The Arkansas advocate., 1831-04-20
MISCELLANY.
From fJle W. r. Constellation.
aswould recall vision which dream'd
 Porchance in sleep. Byron.

3awouiu recall visi0n which dfeamd
 Porchance in sleep. Byron.
 One beautiful autumnal morning l arose before the day light had stolen over the face of the world to wander forth among the green clad hills, that lay around my dwelling, and seek refresh ment in the contempIations of a solitary walk after the fatigues of a sleepless and uneasy night.
 In pursuing my walk reached the summit of an adjacent cliff, fatigued with reflection and feeling the want of my necessary rest, threw myself upon grassy tuif, either to seek consolation tin thought, or repose in slumber. Here reviewed what had already glided d. way of my existence, and endeayored to draw aside thc curtain that obscured the future, ,butmy efforts were intellectual, and I turned again to the past, as the
 mirror in which to behold flturity.- AYhat snpleasant picture did it pre-
 sent my life, the morning of which was speedily to terminate, had been allow cd to pass in comparative idlcness, what had done for the world that would per ;petuate my name through generations to come. What had done for ltera- ture or science that their votaries might point to me as the guiding star of their 1abors, what had l discovered in philo- sophy. or given to mankind that would build q temple in their hearts on which my name should rest forever: Nothing. l felt my insigni6cance, my own degra- .dation: l however resolved 10 rise above the vulgar herd of men, who creep thro' life as their faculties were made to rest dormant rather than to expand into use {nlness. As l ruminated on my situa-l fidn the desire for distinction became moro and moro intense, looked on wis dom as the sunshine of contentment, the parent of happiness; my inagina- Hion burned as l ran over the catalogue .of chosen names that dwelt within my mind, to find some one whose path l could pursue till ] attained and shared his immortality. But there was none whom l desired torival inhis particular course, for the words of Dr. Johnson came .coldly upon me, where he says ssthat no man was ever grcat by invita- Aions;' l then determined to find some uIatroddcn road that would lead me on 4o olame and honor. Having resolved to spend the rest of my days in study till l arrived at emincnce, ,and was distinguish- cd among my fellow men for science and learning, fell into slumber, and at 1ength a soft sleep lulled me quite into iorgetfainess. l dreamed l was lone- Fl md unhappy being, wandering over. 4he earth in sdarch of some kindred soul to whom my heart would respond in friendship and warm into love, dream ed | was old and that my youth had been spent inscarchlof fame long weary days had been absorbed in tho pursuit 1; anxious nights of troubled thoughts 5: ss<se . ted te. gain the anDrobation -ef the Il ssofld ndthing had lsbeen deemed too precious, even health itself was made a willing sacrifice at this shrine of sha- .dows ;it twaslong before found resolution yocarry into fleet my desire, and when l .liad done so.eyorywhere met thousands contending for tho same prize witk my cell, ! was ranked with them and shared tkeirprixes. This was not my wish, 1t was torise like a meteor into the heaven of distinguished greatness and shine g. bove those lesser lights that looked on ms with envy fate had laid her unmov- Inf ing hand upon me, and held me back until now, but l determined to struggle with energy until l reaped the harvest of my hopes tin the midst of my resolutions, Talked my heart whysI should courtthe smiles of those made like myself to die; infhc last day when nature and her la- bors dissolve what will Dc then all carth- ly fame, all earthly praise? like bub- ble on the ocean, unknown, unseen. l dreamed that l was strolling along, when suddenly my walk was interrupted by a.chasm illimitahle in depth and in cx- tent. Wondering l stood upon the preci- pice; moi sound was heard to issue from ahis gloomy place, not an echo answered 10 my oftTepeated call, nor was there a xassing breeze to bring evensa solitary oIsuer to my anxiioua,ear, Etlrncd my oyes uPWAsd iR aenaxerisept md beheld ' ln Whiae lnpe btE Nl xNeeP. E < .xas < <. .zs .s