Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-08-11

enjoyed MS a vast paradise, full OF the
beauty Of heaven aud Of earth, where men
walked forth IN the image Of their Crea-
tor, invested with his attributes, and wo.
nan trode proudly amids, the lovely cre-
alton, an Bngel venerated and adored.-
] To express dissatisfaction under oil these
circumstances was, TO her mind, the ex.
travagance of misanthrope, the madness
OF real lover of misery, and sufficient
cause for her not to respect him.
Both viewed the world through false
medium, and their deductions, although
at variance, gave color 10 their minds and
accelerated their fate. Jessie could not
comprehend what appeared 10 her the fol-
ly Of her suitor. She relished not his sick
did and do, she scorned a cooning lover.
The bard was driven to despair, and, sum-
moning up an unwonted energy Of mind,
departed, and left his adored TO her youth
ful alterations. Soon after this period,
the song Of "Jessie, the Flower Of DUN.
blane," together with the music, was pub.
lished it became public favoriie, it was
sung every where, in theatres and at par
ties /; world Of praise was showered upon
it from woman's flattering lips, and men
became mad to know the adored subject
Of the lay. In short period il was dis
covered. Jessie Monteith, the pretty pea
san, of Dumblane, was the favored one.
From all quarters young men and bache.
Iors focked to see her, and her own sex
were curious and critical. Many promls-
ing youths paid their addresses TO her,
and experienced the same reception as her
first lover. Nevertheless, at last poor
Jessie became really cnamored. A rak-
ish spark, from Midlothians, adorned with
education, being of polished manners, and
confident from wealth and superiority OF
rank, gained her young affections. She
too crcdulously trusted in his unhalowed
professions. Tho ardor of first love over
came her better judgment, and, abandon.
ing herself to her love. passion, she made
an imprudent escape from the protection
of her parents, and soon found herself IN
elegant apartments near the city of Edln-
burgh. The songof neglected Tannahll
was to his Jessie both glory and a curse;
while it brought her into notice and en-.
HANGED her beauty, i, hid the foundation
OF her final destruction.
Popularity is dangerous elevation,
whether the object OF it be peasant or
prince temptations crowd around it, and
snares are laid on every hand. "Who
would be eminent" said distinguished
child of popularity, "If they knew the
peril, the madness, and distraction Of mind
to which the creature of the popular breath
is exposed 7" When the poet heard Of
the fate of his beloved Jessie, his heart al
most burst with mental agony, and work
ing himself into the enthusiastic frenzy OF
inspiration, poured forth torrent Of song
more glowing and energetic than ever
dropped in burning accents from his
tongue. |, is TO be lamented, that, in
fit Of disgust, he afterwards destroyed
chose poetic records of his passion and re-
sentiment. Ere three years had revoved
their triple circuit, after Jessie left her IA
theirs home, she was changed woman.
Her paramour had forsaAen her. She
was destitute in her splendid habitation.
Her blue eyes looked ptiful on all things
around her; the oval cheeks were indent.
ed by the hand Of misery, and the face
and person presented the picture OF an I'M
happy, but amiable being. How chang
ed was the figure clothed in silk, which
moved on the banks of the Forth, from
the happy, lively girl in Dumblane, dress
ed in the rustic gaTb of peasant But
this is subject too painful to dwell on !;
lei us hasten to the catastrophe. II was
on an afternoon in July, a beautiful, sunny
afternoon, the air was calm and pure
The two islands on the Forth, like vast
emcralds set in lake of silver, rose splen.
didly DER the shining water, which now
and then gurgled and mantled round their
bases. FI(tshire was spread forth like
map, her hundreds Of inland villages and
cots TRANQUILITY sleeping in the sun SHINE.
The din of the artisans hammers IN XIX.
aldy and Queensferry smote the still air !;
and Dumfreliue's aproned Inhabitants scat
tered forth their whtened webs beneath
the nooniide sun. On the opposite shore,
Leiih dsgorged her black smoke, which
rolled slowly in volumes TO the sea. Ed
inbuIg castle, like a mighty spirit from
the "vasty deep" reared her grey bull
warks high in the air; and Arthur's seat
rose hugely and Garkly in the back
ground. The chorusses Of the fishermen,
like hymns 10 the spirit OF the waters, as
cended over Newhaven and down from
Grangemouth, lightly booming DER the
tide, Aosted the tall bark. The world
seemed stepped in happiness. But there
was one--a wandering one, an outcast-
wretched and despairing, amidst all It's
loneliness her bosom was cold and dark,
no ray could penetrate its depths the
sun shone not for her, nor Gid nature smile
around but to inflict more exquisite pang
on the unfortunate. Her steps were brok-
en- and hurried. She now approached
the waters edge, and then receded. No
human creature was near TO disturb her
purpose-nll was quetness and privacy !;
but there was an eye from above who
watched all. Jessie Monteith--how
mourniuIv sounds that name at such
crisis But Jessie sat herself down, and,
rem owing shawl and bonnet from her
person, and taking a string of pearl from
her marble seeming neck, and gold ring,
which she kissed eagerly, from her taper
finger, she cast up her streaming eyes,
,ka cnr0tvpnpSQ nj haa.