The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-04-07

strengthened TO tho utmost Of his power for the
occasion, addressed his weeping SON. George I
said he, .here are the title deeds Of a noble prop
ery, which you will inherit, unimpaired, from
long line Of ancestors. There was d time when
your talents and your disposition alike made me
look forward to the prospect OF your succession
with pleasure. in the hope that, while you enjoyed
and improved it, you would be. like them, bles'
sing to your country. and reflect credit upon an
ancen, name. Tha. hope Is gone; and while
make over TO You an estate which the who'e
object of my life has been to cultivate and en-
bellish, do it with the melancholy presen'nenl
that in few years, If not less time, It will pass
from your hands 10 some OF the proli'sate asso'
GATES with whom you hive connected yourself
The hopeless naluaon which characteristics your
conduc. can tend to no other course; and the mel
anchoy reflection is aggravated by the conscious
ness that your conduct is the result OF criminal ana
disgraceful folly
Here the venerable man, overcome by his feel
ngs, sank back upon the pillow. and remained ST.
lent for moment; during which, his son, as II
conscious of the justice Of his reflections continued
only to sob with increasing bitterness. When the
invalid had recovered sufficient strength, he again
proceeded:
NV pei feet conviction Of the hopclessucss OF
your conduc, has caused me 10 make over TO you
NY hereditary castle and estate, with one reser-
walton TO the observance Of which will bind You
BY the most solemn promise you can give
Here the old man was interrupted by ,he ear
mes, mud half chokcd voice Of his son. Dearest
father said he, you crush me to the ground with
your bounty am quite undeseyng of even the
smallest kindness. now see how al,rocious, how
objectionable, have been my crimes
THAT consciousness on your part, my son, ie-
sumed the dying man, 'awakens hope which soolhes
mo in my last moments; but the long trial have
given YOU will not allow me 10 swcrve from my
resolution. leave YOU all the property of which
am possessed, with this sing 10 reserva,ion-lha,.
SD long as you, yoursey remain master of the es-
tate and castle Of Bullalra, where your ancestors
have resided in honor for six centuries, so long
uiN you allow the small chnmber beneath The to~-
er in the LEFT wing 10 remain UNOPENED.'
l. The young man started with involuntary sur
u Prise Tho tcs,alor, wi,hou, manifcs,lng any
J. emotion, continued:
u 'lf-as nm not without hopc---lhe feelings of
% tho prcsen; time may strengthen your heart TO n
II life of vir,uous and manly resolve, then, rs AT
10 present, tina, chamber is TO remain during your
o life consigned to obscuri,y and neglect. Sufficient
j. for yourself and me, that you haze become re-
u formed: in that event, YOU will never seek to un-
y veil secrc, intended only for the most abandoned
" state of depra,iy TO which human nature could
1t arrive
' Surprise and establishment commended with con-
II triton in The ,epen,ins son,as he heard The simple,
e but singular, condition annexed 10 such munlii-
II cen, beques,. SelrabAsed ard deeply affected he
had thought that to cut him from two thirds Of his
= esnte had not been punishment, equal TO his de-
: ser,s: and there was deep sincerity in his hear,
d when he soemny and earnestly assured his lying
parent thu. his frs, act would be TO build up the
c er. With energy and full determination, he in
Q wardly resolved, indeed, 10 abandon course Of
] life which ho now bitterly reproba'ed, and of
!, which he regretted, with agony, that he had not
l. awoke TO its enormity sooner,
: Father said he, in a voice which, while it fall
d tered with deep distress. was still strengthened
$ with the rmness of settled purpose. i will from
c this day reform. If have hur. your hes, feelings
a while living, will not disgrace your memory
It when dend, bya continuance in conduc, so uban-
9 doned. q thu, had resolved so earern
Had you my child resumed the evidently
much suffering Invalid, you would no, have bro
u ken your fathers heari--you would have heen
u spared the pain Of witnessing a dcaihbed which,
u however soon it nigh, have been expected in the
course of nature, has nevertheless been the pre-
: mature result of the proHisacy which could no,
stem. However, could | be but certain Of the
durability, as am of the sincerity. of your pres
cns determination. should die happy in having
: witnessed such change-which now solemnly
pray may be listing
Indeed indeed. father, Indeed it will, sobbcd
the deeply affected son.
'ln tina, cnse, George you will inherit this es-
tate with your fathers blessings and long and hap
py may your enjoyment OF i, bc. But il, on the
contrary, '--nnd here his features relapsed into
that uhmoved solcmni;y which, ut such a time,
always indicates lncredulity ,-'if you should dis.
appoin, my piesen, hopes-if, contrary to my ex-
pec;alions you will desecr,,e the wishes Of your
p'ren, in the grave-if you return to your present
pracllses. and continue in them until your profit
gacy las ruined yourself. dishonored mo, and dis
graced your anccs'ors-if, los, to every sense Of
virtue and of shame, you 90 on till you have diss.
pnied, By your reckless extra,agance tho splen-