Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-01-12

But 10 eloquent Of thee.
H1Is0DLLAHRoUs
The Editor Of the Saturday Evening Post, thus
diseourses on the olose Of the year, 1891:
NEw-YEARS DAY.
Time, an advance, behind him hides his wings.
REd secms 70 creep decrcpit With his age;
Behcld him when past by: what then Is seen,
hut his broad piuionx Swifter than the winds.
And all mankind in contradiction strong.
hrefai, aghass. cry out in his carcer.-YoUSe.
Anothsr turn of Times hour glass
will usher Us into New Year. Look
log back TO review the past. we can
scarcely realize the rapidity with which
we have travelled through TO the pre-
sent. The incidents and occurrences
OF the past year-the pleasing enjoy
nsnts, and the Affections and suifer
lngs-pass like mist across our vision,
and we eudeavor IN vain TO analize our
reflections, or solve the vague and in.
definite feelings which occupy and agi-
tate the mind.
Another year has fed! and still re
are here. ouoyans and gay, and blessed
With peace and happiness, and rsa.
sonable portion Of the good things Of
LIE. Thousands and thousands, who
danced on this revolving globe. a ys.r
ago, with light aud animated steps !;
rich in possessions. happy and content;
learned, philant hropic and wise, have
shua'ed on this mortst coil, and now
lie in the tombs Of their fathers. The
last great enemy has spared neither
friends nor connexions, and vet we
have escaped his shafts-bot how or
why? Let those who know, answer the
inexplieablc questions!
Another year has fed! Let US count
the tokens Of deerepitade and old age,
IN our whitened locks and furrowed
cheeks. How rapidly have they in
creased! Twelve short months ago,
nay, but yesterday. as il were, we re-
eeived the compliments Of our friends;
on our ruddy compilations, vigour and
sprightliuess. AS our children gather
ed around the family hearth, and sung,
and played, aud danced 70 the music
OF their own prattle, we joined in the
merry gibe and Laughing jest, and
while we pressed the lips Of the eherub
infant. thought ontemptuousiy Of that
philosophy which could look on such a
scene with GOODNESS. But where are
all our children l--let Us number those
around us. First in oar thoughts is the
little infant--ahe that prattled on the
knee Of her father, and patted and ca
ressed her mother--whose laughing eye
made US forget the storms of mister
tune, and banishsd all thoughts, save
those Of warm affsction-whose imper.
feet accents discoursed eloquen,ly to
the heart; and upon whom indul gent
parents isvished immoderate caresses.
Bring her frst-but stay, we forget
the dream 10 passing OF. and 70 our 80 +.
Der recollection comes the more sober
realities Of sickness--disease--death
The infant has been snatched from the
fond arms Of her parents.
Another year has fed. What, alrea.
dys Let us see what the past has ef.
feeted for Us. This day, year ago,
we set out with resolves 10 spend less,
time Idly, and more in study. To live
less sxtravsgsntly, and to 10 more for
COR suffering neighbors--to sleep less
TO rise earlier--to accumulate know
ledge-to climb assiduously the ladder
OF tame--and to be content with no
thing short OF eminenee. How do we
stand nOwf Have the temptations Of
LIE conquered our resolutions: And
are We still unable to throw Ell the
shaekles Of slOth, which clog our exer.
tons and enervate our facultiess If
so, We must begin again, with resolu-
tons which eaGoot be broken. We
must do u promptly, for
Ihe grea,ce schemes that human wit EN- forge,
Or bold ambition dsres q pat 10 practice,
D'pehd upoa Ger husbanding moment
Another year has fled! Let IA go--
nay, hurry - into oblivion, and let Us
quickly commence another. II went
rapldly, but the next must go swifter.
The world moves now By steam-it is
oared "a tempest Of smoke, bursting
op"ish lmpetuoas fury, and its inhabi.
"nts ride on the Whiriwind, with tire
mrndous shouts sud deafening uprosr.
We sober, dull, mOnotonous realities
o. former years, have given place TO
ne vhiLZ and buzz If Wild imagina-
uon. What a seramblinz there Is To
81 ahead! What strsnu0as efforts are
g'ade to get the world on a rail road :!
'&iy miles an hour--hfty clear gain