The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-11-20
EEKFR.N. MD.
Saturday, November 20 ISlT

plate-so moving OF plty-so suggestive
Of III irlilty and entire dependency ofpoor
weak humanity, as fellow mortal with
his reason dethroncd and his mental en-
ergies utterly Frustrated. We cannot
behold without an intense shuddering
of soul, a Misunderstanding and furious
with lrothing mouth and glaring eye,
conjuring up IN his mad fancy the most
horrid phantoms, and with screams and
contortions combating fends Of his own
creation. We incline TO turn away in
haste from such a scene, for it prompts
the keencst pam, and recolcctions Of il
follow us for many month, by night and
day, in waking hours and in dreams.
And we turn away from the contenpIa-
ton of it now, fol even in that there is
nsationunpleasantly borne.
The Beutjc Of Insanity We may be
wrong in writing that word--stilI may
there not be beauty in the flash that
marks the track of the destroying bolt
in the rolling Of the tall waves that wreck
a hect-in the clold-ward curl0gs of
the flames that consume a city. There
is a passive-yea, ioHi" insanity through
which the victim smiles and sings, and
lost TO the regrets and woes common to
humanity seems always to be happy.
There is love in all his whispcrngs;
there is mildncss in all his movements,
and the pictures painted by his cXobrr-
ant fancy, are far more beautiful and
grand, than any conceived OF by those
who cling at all to the real. We have
found tear coursinS down our check, as
we contemplated the movements olsuch
an one, but we could not tell why, for
from his breast, which seemed the home
OF happiness alone. neyera sigh escaped
still the tear would steal out from our
eve, and we were sad. it might have been
that there was an instructive impression
that his seeming joyluIncas was all unIolt
AN inward consciousness that happi-
ness based on reason was the only true
happ.ness-that there was no pleasure
except as it was contrastea with pain,
and that the occasional intensity OF the
latter alone could prompt the entertain
mcnt and appreciation Of the former to
/ any thrilling degree. But We noted down
the heading of this chapter to relate un-
der ii an incident Illustrative oithe Beau
ties of insanity, and did not think Of be-
ing led of into the field Of speculation.
Strolling away in the country Oh a
I pleasant afternoon during the last sum-
mer, we encountered a "poor unlortu-
nate" whose reason had years ago fed,
but who is ever joyful and glad. We
trust this reference TO her case, if any
where recognised, may nowhere be pain
full. She had been beautiful and though
increasing years had somewhat blanched
her cheek, still many traces OF her former
lovelncss remained, and like the later
flowers OF fall, appeared the brighter for
the signs Of tadinr and decay around
them. We met her by the side Of grove
where she stood talking and singing TO
the trees and shrubs and flowers. We
ap0lo-iscd for the intrusion-shc smiled
pleasantly as schoo! girl, and proceed
ed to talk to the trees. and about them,
in the sweetest tones, and with a rich
ness Of language we could not retain,
somewhat rs follows: each tree and
flower before me stands upon a grave.
The dead cf a citv-a city of the oldcn
time lie buried here. That tall tree,
overlapping all the others is rooted in the
grave ofthat city's greatest man-thcse
smaller ones stand on the graves OF small
er men. Beneath thai noble oak hes a
noble and a gallant man-yondcr twisted
and guarded trunk grows from the tomb
OF one whose perversr spirit it truly rep
resents. Beneath that thorn tree sleeps
the dust of one who was contentious and
ferce--these rank and poisonous vines
spring from the bitter mould Of the wick
ed and unprinclpled, but OH" continued
she ''these wild flowers and beautiful ro-
SEES that throw their fragrance through
the grove, take root in the blessed ashes
Of the young and beautiful and pure.
Every tree before me springs from the
dust Of a departed nhabitant ofthat great