The Washingtonian., 1845-08-16

me IoiioWlnS has been handed us by
friend, with request that we would repub-
hsh 1t; which is done with pleasure.
From the Alexandria Gazette.
THE DEATH BED OF THE INEBRIATE.
1t was cold, cheerless evening in the month
OF January, 1S4-, when, in compliance with
the request OF friend, | visited young man
OF splendid abilities as scholar, tortured by
the worst of all maladies that ever entered
this world Of ours-the "delirium tremens"
The hollow winds sighed in the leahess trees
requiem for the departed year-the torn
clouds which had battled with the furious
winter storm revealed their rugged edges as
sionally little star peeped out from behind
its sable curtain, and then its soft bright eye
withdrew its light, as if unwilling to look
upon world so full of human misery and wo,
and all nature seemed to be in unison with the
darkness and gloom which, at that hour, over
shadowed many human minds and hearts.
Although a period like this seems only to
wear dreary aspect, yet Il has its pleasures;
for when the sun "fades into the light of hea-
yen," and night shadows gather in the sky,
the toll and care of business is laid aside, the
wearied mind reves in the delights of social
intercourse, and "home, sweet home," Gf
sought) throws its sweet associations around
the human heart, prompting it to forget the
anxieties and perplexities of the busy world"
and inviting its repose upon bed OF roses
where turks no SECRET THORN to pierce with
many sorrows. All these circumstances re-
move the ennui Of many an hour, and even
gild the raven wings of night. But when the
gloom of mental night comes on, and that
bright star lighted up in that pure world be-
xl Q.cl% - -, Jor a.
shines NOT, death-like darkness is spread all
around, more dismal than that when imam
FELL" and over this guilty world rested the
frown of an offended God. But, before pro-
ceeding further, perhaps short sketch OF the
individuals history just referred to, is due to
the reader.
He was young man of superior talents
graduated at one of the first institutions of
learning in the world, was master of the an
cient and modern languages, and his towering
mind and splendid education prepared him to
figure largely in scientific and literary circles.
Starting out in life with prospects Sc fattering,
one would expect to find him now rising into
meridian glory, and adding fresh laurels to his
country's garland. But, alas how different
the scene. Behold the moral and intellectual
man thrown into heap of ruins and he, who
but few years back, enjoyed the pleasure of
home, friends, and every blessing within the
gift Of earth, now, that the winter of life has
come, destitute of all these comforts, and the
miserable "outcast," about to breathe away
this life in lonely exile, unwept, (not unpitied)
and the memory Of his name 10 be blolted out
found him this evening. The cause which
led to such consummation-crushed his man.
ly heart-quenched the star which might have
lighted up the pathway of coming ages, and
threw him out upon life's stormy ocean to
float awhile among its weeds and then sink
into its bosom to perish, may be summed up
in one eWord-INTEMPERANCE. He was lying
on the floor in one corner of small room pro-
vided for him by few friends. The faint
light of a taper revealed to my gaze his hor-
ror-stricken, frightful countenance; and, oh
that ghastly grin-that fre-shot eye-that
fendish smile-those heart-rending and soul
narrowing expressions continually gushing
from his lips, would have moved an adaman-
tine heart, and made an angel weep, if tears
are wept in heaven. The mental hurricane
which had so long swept over him, now be-
gan to subside The mighty ocean which had
tossed him about upon its rough pillows, was
growing more calm and placid, owing to the
pros,ration of physical power, for sleep had not
rested on his eyelids for many days. thought
that his CLASSY eye, feeble fluttering pulse, and
seemingly fixed attention, indicated speedy
change. And in this was not mistaken; for
a few hours afterwards, Death unfolded its
black wings to close his earthly suffering, and
prepare him for the grave-eternity-
ment., Oh! what an awful period it is when
the immortal spirit fingers on the shores OF
Time, in the last moments of its earthly exist
ence. Then, sad thoughts cross the mind and
shade the heart, and we feel the force Of that
sentiment "Death makes towards of us all"
In that eventful crisis, tits sweet to repose
on thornless pillow-to listen to the autter-
ing wings of angel spirits, impatient to bear
away the jewel to gisten in the casket of the
skies but horrid, indeed, 10 rest on a bed Of
,horns when the death shades are gathering
thick and fast, skirted with no bright beams
of an Immortality of bliss but blackened with
an eternal lifetime of anguish and remorse
The destiny Of an immortal being will soon
be fixed forever; it is now struggling to be re-
leased from its prison house of clay. Tell me,
oh, tell me, when the agonies of life are past,
what will be its doom, its irrevocable fate {?
These questions, SO momentous and import
ant excited my mind, when / gazed upon the
spark of life, swiftly waning and going out.
1t was melancholy hour, one that will cast
sombre shadows over my spirits. whenever
the death-bed scene OF the maniac arises on
my mind Could every lover of g strong drink"
have beheld the tortured victim, writing un-