Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-04-10
The Hill of science-A Vision.
BY MRS. BARBAULD.

y
renity of the sky, the various fruits which
cover the ground, the diseolored foliage of
the tress, and all the sweet bud f4ding gra-
ces of inspiring autumn, open Tic mind to
ton, | was wandering in a beautiful and 10
mantle country, till curiosity began 10 give
way to weariness; and sat me down on the
fragment of a rock oYererown with moss,
where the rustling Of the falling leaves. the
.dashing Of waers, and the hum Of the dis
tant city, soothed my mind into the most
perfect tranquility; AMI sleep insensibly
stole upon me, as was indulging the agree
fable reveries which thelobjects around me
naturally inspired
Immediately found myselfin ayast extended
plain, in the middle of which arose a noun
tain higher than had before any conception
OF 1t was covered with multitnd3 Of peo-
pie, chiefly youth; many Of whom pressed
forward with the liycliest expression of ar
Cor IN their countenance, though the way
was in many places steep and dilfcult. /
observed that those who had but Just begun
to climb the hill thought themselves not far
from the top +; but as they proceeded new
hills We're continually Using TO their view.
and the summit of the highest they could
before discern seemed but the foot of anoth.
er, till the noun ain at length appeared 10
lose itself in the clouds As vas gazinr
on these things with astonishment. my Good
genius suddenly appeared. The mountain
before thee" said he, is the Hill of Science.
On the top is the Temple of Truth, whose
head is above the cluods, and veil of pure
light covers her face Observe the progress of
her votaries; be silent and attentive"
saw that the only regular approach to
the mountain was by gate, called the Gate
OF Languages 1t was kept by a woman of
a pensive and thoughtful appearance, whose
lips were continually moving, as though she
repeated something to herself Her name
was Memory. On entering this first enclo-
sure, was stunned with a confused murmur
OF Jarring voices and dssonant sounds, which
increased upon me to such degree that
was utterly confounded, and could compare
the noise to nothing but the confusion of
tongues at Babel. The road was also rough
and stony, and rendered more difficult 5y
heaps Of rubbi,h continually tambled down
| from the higher parts Of the mountain. and
broken ruins Of ancient buildings, which
the travellers were obliged to climb Ger at
every step; insomuch tDat many, disguised
With so rough beginning, torned back, and
attempted the mountain nu more; while 9th
ers, having conquered this difficulty, had no
! spirit to ascend farther, and sitting down on
some fragment of the rubbish, hsrransued
the multitude below with the q eatest ma, X
Of Importance and selfcomplacency.
About half way up the hill | observed on
| each side ofthe path thick forest covered with
continual Iogs, and cut out into lahyrinths,
Wood of Error; and heard the voices of
1n fac+
ing to one another, and endeavoring in vain
to extricate themselves. The trees in many
places shot their boughs over the path, and
a thick mist often rested on it, never so much
but that it was discernlble Sv the lipht
which beamed from the countenance ,f'Frutb
In the pleasantest palt of the mountain
were placed the bowers Of the MUSES.. whose
office it was to cheer t e spirits OF the tray.
ellers, and encourage their faint steps with
songs from their divine bards Not Tar from
hence were the fields Of Fiction, filled with a
variety OF Wild t1oweIs springing up in
the greatest Iu&urlance, of richer scents and
brighter colors than | had observed in anv 9th.
er climate. And near them was tie darI,
wall OF AileGory, SO artificially shaded, that
the llght OF MONDAY was never stronger than
that OF bright moonshne This gave it q
pleaslngly romantic air for those who delight.
ed in contemplation. The paths and al eys
were perplexed with intricate windinos. and
were all terminated with the Statue of q
Grace, Virtue, or a Muse. .....-
After had obseyed these things, turned
my eye towards the multitude who were
climbing the steep ascent, and observed
amongst them a youth Of lively look a
piercing eye, and something fiery and ir-
regular in all his motions. His name was
Genius. He darted like an eagie an the
mountain, and left his companions gazino
after him with envy and admiration: 6ut his
progress was unequal, and interrupted by a
thousand caprices When pleasure warbled
IN the valley, he mingled in her train When
Pride beckoned towards the precipice, he
ventured to the tottering edge. lie delighted
IN devious and untried paths, and made 50
many excursions from the road that his fee
bier companions often outstrpped him.
observed that the MUSES. beheld him with
partIallty; but Truth often frowned and
turned aside her face
hlle Genius was thus wasting his strength
IN eccentric flights, | saw person Of very
different appearance, named Application. He
,crept along with slow and umcmitting pace.
his eHeSs # yfifArv4ffy5 -
ted his way, till he saw most OF th"se oe'or-
him who had at first derided his slow and
to;lcome nrooress. Indeed there were lew
uho assembled the hill ith equal and untn
tarrnnted steadiness; for, besides the dlihcul
tics Of the way, they were continually soIlcl
ted to turn aside by numerous croWo
Annetites. Passions, and Pleasures, WhoS'
importunity when they had once comp'!e
with they became less and less abe TO fesia
and tbouTh they often returned to the pau
the asne,ities of the road were more severe
felt. the hill appeared more steep ana russe'
the fruits which were wholesome ana relfes,
;no seemed harsh and ill-tasted, their s'g'
grew dim, and their feet tripped at eveiy i
tie obstruction.
saw. with some surprise, that the Muse
whose business was to cheer ana encoura
those who were toiling up the ascent, Wo0
often sing in the bowers OF Pleasure, ana
company those who were entlced away
the call of the Passions; they acconpan
: them. however. but a little way, and alws
5 forsook them when they lost sight Of the
!, The tyrants then doubled their CHAINS ul
j the unhappy captives, and led them aW
n without resistance, to the cells of lgnora
J. or the mansions of Misery. Amongst
: finnumerable seducers, who were endeavol
g to draw away the votaries OF truth rom
n path of Science, there was one SO ilttie lol
IS dable in her appearance, and SO genue {
languid in her attempts, that should sea
ly have taken notice of her, but Tor the y D
=. bers she had imperceptibly loaded with
~ chains. Incidence, (for so she was cal
&c far from proceeding to open hostillties
- no. attempt to turn their feet ous oil the
no but contented herself with retardlng