Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-22

which succeeded the first were triflinp and evane-
scent m comparison. Doubtless If man could be
halt the severity Of the frst-After uaipup per-
rect ecqueintance with the occult science of the
ARABIAN Nights, naturally felt little impatient to
prng my learning into practice. My choice would
nave been iairy being occupying middle station
oetween earth and heaven, superior to humanity in
power and excellence but still susceptible of love
after the human fashion: beautiful daughter OF
a sea king, who might pronounce over me the ocean
charn and then conduct me to- view the crystal caves
the magnificent palaces and the ever BLOOMING how
crs of the unfathomed deep. But | had travcrscd
each and every part of my fathers domains attended
by my faithful dog; there was not rock a spring
nor valley which ! had not visited and no fairy
ever presented herself Our portion of the clobc
was either unworthy of such inhabitants (grevous
indeed to my selflovc,) they deemed me unworthy OF
their regard. In this dilemma, was forced u con-
tent myself with ancying all the perections If the
arabian heroincs in some Nymph Of mortal mould
Love must-for what were tho theory worth with
out the practical application. There was little rir
daughter Of an old friend and near neighbour
lwhom L thought very tocrable substitute for n
princess or fairy, where the original could not be had
an ardent imagination soon exalted her above the
Ordinary level, and endowed her with qualities ami
qualifications requisite for the high station she was
thcncciorward to hold i'll my affections. Nothing
was now wanting, save an interview, to place things
III suitable tram, and make my passion in all res
pccts coniormabe To precedeut--the precedent oi
the Arabian Nights | had not seen her for two
years. AT length the long wished opportunity arrived
fier family paid visit TO ours aud she came accom-
panied by her cousin. something Younger than herself.
remember that the carriage appeared in the dis.
tance, my happness unallovcd, save bv n doubt
as to the most suitable method of baking known INV
adoraton. Should ! at once, and without notice,
declare that loved with boundcss ervour and extort
rom her biushlng confession of mutual regard
VT should sigh and be miserable decent period of
time, and leave pity to be my advocate' There was
authority IN the Arabian Nights for either course.
/ Inc question was soon decided, however, by some
imsSlvlhgs which arose at the moment. BY n most
unaccountablc tatuity, as thought, I had never
been considered handsome. Possibly sho might sub.
scribe 20 the same paradoXcnl oHnion bar against
inceasing pursuit, and amiable wretchedncss she
certainly could not hold out. | slipped from the
house. and was not 10 be found the whole day. To.
wards sunset deserted my princess and her com.
panon taking evening promenade Forthwith
my dog and set out exploring expedition; we
Traced them. step by step. unseen and at awful
distance; for one OF the beautiful absurdiiies of love
IL TO be most unnecessarily tinid and retiring The
path was ntcrsecicd by small strip of sand aud here
the footprints distinct in all their loneliness. Il
Is scarcely necessary to say, that a due portion of
time was spent IN the contemplation of this interest
lng memorials in suiiiOquiSing nv unhappy des. inv
aud tracing the Initials of the fair ones name on the
sand During this employment | had lost sirht of
them; but presently they emerged from grove off
Young oaks and resumed the homcward patti. The
brilliant idea that possibly might find in this rruvc
dent, was caught at ike the inspiration O: heaven
ana with hastv step and heating heart, we posted
did at least; for my dog cannot undertake
20 answer After some time and when hope had well
ngh gwen place to despair, found, by the dogs |
capering and shifting, that he had made a discovery
winch III his opinion was by no means To be sphtcl ,
flew To the post, and found-not Il rose neither
was 1t handkerchief nor yet n comb; leave it to
me sagncious to say what ii was. ] have done my
part In telling what It was not Renuuishinp 10
Inc dog the undisturbed enjoyment OF his rirLt Of
| turned with solemn pace 10 the re-
rfat where had lurked Nil day, and with deter
nnation hrIn, then thought, the rocky scat
occupied, l made and registered Il vow to love no
more forever. Ny case was one for which the Ara !,
nan Nights furnished no counsel; such an astornd.
ng discovery never yet encountered the passion o
he most cnamoured prince Of the East or it mus,
ave evaporated like the dew OF summer mornnp
or one week persevered in the duties and employ
lents OF this world: | Joined my Younger brother
planting corn, getting M the cattle 10 be MIXED
nd riding the steers. For one week, never visit.
q one OF my haunts, or read page of the Arabian
'Ights. Thus passed. at the age of eight years, my
rst love adventure.
he determination resulting from tho wolnl catnstro
he OF my first fame shared the fate of childish
esolutions IN general. My habits and feelings had
30 long been modelled after the Arabian Nights, TO
e suspended for any length oftime. by any circum
lance however d!scouraTng. Scarce had the week
lapscd, before tired Of my forced and inconrenal
musements, ard began to cast longing, lingering
lances toward my favourite recesses. Even nv
og seemed to reproach for this unparalleled and
njustifiabc sacrifice ef my comforts and his own
lie would come bounding and friskng at my whistle
8 if anticipating our customary rarnbes through
he woods, and the grateful siesta ofmid-day on the
ocli or by the stream: but when he found that no
vas summoned merely to trot by my side, while I r
ode steer to the cornfcld, his spirits deserted him
It once and his tail lost its graceful cock TO bang
lrooPing between his legs. | could not withstun1 .
he mute .eoqucnce Of his looks.-So one Sunday !
morning dlsrnouned from my horned steed g. with
volume OF the thousand and one nights under INV
arm, capered off to the forest The trees seemed 70
welcome my return while they reproachcd nv TEN }
PoraTy assertions the air blew more delightfully."- than
had ever known II, the rock appeared decked out
as Tor holiday, with reshcr and rreener cont oil
inoss- sat down, and read the tale of the Persian
fHncc whose alIsman, the gift of his beloved was
carried OFT by the bird which tantalizcd hin, for 81
Whole day with the vain hope Of regaininr hi. lost
treasure. The selection was surely ominous Of INV
future hopes ana dis1ppontmenis Even So (hayc I
since relected was destined to pursue f,rsver
empty shadow OF imaginary perfection and 10 find