The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-10


hand cut as much dry grass and rushes as served
TO make up bed in the only corner OF the shed
where there was roof. They then partook Of
some wretched fragments of bread and m at
which they carried with them, and lay down TO
rest but not I'LL they had, according to the forms
of their country's religion, rendered thanks and
praise to the Gver of all good for such share of
his bounty as they enjoyed.
The mirror further showed the life of this
humble pair during the next day. Early in the
morning, the man made arrangements in their
little habation for performing a religious cere-
mony, which in his own country he had been
taught to regard as all-imporant, though, in that
where he now was, il was considered MS an
abomination. Al the proper time, he performed
this rite with his wife and his sole feow-wor-
shipper, both taking care that no one else should
be annoyed by what they did. Behold" said
the angel, chow two Of the poorest and most
wretched of human beings deport themselves to-
wards God and man, while thou, who enjoyest
SO many more blessings, tormentest myself with
vain imaginings Thou canst read the lesson
ask if thou art correctedf' II am" answered
the artisan and the angel left him.
An old man, who made a slender livelihood
by the labors of himself aud an aged horse, was
one day passing along the road, leading that
ANIMAL which was loaded on this occasion with
a burden much too heavy for its strength. The
dress ofthe old man was ragged, bespeaking the
utmost poverty; but his cheek showed still some
red, and he set his foot to the ground in such a
manner that no one could suppose him to be in a
very feeble condition. To testify his vigor still
farther, he thrashed his horse in most unmer-
ciful manner with whip which he carried in
his right hand, Juggling the bride at the same
time with his left, if he would have pulled the
head Of the poor animal away from its body.
Occasionally he kicked its stiff sides, which gave
forth sound such as basket gives when kicked,
and he was continually showering upon the ami
NAL opprobrlus nicknames and furious execra-
tons. He was impatient to reach particular
place with his load, because he was to have no
pay and no breakfast till his task was accom-
pished. 1t was partly his hunger which made
him on this occasion use his horse SO cruelty.
Unexpectedly, the Angel of Patience came up,
and walked along by his side. 'Pitiless man."
said she, "how canst thou thus treat the very
creature that is doing its best to serve you
Hold still thy wicked hand and take even from
that animal lesson Of patience. You have
loaded it beyond its strength, and yet it endea-
vors to do what you demand Of it, You kick
and lash it, and it bears all with submission.
The misery Of that poor animal is at this mo-
ment extreme; know IT to be so; but il betrays
not the slightest symptom Of disposition TO re-
taiiatc upon the author of its distresses. You
are hungry now, and that, you will say, is your
excuse; but you feed your horse in SO poor a
way that it is never otherwise than hungry, and
yet, when it tries to snatch mouth full of grass
from the way side, and you lash ii to make it go
on, does il not quietly yield to your wish OBJ
serve the whole demeanor of the animal, and
think of it well. IL is Pdtienpe IN lining
shape. Let its downcast look, its laboring mus
ces, its breaking yet submitting heart, at length
pass beyond your mere sight, which is familiar
with them and enter the soul within and let the
consequence Of the lesson be mercy and patience.
FAREWELL The Angel then vanished, and the
old man, before advancing another step, took
the load from his horse, and allowed it to feed
for ten minutes upon the thistles by the way
side; after which it prosecuted its journey with
renewed spirit and he did not once lay his lash
upon il during the remainder of the journey.
The Angel of Patience does not now come in
a bodily form upon the earth the world abounds
as much as ever with lessons resembling those
which she used to read to mankind. The sent-
mental grievances of the great and rich may yet
be assuaged, if the great and rich will only think
upon the many severer evils which others are
every moment bearing, and bearing, perhaps,
with magnanimity and resignation The evils
which betal every station of life may be soften
ed if we only reflect on the worst Affections of
the next lower sphere II is not that we can
-" hold a fire in our hand,
BY thinking the frosty Caucasus
but that an example Of patience may be drawn
from the well-borne sufferings of others. Nor is
there any class of society so sunk TO the bottom
of wretchedness, but such an example may still
be found even for them, for, rightly considered
the mseries and sacrifices which animals are so
largely called upon TO endure on mans account
and which they generally endure with soperfect
patience, are calculated to soften and bring
down to submission the most obdurate hearts.
EGYPT.