Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1841-10-19
AFFECTION FOR THE DEAD.
BIZ WASHINGTON IRVING.

The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from
which refuse 10 be divorced. Every other wound
we seek to heal-cvery other afi elton 10 forget ;
but this wound consider II duty 10 keep open
tins affection cherish and brood IN solitude
Where IL the mother who would willingly forget
the infant that persisted ike blossom from her arms
though every recollection IS a pang Where IL
the CHI Id that would willingly forget most tender
of parents though 20 remember be but To lament (!
W no. even IN the hour Of agony, would forget the
friend over whom ne mourns-who, even when the
Tomb closing upon the remains of her he most
loved when he feels hs heart. as il were, crushed
the closing Of ITS portals would accept OF con-
ISOLATION that must be bought by forgetiulness No.
The love that survives the tomb Of the nobies
attributes of the soul.
II II has Its woes IT has likewise lis deli ghts and
when the Overlooking burst Of grief ~ Gained into
the gentle tear Of recollection. W hen the sudden
anguish and the cOnvulsIve agony over the present
runs OF all that loved. soften away into
pensIve meditation all that II was ~ the days o
ITS lovelines--xno would root out such n sorrow
from the heart Though IL may sometimes throw
a passing cloud over the bright hour of gaieiy. or
spread deeper sadness the hour OF gloom. yet
who would exchange II even for the song oi pleasure
or the burst Of rcvcry Ne, there voice from
the tomb sweetcr than song. There - rcmem-
brance of the dead to which we turn even from the
charms of the living Ca the grave the grave
1t buries every error-covers every dcicct-extn-
cuisines every resentment From ITS peaceful boz
spring none but fond regrets and tender reeOl-
lections. Who look down upon the grave even
OF enemy. and not feel a compunctIOus throb,
that hc should have warrcd with the poor hand
ful OF earth that lies Wondering before hun.
But the grave of those loved--what a place
for meditation. There IL i that call mp IN long
review the whole history of virtue aud gentlencSs,
aud the thousand endearments Iavishod upon
almost UNDECIDED IN the daily intercourse of ImtIma.
cy there IL II that we dwell upon the tenderness,
ttll nj he
The bed o. death, with all It's stled gr,eis-ts
noiseleSs attendants, It's mute, watchu assldulties.
The last testimonies of expiring love The feeble,
huiterng, thrilling. oh. how thrilling pressure OF
the hand The last fond look Vi The glazing eye,
turning upon even from the threshold OF exist
The faint, ialterng accents, struggling IN
death To give one more assurance OF affection .
Ay, 90 To- the grave of buried love, and mediate
There settle the account with thy conscience for
every past benefit unrequtcd-every past endear-
ment unregardcd, of that departed being, who can
Dever-nevcr-rcturn Ia be soothed by thy contri-
ton, II thou art a child. and hast added
sorrow To the soul urrow To the silvcred brow
of afectiouatc parent-i thou art a husband,
and hast caused the fond bosom that ven'ufcd
It's whole happiness IN thy arms, To- doubt one
ment of thy kindness or thy truth; If thou art
friend and hast wronged, in thought, word,
or deed the spir that generous coniided IN thee
II thou lover aud hast ever gwen one unmerlt-
ed pang To that true heart which lies cold and
still beneath thy feet; then be sure that every
kind look, every ungracius word, every ungcntle
action, Will come thronging back upon thy memory
aud Knocking do'efuly thy soul-then BE- sure
that thou wilt lie down sorrowIng and repeEtant
the grave. and utter the unheard groan and pour the
unavailing tcar-more deep, more bitter. because
unhcard and unavalng.
Then thy chapet of flowers, and strew the
beauties of nature about the grave console thy
broken spirit. If thou canst, with these tender, Yet
fu, lie butes of regret hut take warning by the
bitterness of this thy contrlte affection over the
dead and hcnceiorth be more faithful and affection
ate in the discharge of thy duties TO the living.