Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-10

learned book was there, and in 1t schemes
How to cast fortunes and interpret dreams;
Ballads were there of lovers bliss or bale,
The kitchen story, and the nursery tale.
His hungry mind disdain'd not humble food,
And read with relish keen Of Robin Hood;
OF him a-powerful made by magic gift,
And giants slain-of mighty Hickerthrlft;
Through Crusoe's isle delighted had he stray'd,
Nocturnal visits had to witches paid,
Gliding through haunted scenes enraptured ana
afraid.
Peter is despatched on his errand, to collect
small account; and as the occasion is one OF
great Importance, the utmost precision and anX-
iety are lavished upon his appearance: HOW
natural and affecting is this passage OF mo-
theirs care
His fond and anxious mother in his best,
Her darling child for the occasion drest,
All in his coat of green she clothed her boy,
And stood admiring with mothers Joy:
Large was it made and long, as meant TO DO
For Sunday service, when he older grew
Not brought in daily use in one years wear VI
two.
White was his wastcoat, and what else he wore
Had clothed the lamb or parent eve before.
| In all the mother show'd her care or skill;
A ribband black she tied beneath his frlll;
| Gave him his stockings, white as driven snow,
And babe him heed the miry way below;
| On the black varnish of the comely shoe,
I
Boots he had worn had he such things possest-
But bootless griel!-he was full proudly drest,
Full proudly look'd, and light was he OF heart
When thus for Slford Hall prepared to start.
NathaniePs self with joy the stripping eyed,
And gave shilling with a fathers pride;
Rules Of poteneSs too with pomp he gave,
And showed the lad how scholars should De-
have.
Behold him at length upon the road. After ma
nv little uups and uemors, he arrives at the
mansion, and being singularly fortunate IN
meeting a lady there who takes fancy to him,
he is taken to view the wonders OF the house.
First was he toasted to his hearts content,
Then all in rapture, with the lady went;
Through rooms immense, and gale res wide
and tall,
He walk'd entranced-he breathed IN Silioro
Now could he look on that delightful place,
The glorious dwelling of a prncely race;
Bis NsStai6gght was mixdl With equal al. awe.
Turn'd here and there, alarm'd as one who
tries
IT, escape from something strange, that would
before him rise.
The wall would part, and beings without name
Would come for such to his adventures came.
Hence underlined and solemn terror press'd
Upon his mind, and all his powers possessed.
Next the chapel
The cedar's power, that so unearthly smelt:
And then the staind, dark narrow windows
| threw I.
Strange partial beams on pulpit, desk, and
| pew;
Upon the altar, glorious to behold,
Stood vast pair of candlesticks in gold!
With candles TALL and large and firm, and
| white,
Such as the halls Of giant-kings would light
| There was an organ, too, but now unseen;
A long black curtain served it for a screen
Not so the clock, that both by night and day,
Click'd the short moments as they pass'd away.
Butthe wonder and charm ofthe wholewas the
costly library, which quite entrances the young
explorer.
Above, beneath, around, on every side,
| OF every form and size were books deserted;
Like Bishop Hatto, when the rats drew near,
And wars new dangers walked his guilty fear
When thousands came beside, behind before,
And up and down came on ten thousand more;
tard and whisker'd army, each with claws
AS sharp as needles, and with teeth like saws,
SO flFd with ave. and wonder in his looks,
Stood Peter, midst this multitude of Books;
But guiltess he and fearless; yet he sghd
TO think what treasures were to him denied.
But wonder ceases on continued view;
And the Boy sharp for close inspection grew;
Prints on the table he at first surveyed,
Then to the Books his full attention paid
AT first, from tome to tome, as fancy led
He view'd the binding, and the titles read;
Lost in delight. and with his freedom pleased,
Then three huge folios from their shelf he seiz-
ed;
Fixing on one with prints ofevery race,
OF beast and bird most rare in every place
Serpents, the giants Of their tribe, whose prey
Are giants too-a wild OK once day;
Here the fierce tiger, and the deserts kings,
And all that move on feet, or fins, or wings
Most rare and strange; second volume told
Of battles dire and dreadful to behold
On sea or land, and fleets dispersal in storms
A third has all creative fancy forms
Hydra and dire chimera, deserts rude,
md ruins grand, enrichng solitude:
Whatever was or was supposed to be,
Saw Peter here and still desired to see.
When all these curious sights have been full ;
y enjoyed, forth goes the delighted boy into the :
garden and the park 10 think of what he has seen
md in the excess of his pleasure he falls asleep. :
from this trance he is called to dinner, and =
ere the feast in the servants hall crowns his =
lay of felicity.
lie went and sat, with equal shame and