Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-07
For the Spirit of the Age.
A SUNRISE E
BY ANNIE GEORGE.

L.
1t was thus | was aroused from pleasant I
dreams and sweet, soft slumber, by the SER 9
want, who, according to my request Of the !
night, awoke me at this early-or I
rather late-hour. We, that is to saw nv
with whom / was ~sojourning, and a
select few from abroad, were going to ride to
the beach to witness the rising Of Sol from
his ocean-bed. Twas a sight | had never
witnessed, and though when first awakened,
my mind, fresh from dream-and, refused to
remember why and wherefore / had been
awakened thus early, soon the truth burst
upon me, and breaking from the letters which
Somnus had thrown around me, and all alive
with expectation and enthusiasm, | sprang
from my couch, and was speedily attired and
ready for the ride.
Twas quite cloudy, but though many of
the clamps Of night" were reposing beneath
the dark canopy Of clouds, still a few bright
stars peeped kindly forth and smiled on us a
welcome. They seemed like guardian angels
from celestial Paradise sent forth to watch
over and protect the children of men" We
feared lest we should be disappointed in see
ing the sun rise unclouded from the ocean,
yet had a most delightful ride cheered by
pleasant converse. Then soon Aurora, with
her golden, oriental gate, y burst forth in 70.
in choirs, and with sweet songs of melody
saluted the rising sun.
We entered the sandy road which leads
direct to the ocean, and already heard "the
roar of many waters" And now burst upon
our view the great, broad sea.
"The sea! the sea the open seal
The blue, the fresh, the ever freel
Without a mark, without q bound,
1t runneth the earth's wide regions roundf
1t plays with the clouds /! it moeks the skies!
Or like q Graded creature lies"
| stood awe-struck, as I ever do, at the
sight. A sense of Gods omnipotence-a per-
ception of His infinity-a realization of my
W extreme littleness-and a heart filled to
overwhelming with the grandeur, sublimity
of the scene presented, came DER me; and |
felt for a while almost overwhelmed. IT'S
true / spoke but little CT the feelings which
agitated my heart. Inever do when my Deep
est emotions are stirred within me, but this
very silence but intensified my feelings, and
l felt almost oppressed, as if / was incapable
Of grasping within my mind and heart SO
much of magnificence, such immensely, as
spread boundless before me.
And now, too, that the ''day-beam had
blessed the sky" the rising sun, though hid
den by many a cloud, yet from his hiding
place woke the sleepy shadows into Smiles
and clad them in rosy light.
We stood by the sea shore and watched thu
white-capped waves as they came rushing on
ward with furious roar and burst into hub
bles at our feet. At first we were silent
each occupied with our own thoughts-bu
soon we began to talk, then laugh, and even
tually, like merry children, we ran to NEE
the approaching waves, and with mock def
ance babe them "Come thus far, but no far
ther." Just then l heard a merry peal q
laughter, and turning, beheld one of our par
ty, a lady, holding forth her Tetania- like feet
while a ludicrous mixture of laughter an
dismay filled her c~ountenance. She had blu
just uttered the defiant words, when a hug
wave suddenly burst upon her and deluge
her feet. OH what q shout Of mortimer
rang forth and went sounding upon tn
waves! Methinks some mermaid from he
coral reefs peeped to see from whence cam
the glad music-and the triumphant wave
as they met, sounded a pean of their victory
Growing weary of this sport, we formed in
to parties, strolled along the shore and gath
cred shells. They were not very numerou
there, but was informed they abounded il
quantities farther South, | think, near tn
light house." While employed in pickin
up these treasures, ] heard my name calico
and turning, met a sight which to my dyin
day can never be forgotten. Dark cloud
had hidden from our view the rising of tn
''day-god," but as he swept onward and W
ward, suddenly he burst into sight, and q
his rays fell perpendicularly upon the water
a vast city appeared on the sea. 1t was
delusion certainly-but with all the appear
ance of reality. We saw clearly the dome
misunderstanding lines of palaces-spire
and turrets reached upwards to an immens
height-quays flooded with golden light
and all encircled by waves which sparkle
and g~littered in the sunlight. There stoo
before our vision ''On," the 'City of the Sun.
with her broad, golden streets. The pictul
was complete. 1t needed but little imagin
ton to perceive the semblance. I longed Fl
an artists gift to transfer the glorious pictu
to canvass. But'twas impossible! No han
however gifted, could portray that scene.
And even as l write l feel all too sensibly n
inability to convey to the minds of my rea
ers even a faint idea of the reality. B
, twas beautiful-more than beautiful-g
riousl sublimel
We stood gazing upon it till the proud OF
l as if in offended majesty at our rude ga
s again obseured himself behind q frienC
cloud-thus taking from US that beautiful
= fusion.
With a heavy sigh from each heart,
G again renewed our search for shells-wt
@ Breakfast is ready" was shouted, and
gathered around the wagon wherein was
posted the eatables, with eager appetit
c sharpened by the keen salt air waited fir
old ocean, and by our early ride. It '
4 wonderful to behold us despatch the S
: viands. One young lady in particularly
= slender, willowy figure, auburn tresses VIII
clustered in ringlets Ger shoulders white
= pure as Parian marble and eyes of cerul
e hue, with that dreamy look peculiar to lovi
|, earnest natures. 1t was wonderful indie
to see her, as with utmost sang froid
l. ate slice after slice of ''ham and bread"-a
like Oliver Twist, asked for "more'-bear
unmoyed our gay sallies and playfully
licious remarks.
We renewed our promenade along
II "pebbly beach" after satisfying the crawl
~ Of hunger, and after passing another hou
this pleasant pastime, we again turned
- faces homeward, bidding 'old Ocean" a
W FAREWELL
NEVER "ARE," BUT ''ro BE" BLEsr.--
are never satisfied. aMan never is ba
ways fo he bIestn Pope saws and that i