Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-11-12
NUMBER 80.
From the New York Mirror.
THE AMERICAN AUTUMN.

THE AMERICAN AUTUMN.
We will call il by this name for once,
though IS lovers Of the genuine Anglo.
Saxon, we greatly prefer the honest, ex-
pressivc old English word "fall;" not
merely for ito beauty and fitness, but be.
cause il is the name by which the autumn
is generally known among Us. SO far ~
splendor goes is peculiarly American.
and its appellason should be SO likewise.
| II, as is often said, we have no spring,
I this makes up for its absence. The pro.
gress Of our seasons is, in fact, something
like the way in which the resources Of
our country are developed. There 10 no.
/ thing slow or gradual---ther course 10
swift, fierce, irresistible. The icy chains
of winter are broken at one bound, and
every thing which seemed torpid, bursts
out in an instant to life and vigor. But,
after the fleeing spring and burning sum-
inner, there follows period Of fepose, and
the year seems to pause in its rapid fight,
! and inger, as il were, among US, before
putting on its shroud Of snow.@ And how
beautiful is this seasonA We, who are tied
down to the desk and the chair in the
smoky city, 81 course know lts lovelness
only by report. And those to whom kinder
fate or fortune has not denied the liberty
Of locomoiion, are little WISER in this re-
spcct than ourselves. <Foshion and folly
swarm like flies in July and August. Their
votaries 60 forth in search OF the pictu-
rescue in the hottest, driest, and most OPP
pressive season Of the year, md after hav.
ing swallowed each his allotted peck Of
dust, returns TO town, deceving themselves
and others by the uniounded assertion
" that they had been in the country" No
one knows anything Of the beauties ofour
American scenery, who has visited Il only
in the heat OF SUMMER. Not till after our
two or three months oil dust, perspiratlon,
and mnguor are over, comes "the sweetest
morsel ofthe year, 'and We generally leave
il unpicked. The lndian summer this year
is one Of the fines, we ever beheld. Tho
few early irosts have just tnged the leaves
and there have been no storms to beatthem
off. II is, 10 fact, summer soilened. A
warm haze hides tho sharp outline Of the
mountains, or lies liquid upon the distant
valleys. The sun soon rises and easily
pierccs this transparent veil. We well
come him gladly, for his rays are now
bright, yet not burning. Instead Of "hid-
ing from his garish eyes, we can look him
boldly in The face. fThe breeze is bracing
yet not keen, and every thing invites t.
exercise. The partridge nessles in tho
bushes, and the frightened quail wings her
swift fgh, across tho fields. Hare, rabbit
and squirrel understand that the proper
time for being devoured Is at hand, and
Me fattening themselves accordingly. Or
VI YOU are a disciple Of quaint old Izaack,
stream and lake are smooth as glass, and
though the luscious trout be now in season,
YET the firm bass and tho sivery perch will
reward your trouble. NOW is the time for
!" husking frolics," "bees," and "coon
hunts" Now the torches fash upon the
darkness OF tho woods and the merry laugh
echoes in the night. Now is the time for
long walks and rides, and the moonlight
rambles.l Now is the time for lovers. They
cannot enjoy the bslmy spring rs Euro
penns do, nor wander by the " fragrant
ihorn," like Burns and his Highland Mary.
But in the fall, when the air is son and
still, when the moon lights up rock. and
stream, and valley when the foot falls
lightly on the rus.ling leaves, when the
trees have put on their gorgeous fall Ct
crimson, aud purple, and yellow; when
the very air breathes tender sadness--
this is the time for the lovor 10 stroll DO.
meath the woody bank, and breathe his
tale Of love into not unwilling ear