Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-01-27
RECOLLECTIONs OF MY YOUTH.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MY YOUTH.
have often thought that we derive plea
sure, perhaps unequalled, from the remem-
brance of former days days in which chill
dish feelings and childish desires alone Oc-
cupied our hearts, and the world and its va
mites were alike unknown. During my
youthful life, was accustomed to spend
the summer months at an ancient mansion,
which shall name Marwood. Time will
not speedily erase the beauties of that fair
domain from my memory ITS widespread
ing woods and sunny lawns, its tall narrow
turrets and ample fish ponds, will never
cease to live in my recollection. But while
! descant on the loveiness Of that terres-
trial paradise, / must not fail to mention
its inhabitants Dear, kind-hearted people
when, like the sere and yellow leaf, ye
dropped inro your narrow house, my tears,
II fruitless, were at least sincere will
not cease to remember you. The owners
OF MarwOod were true specimens OF thtt
| character which good men admire they
had that heart inspiring frankness of man
| ner which is so congenIal to youth they
were beloved by rich and poor The smile
of delight that illumined the faces Of the in
habiants of the neighbouring hamlet,
when in the calm summer evenings, we
sauntered through it with our friends, was
indeed pleasing remember how often
used to accompany them in their charitable
peregrinations, with basket on my arms,
containing medicine and relief for the dis
eased, which was not spariDgy distributed.
Unaffactedly pious, they endeavored to heal
the stricken heart, and seldom failed to ad-
minister comfort to those who were suffer-
ing under mental anguish. But will not
dwell too long upon their virtues ; suffice
it to say, that they redressed the injured,
relieved the destitute, and protected the
tatherless and the widow.
The master of NarwOod experienced no
greater enjoyment than seeing his young
friends happy around him he was at the
head Of all the noisy games which made
the old hall ring with our childish merri-
ment
think see him now, seated in the
large old porch, relating to us stories of
olden time, which he knew so well to re-
count while, ever and anon, ould wave
branch of rose or jessamine, which crowned
the old stone entrance, and intercepted the
rays of The evening sun Oh they were
happy days. AT the decease Of these kind
and revered friends, the estate of Marwood
fell to distant relation. who took no de-
light in the beauties of the ancient man
sion, and became the residence Of stran-
gers. Many years had rolled on, and l
heard nothing of the old hall, until few
months since, when was ira, elling in that
par, ofthe country in which it is situated.
l cannot describe the sensations l expe-
rienced on finding myself at the entrance
of the scene ofmy boyish happiness l
dismounted, and tying my horse to the
gate, walked towards the house.
1t was cold autumnal evening, and, in
each chilly blast Of wind, the dead leaves
fitted around me, and fell to the ground,
there to join the crisp and decaying foliage
which lay IN mimic hills at the foot of their
parent stems Little remained of the
once stately avenue: trees, the growth Of
centuries, had been felled, and lay beside
the road, which was disfgured by cart
tracks, and strewed with huge stones,
seemingly cast there to ,obstruct the ap-
proach of traveller like myself.
The appearance ofthe house deeply ex-
cited my sorrow, il not my anger: fain
would have fancied that | was mistaken,
but the reality was too strong. Broken
and disfgured, the battements of the tow
ers lay in masses on the ground and the
large gothic windows were obscured by
rough boards, hat replaced the stained
glass, ofwhich little now remained. Desc
lation there reigned with unbounded sway
| looked in vain for the noble woods, and
bright clear lakes---all, all had disappear
ed, save few scattered oaks, and stag
nant pools of water, from which arose
clouds Of dark vapours.
shuddering, turned away, and re-
mounted my horse. / will never visit Mar
wood more---the sight is too painful. But
does not this, ] exclaimed, as | closed the
gate, teach me useful lesson? Does i,
not show me, that all earthly beauties must
decay, and leave but miserable wreck, to
inform the passenger that there once was
GRANDEUR A sculptured urn, or some such
frail memorial, to mark the spot where
youth, and old age, rningle promis suous-
ly, and sleep long, but not everlasting
sleep? LuscoMpE. Q
WINTER CKETCII