The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-07-24
RETROSPECrION.

While mcditsling on the past scenes of life,
we are, as it were, gazing at distant land
scape, through which we are enabled to be-
hold views of eXquis te pleasure and beauty,
while, were we to approximate, all the for
mer solace of the retrospective mind would at
an instant vanish. We only see those objects
which were Of the most Importance; and these
meliorated by the intcracent space, are d.
vested Of no rudencss or want OF dignity,
while closer observation might diSsipate -
On casting back our eyes, our vision is gree
ted with the harmonizing influence OF the
mellow tinted distance; We 10 longer behold
The pathway in which our wan!on footsteps
often trod, oyeigrown with rank weeds, or the
stones that SO deeply mar It's winding course
No; we only see scene-beauuiul and
grand, without even solitary mound 10
Ihw art the beauty so magnifcently oxempli-
fed. 1t is thus we look back upon past life;
and our researcLing minds repose upon the
more l,licitous events, fOrgetful Of the trivial
cares that were ours, and at the time swelled
into magnitude embittefing our early hours;
but like lhe ephemora they disappeared in a
day.
is only when retrospection absoibs our
feelings, and arrests our mind from yielding
TO fellci.ous moments, or, when we forget that
the period Of which we are so carnally re-
minded, had its intensely perpexing hours,
that we notice the present cares with greatly
increased bitterness.
In the retrospective mood, we are waite d
back to the sweet halcyon days of our child
hood, and with one voice Join the poet:
.'Ah! happy hills! oh! pleasing shade
I IL IN, ,..in.
Where once my careless childhood stra! d,
A stranger yet to pain!
feel the gales that from me blow,
A m Jinpntary bliss bestuw,
As waving fresh their gladsome wing,
NV wrury soul llley seem TO soothe,
Aud'redolrnt Of joy aud youth;
TO breathe a second sprng'
AS the prattling tongue is heard on the
! street. and we witness the various amuse-
ments practiced by the youth, we, perhaps
/ Coolishly yield to retrospection's all absorbing
power. The buoyancy Of youth, that de
rides at sorrow; hopes, smiling and proPi
tious: desires, lively ard varying, swiftly flee
DER our mind. Memory and fancy reveI or
the past. Mandood Low claims position ii
our midst. Buoy ncy no onger upbears the
agile limb, and plianey no longer bends the
pliable iointsi sterner speech impels the
more powerful action, and frmer strength
epdures the unshrinking sinew. Rashnts
has been supplanted and in its stead, forti
tpdr. and courage has been methodzed by
nrudepce. The brilliant though wavenng va
nor of youthful ardor has been distinguished
by the constant and prevailing gloss of man
" prowess, "as the tickerlng tagoFs blaze Is
cxtinpuished beneath the SIMS re ulgen
BEAM" Our minds have maIured. 1t l.
then the rose possesses the brightest hue ant
sweetest fragrance; the golden fruit is then o
the richest flavor and greatest size; the tree
is then in its noblest growth of stem and foil
age. 1t is in manhood that the BODY a!tain'
its highest degree of vigor and grace.
It is not only in looking back that we are Sc
deeply contemplative, but when we look for
ward practice the same degree of deception
dwell upon the one desired object which ha
oourted our leisure moments, ever forgetfu
that il NAV be environed with circummodiou
mounds which the distance conceals. |
should enliyen us to a disposition to i'm
prove the present and make due preparation
10 return the spirit to its Maker,
Our earthly pilgrimage is but short. Th'
youth, blessed with ealth aud vlgor' MAJ
bloom to day, tomorrow die. We behol'
the vigorous and active passing away, yet w
seem almost unconscious Of its presence, th'
monster-death; who, pc chance, may err
the going down of the sun, pluck the lowell
est from your side.
Retrospeotion, then, kind reader shoul'
have a tendency in fitting the soul for its Il
nal exit, and not for the Punishment OF socla
intercourse with our fellow creatmes.-Wov
er'ey.
Satisfy, OR VEGETABLE OYsTER.-Bol