The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-04-27

which enter his mind are the genuine
offspring of his temper and dispose
ton. produced without reserve OF
restraint A. these fanciea are hid.
den IN the mind that concei,es fhcr.
! cannot tell whether the dark tw,.
light Of age ~ iilumined by these
bright halus Of unreal blessedness.
But | do know that from tho
time the mind ~ able to form desires
that cannot be graiified, or TO fancy
condition preferable To that which
IT enjoys, M carly will mankind be
gladdened by imaginary bliss, OF
weep nj imaginary wne. The school.
boy teliciiates himself with the con.
temptation OF happiness in some re.
gion where the voice of authority
will not be heard. The youth az his
mind expands and the warm feei-
inss oil his soul are brought into ac.
t'on. eNeitcs his Imagination and
sratifes his love oi pleasure, by
wsnderinSin fancy through flowery
paths and shady bowers. by the side
oil his best beloved. What exquisite
delight is there In the imaginary
JOY. lie conjures up to himself OBJ.
stacles tn his love which serve only to
hcighten bis JOY by being overcome.
Tic cons over 10 himself expressions,
glowing with love and tenderness by
winch hc Intends at his next meet
ing with his mistress To express thc
ardor of his passion. Al other
times, II he be n Youth fpride and
ambition he may be observed to tread
theground "iiha higI,S haughtystep
~ the images III his fertile iinagina~
ton pass across his mind. Now he
taneics hinstlf thuadcri < with clio.
quent NeI"menee nj the bar; anon, =
he arrhngcs himself with the gravo
councillors of The nation. and IN not
satisfied untll he IL placed in tho
prraideniaI chair, the highest ofkce
iFcrncn can brst0w. Ii ne MARI i'm
When his mind IL filled with such
~ "'f We WI biis tutJ tHNithu Oh
the melting langupr OF iove-sick
softness, he uses The earnest aud exc
prtsslye gestures Of reused ambition
With cieachcd hands and elevated
bow. and head erect,h seems alrea-
dy 10 en- Joy That power, which exists
ouly IN contemplation. Again is
fancy takes another flight, and fon-
saking all the bounds Of probability
and even of nature, launches into q
chaos Of bliss, and rcycis in these
imaginary exta les until it becomes
fatigued, and at length siaks into to-
tai ilnbecility. This is the moment
that our dreamer pays most dearly
! for the tickle though extatic pleasure
he has enjoyed. Sec with what pale 4.
haggard expression he mingles with
the world, which for the moment ha
athes, while his spirit ia too much
fatigued to continue its fight, to tho
regions oil fclieitous vanity.
! Castle building has the same ef..
feet upon the mind. as volumptupus
living upon the body. II occasions
an indolenrc, an inactivity. list
lessuess. which rcuders man total.
~ unfit either for the business lr the
pleasures of the world around him.
He loses the relish for the COMMON
affairs of life. d wastes his strength
both OF mind aud body while indulg-
ing in these foolish dreams. This
will always be the case with those
who indulge to excess in this fasci.
mating amusement. AS means of
enjoyment, it has been given US ny
the author ot our existence, and
should be used IA such in moderate
on; but whoever goes beyond this
moderate use, Will pay dearly for his
pleasure. 1 believe that many OK
those who are of melancholy habits
owe their disease OF mind To this peDk
nicious practice Of treading the
clouds for joys that never can be re-
allied, and weeping over woes thas
never may be feared. SCRIBE