Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-03-27


stream, then opening into space nterspersed with
trees and bushes, and anon, the advancing country
with ,aperng or more hly face, meeting and kis-
sing the pure water Of the race. Three dams occur
along this distance, while now bed Of rocks all
shapes, stares up in your face and amos, every
where, some insulated rock peeps out of its watcry
confinement, or advances its well proporoned sides
or frowns upon you in all its naked holiness
Leaving the grand race, you proceed along the
creek with the continuous country on the left, yet
for some width, dressed in its native rugged gar.
ments and enter and wend your way among fac
tories of various kinds. These evidences of human
life and industry sprinklej along its margin,
y interrupt the impressive character Of the natural
scenery, situated as they are amidst the seats Of un
tameabe rujeness. And then the dashing stream.
in, and around them-the waterfall in the vicinity
the simplicity of the wo,kmen, and their little
mansions perched on the craggy hills, with their
cool sping surrounded with mosscovered rocks, and
overhaDging trees, tend to sustain the solemn love-
illness of the scene. IL they somewhat soften the
feelings, while 'hey break in on the naked dcsola-
tons of the picture, they do not effect its harmony
they act upon the mind, for the moment, like the
screaming eagle the towering cliff, that diverts
the attention of The enthusiastic saunterer within
natures bold domains, and gives his soul breath
ing spell from the oppressive action Of its wild
temptations.
Though it is nearly quarter of a century since
circumstances under the controlling destiny Of Prov.
idence, forced me to seek situation elsewhere ye
often, how often does memory revert to the scene,
Of early days, and Imagination picture afesh ever,
dear spot, and associations crowd on the vision il
all the life Of experienced reality But especially
how love to dwell along the Brandywine, unit
the mind, under its sadly pleasing musings demand
relief, and II is necessary TO dissolve the spell
tears, and quit the tempting field of though. Still
flial duty calls me, and then, a visit to
native home, when I take my fill of the "joy c
grief" in rcvisitng the place consccrated and
halned by the dew of youth. Alone (foI wi
would have company at such time, except of XII
dred spirit) traced my varied way, but most eng
to plant my footsteps on the walk along the
o! what rush of feelings then, solemn, sad, swe,
as think of by-gone DAYS, and all the interveni
history of companions, and relatives, and frienl
and feel that youth can never return, and compa
the present with the past, and da,t along the fuu
with thoughts Of every hue derived from the got
and the bad. and the uncertain, of the checker
but sealed book Of Providence! Sill, onward
amid a growing multitude of recolectons started
every step. There is the stone which II
thirty years ago TO my foot from the water
that very spot gathered the modest violc,s VIII
still bloom, in succession, as beautiful as ever.
der descended the steep, and fearfully leaned {
ward to pluck the halt-dpe grapes. All along
places seen where anglcd weary and hund
yet chained to my employment by success or
hope of it, until dusky twilight compelled mcf
retire. There is the fiat rock whence we use,f
dive into the water and there the around whicf
, We would play king of the rock And now, The
, maple-tree meets my eye which bled with the Incl
sion that placed my name upon It; and little far
ther on, is the recording rock of ample 'front.' but mo-
of easy access, 10 which | crept with tremblins
heart and limbs, 10 grave my initials in company
with those of many n venturer. o! that nigh
write book, for only then could pen the thousanc
tory of my Juvenile years alone that fairy, and of,
e frequented stream!
There is one reminisccnce connected with Bran
dywine which, on account o! its tendency to public
o utility, is worthy of record as it may nluch somt
benevolent persons TO initiate the example, to the
advantage of the rising generation and their safety
; in after life. Kind-hearted Isaac Kendall, membe
of the Friends Society, taught at the grand swim
ming place, very many young arms and legs how
to shoot. Evening after evening at proper season.
he was at his post to receive the boys; and wha, 9
scramble there was to get into his arms But he
managed SO to show no partlIity; and when he
formed the decision there was a universal acquies.
cence, the result of high regard for The man. yet
with the cry of a dozen voices, mo next Isaac me
next Isaac. His pupils in the swimming art will
; always remember him with affection aud gratitude
aud he be dead the writer would gladly be one OF
the number, to raise cenotaph to his memory ia.
cling the spot were he exercised his benevolence.
To a lover of the natural works of God how for.
clbe the reflection, that much enjoyment, as well as
. instruction, is kept from those who immure them
selves in cities and towns, and scarcely ever peep
into the soltude' Of nature, or even look upon her
mder face smiling in her rural dress Of vnicgatel
oveness Or, if many occasionally 60 forth from
their domestic prisons, Is it not merely for fashion
sake, while they leave their souls behind them a.
mid corrupting pelf, or vain and deblsing amuse
ments to which they eager to return! While
nature courts them they refuse to listen to her WOO