The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-20


Ofthat exact height which impresses every
ardent lover with the belief that he can fold
his mistress in his arms and carry her
through fire and storm, her figure was richly,
eNquisitely developed, and the eye might fol-
low forever its fhultess undulalions without
finding point whereon to rest criticism
Her auburn hair was braided in rich luXuri-
ance over brow never rutiled, whercon limo
cence reposed as pure as moonlight sleeping
upon snow,and cheek where the blood new
er slept. The forehead somewhat higher and
broader than woman's generally gave prom
Use ofa certain nobleness of intellect which
threw dignity, a femenine dignity around
the more tender characteristics of her general
beauty, and relieved the almost abandon eX-
preston Of her oliye-shaped eyes beneath
their long dark fiinges In her eye, indeed
with its ever changeful expression, lay the
principal charm of her face. The deep blue
sea reflects not with more fidelity the sum
mer clouds that pass over it, than did her
eyes the varying shadows of her mind; and
they were in striking Inrmony with the eX7
preston of her beautiful mouth, in the cor
ners of which, even in the gravest moments,
young smiles seemed struggling into being.
Her voice was flexible, mellow and clear, full
of Joy and gladness, and readily adapted it,
selfto the varying subjects of her cOnversa-
ton.
can excellent thing in woman" is pleas
ing voice, and hers was such as no man could
hear and ever forget. In after years, in spite
oftreacherous memory, its tones would be
recalled as he listened TO the joyous carol of
early spring birds,thc soft breathmgs of an f.
olian harp, or the affectionate whsperings of
mothers blessing. Such was the effect
produced upon me in the first half hour of
our acquaintance, that though years have roll
ed over me since, though | have seen the
world, MS tits called, and been familiarized
with many of the stirring scenes ofliie which
make up the aggregate of mans experience,
though have gazed upon the beauty of my
country through every phase ofits checkered
society, from the halls of the aristocratic, cor
rupted politician, TO the humble cottage ofthe
sturdy squutter, have ever met, with but one
Lucy Black.
| soon discovered that those whom she was
entertaining so delightfully."- were ms varied in
their professions and hues of mind as were
the states from witch they came. To him of
the far west she spoke ofthe vast boundless
prQiries, its broad rivers, its Handicapped
mountains aud the wild adventures of It's
hardy pioneers, TO the southerner she touch
cd upon the Sunny south, her generous soil,
the beauty of her daughters, her gallant cllv-
alric sons, as ardent as their cline and as
changetul, too; TO the politician she dwelt up
on the pleasures ola Washington winter, ITS
exciting debates, its accumulation of talent,
beauty ard novelty, &C. land thus did this sin
guar!y gifted creature, by an intuitivc percep-
ton ofthe weaknesses, the tastes or preiu-
dices ofthose whom she addressed, admiru-
bly, adapt her talents to the qualification of
each,and all seemed equally surprised and de-
lighted in her presence. A man sure TO
1. 4
unconsciously TO talk upon those subjects
most agreeable and familiar to himself and
this conceive to be one of the most difficult
and delicate methods of pleasing. When an
mated she gesticulated much and gracefully,
and all her soul beamed in her face. Her
manner was characterized by friendness, the
trankest confidence, but there was so much
delicacy and refinement III every word and
look, that her perfect purity of heart was at
once acknowledged.
had ever been accustomed to regard wo-
mans intellectual interiority as estnblished,to
look upon her as the reverse other own mir
ror, the one speaking without rejecting, ana
the other rejecting without speaking, but
here was most charming proof of my err
ror. / danced with her, and her movements,
so light, unaffected, and yet so graceful COM
pared to those ofthe mere women around me,
the fantastic cavotings of Burns Guilty Sark.
Like myselfshe was an ardent admirer of the
ballads of Burns and Moore, and when l ven
tured a request that she would sing, and left
the selection to herself, she instantly complied,
s. seating herself at the instrument which the
young lady offashion had so violently treat
ed, she sung to beautiful French air, those
charming words of Nourmaha:-
ssThere bliss beyond all that minstrel has
told,
Where two that are linked in one heavenly tie,
With hearts never changing and brow never
cold,
Love on through all ills and love on till they
die!
One hour of passion sacred is worth
Whole ages of heartless and wandering bliss;
And oh if there be an Elysum ON earth,
1t is ths-it is this!''
She sang with so much feeling, taste and
harmony, that all around stood hushed and
wondering, gazing upon each other i'll silent
admiration. There was none ofthe artistical
display, none fthe adroit management which |
had observed in the former player, but as
the enchanting measure stole around knew
not whether the voice or the chords gave ut
terence to the words, so tremendously were
they blended together. / watched her elo- |
ouentface, but could not discover tho slight |
est indication that she was aware ofthe pleas
rtre she was comforting, and she appeared as
free from all those little arts of coquetry
which pretty and accomplished women some
times practice, as the keys that her fingers
dwelt upon.
This was a final evolution, termination OF
the evenings campaign, and my poor heart,
that had stood up manfully against every
nrevio,,s mannuvre, was carried as by n coup
Ge ,nnin., The party soon after broke upland
viii an accelerated pulse and !everish brow