Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-09
iMZSCA.l.EANx.
ELLEN STANLEY,
OR IUE PICTIU or Y7NITY.

by JAMES M'HENRY.
Few men have passed the spring time
OF life, without witnessing scenes and
incidents, and experiencing turns of for
tune, often as romantic and instructive
as any that can be produced by the in
vcnturs of fiction. In the hours of retro
spcctlon, at least when past events move
in review before the mental VISION, the
imag glnation is apt to invest them, and =,
IN many Instances, without much cxag-
gera,ion Of the reality, with an affecting
and impressive Importance seldom ex-
! ccedcd by the creations Of fancy.
Nj own career, short and obscure as
1t has been, furnishes my recollection
with many events lthis nature. Among
others, the fortunes of two individuals,
who were extremely dear to me, and
with whose history | was in certain
degree connected, cannot but consider
as possessing an interest, and afordlnr
u lesson rs striking and important as the
occurrences detailed in many narratives
that are the mere offspring Of invention
The story Of these individuals will re-
late. The reader may not feel in it the
same interest that teel-it is not TO be
expected that he should; but in relating
it, ] shall crafty desire entertain, to
commemorate her who was the object of
my first, and perhaps my warmest love;
while shall pay a tribute to the memory
OF h'm who was once my most esteemed
and confidential friend
The first time that l saw Ellen STAN
ley, she was in the early bloom of ripen-
ing beauty She was nearly seventeen,
and had not attained the full growth of
womanhood. have ever thought the
half blown rose the lovcliest, as it cer-
tainy is the sweetest of flowers; and |
well remember the comparison which my
fancy formed between this charmcr of
the partcrrc, and the more beautiful char
mcr Of my heart when first beheld her
The day-thc hour-the place-thc see
nery-a!l things connected with the oc-
currencn, are, at this instant as fresh in
my memory, as if it had taken place but
yesterday. | see her yet in all the love-
lln1ss Of that moment; and / can yet
feel the delicious sensation that her looks
impaired to my heart.
1t was on a beautiful Sunday in June,
and on the green lawn which surrounds
one Of the churches Of my native village,
that | frs: saw her. She was also ma
tive of that village, and in it was the res
.idencc OF her parents; but her education
had been at distant seminary, where
she had resided for several years; and il
had never had been my lot to meet with
her until the occasion just mentioned
| was approaching the place Of worship
in company with young gentleman who
was then preparing himself for the min
istry, and is now highly respected mem
Der of the synod Of Ulster. The service
had not commenced, and, as is usual il
such cases, various groups Of people
were scattered over the lawn enjoyin.
the beauty of the day, and discussing
such topics as the time and the occasion
suggested. We passed several Of thes,
groups, and were advancing towards ont
near the principal entrance of the church
composed chiefly Of ladies', among whom
was Miss Stanley, when my friend point
ed her out to me with expressions of ad
miration for her beauty; and informed
me that she had Just left her boardin!
school, and was come to take up her res
idence for the future amongst us. Ii,
was acquainted with her, and express
ed desire for an Introduction, whicl
Immediately took place. Shall describ
my feelingsi-To describe them jus;l
would be impossible. Those who hav
felt the power Of an all.engrossing pass
ion, kindled by the sudden presence o
unrivalled beauty, may imagine them. =
| had never before truly loved. II is tru
| had occasionally felt what may be call
ed school-boy fondncss for several @
my female acquaintanccs; but had nev
er felt anything similar to the intensit
Of that love which was now awakene
in my bosom.
During the sermon I had the happi
ness to be seated where ] enjoyed fu
view Of my fair ones kanscendar
charms, and never did an epicure fea.
more luxuriously on his favorite fare
! than did upon her beauties. But I,