Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-04
Misfellaneons.
A U I U NM.
nY =. II. DurFEE.

Oh, Autumn thou art here king
And round thy throne the smiling hours
A thousand fragrant tributes bring,
Of golden fruits and blushing flowers.
FANNY KEMBLE.
The approach Of this pensive,solemn and
beautiful season, is now heralded by the rain
bow tinted woodlands, and mournful wailngs
of the wind, that seems to chant sad and
cherries anthem, as requiem to its depart
ing glories. Already hath Autumn ro5ed the
trees in its livery of various hues, and from
the bright glossy green, of the leaves that
wantoned upon the summer spray, change
has come over them, and they are now clad
in the gorgeous attire of scarlet and gold
purple, dun, and vermillion.
Out then to the woodlands! and breathe
tue last fragrant signs of the summers nurse
lings, as they go to their richly strewed bier
and there thou wilt find food for reflection
in every perishing leaf and flower. Each
bath homily in itself even the smallest
and simplest, when examined, will lead thy
thoughts to the Great Creator! And there,
too, would send the anbelierer, who SCOTS
at the truths of the Divine Gospel, and bid
him answer, if chance hath formed the varie-
ties of leaves and flowers that lie 5lushing at
their feet? DID chance impart to the lilly
its snowy bosom or the rose its crimson heart.
Who will be so blind as to believe that it did :?
Let me muse, then, on the woodlands, fraught
with these simple and beautiful creations,
that bestow such sahtary lesson. A with !.
cred leaf 1t is Typical of human life. 1t
is connecting link in the chain of memory,
and recalls the enhearing association Of other
days, for since thou vert here last, oh Au-
tumn. we have lost cherished friends and re-
latives-those in whom our hearts were gar
nered up--an1 in thy mournful wailings the
sorrowing bosom now finds relief.
Who is there, with feelings however vita
ted by an intercourse with heartless world
that docs not feel his spirits tinctured with
the pensive solemnity of the season, as he
wandcrs forth amidst the "sear and yellow
leaves" which rustic beneath his footsteps 2
How soothing, methinks, is their influence,
and the heart becomes filed with softer and
better emotions. How humblod and sub
dued does he feel who treads the forest sane
tuary whilst under the dominion of Autumn !.
The proud visions ofambition and distinction
vanish away like passing clouds. He Won
ders at the change, and can scarcely believe
himself the same individual who, but few
minutes before had mingled in the gay vortex
of fashion. Now, lie desires not again to be
in her presence. Sweet, solemn thoughts Of
death. steal upon his mind-he thinks that
he could live and die in such spot, when all
fair things are fading away And yet it is
irresistible to roam through the Autumn
woods, and listen to the thousand Whispering
tongues that fill the air There is a feeling
of sadness that pervades the mind and al
though partaking as it does Of a melancholy
character. it is nevertheless grateful 70 the
heart, filling it with emotions Of sublime
and thrilling nature, awakened BY no other
season Of the year -,
II seems to tincture the feeling with sad
dened inspiration, and awakens the dormant
energies Of the mind to the glorious spectacle
of Woodlands diving like the dolphin, amidst
the most gorgeous colors--the last still love-
liest, until ali has faded into the sombrc rus
set garbl The eye of an European is star