American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-03-04

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things by which it is surrounded. =
Prospero is to me the embodiment of
human wisdom and virtue, in their true
relation to the various elements of ex.
istencc, the external world in which
they are placed, and the mortal fellow
ship by which they are affected and in ;
fuenccd.
Of the wonderful chain of being. of
which Caliban is the lowest and Ariel
the most ethereal limit, Prospero is
the main and middle link.
And first we have the gross ungain.
~, powerful savage, who represents
the lower and more ponderous natu-
raj elements-the earth and the waters
under the carth--and, as the science
of the great magician compels these to
his service, so the lower part of man 8
nature, its coarse and even fierce
propensities, (of which Caliban is also
tho representative are held in stern
subjection by him who is the type of
that natures noblest developemcnt.-
Next in the scale, but one grade high,
er, come the drunken, ribald, stupid
followers of the King Of Naples. shose
ignorance, cowardice, cruelty, and
knavery represent the worst aspect of
that great portion of all communities
that can only be-ruised to civilization
under the wholesome restraint of a
wise authority, and which is always
found in natural alliance with the re-
bellion of brute force and savage fero-
city against the powers by which they
are controlled.
These figures, are succeeded by the
cunning, treacherous, selfish world
llngs, the princes Prospero's peers in
station-and their courtiers, whose
vlllalnous and cruel conspiracy (aided,
indeed, by his own dereliction of right
in neglecting the duties of his state for
the delights of his study orerthrows
his fortune, and triumphs for a while,
over truth and justice in his person.
From these, who represent the ba-
ser intellectual, as the former charac-
ters do the baser, sensual properties of
humanity, how gentle and graceful is
the transition through the skilfulIy
imposed figure of the kind, old, court.
ly Lord Gonsalo, to those charming
types of youth and beauty, Ferdinand
and Miranda, in whose feryent devotion
and yielding sweetness we have the i'm
personation Of those sentiments and
passions which, watched and guided by
tho paternal prudence Of Prospero, re-
cevp the sanction Of his tender wis.
dom, and are pruned Of their luxuri-
ance, and supported in their weakness,
by the temperate restraint thai teach
es forbearance and self. conro. as the
price at which these exquisite flowers
of existence unfold their blossoms pros
perously, and bear their appointed
harvest of happiness and goodness as
well rs pleasure.
Next in this wonderful scale of be-
ing, governed by the sovereign soul of
l'rospero, we have :he Spirits of the
Masque-beautitul, bright apparitions,
fifty representing the air, the fire, the
tlowery and fruitful seasons, and all
the more graceful and smiling aspects
OF nature, which minister with prompt
obedience to the behests of science
and when not toiling in appointed la
Dor for the great task master, man, re.
fresh and recreate his senses and his
mind with the ever varying pageant of
this beautiful universe. -
Last of all--crowning like flame of
lambent brightness this poetic pyramid
Of existencc--fl flashes and nickers, gilt.
ters and spapkles. the beautiful demon,
without whose attendance we never
see the noble magician and his grave
aspect of command. Ariel seems to
me to represent the highest intellect
separate from moral responsibilities
HIS power and knowledge, in some re.
spects greater than those of his mas.
ter. lie lasbes up tho tempest round
the island; he saves the King and his
crew from shipwreck lle defeats the
conspiracy Of Antonio and Sebastian
and the clumsy plot of the beast Cali.
ban. He yields immediate influence
over the elements, and comprehends,
without condemnation or sympathy,
(Which are moral results the sin and
suffering of humanity. Therefore be-
cause he is only spirit Of knowledge,
he is made subject to the spirit Of love;
and the wild subtle, beautiful, power
ful creature is compelled to serve,
with mutinous waywardpess and un
willing suljection, the human soul that
pited its barsher slavery to sin, and
set it free from it and after compel
ling it with wise and necessary sc.
verify to the fulfiment Of it's duties.
yearns after it with the fearful eyes OF
tender human love, when it's wild
wings fash away into its newly recoy
cred region Of lawlcss liberty.
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