The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-02-05

and that vanity which is fostercd by know;no
the importance which other nations attach f.
our history and traditions. Probably Scott
Lady of the Lake imparts more national
pride to Scotchman than he feels in con.
tempIatlng the railroad from Edinburgh to
London
+ lhls pride, created by the production of
genius, is perfectly compatible with our re.
publican habits and institutions. Indeed moth
ing would more contribute to deepen and
Perpetuate the love of liberty and our coun-
try, than we'll told legends of our ancestors
lheIr pIety. ardor. sutierings, constancv and
courage, and ultimate success, would form
themes, lofty, tender or romantic and vet
dItiern. materially in character from the adj
ventures of European romance. Our fiction,
1t well narrated, would now excite more in
tense interest than the feats of knights or the
fortunes OF princes, because the deeds of A.
meFlcan daring were performed hv men Ell
ther to defend or to perpetuate principles,
rights and expressions, which the enlightened
and liberal OF every country feel to be more
interesting and important, and, compare!
with which, the wild deeds of clivalry and
the exploits OF crusaders appear disgusting or
preposterous, criminal or trivial.
This little SKETCH however, does not pre-
tend to be even a sample of what NAV be
wished, and indeed expected from the cifted
spirits Of the land. 1t is only the record of
conJugal and maternal love, the same in all
ages, and in every nation.
The house Of Edward Abbot stood on the
western bank of the Merrimack nearly mill,
from the present town of Concord and named
Runtord. Edward was the first who had
ventured to reside at such distance from the
garrlsons or fortified houses. and he had thus
obtained the reputation of remarkable cour
a!e'ot which he was quite as proud as dash
lng blade OF these polished DAYS would be in
accepting a challenge to a duel.
LIS WIFE too, partiri pateI in his triumph.
and III" wish to spare him modification wa,
r"""rHt motive To INSPIRE, her Mtn r..>o,,u-
ton to Overcome her own fears and allow him
to depart, when, from the pre>entimrnt She
ielt that danger WAS nigh. she would, by the
superstition OF the times, have been justified
IN OBTAINING or at least ACCOMPANYING him
But She saw him depart without tears, watch
ed hIm from the small window till he entered
the forest and then bctook herself to her
household concerns. Yet she could not for
bear going frequently to the door, and son,e
times she would 90 forth and gaze all around
their little domain, and then watch the prog
ress Of the sun, with an expression ofcounte
nance that to an observer, would instantly
have revealed the agitation and anxiety her
heart was suffering
Everything abroad was in perfect quctne<s.
There was scarcely breath of air percept-
bic, and the waters of the Mcrrimack flowed
without ripple. The calm July sky looked
deeper and more heavenly blue, seen, as it
was by Erbccca, from spot circumscribed
by tall trees, now clothed with such fulnes>
OF foliage as make the forest look dark and
almost lmpenetrable. Around the house clear
land was planted with corn and vegetables.
and field of wheat, in front of the dwelling.
stretched IN broken green to the rivers brink.
There vas not sound to he heard save
the chlrping ct a robin, that had built her
nest on a chestnut which stood close TO the
southeast corner of the house. the only tree
suffered to grow within the enclosure of Ed
ward. The young birds were fully hedsed
and under the guidance ofthe parents. were
about quitting the nest Rchecca watched
their movements the old birds now encour
aging, now seeming to chide their timid off
spring till finally they reached the woods
and all disappeared.
ohght as the circumstance was. it touched
Rchecca with SENSE of her loneliness. Ev-
en- the birds have left me, said she to herself
and, pressing her boy closer to her bosom, she
burst into tears.
Rebecca might we'll be excused these teals
and feelings, for, though wife and mother
she was hardly seventeen. And then Rcbec-
ca possessed an advantage that. in the ewes
oiyoun gentlen ,,cancel. a fem nine weak
ness-she was beautiful. A lady now dis
playing similar charms would. for her face,
be entitled to the epithets of divine, angelic.
Greclan, Madonna, while the cracefulness of
her figure would be well understood by all,
travelled or untravelled, if but compared with
the Venus de Mcdlcis. But the primative
language OF our excellent ancestors conveyed
the idea of beauty without all this waste of
words They simply and briefly called Re-
becca IAN exceedingly comeIy young woman"
Yet Rebecca felt no pride on this account.
nor ever dreamed of gaining the admiration
OF any one except her husband. There was
then but little of what we call social inter-
course meaning balls, parties, &c. among the
people; but there was deep, and fervent, and
faithful domestic affection The former has
greatly improved since the period of which |
am writing; but, if We accredit the bard and
believe that
't"'"I''lon snakes, when Peril could not part
The Love, hose deaCest foo j. h,rnau art ~