Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-26
FOR VICE. PRESIDENT,
RICHARD RUSH.
THE SPANISH MOTHER .

iHE sIANiSH MOIHER.
Perhaps no class Of men havo a wider range
! for tho exercise Of tho Imagination than those
persons who are ngaged in tho whale fishery
Although in a partial dogree blun,od by their
monotonous course of life. still their passion
for the romantic and tho wild, meets with fre-
quent encouragement in the contemplation Of
scenes in which the rude but noble and high
sentiments of the savage are blended with the
more refined notions and softencd by the ehy-
alrous etiquette Of civilized life.
II was near one of those small Spanish towns
which line the western coast Of America,
north Of the isthmus, where Our ship was
brought TO an anchor after having ranged the
Pacific about ten months in quest Of spcrmace-
ii whales. Our success had been extremely
coed, and weeried with the hardships and toll
four laborious occupation, painting for tho
green wales and woody SUBMITS Of terra frma,
wo heard with pleasure the order to +" lower
the boat and lot halfthe crew go on shore.'
chanccd TO be one Of the "elcct," and
never did ply at tho oar with such good will
as that Gftei noon, until was landed on the
boach, wten making fast the boat. we sailed
IN body TO shave look at tho town" and
make our remarks on tho inhabitants.
Never shall forge. the impression made
upon my heart, upon entering the little settle
ment. Fresh from tho ocean, with mind free
from care, was prepared TO receive whatever
came within The ken Of MY observations "in
oil simplicity Of SOUL" and thus it may DC sup
posed that the scenes ! "; ncsscd wero likely
to effect me strongly, and become forcibiy I'M
pressed upon my momory.
On entering the settlement, perceived not
the hustle and ac,ivity had SO often noticed
in towns OF this scrpion--herc and there
could be seen solitary Spaniard slowly walk
ing the streets with his face mnfcd. and his
Constitutional gravity sohcned into q pensiYe
| sadness or all engrossng melancholy. Three
or four old men sat OIL a bench in the public
square who raised not their eyes on our up
proach, but maintained a su!lcn silence, char-
ncterized by all tho sternness and reserve of
'None > siuu8ntefeu Sefatc
b., the women there is something in the
patient, enduring grief Of woman which
touches the heart of sailor Whom he com
parcs their gentlensss and timidiiy with his own
embrowned, ragged and iron frame, his reck-
less and cal!ous heart, they seem like beings
of more ethereal mould, and he car scarcely
believe that lie is worthy to be tho protc c, or
, and partner Of such lovely beings. Then to
500 these gentle ones. moving about pale with
gr.ci or sitting absorbed with hear, broken list
lcssness, oh! It's sight that stirs his soul with
in biin.
This was the stato Of things in ST Joseph 6.
AS we moved along the deserted streets and
| marked the gloom which oyersprea3 its inhab-
| itants, gentle zephyr seemed to breathe upon
our cara and say, sorrow has been here
And sorrow had been thcro The fever and
aguo hod made dreadful ravago among the
inhabitants. Scarcely father but had lost a
| son or blooming daughter, scarcely child bu,
had seen itsparent borno 10 his last maneon--
wives had gazed their last agonzing look up
| OIL the marble features Of their husbands and
the impassioned lover had broathed the hear,
bursting sigh over the grave of her who had
been the object of his young and ardent idola
Try. ........
The afternoon passed slowly away in con.
temptation of scenes Of unhnppiness; and. al.
though we were disappointed in our dreams OF
Joy and harity, the heart was improved. and
tho toars which fell at the shrine Of Humanity
were moro to be desired than the flowing can,
and the loud laugh which speaks the vacant
mind.
| Evening came, and the western sun sunk
through a misty cloud and hid his broad disk
| beneath tho horizon. I had separated from
my partners and did not arrive on the beach
until the sound Of tho distant dash Of tho oars.
announced to me that had been loa ashore
whilo my shipmates were making the best o.
\ a oir ,v,,, IA fho v,ss,l ,,,h,ok L. ,t;, ,;,,c