The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-09-24

/
But flames and levels all.
| DRYDEN.
| Absence, with all its pains,
Is by this charming moment wip'd away.
THOMPSON.
| Oh, no! Edward Irving was not forgetful. Nay,
absence served rather to strengthen his passion-
Though he moved among beautiful lOrms-and
caught the winning chances of brilliant cycs--aud
encountered woolng smiles, yet his heart went
back to the lone flower blooming amid the Desc
late rocks turn 10 its first impulse. Coured by the
wealthy and hgh-bOrn-ior the possessor of SO
many rich acres was prize coveted by many
feted and fattered by designing mothers and world
! ly-minded fathers-nlngng in that circle whose
members affect to look down upon those shut out
from its charmed precncts-slill young irving for
got not for a moment the wrecker's daughter
cast not single regreliul thought on her humble
birth, bu, only sighed for the time when he should
take her to his home and heart. During his resi-
dcnce at the North he had imbibed more strongly
those noiOns--pecuar, as we believe, to New
England lead one to measure II man not by
the false and contracted view of clique, but by
the broad rule which The Creator himself has laid
down--by mental and moral standard which alone
is inhllibe.
1t was no slight undertaking TO enter into an ex-
PLANTATION with his mother. lie had deeply rooted
preudices to encOunler-preudi imbbed in
earliest youth, and which had grown and strength
ened with years. lie had still more to overcome.
Ills mother had already fixed upon choice for her
son, and since his return she had lost no opportuni-
ty in bringing about the end she had in view She
well knew that Edward cherished rather syulrar
notions of equality and fearing that he might
carry them out in forming connection she thought
it would not be amiss TO avert the calamity by Sc
lecling partner every way desirable.
hnr al huilt L..
to tumble to the gtonnd, and its ruins hid heavily
on her heart She could not hardly listen patient
" TO Edwards avowa that he had already settled
the affair. lie very worst fears were more than
realized. What, her son marry Il lOw-bred wreck
er's daughter! The proud blood of the Ir,inrs be-
contaminated by It's sole representative uniting with
the daughter of iishnongGr-a half pirate! Alas.
It was sore trial TO the arislocra;c widow:-anj
vainly might Edward have essayed to reconcile her
TO what she deemed the DEGRADATION, had he no,
powerful advocates to assist him.
One of these was his own sister, fine ipte
gent girl who parlook much Of the spirit of her
brother, From Edwards representations she had
been completely won over TO his interests; and al
ready had she began to cherish warm regard for
the humble Ellen, From the glowing accounts of
her brother, the ardent-minded girl was impatient
to welcome the object Of his affections as IA sister.
The other advocate on this occasion was widow
lady in the nelshbOhood: the early companion and
always friend of Mrs Irving. Her opinions had prea,
weight with the latter lady, and by her influence.
Mrs Irving in time, became somewhat rcconcilcd
to what in fact from her knowledge of the deter
mined spirit of her son, could no, be avoided.
Mrs Randolph had drank deeply ofthe bitter cup
of life. Though OF a wealthy family-lhe possess
sor of much wealth herself: and moving in the same
circle with Mrs lryng,yct sorrow FASTENED her feel
a.Itu .,uLt HAT
light from that Of her friend. Her own welded
happiness early crushed by peculiarly painful
blow, by which she was at once deprived of her
husband and child, she had retired in a measure
from the world, her heart too much wedden TO the
lost TO permit her TO accept the many offers TO again
enter the married state. Edward was an espcral
ayoriie Of Mrs Randolph and he looked upon her
almost as n second mother.--The most perfect con-
fdence existed between them and he Ind revealed
to her everything relating TO his heart-ailars and
all sympathies We're enlisted in his behalf The
good offices she rendered have already been no.
ticed.
Elaed with success and impatient TO reoin her
whose image was ever present with him, Irving
fastened to despach some affairs relating TO his
property, and then lefi home, determined no, TO re-
turn without bringing with him the wrccker's daush-
ter, not visitor, but the wife Of his bosom
the mistress olhls mansion.
Night had closed ill., and the broad harvest moon
rising from out the ocean, had thrown a pilla, Of
light along ils nnruiiled surface, as Irving arrived
in the neighborhood of the little hamlet toward,
which his path tended. !, was Overwhelming
spot, yet the rays Of The moon as they fell in the
still waters Of the cove and lent their chas,ening
light to the dark dwellings. gave to the scehe y
very picturesque elect. II will not be wondered
at that to the Young traveller, it appeared one Of
unsurpassng beauty, aud that the humble but.
whose dlngy rnof was just tipped bv the beams Of
the rising moon, WINS more attractive in his ewes.
than would have been the most finished specimen
Of architectural beauty.
lie had arrived at slight eminence in close
proximity TO the clustered hamlet, and for n mo
ment paused 10 look around him. Eyer,tbiry
seemed hushed in the deepest repose; not a sound
breaking the impressive stiffness save the low wash
Of the sea as it broke in gentle rippes on the shore
Before him spread out the ocean like vas, mir
ror rejecting in s clear depths the queen Of night
with all her lusrous train, while on either hand
rose the bee,ing cliffs. like giants set to guard the
land from the entertainments of its ancient enemy
the sea. Here lofty promoniory stood boldly out
in the pale moonlight, and there a vast chasu.
seemed to yswn, black as nights mantle; the whole