Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-04-27
MISCELLAN N Y.
Sleepers Awakened,


"A British periodical has an interesting
article under the above caption, from which
we make the following extract:
"Let us next Introduce our readers to q
small chamber in country parsonage, a
little later in the same century. The room
presented perfect picture of neatness ,qui-
ct and repose. 1t was very plainly furnish
ed, but manifested a certain elegance and
refinement 10 the arrangement Of the few
simple ornaments on the chimney-piece,
the flowers and books, and the old china
cup Of cooling drink that stood on a small
round table by the open window, through
which the warm air of summer stole softly,
laden with perfume from the mignonette
and stocks that Aourished in the little gar
den beneath it. The suns rays, broken by
the fresh green leaves of a large walnut
tree, cast clear, pleasant light through
the snowy dimity-curtaius Of the bed on
the face of an invalid who lay there, ga
ziug with the listlessness of weakness, on
the glimpse OF blue sky visible from the O.
pen easement. 1t was countenauce that
sunlight might be imagined 10 love,so good
and gentle was it. Nor did its expression
belle the heart within. A holy, charitable,
uusel6sh man was that village pastor; but
with the resemblance he bore-and it was
a strong one-to Goldsmith's portrait of his
brother, there mingled much of the thought
Iessness aud imtrovidence of the poet him.
self; and the consequence OF his boundless
charities, and Of his ignorance of money
matters, had led him into embarraSSmentS,
from which he saw no escape. He would
have cared little had his. difficulties affect
ed his own comfort only but they fell like
wise on those dearest to him, and anxiety
for their sakes proving on his Gaectiouate
and rather timed spirit; the probable shame
of an execution in his house, and the ner-
yous horror he felt at the idea of beng con-
signed to prison, had brought on his pre-
sent illness, and haunted, bis thoughts as
he lay there in solitude after many restless
nights of agoniled and perplexed reflection,
listening to the .church7bells ringing for
Sunday service, at which stranger was to
I'LL his place. From the days of Whiting
ton to the present, the Imagination has fre-
Huently given language 10 those airy vol
ces; aud the poor pastor, as be lay over
powered and exhausted by long hours OF
painful and fruitless meditation felt the
nightmare, like load of care which op-
pressed him, pass off as lie listened, and a
childlike faith in the goodness of Proyi-
dence once more dawnIng on his mind.--
We do not pretend TO interpret what they
whispered, but 1t is certain that, soothed by
fbe chimes, he yielded to gentle and pro-
EoRnd slumber,ia which his wife found lhlm
shortly afterwards.
'Care was at first taken not to break this
desired repose but as noon cvening,night,
nay, second day passed, and still it con-
tinued, his family became alarmed, and tri-
ed to rouse him. In vain The awful
slumber was as memorable as that of death
itself. 1t bound his seases in an iron for
getfulness. He could not be awakened by
sound or touch. Sun after sun rose and
set, and still the deep sleep continued
Meantime the evils he had dreaded gather
ed round his family. His physical condi-
ton preserved his personal freedom; but
an execution was put in his house, aud bis
wife and daughters were exposed to the
direst Of evils of poverty. The rumor, how
ever, of his trance-like slumber was nolsed
abroad, and reached the lordly dwelling OF
a nobfeman who resided near the spot,
though he was not one Of the clergyman 5
parishioners. Being much given 10 the
study OF physical science, he visited the
parsonage to request permission to see the
sleeper, and thus learned the varied sorrow