Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
How it Strikes a Stranger.

|
In remote antiquity,.when the super.
natural AMI marvellous obtained readi.
er credence thance than now, it was ia.
bled that a stranger of extraordinary ap.
pearance was observed pacing the streets
of one Of the magnificent cities of the
east, remarkirg with an eye OF intelligent
curiosity every surrounding object: sew.
eral individuals, gathering around him.
questioned him concerning his country
and his business; bat they presently per-
Ecelved that he was unacquaiated with
their language, and he soon discovered
himself to be equally ignorant of the
most common usages Gf society: at the
same time. the divinity and intelligence
Of his air and demeanor forbade the idea
of his being either barbarian or luna
&c. When at length he understood by
their signs that they wished to be inform.
FED whence he came, he pointed with
great significance to the sky; upon which
the crowd, concluding him to be one of
their delties, were proceeding to pay him
divine honors; but he ho sooner compre-
hended their design than he rejected it
with horror; and bending his knees, and
raising his hands toward heaven in the
attitude Of prayer, gave them to under
stand that he also was a wOrshipper of
the Powers above
After time, it is said that the mvste-
rlous stranger accepted the inequalities
of one Jf .he a35!es of the city; under
whose roof he applied himself with great
diligence to the requirement Of the lam
guage; in which he made such surprising
proficiency, that in few days he was :
BILE to hold intelligent intercourse with
those around him. The noble host now
resolved to take an early opportunity of
satisfying his curiosity respecting the
country and quality Of his guest; and
upon his expressing this desire, the
stranger assured him that he would an.
swer his inquiries that evening after sun
set. Accordingly, as night approached
he led him forth upon the balconies
of the palace which overlooked the veal
Thy and populous city. lnnamerable
lights from Its busy streets and splendid
palaces were now reflected in tie dark
bosom OF the river, where stately vessels.
laden with rich merchandise from all
ports OF the known world, lay anchored
in the port.
This was a city in which the voice of
the harp, and ofthe viol, and the sound Of
the milestone were continually heard !:
and craftsmen Of all kinds of craft were
there; and the light Of the candle was
seen in every dwelling; and the voice of
the bridegroom and the voice Of the bride
were heard there.
The stranger museI awhile upon the
glIttering scene, and listened to the con-
fused murmur Of mingling sounds; then
suddenly raising his eyes to the starry
armament, he fixed them with an ex-
pressive gage on the beautiful evening
star which was just sinking beneath a
dark grove that surrounded one Of the
principal temples Of the city.
Marvel not,' said he to the host, that
/ am wont to gaze with fond affection
on yonder sl!yerY star. THAT was my
home; yes, [ was lately ali inhabitant Of
that tranquil planet; from whence a vain
curiosity has tempted me to Wander
Often had beheid, with wondering ad-
miratlon. this brilliant world of yours,
ever one of the brightest gems Of our FIR
nament: and the ardent desire | had
long felt to know something of its con-
d'tion was ut length unexpectedly graft
lied. | received permission from above
to traverse the mighty void, ami directed
my course to this distant sphere: to that
PERMISSION, however, one condition was
annexed, to which my eagerness for the
enterprise induced me hastily to consent:
namely. that must henceforth remain
an .lnhabitant of this strange earth, and
Undergo all the vicissitudes to which its
natives are subject. Tell me. therefore.
ii pray you, what is the 10: of man; and
explain to me more fully than vet un-
derstand, all that | hear and see around
me.'
''Truly. SIR replied the astonished no.
BILE. although ! am altogether unacquain-
ted with the manners and customs, pro.
ducts and privileges, of your coutry, yet
methnks cannot but congratulate YOU
on your arrival in our world especially
since it has been your good fortune to a.
light on part Of it affording such yari-
Gus sources of enjoyment as this our OPP
ulent and luxuriAnt city; and he assured
it will be my pride and pleasure to intro
duce you to all that is most worthy the
attention Of such a distinguished foreign.
err
Our adventuser. however. was present
| ly initiated in those arts Of luxury and
pleasure which were there we'll under
stood. He was introduced, by his obi
ging host,to their public games and festi
walls; to their theatrical diversions and
convivial assemblies. In short time
he began to feel taste for amusements
1.-THE meaning IF which, at first, he coule
scarcely comprehend.
The next lesson which it becomes de
sirable to impart to him, was the necessi
'ty of acquiring wealth as the only means