Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-10-22
The Magicians Visitor. :.

Ii was al the close of fine autumnal dsy
and The shades OF evening were beginning Ia
gather over the cily Of Florence, when low,
quick rap was heard at the doc, Of Cornelius
Agripps, and shortly afterwards a stranger
was introduced iuto the apartment in which
I the philosopher was sitting al his siudes.-
The stranger, although finely formed and o
courteous delneanor, had certain indefina-
BILE air OF mystery about him, which excited
awe, If, indeed, it had not repelent effect.
His years il was difficult to guess. for the
marks of youth and age were blended in his
features in a most extraordinary Manner
There was not furrow 10 his cheek, or
wrinkle on his brow; aud his dark eve beam
ed with all the brilliancy aud vivacity oi
youth; but his stately figure was bent, appa
,ently beneath the weight Of years; his hsir
although thick and clustering, was grey; and
his voice was feeble and lremulous, yel It's
tones we've OF the most tavishlng and soul.
searching melody. His costume was that oi
a Florentiue gentleman; but he held a staff
like that OF palmer in his hand, aud silken
sash. inscribed with oriental characters. was
bound around his waist. His face was dead
ly pale; but every feature ot It was sing usr.
ly beautiful. aud It's expression was that oi
profound wisdom, mingled with poignant
sorrow.
pardon me, learned sir, said he, address
ing the philosopher, bur your fame has trav-
eled into all lands, and has reached all ears:
and ! could not leave the fair city of Flor
ence without seeking an interview with one
who is its greatest boast and oinsment.'
You are ,Ight welcome, sir replied Agrip.
pa, but | fear that your uoube snd curiosi-
ty will De but i'll repaid. | am simply ooe
who, instead of devoting my days as do the
wise, 10 the requirement of wealth and hon
or, have passed long years in painful and un-
profitable study, in endeavorinG TO uutdvel
the secrets of nature. aEd initiating myself in
to the mysteries of the occult Sciences
'Talkest thou OF long years. echoed the
stranger. aud a melancholy smile play ed over
his features; thou who hast scarcely see q
iouI-score years since thou leifst thy cradle
aud tor whom the quiet grave is now wait
ing, eager TO clasp thee in her sheltering
arms! | was among the tombs to-day-ths
still. and solemn Iombs. saw them smiling
10 the last beams OF the setting sun. When
was boy. used 10 wish 10 be like that
sun--h,s career was so long, so bright. and
so glorious. But tonight thought ii bet
ter TO slumber amongst those tombs than 10
bc like him. Tonight he sank behind the
hill, apparently 20 repose; but Tomorrow be
must renew his course, and run the same
dali aud unvared, but toilsome aud unquiet
race. There is no grave for him, aud the
night ant mutning dews are the tears that
he sheds over his ryIannous destiny
Agrippa was a deep observer and admlrer
of external nature aud of all her pheno mena.
and had often gdZed upon the scene which
the stranger described; but the feelings and
ideas winch ii awakened ia the mind of the
latter were so different from anything which
he had himself experienced that he could
DOT help, tor season, gazing upon hlu IN
speectless wonder.
His guest however speedily resumed the
discourse. But | trouble you, trouble
you; for my purpose IN paying you his visit.
| have heard strange tales OF wondrUus mir.
ror which your potent art has enabled you
10 construct, in which whOs0eveI looks NAV
see the distant and the dead on whom he l.
desirous again to fix his gaze. Ny eyes see
nothing in this outward visible world which
can be pleasing to their sight. The grave
has closed over all loved. This world is d
vale OF tears; bat among all the tears that wa
ter tina, sad valley, not one is shed tor me;
the fountain in my heart, too, is dried up. |
would once more again look upon the face
which loved. | would see that eye more
bright and that step more stately than the
antelope's; that brow, the broad sm1Othc
page on which God had inscribed his fdlrest
characters. ! would gaze on all loved and
all lost. Such Il gaze would be Gearer Io
my heart than all that the world has TO uiier
me. except the gravel
The passionate pleading Of the stranger
had such an effect upon Agrippa (who was
not used To exhibit his miracle of art to the
eyes OF all who desired to look in il, although
he was often tempted by exorbltant presents
and high honorS to do SOY that he readily
consented TO grant the request Of his extra
ordinary visitor.
Whom woulds, thou seer he inquired.
My child. my own sweet Miriam, answer
ed the stranger.
Cornelius Immediately caused every ray
Of the light OF heaven 10 be excluded from
the chamber, placed the stranger on hls right
hand, commenced chanting 10 low, soil
tone, and in strange language, some lyrical
verses, to which the stranger thought he
heard occasionally a response; bu; 1t was
sound so faint that he hardly knew whether
II existed any where but in his own fancy
As Cornelius continued his chant. the room
gradually became illuminated; but whence
the light proceeded 1t was impossible to dis
cover.
AT length the stranger plainly perceived a
large mirror. which covered The whole ex-
tIeme end ofthe apartment, and over the sur
face Of (which dense haze or cloud seemed
to be rapidly passing.
Died she in wcdlock's holy baudsr iu-
quired Cornelius.
She was virgin spotless as the snow
How maoy years have passed away since
the grave closed over herl
A cloud gathered on the strangers brow.
and he answered somewhat impatiently,
Many, many; more than now have time TO
number
Nay, said AgrIppa, but must know
For every ten years that have elapsed since
her death, once must ! wave this waud and
when have waved IL for the last time, you
will see her figure IN yon mirror
Wave on, then, said the strauger, and
groaned butterfly; wave on, aud tsse heed |
hat thou bo not weary
A