The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-07-19
For The Cecil Uhig.
Shadows on the Hills.

Mr.. Edaor:-The fanciful title under which
write may put some readers to flight. The
sober old men, and business men generally will
fly from this letter, the one class to light upon
news from California, the other to take refuge
among the notices oithe markets. But expect
the gay young fellow of some imagination, the
most of the other sex, and all who listlessy
dandle over newspaper in drowsy afternoon
will go through it, attracted to 1t by the "Shad-
ours on The His"
Thus much by way of prelude. have often
noticed that when among crowds, and in the
midst of the evidences of modern industry and
enterprise, our thoughts seldom 90 'sbeyond the
present hour but the moment our foot is on the
native sod, or the shade of forest trees stretches
across our path, especially in romantic places,
We BEGIN to think Of old days. Wild, wandering
thoughts of our fathers float through the brain.
This has often occurred TO me; if it be general
we may use it as an argument in favor of the
doctrine, that, the y'a9e of a country Influences
nations mind.
III were disposed (" indulge in speculation, |
might refer the volatility of the French to
pcculiarlties of soil and climate The Swiss
hardihood might naturally bepresumed TO arise
from the roughncss of their holne-soi. The
slow Hollander-thc impcrturbable English
man-the passionate Irish---al these NAV be
called children Of the elements around them. |
think ii will be some day discovered that there
is an affinity between the trees, the earth and
brutes OF country and the men, created BY
death. Our dead ones murmur in the trees
'twoulFnot be too anciiul to say, yon sturdy oak
is composed OF the dust of departed races or,
this flower gathers its hucs from the fresh bloom
that expired in the cheek of beauty.
There is not only an atlinity--spcaking now
IN n philosophical way--but sympathy between
man and the rocks and winds, and hills and
trees oths native place-a sympathy ou,asting
every change that desolales the heart. This
strong sympathy, which is the parent of patriot
ism, is being subducd by the people. The af-
lection between members of one family is less
intense, the more they associate with others.
The heart expands its affection over a wider cir
Gle, and as it learns disappointment and becomes
acquainted with grief, it sees the folly, The I'M
suitableness of selishly combining 20 few or
one, the hopes and happiness of life. am a
little obscure in that last sentence. which will
leave however to the readers wit. But NAV
add, somewhat explanatory of it,) that refine
ment or civilization, tends to lessen the intensity
OF all the passions. Aye. more--it subjects the
governable residue to the reason. If we COM
pare the pages of a modern history with SINH
lar number from an ancient record, we will find
vast change has taken place in the hearts of
men as well as their heads. This is attributable
most certainly to civilization.
There is something else, that men will soon
discover; hat people noao Miak in mosscs;-they
couldn't do it once. A nation now-a-d days can
think in concert, can act in concert, without the
mathematical servility of a soldier. really
must compliment the press upon this, for they
are the vehicles which. enable the people to reach
this harmony ofthought.
This is not a letter at al--much less does it
seem worthy 10 be called sssla1o,cs on the hills,'
except that it is rather gloomy, and write it
among the hills. All, how wish for that word,
which Byron dreamed of in his wanderings-
that one word like lightning which should utter
''passion's feelings and the quick workings of!the
SOUL" in glance. But the title is not altogether
misnomer-i have written vaguely, and
shadow-lke--half uttered speculations, inter-
woven among each other may resemble inter-
twisted shadows, that hover over the hills; and
another more striking resemblance is, that the
gliding shadow leaves no foot-print-no trace
A shadow of a rock may fall on soft plain with
outdnting the soil, Or bending the tenderest plants
July 16, PSI. BLANK.
Upon the sea Of destiny surrender
not your boat to the waves. but row