The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-09-23
: qElElB Rl6IpIRET0BYo
THE EMIGRANT's ADVENTURE
BY MRS. 8. J. HALE

admires sweet solitude!' exclaimed Mrs.
Hubbard, as the exploring party paused,
and the ladies alighted to rest the weary
horses.
'tSecluded but not solitary, madam" re-
marked Captain Austin, leaning on his rifle
and gfancing his eye around with the air Of
a man who is confident in his own supe-
Fior judgment. 1--WE have no soiitudes in
America.
s.Dear me! ! thought most of this western
country was called a solitude; and l am
sure we have found it lonesome enough"
said Miss Cunningham, signing as she sea-
ted herself beneath the shade of large
tree.
"yVhat is solitude3" demanded the
captain, very pompously.
"That would be decided according to
circumstances and tastes, presume" repli
ed Mr.. Hubbard, smiling as lie drew his
young wife's arm within his own.-"Now
while Mary and are together we should
neverer find solitude"
sin my opinion, there are only two cir
cumstances Which can justify The term as
applied TO places" pursued the captain.
awe may call it the solitude of nature,
where we find no life, as In the deserts of
Arabia; and where man hao been and has
passed away, it is rightly styled human
solitude:--such are the ruins of Petra, Pal
myra, and Babylon"
"Then the mounds in our western country
are solitudes. are they not!" inquired Mrs.
Hubbard"
"No: becaiise there is no proof that these
were ever dwellings of the living" replied
Cabtain Austin. 81 know some antiquari-
ans pretend that they have found traces OF
Notifications, but think these obinions er.
roneous. They were burial places. True,
there must have been inhabitants in the vi.
cinity, but they have left no trace of their ex-
istence, except their bones In these mounds.
Nature; then, has completely trnmphed
over the works Of man, if indeed he ever
had subdued her domain, which much
doubt; and nature, as before remarked
cannot be called solitary, while her en-
pire is full Of living things. In our pleas.
ant land there is not single desert soli
: tude.N
"You are still true American, | see
notwithstanding your foreign travels" re-
marked Mr.. Hubbard.
Do ado you think could have less patrio
tism than an Icelander" demanded Captain
r A., warmly. ''If an inhabitant Of tha
,, country of frost and fire, can believe hi;
e. lava-formed and snow-covcred mountains i.
a the pleasantest home on earth, shall be in
d. sensible to the high privileges which my
nj birthright as free citizen of this mighty
republic inspires' Butone must go abroat
Cd to know how to prize our country. 1t is
B. not so much its freedom as its security
NJ which is the great privilege we enjoy"
aa dWhy, there are no dangers to be en-
!" eounteEed in Europe, that ever heard of, :
on remarked Miss Cunningham. ga grea
&c. many gentlemen and ladies from the Utiltel
m, States now make the tour of Europe, ol
rect visit France and England at least and
thought it was most delightful journey
l. ayes, one may travel through those
= countries, if he has his passports; but il
FSance he must submit to many scrutini
/" ring and troublesome delays. Then there
in, are beggars to annoy you, and thieves ant
an highwaymen you must guard against, i
t% t-,,o you are so lucky as 10 escape them. lr
Italy and Austria you are under strict surve
T. llance; public spies are constantly watch
:, ing you, and an unguarded expression may
ubiect you TO arrest, or AM order to qul
he country.-But these countries are AT
1vpj frj Utopia for travellers, compared with Asia
wins nd Africa. There men are robbers by pro-
sssion; and, as if these were not scourge
: uficient, the wild animals swarm there
4 Al