The primitive Republican., 1852-07-08

ny maglci bue lOuB CLOSED portals open De- I
fore him-he Is translated to that mystic t
world of dreams and localities, which he had 1
long sought to enter. In his delusion, it ,
seems an inspiration of true genius, a vision
as beautiful as the eternal heaven. When !
the stimulus is gone, and the WEAKNESS re-
turned, the slow ploddings of intellect seem
to be dull and meaningless. After a short
interval, which conscience at first exacts, the
drug is again brough ght in use, and the mind
surrendered to its sway.
Then commence the dreams which crap
pie with Dante's Inferno, and Millions Par
adise. He is translated to some ''soft tropic
cline. Sweet music steals upon the year.
Serene repose falls upon the soul. Limpid
waters steal by the side of shadowy groves.
Fairies are floating round, clothed in bright
garlands. Birds Of rare plumage sing me-
lodious songs from every bough. BuOyant
life is all around, in the stainless sky, in the
calm lagoon, in the stately trees reaching out
their giant arms, and nodding their plumed
heads. 1t is dream of Eden, and the sim
less Elysium.
But, 10! the scene changes. 1t is star
less night on the great ocean-and the Voy-
ager alone in frail bark is driven on, shud-
dering at the eternal solitude. Grim and
ghastly phantoms fit before him, and glare
upon him with their lurid eyes. The air is
heavy to suffocation. The limbs seem bound
with unseen fetters, and unseen hands press
him down in his feeble boat Every wave
yearns to receive him. The most hideous
monsters of the deep pursue him. Foul
birds of prey hover about him, shrieking out
their disgusting notes. Not ray of hope,
or spot of rest, or sound of peace is there
but all through that horrid night, prolon-
/, ged into horrible lifetime, he is tossing and
surging, writhing in tortures, and gasping for
some breath of God-sent air.
But we are treading on dangerous ground.
We are borne to the verge of that dreadful
8 world, which the opium eater, and the crea-
, lures of his brain, alone inhabit. Even
from the distant view which is afforded us,
q we are not surprised that the descriptions of
] the opium eater should be full of terror Or
e beauty He may well paint in stronger col
s ors; and present us views, which the clear
e headed, calm-hearted man man knows moth
It ing about.
a So often as we think of this subject, we
IS are reminded of two great names in English
/ literature, S. 7. Coleridge and Thomas De
d Qnincey. Both illustrated the influence Of
opium on the human mind, though in differ.
ent degrees. The one in the incompleteness
of his greatness, and the utter subjugatioT
2. of his energies. The other in the fascina
tion Of his brilliant gifts undestroyed by ex
re cess, but throwing even halo of beauty a
m round his "dark idol"
ne Few men have reached such culminatiol
"a, of fame as Coleridge. He has left name
DO beloved and honored by many. Many heart
n have felt the melody of his spirit hymns, an
es all true lovers of poetry acknowledge tn
It beauty of "The Ancient Mariner" an
no "Christabel." Through the corridors {
is time, the music of his song still thrills, an
I'm in many an echo, by distance made MOI
nd sweet" will be prolonged, to dwell throug
he all coming time. A mind vast, capaciou
Sc. and exhaustless, no plummit had ever mea
,ss ured it, no offering had ever drained it, bl
,es ever it was bubbling and yelling up wit
,se the waters of life. He garnered from tt
eat wisdom of all nations, and penetrated I'M
is the systems of all PHILOSOPHERS. The mo
lis subtle and transcendental labyrinths were
ks him, clear as sunbeams. He toyed with Il
er- most abstruse metaphysics and made plai
hts the darkest mysticisms. He seemed to no
bile the sceDssre of creation, whatever he touchC
lighted up into beautiful suns and planet
um Men were silent when he spoke, for a gre
But mind was unrayelling itself. He seemed
be realize the expression of the apostle-''th
,m- he understood all mysteries and all know
are edge, and spake with the tongnes both
I T. L., 4 n
INST of his intellect he laid the foundation
We works, which should endure forever. III
rs he completed those mighty efforts, he Wou
- have left an impress upon his age second
nse nome He would have enriched the Engli
the literature with treasures, that should ex
ave side by side with those immortal works viii
and challenge the homage of the world. Th
ind would have been seen a noble monume
nain with its spire reaching above storms a
eau clouds, bathed ever In eternal sunshine,
linn place for the eagle and the rainbow to +
can upon-the monumentof free, truth-lovil
rrifv truth-grasping mind. But in an evil b
hich a shadow fell upon him, "darkening
bvss great central SUM-" The vapors of the e
,9les ismanic drug" settled on his mighty in
n a. lect. IF, even in his night there we're fa
-ipbt es of light and brilliancy, it was but
lightning breaking away from the ST.
a,cb cloud. He has left us no record of his stI
abIe giles with opium-of ''his spasmodic re.
,noo ance and protesting agony but its sad
wine fects were seen ID life which Outllved
Lao fame, and reputation l,se cFeas lOr
yiate works. The world beheld with asseIn
men ment his corner stones, but asked in
s In for the builder. Those colossal foundati
pow and the praise Of his cotemporaries arc
1nsu- most that remains to us Of Coleridge-
splendid, herculean, but misguided man.
J, Thos. D. Quincy, author Of .'COnfess
~ Of an Opium Eater" ttSuspiria in Pro-
pains dis" and many other works, has given
LIS Of evidence Of great genius, and greater
gina lquirements. 1t was no common boy,
may at thirteen wrote Greek with ease; and
find fifteen was in the daily habit Of reading
eh In the newspapers into the best Greek.
was no ordinary man, who Gin theology
pium equal to two bishops; in metaphysics,
nao;- to puzzle any German Professor 10 astr,
and my, to outshine Professor NieboI; in oh
!, sns1 istry, to outdiVe Samuel Brown; and
,aaoa Greek, excite to envy the shades Of Pa
,,,,3 - 3 and Parr." Nor could any excess or in
true gence totally eclipse the greatness Of SUI
him man..
crazy De Quincy vas early, while jet IN
e Ilege, introduced to opium Suffering