The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-09-27

Doth work like madness IN the brain,
ChristaJei
AMONG the greatest calamlties to which
recently settled countries are subject, are
the desolating fires which rage in the for
est, destroying much of its most valuable
growth, spreading thence to .he fields, fen
ces and buildings of the farmer, depriving
him at one blow of both shelter, and means
of subsistence. The great fire. as it was
emphaiically called, which ravaged so
large part of this State, and the neighbor-
ing Provinces, in the autum of 1925, can
scarcely have passed from the remembrance
of any of those who witnessed its effects.
Some of those were by no means confined
to the vicinity ofihe fire-the whole atmos-
phere for hundreds of miles, was filled with
cinders and dense smoke-of itself very
serious evil. Many heart rending tale of
loss of property and even of flife--and many
a hair breadth escape from peril, not ex-
celIed in interest by the most high wrought
fictons, are related ofthat period. Anxiety
was depicted on every face, while the cases
of actua! suffering were numerous and dis
tressing.-Some lowered themselves into
wells-others retreated to the beds of rivers
covering themselves with wet blankets,
thankful by these means to preserve life
from the destruction which had involved
their all-while the exceeding dryness of
every thing left no security to those who
had escaped ruin to-day, that they should
be equally fortunate Tomorrow. The au-
thor ventures to hope that the following
sketch may possess some interest for such
readers of the Magazine as love to dwell
upon scenes illustrative of our own history
and manners.
Brother you are deceived in him-you
do foul injustice to his Christian patience,
to the noble magnanimity of his nature
Magnanimity yes, of that kind which
looks to be rewarded for the contempt Of
brother, by the love of a sister. Nay,
Grace spare that indignant blush; know
him well-he is crafty, and under the mask
of pretended friendship and forbearance,
conceals deep design. Ii is his nature
he showed it in boyhood. Do you re-
member how his cunning mildness was ev-
er getting the better of my rasher, e., though
! say it, more generous temperament
Yes, Charies--I do remember those
happy days of childhood, ere our fathers
warm friendship was chilled by discord and
misunderstanding. When we were like
children Of one family pursuing the same
studes-loving the same sports-and even
sharing with each other all our childish
griefs and Joys. Henry was then as a dear
brother to us. Doyou not remember how
he always took full share Of the blame for
those scrapes which your own impetuosiy
had brought upon you both and how once,
when in your boyish passion you repeated
" struck hIm-instead of returning the
blows, he merely confined your hands
though his cheeks gIowed like fire at the
nsult-saying, will not strike you, for
you are Httier than l." Ab, Charles, is it |
possible you can recur to those days, and
yet apply the harsh terms Of servility and
cunning to traits such as ihese.l'
4 do remember this, and l acknowledge
1 was generous. r
Then be equally candid with regard 10
his family quarrel, and confess that it is
MS Christian virtue, and not fear or cum
hing which keeps him from taking any part
a it,
well, Grace, even If il is so, is it show
ng particle of manly spirit to be skulking
n this manner, endeavoring by his private
to you 10 worm himself into your
affections, contrary to the known wishes Of
gour father and broiherf
Do you call il skuiking, because he for
pears to force his society upon those whom
he knows. from repeated experience. would
-spulse bin, with GOODNESS and seorn