Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-11-10
A HEART SIEGE.
cAusrIc CLUB No. V.

The citadel Of the human heart is built
upon the almost inaccessible mount Of self
love It is approachable by several ways,
ana those guarded by different kinds Of for
cc. To besiege this citadel in scientific
manner, II is necessary that We make thor
ouph rcconnoitre, ascertain the weak points
and approachablo places, then with proper
forces we may sit down. before the castle
gate sure Of victory.
One avenue is guarded by Avarice and his
followers-and this is the most direct route.
To overcome him and to gain Judgement in the
stronghold Of the affections, you must have
Wealth and his auxiliaries BY stratagem
YOU must win from the ranks Of the opposing
guard, the lieutenant Of Avarice, who is
known by the appellation Of Love Of Dis
play When he turns traitor the heart is
yours This can always be accomplished
when Reason is not in chief command Of the
fortress. To avoid discontinue from this
cause it must be learned whether he is at
home and the system Of espionage, by which
this is done, must be of the most perfect kind.
For 1t is a fact, well know to Generals in
this sort Of tactics-that where Reason COM
mands, Ayarice is "under guard and
has no voice in the arrangement Of the defen-
ces In such a case if Wealth is put for
ward to clear any passage, he will be defeated
Another avenue is sometimes guarded by
Alodesty. She is the Joan dare Of the fort,
and holds her place with iirmness, which is
unconquerable by ordinary means. Her train
is a chosen one, and the ordinance Of arti6ce
looscs its power when brought to bear on the
band over which she commands. To win
this passage, Worth with his well disciplined
corpse, must be ordered out, armed and equip
ped, in the most complete manner. The con-
test may be sharp, and the battle long, but
Modesty has ever acknowledged Worth as her
master, and will cry quarters to him alone.
II is, unfortunately, the case, that Modesty IS
seldom in command Of any avenue to human
affections. When she does, the citadel is
placed somewhat higher, on the mount Of self
love, than in any other case, and, consequent
y, the way ismore difficult.
Vanity is, for the most part, commandant
Of the great citadel, and how TO win the way,
and make her yield, is the most important
branch Of this kind Of tactics She has a
host Of followers they are dressed in tinsol
and are formidable only in appearance.
Whore shall we look for captain to over
come, and put to flight this great host ?
knowledge and Wisdom are unequal to the
task and are not tho soldiers to make the at.
tack. Though they are veterans in the cause
Of humanity, and have waged successful
war against the enemies Of Happiness, yet
thew cannot contend with the unsubstantial
band which is arrayed under the banners Of
Vanity. Worth. though the hero Of thou
sand victories over Prejudice, cannot prove
powerful enough for this struggle. Then
where Is the hero for this crisis Ills name
is Flattery, and his weapon nonsense. Ah
We have seen many battle fought, where
Flattery was the leader, We have seen many
a stronghold Of maiden's heart, which was
manned with the hosts Of Vanity, hang out
the white flag to the exultant victor. It was
a glorious sight to see how the grape shot Of
love-sick rhyme. discharged from the guns Of
Idle Folly ,prostrated the serried ranks Of YAM
itys soldiers Praise Of Beauty rode trium-
Phant at the head Of his cavalry column, and
at every sweep Of tho keen sword myrAds !