Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-10
For the Spirit of he Age.
THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.

Again, dear friends, I claim my long va
Gated seat in our Social Circle, and | will
hope at least that some warm heart will
welcome me after SO many months of alb
scnce.
Not from my own Valley home, do I
again greet you, but like Claude | have said
farewell to home, and friends, for a season.
Like him too | have felt the sad question
rise from heart to lip, shall | ever see
them again? And if SO, with what emo
tions? OF JOY and gratitude, or grief and
desolation Such thoughts aoiU press up
on us at times, perhaps when we least I
desire them. Thoughts Of the uncertain
ty Of life and happiness, thoughts of the
earncstuess of life's duties, and the sat
ness Of its lessons.
Our Circle is composedof the young and
happy who look forward to a future all
rose-tinted and bright. But it is sad to
think that We all must live to see many a
darling vision die" to see our bright "air
castles" one by one, totter and fall to the
ground to feel the rosy dreams of youth
that they are "fading, still fading" We,
the children Of many homes, are associated
together for a few months, perhaps years,
for our own Improvement and pleasure
We together are twining a mental wreath
to deck the fair pages of the Spirit. Some
will Gull the fair rose buds of hope and JOY,
others the green bay leaf of fame, and be
mine the hand to wreath the simple oak
leaf Of friendship, among your flowers
Together let us weave
"a wreath that cannot fade, of flowers
That bloom, with most success, when all be-
sile decay.
VIII you not then, permit me, dear
Circle, to remind you, that pleasant
tho our intercoure has been, it may not
, always last We must soon-ah, all too
;, soon, launch our frail banks on the restless
a., pillows Of the world. And who can fore
tell cur dostinics? Some may seon pass
, away and thus escape the joys and sorrows,
! the temptations and mockelies, which are
=, interviewer with our journey on Garth
: Some will tread the fowery paths Of pleas
= ure, and find too late, that happiness is
not there. Others may ascend high on
the ladder Of fame, their youthful brows
be crowned with ~laurels, their names be
come freside words-emblems of all tha'
- is great and good. Others may live to see
the bright and sunny hopes that cheerthen
a030, crushed III the dust, and all that rem.
- dered life sweet to them, cut down by thu
ruthless hand of death, and laid in the COLI
70 and silent tomb. Thus, different and va
- rious, will be our destinies. And tho
=, 1--WE dream of all things BRIGHT" none G
II US eau say which will be ours; but we ca
all SO live,
Is. "That sinking in cur last long sleep,
ae Smiles, may be ours while all around u
weep"
Forgive me, dear friends, if I hay
lg awakened one sad or unpleasant though
y. in your hearts and believe me, if N
m wishes could shape your future destinies
ur your lives should be all "bright and cain
lot as a summers day that dawns and dies j
ro- beauty" May We not look forward
I&, bright hours Of social enjoyment as the col
GU shades Of winter draw near? Let all OF
for members again resume their seats in GU
on Social Circle let it once more be indeed
.uc &ocja1 Circle.
or New seats nave pcen nlled, old ones V
'gs Gated. Now let US all gather around O,
IS cheerful ireside once more. Let Alphe1
any relate his lovescrapes. And Claude his a
tel ventures in the Far West. Lora her he
.oa venly Musings" Gertrude her Heart
he stone fancies. Let Florence Fay and O
lgc Carrie take up their long silent pens. A
tor dear Matte, Mollie, Minnie, Kate, Flol
Ire, lone, Estelle, Willie, Frank, and oil o
cen Circle, unite once again in shedding
f., If and chcerfulncss thro' the "Good old Hot
in the Country" Why does our Tex
Flower fold the leaves SO closely arou
her fair face? And Pauline where is 81
Itc, Coed bye for the present.
e MAGGIE GLENN.
,o,, WASHINGTON ID. G..