Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-12-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
WINTER.


Woru Tor the Peer
The reign OF he winter months has
commenced, end tifsa change Of the see
son should awaken in every benevolent
mind reflections on the condition OF those
to whom fortune has been sparing Of her
iavors. and who. I'm ding il difficult enough
70 procure subsistence in the genial
months Of summer. see their wants in
creased a, this period OF The year, With
no increase OF means 10 meet the accu-
mulsted horrors 10 which they are Expos
ed Winter affords many fruitful subjects
OF morslizing and meditation. bu, none
which appeals with such eloqnence az
this 10 the humane and disinieres,ed be art,
And yet how apt are we toindulse 10
only such considerations as suggest them
selves to poe,ical fancy, or are come CT.
ed With our own enjoyment andscomiort.
We see summer gradually fading away,
and watch, with a kind OF melancholy
pleasure, the withered relics Of its glory
lis verdare disappears. its leaves fall
and The wind whistles through naked
branches which were few days ago clad
10 The gorgeous dtverv OF autumn. The
scene reminds Us perhaps oil our own
moftality-that our sum mer of lie is has.
tenins 10 its close--tbat. like the perish
Jag flower, man Too must pass away and
the cold winter OF the grave settle in dark
ness and storm upon bis breast. With a
lev such. common place reflections, we
dismiss the subject, never perhaps. think
ing 81 the hsplsss children OF poverty.
more wreiched than the lesfless trees, and
whose desolaie nature would be warmed
into new life and beauty BY one ray Of
sunshine from our hearts.
Winter has come, and with il thou
sand pleasures Tor the favored children
Of prosperity. The young. the fsshloas-
BILE, and the gay, rejoice thai the dull mo.
notony Of summer has passed aud that
the season of the bail: the rout. the con-
Ger, and the theatre. has arrived. A
crowd assemblesto witness upon the stage
some melting picture Of inflated woe and
tears fall thick and fast over the mimic
sorrow. while without The ei!dsd walls
are real griefs with no plying spectator
save Him whose patetnal eye looks bike
upon Lazarus 10 bis misery. aad upon
Dives in bis Pomp. and whose Just, i'm
partial hand often gives the mendicant OF
earth an inheritance in Heaven, and con
signs therich man. al whose gate be died
unfriended. TO eternal begssfy and want
Winter is q, hand. Dre4ry skies. cheer.
less SHOWS. and cold, blasts. follow 10 lis
train. Bat il scarcely inierTupisihe COM
forts Of men whom Heaven has blessed
with fortune. OF evenihe means Of a com
peteni sup2oEs. Their DAYS are occupied
ia The engfossing pursuits Of business and
'he oniy regret which the sea.on suggests.
Is, thai these days are TOO short for .ibe
occupations O trade aud The accumulation
Of wealth. Night comes. and they hast.
en- 10 comfortable homes. where loved
iacss greet Their arrival. and pleasant
voices bid Them welcome. Happy child
ren Chamber on their knees-cbildren 10
vsfur sndtlcb apparel. and whose smooth
cheeks have never been pinched ~ ihe
finger Of waat. Glasses sparkle on he
board, curtains are drawn. the ample Gre.
gives forth its light and heat. what mat
tsrs 1 that The bail falls, and TIE wind