The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-29
THE MADISONIAN.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN

The ruggedness of the scene, is here tempered by
singular airiness of FORM and soness OF environment
and white, bright cottages ree-shaded, cluster round
In fine vcssitude, beauty aternates with grandeur you
ride through stony holows, along straight passes,
versed by brooks, overhung with rocks now winding
amid broken shaggy chasms, and huge fragments; now
suddenly emerging into emerald valley, where the
streamet collects itself into lake, and has again
found lair dwelling, and 1t seems II peace had
blished herself in the bosom of strengthSartor Re-
s0rtus. ..."- ....
Josephine's cottage ON Charity Mound, as it was
Significantly called by the neighbors, but which the
family had less puritannicaly named, Mont Azile,
situated the western bank OF the Connecticut
II was mansion that had long been in possession of
the Thorndon family, and was first sought as
peaceful asylum, during the war with the Indians in
New Hampshire, in l7O0-eighteen wears before the
establishment of Yale College
The Cottage stood on hill which commanded a
view of the river, and surrounding scenery; it was
originally constructed of WOOD but afterwards re-
built of stone, after the style Of antique counry-seas
but was rather too massive, in proportion to its
height its interior was simple and comfortable the
spacious hall, with its door, at either end the library
with its choice literature the parlour with its family
portraits, and few ancient paintings and Josephines
cabinet Of relics and curiosities the quiet breakfast
room, all furnished with such good taste as to make
had done much for the picturesque beauty of this
spot, but Art had been carefuro her structures
and while Nature had been content to pursue her
gambol frolics in the fields and woods by which
they were surrounded, Art had been busy about the
Cottage encircled 1t with fine grove of trees with
its winding avenues and rustic seats now overgrown
with moss cushions reared its stout vines, and cul-
livaed roses and shrubbery. And it was to this
ofa nrha hat md &c e;c
Josephine early left the solitary owners, and
inmates. Whether walking in the evening, and lis
tenng to the 'feathered songsters, which seemed to
carol praise from every bough, or quietly seated
within DOORS they were wont to recall the leeting
traces of mortality and speak with almost holy
ration of the revered and beloved dead These two
young and vigorous branches, were the remnants Of
tree, which had spread its roots far and wide, and
the luxurance of its foliage, shaded almost the
rounding country but the canker-worm of disease
fed alike upon the buds of promise and the sap
which supported them, and Frustrated the hopes of
old and young. But they felt not like the weeping
Rachel, but were comtorted, because they believed
the dead to be. -. .....
Josephine, was of middle stature, rather too en-
bon-pon to be considered beautiful, except symme-
trically; nor was her face handsome but for its
preston, Her keen black eye shaded by heavy,
arched eyebrow was lively and penetrating about
her mouth, which was large, lurked an arch smile;
her clear brown complexion aquene nose and fine
teeth, completed face which If not handsome,
interesting. Her hair was plainly arranged and the
extreme simplicity of dress, the prominent cha
racteristics of which neatness and uniformity,
showed how little time was bestowed on the outward
adornings of the body, and putting on of apparel
Early accustomed to reflect the past and anticipate
the future, she had formed discreet judgment, and
possessed a comprehensive knowledge of the human
heart by penetrating the recesSes of her own, de-
visited among the humble cottages Of the poor, al
ways accompanying her aunt on this mission now
that she was without female relatives, at the early
age of fifteen, instead Of combining her attention to
her house and grounds, which to a narrower mind
would have seemed ample verge and scope enough
she enlarged her sphere of usefulness She nstilled
into their minds the law of love; she taught them,
that "poor and content is rich and rich enough !"
that a firm reliance on Providence, would difuse
consolation TO the Sorrowlul, and ensure forttude
amid the changes and perturbaions incident TO life.
Uniformly cheerful her example was more potent
than her advice Educated in that school Of philoso-
ply, which taught her 10 look upon affection as the
furnace which puries the gold from dross she pro-
we'd an admirable pupil Of that severe discipline
Instructed neither TO affect the cold snow Of univer
sal indifference to suffering, nor 10 hail with anati-