The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-31
is LOVE IDEALa

Tn the dreadful French Revolution, when
human blood flowed in the vast sea, at the beck
of madness and ambltion; in that horrible
tomb of living victims, the Bastile, when the
storm had ceased, and repentant humanity re-
traced its steps, the body of young man was
found incarcerated in one of the lowest cells,
where one feeble rayo light came but to mock
the prisoner with the day. In the prime Of
youth, he had expired. The rough keepers,
whose feelings by constant scenes OF desolat-
ing horror were frozen hard. started as they
intently viewed the corpse;it wasno Longer the
dull brutal apathy, which is Felt when bar
barity becomes business; the hasty stride
was checked into a trembling, and the stout
arm fell nerveless; they started, and their
bosoms heaved, as with the thrill OF best e.
motions He was dead. His face and form
were youths own prototype; they seemed
mansion made for the noblcst spirit, the
deep, the awful struggling of the heart and
mind was told by the bent forehead and
wasted cheek, yet it appeared a sottening
look in the strong agony slight tinge OF the
rose breaking through, as though hopes an
gel had visited his last moments and threw
smile upon the general wo. 1t was look
that spoke the spirits heaven, that told the
earthly gazers it was free from mans imple
ty. They approached the corpse: one hand
was firmly prest against his bosom, 1t was
with difficulty they released it. The hand
was strongly clenched, they loosened the
grasp, and something fell from 1t on the
pavement: it was picture OF the compan-
ION OF his misery; the portrait ota lovely wo-
man; the first being to whom his hearts IN
censc had been offered.
And is love ideal? lives if but in summer
garden! sports it but like the painted fy
in the fragrant bowers under certain skies!
No, it outlives the sunshine, and i'll the
howllng storm, and new made wilderness,
stretches forth its little hand and like the
blind woman generally bereft of fortune and
of friends it finds infant care guide, bless
ing.
| On the back Of the picture was marked
"Mara," evidently her own writing.-What
Joy in his Imprisonment must have been
this poor piece of painted ivory What
thoughts must it have endured What ag-
onv alleviated TO imagine the new made
CAPTIVE, in all the energies OF youth with
their concomitant impatience, upbraiding
fortune and existence. He throws himself
upon bed of stone, and by the dim light ga
zes on the form of her, the magnet of his life;
she smiles, and his pent-up feelings ease
themselves in tears; their last interview W
comes strongly on his heart; her approach
ing steps, the exchange Of look, the press
urc of lips, the SOULS banquet. Abstracted
from his present situation, he wandcrs back
ward, the dazzling ball and the evening walk
again are his; her beaming eyes. and the
little world which the souls OF those whe
truly love create around them, when isola-
ted from the common resort, they live alone
in happiness, tempt the prisoners sense, TAI
from the rough hewn tomb that holds ms
body in. The vapour quickly dissipates-
he knows his captivity; his loss of her-the
threatening death; his Maria's honour; ther
the storm of grief again assails, again rlot'
over his broken energies, and again meets
comfort from second look.-Nith ever,
returning day of wretchetness to fancy, ths
; wasting youth welcoming the image witt
the hearts ardor and the long hours past
he again stretches his limbs on the rude
couch, again kisses the idol, and sleeps more
soundly from the salutatlon.-Ihus pas
months; his stream of life dries up; vlolen
emotions have shattered his frame; he feel
his hour approaching, and deaths last strug
gle places his hearts queen upon her broker
throne.
And is love ideal? is it the plaything OF
romance, the dream of wandering sense =
Surely not. In some minds it dwells IN al
l the glory of refined nature, prompts the no
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