Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-10

tants subjected to the same inconvenience.
How beautiful pale Luna looks to the
storm tossed mariner as she arises, appa-
rently from beneath the briny deep, to
guide his perilous way across the angry
billow. What pleasant emotions she AVA
kens in his mind, in consequence of her as
sociation with the scenes Of his early youth
and friends and cottage home. Who can
the beautiful ard instructive
phenomena she presents, in her different
phases, and not feel lively interest in her
on account of her close proximity and rela-
ton to our own globe. Were she favored
with the power of utterance, what long
dark catalogue she would present of deeds
perpetrated under the covert of night, that
would put their authors to the blush, if ex-
hibited in the light of day. She would,
doubtless, tell of innumerable lovers that
have plighted their VOWS beneath her cres-
cent disk the number of these that proved |
recreant, and the burning tears they wrung
from disappointed hearts. She would de-
scribe the humble christian, meekly implo-
ring the forgiveness of his unconverted
friends wrapped in profound sleep; the af
fiictions of the righteous and final triumph
of the just. What an interesting account
she would give of the glowing meteors, and
gaze on sights which fit across the noctur-
nal sky, while We are lying in the emblem
of death. What more beautiful than the
rainbow, spanning the heavens, after the
vernal shower. Who can reflect that this
magnificent bow is placed in the Heavens
as token of the covenant made by the
Deity with righteous Noah, and not be i'm
pressed with the goodness of this infinitely
holy Being toward his sinful creatures or,
who can reflect that this beautiful phenom-
enon is produced by the decomposition of
white light by the tiny raindrop, and not
perceive the consummate power and wis
dom of the Deity displayed in the pro-
ductiOn of the most sublime spectacle by
the simplest means.
All these objects and scenes are interest
ing to the casual observer, but how much
their beauty and variety increase when they
are viewed through the medium of educa-
ton. By the aid of this medium we are
enabled to unveil, to some extent, their
mysterious phenomena and see the intri-
cate, yet perfect organization OF each OBJ
ject both animate and inanimate. If we
traverse the boundless garden of nature,
we find in each department, and in every
object of that department, the most perfect
adaptation to its appropriate sphere and
place, while each department and every
member of that department is adjusted to
subserve the happiness of man. Who can
| contemplate the brilliant tints the SYM
metrical proportion and endless variety of
: the Floral tribe, and remain insensible to
: the love of the beautiful or, who can in
! hale the sweet fragrance waited on the
morning breeze, and not perceive that the
r. smallest foweret that blooms unseen in the
Il deep recesses Of the wild forest is made fol
: some wise purpose. How wholesome thC
of fruit of almost every tree. How beautiful
e. the snow-drift in its primeval whiteness
9. the icicle that glitters on the craggy rock
/. the dew-drop that phosphoresces in Phe
st bus early rays; and the crystal stream tina
TO winds its serpentine path to the boundles
10 deep. How melodiously the unwritte
40 music of the untaught minstrels of th
w wood, falls on the attentive ear. Explor
10 the dense forest. See in yonder seclude
o. spot, the verdant willow waves it's weepin
os boughs in silence, as the child, overtake
os by adversely, withdraws to the humble CO
n tage to escape the derision of those wh
20 courted her society, while she luxuriated
70 the smiles of prosperity. Behold the viz
,r. entwining its clasping tendrils around tt
III oak that has resisted the storms of ages
I the box and the fir in their never changir
rk green; the melancholy juniper and Il
nd moaning cypress growing meekly in tt
as- marshy valley; the parasitic plant imbi
40 ing its sustenance from their boughs; tt
mt humble violet at their feet gather up Il
60 pebly crystal from the rivers bed; the di
,ot mond from the comminuted drift, and I
~ main unmoved by the beauties of natnl
M 'ho Contemplate the bounding billow, the ros
to ing wind, the endless whirlpool, the belc
Il, ing volcano, the engulphing earthqua
NJ and wonder and admire. Examine t
,cb fish that part the sunny ripple; the inse
ion that 1utters on the wing; the inferior al
~ NAL that draws his masters burden AT
&c know their author is God.
ara The Allwise Deity could have adjust
,b an arrangement by means of which
Nv seed would mature without the flower
the charm the eye, or pulp to tempt the apl
hat tite. He could have locked up all ma
nse fuel, as he has part, in the bosom of t
glv earth and dispensed with the umbragec
Nth foliage. He might have left man to lal
in for his support without the gentle gale
mid relieve his parched brow; the brute a
vo NAL to facilitate his daily toll, and the pie
ami, ant change of seasons and day and nis
,ba- to invigorate his physical frame w
> or these suppositions or even one of them
Or a what sad disadvantages it would occasi
: of Divest nature of her charms and VIII
mi would we find objects to suit our love
gbt the beautiful 7 Take away all her offeri
Z be which are not absolutely necessary to
ystal tain life, and the palate which is suited
tiers variety would ever crave something wh
oorv our world could not afford. Take aV
ps - the aid of inferior animals, and how ar
onId eusly and constantly would we have to
ira to obtain ascanty support. Hence we
6eld that there is a system without, correspo
Loor ing to one within us. Each of these
adar TENS is composed of an indefinite nun
, the of links united in one consecutive chair
atod Each link of both chains bears an i'm
g H. tant relation to that which follows and
III bo cedes, and every one to the whole. /
4hat link in the internal system has its col