Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-06

sought happiness long in vain, and found
it at last with me in solitude: for re-
membrance he has left me this toy (refer-
ring to the whole magic scene, that | call
into existence as often as will. He was
powerful magician, learned in all hidden
sciences; who called this palace to exist
ence by a word, and brought with it a
miniature world. See, every species Of
men are found here. There upon throne
sits king, his forehead adorned with dia-
monds, his shoulders arrayed with purple:
he is envied Of all men, but alas! he Sec
reilly enyies the slave who now kneels and
trembles before him. He is good
sovereign, and makes others happy, but is
himself denied it. That popular teacher
teaches humility, and hates him standing
near him, because he thinks he is more
honorable than himself. Leaning against
that pillar, stands an unhappy group Of
men; the world calls them wise: they see
the vanity Of the world: they do not allow
themselves to be deceived by the glitter Of
ambition or riches; their wishes appear to
them very moderate, yet are in reality SO
comprehensive, they are never fulfilled.
There stands another group for whom the
world with all its beauty is dead, yet they
see no flower without giving its name and
counting its petals; no beautiful tree with
out prying into its rind and leaves to dis
cover to what species it belongs; they
know every star that burns in the heavens;
and the hour Of the moons rising and set
ting; they seize every evening fly to
place it in the order of universe, and tell
us that every atom is inhabited. This
palace is also adorned with wonderful
species Of paintings. They have two
sides; upon one, all earnest-on the other
ridiculous. See; here, a mother mourns
over the loss of her only son; this specta-
tor weeps with her--upon the other side
one laughs. Behold there some, who, pale
and white, look only downwards. At
their birth, misery wept over them, and
chose them for her children. They can
shed tears over yellow leaf that falls
from tree to earth; they hate the world,
and themselves most; and, although some
times making others happy, no ray Of hap
piness, no beam Of sunlight can give them
pleasure. They smile, but there smiles
are like the light of the setting sun, shin
ing through withered branches. Misfor-
tune follows them like their shadow, their
eyes areheavy with weeping; their cheeks
pale-they are the most miserable of all.
That laughing crowd mock them. Their
mouths are always stretched, their eyes
wink joyfully to all; the world calls them
fools; they are happy, for they think
themselves wise. They inquire not their
destiny; they laugh through life:-la,,gh
in winter as well as its setting; Nature
has taken from them every soft sentiment,
& given them quality to find every thing
laughable. Those play with their fantasies.
The understanding has loosened the letters
of the bound imagination; and it shoots
like lightninidg hither and thithcr, while
the judgment limps upon crutches after it,
without being able to oyertake il; every
string Of their lutte is out Of tune, and
gives, when struck, false tone; they are
called madmen and unhappy, but they are
in reality happy. This one thinks the
chain that binds him to the wall a golden
necklace, his rags, the purple mantle of
king. That one thinks that in his straw
bed he possesses all the wealth of the
Indies, and believes himself blesscd.-
This one is deaf for every harp's-tone,
blind for every beauty that nature has
painted. His soul lives in his tongue; he
rejoices only when he sits at table; he
hears not the heavenly music that floats
about him: he rejoices only at the goblet's
ringing and the perfume Of the feast"
"Who of all these children of Earth
seem to thee happiest?" asked the conduc-
ter.
ooh, he," said Nadir,-"to whom the
odor Of the banquet gives pleasure. The
voice of misery reaches not his heart, nor
is he pierced by sympathy's sharper arrow.
He is the happiest: he can be satisfied
four times in the day. Why ask for these
finer sensibilities? they afford far more
pain than pleasure"
'Behold that man." continued Nadir's
conductor, 'sthat walks unknown. He is
worthy of honor and'respect. None know
him, none observe him but he finds his
happiness in that Of others. Many hot
tears implore in secreta blessing upon him
from Heaven; many breasts breath freer
through him; many complaints are hushed
by him; he fulfls the duty of men-he
makes Others happy, and for this only has
created us. Thou Whilst desert the com
pany men?--convince myself that there
are some, in whose society it is happiness
to live. Why will weak seek to pene-
trate his destiny, or the destiny Of the
world? It rolls not aimlcssly around its
sun; but why seek to view the plan of Ma
ture with the power of mole's eye?--
Man is here to enjoy the gifts free ma
ture offers; but his understanding may not
pass the boundary that is fixed for him. y
They went EDWARDS through the hun
dred arches, and Nadir wondered at the
pomp Of the palace. His eyes were en-
lig htened; he saw that it was crime to
withdraw himself from mankind; the mists
which had enveloped his mind were dis
sipated, and the path of the highest wis
dom appeared; he determined to return to
the society Of men.
Day opened upon the sight; the morn
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