Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-09
NUMBER 36.

at College commencement. he stood with
out a rival, The unworthy author of
this sketch had the infinite pleasure of
listening 10 an essay on the /" Chiefend
of Man" delivered bY him with a pro-
priety of diction and enunciation sci.
dom attained, interrupted at intervals
by thunders Of applause. There was
one, however, in the centre Of that great
throng, whose blu hing cheek and flash
ing eye, plainly indicated deep inter-
est in lis deliverer. She was maiden
Of some eighteen summers, daughter Of
one of New Jerseys highest public func-
tionaries, well known TO the elite Of
Princeton, as her amIable disposition and
high intellectually ever rendered hera
welcome visitor in the families of the
renowned and talented. After the ex-
erclses OF the day were over, the young
gentlemen alluded to and herself, might
be seen walking arm in arm through the
/ gravelied walks enshrouded in shrubbe-
( ry, near her father aristocratic mansion.
Vows of eternal constancy were ex-
changed between them, aud he, on the
morrow, was about TO leave her 10 return
10 his mountain home on the bank ofthe
sinuous. and magnificent SchuylkiH.-
The orb OF day was retiring beyond The
western hills, rejecting his glorious light
upon few passing clouds Just emerging
from the horizon, tinging them with its
loveliness. You are going dear John,
said the lady, TO mingle 10 the crowd of
bustling men, in their eager strife for.
pleasure, power and wealth. You will
find much TO stimulate you 10 ambition,
you will necessarily be thrown in the
arena Of temptation: il SO. may you not
forget the dignity and holiness. with,
which you have advocated the chief end
: Of Man, to-day. May "the, thoughts
;, which breathe and words that burn"
ri spoken in your manly tones and receiv-
= ed with such tumultuous applause, be
" ever cherished by you, and may they,
with the help of the . Great AM be q
talisman TO shield you from harm.
A have bus one request 10 make, ere we
: separate, perchance forever; forgive me
: ii l ask amiss. But feel a mysterious
= influence creeping over me. winch ire.
= = sistibly impels me 10 do so. " Beware
y Of the sparkling wine cup'-shun it as
= you would the deadly coya, for in the
: end :" it stingeth like serpent and BIZ
=. teth like an adder" The young man
- for moment stood speechless a slight
" tinge OF shame mantled his cheek. As
soon as he could find words for utierance
. lie replied. "can you, do you suppose
: what you almost deem prophetic vision,
=. - need be applied to me? The sequel
e will show that he in common with 9TH
- ers had not yet learned the noble Lesson cf the
e- great Grecian, Man know thyselE" We
ng will now draw the veil of secrecy over few
be brief years, and when the curtain again rises
an you may observe, in the foreground Of the pic
r. ture, man Of noble bearing, of about twenty
an five years of age, seated on a rock overhanQine
on the river before named, apparently lost in a
or deep reyery. He had but recently returned
from the tour of the Continent" and Is niti-
sing over the strange and attractive scenes
us through which he has passed. Mighty London
ly with its gay and its palaces is before him
IN, A moment more and he in imagination is tran.
i sported to Rome, oEce the Mole of Nations
N. Athens in her palmiest days Is next reviewed
and thus an hour passes unheeded by himself
"s But now different feeling gradually steal.
hs over him; his eye flashes with holy light a,
od he looks down upon the turbid and now broa(
OF waters of the Sehuyikill, swollen By recen
te- rains, rushing tamultuousy onward to their des
,b tiny. Suddenly starting he excIaims "iobIs
ce river, from thee have learned useftd lesson
= thou dost not fail TO accomplish thy chief end
- from this moment will accomplish nuineo
ou' His fathers reputed wealth and infiuenc,
al had already given him high position in socie
md ty. Animated by irresistible lesire for fame
ner he rushes into the highest political circles Q
ed, the day, becomes distinguished partisan ora
are tor and at the end of two years, is nominated
,r's candidate to the Senate of his native State.
ma We will again shift the scene Observ
= y. yonder brightly illuminated mansion, peerin
na' through the clustering trees Of that elegan
ION park. The densely crowded halls echone I
lth the peals of laughter and mirth within, betoke
use. bridal party, Arrayed in costly attire tn
ave elegant belle" of Princeton, is about to civ
or her hand to him, whose name and praises, fe-
the wears since, were the theme Of every tongu,
~ The ceremony is performed aud those words I
H. reverential import, I" What God has ioined I,
gether let no man put asunder" have. been prc
o' nounced. Could those days of sunshine an
rlch gladness always last her lot would be an env
hen able one. But alas! the truth must be told
ave He, in common with most Of our political den
ned agogues, IN order to secure his election has
and sorted 70 the detestable practice of securin
lory rtb t 'U U', u 1ne aeraHea ny 1reat.ng .nel
is Of o ,,tL a.. my "ltp cnis an
Of election to his home in a state of beastly ii
toxcation. The election returns proved b
rival to be successful Defeat rendered hi
despondent and in fit of despair, ere his sci
ses were restored his hand was raised again
con- his own life and he became a suicide. I'll
over 3nocA was 100 SIeat loT MS accomplished Wlt
had 80 At .1' ,'. ,e,a er ~ 5;1 Ine = now y
Onal she utters are Beyyare Of thn snarkIinr WI,