The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-07
THE VOYAGE OF LIFE:
A Series of Allegoricaf Pictures.

The subject is comprised in four Pictures
The first represents the Period of Childhood !;
the second, Youth; the third, Manhood; the
fourth, Old Age.
First Picture, Childhood "A stream is seen
issuing from deep cavern, in the side of
cfaggy ana precipItous mountain, who e sum
init Is hidden In clouds From out the cave
glides Boat, whose golden PROV and sides are
sculptured into figures Of the Hours; steered by
an Angelic Form, and laden with buds and flow
ers, II bears laughing Infant, the Voyager
whose varied course the artist has attempted to
dellneate. On either hand the banks Of the
stream are clothed in luxuriant heritage and
mowers. The rising sun bathes the mounlains
ana nowery banks in rosy light.
Second Picture youth.-The stream now
pursues ITS course through landscape of wider
scope and more diversified beauty Trees Of
rich growth overshadowing its banks. and YER
dant hills form the base Of lofty mountains
The Infant of the former scene is become a
fouth, on the verge OF Manhood. He is now
alone IN the boat, and takes the helm himself;
and in attitude Of confidence and eager expecta-
ton, gazes on a cloudy pile of Architecture, an
air-buit Castle, that rises dome above dome ia
the iar-ofi blue sky. The Guardian Spirit stands
upon the bank OF the stream and with serious
yet benlgnant countenance, seems TO be bidding
the impetuous voyager "God Speed, The
palace, Tor distance; but al length makes
sudden turn, and 1t is seen in gimpses beneath
The trees, until II at last descends with rapid
current into rocky ravine, where the voyager
will be found in the next picture. Over the re
mote hills, which seem 10 intercept the stream
and turn II from Its hitherto direct course, path
IS dlmly seen, tending directly towards that
cloudy Fabric, which is the object and desire Of
the voyager.
Third Picture, Manhood Storm and cloud
eenshroud rugged and dreary landscape Bare
impending preclplces rise in the lurid light The
swollen stream rushes furously down dark ra-
vine, whirling and foamng in its wild career,
and speeding toward the Ocean, which is dlmly
seen through the mist and falling rain The
boat Is there, punging amid the turbulent wa
tiers. The voyager is now a man of middle
age; the helm Of the boat is gone, and he looks
implorlngly toward heaven, as if heavens aid
alone could save from the perils that surround
him. The Guardian Spirit calmly sits in the
clouds, watching with an air of solictude the
affrIghted voyager. Demon forms are lowering
in the air.
Fourth Picture, old Age-Portentous clouds
are brooding over vast and midnight Ocean.
A few barren rocks are seen through the gloom
the last shores of the world These form the
mouth of the river, and the boat, shattered by
storms, its figures of the hours broken and droop
ing, is seen gliding over the deep waters Di-
rected by the Guardian Spirit, who thus far has
accompanied him unseen, the voyager, now an
Old man, looks upward TO an opening in the
clouds, from whence glorious light bursts forth
and angels are seen descending the cloudy steps,
as if to welcome him to the Haven of Immortal
Life.