The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-20
From the Literary Emporium.
THE DEVOTED.
BY THE REV. A. A. LlPSCoMB.

Who that possesses the least acqualn-
tance with the philosophy of the female
heart, is ignorant Of the fact, that it is pc
culially calculated to struggle with the re-
verses Of Fortune? Who does not know
that there belongs to woman's nature for
titude which trials serve only to draw forth:
forttude, which neither disappointment
nor distress can Destroy Unnoticed this
quality may be, amid the glare of earthly
prosperity but in the time Of nibulation,
when thick darkness settles upon the path
way-when the present and the future are
alike destitute of consolation, then, like
some solitary star, that filings its radiance
upon the surrounding gloom, it shows to
an admiring world, that seIl-supporting
principle enters into the constitution of the
softer sex. Adversely nay wlther the
heart Of man--it may dim his lustrous eve
and pale his roseate cheek but in woman,
it meets with a disposition that resists in
the proportion that it is oppressed-a dis
position that counteracts every impression
of sorrow, and, like shield, blunts every
arrow of grief. Let female virtue and in
nocence be cast into the furnace of mis-
fortune, and they will come out the bright
er-the eye of their hope unobscured, and
the strength of their victorious spirits un-
broken. What is their motto2 'Cast
down, but not destroyed" What is their
emblem The bush of Horeb surrounded
by the flames, but not consumed
| Meeting sometime since with a sketch,
which may illustrate the above remarks, we
have concluded, dear reader, to furnish it
for your pleasure and profit
Where the frowning battlements of Fort
Washington look down upon the Potomac,
there lived, many years ago, family of
wealth and influence. Compelled to leave
their own land, on account of its unsettled
state, they had crossed the wide Atlantic 10
find peaceful sanctuary in the newly set
tied wilds of America. Their situation
here fully equalled the expectations which
they had formed, and though they often
yearned for their sea -girded isle--though
removal from it had produced in their bo-
SONS vacancy that no other place could
entirely fill, yet, the tranquility Of this,
the country Of their adoption, compensated
them for the sacrifice they had made. De-
livered from all the troubles which had agi-
tated the land OF their nativity-happy in
themselves and in their acquaintance, this
Interesting and exiled family lived in the
most pleasant manner. But how uncertain
are all human calculations How easily
may the foundation of our Joy be swept
away from us When the Revolution had
commenced the united forces of the
lovers of freedom focked to the embattled
plain, Mr.. W. attached himself to our army.
His patriotic feeling had accompanied HIM
in his emigration. Liberty was the idol Of
his hearts warmest devotion, and hence it
is not strange that he espoused the cause
of the injured colonists, and pledged his
word-his honor, and his all, to support
rebellion Commencing his dear family to
the care OF Providence, Mr.. w. left his
charming home and Joined the Southern di-
vision of the army. He ever manifested
uncommon bravery and discernment.
Deeply mbued with the spirit OF freedom,
he exerted all his talents and contributed
his undivided energy to the dellverance Of
America, until he fell, covered with glory,
upon the field Of contest Could courage
magnanimity and patriotism have averted
the blow, he would have been saved, but
alas for himself aud relatives, he fell--fell
with the banner OF our nation waving over
his head and the enemies OF right in his
front. Though his remains have not
minoIed with his her-land-though the
shamrock grows not over his lowly bed,
he shall not be forgotten. Historians shall
record his love of freedom and poets sing
of his virtues, while his name shall be
handed down TO Posterlty, with glory and
courage for its bright associates.
Shall we undertake to describe the dis
tress Of the family who lost in Mr.. w. an
invaluable blessing II would be useless,
for whose conceptions are SO vivld-whoSe
pen is so ready, as to pourtray the feeling
which such an event occasions
Who, but those that have experienced
il, can form adequate views Of that sorrow
which is produced, when the parent tree,
around whose trunk the ivy twined, and
upon whose boughs the tendrlls leaned, is
cut down! An husbands death A Alatber's
dissolution What is it but the destruction
of the fondest hopes--the crushing of the
most ardent wishes-the overthrow of one
of life's hrmest and most certain supports
The peculiar character Of Mr.. WIS death
augmented the misery which it would have