The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-27
ISCELLAN EOUS
From the United States Journal.
A RIDE THROUGH CAMBRIDGE,
AND A VISIT TO MOUNT AUBURN
BY MRS. NJ. L. GARDINER

us groves oil elmS, It's green college grounds,
and fine buildings. Harvard University is here,
the oldest and most respectable institution in the
United States. | was struck with amazement,
as gazed upon the labor Of ages, the produc-
tons of intellect, that on all sides surrounded me-
Feelings of the deepest awe filled nay mind,
while walked through the halls, walled with
the works of those who have been centuries
sleeping in their graves; a pleasing yet melan-
choly sensation, which language can with diff
Guilty express. One can hardly dare disturb the
profound silence of suc place, for he seems 10
be walking among tombs, and as if fearful Of
disturbing the repose Of the dead, would refrain
from uttering word How often, thought |,
has the midnight lamp fickered under the weary
eye-lids of those who have lived and labored,
with flushed cheek, and aching brow, endeayor
ING to throw light upon dark and intricate sub
jects, or striving to meliorate the condition of
their race
Numbers were assembled upon the green an
anniversary was to be held that day, and groups
of young men and girls with light and joyous
countenances were vending their way to the
church. All looked cheerful and happy, the
earth, the air, and sky seemed fraught with the
pure aspirations of nature. We stopped in the
course of our ride under the Washington Elm,
tree under which we were informed, the com
mander in chief at Cambridge, first drew his
sword in the defence of his country, the elm
is near the Generals headquarters scholar
and poet Longfelow, one Of the professors of the
college now lives in 1.-THE mansion looks very
much as it did in l776, and we felt half inclined
to alght from our carriage and kneel down upon
It's threshold.
The houses in Cambridge are nearly embow-
cred with shrubbery, which gives them an en-
chanting appearance The street is pleasant,
and ornamented by various trees. Our ride was
delightful. The river Charles flowed Iazily
along, beautifying everything in its course. The
rail roads, the varlons streams the scenery around
were both interesting and absorbing.
| Reaching Mount Auburn, we left our carriage
at the gate, and entered the city of the dead
! Mount Auburn All hail thou land Of graves
thou consecrated spot All hail Ye venerable
trees, which stand like sentnels, over sacred
trust. Surely no warning was required as we
entered this hallowed place, not to pluck leaf,
or flower for who, who in their heart, could
| touch single tWig, or rob the sleeping dead Of
one of their beautiful watchers2 | enter thy
deep vallies, gaze around, and my spirit is over
whelmed. What simplicity, what beauty, what
serenity! Here silence Sis her throne, while
every leaf is subject To her control. What ma
| jesty hangs over these woods the beech tree
with its pomp, the map and sumach in golden
array, the sycamore in prlncey attire, and the
pale and sllvery birch trembling In the signing
breeze, adorned this vast cathedral of the woods,
and poured their symphonies over each new ZEN
ant of the grave. wander around from monu-
ment to monument; read the inscriptions, look
upon the broken columns emblematica of blasted
hopes, and buried joys. Here, in Beech avenue,
is the monument of DR.. j. Bigelow, round un-
finished column of marble, with lestoon of olive
leaves hung near its top. Beautiful type of
peace and everlasting rest. On Poplar avenue
my eyes was arrested by the monument of "Mc
| Lellan, !" rallied in with an elegant fence. Among
the names on the tablets Of the tomb beneath,
appears that of Henry Blake Mcclellan, who
died 1888, at the age of p. RE was graduated
at Harvard University, studied divinity in And
over, spent two years in the University at Edin-
burgh on the continent of Europe, and returned
home to lie and rnoulder here He called it
s.Sweet Auburn" in letter TO a friend after
hearing while away, his father contemplated Ia
king spot there, saying, "with those pleasant
places, my college days are tenderly connected
ind I,could loce there 10 sleep my long cold sleep
And here he lies, committed to his qniet bed but
three months after his return, burying the hopes
of his beloved parents in the grave with him.
| Here is the tpmb Of Spurzheim of elegant. but
plain stone created by subscription and inscribed
with nothing but his name. A man who has,
without doubt done more to develope and explain
the phenomena of the brain, and other mental
operations, than any other person that ever lived
There is no one acquainted with the character
and career Of this distinguished individual, ''but
will feel at the sight Of the name on the marble
mingled emotion of sorrow and admiration"
STOPPING down, as left the interesting spot, G
would not refrain) took a spire Of the green
grass, that covered the remains of this wonder
| ful Phianthropist, whose great end through life,
was the improvement and happiness Of man.
"From the bright home that gave him birth,
| pilgrim o'cr the Ocean wave,
He came to find in other earth
A strangers grave"
Not far from the tomb Of Spurzhoim, is that
Of DR.. William Elery Charming, that great and
good man, felt myself highly privileged in
standing by his grave. have been in the cham
her were his spirit released from its prison house
Of clay took its upward fight | have gazcd
upon these eastern hills, which We're tnged with
the golden hnes of gorgeous sunset, and shad-
cd by the long slant rays Of the descending orb,
as the winged messengers Of heaven bore his
pure spirit to their abode on high. AS leaned
upon the railing around the monument erected to
his memory, my excited imagination placed me
for the moment in the society Of the blessed.