Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-22

lights Of dissipation, came; and l am
certain when she put on her rose colored
hat aud feathers, she lancied herself as
young and as handsome as ever.
About the same time married. All
that shall say to you of my married
life is, that had but little opportunity
for the indulgence of my favourite pur-
suits. | was obliged, in compliance with
the taste Of my husband, to mix much in
society; ! was handsome enough to be
the object ola great deal of faitery;-
and, perhaps, had | not had before my
eyes the example of my poor aunt,
might have become as frivolous and as
miserable as herself
"She was then about thirty-fve, and
she began to show her age; but, with
the assistance of dress and cosmetics,
she was still very fine woman, and
bore away the palm occasionally, even
from the youthful beauties OF the day -
But if she sometimes triumphed, how
much oitener was she mortified! and
what words could paint the sulierings,
both Of body and mind, which her un-
fortunate wish to appear young cost her
For two years she endeavoured 10 per-
suade herself that her charms were not
diminished. At the end of that time she
made an experiment Of their power, the
result of which cost her her life.
I" About fifteen years before, she had
passed some months at Bordeaux, where
she was greatly followed and admired.
Balls and ietcs were given TO her honor
and her charms were celebrated, both
in verse and prose. Finding herself
every day more and more neglected in
Paris, she recollected with pleasure the
scene Of her former triumphs, and de-
tcrnincd TO return for some months to a
place where she had no debut Of being
as much admired as ever.
"Shc called to her assistance all the
aids Of ithe toilet, and appeared with
more than her usual saiety among her
old friends, in the confidence of receiv-
ing again homage as flattering as that
which had formerly followed her foot
steps: but how great was her surprise,
how bitter her modification, at finding
that she was hardly noticed!
GAL eyes were fixed at that moment
upon girl of eighteen, who was ust
married. She was not handsome, not
even pretty, every body said SO, but un-
fortunately every body added, for all
that, she is charming What cruel
word to the ear Of an experienced CO.
qucttc like my aunt, who well knew that
1t was worth all eulogiums & hat could be
given to the most regular beauty? But
still blind to the ravages of time in her
own person, poor n adame dc p. pushed
her forgetiulness Of them so far as to
appear at ball in dress fit only for a
girl Of eighteen. The gentlemen had
the impertinence not to look at her; in
vain did she condescend to play over all
those arts which formerly were sure to
catch their attention, all was in vain,
she was never once asked to dance
She remained till morning, cndeavouring
by forced gaiety, TO conceal the cha
grin which devOured her; but the effort
brought on fever, which hurried her
to the gates of death, and laid the foun-
dation of a lingering distemper, that af-
tclwards brought her to the grave.
" No sooner did learn her situation
than few to Bordeaux, where | re-
maincd with her til! she was pronounced
out Of danger, aud then | insisted upon
bringing her back with me to Paris
She neither objected nor consented -
She had become, in fact, Indifferent to
an existence which never had for her
any pleasures but those of vanity. She
saw clearly that tn y were flown, and
she could not support the tedium Of a
joyless, loveess old age. 1t was in vain
that | endeavoured to reconcile her to
life. She heard me either with apathy
or Indifference; and, after lingering for
several months, saw her sink into the
tomb, unregretted by a single being
save myself.
" 1t was while watching by the sick
couch of this mistaken and unfortunate
woman, that learned TO appreciate, at
their Just value, all he resources which
a. active and wel-reguIated mind pre-
scnts in Old age, and that | determined
to render mine at least respectable, by
assuming, in time, the dress, and the
manners which would become it. No,
my dear friend, Providence is not un-
mindful Of our happiness; it gives to ev-
cry age lis pleasures, and those Of oUr
latter years, if less lively, are not per-
haps less sweet than those Of the morn
ing of life, All! how can mother re
gret her own youth and beauty, when
she secs them revive in daughter more