Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-01

i Icmatnco dDoul q WON, "hcu b'S'-
gence was received that the female re-
cuse was dead. All voices we're loud
in sounding her praise, and the tears
that were shed were those of real sor-
row, for often had she ministered COM
fort to the sick, and spoke in glowing
terms to the dying Of those hopes, that
she herself would not venture TO indulge.
The time the funeral was TO take place
repaired to the hermitage with the
villagers. The mourner was alone,
seated in front of his house; serious but
not sorrow stricken. AS l approached
with the rest, he recognised me, rose,
and offered his hand. 'We have met
on more joyous occasions, he said, 'but
in this world we cannot expect always
to bask in the sunshine
'True, for the brightest day may be
overcast before the sun goes down.
'And when the storm rages, he ad-
ded, the Ioftiest oak Of the forest is
most likely 10 be torn up and riven.'
He silently led me to the door OF the
cottage; we entered, and he ushcred
me into the room where the corpse lay
lncoffined. He uncovered its face.
Look there he said, you have ga
'zed in admiration on that face, in more
brilliant scene than this, but trust me
not happier. The day Of death may
and should be rendered the happiest
that life affords. How purely beautiful
she is even IN death?
| observed that her countenancc was
placid, and that sweet smile was on
her lips. lie caught my hand and
pressed it convulsIvely; tears gushed
from his eyes, and he scarcely artc~la-
ted, Il strove for years to produce that
smile, and have finally succeeded.
There is nothing in life half SO beautiful
Or dear to me as that smile. Ii came
over her lips as last night she told me
that her soul had cast IFS burthen, and
she died so easy that death froze the
impression there.'
He stood gazing at the departed in
silence, until it was time for the funeral
TO commence moving. 1t was compos-
ed of about twenty Of his neighbours -
We took up the body, and moved on
towards the grave prepared to receive 1t,
which was in a small cluster of cypress
trees. u short distance from their dwell
ing. Ii had been her favorito retreat
in the heat Of the summer, and rude
benches were here and there placed
from tree to tree. There was no one 10
pronounce the impressive 'dust TO dust;'
but the open grave, and the mortal re-
mains beside it, awakened feelings IN
the rude minds Of the spectators, tar
more eloquent than words could embody.
Eloquence of thought is conferred on
greater number than the powers Of fhet-
orc. The mourner stood at the head
Of the grave, and with his own hands
assisted in dcpositing the remains of all
tina. he loved on earth.-He was as
careful in this last duty as if the sense.
less clay still retained the functions OF
vitality, for he still valued the casket,
though the jewel was gone. He scat
tered spade full Of earth upon the cof-
fin; it was the signal, and the grave was
speedily closed. During this operation
he stood mute, stifled one convulsive
sigh, but shed not single tear. Why
should he weep, since the weary was at
rest? He returned to the hermitage.
| accompanied him, and the rustics
withdrew to their respective pursuits.
The transition from life to death is i'm
mediate, but not more 50 than from the
scene of death to the active employ
ments Of life, and both appear to be
L., 4,
sYou will now return, trust said |,
'to society again, for the object that oc-
casioncd your seclusion no longer re-
quires your care, and experience must
have taught you that you are not fit SUBJ
ject for hermitage
you appear to forget he replied,
'that l am a prescribed nan, and that
must answer for human blood unright-
eously she'd Remember that he whose
perfdy broke tho heart and blighted the
fair fame Of her who was with me but
yesterday, fell by this hand. l neither
condemn nor defend the act, but as long
as society is organized upon its present
principles, in spite Of the cool sophistry
of the sluggish in spirit, and The furious
denunciations of the heated in magma
ton, I would do it again Tomorrow upon
similar provocatlon, though with the cer-
tainty Of being called forth the next mo-
ment to render an account upon the scat.
fold.'
eThe magnitude of your injury re-
Piled, may obtain pardon for your Of
fence, even should it not be already for
gotten
sForgotten! and are you SO ignorant
Of the race with which you daily mingle,
as to suppose ito be forgottenf True,
the remembrance of it may sleep, but my