The American patriot., 1855-06-30
halls where monarchs, once sa. enthroned, have

halls where monarchs, once sat enthr0ned, have
become the sepuchers of decay.
The acropolis Of Greece, together with the pan
theon and unnumbcrcd sanctiied shrines, moulder-
ing beneath their native heaven, whisper the plain
tive tale of their loneliness The rank growth of
poisonous vegetation has chokod up their foun-
tains and dimn,cd its beauties. g e4&
"a few short years---and vanished from the sccnc
To blend with classic dust their proudest lot has
becn."
The names Of its illustrious poets, sculptcrs.
philosophers and painters lives but in song and story
los, lone spot in the classic and Egean, is the
burial place of Homer while the homes Of others
equally great have buried their notorety III for
getfulness. 1 1a@ sGfij daidH . ,bais3a
Eloquence, with its siren voice, is hushcd in its
native atmosphere. The hrlliancy Of the past is
extinguished by the gathering duet of departed
years, in mournful numbers the dreanl-like vision
comes over the spirits chords, entrancing all its
sensibites Ia, .t r;sI
Temples of matchless spendor, grace, beauty,
strength and synlmetry-in BRIEF art in its proudest
state Of cultivation has yielded to the DESTROYER.
The 2" Eternal City the Imperial capitol Of the
world---whorc grandeur still contcnding with de-
cay, il seentin her followed fanes land sculptured
forms Of high and heavenly mien"--here where
the genius Of Michial Angelo shone forth in ul,.
clouded ustre-where the richly endowed mind OF
Rafayelle displayed its purity nnda Carregro its
grace, whore virgil awoke the Tyre, attuned to
melody and song, and Pythagoris established his
school of philosophy--here, where science, poetry
and art, blended in unrivalled excellence, has
change placed its seal.
Thus engraven on the page Of history, Is ever
traced lessons Of mutbility. But we need not 20
alone to the Old World to find objects with which
to satisfy our theme The rise and fall of nations,
the upbuilding and overthrow of monarchies and
kingdoms all re-echo the strain "passing away.
This chord vibrates to every spot famed by the
breath of heaven, whether on the wave-kissed
shore or mountain height. 7i.ii Ufl...'a. I4s9
But we turn from contemplation Of the transi.
tory nature Of terrestrial things-hom the scattered
relies of ambition and greatness that lay strewn
around us, a mass of shapeless runs-to note the
tracings Of earths unseen, yet ever present chron
cler upon the image of the Deity.
Since first was kindled the Promethcan spark on
the altar of existence, man has been subject to tho
law of change His ,nhote being, from the cradle
to the grave, is a multiplication of mutibilities
Then why should zee tremble sclsiis piescing tht
aoorks Of destinyS r5Hrl ,.u...
While all around are tracings Of the remorseless
Chronicler, even ourselves have served as pages
T f'' '' ! 'r''rse '''rs''r-'s'o-'' e'' 5.F 7f5x r
Bright and glowing are the visions of childhood
1t rcvls In amaranthine. bowers that resound onl,
to the voice of mirth and music, where fadeless
flowers sparkle with diamond dews, while canopiet
with rosy atmosphere, whose soft subduing inilu
ence permeatcs every object and pursuit witt
which it becomes engrossed. 1t records to da,
bright antcipations Of the future, and fills tn,
gallery of the mind with pictures of rare loyelness
Would that youth might still dream on !" Bu
alas too soon the deluded victim perceives tho
lengthening shadows, and has cause to weep before
its sacred shrincs Old age follows on the footsteps
of life's play-hours, the merry notes arc hushed
and the "world taught"-wearied and disgustct
with the conflicting scene, slrinks tfemblingy from
its uncongenial position, yet finds safe retreat
The 9alchymest memory presents the hours e'r,
cure had lodged one arrow in his soul--e're FALsI
ry Or DECEIT had mingled the pure elements ant
formed an artificial combination. Fearful is tn
awakening yet such is life"
When first the morning stars swelled their ga,
anthems over night redeemed from chaos an,
earth ushered in, to take her place in the hal
of worlds-then the imnutable fiat of Jehoval
went FORTH, proclaiming that all things shoul'
l"pass away" To verify this alternately the sea
| rOl1t hair ida. foIa
moons wax and wane, stars rise and set-all &C
knowledging the heaven-gven command. Year
glide on, weaving their mystic sycles--bearing o.
their unreturnng tides the mouldering wrecks q
nature and of art
Man, too, goes to his long home" The i'm
mortalized hero, whose brow is crowned wit
victorious laurels, the scholar who has drank deep
est from the fountain of truth and explored ia
into the labalintline mazcs of the unknown, witt
the "patriarchs of the infant world shall lie dow
to Sleep" 7, r19 1a-.rg as59 3ger 1lL
Earth also shall pass away!' In its temples sha
brood the unbroken silence of primeval nature
The wreck of material existence shall be accom-
plished and worlds meet in their mrial fight, an
crushed and broken join in the universal scene
gathering night.
What pen may sketch the gloomy grandeur {
that scene when God shall come in the power
his majesty to execute vengeance?
What eye may follow the torch of the appointc
messenger as he goes to perform the work of un
versal destruction? The rolling pillows Of fam
shall lash their surges on shorcess world, Will
from the footstool to the throne shall ascen
and descend the mctror reflections of worl
wrapt in flames, while piercing the fast di
solving panorama where glitter yet in primitis
beauty the sar-lit isles, it stretches itself upon t
depths to warn them of their destiny. The On