Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-30
TUESDAY, JANUARY 80. 1927.
THE BURIAL OF A YOUNG LADY.

Dat lie pire destln,
TT rose, ellie vecu, &c que vivent les roses
L'espace d'ua natin.'
Servius Supicias, endeavouring to console
Cicero for the loss of his daughter, thus address
sed him: Son NV return from Asia, having
ler, E.ina on my way 10 Niagara, my eye rested
or the objects which surrounded me-Megara
was behind me; Pireu, lay on my right, and
Cotinth on my left How many cities once
flourishing, are now laid level with the dust
How, said 10 myself, in the midst of these
immense ruins. can il be conceived, that man
should suffer himself to be overcome by the loss
of child?" These reflections, however just
however phiiosophical-did not console the Ia
Their of rullia; because there are sorrows over
which reason has no power, and tears which
tine alone can dry.
During nv career Of life, have frequently
seen my companions fall by my side,-my bro
theirs in arms-whose loss / have most deeply
deplored; but in recalling TO my mind those
ideas of glory, that hereditary fame, which so
peculiarly endears the memories OF heroes who
have fallen in the field Of honour, and rejecting
that nothing was left for me, but an inhr1 old
age, and an obscure grave, l have frequently
been tempted TO envy those whose names are
i'm mort allied by their very deaths. Every day
takes from me some old friend-soIRe oompan-
ION. Of an age equally advanced with myself
! regret them, but without murmuring in the
" e,ls Of Montague, their lamp OF life had burnt
TO the socket; death is the immediate conse-
quence of pro,rac,eG old age. But, when
young girl, just entering the portals OF life
for which heaveH appears to have In store
long series of happy years, on whom nature has
Iavished all her most precious gifts, and whom
birth and fortune have surrounded with their
most brilliant delusions-when being such as
this is torn, from the embraces of her mother,
the hopes Of her family, and the expectations
oflove, there is this cruel decree ffate, kind
Of subversion OF the general laws OF nature-an
assembiage Of contradictory circumstances
ideas s. expressions at which the senses sicken,
and the heart breaks. Such is the event TO
which have alluded in the title Of this article,
and Of which during this short DEPRESSION,
have not lost sight
Robertine de Vilarmont was the daughter OF
4 brave naval officer, companion IN arms OF
the gallant De Saffreen, who by twenty years OF
glorious toll, has acquired an undoubted right
20 enjoy, in the bosom Of his family, an ample
pa,rimonial estate, to which he has added lit
tie or nothing by his services. He still reck-
oned among his imperative duties, that Of edu-
eating his sor for the service Of his country, and
OF bringing up his daughter 10 become the re-
ward of some young soldier, who, by his name,
his rank, and his merit, should show himself
worthy Of such rec0mpense. | had known NJ.
de Vllarmon, in the East Indies. Much young
er than me, his father had consigned him TO
nv care, as 10 that Of Mentor, and our rela-
tions Of friendship have never since been inter-
rupted IL is two years since accompanied
him 10 Rochefort, when he went thi,her to en-
ter his son as midshipman, on the Quarter
deck Of a vessel which he had himself command
ed, and at whose masthead the grandfather Of
the Young man had thirty years before, hoisted
the flag OF a vice.sdmiral. This regular des
cent Of glory, was good omen, and according
~ our young Leon, as reward for a gallant
action, has already received the decoration OF
the brave.
Madcmoiselle de Vilarmoni had nearly reach
ed her fifteenth year. Educate with the ten
derest care; under the eye Of the most affeotion-
ate Of mothers, she was already remarked as
the model Of every perfection. II was the first
season ;ha, the young Robertine had appeared
IA the world; all eyes were turned upon her, and
her delighted mother enjoyed, with too much
confidence, (why may not say with too much
prideN the brilliant success which her daugh-
Ter net with at all concerts and balls, of which
she fOfTneu ~ ouSS t-iC ouJcIt duu thC
chief ornament. The birthday Of Mademoisel-
lie de Vilarmont had been celebrated by bril-
liant fete at the house Of her maternal grandfa-
,her, auwhich she had made the deepest impress
sion by the charms other person, and the proofs
which she had given ofthe superiority OF her
talents, which her interesting modesty set off
Swi,h double splendour. ,Mouseurde Vilarmon'
had been prevented from accompanying the
ladies, whom he had, therefore, entrusted to my
care; and during the whole continuance OF the
ball, which encroaehed Ear into the morning,
had dictated as gentlemen in waiting 10 the
fair Robeftme; held her fan and her handker-
chief while she danced; led her back to her
place; and took particular care TO cover her
with her shawl, as soon as the country dance
was concluded, j was under the same charm
which had enchanted every one around me-
How suddenly, and how dreadfully was il to
be dispelled! IL was two o'clock when the par
~ broke up-Robertine had danced in the last
se,-her mother wished that she should sit
down little while 10 coil herself; bu, with
shaml a wrapping cloak lined Win fur, and
we'll closed carriage, what danger could possi-