Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-03-13
For the Phoenix.


There is period 10 life, when for the first
time we pause and look back upon the past,
like the traveller reused from some charming
teverie by sudden change in the character OF
direction of his way.
Il is when disappointment first lays its with
eriEg hand on fond and cherished hopes, the
FIRST sigh Of deep regre, having been rendered.
the first tear for blighted expectations having
been dried, I've turn to CLEAN from the past a
lesson for present use-a surer foundation for
The expected good Of futurity. Again we pur-
sue our journey, but the lesson we have learn
ed has broken the security Of life's morning
dreams and turns us more frequently to reflect,
compare and infer.
Then, too, arises the faint consciousness of
the power of erenfs and circumstances over
our intellectual and moral character --facul-
ties are developed, which while they slumbered,
we dreamed not were ours feelings aud
sympathies of which we were unconscious, in
their powerful strugglings for existence, aston
ish and paralize, for a lime. the forces OF
reason herself
A sensitive heart, unsupported by proper
tionate intellectual force, sinks beneath the
rush Of disappointment into insignihcence,
while the same deep moral feeling, guided and
guarded by corresponding strength and energy
Of mind, shorn of its superhuiiies by the same
trials, would have been uerved for great and
noble effect. Hence the grand reason why
some periods of time have produced more dis
tinguished men than other periods trying and
momentous crisis in politicks and religion have
invariably drawn, from the quiet repose ofprivte
life leaders of powers commensurate with the
exigencies to be encountered. The same prin-
ciple holds true in the social relations. The
calm monotony Of domestic peace and pros
perity, trains no master genius--Derves no
deep fount of feeling to thrilling resolves and
heroic sacrifices but let disappointment cur
die the very springs Of the soul, -let the canker
of undervalued affection, the chilling glance
of selfish Indifference blast the confidence that
distils sweetness, and the whole character I'M
dergoes change, The unavoidable result Of
change in its hopes and motives TO moral ac-
ton. Romance is often employed in illus
trating this position, but the private histories
of thousands would out-romance, romance
The effect of disappointed hopes is often
seen developed in individual character while
its existence and secret influence 10 producing
that effect, are buried 10 the heart. Many q
man whom nature fashioned for the retiremen
and devotion of domestic bliss, disappointed
and forever cut off from the enjoyment of biz
favorite predictions, has given the energies o
strong calculating mind TO business and s,oot
forth to the world prodigy of success ;--an'
who dreamed il was the blossom of witheres
rool7 How many of the votaries OF FAM
would have stopped to pluck her laurels, hat
NOT disappointment in the grand desideratun
of their existence led them to her al,ars2-
How many of the votaries Of science woul'
have sacrificed their bloom to her midnigh
orgies, but to hush the breathings of heart Gu
off in its dearer hopes What but lacerate
sympa,bies ever drew the retiring, affectionat
woman, from her deep devotion to the unot
trusive joys Of domestic life, 10 theatre Z
public action7 What but the pang of heartles
indifference from those in whom her heart
garnered, could so efIectualy turn the tide {
her affections and nerve the energies of he
soul for the channels of universal benevolence
Townshend. c. l. IL. q.
I f. g. . y