The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-04
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Gral,am's Magazine for March has sketch with
this title, written by James X. Pau'ding, The first
portion Of it details conversation which the author
had with AN old gentleman who thought the world
was very near its end-it had got to be so wicked,
the its were wound up the better.
The remainder Of tho article describes dream which
the author had after the fault finding gentleman had
left him. II the reader be believer in the doctrines
OF MIR Miller, the hints that works should 90 with
his faith, without instruction that is if lie has
not yet set his house in order It is presumed how
ever that the man who really thinks the end Of the
world near, is all ready and waiting.
Methought the eve Of the first Of a Ri had come,
and with it every indco on that the prediction o(the
! prophet about to be fulfilled. The waters ofthe
| rivers, brooks md springs became gradually warmer
and warmer, until some ofthem began to boil; but
currents Of air issued from the assures of the earth
whose surface became heated that the bare-fooed
urchns rather danced than walked upon it; n thick
| dun-colored vapor, by degrees, involved the world
from the horison to the skies, and there prevailed
Dead oppressive calm, without single stirring
breath Of air. The earth became, it were one
vast heated oven. The air was dry and parching;
the turIics lay sprawIng their BREASTS with OK
banded wings; the dogs strolled wistully around,
seeking some cool retreat, painting and Ioliog out
their tongues; the little birds hid themselves in the
recesses of the woods and ceased sing the leaves
of the flowers wtcd and shrivel!ed up under the ex
cessive heat of the burning sun-anL the world
Cd to evove, either from suspension ofthe laws of
nature, or for fear Of dssoIving in proue pcrspra
ton.
conc The like living ball Of fire; tie
whole armament rocked and trencled, us if painting
with throes of saiocaton; and anon, long flash
es of zig gag lightning shot athwart the heavens in
dead silence, for thunder followed and all nature,
rational and irrational animate and inunisnate, seemed
awaiting in denth-like silence the hour Of their final
dissolution, as predicted by the prophet.
Melhought wandered about in that unhappy and
distracted Of mind which generally when
we are haunted by some din, half visible spectre Of
underlined misery, whose presence we feel, but
whose prosecutions cannot avoid. Ii seems that
stro led to the rivers side, in hopes OF miaIlng the
cool refreshing brcezes from its bosom, but it sent
forth nothing but scaldng vapor like that from steam
engine The fishes lay sprawling and painting, and
diving on its surface; and hungry hawk, that pung
ed down for the prey being exhausted by the
ing heat Jay auttcring heplessly the waters From
the mountains of the opposite shore, columns of
blood red smoke and flashes Of suIphurous fire issued
with an angry roaring vehemency; and IN some Of the
deem assures Of the rocks mehought | could see
The raging fires, as through the bars of furnace
Then came rolling Of the bowels of the earth tor
rents Of houid fire; then on the dreadful srug
,eor the rebel elements, released from the guiding
hand Of their great Master. The dssoving earth rush
cJ into the waters: a noise like the kissing ola mil
lion orserpents, succeeded, and when looked again
! the river dry.
fled from the appalling spectacle, and sought the
citQ where all WAS disrnay and confusion. Some
we're shrcking AID tearing sheir hair, in guilty ap
rrohcnsiors OF the horrors Of death, and the suffer
;ngs If the world to come. Others sat in mute de-
snoir. awaiting in dumb insensiby the fate of all
the rosl of their race; while Others, mpeled by the
instinct Of self preservation, and iorSettui oEthe inev
table doom that awaited them, devising various