Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-07-05
alone. She has seen the SHOWS of sixty winters
her health is feeble, and in all probability few
more years will close her earthly career.


THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP.
1t was near four o'clock and had not yet pre-
pared myself to give my lecture The heat was OPP |
pressive, the air heavy, the sky tempestuous and
felt sensation of restlessness and nervous rrita
bility quite unusual to me- During the last week
had not enjoyed one hours tranquility; several
persons dangerously i'll and requiring my attention
had called for me. One in particular (the only sup
port of large family gave me great anxiety, and
excited in my mind extreme sympathy. In this
state got into the carriage TO go to the University
AT that moment an unseaed note was put into my
hand. opened it Immediately, and found it to an
nounce the death of poor Il, for whom was
50 much interested and this news affected me deep
ly.
The stroke was the more severe as had not fore
the event, and consequently, had not the con-
ISOLATION Of having been able to prepare the fam.
lily of my patient for great misfortune. Hither-
to the chair of defamation had always been to me
rather pleasure than labor; the abstract theo-
res of the science had amused my mind but on
this evening | felt degree of uneasness on my
spirits for which | could not account. The events
Of the day had so deeply affected me that felt all
almost unslrmountabe inclination to repose. When
reached the entry of the hail. cast look around
at the unusually full audience, and as | passed
through the crowd heard the name of ceebra-
ted doctor spoken of as being amongst my hearers.
At another time these were circumstances that
would have given me pleasure, but now they in
creased my confusion which was indeed complete
when | discovered that had left my notes in the
carriage, which had dismissed at the door, inten-
ding to walk home. 1t was now too late to send
for them and was now in great perpexity.
opened my portfolio, and hastily ran through num-
Der of remarks that had thrown in there without
arranging them happily, l fell upon some novel
observations upon insanity, and then determined
to make that the subject of my off hand lecture.
have but confused idea of what then followed
but remember the applause which saluted my en-
terance, and which became still louder when my
confusion was observed. AS soon as there was 81
lence summoned all my courage, and began
The first words cost me infinite pains hesitated
and stopped continually; but by degrees recover
ed myself, and the great attention paid to me gave
Inc confidence. | soon found the cloud that over
spread my ideas became less confused the words
came readily, and comparisons and expressions
crowded upon me. | had only to choose them. As
went on my observations became more striking
and my demonstrations more clear and comprehen
sive | was asonished at the luency with which
expressed myself | found great facility in treat
ing several difficult subjects which at another time
] should hardly have dared attempt. They seemed
to me clear and simple and got through them as
trlfies. Still greater became my surprise to fine
that my memory, which had hitherto been miracu
lousy faithful, brought back the most trihinc
circumstances of my long career. cited an au
thor ana with so much eXactitudc that one nigh
have imagined that held the book in nv hand
facts and anecdotes came to elucidate my theorie!
and demonstrations the cases OF insanity that
had witnessed in my youth, and which though
were efiaced from my memory, rushed back upor
1t as II they had recently happened. | became ever,
moment more at ease, the promptness with whcl
one idea followed another, exciting every faculty
the words came to give them expression. At tina
moment great terror took possession of my mind
1t seemed to me that some unknown dangers, which
1t was not in my power to avoid, hung over me.
The supernatural power that had hitherto sup
ported me began to sink my thoughts became con
fused; strange faces and fantastic images flitte
before my eyes. The objects of which had bee
speaking came to life, and seemed like magi
clan who by a word rendered visible the living am
the dead. | stopped The most perfect silenc
reigned in the hall, and every eye was turned to
ward me. All at once horrible thought sieze
me, convulsivc laugh broke from me, and eS
claimed d" am mad" All the assembly rose il
simultaneously like one body. Every voice raise
Il cry of terror; and of what afterwards happened
knew nothing.
When recovered my senses | was in bed.
looked around-I knew every object in the rooni.-
The sun shone upon the window-curtains, whic
were half closed T.: was sensible that it was eve
ming; ! saw nobody in the room; and when ! el
deavored to comprehend who was, and why Their
faintness came over me ! shut my eyes, and tr
ed TO sleep, when some one entering the room
wakened me : it was my friend Doctor G-,wl
approached the bed, and sttentively examined II
for few moments. Whilst he thus looked at n
preceved that he changed color, his hand tren
bed whilst feeling my pulse, and in low al
, melancholy whisper he said, "My God, how he
! changedw | then heard voice at the door sa
, "May / come imp" The doctor did not answe
t and my wife came gently into the room. 81
looked pale and sorrowful her eyes were wet an
oyp mo tanr
upon my face. She took my hands in both hel
r bent her lips close to my ear, and said, "Wia,
do you know me" A long silence followed til
j question. tried to answer, but was incapable
pronouncing one word. | wished to show by son
d sign that was sensible of her presence. fix
t my eyes upon her; but | heard her say, amid
G deep sobs and tears las he does not know me
g And thus perceived that my efforts had been
r vain. The doctor now took my wife by the hal
O to lead her from the room. "Not yet, not yet" 81
said Withdrawing her hand, and relapsed into
If lirium. When again became sensible, | felt
IS if had awakened from long and deep SLEEP.
still suffered but less severely; extreme weakne
n had succeeded 10 fever; my eyes were paint
re and mist Was over them; at first was not SEN
% Bile that any one was in the room, but gradua
IS objects became more distinct, and saw the dc
tor seated by my bed. He said =" Are you bett
ID William" Hitherto my Intellectual attempts
le make myself understood had not given me pal
VI Dut now tne lihposslDlllty OF DONG so was nj
IN tyrdom. | soon became aware that my strength
IS mind was leaving me, and that death approach
The efforts that made to rouse myself from t
If sort of death-lke slumber must have been very
to client, for cold sweat came all over me- | hei
OF a rushing as if my were full Of water, and
g. limbs convulsed. | seized the doctors hand, VIII
ly pressed with all my strength rose in my b
ID and looked wildly at him. This did not last lor
ly | soon fell again into weakness; | dropped
Il, hand which had grasped, my eyes closed ant
ne fell back on my bed. All that remember at Il
ne moment were the words of poor Doctor G.
er who, thinking me dead, exclaimed, cat last
We suiierlngs are operw
Many hours passed before recovered my sens
re The first sensation of which became sensible v
the GOODNESS of the air, which felt like ice upon
er face 1t seemed as if an enormous weight was
at it; my arms were stretched against my body, q
he though was lying in most announcement positi
as yet it was impossible to change it tried to spe