Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-02-01

But now what must look to! Years OF
lrksome worthless labor IN the dreariest of
human studies; and then when life has be-
come empty and unioyous, and both our
hearts are chilled and closed, the remnant
of me may, perhaps. be united to all that
will then remain of Maria. o for the free
and passionate life of nature, and poetry.
and love! Meanwhile, I must only now
and then approach her like an evil spiri,
afraid to draw near to some holy being
Or must attempt to forget her and myself
in the vain display Of talents which as | am
placed are useless for the true ends OF life
and must chew my own disgust at the van.
i'y, which, while speak makes me derive
pleasure from my own selected words and
sparkling fancles, and from the wonder tina,
these excite in others" A door, nearly
opposite him, inio another room, stood open,
and looking up he saw the faint moonlight
tall through the window Of this farther
space. Ia this dull light it seemed to him
that figure was standing with eyes raised
towards the heavens. with tears family
cleaning on her checks, and her hands
crossed meekly and plaintlvely on her
bosom. 1t was still Maria whom he saw
and features melted softly into those Of the
dying woman whom he had that morning
visited. She too. grew fainter and fainter.
aud seemed, as she vanished, mounting in
the moonlight towards the sky.
He turned sadly away. and looking round
him, saw on the table paper which he
did no, know of. He opened it, and found
d bill for q considerable sum which had
been long due to tradesman; a literary
undertaking which would have supplied
hun with the means of dscharglng the debt
had been for weeks neglected, while he
dreamt and fret,ed over his unhappy fate,
and now he knew not whittier to turn. In
order to divert his thoughts he took up an
old book OF Necromancy which he had been
consulting, and read few pages full OF
strange transactions and forgotten spells :;
but nothing he now lighted on interested him
till he came to the following passage. "Of a
truth. there be many potent and secret arts
born Of the wits Of wise men, more than
they have thought good to divugate thro
the world as doubling Of the discretion Of
purb!ind morta's in exercising such right
Of which inference. doubtless, shiewd
reasons may be noted in the use. say ra,h'
er, the most blunt, profane, and quadrupe.
dal abuse Of their present small and poor
prcroga,ives, BY mankind perpelra,ed and
customary Thus, doubt not to affirm.
such truths in the main ocean of time lie
buried and drowned, or may from thence
by brave and constant divers. hereafter
pearl wise, be ished up, as would change
the whole order and groundpot of mems
llves. no less than great and polite king
changes the compass and fashion of the
bnrbarous castles and pavllions in some
strange city, by him new invaded and sub
dned. Thus, by the manner of example
may, perhaps, spells, charms. and amuIets
be discovered. if not in the Eastern people
now frequent, to turn dust to gold, vinegar
to nectar, clay and sordes to orient Jewels
if dead and mouldered stumps do make
fruits grow divine and unmatchabe: wha
know | In a word, to make money plen
,lful as mems modes of spending it (; t.
sheathe ligh'n,ngs even as we sheatht
Toledo blades, and again draw them to The
confusion of the enemies of our lord The
king (whom God preserve y; to turn ont
man INTO another or into many. And here
with, perhaps. when that seal Of Solomon
is found again, and worn, where it woulc
best become, on the hand Of our dread ant
bounleous sovereign, to purge gross matte
to srlrlt, and to make of men angels: evel
so as of grubs and worms come forth but
terflies, and Of noisome smoke and ashes
the divine and Paradlsaical Phoenix i
begot,en and proceetelh. But may ihos
who attain to such skill! OF arts ever judi
clously and temporarily practice and adum
brate their parts and wisdom, even as sna
here be done; not openly and populari,
declaring, but rather keeping the light o
too respendent truth in due films and veil
concealed"
When he had twice read this singula
and groiesque passage, he opened his win
dow and looked cut. The stars were visI
BILE in the small spot Of sky which cam
, within his survey, and there was still
, faint lle ht from the moon. The night wa
cain, and he descended from his room an
walked about the court. Here his forme
thoughts returned and mixed themselves il
fantastic combination with the strang
! magical images which he had been en-
gagged by. Why, he musej as he raise
his head and looked above the old roun
. tower Of the Temple Church-why shoul
, that which we so much desire be place
4 beyond our reach' Is our nature then a
, endless contradiction If ] so long to b
: able to change my lot why has not tn
system Of things that gave me this longing
n also given me the power to crafty u'-
4 And then, not himself believing the fame
I he INDUCED in, he began to paint the des
tiny that he would select if he possessed tn
o power of choice. At last he asked himse
h the fatal question. If | could thus chang
q myself and all about me, should | not los
o Marla's love, which is given to me, and NJ
!, TO any such figure, as ! might wish I
:. assume. But then the demon answered,
If Ay, but i'll could also change so as to TO
q get her, how should | suffer! 1t is n,
d plain that my removal would be to her tt
| u 4 L a