to
Ferdinand or Isabella. 1t was also at
Mecklenburg in n. G. and formed a
part of the committee, which first de-
clared themselves free and indepen-
dent and yet it never was suspected
by George Ill. nor even understood by
general Washington. 1t was with the
unfortunate British Major, who was ex-
ecuted as. spy, though unperceived
By the traitor Arnold. 1t was in the
American army, but was not at the bat
tie OF Lexington, nor at the seige of
Little York, when CORVALLIS surren-
dered, but it has lately visited the U.
States, on board ofthe Cadmus, amidst
the acclamations ofmillions offreemen,
and will accompany the Marquis La
tayette, at the commemoration Of that
great and glorious event, on the 10Th
OF October next. 1t was in company
with Ambrister, without the know
ledge Of Arburthnot, and was among
the Seminoles, undiscovered by Jack
son. 1t formed part CT the late me-
mortal to congress, unknown to Nj.
man Edwards, and undiscovered by
the secretary of the treasury, but with
out it, there could have been no minis
ter to Mexico. 1t was at the battle of
Baltimore, but not at the capture Of the
Federal City, but it came up the Poto-
mac, unknown to Cockburn the incen-
diary. 1t was at Thermopola without
the knowledge OF Lconidas or Xerxes,
and was with Themistocles at Salamis
and Marathon. 1t belongs to every
Mason, though it never entered lodge,
but cannot be found in any Christian
church, except during the administra-
ton OF the sacrament, but it was with
the encampment of Knight Templars
at New York with our great National
Guest, unknown to his son or secreta-
~.
It fell with Packenham before the
hero OF New Orleans, and was sent
home with his remains, in hogshead
of rum. 1t was with Mac Donough
and Macombe on Lake Champlain, but
was not with the gallant Perry, at the
victory of Erie.
1t forms part of the pleasures of
the imagination and memory, but en-
tiers not into the decisions of hope. 1t
partakes of every emotion of the human
mind, but enters not into the passions,
or affections of the heart. 1t consti-
suites part Of the Roman costume,
though unknown to Canova, and can
not be found in the statue of Washing
ton, though the last, and greatest pro-
duction of that celebrated artist
Without it there could be no melody in
music or harmony in numbers, and
yet it forms no part of any political
stanza. 1t is known to every chemist,
though it has never been discovered by
analysis to be found in earth, air, fire,
or water.
1t scared with Mongolphier, the in
ventor of air balloons, but descended
| not with Spalding, the constructor Of
diving bells. 1t murmurs in every
stream, though it never flowed to the
ocean, and bowls in storms and tenn
pests, though it never was seen in a
Hash of lightning, nor heard in peal
| Of thunder: neither does it belong to