Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-16

voice but her Smiles were not exact
| Iy those Of joy, and | remarked in her
air pensiveness, or rather resigna-
tion, which made me fear that she had
found, even in her brief existence, that
the cup Of human life was not one of
unmixed delight.
While l was making these observa-
tions, the objects of my curiosity pre-
pared for a stroll through the city 3
and | seized the moment Of their de-
parture to make inquiries concerning
those who had so exceedingly inter-
ested me. From my landlady, who
boasted she knew all about them,
learned that Mr.. Charles Courtland,
the father of the young ladies, was the
only child OF a wealthy agriculturalist
and had consequently succeeded to
the undisputed inheritance Of a large
farm, large house, and all appur-
tenances thercunto belonging and if
he did not likewise inherit the pains
taking and penny saving disposition
of his ancestors, it was not for want
Of precept. His childhood and youth
were indeed one continued lecture on
the necessity, and manifold advan-
tages Of industry and economy; till,
although naturally Of gay, gener-
Gus, and somewhat romantic tempera-
ment, with quite taste for reading,
and a little penchant for the muses., he
was finally persuaded to relinquish his
wishes for collegiate education, and
the bus.le Of professional business and
resign himself to the more secure en-
ployment Of tillng his own acres, and
calculating the income of his broad
lands. But this accomplishment Of
the plans of his plodding parents was
not entirely 10 be ascribed either to
their arguments, or his condescension.
The young heir, though scarcely turn
ed of nineteen, was, or imagined him
self to be, violently in love; and the
object of his passion not having those
requisites of fortune which, in the
opinion ofparents, form the basis Of
connubial felicity, Charles was fain
to compound matters, and engage to
stay at home and be steady, if they
would consent to his union with the
fair jemima Jones. The good farmer
and his wife were, for time, sadly
puzzled how to decide: but the in
creasing uneasiness Of their darling
son, and the fears Of his mother. en-
tertaIned, lest he might, in case Of n
disappointment Of the heart, betake
himself to sea, an anticipation which
made her shudder, at last induced
them to accede to his wishes for an
immediate marriage.
The" proper time to marry" never
has been defined and whether those
who wed in youth, while the romance
Of the tender passion eXerts all lis
witching influence, or those who wait
till time has matured the judgment
have the fairest chance Of domestic
happiness, even Johnson himself could
not decide. However, Ga proper
mate" is indispensable to felicity, let
people marry when they may; but
Charles had, in his selection, either
from the rashness Of youth, or the
blindness of passion, most wofully err
ed. 1t is true Jemima Jones was as
handsome as an angel but there, un-
fortunately for her husband, the an
gelic parallel ended. Her mind was
not wholly uncultivated, but her tenn
per vain, imperious and jealous /; and
the fattery her uncommon charms had
attracted, contributed to increase the
natural selfshness Of her heart, till she
seemed to regard no feelings save her
own. Nor was the preference she f.
nally gave the proposals of Charles
Courtland the effect Of love. All the
affection she could possibly spare from
herself was engrossed before she ever
saw him. But the man she did love
was poor, and the dashing heir had
fine house, fine carriage, and could
ornament her with finery; and so she
married him. There was a terrible
storm the day the wedding was cele-
brated, and many gossip shook her
bead Significantly, as she remarked it
was bad omen, presaging a stormy
or unfortunate life to the young cou-
pie; and the prophecy was remarkably
well fulfilled. And it certainly did
roou;ro , mora h,r,bIo boor. -. Lo,