Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-23
TO SYLVIA.

TO SYLVIA.
II is true that the tender and suscepf'-
be heart enjoys the sunshine OF HE,
with that exquisite relish which is un-
known TO the lrgid aud unleciing; and
1t is equally true, that sorrow and disap-
poin,ment falls upon the feeling mud,
with stunning violence which Is never
felt by those of more Tranquil anIcipa-
tons, and less vivid imaginatlons -
Therefore, If the sweet prcdomlnates
over the bitter in the cup OF hie, he whose
sense Of feeling is most acHe, expert
cnces the greatest potion OF pleasure.
But # the bitter chaiice be most proluse-
ly charged, (dnd Will not the experience
Of the generality of mankind. allow tins
TO be the case, he whose taste Is least
pungcnt, will be least annoyed by the
nauseous draught There Is one season
of delight in the life of man tbe period
of in!alcy, when the heart mcliher taint-
ed BY vice, nor goaded by rflec ion,
looks forth upon Il gay aud smiling wo'G.
Why does the home cf our ch ldDo'd d
and The scenes OF carly liic appear Il,
after years SO enchanting! aud whence
our attachment to the trees, under whose
friendly shade we have whird away
many a sultry summer day! the lanes
aud paths w|nch our infnut feet have
pressed, and the stream whose murmur'
lno has oil times sooihed lhr musings Of
The experienced mind; Why d. they re
feet so bright Il sunshine, and assume so
la arl tnr
mate objects, springs not alone from habit
and long association; one reason why we
dwell with pleasure upon the memory OF
hours pas, in their peaceful society, Is,
.ihat they were hours Of Innocence, and
happy ignorance of :he vanity and the
decai lu,ness of the world In the re
mpmbrancc Of former times, the sweet Is
mingled with regret and keen anguish,
and bids the tear of sorrow TO flow for
the loved companions of lile's early day,
whose bud OF! promise, like the rose ui
spring, nipt by untimcly frost, withered
away and did Who that has seen the
pale messenger Of death, seize upon a
friend dear as their own soul, nay even
more; one for whom they would have
gwen up their existence, can call this a
world Of pleasure, words cannot convey
an idea ot the agony o! such "A m oment
Then do the vain pursuits and pleasures
of this world appear as nothing. 1t Is
then that i've look through time to eter-
nifty, aud the sorrowing soul hnmbed and
bowed down by suffering and sense of
unwor,hiness, is led to PROSTATE itself in
prayer, and to say, Father thy will, not
mine be done and when we can fee!
the degree of resignation which enables
US to make such an aspiration, the dis
traction of grief is past, and though we
cease not to remember and regret, there
is mournful satisfaction in caliing to
mind the virtues and endcaring qualities
of departed friends.
As we emerge from childhood, and
enter upon the stage of life, one anpali-
ing truth that friends forsake us and that
foes pursue, tastens upon the understand
inc, one for which there is no remedy,
and TO which we are never reconciled.
What variety of passions swell the
breast at that instant which reveals foI
the first time the pcriidy OF itiend On
the agony Of meeting the altered eve ant
ca,rangrd look Of bosom friend; on
whom sc had imagined would animate
aud cheer the journey OF life, aud make
smooth all its ,horny paths whose breast
we have considered our stay and abiding
place. Yet would rather meet the al.
tered eye and the bold front Of defiance
than the well dissembcd smile Of hy.
pocrisy.
| Fa'sehood and pcsfdy embter OUT
davs. but human nature is !rniI; let IL
then look with sorrow and commissera
ton upon the faults and the weakness OF
others, and beseech Almighty God f.
preserve us from evil, and grant us pa
tiencc TO endure provocaton, anC
strength to Withstand tcmptatlon
MARY