Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-01-13
CHAPTER III.
BY TIMON n .

Friendly to thought, 10 virtue, anu " W Ps"o''
Domestic life in rural pleasures past
So saws the poet eowper, and the sentl-
meut will find ready response IN the heart
,ofieyerv one who has tasted the sweets OF
Yaral fife. Far from the busy hum of cities
antfammeled by the unnatural restraints and
Hfmaiities Of fashionable life; free from the
Tsedoetions and allurements Of vicious pleas
-Sfs: far from the debasing influence of
xofidiy associations, what being would not
Srow wiser and better, and pursue to more
6arpose, the ends Of human existence!-
with Nature for its companion and teacher,
sh sShat heart would not become purer, nobIer,
al and happier. In rural scenes are to be found
q 'hat simplicity and freshness, that primeval
beauty and happiness, which no other life
San give. WI hen frst created, man was '.!1!' not
placed in city, with its crowded houses
narrow streets and unhealthy atmosphere a
gasdeu was his dwelling place; the canopy
Of heaven was mis-. only covering; clouds
frees trees and flowers were the only pictures with
Which his habitatiou was adorned earth's
.spsptapeous offerings were his only food and
drink 4; the green sward was his only foot
stool: the stars of heaven bis only lamps by
night; bis only music, the singing OF oiros'
.aad murmaripg of streams, save when the
angelic notes Of seraph's Tyre announced
,1ehoyah's presence; beds Of flowers were
hmnig gbtly couch; his slumbers were watched
by angel bands, and soothed by dreams OF
Innocence and bliss. All human experience
teaches. that the nearer man appro3lmates to
de simplicity and innocence of that primal
stats, from which he fell by his "hrst disobe-
-dsence," the nearer he approaches the at
tainment of true happiness.
-n.At the distance of several miles from
I'll there was beautiful country seat
-Tbe mansion itself was rather old fashioned
in appearance, and was evidently erected with
lSsnch more reference to comfort than ele-
'soahce. The rooms were large and comforta-
We, and the 6re-places almost equalledl In dl.
Gensions those of the old English baronial
mansions, where it was the custom to burn
tks huge ayule log" !" on Christmas festivals
r. the rear of the house, broad fields
Stretched away almost as far as the eye could
! reach; ~ in front, there was beautiful lawn,
. covered with growth of ancient oaks; aud
beJyyond this, the primeval forest, untouched
by the hand of man, Aourished in all its
original luxuriauce. To the right at the
distance of several hundred yards from the
house, small stream rolled its waters along
over u an uneven bed, forming here and there
u;cturesoue cascades and waterfalls. Nor
Was nature left unassisted, art had lent Its
aid in beautifying and adornipg the place
Rare plants and flowers of every description
svere collected ia the garden, and wherever
Space could be found for them near the dwell
Ing. Woodlawn, the name Of this country
seat; was the property Of Mr.. Vernon. 1t
TNas here that Alice had spent portion OF
.eTery year from her earliest childhood; 1t
was here that she had been taught her hrst
lessons in the greatbook of life; it was here,
sun surrounded by towering trees, beautiful How
srs, singing birds, and murmuring streams:
sfhat she first fell in love with nature, and
Learned to look through nature, up to natures
God; here she had learned that simplicity,
that beauty of heart and life, of which an
absence Of several years had not deprived
her, and which were still her Distinguishing
characteristics. And it was to place like
Woodlawn, that Alice always looked forward
as herfuture home; it was amid such scenes
aiuthe society of those she loved, that she
hoped to live, in the enjoyment of that,
-. domestic bliss that like harmless dove,
Can centre in o little quiet nest ,,
- An that desire would fly for through the earth
- That can the world eluding, be itself
A world enjoyed that wants no witnesses
~ Rnt its own sharers, and approving heaven;
..s That like flower deep hid in rocky cieit' :,
=. . Smiles, though Ills looking only OF the sky
- How unfortunate the delusion which hrs
Induced oursAmerican parents to believe
that to have them properly educated, there
~is an inezorable necessity for sending theil
daughters away from the sacred precincts Of
.home. They forget thatit is around the do
,smestic hearth, the most beautiful traits o.
female character are developed; they forge
that they are educating the mind at the ex
pense Of the heart; they do not know tha
tho;r donohtere learn more than then bar