Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-09-20
SEpRgMBgR 60.
gaOies' Department.

singing the s0ttest and sNeetest melOules-
making fair aud lteart-ckcering promises,
then settling down into u character as pro-
sy and false as an enthusiastic, music-wor-
shipping, nower-charmed lover, after a six
months conversion into a Husband. Oh
how her subtil fingers lays the gorgeous
color on some magic picture. Almost fin
ished, is her constant cry--a few more
touches and it will stand forth in mi
mitable beauty and grace, complete. And
then how lingeringly her witching pencil
alters those lines into deeper beauty-how
loiteringly her brush dips into the remain
ing spaces she Is to color. You grow i'm
patient, watching her at last, and stretch
forth an eager hand, but the movement
~startles the busy artist-therc is a sudden
sweep athwart the scene, and q blurred
chaotic mass of hues look out from the can
vas where she had led you TO concentrate
your hopes. Does she pause to weep over
the wreck she, has madel Oh, no it is
not her mission to do that, but she only
iutters her pihions for another tight, and
before you can frame your bitter disap-
pointment into censure she is away, gayly
spanning hfe's pathway for another, with
gorgeous rainbows which, In their turn,
are 70 fade on the air nor leave a line oflght
behind. Again you turn to look upon her
work, for there is a fascination about it you
cannot resist, and behold her lightly pois-
inc a graceful wreath above an upturned
brow which grows radiant under the bliss
full anticipations its possession awakes.-
You whisper warnings in the entranced ear,
but they are strangely UNDECIDED. You
strive in vain to break the spell-bound
gaze that is riveted upon it. More and
more bewilderingly beautiful it grows to
the fascinated eye, until there is nothing
left for you to do but watch it vanish INTO
nothingness, as it descends or fails a faded,
blighted garland, not worth the wearing,
upon q forehead far more Erinkled and
care-worn than the sunny one for which it
was woven.
No rank or distinctions are sacred from
her pranks. She plants herself at the helm
of the busy statesman's bark, and pledges
herself in most seductive and confident
tones to guide his gallant craft clear Of
each shoal and reef that may threaten its
safety amid turbid political waters. Years
that bring Misrepresentation and calumny
and bitter distrust from the camp in which
he faithfully labored, shows him the ute
fallacy Of the guiding hand to which h
Welded. She even dares to point the MAJ
of God to bright and beautiful fields c
earthly labor, where the rev I'd claimed b
his heaven aspiring soul shall be reaped i
rich prof6sion, unmixed with ~disappoin
ment and unclouded by ingratitude. BIZ
in her last mocking smile, ere she depar
from his side, he re-learns the lesson tina
life's probation knows no perfect bliss
exemption from active work or anxio1
care. The merchantmen gazes on his rich
freighted ships and lends a charmed ear
the i~ntonations of that voice which alol
falls thick with golden promises thereon
But the storm clouds terrible wing, al
=-e-Arrzng's desolating bolt, and the 4
kings lurid sway, send him reeling pa
from his dizzy height to the stern reality
his dependence and insigniicance, wh'
her melliHuent notes can decoy him
more.
But it is upon Youth that she delights
practice her hoyden antics most extensive
She makes perfection spring up out OF
tual immorality-she robes defects, visi
enough to other eyes, in fabrics of gossar
De1uLY-nllb uGulGo AONS w wv E
elysium upon earth, whereit ever-chang
scene is more charming than the last,
every discovery it affords is more dee
attractive than its precedent-she inv
life with hues too dazzling to bear the
of time, with charms too brilliant to
and promises such music as shall only
vertebrate through the golden arches
Heaven, when its choicest choir strikes
with harp and voice and lutte, the pea
anthebh-" COP is Love"
nd-uat-N Mr. Editor@aSwexy gT4G I
as she has proved herself TO be, In all
stances similar to those l have mentioI
when she employed herself painting J
humble correspondent IN - "rine
long Of glossy j~et,"--her pencil certa
never was more deceitfully employed. "
as | live, sir, my hair is neither "a
black, nor golden brown, nor chang
auburn, but an indefnable kind Of c
between yellow and brown, and, entire .
(for | am sure you will not betray me
was never known to fall into a ripple un
first subjected to the iron bondage of
or been tortured a whole night in curl
pers. Roses indeed there are in abunda
on my checks and brow, but never a
sprang there, being choked out perhaps
the too luxuriant growth of blooms ,
much resembling faded pumpkin blossc
And lonely-I hope my last letter
"SYLvANDER" right upon that matter
if not a call for Charlie, and Main,
Leila, and Fred, and Doc, and-and-
others-would be a tangible demonstra
of the fallacy Of that problem which ia
constructed. "bonely" hours and 81
ancholy grief" are farther removed f
the vocabulary of my life, than any Of
expressions | can just now recall. K
Heaven has showered down ten thous
times ten thousand blessings on my h,
Health, friends, comforts, Injuries, havI
like beautifully fragrant flowers margi
the pathway / have been called to tire
and if ever and anon one more dee
priced than the rest was transplanted to
skies, / could fall back in increased del
dence, it is true, yet with deeper int
and renewed love, upon those that were
me still. Nay, the world is beautiful
me yet, in despite Of time, and change,
care, and death and friends are very d
and youth full of interest, and chiidh
winsome in the innocent careless glee.
l am sorry to demolish the structure
fancy built up at 'Sylvander's bidding