Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-05
49,: s.
hAnIES' DEPARTMENT..
Wiit.cn for the Spirit Of the Age.
The Social Circle.

"i't'Ca lot inc spirit OF the dge'
The Social Circle.
l come, a wcary-wanderer, seeking my
quiet corner by the fresidc, where | can
mint with you all, dear Circle, thro'
the approaching Winter. / am fearful
lest some Of you have forgotten me +; and
indeed | feel like a stranger, almost, 50
long has IL been since | chatted with you
last but do forgive nc, dear friends, and
| will exert mysclfthese delightful Winter
evenings, and write YOU often.
| have been rambling far and near, all
through the past Summer, like a honey
bee collecting tho /" sweets from each va.
ricd flower" | have been in many a fes-
tive scene, and my heart has often throbbcd
with delight, in harmony to the beWi'ch-
ing joys reigniug around and anon, maLy
u scalding tear has forced its way down my
check, when sorrow has kindled the fame
on my own heart, or plunged another in
despair But through all these vicissitudes
CLIFF have ever found that the heart
which beaC~$taits Maker and to life.
is alike CAIN and joyful under al cfrcurA-
stances. There is nothing 50 beautiful to
me, as to sec one 10 the early morn of life,
with noble aspirations, and gentle emotions
clinging around the heart, while Purity
stamps each motive as her own, moving In
the quiet sphere Of every day life, like a
bright ray Of light, shedding its blessings
for all. Such a being, We can all be,
Blessed as tho sunshine and the flowers,
Ard calm as Summer seas"
Such a life is beautiful, and TO them the
path to the grave is scarcely more than a
s'lowery slope" As ! write, | remember
q very dear friend who is n living persona
fcation Of happiness; and it is a real pleas
ure to look upon her joyous countenapce,
all radiant with the smile Of contentment.
Yes, We all can, in a great measure, create
our " happiness. There is no need Of
murmuring there should be no useless
repinings 1t our lot in life. This world il
n beautiful one, il VIC but use it rightly, ant
to no other text book need we apply, save
the Divine law.
Once more Autumn is with Us, and hoy
mournfully pleasant is the sound of tn
r%ustliug leaves falling to mother Earth
and the signing breeze breathing a requiem
over the departed glory which crowned tn
Summer. Two short years have glide
by, since l have claimed a seat with you
dear friends of the Circle aud as | loo
up, how many new faces greet me Som
of you, like myself, have been too long S
lent, and the world has forgotten you b.
long to cur esprit band" There
Minnie Of Nd, to inquire for, and to wo
der il her silence is not " on,iRouS
something more than mine? Also Pa
line to thank for her last mischierous le
ter. Ali Pauline, | should like above
things to have a real fireside chat with 20
here in my own Gear chamber at Ell
Wood. But what has become Of Fra
and Alpheus, and Maggie Glenn? Plea
write, dear friends, and follow the e1a
cam mfEc 6df rorurt ar arrruSetfSe Tese
in the " Age" With many thanks
Mollie and Lora, for the inspiration viii
| received from THEW beautiful articles
have likewise commenced a series of hu
bic sketches, which | will shortly pen
your porUsal, hoping and trusting they '
at least contain no forbidden sentiment,
These long Winter evenings are so delig
full for study and social enjoyment, a
many Of us have thoughts which Geo
we sec them fairly writ, would surpl
US and
"Therea are moments Think when the spirit rece
Whole volumes ofthought on its unwritten leave
When the folds of the heart in a moment unclos
Like the inncrmost leaves, from the heart of n re
Then let us write all through the com
Winter for our own Improvement, and
tempt to interest others also.
Sincerely your friend,
Elm Wood. MATTE MAY