Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-18
THE GLEN OF SAINT KYLAS
BY the Author Of Letters from the East" &c.

In remote and narrow vale in tho West,
that runs down into the sea, stands very
minute church and tower. The latter is SO
concealed from the view of the passenger by
the sloping banks, that he finds his feet al
most about to plant themselves on the pima
cles ere he has gained sight of the body of
the turret. And when lie has descended 10
the walls beneath, he perceives his head to
be nearly on a level with the roof of the
church, and stoops low in order to gaze
through its narrow windows. All grey and
lonely the edifce stands not the stone that
marks the grave Of Ossan's heroes, on the
hill Of mists, is more mournful and solitary
than the aspect Of the venerable house of
prayer. And the man who desires 10 seek
far and religious retirement need not 90
to the solitudes Of the Thebais, or the mon
astic retreats Of Italy; he will find here all
that his soul eau wish for-,he absence Of all
disturbing human sounds the voice or foot
Of man is hardly heard around,-there be-
ing only two lowly and neat cottages, seated
on two green knoils, and tenan,ed by peace
ful people; and these stand at some distance
from the church. The low gate that opens
into the little garden before the door, the
few cows and scattered sheep that Craze be-
side, and the patches Of cultivated ground on
the neighboring slopes, prove that the dwell
lers do not eat tile bread of idleness. In
this glen, and in one Of those cottages, dwelt
the curate of the church; he was not the
owner Of the dwelling, or the flock; happy
indeed would he have felt had this been the
case he was only LOGGER with the petty
and industrious farmer, and was not native
OF the place, but stranger from distant
scene. His former rank in life could not
have been considerable, nor his prospects
faatterng, else he would hardly have Jour-
neyed the distance Of two hundred miles, to
enjoy this remote cure of fifty pounds year.
If requirements and knowledge can give
happiness, independent Of wealth, he ought
TO have been happy, for his mind was well
stored with a competent classical knowledge !;
and the other studies, that the poor man
seeks at the University with more ardor
than the rich, because they are his only por.
ton, had not been neglected by the curate.
. The long disputed, and perhaps still undeci-
ded question, that wisdom fills the soul with
more delight than ncotng riches can do,
was never more fairly put to the test. Had
he been man stricken in years, the former
had probably obtained the victory, and on
his tomb in the solitary valley the departed
pastor might have had inscribed, as has been
done before, that he slept full of years and
experience. But the curate was young
man. only in his twenty-third year; and the
passions as well as the ambitions Of you'll,
will sometimes utter their voice in the OBJ
scure and silent glen as well as in the streets
OF cities. Had the grassy sides of the val.
Icy been the theatre and the confines of bis
imagination, his fifty pounds year had bee n
positive afiluence. How could he possibly
expend more. was question he often asked
himself duringth first twelve months. The
y sloping beach close by, at whose foot the sea
in general, slept calmly, afforded him at any
time meal of excellent fish, and this he
loved to catch with his own hand; the Gotta
gers kept dairy, whence came his daily
supply Of delicious milk and cream; there
was always an abundance of excellent sal,
pork, Of their own feeding, ranged Tempt
ingly on the raiiers of the kitchen always
on Sundays, and sometimes during the week
fat fowl was killed by way of accompanI-
ment. This luxury the co,tagers would moi
so Often have allowed, but for tho sake Of
their ledger, whose frame and habits were
the reverse of robust and strong. The an.
, nual sum which he paid for these comfort.
made no fatal invasion on his stipend hi.
chamber was exquisitely neat and clean, per,
iun,ed in the season with thyme and rose.
mary; il was small, but so beautifully stu.
sted, for one window looked out on the rici
and smiling banks, and the other far t.
,seaward. And here it was sweet to SIT ant
read, and then pause amidst his reading, anc
Pensively gaze on the hushed or the troubled
deep-and what object is so boundlessly and
beautifully inspiring7 Or. no might sit al
the window that looked inland, over the
stream thatrattled through its stony channel
making that ceaseless low disturbance tina,
the fancy loves. There were other enjoy.
msnts Of more elevated character, to the
attainment of which this deep retiremen,
VS. higly favorable. Earth offered few fas-