The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-01
INkLINGS FROM THE FRONTIER;
LIE ON THE PLAINS AND ADVENTURES IN
THE TENTED FIELD


CAMP AT TWIN MOUNTAIN SPRINGS.
10 The Editor Of the National Era:
When leisure hour is now and then snatched
from the busy turmoil of life, as a respite from
the routine of daily duty or cessation from
dollar-worship, the physical functions are al
lowed season of relaxation And then. too
the mind Graves its necessary nourishment, and
WithRe nlbbllng at sstat these odds and ends and
scraps of time, picked up when the physical
man is weary and almost exhausted, is not the
time to partake of the more weighty or substan-
tial mental diet, as afforded by the higher class
OF letters. And, my dear friend, if you have
not already, you WILL if you persist in reading
strong matter while your mind is not in state
to digest such, experience the evil effects of
such course. l do not purpose to explain
why, how, or in what manner. Please take
my word for it, exercise your own judgment on
the suggestion, and never dive into science,
philosophy, theology, history, or deep literature
of any class, unless you can spare the time and
devote the attention necessary to a healthy
mental digestion.
sideratum. Still the question, what shall read
often rises in the mind of the weary and care,
worn man, as he takes up his paper and throws
himself in an attitude of repose. Of politics
we have an abundance, and are likely to have
the dose doubled, if not trebled, ere many
months. The din of battle has died away-the
European war has closed. Blondin has played
out. Balloonery is not likely to create another
excitement for some time to come. We know
all about the Great Eastern, and are patiently
awaiting her arrival on our shores. DR.. Bel
lows is not likely to engage the mass of man
kind in his New Church reformation for some
time yet. The Latter Day Saints in Mormon
dom, and the contractors for Government sup
plies in Utah, will continue their extortion, and
steal from the public treasure, and are likely
to continue their regular routine of murder,
theft, and polygamy, in defiance of ell law,
without change of programme, until we have a
change in the Administration. May God speed
ily send that change. We hope there is no
probability of another Sickles tragedy, to ell
the press of the country with its sickening de-
tails. General Harvey and Governor Douglas
have failed, we hope, to get up war between
the two great nations of the Anglo-Saxon race.
By the way, why, in the name of the Demo
cratic party tactics, did General Harvey not
wait until the eve of the Presidential campaign
before he raised row with the British authori-
ties +? Such stroke of policy would undoubt-
edly aid in maintaining in place and power a
set of as arrant demagogues as ever cursed and
disgraced nation. But, as it is the whole
affair will likely prove an abortion, and the
noise thereof will be hushed and silent before
the campaign is fairly opened. General Har-
ney, like Governor Wise and Judge Douglas,
has certainly evinced himself too eager and
hasty in his lofty aspiration to the Presidential
chair.
What am about? Politics must be con-
tagious disease. For 10 here am I, Guy Oak
leaf, denizen of the far Western wilds, who
dental election, dipping my pen into the pool
does not even expect to vote at the next Presi.
of politics.
But suppose that you are posted on all the
foregoing subjects, and cannot find in them the
requisites for mental recreation. Look, then,
to the poems, stories, (short and sweet ones,
mean,) sketches, essays, and correspondence,
from various parts of the world. If, then, you
are not satisfied, come away with me, far far
beyond the habitation of civilized man, where
the gentle zephyrs fan your cheeks and play
among your locks, and every breeze comes
laden with sweetest perfumes; where broad
natural meadows, hillsdes, and valleys, are COW
cred with variegated carpet of many and bright
colored flowers, and where every belt of wood.
land, grove, and dell, is vocal with the songs Of
happy birds. And if you are an admirer OF
nature, 1 viii endeavor to introduce you to some
of her children, which cannot fail to interest
you, if you are inclined to be interestable.
But, in order not to lose any portion Of our
line of march, / must first bring you from the
camp at which my last Lsklings were dated, to
our present romantic encampment Our next
camp was on Camel creek, perpetual running