The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-11-13


ten By an uuder- graduate at Dartmouth College,
and appeared originally in the A" Scrap Book"
a work conducted by one Of the literary clubs
Of that institution. but which was from some
canse or other not destined to survive the first
number. But it is to be lamenied. for il is very
probable, had the public met their " first born"
with patronage corresponding with its literary
worth they would have been fully paid-besides
rewardlng the attsinments Of a club Of Ameri-
can youths, aud encouraging them TO perse-
yerance. But it was launched upon 1.-the waste
Of waters" and sunk beneath the pillows. But
will not detain you longer from the produc-
ton, and as its adapiedness TO the season Of the
year is peculiar, have no doubt it will be per-
used with lively interest by your readers should
you think proper 10 give it place in your col
umns. J. T.. ID.
\ CHAPTER ON AUTUMN.
Stay with me few moments, gentle read
er, and let us together lament the departure of
the soft and wooing breezes Of summer, which
play over the feature. like the smile Of inno-
cence, and seem to say while they pass. as our
Saviour said, ENJOY me while you may, for
cannot always be with you" Truly have we
been needless. We are now in the midst Of
autumn, and the gslety Of summer is past and
gone, and no alternative remains but to sorrow.
The bubble which seemed to have SO much
soldty has hurst, and again we see that all be-
low is vanity" But why should the natural,
though we must confess mysterious changes, to
which all things here below are subject, be per-
mltted to cast gloom over the unsuspecting
mind ! IL is not so. The shadow which over
casts us, like the anger of youth, is 10 pass
away and leave us reconciled TO urfate. True,
it is hard to part with our respected friends but
when those friends return in all their accustom-
ed bloom and visor, the happiness OF our
meeting more than counterbalances the sorrow
Of parting. Autumn has indeed come. The
face OF eternal nature has indeed changed. But
that change teaches us one great principle in
her economy. From it, also, man receives an
important lesson in respect to his destiny. The
smiles of fortune would not always be sweet,
unless its frowns too had been felt. There is
music in the rustling leaves Of autumn sweeter
than the well toned notes Of the piano or
harp. 1t is the music of Ileayen-the breath
of God chanting dirge to departed summer
and arousing the dormant minds Of men to a
sense Of their situation. The thoug ghtless
schooboy even, as he seeks his home, listens
enchanted with the sound The fields. loaded
with their tipencd crops-the ruStling corn and
waving grain, all compensate the industry of
man. There is poetry, too, in these "Od
Hills" which, now trimmed of foliage, shoot
their oaken spires to the clouds--whose spread
ing arms bid defiance to the tempest's blast
Who can watch the lowing herds as they
Craze upon the hill and cast a .idelong glance
around, as if all was not right,-who can do his
| say. aud not be reminded Of The infant Mer
curry, who stole the cattle which Apollo fed
Who can listen to the chilling blast whistling
through the naked branches. and not be remind
ed that the same "keel-compelling" gale toss
ed the fleet of the wandering Eneas how he
shaped his masts from the "new felled trees"
and as he cast his last lingering look back upon
his native. classic Troy, threw hmselfupon the
uncertain wavel And how naturally follow in
the train the cunning tricks of Dido, too. and
Virgirs Muse - Armd rirumguc cdnO IrojG
q,n primus," &c. The change. Of the seasons
seem to be adapted to our wants. And autumn
seems to be that which is set apart for season
Of reflection 10 mank nd. There is a Kind Of
sympathy existing between the human mind
and the operations of nature though the de-
sired effect is sometimes produced by opposites
and contrasts. When earth casts of her CAV
livery and assumes her mourning garb-when
her voice Iaments in the hosling winds the loss
of the cause Of her joyfulness-when no exter-
nal objects are here TO attract the attention by
their beauty; then man wraps himself up in his
own dark mantle of thoug ht-he makes Il world
Of self, aud revels upon the luxuries within ;
until with budding spring, the germs of his
mind shoot forth to catch the sunshine-live for
few brief moments, and, as the bubble, sink
it that he obeys the divine command, know
" "thyself" In these mental feasts, the mschi-
nary is employed which called the world into
light. In these, the strong hold of error is un-
dermned and rooted out, and foundation is
laid for the cultivation Of everlasting truth"
Who can reflect moment upon the wisdom Of
Providence manifested in this provision, and
not feel his soul cherished with persevering
thoughts, and holy aspirations, and absent long
ings after the beautiful and true Who can be
insensible to the quickeuing influence Of a mild,
yet lus,rous, Autumnal Moon Truly did the
Poet say,
The pale descending year, yet pleasing still.
A sentler mood inspires"
Hence the pure train Of thought which is ava
Aened in the mnd-hence the closer estimate
khich we then make Of onr powers aud con-