Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-07
(From the Schenectady Reflector.
WOODMAN SPARE THAT TR EE.

WOODMAN SPARE THAT IKEE.
The most beautiful and affecting song of
the present day, is "Woodman spare tina,
Tree," as sung by Mr.. Russell. 1t was writ
ten by Col. George p. Morris, the editor Of
the New York Mirror, and is founded upon
the following occurrence: when n person
hears Mr.. Russell tell the story, and then
listens to his enchanting strains as he sings
the song, he must possess heart of adamart
if he does not feel his bosom swell and the
generous tear Of sympathy moistening his
eye.
There was family Of opulence residing in
the country, not c.rat distance from New
York. 1t consisted of the parents md lnrge
number Of sons and daughters, all united to-
gethcr by those golden ties which none but
parent, brother, n sister, or daughter
can feel. They possessed every thing re-
quisite to insure happiness; their home was
an earthly paradise-their hearts the seat of
ardent love for one another, and Of generous,
noble friendship for otherS.-Theie seemed
nothing wanting To perfect this little com
munty. Their pecunary circumstances
were such that they could indulge freely in
the luxury OF administering comfort and hap
plness to the poverty stricken and miserable.
The naked were clothed andthe hungry were
fed; not with that ostentation which exacts
the admiration of a gazing world, but with
that kindness and self satisfaction which is
the Characteristic of noble soul. Their
acts OF generosity were performed for the
satisfaction Of doing good And when they
had aleviaied the distress Of one who was
al krJ L., II. I 4
they experienced that jubilee within the
heart which none bat the truly generous can
feel.
Their intercourse with one another was
also OF the happiest kind 1t was the desire
OF each member Of the family to contribute
TO the happiness ofall the others in preference
10 their own. Sisterly, bro,herly, and pa
rental affection filed their bosoms to over
flowing.
But this little paradise was not long TO last
The generosity Of the old gentleman, irnpel-
led him to assist his friends by the way of en-.
dorsements, and their failures swept away
every farthing OF their earthly riches. The
depriving him Of his noble farm, his lovely
cottage, and the beautiful verdure and lofty
trees that surrounded it, was the i'll reward
of his disnterested friendship. Ard to be
those majestic trees, under whose shade he
had passed so many pleasant hours with his
excellent family; and under whose protection,
as 1t were, his children had been reared. was
a hardship which the philosophy Of few men
could endure. Little circumstances in the
history of his children, had endearcd every
tree. and indeed every shrub to his heart
But they must all be abandoned: and this
happy community, which was linked together
by the strongest ties Of the human heart. must
be torn asunder, and scattered to the four
winds Of heaven. Nh
by exposing ourselves in an attempt 10
save friend, we are occasionally drawn in
the Whirlpool and destroyed; better that it :
should be SO, than to stand coldly by, the
witness of the last struggle, withou, making
an effort to save.
Th's misfortune dispersed them in different
directions. Some went to reside with their
friends, and others to seek their fortunes in /
distant climes. But the DESTROYER of life soon
swept away, one by one, the whole family
but the youngest son. He went to the Sou,l,
and by industry and perseverance, gained n
fortune. He then returned TO his old home.
determining to Dosscss himself Of the ",ops
of has childhood" But it was so situated that
he could not. lie gazed longingly upon
those venerable trees that were planted and
nortured by the kind hand Of his father. He
lounged upon the green grass beneath their
shade as ne was wont to do IN boy hood but
there were no brothers there indulginp inl
their boyish sports, nor sisters to sweeten the
scene with their pure feelings, gushing forth
10 innocent, rapturous laughter; no mother to
watch them with tear Of pleasure in her eye,
nor father, whose
''knee they climbed. the enried Hiss TO share"
And he turned with melancholy heart, and