Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-01-02
[For the Herald of the Tines.
NEW YE A RS E Y +.

"The heart mehinks,
Were o strange mould, which kept cherished print
or earlier, happier hours when life was fresh,
And love aud innocence made holiday"
The mind, Mr.. Editor, like the body, re-
uuires relaxation, and where can we find
purer sources of enjoyment, sweeter menta
recreation, than recurring to tho blssfuI
scenes of carly youth, 'tchen life ras Jresh'-
The rctrospeeion comes as balm to the heart
of the chastcned; ; begu'ling, like sweet
vision, the present of its sorrow stillng the
sigh of the lonely, and dispelling the cloud
from the brow of the care-worn. In such
delightful musings, and "reminiscences, sir,
poss many of my solitary hours. There is
pleasure, sweet and melancholy pleasure
in recalling childhood's happy years, tLatjo
Gus period:
6" When the young heart, like the .Eollan string,
Wakes unto music every breeze that blows,
And the bright ey soes but the of spring,
Or nk. the sunbeam the cloud that glows
Kindlcs the rainbow Oh whateer il throws
Its radiant glance"
While luxuriating in the enjoyment Of
by-gone times, few days since, bethought
me, sir, Of the approaching season, which
brought with it the recollection Of one of the
festivals which was The delight Of my juve-
nile years one which can never be obltera-
ted from memory-lhe celebration Of .Ntw
Years Eue, at Bethlehem boarding school
where passed FIVE Of the happiest years of
my life. Bethlehem is too generally known,
too much place Of resort, to require par
ticular description. 1t is situated on rising
ground, near the Lehigh, western branch
of the Deiopore, about ifty-tlree miles from
Philadelphia. II is not only one of the most
peaceful, but to me the most beautiful spots
on earth. The rich verdure Of the orchards
and gardens, have never seen surpassed,
and the lovely and romantic walks on the
banks of the Lehigh can never forget. The
margin Of this beautiful stream, for q con-
siderable distance, was adorned with a row
of lofty trees; those near the bridge had
seats beneath, inviting the weary to rest
This was our favorte walk, and here when
the weather permitted, we assembled daily, |
at the close of the afternoon school and mid /
girlbood's light. hearted gambols
"ITow calm, how cloudless, passed away
The long, long summer holiday :"
Our staid and watchful guardians, the go
verncsses, quietly seated themselves, in the
interior, upon the benches, listening TO the Il
sweet birds warbling in the rich foliage above,
and smiling upon happy childhood sporting
in the shade of the spreading branches be-
meath /; the woods around echoing and pro- |
longing the music Of their mirlhfu voices:
"v;.-t u bcaut cal thirs Is childhood's laugh,
When il comes from the heart unchecked and free
Aud tells of the stainless thoughts within,
Inburthened by sorrow, untran,mcled by sin,
Aud fresh Ms the spring-tido tree :"
Sometimes we extended our rambles over
Hill aud dale. in search of the beautiful wild.
flowers which enriched them, and which were
so acceptable n prcscnt to our teacher in
Bofany, whose smile WIS ever our sweet re-
ward for any fatigue which we had endured
in procuring them. Il
As winter approached our ornaments chan
gcd, aud our walks became more circumscr-
bed /; but still we regretted no, these changes,
for nt this season, sir We had our Musical
entertainments once a fortui !ht. Our be.
loved Inspector himself Bishop Yon Tl,ek
presided at these concerts, and after hear
ing those young ladies' who were learning
music. play and sing tho piece which Ind
hecn selected for each one to practice. be
generally charmed his youthful auditory with