Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-11
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
THE CIRCLE AND THE SEA- REA

wandering without control over the realms Of
fancy, painting every thing in the brightest hues,
stretching forth uncurbed and unrestrained into
the iIlimitable regions ~ofimagination, and clus-
tering together the richest gems ofthought, the
~elearest conceptions of the soul, the essence of
our immortal parts, unclogged by the grosser
things ofearth. The cares of life, its turmoils
and its s%trifes, its saddened sense of gloomy
realities, are all forgOtten-all cast into the
back ground to await our awakening. The
angel of slumber lifts us on high, borne up
ward by the strong wings Of fancy, and the
eye of the inner soul, Of the spiritual essence
Of our nature, is permitted to peer deep into
the realms forbidden to our waking moments.
Alasl that the vivid hues of dreams can never
be expressed Like strains Of music floating
through the soul is the memory of their beau
ties; but neither pen or pencil can paint them
in their original eolors. We rise to the loft
est heights of language and catch a few fair
tints, but still above us bends the lovely arch
of sleeps creations, GLIDING still our grasp, too
beautiful, too ethereal for earth.
And dreams too have their horrors-horrors
deep and dark, and hideous to contemplate,
starting the soul and a~rousiug its every sense
of terror and alarm, and opening before it the
yawning gulf Of despair. On the black wings
of thought the shuddering soul is borne through
scenes that mock description-scenes at which
the stoutest heart would stand aghast and all
the sensibilities recoil.
D who can fathom the mystery of dreams
and who can tell how their beauties and their
horrors blend?
l sat ct my open window and gazed forth
upon the sunset scene. Thu circling noun
tains rose in the distance, their bsses already
wrapped in the shades of night, but their sum-
mits basking in a halo Of light and | thought
how like the life of the penitent Magdalen-
dark and gloomy through most Of its journey,
but crowned with glory respondent rs it neared
the gates of Heaven. The mountain breeze
came with its refreshing breath, tanning my
feverish brow and tossing my hair about in
playful dalliance. And Gs the dark curtain of
night crept slowly up the mountain sides, its
heavy folds strongly contrasting with the rich
halo above, the gentle hand Of slumber sealed
my eyes and the angel Of dreams took possess
ion Of my soul.
/ was borne through utter darkness, but at
length faint streaks oflight relieved the empty
void. The light grew stronger and stronger,
and at last ] stood in a ~refulgent circle, sur
rounded by a high wall. The earth under my
feet and all around was carpeted with a rich
vesture Of green, and full foliaged trees spread
their shades about me. On my right and on
nv left were bubbling fountains of pure cdter
and little Jets cast up their crystal streams in
divers places. The sparkling drops fell in show.
ers, nourishing and invigorating every thing
MANY people, too, were there; and all looked
well and heppy. Their steps were firm anc
manly, the loses Of health were blooming OF
their cheeks, and intelligence beamed from ev
cry eye. A smile was on every lip, and eacl
one grasped the others p~roffered hand AM
called him a Brother" too was a " brother,
and heart and hand were open to me. All wa
peace and happiness.
approached the wall, and saw that ii wa
built Of three different materials. The foun
dation YVES Love" then WIS a layer of "Pu
rity," and then it was finished with Fidelity.
A brother approached and thus addressed m
as | stood wondering at the things around me
SYou are now" said he, Gin the Circle {
Temperance. Around you are the fruits. he
natural consequences. This wall is built t
keep out the Sea Of Intemperance. Its -four
dation is Love, and it cannot be undermineC
Strengthened by Purity and Fidelity it is proc
against all the assaults Of the waves withou
"Here here we are safe" and we feel no fei
of the ravages Of the destroyer. He can neitI
or undermine our wall nor Chamber over it, an
we know that we are secure. We call GU
selves Sons Of Temperance, and we are bal
ded together for our mutual support and pre-
~ervation, assured that the eye of God lool
down, well pleased, upon us.
SBut do not imagine that we so are selfish
to rest passive, satisfied with our own securit
No, no the Sons of Temperance know I
such creed. We strive for the welfare of OF
ers also. Our neighbors; our friends and q
quaintances, the whole race of mankind, are o
jects of our sympathy, and we strive to G
them into this, our Magic Circle"
Here the Brother ceased speaking, and Il
scene was changed. We were all mount
on our triple wall, and l saw, far and wide,
dark, tumultuous ocesn, heaving and swelIin
its pillows dashing wildly against our wall, b
rolling back in broken fragments, roaring wi
impotcnt rage. KNEW twas the Sea of InteI
perance; and | saw many vessels their dec
crowded with human beings, tossed on the S,
ging pillows; and as l gazed | saw some
down, engulphed in the stormy tide. In t
van WIS the flag ship, commanded by prin
Alcohol himself, and manned with m0der
drinkrs-all new recruits, taken in charge
the Prince himself for speedy instruction.
This vessel sailed along not far from US, a
we heard the sounds Of mirth and gaiety Isl
ing from it. We saw the sweetened wine oc
sionally passing round, and it wss touch
even to beauty's lips. We stretched forth
hands to them, and said SCome!" The
Prince looked a shade paler; but his or
stirred not towards us. %Our ship said tn
ais stout and strong; we are in no dang
See how merrily we glide look at our fy
sails, our beautiful deck, our strong hull. '
need not your assistance; but there are so
vessels behind us thft are not very stro
their crews are wretehed beings,-help til
if you can" d.
The proud ship sailed on, and as it rece,
from us we saw a huge crooked worm knaw
its way through the keel.
The next vessel that approached us had
ncme on her Prov in gilded letters. 1t
Questionable Saloon" Peals o~flaughterw
bursting from her crew, and amid the clat