The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-06
The Water Angel.

The Water Angel.
Some weeks since We had occasion TO visit the
venerable old Bay State, NJ assachusetts-old in
years, but in activity and enterprise, young
the youngest sister Of the great family. Time
certainly has written no wrinkles on her brow.
When approaching the city Of Boston we had
the pleasure and privilege Of the companionship
OF one, poet and philanthro whose fame is
shut in by no State lines, Rev John Perpout.
He was speaking of the changes and improve
ments which had been effected within a short
time in the geographically the city TO him,
a. we'll to every other Massachusetts, man, when
suddenly turning towards us, his face beaming
with animation, he asked II we had seen the
Fountain on tn. Common1 We told him We
had not. Then he said, you have pleasure
before you which no language can describe.
have travelled over a large part of Europe, and
have seen most, If not all, Of it's famous foun-
tains, but saw nothing TO surpass, IL indeed,
saw any thing TO be compared with the fountain
on yonder common. 1t stands there Xix e an
angel Of God, 18th its great watery wings wav-
Ing up and down, with every drop upon them
changed by the bright shining sun into dia-
mend
Itwas not long after reaching the city before
stood in the presence Of the Water-Spirit,
aad but one glance was needed to show that the
enthusiasm Of the poet was justified. Time
and again during our brief visit we saw the
Fountain, and every time with increasing de-
light The forms in winch the Spirit Of the
fountain would show itself were various, but
every form was beautiful. Sometimes Il would
shoot up in a column sixty feet high, at other
times IL would assume the appearance Of a mag
nlfcent vase, Ito shape a. well defined as II made
OF solid silver; at other times IL would present
itself as flower, rival of the graceful tulip
While gazing upon 1t the expressive line of
Keats continually occurred to the mind, and we
realised how true II is that ga thing Of beauty is
JOY forever" Andit was interesting to see
to how many persons the play of the water
he would always find many gazing earnestly
upon the beautiful being. Rugged men on their
way to and from their hard days toll would
stop and look for few moments In silent ad-
mration, and gay hearted children would pause
from their busy play to watch for a while the
motions and listen to the voice Of the Water
Spirit. Among the crowds draw together from
all classes and conditions, there were none to
whom the Fountain seemed to afford such GEN
uine and lasting delight to the children Of the
poor. To them, coming as they did from OBJ
scure alleys and narrow, dark rooms, which the
sweet air and pleasant light Of the sun are for
hidden to visit, there was glory and a beauty In
the free, unfettered, joyously- bounding water,
which the children of the more favored classes
We're not permitted to see. When looking upon
those children Of the poor, with clothes which
bespoke alowly condition, but with faces all RI.
disnt with joy, we felt that the Fountain had
been truely characterised as a Water-Apgel-I
To them, at least, IL isan angel, a minister of
refinement and of happiness, and one whose
gentle ministratons shall not be In vain. Beau
ty is to be valued not for its own sake merely.
nor for the pleasure which its presence affords.
but also as means Of moral and spiritual cul-
n
ed In people, and it will not be utterly insen.
sible to the voice of duty.
We were mach interested ia observing one H.
Iustration Of Che refining influence which the
beautiful may be made to exercise. On Sab.
bath morning. while ia Boston, we visited one
OF the Chapels for the Poor. In this Chapel
six hundred children are gathered every Lords
aay' Ito them truly a Lordsday, hallowed by the
presence Of the benevolent spirit Of the Sayiour)
Tor the purpose of religious instruction. In
'front.' Of this Chapel we observed beautiful lit
lie fount playing, with many brilliant gold fish
swimming In the basin into which its water
''erfiows. The yard In which fihs fountain
plays is separated from a public street only by
low IRON fence. which serves rather as an or
lament than protection. We asked the cIer-
lyman, who has charge of the Chapel, II the
ounthin were not often Injured and the gold
hsh taken away by ill-disposed boys1 "Never,"
he replied; and he added, s'the defe eIessness
VI the fountain is its protection. Continually
BOYS and girls will stop and look for few mo-
nents. but all seem to regard the place as sa-
red" The spirit Of beauty has proved TO
hose children an angel of duty.
We were glad 10 learn that the water which
through the fountains reveals itself to the poor
s minister of beauty, Is soon to be revealed
o them also as minister Of health. We un-
erstand that a number of benevolent GENTLE |
nen In Boston have 1t in contemplation to open |
ublic baths for the benefit of the poor espe-
tally. We trust that this movement may be |
mt the beginning Of series of wise sanitary
measures, not only in Boston but in every city in
he Union. The terrible experience of the cities
the European world reads MS many sad
ssson, and gives US many a solemn warning.
10 to be hoped that the young cities of the
Western world will heed the warning and he
rise In time. BY a seasonable attention to the
Tvs Of life and health, which are beginning TO