The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1826-02-04
FROM THE n. Z, COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.
A LEAF FROM AN OLD MANUSCRIPT

OltI IIdn, VINO was gazing upon nef Win looks
full Of admiration and tenderness & Daughter
said he, ''why do you weep? believe me there
is nothing in this world worthy of your tears, un
less it is, there is nothing in it worthy of your
genius 1T is, my child a fair and beautiful
world, and there is much of happiness in it
All nature is varied and beautiful around rs :
the seasons IN their change, each brings some
new pleasure; they sky, the ocean, and the tenn
pest-sunshine and flowers, all are sublime and
beautiful, and speak eloquenty to US of that
wise and beneficent Creator, who formed them
III their grandeur and loveness, and they ought
to awaken in every heart feelings of admiration
and Of gratitude!
The spirit of genius still breathes its celes-
lestal sentiments in a thousand books. and the
fine arts source Of wonder and of delightful
study; music is like sweet intoxicating dream
which cheats us perhaps of hours cf sorrow; sci
ence, in thousand wonderful and mysterious
ways, proves the stupendous powers Of intellect
and the noble efforts and success Of man the
rich and glowing treasure of Imagination may
be an ineXhaustible source of enioyment-it
may be parteTe of eternally blooming flow
ers, and its splendid images and its flattering
promises throw their rich light even over the
actual misfortunes of life, and we gather from
them many an enchanting dream
WHO, my child that is gifted with genius
dares to call this world of tears and of sorrow?
Who that possesses that splendid attribute of
the Deity, dares to call himself unhappy? And
yet you, gifted as You with talents and ge-
MUS, with imagination and enthusiasm born at
the foot of Nesuvius in the midst OF the most
sublime wonders of nature, where the breath Of
heaven is poetry, and music, and perlume-Yet
you, my daughter, with all these blessings and
advantages, call yourself unhappy, and weep
over the foolish visions of your fancy, as though
pleasure would never wake again
g Look at the farewell rays of the setting sun.
as they llnger yet a moment on the blue waves
of the ocean: the sky is without cloud the
atmosphere is filled with fragrance from the
thousand wild flowers which are drinking the
night dews in the wildness of their beauty =
foods ofEght seem rolling over the sea from the
silver crescent that has Just burst, as from
her bosom, in the spendor Of her beauty. it is
indeed brilliant sight, and who can gaze upon
It, and not feel the spirit of divine inspiration
zindng in their bosoms?
81 The connecting link between nature and
the affections Of the soul, is finely woven it is
a mysterious chain thrown around the heart
which keeps it pure, and leads it often to Hea-
ven, even in the funess of its despair, and
saves it from rebellion by her sweet sympathy
which she makes felt at the very bottom of the
SOUL
-'' Yes, (repled the maiden, mournfully)I
have gazcd long upon it; it is both brilliant and
beautiful, but find nothing there to respond to
the deep and troubled thoughts of my soul!
g You speak eloquentlv, Father, upon the en-
joyments of life, but you touch not upon its mis-
fortunes; and has your life then been SO happy
ba pScanpG all fia c,,ffan Of