American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-11-23

THE PIRArE,S DEATH.

.'e i"ohuieAts VI human misery anu degradation
that rejecting mind cannot, however revoitin
the scene, contemplate it without deep feeling I
interest. The policy of exhibiting such picture
to the gaze OF the public, is, nevertheless question
able Tor whatever has tendency to render US "a
mlar with vice. weakens the claims of v,tue-
W henever we cease to behold the former Withou
aDhorrence, we may feel assured that we are i'm
perceptlbly escaping from the dominion of the lat
ter. Occasionally, however, it may be saIuary t
enter the abodes OF disease and wretchedness, am
oy taking single captive, and retracing the lin
OF his transgressuns, establish such beacos as ma
assist us in avoiding the rocks and auckland
which constantly beset the pilgrimage OF life. Ii
dong this. we shall generally find, that. although
the path Of our existence may commence in prosper
it, amid brightness and flowers, departure from
virtue invariably clouds and endangers its meridian
whilst crime. Wretchedness, and degradation ar
usually the inseparable companions of its close
and that, howeye, much infideity, sustained by ib
specuatlons OF genius and philosophy. may anus
IN the hour of health and prosperity, yet, wher
sickness wrIngs the brow, and death IS about II
take US from time to eternity. we are willing scep
tics no longer, but fly, instinctvely, to the conso
'ators and triumphant promises Of divine reye
Iat.On
Those individuals of Cincinnati, who visited. du
ring the last Summer. the Commercial Hospital
and l.unauc lum of Ohio, will, perhaps, read
ny recognize in the following sketch, an inmate d
that public charity. While wandering through The
wards of this edfce, at the period referred to,
attention was arrested by the emaciated figure d
a man, apparent, about twenty five years Of age
His face presented a regularity of feature, and in
dcated depth Of mind, we'll calculated to eIic
observation. 1t was peculiarly marked by some
the stronger and more ignoble feelings Of our Ma
ture. As entered his room, he raised his head
and gazed at me for moment; stfled groan es
capped him; his frame seemed convulsed with deer
emotion his eyes gently sunk towards the floor
and he gradually reapsed into the condition in
which | found him. left his room, but could moi
leave his image behind me. In the course of q
few DAYS saw him again. Subsequently | made
him third, fourth, and fifth visit | engaged hin
IN conversation, won upon his confidence, and ir
our last interview received from him, with an all
of earnesness which carried to my mind conviction
of its truth, the history Of his life. give the sub
stance only-the language and many little Incl
dents cannot repeat. To spare the feelings o
some surviving relatives, shall call him by fic
titious name.
Those pupils Of Yale College, who were at tina
venerable institution in the years 1919. 20. ant
ri, will doubtless recollcct young Virgjnian
possessing fine talents, warm impulsiye feelings
a fiery and ungovernable temper; an idier in hi
studies relying upon the force of his genius. ant
Il
| his messmates in College, {. pious Hotspur." i'h
appellaton was the result Of his religious princi
Piles, which, forcibly and pausiby maintaincd
were far from being orthodox. The influence .
his fathers opinions together with the perusal o
the infdel works Of Paine and Noltaite, had earl,
| imbueJ his mind with so much scephcism upon tina
subject, that the ceaseless and assuasye admoni
tons of his pious mother fell like the seed Of thu
husbandman among rocks and thorns.
| Born in alfluence, reared amid the sports of thu
| field. and the allurements OF society, gay, fash
ionabe, and sissipated, Littleton was, even III ear
ly life, devotee to all the idle fnllies if not tn
| lighter vices Of his neghborhood He returne,
| from college more manly in his appearance, i'm
proved in his mind, polished in his manners an,
conversation, and with apparently less of the way
war,lness of youthful folly. lie was destined b
his father for the profession Of the law, and hi
studies were commenced under the care OF dis
| tingushed barrister. The pages Of Blackstone AM
Coke we're, however, often thrown BIZ for the plea
sure of the turf and the tavern. Again placed i
the midst Of fashionable life, he gave himself up t
the destinations and practices Of his early associ
ates,
short distance from his native town there re
sided in all the bloom of ripening womanhood. on
of his early female associates. Amid the richie
tenants of the garden, we sometimes find a modes
little flower, almost obscared b, the more show
ones with which it is surrounded. but at the sam
time possessing beauty and fragrance Of III
Ioyeliest and sweetest kind. To such tlowere
maybe apty compared the gentle, bat unfortunat
Elizabeth. OF respectable parentage, withou
wealth, regularly educated IN the bosom Of he
fathers family; possessing fine mental endow
ments, with the most benevolent feelings, ant tn
most unvarying serenity of disposition she wa
the acknowledged favorite Of the few who kne,
her intimately, aud who had learned to aplreciat
worth, when unconnectcd with wealth and fashion
These attractive qualities Of the head ard tear
and the beautiful form, and still mere lovely face
of Elizabeth, had strongly enchanted the feeling
of Littleton. Their attachment for each other VIA