Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-21
,.Dasr,es, interfering as it is in its helplessness

Who has not occasionally, when fondng an
infant. felt oppressed by the weight OF mystery
which hangs over its fate? Perhaps we holo III
the heaven in which it is to spend the rest of an
immortal existence; perhaps we see the germ OF
all that is hideous and hateful in our nature
Thus looked, and thus sported, thus Calmly
slumbered aud sweetly smiled, the monsters oil
our race in the days Of their infancy. Where
are the marks to distinguish Nero from ira
ian, an Abel from Cain2 But it is not In TINS
spirit that it is either wise or happy to contem.
piate any thing Better is it-when We behold
the energy and animation Of young children,
their warm affections their ready, unsuspicious
confidence, their wild, unwearied glee, their
mirth so easily excited, their love so easily won
TO enjoy unrestrained the pleasantness OF lies
morning; that morning so bright and Joyous,
and to teach US that nature intended us 10 De
happy, and usually gains her end nntil we are :.
old enough to discover how We may defeat II.
Little girls are my favorites. Boys, though
sufficiently interesting and amusing, are apt TO
be infected, as soon as they assume the manly
qarb. with little ofthat masculine violence and
obstinacy, which, when they grow up, they Will
call spirit and 6rmness, and they lose, earlier
in lfe that docility, tenderness and ignorance
ofevil, which are their sisters peculiar cnarns.
In all the range Of visible creation, there is no
object to me so attractive and delightful as
lovely, intelligent, gentle little girl OF eight or
nine years old. This is the point at which may
be witnessed the greatest Improvement OF INTEL
lect compatible with that lilyke purity OF mind,
to which faint is incomprehensible. danger un-
suspected, and which wants not only the vo-
cabulary, but the very idea OF sin. Even inc
purest Of women would shrink from display
ing her heart to our gaze, while lovely chill
hood allows us to read its very thought ana IAN
Children may teach us one blessed, one en-.
viable art-the art ofbeing easily happy. KIND
nature has given to them that useful power oil
accommodation to circumstances, which COM
pensates for so many external disadvantages;
and it is only by injudicious management that it
is lost. Give him but moderate portion OF food
and kindness, and the peasants child is happl-
er than the dukes; free from artificial wants. un.
assisted by indulgence, all nature ministers to
his pleasures he can carve out felicity from bit
of hazel twig or fish for it successfully in pud-
die.
He who feels thus, cannot contemplate I'M
moved the joys and sports Of childhood; and he
gazes perhaps on the care free brow and rap
ture beaming countenance with the melancholy
and awe which the lovely victims OF consum2-
ton inspire, when unconscious OF danger, they
talk carefully Of the future. He feels that ne IS
in possession OF mysterious secret, OF which
happy children have no suspicion. He knows
what the life is on which they are about to en-
ter; and he is sure that whether it smiles or
frowns upon them, its brightest glances will be
cold and dull, compared with those under which
they are now basking.