Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-01-09
Changes of the Year,

| An Eastern Poet has told US, that when the Sun
first began his race, his children the four seasons
few round this terrestrial home of ours each seeking
its choice abode. Spring came smiling pleasantly
and benigny on frozen earth and converted
the dresry waste into home of delight, clothed
the trees in beautiful foliage, and caused those
sweetsscented flowers which we love so much, TO
spring up in the wildwood aud beside the murmur-
| ing brooks, IS though recompensing US for past
dreaIiness The earth is alive with music, and
everywhere beauty reigns. Numberless sOngsiers
wing their way from mountain to valley, while the
hills re-eebO their joyous strains Nature is joyful
then aud bids join with her. and with all created
things in gTiog praise where praise is due for the
unuunbered gift SO bouateously bestowed. Yes,
for the many pleasursble gifts which accompanies
Spring. It leaves its rose-scented atmosphere, its
white clouds sIumbering overhead, and ever and
anon refreshing earth with gentle showers; its
birds singing from every bOugh-its streams no
longer ics-bOund, IeapiUg and falling uppiled
rocks, making sweet music in the pleasant woods
Next came Summer, with its deWs and showers
and the bow of promise glowing in the Eastern sky
us flowers Overhsnging the sleeping lakes, its ripe
ming grains and fruits, and green waving corn,
paying by their bounteousness the labor of the in
dustr GUS farmer Its wild roses blooming on every
brook, refresh us with their varied charms But
Summer gave way, and then came the sober days of
Autumn. The green foliage is turned crimson and
yellow; there is dresriness creeping almost imper
ceptibly, but no less surely over all. With Autumn
GENES the great muscian-WiDd. It makes music
in almost every thing, from the great bell in the
tower to the cracked windows of the poor mans
cottage And o! what merry sport it has in shsk
ing the dry leaves from their lofty homes on the
forest trees. These dying and falling leaves,
mind us Of the friends, who have gone before US,
but who unlike the leaves. will have, we may nope,
. glorious resurrection. Next,
"OId Winter comes, all bare and scar,
With his snowy shroWd for the dying year;
And the Winter King chirps the pearly anow,
And the pull ss beat with warmer glow"
Yes, stern Winter follows with hasty steps, bring
ing sleet and snow, converting almost everything
oongsalable into ice, and hanging bright icicles
from every sough. 1t reigus supreme in the far off
northern regions where the huge ieebergs rise to
frigh lful height and the mountain glsIers bid
defiance to human powers In Winter we fud much
to delight and instruct us. We here view nature in
stern repose we delighted with the strange ap-
pearance of the surrounding landscape, and even
The uncovered trees of the mountain bills which
stand shvering in Winters cold embrace are not to
u.s. devoid of beauty.
Thus have the seasons succeeded in order, again
and again, untold times. Centuries Lave come and
gone, like summer clouds, carrying with them the
old and the young, and making numberless improve
ments in science and art. How many gather on the
Upright May Mern" to sing of pleasant days long
gOne-to enjoy themselves happily, and look forward
10 happy summer IT'S then they sing,
"AW2y away, let our steps be light,
Let our hearts be gay and free;
AIwe trip thro' the gsrnished fields 50 bright,
With = CHEEKY melody
"Not q care shall there cloud the fsstal train,
While our foral vreathes twins
For light S youthful hearts gay strata,
As the early flowers that shine"
"Avay, away, to the forest green,
Where the Eephyrs gently play;
To crown with bright flowers chosen queen,
The fsires bud Of May"
Although looking forward to like scenes, for fu-
ture years. how often, alas We find them gone.
Truly this is q world of change and instability
We are continually reminded that, " While We are
sleeping yet the world turns round f" Yes, and |
taxes WIN II MUCH We WOulU idtu IetdAh' A1NOA
while write, the year is rapidly departing. Soon
will another year begin and bring with it like |
changes and like dissppointments. Another year
of experience will be added to the past. UnnumS |
bered events, social, religious, and political, have
AIKEN place during the past year; also, many i'm
provements in mechanism and art have been made
The mind has been greatly influenced by these
many changes; often during the past year have our
hands been out, refohed grasp imaginary event
or ward off an mTending blow The wealthiest of
our oountrymen have had the care of preserving
their wealth, or the fear Of losing it. Yet, why |
think upon the past and its changes with sorrow?
hough the year has gone, and borne with it a thou
sand wrecks of glory and beauty; yet will another
ear succeed and the seasons come and go as in
days Of yore; the same blue covering will still
shield US; the stars upon which We gszed in past
time still light path yea, and loves and hopes
and joys end fears will still rise in pathway
they have heretofore risen Life and it's excitements
still keep pace with us. Let them change, and lei
us for the coming year form noble and aspiring res
OlutOns to be carried out and with the help of Hin
who chsngeth not Let improve by the e1pe-
rience gained from the old year.
GERTRUDE GLADE |