The Trinity journal., 1856-11-15
Night Thoughts.

For portion of the present week we have
been favored with a recurrence Of those beau
tiful moonlight evenings for which Califor-
mia is so justly celebrated. During these
pleasant seasons one is amply repaid for a
ride or walk to the summit of the hills around
the city, by the beautiful land and water
scene spread out before him. The large
ships in the Bay, with their white sails re-
fecting the moons pale light, and tall spars
casting sombre shadows around, the islands
gliStening in the distance, and the city itself
spread out before Us, with its lights and
shades, all present an appearance beautiful
in the extreme. Everything is huShed in
repOse nothing is to be heard but the roar
ing of the breakers upon the sea shore The
Bay is smooth, and the vessels recine ma
jeStically in the water, with no visible mo-
tion except gentle trembie as though beat
ing time to the ebb and flow of the tide
The city itself is still its great commercial
heart has, for the moment, ceased to beat
the brawny arm that will tomorrow WELD
the sledge and fashion the solid iron in
strange forms and shapeS-iS Stiled in sleep
the merchant is feveriShv dreaming of fu-
ture speculatlons the mechanic or laborer,
it may be, of the loved ones at homc--all,
all are huShed in sweet repose" save the
watcher and the editor. He must plod along
and "wend his weary way alike, whether
the moon beams bright or the storm-king
rides upon the bowling wind. For him
there is no change, save in diversity of
thought what Others feel, he must imagine
On these calm and peaceful evenings, too,
the sacred precincts Of the church-yard APP
pear more hallowed-the mourner can com
mune, in imagination, with the spirits of the
departed, conscious that no intruder will dis
tnrb his isolation AT the Loue Mountain
or the Mission the raised mounds that speak
of the departure Of the young and tair-the
old and venerablc-gleam in the moonlight
and doubly remind us that life is transient
Speaking of the church-yard at the Mis-
sion, we are reminded of an instance of ro-
mantle affection we'll worthy of recital. 49,
Some two years ago n gentleman of this
city, who had lived for many years in quiet
happiness with beloved wife, was called
upon to lay her in the tomb. So intense was
his affection, that, with her DEATH his hopes
and happiness iled--may we hope not forev-
or he was completely isolated he felt shat
his heart was broken, and in his own touch
ing language, All my love, all my alfcc-
tion, kindliness of feeling and congenality
of disposition she has carried with her,
To secluded spot in that quiet churchyard,
at the Mission Dolores, he consigned her re-
mains. Around her tomb he arranged with
his own hands the most beautiful flowers,
which are to him living language. Every
day does that solitary, broken-hcarted man
go ont to that secluded grave and freshly
arrange the flowers, talking all the time as
though he was cOmmuning with the spirit
OF his departed wife. On the beautiful
moonlight evenings he is always there to
watch and pray and give free vent to his ag
ohy Of spirit. Twill be well for him, though
he is all mcekness and submission, when the
summons comes for him to soar to her whom
he has lost
When last we saw him he was arranging
fresh flowers, and explained to us their sig
nhcatlon. At word Of sympathy his
heart was opened, and he told in broken
language the story we have rccited. 1t is
some time since we have seen him, but if
still alive he is doubtless in the daily per-
Torrance Of his pious duties and spends these
beautiful moonlight evenings where his hopes
and happiness are buried Chroaicie.