The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-09-30

al accusation for u Observation-Disclosures.
THERE is nothing more true than the saying OF
Horace, that it is sweet TO remember those things
which it was hard to suffer. In youth we listen to
the promises Of hope, aud look forward 10 the fu-
iuro with confidence for their fdimen,. But as
years roll by, the sanguincness Of our character
becomes diminished; disappointment has occurred
to cloud the prospect and we turn more frequent,
ly and with more londness to the contemplation of
the past. in proportion IA the field is cssened
whcreon fancy was wont to build her dc'usive fab
RIGS. For my own part in my early years pos
sessed n wild and hayward spili', that hrs,cd for
renown; and by some path or other was de,erm-
med to ascend the height Of fame. 1t wonld be
vain to recount the various exploits by which !
successfully sought TO accomplish my object suf.
flee it 10 say tina, in all was dssappoincd and
that now, at the agr of nearly sixty ycnrs, occu-
pied as the teacher Of some eighteen or twenty
boys, in an obscure village. beyond which am
scarcely known, can look back over the tolls and
perls Of an active life, with degree of Tranquil
pleasure that the anticipation of my proudest
schemes never afforded. Indeed, ollenIimes of an
afternoon, .ulled by the dlowsy murmurs Of my
little school, become entirely unconscious, Of the
realities around me, and live over some long passed
period, amidst scenes and companions that the
tall'nanic power of memory can alone restore
Among the companions Of former days thus brough,
before me, often think Of one Of whom was nc
qnaln,ed in some trying scenes both Of adversely
and prosperity; and several curious incidents in the
life of whom,ii the reader spare time to pcrusc
the garrulous illusions Of an old man, he will find
related in the following story.
ON tho edge OF one of tn, cnr', aud most fertile
praries in Illinois, and in the midst Of grovo OF
stately locust trees, the foliage Of which, in the
summer season almost hid it from the sight, there
utood few years ngo, (anj it stands there ,l,
no doubt, unless the prairie fires have reached it,
and consumed lis pershab'e walls) little log
cabin, so humble and lowIy in ils outward appear
ancc, that it scarcely won momennry glance
from the traveller who CHANGED 10 pas, that way.
II was situated ON gentle activity, jus, under
the brow of the fo;cst, tho lofty and lcafy branches
Of which, as soon the sun attained the meridian,
cast over it deep and agreeable shade Behind
the cottage, n, the distance Of abolt a hundred
yards, rivuet menndered in nany-curlous wind
ing' through the level bo,on-ani Of the woods,
denomina'ed, not nnap,ly, from the g'i,,crips tran
sluccnce Of ils current, Silver Stream. Unlike
most OF tie brooks and rivers Of that savanna coun.
t'y, which arc usually s,agnai, during the warm
est months of the year, the mpid tide of this ono
continued To gnrge on lis course through every
season alike, thus giving to the prospect, ia the sui
try afternoons Of summer delightful richness n n
gratifying the car with its lhclodiors flow. In
IRON, OF the cottage, m immense prairie extended
Itself ds rlr as the eye could reach, is surilce
smooth and unhrokGn as tho bosom Of some inland
sea. Not a tree or shrub was seen 10 break the
green monotony of IT'S appearance; but as the sea
son varied an Innumerabe Succession Of flowers o,
every hue and every combination Of hues, spranr
mp, and bloomed and wllhercd amid tia, vast and
beautiful solitude, IA If nature had scattered them
there in wanOn PRODUCTIVITY,
"To waste their swcctnccs on the de.sr,,ir"
without having any sanitary object in their crc,
ton. Philosophy. however, has. with ,ardy step
at last discovered the correctness Of the humble
Christians belief that nothing Is made in vain ;apd
that those very flowers which smile away their
biIel existence in unconscious loveness, unseen
by the eye of man, are wisely intended to coun-
trTact or diminish. by their odrrous breath, the
latent causes oil the dreadful epidemcs which some
fines spread disease and death through that luxu.
RANT region.
The cabin itself was rudoly constructed of ur-
hewn logs. the nerstices between which were 81.
lei with small blocks Of wood and mortar. The
roof was Of rough oaken shingles, and instead of
ee'ns secured "i'h nails. long ro',s pl,ced mon j,