Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-01-10
TIE PAST AND TIE NEW YEAR.
BY enlEr JUSTICE MrL1rN, OF MAINE.

Inc close OF The year, whose last knell is
heard, amid tie chills and gloom of winter,
whenhl around reminds us OF our departed
frients and the loss we have sustained, is pc
culiaiy adapted to arouse us from our mat.
ten,ign to the lapse OF time. aud impress on
our hearts the solemn truth that life itself is
but vapor Many, it is true, when they
look into the grave Of the year, may expert.
ence rush Of bitter feeling, as they iondly
recollect how many cherished hopes they
have been called upon 10 bury in the tomb,
during the lapse of the year how many
friends have proved false or ungrateful--
how many oftheir suns have gone down in
the gloom Of solitude, or amidst scenes of
sickness and poverty or Of signing and sor-
row. A u this is true. and such ever has been
and ever will be the complexion Of human
life. But though thousands are thus educa-
ted in school where such is the salutary
discipline, yet millions have been spending
the yea in pence and joy--in health and
abundance. Their journey has been glad
dened With sunshine, and their course has
been through field of beauty and beside "the
still waters OF comfort" 1t is useful-it is
species Of gratitude thus 10 look back and
-
il has been delightful or smooth and peace
ful, our hearts should melt in tenderness
while we look TO the fountain Of all our
blessings. -four course has been wear
some through fields Of sterility. or melan-
choiy and companioness, we should renem
Der that Wisdom and Goodness preside over
our iestinies, W neither we are breas,ing the
storm, or calmly beholding the rainbow Of
promise The year that is bidding us adieu
was pleasant in its course, and its decline
gradual and beautiful. An unusual degree
OF softness distinguished lis autumn, resem-
bling the last years of the life of man, when
the agitation of the passions has in great
measure subsidized when his feelings have
become tranquilized, and all around him
peaceful and serene, if he has been careful
TO regulate his conduct, on life's journey, by
the principles OF justice aud the commands
OF duty-if in his social intercourse his pass.
ions have been preserved in due subsection
TO the gentle influences OF a benevolent heart,
displaying itself in acts OF mercy like the
good Samaritan.
"Sure the last end
Ofthe good man is peace. How calm his exit
Night dews fall not more gently on The ground,
Nor weary, WORKOUT winds expire so soft"
The new year TO which we are jus, to be
introduced is, in one sense, a perfect stran-
ger, though we have long been intimate
with the family TO which it belongs, and OF
course have some general acquaintance with
certain features OF its character, leading us
10 anticipate its promises and It's failure to per-
form them in many instances its smiles and
its tears--it batteries & its frowns-its gai
ties and hopes-its gradual declne-decay
and dissolution but we have abundant rea
son too for INDUCING the belief hat we may
enjoy thousands of blessings, if we are dis,
posed 10 cherish proper ieeings-to be kind
and courteous and obliging, and ever on
our guard TO avoid unnecessarily wounding
the feelings Of others; ever ready 10 acknowl-
edge the favors we receive, and render a
suitable return
How easily all this may be done How
often is il grossly neglected He who con.
suits his own ease and comfort cannot in
any manner attain The desired result so read.
lily and certainly, as by habi,ually consulting
the case and comfort of others, with whom
he is in the habit of associatihg and this
is true politeness also. A man who is dis.
satisfied with himself and those around him,
and aboring under the darkenng influence
of distubed or morose feelings may travel
rem TO him it will appear SO; and the eff
feet would be the same If his journey lay
admidst the most delightful scenes OF rural
beauty. The seasons of the year all give
their annual lessons for instruction. Ii is
our wisdom 10 regard them carefully
Spring summons us all to cheerful activity,
with assurances that one labor will not be in
vain. Summer performs what Spring had
promised, and shews us the advantage of
listening to early instruction and wisely i'm
proving it, Ten thousand songsters are fill.
ing the branches with their animatng
strains of music and gratitude, and teac hing
us to enjoy, as they do, the countless bless
ngs and bounlies of nature; their mnsic is
never failing-nor do we see il ending in
discords. Let us all, as we journey onward
together through the year. learn TO tune our
hearts as they do their voices, and pass the
fleeing period in harmony and in that
cheerlulness which the excellent Addison,
has honored with the name of continual
expression Of gratitude to Heaven. In Ger
many the study and practice OF music are
general among the people. Besides other
advantages resulting from making music a
part of common education, il is not romantic
or uopian 10 observe that il teaches how ca.
silly music--pure and surprising music
may be made on the same instrument, which
under an ignorant or purposed touch will
send forth discords in prodgious varieties.
l.. l. Il IL.