The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-17

characters, and admired it, yet the very circumstance
which rendered her superior in intellect 10 them,
contributed to detract from her lot of happiness.
She was vet a child it is true-sixteen summers had
scarcely vanished since her birth yet among all
those who inhabited Roseburg, she could find no
companion her mother, in whose conversation
she might find entertainment. The simplicity Of
nature when dspossessed Of its unrefnements, and
rudeness, may furnish forth suitable theme for DO
eticsl expatation but without this purifying cir
cumstance, yulgarity will be disgusting, despite of
all the beautfyng influence Of nature.
Adelia was fond of readiug. Akensds and Thom-
son were among her favorite authors. With one Of
these she frequently held converse in her morning
walks, as well ~ in her evening meditations. The
delightful description Of the one, pleased her gentle
nature, and the lofty flights Of the other, touched
cord in her soul, that seemed to thrill with some
new and unantcipated impulse. 1t is needless to
say tha the story Of the young Lavinia, lost none of
its interest in her perusal, and as she sighed over
the pages Of the poem, she could scarcely suppress
a wish, that some generous Palemon would steal in
to her confidence, and sympathise with heart that
felt its loneliness burthen.
1t was on the first Of May, and when the simple
villagers held n rural festival, that two strangers
mingled with the throng of fair faces that glow
ing with pleasure before the village school Of Rose
burg All was life and hilarity, unchecked by care
undimned by sorrow. 1t was also the birth day of
MIR. Stanton the pastor of the viage-indeed he
should have been called the father. lie be-
loved by all his simple flock, far and near, and the
fame Of his kind heart, and generous beneVolence
had extended far beyond the precincts of Roseburg
Mr. Staunton a childlcss widower, and from the
time that Mrs. Montrose had become a resident of
Roseburg, had acted as a father TO Adea. She
the leader Of choral voices, that ascended mp to
heaven IN harmony on the Sabbath of the Lord
and frequently, when the reverend pastor was ia
al 4 -.
the sweet lips of Adcla would give out the hymn,
in aToice OF music and of pety, and the untutored
voices of the villagers would JOIN in concert of
psalmody. 1t blessed sight to behold this fair
creature glowing in the radiance of youth and beau
y, by the side of the aged pasor-she indeed SEEM
ed n child of God, one of those who were welcomed
10 his communions, and if ever there was a scene
calculated to win the sinner from the of his
ways, it was one similar to that we have attempted
10 describe.
The day was Just closing, when the stranger
spoke of, came among the reveers. They were
father and son-the former a venerable old man,
the latter tall and well formed stripping, just en-
tering the pride of manhood. After the courtesy
due TO strangers the elder gentleman inquired
for Mr.. Staunon. He appeared and after mo-
ments conversation, recognized in the stranger
brother, and fell into his arms with all the warmth
of fal affection. They had not met since boy
hood-had parted in poverty to gather the thorns
and flowers of life, and their destinies widely
different. The after a thousand difficulties and
hazardous adventures, had grown into n wealthy
merchant-the other with equal revolution in for |
tune, had long since deserted the business of world
illness and become village pastor. He was the
founder of Roseburg, and the gatherer together OF
the vineyard of souls that surrounded him.-lIis
morn of life was gliding calm and peacefully in the
performance of charitable and benevolent actions
He knew not that earth he had living relative,
much less brother, and now that he felt the pres
sure of that brothers bosom it bounded against
his own---a thousand tender recollectons rushed
along the brain of the old man, sleeping his furrow
ed cheek in torrent of tears.
Ii would be unnecessary to detail all the minute
which interYened previous to the ac-
Iunintance ofAugustus Staunton, the pastors neph
w, and Adela Montrosc. He had glanced upon
her she stood the presiding goddess among the
village nymphs, and his hearts pulse beat quicker
and more frequently. 1t was strange, he pondered
10 himself, that an Hour should be found among
uncultiyated mortals--a creature of such refined
beauty in "A Wilderness and he gazed upon the fair
features of Adelia, until they grew crimson with
bushes at the intensity of his admiration.
Augustus Staunton was an inhdel.-Blessed with
an extraordinary portion of intellectual power, his
thirst for knowledge kept pace with his thirst for rep
utaton, and before he attained the years of manhood
he had appeared before the world i'll the character of
poet. The world had fostered his genius for "a lit
tie while, and atered his ambition. He relied too
confidently upon his own powers, and attempted the
path of "A novelist. His fictitious productions bore
evident traces Of geniusof mind fertile in imag-
inatiou, and rich in metaphysical problems. With
all the wildness of Maturin, he combined the spec
iousncss of Rosseau, and the scephcism of Paine.
The passions were admirably but violently por
trayed The hero creature of passion and
of prde-one who would rather reign in hell than
serve in heavenand in the history of that hero
delineated the character of the author. He loudly
professed himself dcmon--onc who had coldy
broken the heart ofwoman, and thwarted the purpos-
es Of man-one who Knocked the reputation of hon !
or, aud laughed ut the dogmas of region-a Don
Juan in love-a Molten in hypocricy--a Napoleon
i'll ambition and u Lucfcr in soul. This was not
his real characer but II Mns that of his hero and