Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-26

minions, which induced him to remove to q glen
adjacent to scekonk Plains, where he resided
till the day Of his death, which event took plses
on the 10th day Of February, I So.
Fiiz Allen was evidently a man Of educat;op,
which had been embellished by extensive travel
was gentlemgnly and courteous in his demea-
nor, but always manifested a strong desire 10
avoid the observation, and intrusive visits of.
his prying ncishbors. Ills rude cottage stood
at the base Of the hill, uear the southern cxtremi-
ty Of the town, and there he probably would
have spent the remainder of hi, days, ha he not
been frequently annoyed by the increased aud
increasing population Of the town, who, excited
by the singularity Of the man, and the strange-
ness OF all his actions, frequently visited him, to
discover something Of his history, and if possible,
to drawfrom him the history Of the causes which
prevailed upon him TO lead a life ofseclusion.
To The prying AMI inqu;sitive in,crro.ator;ss
Of his visitors, Fitz Allen always made a respect
full, but an evasive reply, such an one, as was
well calculated TO Put impudence 10 a stand,
aud at the same time, excite a degree Of ~curissi.
ty, which was never 10 be gratifei. Al length.
however, grown weary Of constant annoyunces,
and di'gusted with the excessive impudeucs Of
The world, he resolvtd TO remove 10 a more remote
neishborhood and finding IL secluded spot, on
the eastern margin Of seekopk Plains, about q
mile distant from the village Caurch, he erectol
his homely edifee, and sought for that reposs
which the world, and his former abiding rl.se
had denied him.
His cottage was erected near the margin Of
II ~babbling ~rivulat, in the mids. Off pine yrevo,
and though il bore none Of the elegancies of ar
chitectural taste and .plcndour, ITS appearance
p"rtook ofa'l the wildness of poetical fancy, ard
displayed the taste e the scholar, secluded from.
the world, and actuatej by those odd conceits,
which fill the brain Of the moon stricken lover.
The structure, if such the rude hermitage
might be called, was composed of a few stick, Of
wood, driven to The ground, AMI the roof, was
composed Of the branches Of trees, which were
so nicely and comractly interviewer, Us to defy
the inclemencies ofthe weather.; and afforded
ample protection 10 the sinsularly disposed in
mate.
The sides, were formed Of the same materials;
aud II wicket fence, formed OF briars and bram-
bles, surrounded the humble domicil, besides a
small garden, where the hermit, reared such
vegetables and culinary fruits, MS are common to
the climate, and upon which he maialy subsist-
ell.
His retreat, or hermitage, during The summer
and spring seasons, was beautifully wild, and
possessed all those charms which would have de-.
lighted a Shcnstone, and given renewed impul-
ses 10 tho pastoral muse ola Waller. The
"Jessamine clambered over the thatched dwell
ling ;'-tho wild rose, the fragrant lily, apd the
tulip decorated The garden, and whilst they sent
forth their fragrance, md impaired TO the scclud-
Ell spot The incense Of para lise, the mockins-
bird, the cooling turtle dove, AMI the nigh,in-
gale, warbied their meIolious notes, and ,c.
iordci those dulcet strains, which man may ut-
tempt TO initiate, but t is in vain, that he s,rur-
giles TO copy them. A kid, a few rabbits, and
"a little society ofsquirrels," resided within his
precincts, AMI 2ariaking Of the qualities Of the
lord of the little dominion, innocently gambolled
around the dwelling, and in general association
pnrtook of the bolntios other master.
An oakcn beach, afforded hin u bed--a mat.
tel quilt, composed ofthc leaves of ths forest.
was his only covering, aud though his couch was
thus rugged and homely, it afforded that repo.o.
which ia refused to the regal bed Of the MON
arch and whilst he slep. on il, he dreamed of
happiness, and the blessings in waiting for Linn,
in that blessed abo lie, where dwell the pure In
spirit, and just men made holy.
II was evident, that he was n man of pioty.
and with all The fervercy and devotion of a sim
ccre follower of st. Stephen, he observed the
rite' and ceremonies of the popal Church, and
though alone, he was ever scrupulous in his de-
votions, and with a religious punctuality, OBJ
served the ordinances Of Mass anu yespers. 90
completely had the GO | man domesticatcd his
family of animals, aud 80 completely hid he i'm
buell. them with his own feelings, thn, they had
learned 10 notice his devotions and when they
behclj him kneeling at the holy crucifx, anJ
imploring the benedictions Of the Savior Of nan.
kind, anu the blessings Of the holy Virgin, they
ceased their sportivc tricks, aud rsmaiped silent
until he had risen from tho place Of prayer
The waters Of the b%ubblips rivulet, which low
cd by his door, afforded him sufficient. 10 .lats
his thirst land that wa, all he wanted, for like
old Adam, he could say