The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-01

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the season when the mind requires the most
ulicious direction, in order tn It things may
be learned by their right names, and IN the
right places: it is the period when the dawn
ing intellect demands the most scrupulous su
perintendence, that the earliest indications OF
peculiar bias may be detected, and encour-
aged or repressed, as circumstances may re-
ouire. 1t is the time, of all others when the
most sacred regard to truth So luld be OBJ
served by those who have intercourse with
youth-truth, not only in relation to great
things, or as opposed to direct falsebood. but
that truth which states no improbabilities,
no fic,ions, no mysteries-in short, the truth
Of correct example, in action. word and look.
"The condition of childhood or adolescence
is the spring tide Of our existence. All SEN
sations are new, all scenes are inviting, ev-
cry object is a source of gratihcatlon TO Gu
riositv. The number and rapidity OF our
sensations keep up continual succession OF
images in the mind; and one SO Immediately
lisplaces the other, that whether palhiui
| or plcasurable, they soon disappear; the
hours feet away with winged swlttness, not
counted though deeply felt--net individually
productive of remarkable consequences, out
fer ever after treasured in the memory, aS
the times Of peculiar happiness; as the days
long gone by--as the golden age OF lie, for
ever fed.
mro this period SUCCEEDS that Of beginning
maturity, when the body acquires its tull
growth. and the slender and awkward boy
imperceptiblv changes to the vigorous and
graceful man. His piping and TRIBE voice,
passing through various irregularities, as
sumes that sonorous strength of intonatlon
so we'll beftting his condition. The cavi
ties of his skull, previously unmarked by
external prominences, now expand. Ills
brow becomes elevated: his eyes more deep"
ly seated in their sockets; his cheeks are
| broader and higher, and the passions and
workings OF the mind become imprinted up
| on his countenance. The rosy, unmeaning
and frolic expressions of his visage are gone;
his air is thoughtful and serious. Those
who are familiar with him as child, expe-
rience an awkward restraint in addressing
I him; his parents are conscious OF his change
without being able to define 1t. HIS very
mother, who nursed and cherished him thro'
all his intantile troubles, learns to listen to
him with respect, and look upon hln with
reverence. Henceforth he assumes his sta
tion as member of the great human family,
responsible for his actions solely to his coun-
try and his Gode
1.-THE approach of his sister to the same
changes in external appearance, not so
striking for their magnitude, as from their
peculiar character. The whole expression
is wonderfully altered; d;-there is singular
addition of loveliness to features which may
have previously been considered uninterest-
ing and even repusive. The step, the voice
and gestures all declare, that "Nature's last,
best work." has assumed all her charms,
and is no longer to be approached, except
with that homage which her loveliness and
innocence never fail to inspire, especially
when their natural power is augmented, by
that cultivation of mind which imparts Wig
our to intelligence, and ten fold attractions
to beauty.
awe next consider our race in their ma
turity, or summer. The faculties of the
mind are advancing to their perfect state;
judgment or the power of deducing conclu-
sion and principles from observation, pre-
dominates over the memory, and the mind is
capable of most intense application to any
pursuit This is the season for exertion
the time for providing future subsistence
for attending to the education OF our of
spring; as we'll as for fixing our own habits
of thinking and acting. 1t is the season fol
comforting benefits on our fellow creature:
bv the employment Of our leisure, and win
: more effectual discharge ofthe debts we owe
j to society At this period the body, which
i has ceased to grow in height, acquires &
S greater degree of fbreadth and fulness. The
a soft and delicate texture of the solids give
place to greater rigidity of fibre and tht
i strength of the limbs is in full vigour. Thi
period endures for variable lapse of time
modified by temperance, exercise, climate
n and occupation.
Next, autumn comes, the season of the
If "sere and yellow leaf" The supleness ant
i nobility of the limbs diminish; the senses are
e less acute, and the impressions of externa
: objects are less remarked. The fbres o
n the body grow more rigid; the emotions o
S the mind are more calm and uniform;- thu
e eye loses its lustrous keenness OF expression
$ the skin hangs loosely; the teeth generally
o begin to fail. if they have not previously
!; and the digestion proportionally declines
: The mind no longer roams abroad with 1T
y original excursivencss, though it is still ca
d pable of intense and advantageous applica
d ton to particular studies. The powers o
e imagination is in great degree lost Sa'
n experience has robbed external objects o
e their illusiveness; the thoughts come home
n it is the age of reflection The flight o
d time is also marked by the change OF TIL
= firm tone of manhood for an occasional jar
l. ring and dissonant note, and the head Ell