Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-26

inlHiy set'leu to"hs, man VINO pro-
poses marrying wife. usually signi-
lics his intention by building a house !;
aud consequently, a new house is es.
tccmed very important affair to the
new married couple. 1t seemed quite
unnecessary that James should follow
this fashion, as his father left a good
and convenient dwelling bui he was
ambitious, and so tie new house was
determined on. Ia size and elegance
it was to exceed any building in the
village.
Americans have no taste for the
antique" says the European antigua
ry, " therefore they are rude and ig-
uorant, and unpolishcd." But is it
not The same principle Of taste, only
modified by the difference Of circum-
stances, which leads the American to
! boast of his new Cdiice, and the Eu-
ropean TO vcncratc his ancient one ?
In both cases the pride Of preference
is associated with the idea of merit.
The European prizes his old castle
because it is blazoncd with the fcats
ofhis ancestors. The American pre-
lcrs his new dwelling because it is the
work of his own efforts the one dcs-
crbcs the magnifccncc that once dis
| tingushcd his doman-the other
shows the improvement he has made
on his estate. And if personal merit
be more praiscworthy than imputed
excellence, then is not the advantage
OH the side Of our countrymcn
But these remarks are quite irrcle-
want to the subject-the new house Of
James Murray; Yet it would undoubt-
have been better for him to have cul-
tivatcd a taste for the antique, and
been contcnted with his fathers old
dwelling. 1t was during the progress
Of the building that, forgetting or dis
regarding the solemn promise he had
pledged his father, he again began to
taste prohibited liquor. lie took but
very little, however, and lattercd
himself he had acquired sufficient
strength of mind to restrain and reg
ulatc his appetite by the suggestion of
reason. 1t seemed rcproach on his
character as man, to lack lirmncss
to face his enemy. 1t was pucrilc to
be always trembling, ike a whipped
schoo-boy, when a glass was offered
him; and finally, he could not refuse
without being considered mean, as his
workmen would imply he did not wish
them to drink, if he himself never
never tasted. SO he reasoned, and
for several months no pcrccptble bad
effects followed his temperate use of
ardent spirits" rs he styled il. About
three weeks before he was to be mar
ricd, political bet, in which he was
engaged, was decided in his favor.
The forfeiture was TO be paid in
punch, and James Murray became
intoxicated. While under the dcliri
um of his temporary insanity, he pre-
scntcd himself before his intended
bride.
Lucy Marsh was just as lovely as a
summer rose, and Just as easily bowed.
She had never suspected James of
having violated his promisa-she was
utterly unprcpared for this storm Of
allliction-she did not utter a word to
!, him, but tainted; and he had to be
forced from her presence, and carried
home. The tumult of his feelings,
on recovering from his paroxysm, can
scarcely be imagined. After bitter
self freproachcs and curses on his folly.
and resolutions of the most rigid absti-
ncnce in future, he repaired to the
dwelling of Lucy, to obtain, if posi-
bic, her forgiveness. He knew she
WAS then released from all obligations
to marry him-that his father had ad-
vised, indeed enjoincd it on her, as
she valued her own happiness, never
TO wed his son if he again yielded to
intempcrance. But James knew Lu-
cy loved him, and he knew too, that
women are prone to palliatc the fail
ings, and trust the promises of those
they love; that they arc by nature,
unsuspicous, confiding and iorgiying.
The event showed he judged rightly.
Reason urged to Lucy all the risk she
was incurring; imagination portrayed
all the sorrows and agones she was
exposed to suffer, if James did not re-
form, and hope could hardly be so
credulous as to believe in his perma.
nent reformation, when he had thus
broken the solemn and voluntary
pledge to his own father. But still,
her heart--O, she could not stihe the
| nlna dinns of hnr hnnrt AID whnn