Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-06-15
From the N. Y. Amulet.
HENRY ST. CLAIR.
BY ]. G. WHITTIER.

HENRY ST. CLAIR.
BY ]. G. WHITTIER.
Henry 81. Cluir!-How at the men.
ton of that name, thousand dreams
of friendship and youth-and Of the
early and beautiful associations which
Finger like invisible spirits around us,
to be called into view only by the ma
gical influence ofmemory, are awaken
ed!-How does the glanccof RETROSPECT
ton go back to. the dim images of the
past-from the childish merriment to
the manly rivalship-from the BAN
quet-hall and the pleasant festival, down
to the silent and unbroken solitude OF
the tomb!
We were as brothers in childhood
St Clair and myself, brothers too, in
the dawning of manhood; and more
ingenious and high-mindcd friend ne
yer knew. Yet he was strangely proud
not of the worlds gifts-wcalth, IA
mily and learning-but of his intellec-
tual power-of the great gift Of mind
which he possesscd-the ardent and
lofty spiritwhich shone out ofhis every
action. And he might we'll be proud
of such gifts. never knew finer
mind. 1t was as the embodied spirit Of
poetry itself the beautiful home Of
high and glorious aspirations.
Henry st. Clair was never at heart a
Christian. He never enjoyed the visi-
tatlon Of that pure and blessed influence,
which comes into the silence and lone
illness Of the human bosom, to build up
anew the broken affairs of it's faith, and
revive the dropping fowcrsof its desc
Of the great God with the love of an en-
thusiast. But beyond the visible and
outward forms-the passing magnifi-
ccnce OF the heavens-thc beauty and
grandeur of the earth, and the illimit-
able world Of waters, his vision never
extended. His spirit never overlook
ed the clouds which surrounded it, to
catch glimpse Of the better and more
beautiful land.
need not tell the story Of my friends
young years. 1t has nothing to distin-
guish it from thousand other.;-it is
the brief and sunny biography Of one
upon whose pathway the sunshine Of
happinessrested, unshadowcd by a pass
ing cloud. We were happy in our
friendship,-but the time OF manhood
came; and we were parted by our diff
fcrent interests, and by the opposite
tendency of circumstances peculiar to
each other.
It was night Of autumn-a cold and
starless evening" remember it with
painful distinctness, although year az
ter year has mingled with Eternity
that had occasion to pass in my way
homeward, through one Of the darkest
and loneliest alleys Of my native city.
Anxious to .reach my dwelling, l was
hurrying eagerly forward, when / felt
myself suddenly seized by the arm;
and voice close to my ear whispered
hoarscly Stop-or you area dead
man!''
turned suddenly. Ihcard the cock
ing Of pistol, and saw, by a faint
gleam ofa ncighboring window, the
s"sA - ~ - - HAdii---OHc I11n0 9rGSDlnG
my left arm, the other holding wca-
pom at my breast.
know not what prompted me to re-
sistence;l was totally unarmed, and
altogether unacquainted with the strug-
gle Of mortal jeopardy. But l did re-
s'st-.-and, one instant saw my assail-
ant IN the posture have described,
the next, he was disarned and writh-
ing beneath me. It seemed as If an in
liant IT'S strength could have subdued him.
"Wretch!" / exclaimed, as / held
his own pistol to his bosom. uwhat IS
your object? Are you common mid.
night robber-or bear You ought Of
private malice ::sSsss. &. z .!.s.,n?,,
"Allston!-Roger Allston - repeat
ed the wretch beneath ne, in a voice
which sounded like SHREK, ashe strug-
g'edhalf upright even against the threat
enlng pistol ssGreat God! has it come
TO this. Hell hasno pang like this meet
ing! Shoot" exclaimed. and
mere was 4 dreadful earnestness in his
manner, which sent the hot blood Of
indignation cold ani ice-like t,Sssn !, = y