The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-18
From The Knickerbocker.


AN ALLEGoRY.-B Grace Grafton
beautiful valley, which had long since been
redeemed from the rude hand of nature, and
over which the art Of man had spread the bles-
sings of civilization, noble mansion reared
its walls. In the midst Of spacious plainit
stood, and peace and plenty were there.
This good dwelling was inhabited by adame
called Virtue, who not only maintained order
and discipline within its walls, but over the
whole valley shed the influence Of her wise
laws and sober regulations. Virtue was
comely matron, and pleasant to look upon,
when she wore smile upon her brow, and
walked abroad through peaceful scenes, to the
natural beauty Of which her prudence had adj
ded an air of sweet security. The majesty
Of a queen sat upon her brow, and the purity
Of an angel and there was at times some
thing so winning in her tranquil smile, that an
unfortunate wretch who had often looked on
her from distance with wishful eyes, ventur-
ed one evening to approach under the shadow
of twilight, and implore her protection.
The supplicant was one Of those erring
daughters Of humanity for whom Vice, the
great arch enemy of Virtue, had set his snares,
and not in vain. Poor fool she had unwa-
rily entered his enticing paths, and becoming
sSsS sF ssp bad A not %
escape; she had lost her fairest ornaments,
and many thorn had pierced her feet and
rent her garments. Thus blemished and bent
with shame, she appeared before Virtue, and
humbly asked permission to tread the same
road, and follow at distance on her chaste
footsteps.
Scarcely had this detected form presented
itself, when sudden change came over the
face Of Virtue. As though wintry wind had
swept over her, she stood chilled and ridged,
and scarcely opening her lips, motioned stern
" with her raised arm to the sinner to depart.
But not so was this child oferror to be daunt-
ed. Still lingering near the sweet abode Of
Virtue, she haunted her steps, and hung upon
her robe, and entreated beseechingly to be al
lowed once more to wend her way in silent
obscurity through those paths of peace.
Until, observing ever that she was repulsed
with scorn and adherence, she stepped aside,
and fell once more into the snare of Vice,
where fearful ills beset her, and evil fellow
ship corrupted. The Establishments Of Plea
sure and Wantonness, those thoughtless satel.
lites Of Vice, gave transient relief from the an
guish of remorse, and with companions like
unto these she revelled while, forgetful Of
the charms Of Innocence, and indignant at the
frowns Of Virtue for a change had passed
over her soul, from the moment she was cast
off, degraded, from her last interview with that
prudent and dignifed lady. They never met
again, except by chance, when, sad and weary,
this wretched wanderer made last feeble eff
fort to regain her footing within the outskirts
of Virtues beautiful domain. Well might she
struggle, for a yawning abyss was near, and
many fatal warning told her that her back
ward steps were sliding thitherward. But it
was now too late to shake off the evil compa-
Mons that dragged her downward, and hinder
ed her for ever more from passing unnoticed
into the humble path of duty. Wantonness
idled near, and Levity hung about her like a
gaudy creeper round sickly stem.
A crimson flush rested on the chaste brow
ofVirtue, and indignation sparkled in her eyes,
when she accidentally encountered the har-
dened gaze, and loose, disordered air, Of the
unfortunate /; and turning to her friends Mo-
desty and Propriety, whose faces were as red
as her own, she cried, in tones that sounded
like knes of death, in the ears Of the guilty
aid me, aid me, my maidens, in chasing this
abandoned creature from our own pure, I'M
sullied walks"
She had scarcely spoken when her wish
was accomplished, and Vice, seizing on his
victim, hurled her into the abyss Of iniamy,
where, thro' scenes of unspeakable pollution,
she trod her way to everlasting sorrow.
Where were those lovely sisters, the fair
attendants on Virtue, Faith, Hope. and Chair
ty, whose sweet voices might have counselled
the stern dame to listen to the pleadings OF
Mercy, and stretch forth redeeming hand to
The erring one, before it was too late to save
her from the dreadful doom OF the wicked
Faith was at church; Hope dwells too much
on the future, to grant assistance IN present
difficulty and as for Charity--she was al
home.
A Sea Serpent in The Prairie Lakes.-Oid
Nahant and Cape Ann have realized so much
O Al. -ulrx -