Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-06


was reared, were all ne sough and he found then
all in The romantic des and woodland heights o
the Kentucky and On the sides oil The lar.spfead
ing, gently flowing, beautiful Ohio The feeling
which his sincere and sensitive nature had i'm
bibed here was as strong as that Of The SwilZe
for his bright lakes, lofty mountains, and deeI
valleys The wild airs OF the boat horn, which
have resOunGed for SO many years from alks de
scending The Ohio and Kentucky, floating alon:
The current and recurring in echoes from the hos
lows OF the hills, like lis eddies, became as dea
TO him as the famous Rams lie Vaehs TO the native
OF Switzerland We insert, as characteristic alik
Of the poeicaI talent and temperament OF Butler
some verses which The sound OF This rude inslru
mcnt evoked when he returned home. resignin:
with rapture "he ear-piercing file and spiri,-slr
ring drum" for The wooden horn, which can onl,
compass, in its simple melody, such airs as lha
10 which Burns has set his beautiful words
When wild wars deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
WIZ mony sweet babe fntherless,
And mony 4 widow mourning;
left the lines and tented field.
The music CT this song made The burden of III
"Boalman's Horn," and always announced ID
approaching ark 10 the river villages.
The sentiments OF the poet, as well as IN
sweet and deep tones which waited the pIaintiv
air over the wide e1panse of the Ohio, may hav
contributed 10 awaken The feelings which per
wade these lines:
THE BOAT HORN.
o, boatman wind that horn again,
For never did the lst'ning air
Upon its lambert bosom hear
So wild, so soft, so sweet strain.
What thou gh thy notes are sad and few,
BY every simple boatman blown,
Yet IL each pulse To nature true,
And melody in every tone.
How of in boyhond'S Joyous day,
Unmindini of the lapsing hours,
I've oiterrd on my hOmeward way
BY wild Oho's brink Of flowers,
While some lone boatman, from the deck,
Poured his soft numbers 10 that tide,
As Ii 10 charm from storm and wreck
The boat where all his fortunes ride.
Delighted Nature drank the sound,
Enchanted-Echo bore 1t round
In whispers soft, and softer still,
From hill To plain, and plain 10 hill,
Till e'en the thUughtless, frock boy,
Elate with hope. and wild with Joy,
Who gambo'd by the rivers side,
And sported with the frctting tide.
Feels something new pergade his breast,
Chain his light step, repress his jest,
Bends DER the food his eagerear
To catch the sounds far off, yet dear
Drinks the sweet draught, but knows not why
The tear of rapture fills his eye.
And can he now, 10 manhood grown,
Tell why those notes, simple aud lone,
As on the rarished ear they fell,
Bind every sense in magic SPELL
There is 4 tide oil feeling gwen
To all on earth-its fountain, Heaven,
beginning with The dcwy flower,
Just oped In Flora'S vernal bower
Rising creations orders through
With louder murmuT, brighter hue
That tide Is sympathy lis ebb and now
Give life its hue1 Of JOY and Wo.
Music, the master spirit that can move
It's waves 10 war, or lull them into love
Can cheer the sinking sailor mid the wave,
And bid The soldier on nor fear tile grave
Inspire the fain,ing pilgrim on his foao,
And elevate his soul TO claim his Cod
Then, b0atman &! wind that horn again!
Though much Of sorrow mark lis strain,
Yet are lis notes 10 sorrow dear.
What though they wake fond NemoTy5leai:
Tears are sad Memory's sacred least,
And Rapture Oft her chosen guest.
This retirement, which may almost be cor
sidered seclusion, was enjoyed bv Col. buiie
nearly twenty FIVE years when he was called OF
by The Democratic party 10 redeem, by his pc
sonal popularity, the congressional district
which he lived. Il was supposed that no one els
could save il from The Wings. Like all The re-
OF his lanily-none OF whom had made their N
li,ary service passport! TO the honors and emoll
ments OF civil s.aions-he was averse 10 reliI
ouish The altitude he occupied TO enter on par,
Struggle. The importantly oil iiencs ptevailec
and he was elected to Two successive Terms
Consress-absoluiely refusing 10 be candida
third time. He spoke seldom in Congress; bu
in Two or three fire speeches, which appear
he deha IS, a power viii readily be detec'e
which could no; have allied TO conduc, 10 Il
highest dis inclion in that body. Taste, JUDI
me and elcqnence characterized all his elo'
in CONGRESS. A fine manner, an agreeable volt
and the high consideration accorded 10 him
The members Of all parties, gave him-what il
The good fortune OF few TO oblain-an atenlI'
and graified audience.
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