Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-04-20

Thus while Summons cnfold us,
Winters drgeis in ear,
And though crowned with holicst blessings,
Oft our hearts cold with fear
Dreadng, lestrthc beams Of morning
Should In storm-clouds disappear
Extract from Zimmerman's Work on
Solitude.
The fear of being galone is no longer felt
either by the young or old, whenever the
mind has acquired the power of employing
itself in some useful OF agreeable way. iii
humor may be banshed by adopting reg
ular course of reading. Books indeed, can
not be INSPECTED without producing bcne-
fetal effect, provided if we always read with a
pen or pencil in our hand and note down the
new ideas that may occur, or the observations
which confirm the knowledge we before pos
sesscd; for reading becomes not only useless,
but fat'guing, unless we apply the inform
alton it affords either to our own characters
or to those Of other men, This habit, how
ever, may be easily acquired; and then books
become ono OF the most safe and certain an
tidotcs to lassitude and discomfort. BY this
means man becomes his own companion,
and finds his best and most cheerful friends
in his own heart.
Pleasure of this kind certainly surpasscs
in n great degree all those which result mere
ly from the indulgence of the senses The
pleasures of the mind generally speaking,
signify sublime meditation, the profound de-
ductions of reason, and the brilliant effusion
of the imagination; but there are also others,
for the perfect enjoyment of which neither
extensive knowledge nor extraordinary talents
are necessary. Such arc the pleasures which
result from active labor; pleasures equally
within the reach of the ignorant and learned,
and not less exquisite than those which re-
suit solely from the mind Manual excrtions,
therefore, ought never to be despiscd am
acquainted with gentlemen who understand
the mechanism of watches, who arc able to
work as painters, locksmiths, carpenters, and
who are not only possessed of the tools and
implements of every trade, but know how to
use them. Such men never feel the least
disquietudc from the want of society, and are
in general the happiest characters in exist
encc.
Mental pleasures are within the reach of
all persons who, free, tranquil, and affection
ate, are contentcd with themselves, and at
peace with their fcllow-creatures. The MUD
contcmplates the pranks of school, the spright-
ly alterations of our boyish days, the wanton
stories of early youth, our plays and pastimes,
and all the little hopes and fears of infancy,
with fond delight. Oh! with what approx
ing smiles and soft regret, the aged cast
their eyes upon those happy times when
youthful inclinations prompted all their ac-
tons, when every enterprise was undertaken
with lively vigOr, and executed with undaunt-
ed courage; when difficulties were sought
merely for the purpose Of surmountng them
Let us compare what we were formerly with
what we are at the present.; or rather, by
giving our thoughts freer range, reflect on
the various events we have experienced or
observed; upon the means that the Almighty
employs to raise or sink the prosperity of
empires; upon the rapid progress made, even
in our time, in every art and science; upon
the difficulties Of useful knowledge, and the
destruction of dangerous prcjudices; upon the
empire which barbarisln and superstition
have gained, notwithstanding the exertions
Of genius and reason, to prevent them upon
the sublime power of the human mind and
its inefficient productions and anguor will
instantly disappear, and tranquility, peace,
and good huInor prevail
Thus advantage may in Solitude be attained
and relished at every period of our lives at
the most advanced age. as well as during the
vigor of youth. He who to an unbroken
constitution joins free contented mind and
assiduously cultivatcs the powers Of his under
standing, will, il his heart be innocent, at all
times enjoy the purest and most unalterabe
pleasures. Employment anilnatcs all the
functions OF the soul, and calls forth their
highest energies. 1t is the secret conscious
ness which every person Of lively imagina-
ton possesses, of the powers Of the mind, and
the dignity they arc capable of attaining that
creates that noble anxiety and ardor which
carries their efforts to the sublmest heights.
But it. either by duty or situation, we main
tain too close an intercourse with society, if
we are obliged, in spite of inclination, to sub
init to frivolous and fatiguing dissipations,
It is only by quitting the tumult, and enter.
ing into silent meditation, that we feel that
effcrvcsccncc, that desire to break from bon.
dagc, to fly from past errors, and avoid in fll-
turc every noisy and tumultuous pleasure,
The mind never feels with more energy
and satisfaction that it lives, that il is rational.
great, free and immortal, than during those
moments in which it excludes idle and i'm
pertinent intruders.
Of all the vexations of life, there are none
80 insupportable, as those insipid visits, those
annoying partialities, which occupy the time
Of frivolous and fashionable characters. "My
thoughts" says Rousseau, will only come
when they please, and not when choose !"
and therefore the intrusion Of strangers, or of
mere acquaintances, were always extremely
Odious to him. 1t was for this reason alone
that this extraordinary character, who sell
dom experienced an hour Of tranquility, felt
s,1ch infliOn0fiou AOairst fha ;,nnrrf,,c.t.