Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-04-20
MaHSCELL A ".
CHARLES DARNLEY-A TALE.
BY JAMES HILDRETH.

what piece Of work is tnan ! how noble
in reason-how infinite in iacullies-in for III
and moving how express and admirable-in
action how like an angel-in apprehension
how like G'dn But alas alas with all
his boosted reason, how brilliant an intellect
may wiIher under the stroke of a single dis
appointment Twas SO with Darnley :;
none could have recognized IN his premature
and ahjeCt end, the being once So admired
and beloved. The hand Of nature lavished
on his person her choicest gifts; in his mind
he had stored the classic beauties OF the an
clients, with all the lore OF modern excellence,
and when his own powers were called into
action, his arguments were OF that rich, lu
cid and powerful mould that at once carries
conviction with them but alas his feelings
were too sensitive to bear up against defeat,
and that weakness caused his ruin. His pro-
fession was the bnr-'twas the sphere for
which he seemed created. There he met
spirits congenial to his own, and formed a
lofty int ichange of sentiments far above the
vulgarisms of common life. There is some>
thing i'll the society Of such a man, that in
deScrihably draws from us the warmest feel
| ings of adulation /; and WHEN one of such lofty
and exalted powers casts aside for time The
super iority of his station, and descends TO the
humble sphere Of life, the halo Of greatness
that encircles him places barrier OF cons
straini over our actions, and forbids familiar
/ ity. True greatness consists not in the
! splendid display OF knowledge, in the pow
ertul bursts Of elOquence and the exercise Of
talent, but the blending of !be high toned aud
lofty sentiments of virtue, with the warm and
enthusiastic feelings of social intercourse.
A II this was DarnIey. When the business
OF his station called from him the exercise O
his splendid powers, the breathieSs silence o.
The crowd spoke their eagerneSs 10 appreciate
his talents, and at once acknowledged hi.
greatness. When in the private walks of life
the humble and afflueni alike shared his so
ciety. knew him from boy--I had mark
ed from the early period OF his youth, the de
velopment Of his great mind /; and when, after
his entrance on his professional duties, saw
the high stand he took, there seemed no emf
nence he was not destined to attain.
At period OF the erd OF the second year o
his majority, he married his choice was no
unworthy of him, although not from the hun
dredS that would have been proud to have
laid their prinueiy fortune at his feet, but
lady of humble and obscure family, and one
altogether unknow 10 the world, until he
name announced her DIS The writer OF serie
Of publications iha; had caused a great eX
crtement m the literary world 10 find out tn
author. In the choice Of a wife he had DIS
dained all pecuniary considerations he hat
known Eliza Hartley as the playmate of hi
youth, the sweetheart OF his schoolboy days
Even then he admired The dignity of her per
SON, and The lofty bearing of her sentiment
he cherished her remembI ance, he renew
ed her society, and won her heaFt--,ho ten
or Of her feelings blended tremendously wit
his own.
Each with the other bleu,
Still babe eternal Eden smile around
Twas about a week before the commence
ment OF the session, and Charles Darnle
was in that session to- bear a conspicuous parl
lie was an advocate in a case Of great i'm
poriance, and for months he had been EN-
ployed in framing arguments, searching au
thorIties, and rendering his mind famiiia
with all the abslruse points and lechnicali
Ties bearing the slightest allusion 10 the case
Opposed 10 him was the celebrated Lor
-- and 10 mind however well stored
yet as unpractised az Darnley's, the opposi
ton OF such man was fearful. The cour
opened-every avenue was filIed-witb stef
dignity sat the judges ON The bench--w ii
busy and important faces, the lawyers wit
folded arms walked The Hobbies with activ
and powerful authority did the myrmydon {
Justice quell into silence the bursting I'm
eager crowd. The usual prellminafies hav
ing been gone through, The jury was empon
nelled and all was silent. Slowly aud viii
dignity Darnley rose from his seat. II
stoCd ior moment silent-ihen settling hi
hne black eye UPON the presiding Judge b