Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-10-24

CEMETERY ADDRESS.

There lies before us, in pamphlet form, an ad-
dress, delivered at the dedication of the HOLLYWOOD
Cemetery, on the 25th OF June, lS4o, by Oliver
L. BALDWIN, Esq, of Richmond. We had intend
ed an earlier notice OF this address, but its with
drawai from our table by friend, gave to it cir
cula'lon which forbade retaining it, and it is
only within few days, that another copy has been
obtained.
very few fugitive productions have made stron
ger or left more pleasing impression upon our
mihds' man that under considerations The occa
sion was solemn one. The inhabitants of pop
u'ous city, steadily contemplating the ravages of
mans great enemy, who, scythe in hand. is often
round 10 NOW down the ranks of humanity-wit-
Messing The rapid fngup of former grave yards and
N"o"i"s 'hat they too must 60 all their fathers
"en'-hush for time the din of business-seect
re'red spot for themselves and famies-adorn
ana oeautity it 10 beguile the tomb-and then CON-
Vene In grave and thoughtful assemblape to dedi-
cafe the sad place 10 the sad purposes of certain
MORTALITY. IL Is necessary and right, and worthy
vi mutation by every town and village. And vet
there is about the whole matter, an INTENSIVE of
mournfuness, which deters many, we apprebend
from such commendable and pious prepara,on s,r
the dead.
ouch was the occasion of this address; and the
speaker seems fully to have appreciated its solemn
influences. Just, natural and well timed concep-
ton, with most mefuous style. mark the effart
while the involuntary exclamation cannot be re.
pressed--how appropriate the whole! We had read
""'ie at school, something of the adaptation of
WORDS and their sounds to the subject of discourse
and the emotions of the mind Such attainment ;s
the union of literary taste and sympathy ol1ener
hiolted In poetry than prose, and rare at best
some celebrated illustrations had not been forgot
Ten by us for instance, the calm at sea:
-"With easy course
1 ne vessels glide, unless their specd be stonn,J
by dead calmS, that often lie on those sn,nob ,e.
Nhen every zephyr sleeps" &c.
And again:
.In those deep solitudes and awful cells
'0 heavenly Pensive contemplation dwes."
The scene and the emotions excited in either
case' are here wildly presented by the peculiar ap
Propriateness of the terms employed. But this is
poetry.
ii called upon to select prose Illustration of q
like coincidence, and an exhibition of this bapnv
talent, we should pon, 10 this address of our es.
''e"o" co'c"Porary. Livery thought, suggested
as all were, by the grave, comes forth in the neat
and chaste adornment ofcypress simplicity, and I'M
affected ease. Every sentence is food for medita-
tion' and every reflection finds Judgment in the
heart 30 Soft and tender the words and the pathos
That the impression is at once made of subdued tones.
suodued feelings, and almost breathless hearers
Inc scripture argument, illusions and quotations
the best taste whf1e he r,eoo., .,J ~o..s-
ence for the Sacred Book every where manifested,
is worthy of high commendation. Holly Wood
Cemetery may well claim this address not only as
fragrant and favored flower of its borders but as
ut memorial of the hand that planted it.