Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-30
MISCELLANY.
FROM THE BALTIMORE EMERALD.
THE WHITE COTTAGE.

Overroofed with sweet woodbinc. The
birds were singing bliholy IN the green
woods, and there was a complexion of
holy serenity on the face Of Nature,
which overcame them like spirit of life
stealing the mind INTO pcnsive quietude
and impressing it with associations Of
the kindliest nature. There is e soften
ing influence in the contemplation Of
these things, to which few persons are
insensible, gentle and heavenly feeling,
inefiable and sweet, falling on the heart
as the night dew on the plant, slencing
every emotion Of discomfort that would
upbrad Providence, and teaching man
tho matchless and peculiar favour Of his
state. 1t is here that he learns to love
the Almighty, and 70 pay true spiritual
homage 10 his Maker. All is peace
all is beauty-all is harmony; blessed
foretaste Of that being reserved for the
good in a bourne beyond time. Miriam
Leo felt all this, and though in the
unquesiioned dispensations Of Provi-
dencc old Abraham Lee had experienced
one OF the hardest privaions 10 which
human creatures are subject, and thus
rendered unable to enjoy the picture of
quiet loveliness before him, yet his mind,
in his visions, dreamed Of one no less
glorious. lie was lifted up in spirlt-he
felt tho sincere fervour of devotion, and
he whispered it to his God. He never
repined at the loss of sight, notwithstand-
ing his ailliction was rendered doubIy Bit
ter by the death OF his wife, which fol-
lowed shortly after, leaving under his pa
ternal care an only daughter. There
! were few like Miriam Lee; and if virtue
and innocence, added to all the better
characteristics Of her sex, could suffice
to occupy the void thus occasioncd in the
old mans affections, in her that object
might have been found. Her fiial ploty
knew no Cessation from constant a,ten-
ton to her fathers wants; cxertion did
not fatigue her; sho was his companion
his helpmate-his only joy. When he
had last looked upon her, she was but
child-unacquaintod with the realities
of lite-happy as the young skylark on
the first pluming of its feathers in the
ar-and presenting tothe parents solic-
ltude tender plant Of great promise.
Miriam was now in the full bloom and
beauty of womanhood, and endowed with
every charm that clicils esteem or calls
forth admiration. Her bosom knew not
the shadow Of a sinful thought; she had
not as yet, in tho solitude of the whlte
cottage, ever been subject to those
temptations which sprung up like tarcs
in other places; and the reliance which
her spotlcss heart wa' taught in early
life to acknowledge in the support Of
heaven, strengthened with her age, and
mellowcd down every approach Of evil
Shall | sing for you, my dear father"
said Miriam; breaking the silence in
which they had sat so long.
'Ycs. my child; thy voice is always
sweet to my ear. Its cadence reminds
me Of my departed Mary
Miriam chose Home, sweet IIome,'
I and performed the air with a skill and
manner that would have shamed but few.
When she had finished the last stanza,
the air was taken up and continued by
some unknown person on the fiageolct.
until at length the notes ceased, and Ed
ward Owen appeared before them.
lie was welcomed with hearty pleas
ure, by both father and daughter; for
| they knew his merit, and loved him for
his excellence. Edward was the Sec
ond son Of sir Godfrey Owen, who in
horitcd largo property, tho patrimo-
nial estate OF the Owen family for three
or four previous generations. Sir God
frey Owen was an individual to whom
birth was the mark of an asccndency Of
rank, and who uniformly measured
another's merits by his ancestral distInc-
ton. In this particular, he was preiu-
diced almost beyond the influence or any
other circumstance. Noble descent was
to him a powerful appeal for every de-
linquency, and the want of it an insur-
mountable impediment in tho way of
greatness. He could distinguish the ex-
ccl!enco of another, and even reward it
with an expression Of praise; but high
birth was the road to elevation, and the
avenue to every extraordinary privilege
and prcrogativo. la this fault he did not
perhaps overleap the bounds which Gus
tom and the sanction Of the age had
marked out, and which the principles Of
his education suggested as right and
proper DUTY. His tenantry were aware
how fnr he carried these favor to pre-
dclictions, and they respected his preju-
diccs, in order 10 share his munifcencc.
All paid an easy Difference to his claims
Of superiority, except old Abraham Lee.
Ofhim il was not exactcd, and if it had
been, his conscious equality and high
spirit, though schoolcd in the humble
walks OF life, would have refused SUBJ
mission. This crnnt Of nriyilann 10