Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-17


a first affection, is embodied in so
much purity; arrayed with so much
ovellncss, and surrounded with so
many intrinsic and immaculate en-
bcIlishmcnts, that there is nothing in
after life, half so infatuating to a
young, impassioncd and enthusiastic
mind. The natural cnjoymcnts of
youth are in themselves purcr and
less blended with earthlincss than any
subsequent pleasures, and when the
heart is taken captive by some unpoi-
Iutcd creature, before its revelations
arc tinged with shadowy dreams, be-
fore one dark cloud has dared to how
cr over the paradise Of youthful emo
ton, the passionate outPourlngs OF
boyish affection are indeed produc-
tive of delicious infatuation, un-
matched by all the proud and vain glo-
rious visions of matnrcr years. In
love matters, we are enthusiasts, and
however childish and sickcning the
details Of heart may appear to the
cold and bcnumbcd cynics Of false
philosophy, to us there is delicious
voluptuousness in these things, never
to be met with in Epicurean fcasts or
Bacchannalan rcvcls. Who, that is
capable Of apPrcciating the refined
emotions OF the soul, of drinking in the
nectar of womans voice with rapture,
of thrilling at the glance of an eye; or
trembling at the courteous pressure of
delicate white hand; vino we say
, that has human scnsibilitics and can
feel these things stealing over his soul
with an invisible impulse, can listen
to the details of first and only love,
with all its absorptions aud anxietics
unnovcd? lfthcre are any such among
| our fair readers, any who can gaze
| upon the fading lustrc Of delicious
eye carc!essly and callousIy-any who
can see the light flush Of vermilion
fade away from the cheek Of beauty,
into an unnatural wanncss without one
pulse vibratlng.-any who can watch
the frame decay, aud the voice trem-
bling with sorrow, with an unstirred
heart, let them throw down this
misccllany-wc seek not their sym.
pathy, and court not their applause.
Adclia Montrose was a creature Of
the most cxccling Iovclncss; gentle
and timid as the young fawn of the
valley-purc Of heart as Diana, and
generous in all her actions. 1t was
her fate TO be born of high aud titled
family, yet to her this was oflittle i'm
portancc. and when thro' misfortune,
The wealth Of her ancestors departed
from their house, she only sighed that
it left her widowed mother destitute,
and wished herself man that she al
once nigh, be a supporter, and pro-
tector, to that parent. Educated be-
yond the sphere Of her village COM
panions. Adelia saw the innocent
simplicity Of their characters, and ad-
mrcd it, yet the very circumstance
which rendered her superior in intel
Iect to them, contributed to dctract
from her lot Of happiness. She was
yet child it is truc-s'Xtcen sum
mers had scarcely vanished since her
birth; yet among all those who inhab-
tied Roscburg, she could find no com.
panion save her mother, in whose
conversa ton she might find entertain
ment. The simplicity of nature when
disposscsscd Of its unrefinements, and
rudeness, may furnish forth a suitable
theme for poetical expatiation; but
without this purifying circumstance,
vulgarily will be disgusting, despite
Of all the beautiying influence of ma
ture.
Adcla was fond Of reading. Ak
cnsidc and Thomson were among her
| favoritc authors. With one Of these
she frequently held converse in her
morning walks, as well as in her eve
ming mcditations. The delightful de-
scription Of the one, pleased her gen
tie nature, and the lofty flights of the
other, touched cord in her soul, that
seemed to thrill with some new and
unantlcipated impulse. II is needless
to say, that the story of the young la
vina, lost none Of its interest in her
perusal, and as she sighed over the
pages Of the poem, she could scarcely
suppress wish, that some generous
Palemon would steal into her conf
dence, and sympathizc with heart
that felt its Loneliness a burthen.
twas on the first Of May, and when
the simple villagers held rural festi-
val, that two strangers mingled with
the thronp offair faces that were plow.