Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-30
The Graves of Those We Love.
Dr WASHINGTON IRVING.

The grave is the ordeal of true affection. 1t is
there the divine passion of the soul manifeStS its
superiority to the instructive impulses of mere an
ima attachment. The latter must be continually
refreshed and kept alive by the presence OF the
subject, but the love that is seated on the soul can
live on long remembrance. The mere. lncllnauonS
of sense, anguiShing aud declining with the
charms which excite them, turn with Shuddering
and disgust from precincts of the tomb; but 1t is
thence that true spiritual affection rises, purified
from every sensual desire, and turns like holy
flame to illuminate and Sanctify the heart OF the
survivor
The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from
which we refuse TO be divorced Every other
would we seek to heal-every other affection 10
forget; but this wound consider it duty to
keep open-the Affections we cherish and brood
over in solitude Where is the mother who would
willingly forget the infant that persisted like
blossom from her arms, though every recollection
is a pang? Where is the daughter who would
willingly forget the most tender parents though to
remember lie but to lament? Who even i'll the
hour of agony, would forget the friend over whom
he mournS? Who, when the tomb is closing upon
the remains Of her whom he most loyed-when he
feels his heart, as it were, crushed in the closing
of its portal-would accept consolation that must
be bought by forgetfulnesS! No; the love which
survives the tomb is of the nobleSt attributes
of tile soul If it has woes, IL likewise has lis de-
lights: and when the overwhelming burst of grief
is Gained into the gentle tear OF recollection
when the sudden and convulSve agony IS over
the present rum OF all we most loved is Soitened
away into pensive meditation on all that 1t was III
the days OF It's lovlneSS. Who would root out
such a sorrow from the heart? Though it may
sometimes Throw passing cloud over the bright
hour Of gaycty, spread deeper sadness over the
hour of gloom yet who would exchange 1t ior the
song OF pleasure or the burst OF revelry! No;
there is a voice from tile tomb sweeter than song.
There is a remembrance OF the dead to which we
turn oven from the charms OF the living. On the
grave!-the grave! 1t burles every error-covers
every defect-extnguiShes every resentment
From its bosom springs none but fond regret and
tender recollection Who canlook upon the grave
even of an enemy, and not feel a conjunction that
had ever varied against The poor handful oil earth
that lies mOuldering before Inn!
But the grave of those we lOved-what place
Generalization! There it is that we call up in long
review the whole history of virtue and happiness,
and the thousand endearments laVlShec upon us
almost unheeded in the daily intercourse OF lntl-
macy; the tenderness of the parting Scene-lhe
bed OF death, with ali its stied grles, It's nolSeieSs
attendance its mute, watchful aSsduities-the last
testimonials of expiring love-the feeble, hutter-
ing tbEilling--oh, how thrilling!-preSsure OF the
hnnd-the faint, falterng accents, struggling IN
death to give one more assurance Oh "Lectloi:
Av 60 to the grave of a buried love, and mcdl-
tatei There settle the account with conscience
for every past benefit unrequited, every past en-
dernent tnregaried, of that departed being who
can never, never return to be Soothed by thy con-
triton. -,
Ifthou art n child, and hast ever added Sor-
row 10 the soul, or furrow 10 the silver brow Of
an affectionate parent--if thou art husband and
hast ever caused the fond bosom that has Ventuled
its whole happiness i'll thy arms TO DOUBT one mo
menl of thy kindness aud truthif thou art friend
who hast ever wronged, in thought or deeds or
word, the spirit that generously contded in thee
if thou art lover, and hast ever gwen one uil,
merted pang 10 that heart that now lies cold and
stifr beneath thy feet-then besure that every un-
kind look, every ungracious word; every ungen-
tie action, will come thronging back upon the
memory and knock dolefully upon thy souls then
be sure thou wilt lie down <orrowing and repent,
ing on the grave, and utter the unhea1d groan, ana
pour the unavailiug tear more deep, more Dltter'
because unheard and unayailing.
Then weave the chnplet Of flowers and strew
the beauties of Nature about the .grave-console
thy broken spirit, ifthou canst, with those tender
vet fertile tributes ofregret, and take warning Dy
The bitterness of this thy contrite affection ove1the
dead, and henceforlh be more faithful and affec-
tionate in the discharge of thy dulles to the Nv
ing