Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-07
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

From the Ueslsrn Mo,uhly Magazine.
EVENING MUSIC AT SEA.
By aUoNDAM SAILOR.
If music be the food Of love, play on,
Give me excess of it.
.s That strain again; it had dying fall.
lSHAKsPEAnE.
On one of the delicious afternoons OF Februa.
nv. peculiar to the West Indies, as the sun was
declining below the western horizon, the 6eauti-
full Hornet lay in a calm near the island Of Ca-
ba. The sea was uncommon'y smooth, impart-
ing hardly sufficient motion to the bnoyant snip,
to disturb the sails as they hung Is,lessly against
the mas,s. had never, until then, fully realiz-
ed the oftrepeated comparison of the bosom Of
the ocean to a mirror; but now the truth OF 1t
came home to me, and felt that there was subli-
ui,y. even in the calm of the "vasty deep"
could not gaze on il without being reminded, oy
contrast. of the tempess that at times sweep over
it; and thus was its stiffness associated with It's
commo,ion--its quiet with its power.
But though no breath raised ripple on its sur
face there was ceaseiess, but gentle swell, as
if amid the coral beds beneath, some lonely
wafer sp,rit slumbered, while the waters above
rose and fell with its steady breathing. Occa-
siouaIIy. I" sorrowing sea bird" would lit by IN
needed. or descending. kiss the wave, and soar
aloft again till lost in space. Then would sn'n'
ing dol phn rush IN pursul, OF the terrined u''hs
fish; and anon, glisten in the tar depths, almost
shedding light through the waters, with the gloss
OF his silvery sides.
The sun was setting. How g'owing'y came
upon me the force Of those lines-
"Not, as in northern climes. obscurely bright.
But one uncloudcd blaze of living light"
The whole ocean seemed -"f liquid gold; and
the sky far up slowed as if some blazing spirit
lowered in The void.
The RAYS of the sun penetrating the water horl.
zontallv. looked like gllded cords, so distinct and
brilliant was the refraction. 1t was scene to IN
snire emotions Of a lofty character. Before US
was the glorious orb of hight and life, sinking, as
il were. to rest, in the wave.washed caverns Of
the deep; beneath, rolled the limit!ess ocean-W
emblem Of the eternity over which we hnverea;
and above. spread the vewless ether, rejecting
The deep blue Of the wave beneath, unmarried oy
single cloud.
At this hour, a few Of the officers assembled on
the forecastle TO contemplate the scene; and re-
calling the Joys Of other days. to hold that con-
verse, which, in small degree, alle'iates the
pr,yations of a seaman's life. With chaTacterls
tic versatility, they passed from topic TO toP.c'
seldom dwelling long or one, till as the shades
of twilight fell around, their feelings assumed a
conpenial hue, and graser themes we're touched.
The nall of nisht, thick set with stars was thrown
about the expiring day, and the moon, shaking
of her watcry panopy, rose full and clear, shed
dino broad stream uf silver light as lar as the
eye could reach.
Then il was. the remembrances ct the past
.r,w,led IN like odors from bed Of flowers,
ln,,;ny the feelings to that delicious eaimness,
which pleasant memories always inspire. and
which none feel more sensibiy than the tempest
tost mariner. ;. -,
The father dwelt in tenderness on his distant
family: the brother recalled the unbidden assn
Juities of sisters love; and the son, as he lean.
ed AGAINST the mast. his features set IN the &C.
da,eness Of sober rshectiun felt his heart soften
OF by the RECOLLECTION Of mothers care. But
fsw remarks we're made. All felt that the 81.
Ience which reisned above, beneath and around,
should not be disturbed. Each one had retired
,n tbe recesses Of his own heart-a sanctuary too
sacred To be violated,
Such was the state Of feeling, when clear,
melodious voice slowly poured forth the hrst line
Of that exquisite song" Home, swsef home :. :.
As the words, "Mid pleasures aud palaces
sweIled upon the air, a single exclamation oi
Measure escaped the hearers, and they again re-
iapsed into silence. We had often heara tue
song, but never had il come SO thrilling as men
Had it been sung by evea an ordinary performer,
its effects would have been great; out orea'neu
as it was, with feryor and feeling have never
known excelled, in a Voice, full. manly, and
touching, it could not but produce wonderful
impression. As the singer proceeded, the circle
was augmented. The sturdy seaman seated
himself with calm gravity. and by the side OF
the youthful midshipman. listened with enthrai-
led attention. The man whose locks were Will
tened, equally with the boy whose features we're
unmarked by the burrows Of time and care, seem
ed to drink in the beautiful words as healing
draught.
II comes to the heart like Hood Of sunshine
,G.n.lI;no ;ts gathered mists, and causing high
aspirations to spring into strength and beauty
The whole man is elevated above the narrow ness
of earth, and he seeks in thought to commune
with the intelligence Of higher world' ana win
that Being,
:. G.. In xhS y