Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-30
LADIGS' ~DEpARTMENP.
~~~N~N~~~00
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Social Circle.

q, AnG 6VSA1A NANAS'
Delightful summer! ONCE more the current
Of Time has borne us throu h the long drea-
~ winter and genial spring.tlme to the
gorgeous lo,eliness Of summer. Onward;
onward our llfe-buut glides adown the nigh
". stream Of life, drifting into its eddies and
tossed by its winds, storms b~urstingand how
ling in fury forked lightnings playing a
round and stormy pillows surging around
the sailor. Again our pathway is free and
easy-the soltest, ~gentlest breeze OF Heaven
may watt US lightly onward, q bright azure
sky spread It's archel expanse above and
around, it's purity mirrored in the ripping
stream beneath, and Natures harmony reign
over all. But still onward we glide-never
delayed, but penetrating every day the un-
scanned luture,iwhile its clouds are dIssolvlng,
ANA hnat on our horizon, but vapory mist,
etherially light, still onward to the boundless
OCEAN &C eternity. Have we time to dream
and linger life away when steering our
barque ? No, no, eyeH ~ our oars DIP ~
the waves, aud leave their widening circle
waving on the hitherto placid stream, so we
In thought aud action cast an influence IN
our own sphere, however humble. what
labor then TO purify our own hearts and con-
troll our actions, SO that our influence be not
banefull How often a word lightly spoken,
exerts an influence through many an after
scene, bringing 10 its train countless sorrows;
we must labor then, ever on the alert, AID III
q word, "be watehful and beware" Our
1tfnsnInc to-day, aud clouds to morrow.
We meet, we part, and such IS life,
Mingling joy and sorrow
To-day join in the battle-striCe,
Maybe die tomorrow.
Yet often in this vale &C tears,
Our Bosom clasps 4 friend
Loving, trusting, oar heart endears
The tie which makes US one.
We dream and finger life away,
Forgetting time and tide;
adtg wishing these blissful hours,
May forever abide.
Up! let us cast of slumb'ring dreams
Redeem the name we wore;
Life il earnest, not as it seems,
A fading dream of yorc.
It's real, and Death cannot bind
The strong and struggling soul
Its'uuwearied search, yet will find
The grave is not its goal.
l am writing beneath tho wide spreading
DIAAAglAtS vi Aiy hGA7 ouAIOhiiAFu ny VIC d
ried charms Of nature. Ills sunset hour
calm and still, tic bright rays of the setting
sun are softenediby the hazy clouds, hoatin,
in the western sky, and as they beam upor
the rch green foliage, with a soft chastene
radiance, and fall so gently on the velvet,
lawn, | am almost persuaded fairy land i
not yet IL forgotten story. Memory too car
ries me far bajk to the dreams OF childhood
when fancy pictured this very future wllicI
is with rs now, all tl.at was joyful and bright
Ny henrti is pleading 10 dwell on each dea
delightful scene, bnt the shadows are length
.ening on yonder hill, and / mast soon close
though not without extending hand Of we
come to i" Sallie," our TexasHower. We II
welcome thee, sweet girl. and place your bu
Of beauty in our wreath Of friendship; "
ask tooiW waits from the " Lone Star" an
you, dear 'Sallte, t0'trtee them. BY the b,
what has become Of several Of our friend
Carrie Clinton, Mollic, Estclle, and other
their inklings have become few and far Ii
tween" To AlpheHs and Frank ! wou
give a scoId if kHeaD ho,o, lut will only a.
for some at their spicy pieces, to drive aw;
the :" hues' these.lOug summer days. ID
dear friends, let US hear from you. let
unite our broken bond once more. Sumo
YOU have represented the Circle very WI
for the last two months, have continued
write and keep your memory green an [
heart Of your. friends, but let us ak wri
once more. And J4ora, ah, our wikest, bC
friend, we are proud to welcome thee ia
to health and joy, and l would tina
Maggie Glenn, Minnie and Claade
their last pieces, and with the WISH to he
from them again soon, close my rambli
letter. MATTE MAY.
ELFIS WooD.