The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-10-21
(FOR THE BANNER.)
HUMAN LIFE; or, MIRTH AND
SADNESS

The sun rises beautiful and bright,
disclosing the charms of nature in pu-
rest loveliness. The dew-drop pendent
from every leaf of the green-livried TO-
rest as we'll as the humber blade that
clothes the surface of the earth in habili-
ments of beauty, sparkles more brilliant.
ly than the gem that ornaments the dia-
dem of kings. But ere it is midday,
the threatning storm-cloud IS seen mar
.shalling its irresistible force soon dark
ness shrouds the lovely scene--dread
and dismay usurps the seat of pleasure
BILE emotion. Such is picture of hu-
man life. Such the intimate alliance of
mirth and sadness.
The babe nesting in the bosom OF ii
kind and af1ectionate mother, looks up
and smiles, smile of innocence, of joy
and gratitude. In return for so sweet
an acknowledgment of favor received
"soft eyes looked love 10 eyes that spaSc
again."
Soon pain racks its delicate frame, and
tears course down that cheek so lately
dimpled with smiles. With sadness the
parent attends its tiny couch, adminisle-
ring every recommended cordial. So
sudden the transition from mirth to sad
ness.
Through the vicisitudes of pleasure
and pain, Of mirth and sadness, we reach
manhood: "that consummation so much
DESIRED" that period at which we antici-
pate happiness will make our bosom her
permanent resting place. Alas! it
proves but the mount of observation,
from which we can take nearer, clear
er view of trial and trouble. Then COM
mences the exciting struggle for maste-
ry with many, for existence with the
multitude. A contest exempIyfying
each moment of human existence, the
proximity of mirth and sadness. The
bridegroom leading to the altar of Hy-
men, woman whose very look is love,
exults at the thought Of his priceless pos
session, and vainly promises himself
that the doubts and fears of pursuit are
forever displaced, by the unmittiga,ed
pleasure possession, of permanent pos
session. Mirth and pleasure direct his
every thought. The experienced eye
of the close observer dilates upon the
rose'tinted cheek the ensignia of death,
where the more superficial see but a
beauty.
Far different the feelings with which
he attends to the sleeping place Of the
dead to those with which he led her to
the altar. Mirth and sadness are sell
dom far separated.
The votaries of pleasure and fashion,
whose every thought is enjoyment to
whom every hour that fleets along, but
brings some novelty to WOO them from
reflection. Are they too, subject to these
alterations of joy and grief2 All !
yes, there too may be found "The ga
thering tear, the tremblings of distress" "
The gray headed father, who has pas
sed the confines of active life, centres his
hopes and affections on an only child
himself in miniature. In its existence
he lives again, his early years and
fondly hopes (his latest hope,) to be re-
membered beyond the grave. Ingrati-
tude may poison this last source of COM
fort, and send his "gray hairs in sorrow
to the grave" Or disease and death
with lightning wing may snatch bis
cherished one away, and leave him the
last of his race to sorrow without hope
scathed and blasted like the giant oak