The Evansville daily journal., 1852-11-10
AvIsIr TO A PATRIOTS TOMB.

AvISIT TO PATRIOTS TOMB.
The sun had begun to make long shadows
on the grass, and the bright stems of the birch
threw up, as it were, the foliage OF heavier
trees, before we came in sight of the quaint
solitary place of silence and Of graves. The
narrow road leading to the Quaker's Meet
ing-house was not often disturbed by the echo
OF carriage-wheels and before we alighted an
aged woman had looked ont with perplexed
yet kindly countensnce, and then gone back
and sent forth her little granddaughter who
met US with self-possessed and quiet air,
which showed that if not "friend," she had
dwelt among friends. The Westinghouse is,
OF course, perfectly unadorned-plain ben
ches, and plain table, such as you sometimes
see in "frrniture prints Of Queen Anne's
time. This table the little maid placed out
side, to enable Mr.. Rairhot to sketch the
graveyard, and that We might write cur
names in a book, where few Englishmen and
number of Americans had written before us
it would be defamation TO call it "an al
blm,"-it contained simply, as it ought, the
names OF those, who, like ourselves, wished to
be instructed and elevated by sight of the
grave of William Penn.
The burying- ground might be termed a
little meadow, for the long green grass waved
over, while it in great degree concealed, the
several undulations which showed where
many sleep; but wins n observed more closely,
chequered through is was by increasing shad-
ows, the very undulations gave an appearance
of green waves to the verdure as it swept
above the slightly raised mounds; there was
something to US sacred beyond all telling in
this green place of nameless graves, as if hav-
ing done with the world, the world had moth
ing more to do with those whose stations
were filled up, whose names we've forgotten.
it was more solemn, told more truly of actual
death, than the monuments beneath the fret
ted roofs of Westminster or Saint Paul's, la
boring, ofte n unworthily ,"to point moral or
adorn tale" to keep memory green, which
else had mouldered!
The young girl knew the "law-giver's"
grave amongst the many, as well as if it
had been crushed by tower Of monumental
marble.
She pointed it out, between the graves of
his two wives; some pilgrim to the shrine
had planted little branch, mere twig
hich had sprouted and sent forth leaves,
/ Just at the head of the mound of earth-an
effort at distinction that seemed to displease
the old woman, who had come forth look
ing well satisfied at what she called the "quie:
place" being SO well noticed. "Al who
came, she said, 'knew the grave of William
Penn; there was no need OF any distinction;
there IL ,cas every one knew it; yes, many
came-especially Americans. Ladies now
and then plucked little root of the grass,
and took it away as a treasure; and no won
der, every one said he was man of peace
IA good man."
We walked along the road that led to the
upland, and leaning against stile, saw the
shadows of the tall trees grow longer and
longer, as if drawing themselves closer to the
haloved earth. The Westinghouse had a
solemn aspect; so lonely, so embowered, SO
closed up-as if it would rather keep within
itself, and to itself, than be a part OF the tusy
men.
How still and beautiful scene! How
grand i'm its simplicity; how unostentatiousy
religious-those green mounds, upon which
the setting sun was new casting its goodnight
i'm golden benisons, seemed to US more spirit
moving than oil the vaunted monuments of
antiquity we had ever seen. How we wished
that all !aw-givers had been like him, who
rested within the sanctuary of that green
grass grave. We thought how he had the
success Of conqueror in establishing and
defending colony. without ever, as was said
of him, drawing a sword; the goodness of the
most benevolent ruler in treating his subjects
like his own children; the tenderness Of q
universal Father, who opened his arms, with.
out distinction of sect or party to the worthy
of all mankind; the man who really wishes
to establish u mission Of peace, and love,
and Justice to the ends Of the earth, should
first pray beside the grave of William Penn.
| Columbia Friend