Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-22


scent in comparison. Doubtless if man could be |
hanged twice. the second operation would possess not
half the severity of the frst.After gaining per-
feet acquaintance with the occult science of the
Arabian Nights, naturally felt little impatient to
bring my learning into practice. My choice would
have been fairy; being occupying middle station
between earth and heaven, superior to humanity III
power and excellence, but still susceptible of love
after the human fashion: beautiful daughter Of
a sea king, who might pronounce me the ocean
carm, and then conduct to view the crystal caves,
the magnificent palaces and the blooming bow
ere of the unfathomed deep. But had travcrsed
each aud every part of my fathers domains, attended
by my faithful dog; there was rock, spring
nor valley which had not visited, and no fairy
ever presented herself. Our portion of the globe
was either unworthy Of such inhabitants, (grievous
indeed to my selilove,) they deemed unworthy OF
their regard. In this dilemma, was force; COL
tent myself with ancYing all the perfections Of the
Arabian hcroines in some Nymph OF mortal mould.
Love must-for what were the theory worth, with
ont the practical application? There a little gi
a daughter of an old friend and near neighbour
twlon, | thought very tolcrable Substitute for a
princess or fairy, where the orgna! could not be had
An ardent imagination soon exalted her above the
ordinary level, and endowed her with qualities and
Qualifications rcqusite for ,he high station she
ithencciorwaTd to hold IN my affections. Nothing
was now wanting, interview place things
III suitable tram, and make my passion in all
poets coniorinabie to prccedant-the president OF
The Arabian Nights. ! had not seen her for two
years. AT length the long wished opportunity arrived
Her family paid visit TO ours and she came, accom-
pan'ed by ncr cousin, something Younger than herself
remember that the carriage appeared in the dis
lance, my happiness was unaloyed, save By Il doub:
rs to the nlsSt suitable method of making known my
alteration. Should ut once, and without notice
declare that loved with boundcss ervonr aud extnrt
from her u blushing confession of mutual regard
Or should sigh and he miserable decent period of
time, aud eaVc pity to be my advocated There was
authority in the Arabian Nights for either course.
The question was soon decided, however, by some
tnisgvmgs which arose ut the mon.iI;. BY mot
unaccouEt,bln fatuity, as | thought, I had never
been considered handsome. Possibly she might sub
scribe to tho same paradoxicnl onnon; but against
nnceasng pursuit. and amiablc wrctchedness, she
certainly could not hold out slipped from the
house, and was not to be found the whole day. To
wards sunset, deserted my princess and her com
panon taking an evening promenade. Forthwith
my dog and set out on All exploring eSpcditoi NE
trac Vi them, step by step, unseen and ut most awful
distance; for Of the beautiful absures of love
Is to be most unnecessarily timid and retiring. The
path was ntCrsected by small strip of sand and here
the prints distinct i'll all their loveliness It
IS scarcely necessary to say, that due portion Of
time wns spent the contemplation of this interest
ing memorial; in souqusing on my unhappy desiiay,
and tracing the initiuis of the flr one's name on tile
sand D,ung this employment I had lost SIGHT of
them; but presently they emerged from grove of
young oaks, ard resumed the In,Ineyard path The
brilliant idea that possibly might fluid iii this grove
something that she had worn, and dropped 6v ucci
dent, was caught at like the inspiration OF heaven
and with hosty step and beating heart we postcd
thitheri did nj least; for nv doc cannot undertake.
to answer After some time and when hope had we'll
nigh given place to despair, found, by the dngs
caperng and shifting, that he had made u discovery
winch III his opinion was by To- he sghtcd
flew 10 the post, and found--nnt IL rose n,.i, her
was 1t handkerchiHt, nor yet comb: | ieave it tn
the sagacious TO say what II was. have ,iur.c my
part IA telling wi-at 1t was not. i,unuu.si,.is /"
the dog the uudsturbcd enjoyment OF his riri,t Of
turned with solemn pace TO -, re-.
ll1il ,Irln I'D r a.
mnat ion firm, then thought as the rocky scat
occupied made and registered love. no
more forever. My case was one tor which the ra-
ban Nights furnished no COUNSEL such an as:ouah-
ing discovery never yet encountered the passion o
the most ena!nourcd prince Of the East or It mus,
have evaporaed like the dew of summer morning.
For one week persevered in the duties and employ
ncnts of this world: | joined nv younger bro! ssr
IN planting cora, getting up the cattle tn be MIXED
ana riding the stocrs. For week never visit
"a one OF my bluntS, or read page OF the Arabian
Nights nus passed, at the age Of eight years, 10y
lrst love adventure. i
he determination resulting from The wofil catasiro-
he of INV first flame shared the fate of cniliisl
esoLuiiOns in general. My habits and feelings had
90 long been modelled after the Arabian NIGHTS to
re suspended for any length time, by any circnn
lance however discouragng. Scarce had the week "
lapoch before tired tmy forced aud uncongenial
inused'ents, and began tD Cast longing. lu~crinu,
anccs toward my fvourite rccesses. Even ms Il
o9 seemed TO rcProac Tor this unparalleled and
justi'iabe sacrifice CT my Comforts and bis own
lie would come bound : and friskiug al ivy whistle
8 if anticipating customary rambcs through =,
nc woods, and the grateful sicsta Of mid -dav on the
bck or by the stream: but when he found that he
las summoned merely to trot By my side, while II
odc steer to tine cornleld, s spirits deserted hun
once, and his tail lost it's graceful cock to hang n
rooPing between his legs. { could not withstand =.
bc mute coqucncc of MS looks--So one Sunday Ii
1orning disnouted from ny horned s,eed, 81 with u
oiume OF the Thousand and one nights under nv !
rm, capered otto the forest The trees seemed to J
Welcome my return while they rcprouched my tenn j
orary dcsertlon the air blew more delightfully."- than u
had ever known II, the rock appeared dccsod out G
S for holiday, with rcshcr and grcencr coat oil
oossl sat down, and read the tale of the Persian II
'rInce, whose talisnan the gif of his beloved was
AIRED Oft by the bird which tantalized him for a
Whole day With the vain hope of regniniug his lost
rcasurc. The selection surely ornin0us of my 4
lture hopes and disappointment. Even so. (haye !
ince rellected,) was destined to pursue forever an