Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-25
For the Burlington Free Press.
AN ALLEGORY.

1t was evening. The blue mists of twilight
were gathering upon the proud submits Of the
Green Mountains, and nocturnal silence had
succeeded the noise and turmoil Of the day. 1t
was time peculiarly adapted to meditation; and
kind of pensve melancholy brooded over my
mind, as wandered forth to participate the
balmy sweetness, and sober silence of that de-
lightful hour. Buried in contemplation, sat
myself down in a lone and sequestered spot, to
which had strayed
While thus secluded, fancied myself, re-
moved, as if by the hand Of magic, to the tow
ering peak of a vast eminence, which overlook
ed the surrounding country beneath. On one
side, green and beautiful vale exhibited its
lovely bosom to the view of the delighted OBJ
server. Scattered over its verdant surface, like
so many stars upon the curtain of night, were
seen numberless dwellings of exquisite neat
ness and elegance, surrounded by howery meads
and lawns, snowy tlocks and lowing herds, and
fields of waving grain, Of rich, luXurant growth.
Here and there the lofty spires of village church.
rays, and pointing to heaven, as if to remind the
believer that there the sorrows which cloud the
transient day of life will find final termination
Here the district school house, surrounded by
groups of well clad urchins, with laughing brow
and rosy cheek, sporting in all the wild eXtrava-
gance OF juvenile mrth. There semnaries OF
learning, of higher order, crowded with more
advanced votaries of science. Wherever turn
ed my eyes, all was cheerfulness, gaety and
activity. Placid serenity, and heartfelt satisfac.
ton, were depicted on every face; and love and
friendship beamed with divine effulgencc from
every eye.
While contemplating this enchanting scene
my meditation was broken by the sudden APP
pearance of female, robed in costume OF
snowy wilderness. She was a paragon of per.
feet loneliness. The rose and lilly were sweet
ly blended in her complexion, and her hair, as
nature had formed it, hung in flowing ringets
on her symmetrical shoulders. The mild radi-
ance and divine benignity of her eyes, gave an
unearthly sweetness to the expression of her
counienance; and her voice, sweet as angelic
harmony, thrilling through every nerve, had
power to suppress each hayward passion, and
unhallowed propensity of the heart Struck
with her matchless PROJECTIONS, Frustrated my
sell in deep devotion at her feet, and imploringIy
sought her favor. She babe me arise, and in
sweetest accents of kindness, thus addressed
me: "foung man-lny name is Virtue.
preside over the lovely vale which thou behold
est before thee. My precepts are written upor
the hearts of those who acknowledge my sway
Wherever my influence is felt, the richest flow.
ers Of human happiness expandin gayest bloom
love and gratitude exert their soothing and sal.
utary influence and peace and plenty, arts and
sciences, prevail and flourish. Follow in my
footsteps, and will guide thee to responsibility
and happiness unsuled, the consummaton OF
thy warmest wishes" She babe me adeu, and
with fearful eye, | witnessed her departure
But the impression made upon my heart, by this
brief interview, will never be oblterated, until
ito motion is suspended forever.
now turned my eyes to the opposite side OF
the mountain; and, with regret which forced Q
sp drawn Sigh from ny agitatsd bosom, CON