Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-12
For the Spirit Of tie Ag..
TIE Social Circle.

- e. y
For the Spirit of the Aga. c
TIE Social Circle. c
DEAR GIRLs Salty the wooing zephyrs I
whisper 80 beautiful spring time, and {
brow andslumbering vale. For months, our
beautiful world has been clad in a robe of
: virgin snow which contrasted stra lgely,
beautifully with the dark mass Of angry
clouds wnicfApiTed up in gorgeous sublimity
against the nSthern sky but a gentle hand
has unlocked Ae foods Of light and heat in
the sunny SouA, and now cur world is slow
ly awaking as fpm a troubled dream, and
warmly does sh, welcome her annual visitor,
: rosy spring. ald now with her soft touch
on my brow, andher first glad music gush
ringing in my ear, I'd seat myself to hold
communion with the Circle; but I must not
deal in noneensioAI sentimentalties, for I fear
| might incur the everlasting displeasure of
S1mbo.' Don't gou feel terribly taken dozen,
girls? | do! bit he shall ut least hear my
last dying squek.'
Girls, did You ever read the fable of the
ass and nightingale? p For the special edii-
cation of 'Samio and Small I'll give a
brief outline. Once upon q time there
lived an ass who considered himself one of
the most learned ind profound of all the an
lmal race !; blest With an acute sense of dis
elimination, a i1aear for music, sand withal
a great critic, as Al asses are, you know
CHANGING to meet d nightingale one day, he
addressed him somsthing after this manner !:
They tell me thou hast a wonderful voice,
and if it he no Inconvenience to thee, l
should like to hear one of thy songs The
modest bird began to prelude-now swell
mg-now dying on the breeze, until his song
rolled forth in all its beauty and melody,
filling the woods around with its mellow
cadences and soft echoes, making the whole
world vocal with harmony, lingering, paus-
ing, swelling, dying, rising, falling, till the
very soul of music seemed embodied in his
song. Many there were who paused to catch
her mellow strains, and felt themselves am
ply repaid for hours of suffering and toll,
and even forgot that earth had lost her prt-
anal state, so nearly did her voice approach
the heavenly and divine. Her song was
ended, and with a modest air, she paused tC
hear the ASS opinion of its merits, who
with an air Of selfcomplacency replied, well
that's so so,' thou hast indeed a toIerabt
voice, but11 i rasher skypand a%0antine
that for once nod of disapproval wa
felt and dreaded. MANY such critics Their
be-heaven pity them!! But I'll leave tn
application for FSambo and Small t
make at leisure; and before l leave the sui
ject would venture one assertion, viz tina
those subscribers who speak of discontinuin
the paper never pay the printer and wis
to find fault as q prctext. They think PEI
haps by Withdrawing their support they cal
put an cad to the Spirit but never mind
We can do without you where one discon
tinue5 on account Of the Social Circle a doze
will subscribe, and they will be such as ca
appreciate that sunny corner, and be sure t
pay for what they read. So gentlemen, I
calm, and do pray don't huat any body, If 20
can help 1t. For my part, | would that a
my country women were capable of writin
interesting pieces for many of the period
Gals, and then might we look forward to
new history in our happy country-tI
dawning of a new era over our land, whe
Genius should rise and tower above the To-
grovellins Aspirations VI the present da,
and the New World become as famous for Il
erature as the Old World could everhave bee
To Pussie | would extend a word Of c
enlargement; persevere in your endeavo
to institute a band Of little girls, for L
sure the good Spirit approves your ste
and who would not? Pm sure the lit
girls Of the present generation are to be t
matrons and mothers of the next, and wi
not encourage a disposition to improve the
) minds, SO that they may be capable
: performing their part with honor to the
selves, and all others. | would also me
your request, and give you a name, did
E feel competent to please you, for | am ha
L. -
: somebody" Ito use an old saying H.
would the Merry Band suit you? {
not a group of happy lassies indeed a m
s nv band? and does not the name seem
It convey the idea of youthful innocence a
g childish merrimsnt? But l would subj
this to older heads and more ezperient
minds, such for instance as the esp
and Bride" not that they are old-o
no but their taste is more refnel than !
st experienced persons c6nsequently they
suit you better.
is To Maggie Glenn,sI would extend a corc
a. greeting, with the first bird carol of
ID rosy spring time,' and the richest flow
y that bloom in the fields of mind and stl
Sc the path Of imagination. Alpheus also
Id welcome to a seat among us. What has
IS come of Minnie, Lora anl Flora why
IT they not sometimes cheer US with their N
N than welcome letters surely they do
he know how much we miss them in their
~ customed seats, or else they would WI
re And Matte May I had almost given out
y hopesof ever hearing from her again. Tha
ly to thee, dear Matte, for thy welcome lett
r, Adieu for the present.
DIS CARRIE CLINTON
on Glen Vale, March, 1856.
IL --
ar The Masonic GRIP. At the recent f
OF val of the Provincial Grand Lodge, at G
gov, Sir Archibald Allison, the histoI
81 mentioned, that during the assault on tie
al dan, a small party of soldiers led up to
ms of the guns placed in a recess, were rece