Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-23
LITERARY CADET
PRESIDENT HOLLEY.
OvIDENCE, WEDNESDAY, JULY %, 1928


HoLLEY, has just been issued froni tho press
The work is comprised in q volume Of 30 pa
ges, and if We crcdi, the assertions Of the Bos
ton COURIER, is elegantly printed. II will bI
yecollected that DR.. Holiey dIed on his pas
sage from Now Orleans, to Boston. Tie great
YER part Of the work, is comprised in " an mp.
pendx. containing copious notes, biogrsphicni
and illustrative; and Of this, by Far the greater
part, is from the pen Of Mrs. Holley. and we
are confident will be not the less acceptable to
the public. or tho early life Of Mr.. II. there
is a lively sketch, and a most interesting delin
cation Of The character of his falhor-a man
hardly less remarkable for intel ctual power
than the son. The following extract gives
an account of the voyage from New Or
leans and the mourniui tragedy in which tho
aniablo writer was doomed TO be n participa-
tor"
''f',r The frst foar lays, with the exception
Of ihc desagrrmens of sea sickness, the voyage
was delightful. II was Ike party of p!eas4
ure. and some OF the company were ready to
exoai,n, IL How charming il IS 10 be al sea-
tual accommodation prevailed There was
not circumstance Of the least unpleasant ma
turs.to mar tho scene, except a slight iEdis-
position OF one Of the passengers, which allied
forth the sympathy and attention Of the res, ,
but excited no alarm. Though this gentleman
manif ,sicd, at times symptoms OF delIrurn, he
was dressed, walking the deck, and as it was
hoped, recovering. On the fodrlh day, IN par
ticular, when the effects of sea-slckncss had
srh7iGod, the most perfect contentment and
eiisfaction lighted up every cOunjenan ce.---
The we uher vas fine. the suns fenor was
sofiened by genlle breazc, which waited tho
ship smoothly on its course, while. with the
bost possible spirits, not only from the happy
iat!Ionces of The present, but from the fond
'ic'Da'ions or a speedy meeting with friends,
sN y'1i3si % he simple though various occu-
psiiors y a goa i'!e. Some were gazing on
tho imnl9a1c profound. and watching the gam
bnis Of tho sharks, pOrpotses, and dolphins
With their attendant the flying fish, or wrapt in
the sentiment of the scene. the comparatively
frail bark seeminga world in the MIDST Of in
6nity. Some were interested III tho little con-
teivanccs that furnish the amusement of u ship,
where no one is disposed for serious oocnpa-
lion, but every one for ease, and those gentle
exercises OF sl.il or Imagination, which belong
10 a passive Iiic--tO games OF chance, or 10
contemplntivo reveries, according TO The dis.
position or habits Of the individual; all serving
10 beguo the moments, and to soo,he, without
fatigung, the mind.
Having dincd, the passengers were on deck,
inhsling, as they thought, the hea!ih-gving
breeze. and disposed in groups according to
their electyo aiii litIes attracted by converse
iion or song; and ono was striking the lively
guitar. IA II to increase by contrast tho hor-
rors Of the sreEos which were soon TO follow,
all was peace and Joy aud delightful PRESENT.
mant. Those who preferred the lofiicr themes
OF philosophy, of whom was our gifted friend
gave the bright moments TO moral sentiment
to pooical ina gininga, or to metaphysical ab.
stractions. That noble mind, like the fabu-
lous bird, which, abont TO expire, breathes it's
richest notes, beamed in Brightness then. II
was the last Illumination Of that brilliant in
telcct.
The sun sunk beneath the wave. The wind
stiffencd. There was solemn darkness ard
a sulen swell Of the soa, which seemed pOr-
fen'cus. The ship rolled and tossed; the Gle
men,s grew argry; the storm began. All
was d.smay. Every individual silently crept
TO the nearest couch The writer, impeled
by dreadful sickness. dropped upon a settce
on the deck, quiet witness oTthe tremendous
scene. Every man was at his post. Every
voice was hnshcd, save that of the captain,
whose holIse tones mingling with the blast, +,
gave the word Of command to the fearless,
faithful mariners The tempest howled, the
lightning iashed in such blaze Of brightness,
as, for the instant, gave TO every object, with
magnilie- dimensions, the distinctness Of day
The gddy masts, the bursting sails, the shrouds
and yards rapidly and successfully manned by
the hardy and the brave, alternately rising in
tho ar and dipping in the surge, presented to
tho eye Of the silent, suffering spectator, a re
ality that needed no effect from the coIoring
o! fancy. At intervals might bo heard Tho
groans Of the dvIng; for at twelve this night
the sick passenger expired, adding an awful
and religious soemnhy to a moment Of terrific
grandeur All ihese circumstances formed
scene Of dismay which required not the force
OF contrast to deepen it. And though the
skiful sailor, in good ship, on the broad sea, d,
fears no danger, 10 the inexperienced landsman
there was enough Of the natural and moral
sublime. To the timld there was an effect
which no Imagination could hoighten to the
female heart touching power which no lam
guagc could portray. Those midnight hours
at sea- those hours Of watchfulness, Of silent
submission, Of danger, and Of death, we're
fraught with a horror at which memory shud-
ders. They inspired a sentiment too profound
FIR utterance. The penetrated soul could but
look rp 10 that Being. who alone can hush
tho mighty storm and bid the waves be still
Bat terrible was this scene, it was but a
prelude 10 The disasters which were 10 follow.
whilst gazing upon this conlc, Of nature, and
deprecatlng rs fatal issue. no thought occurr-
ed Of other danger. But amidst the war Of
the elements without, the silent and insidious
agents OF death were efeciing, with less err
ing aim, the work Of destruction within. The
morning light brought TO view, not only the
oil hut ha ly 0,p fav.
Heads ches, and other forms Of ndisposton
prevailed. The deceased passenger, with as
much order and decency as the motion of the
chin would admit, the last sad rites perforined