Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-09-01
saa;srclGameosts department.
THE PASE
81 cannot but remember such things IRE,
And wcrc nlnsl dcar To nir >,

And were most dear to me.'
X is not from the promised joys uf the FUTURE that
we can derive our happiness Anticipation may robe
them IN her gaudies colors, and array them in ber
brightest smiles, yet disappointment iii cast her clouds
over theIn,an their bright hues will fade away like
me h's OIL inc RAINBOW before the shadows CT evening
Neither can we enjoy the PREsENT-the moment OF
enjoyment IS sensual qualification we must turn 10
the pAsT II is kindly Providence that while il seems
10 pear US swiftly over the of life wait MS uncon
scious'y back BY reiuent tide to the scenes of ohe,
days, whose
instance lends enclrantment 10 tho view,
Ii those have been innocent ,bev MR., no b,
py every hour adds TINT er cry day new charm
10 them; and every year increases their value Like
oolects TO the aged eye, they become more distant
they appear distinct While we approacb t,,e
winter of age, they flourish r the verd,re of sprino
youth!
Like OBJECT, placed too near the vision do not sec
our at the moment they our possession
I've do not know have realized ill we have o.,
them. There is transport that blinds us-there is an
ecstacy that depiires US of consciousness When the
Is torn from our embrace, awake from
trance, and when reflection returns, we behold hap,
p'ness at distance! il is then that j, chances on The
dark mirror ci the heart.
o! not till time has claimed the rufled breast
Gre .nese fond dreams of happiness confessti;-
MOI 'iil the rushing winds forget TO rave,
Is heavens sweet smile refiecte. ON the wave,
mere is no enjoyment like that of memory; tLere is
ho 'ehc''y Ike the recollection of other days that
c'he oeio?e us with all their deedsr Even those
tngs that were panful suffer re pleasinu n ,a,a
Der. e " ~
The rAsr!-the rAsT.-IIow fonIlv do ws I,,,k
osck upon ii. How GLADLY do iy from the shades
which doubt casts upon the future aud the clouds tat
reality throws around the PRESENT TO catch one sunny
glimpse OF the PAsT-to the eve on the briqh,
scenes OF our pilgrimage and refresh the soul at the
fountain of rtecollection Thus The heppbted trsvaI
Ter turns back his wistul glance upon the rlimmer;n
taper OF the distant cottage; aud the shiny al M,
rner bends back his anxious eye Upon The last
| ing rays of the setting sun.
I How bright are the charms Of bv gone dave hon,
enchanting the images they impress upon The heart
as AGE approaches us cyent seem so whi,bar h;e
@fasP-theu characters blotted out like the traces
on tne beach, by each returning tide. But the IMAGE.
oil oth2r days, become more deeply engraven in The
"ei!ofy;-hey seem TO grow young, vigorous and vivid
is we grow Ole, and feeble and inanmate TJ,rry
happy, Illusion! TO reconcile us to the DECAYS of ae
mat we might regei again amidst the entertainments oc
youth and more than realize their innocence and tbeir
felicity! CD" ''i'
How poenily DO the Fecolections of the past like the
enchanted herbs of Medea restore 10 The an,,mn If
age the adolescence of youh-reiinile the extingnis
cd hame of feeing-na1e the feeble heart throh ,p,d
~ with the long abandoned thoughts of i,s early
aiho'o'i, ana the eye gow with unwoned lustre as il
calls up the image of its young idoatry,
no" DARK and cherries would be the prospect of life
tie light OF memory closed upon the mind five
could not constantly look back 10 catch those RAYS of
happiness winch the soul like the diamond has treasur
ed up IN The morning ofyouh, to illumine our pahwav
! in the evening of age. F''"