The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-05-06
THE DUELLIST.

The following extract is taken from an article in
the Knckerbocker for the current month. |, pur-
ports to be the seftold story Of an inmate of the
Lunatic Asylum.
~ am man, smitten Of God. I seize my pen
with trembling hand, to record some of the events
in a life that has not been long, but is yet wearing
swiftly to a close. world of sable images is ar
rayed before the prospect of my soul lift the dis
NAL curtain Of fate from the gloom of departed years
and discern, its scenes of horror the of re-
collection-bloody and wan, like that pale sphere
which hung above Jerusalem, when they who slept
in their graves arose, called from their ccrcments by
the moaning of thunders and earthquakes on thou
sand hills. The beams of innocence have vanished
forever from my mind the roses that opened once
around my pathway, are changed for the night
shade and the ivy; my feet have stumbled upon
the dark mountains of error; and for the dews Of
pleasure, or the blooms of hope inherit the vuure
of regret. Remorse and pain are gnawng at my
heart; and like the tabled scorpion in his envenom-
ed circle, mlngle at once the poison Of the adder
with the torpor of the worm.
"Ihe misery of years may he compressed into
one short page. shall be brief. Wha, am now
was not always As | sit by my window, and look
out from the bars that hedge me in, upon earth and
sky baskng in that sunlight which but family shad-
ows the smile of the Creator, l bethink me of all
the past My soul swells with rcmembrancc-my
heart with emotion. Ii is the hour of sunset.-The
great orb rolls slowly down; he dips behind the
western mountains, and in gushes of solemn pomp,
ETHEREAL brightness flows over their blue outlines a.
long the landscape. 1t is n sabbath evenng--the
month of Jnne the distant bells of the city load the
fragran, breeze with volumes offender melody. A.
round, arc aroma, and peace, and music, and holt
ness,-but not with me.
My testimony must be given. hold Inv un.
certain reason as boon which breath NAV dis
solve 1; and as its dawniug day continues, must in
scribe my record before the light shall come. Agans
myself, | am to place upon these pages fearful wit
ness. l shall write as whom the slceples
eye of God looks with discerning vision | shal
unvei my heart. will bear to the day, the corrup
ton of It's motives, and the deed of horror to whcl
they have led; the thoughts whereof have withcrc,
my form, and scathed my brain, like the blast of
samiel. L will call up from their dungeons, th
wierd sceptres of memory. will lift the mirror O
truth before me, and describe the hideous monstc
that behold therein though the appalling refleco,
should .serc my eycballs, aud make me shudde
through every nerve.
81 have bcen' SCHOLAR and a student. I hay,
gone through the studiesa nd trials allotted to thos
who dclve after knowledge. l have explored tn
treasures Of orators, dramatiss annaiss and poets
have bent over the breathing pages of Cicero, an,
Homer, and Virgil Of Eschylus and Thuycides
Taci'us, and Mvy. have quaficd long and deer
Mt the fountains of ancient lore but the only sprins
that ever cheered me has dried up, and left for my
seeking lip the sand alone.
" l have loved. There lies the secret of my tor.
turc and my doom. At the Junior exhibition of m,
class, as was speaking before a large aud brillian
assembly in the University chapel, ! saw for ,h,
first time IN object that rvettcd my gaze and Sc.
cured my admriation,-my affection. She wa.
young, and how supremely lovely I paused with y
sense OF intoxicating transport. Her liauid blue
eyes met mine; her fine Greciau features seemed
lit with an uncarthly intelligence; the blush of i'm
utatory dropped slowly FROM my Jips II forrot m,
dutes,--my Donors; was clothed upoa will
love !'' WIN
When the exercises Of the day were over, made
enquiries after the fair being who had so moved me
She was partial stranger in town, remaining at the
dwelling Of relation A year previous, she had