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

new character they were at FIRST astonished. Au-
gustus scrutnized his former associates, conyersed
with them in friendship-despised those who swery-
ed from their former allegiance, through motives OF
policy, and warmed in the friendship OF those scat
tered few, who still estimated him as in youth
ful hours.
1t is an edifying scrutiny to examine into the
changes which fortune effects, IN our youthful COM
panions. The cold bow OF recognition, and the
constrained '' how d'ye do" from those whom we
know our interiors in mind, and who were once so
in fortune, are equally productive OF profitable re-
Elections. Man is selfish unprincipled creature,
and to recount over broken friendships, and cold
neglects, is at once unpleasant and Improbable en-
ployment. He that suffers much at heart in conse-
quence of his friends duplicty, is seldom happy
man. Indeed, happiness is seldom found with the
rejecting disposltion-ca and gaiey-the
insensble and apathetc are best adapted with the
ways of the world and the deceits Of self interest.
In every change Augustus Staunton found a
friend I'm his father. He was hls only child, and
was idoliZed with an Interchangeable affection. In
the midst of his adversiies and when the public
press was teemng with sarcasm, reprehensive and
defamation against him; he had poured out his
most secret thoughts to that parent in confidence.
He declared to him the motives for every action,
well as the current of thoughts, which had actuated
his opinions df religion. I" acknowledge" said he,
" that am sceptic; doubt the Immortality of the
SOUL and the existence Of an hereafter. i feel that
according to the law of Moses, | have widely erred
from the pith of religion feel that if there is an
eternity Of anguish if there is prince of the pow
ers of the air. will be his victim OF iie existence
Of these 'hings, however have many doubts. Ii
have cny fears they arc those derlvable from SUI
persttion and education, for IN my moments of
camcs reason and deliberation, spurn the idea of
such mockeries as degrading and contemplate. If
cou.d convince myself Of an eternity should be
much happier. There is more abject conception
to proud man, than that of his total annihIlaion
at death. And yet, my father, this is mine. Per-
haps these circumstances, are the product OF false
judgment; the delusions of an imaginative mind
could philosophically account for them all-could
conceive of sophistry which might unrayel the
mystery, but the web of perplexity would become
more entangled by its mazes. Still am open to
conviction. will listen patiently 70 the arguments
of my senior, and most especially to yours So
far regards the opinions which have been lavish
ed upon my book, and upon the principles of Its
author, by the of mankind; l care nothing
II is only for your sake, that have thus narrated
a few Of my thoughts. l know that to your calcu-
lating forbearance, they must seem the visionary
outpourings of an unripe judgment. 1t may be so,
but until my nature is maturey formed,
must remain the abject thing l am.
Such was Augustus Staunton in character, when
he became the associate of Adelia Montrose. His
form tall and slender-his features regular and
well moulded-his countenance plain and contem-
the general cast of his face effeminate
and boyish In short the only distinguishing traits
of manhood that accompanied his look, were an oc-
casional and unconscious curl of the lip, and pc
cularly forbidding contraction of the brows.
stranger would have deemed that some evil and de-
signing spirit, was hidden beneath his scowl, but
those who knew him thoroughly land few did SOY
justly attributed this orbiddenness of aspect to the
derlsion in which he estimated the caumnies of his
enemies. We have said that in person Adelia Mon
trose was creature of excelling loveliness. lamb
was not more innocent, a snow flake more pure.
Had you seen her on the Sabbath, by the side of
her adopted parent, assisting him i'll the duties of
his office her intelligent countenance lit up with al
lection and piety-but Adelia can not be described.
Her ovness far from being the total dowry other
beautiful person. That immaculate charm OF purity
which floats around a yestal-and is blended as 1t
were with her slightest action, belonged in prcem
nent degree to this delicious creature. Her form
was slight and fanaStc-her hand held affinity with
the lilly; her foot "might have crushed a violet
and her smile dazzled sunbeam.
But 1t was not external beauty that would have
conquered the stubborn heart of Augustus staunton.
This might have enchanted his fancy for a moment,
even as the product of the statury wins upon the
external senses, but to wind into his heart, he must
become acquainted with her soul with the most
cret thoughts of the soul-and he did Time
flew on eagles pinons for a twelve-month. Au
gustus became the idol of Adea's heart the very
es.ense of her being. She felt that she adored the
knew not why or wherefore, yet she de-
spised his character. Her pure plous soul shrunk
from the contemplation of that character with hor-
ror. In his moments of pride, he had traced to her.
the secret impulse of every action. He had point
ed out all the dark lines of his principles, with the
wild fervency of a Shelly-had declared that he felt
himself phrensied in intellect, yet 1t was rather the
phrensy of imagination, than madness and that
whilst he felt his brain burning with eccentric fam
ces he also felt his soul swelling with strange inn
pulses. Adelia gazed upon him, as a child would
gaze upon mother in Mysteries. She rejoiced and
wept by turns, and kissed the burning temples of
of her lover, the tears gushcd her beautiful
features. She pressed her lips to his forehead with
n insa,,;.,. dior, rcnml.el Lis