Smyrna times., 1858-08-26
SELECT ARTICLES.
TIE BEAUTY OF AMBITION.

Into a knightly palace. and the roof
Lifts to the sky, and unseen fingers work
The ceiling with rich blazonry, and write
His name in bGrning letters over all"-WILLIs
NATURE is an admirer of excellence, strength
and sublimity. Her mountains tower loftiy,
like some GGd.like Titan, over the puny, un-
assuming hills; the mountain torrent, when it
has smassed its power like the impetuous spirit
of obstacle-despairing man, forces its way
through the natural impediment in its path
leaps which concentrated strength down the
yawning abyss, again swelling with giant
might, it rises once more to the surface, and
gides swiftly to the great ocean, its destined
goal, leaving far behind the feeble rivulet, that
creeps along like some wounded, spirtless rep
tile, which is interrupted with impunity by
every little pebble. stick and stone that try to
defend their resting places until at last it drops
nOselessly and unknowingly into the absorbing
path of the torrent. The bIushng rose of the
valley, in beauty, grace and fragrance outrivals
It's sweet sisters the ferocious denizens of the
northern forests, and tropical jungles tremble
with fear at beholding their more courageous
fl ct; the Industrious tribe of bees, with all the
etiquette of social manners and learning, crown
their best and bravest king and queen, and with
the dOcilty of interiors, bow their tiny heads
IN humble submission to the royal DEGREES, until
other rivals have evnced their superior excel
ience. Thus it seems that all animated crea-
ton is governed by superior minds, and superb
orty can only be attained but by patient and
concentrated labor, stimulated by some inward
or outward object.
Nature wisely created her pillars of strength
for the support aud equilibrium of her halls, but
science and art WOO to their sides the vigorous
aud active minds of ambitious being, for amb-
tsl is intelligence, and judgment. like the pro-
.,...a IIaaluus of Achilles, in the solemn tones
i. aarntng, checks and dampens the fiery, reck-
;.ss sp,rlt OF the charioteer. 1t is the enchant-
..i voters of youth, where ;he feeble and almost
4rren mird MAY ba lae, until it issues, like steel
t-ea tae glowing furnace, translucent with
pa5.tj, npeGvIous to the cOrroding cancer of
i,tre>s, and impenetrable to the enervating as
-au'ts Of cowardIy despair.
# aarknrs+, bowed its beautiful head to the
aeeu blast Of cherries night, and felt that it
was doomed to wther without accomplishing
ne object of its lovely mission; but a ray, like
ne star of hope, darted through the gloomy
ctape of the east, and shown on the haggard
c,untenance of the storm king, the poor flower
danced up. and beheld the impotency of its foe
when lhwarted by its Own kind noursher, rein
ygorated by smiling nature, it bloomed once
IN re IN beauty and strength. 1t is the same
with man when the first object of his heart and
soul is crushed by the overwhelming weight of
difficulties: with energies Frustrated, he gazes
around the dark and gloomy maze OF his for
time and behOlds the dreary prospect of the fu-
'ure; but rosy fingered ambition rose from Its
throne, like the angel of resurrection, and
pointed 10 a road which seemed never to have
been trod by man before; the poor heart cheer
ed by the golden prospect, and swelling with
The bright emotions of hope, rose, dlsenthraled
from the heavy chain that bowed it down. and
with strength, burning with the desire of ac-
ton. it went TO work at its new task.
Oh. ambition thou art indeed the Oblivious
angel of disappointment. The lefty, craggy
heights of the tempestuous world thou clotheth
with the yerdure of the brightest hue, and tint
with the gorgeous colors of thy own radiance
10 he fitting abode for thy daring followers
The splendors of starlit night thou unfoldeth to
the slraining eyes of thy pupils the mysteries
of ,cemi O earth layest open to those who have
passed through thy weary ordeal OF patience
and labor. On thy brow we behold the brIll-
ant star of progress on thy bosom the loVeiy
form of science is nourished; thy hands bear
aloft the regenerators Of barbarism-the glorl-
ons Instruments of art Oh what would the
earth do without thee, thou bright shadow oil
fuiurity! Without thee it would become the
filthy department of imbecile lazaroni. With
out thee the comfort Of opulenee and wealth
would retrogade to the incement lnconVenlency
Of poverty stricken north. The monuments o
thy herculean labor, which awe by their gran
deur and sublimity, would crumbie to the dust
If not oyershadowed by thy perseVerlng form.
The past, with its thrilling memories. its he
rOic examples, iis beautiful pageantry, its flerc'
sirifes and deeds of magnimity, would be GOV
cred by the dismal pail of ignorance, if not ra
dated by thy Illuminating presence. The vas
adamantne wall of Christianity would neve
hasebeen cemented by the blood ofmartyrs ha
not Thy lnvigoratiVe spirit revived the drooPni
ana terrified hearts Of the early Christians
fAe narrowing but soul-inspiring spectacle
'ae seven chiltren of Feliciias being mangle
by the famished beasts Of the Colosseum, thei
bones torn from their sockets by the feDdis
macAines OF their blood. thirsty prosecutors, an
Crushed to atoms by the huge stones whic