Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-01-01
A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Rarely, indeed, had more lovely evening
been known even in the fariy-l land of the
Isle of France, than that of the last day of De-
cember The bright genial weather of the
monsoon months following copious rains, had
brought every product of the earth to its fullest
perfection and beauty; the rich stores of the
vegetable world We'd with the glories of the ami
NAL kingdom, and whilst trees, shrubs, and
plants put forth their greatest powers, insects
nnumerable, and birds of the gayest plumage,
hummed and sang their richest notes in gentle
harmony, through grove, and wood, and mossy
del-and this on New Years eve.
The Cay had been a glorious time of sun
shine-the sky all clear and radiant, like a sea
OF liquid blue, seemed welded to the ocean. No
cloud was there to dim the lustre of the one,
no breath of air 10 stir the CLASSY face of the
other. Fruits, Acwers and leaves, thick as they
were over the field and garden, hung listIessly /;
and even busy man forgot TO toll, lost in his
rest, as though the world had willed the year
should die so brilliantly, so peacefully, that not
one sound or sight unwelcome might cross its
latest hours.
The sun was sinking fast, transforming as it
did so, the lovely azure of the sky to a rich
golden hue tinted with softest bushes. A gen.
tie breeze was springing up, and played, as
though in very wantoness, amongst the broad
leaves Of the green bananas, the feathery foli-
age of the lofty plants, and the thick groves of
orange. trees. Many a wide and cool veranda
in Port Louis was filed with fair and youthful
forms, listening to the idle gossip OF the day !;
many wealthy merchant leaned back on dow 9.
ney ottoman, enjoying his pipe, and casting up
the profits of the year; mauy a sun.burned
planter reposed on matted couch with long
necked bottles. in his company, listening to his
neighbors' tales of sugar cane, slaves and rum.
Within a mile of the Port, on the road lead
ing towards the PNmplemouses, stood, and, for
aught | know TO the contrary, stands at this
moment, most pc,uresque-o looking villa, de-
lightfully placed amongst palm trees and man
go grows, with perfect paradise of a garden
and lawn, studded with the richest fruit bearing
shrubs. As is the case with all the tropica
dwellings, an ample veranda encircled the
house; and to render the place still more en-
joyable, shady avenue of bananas, flags, ant
roseapples, led the way to pretty bridge, owe
which the passenger found himself conducted
to miniature island, laid out, like the garden
with lawn and Towering plants, and round
which ran ripping stream, washing its moss!
banks.
In the vicinity OF this abode were clusters o
thntched cottages, each with its knot of palm
, and bahamas, and small patch of garden il
the rear. These were the dwellings of tn
slaves, who cultivated the many fields of sugO
canes that stretched for miles along the skirt
of the mountanl land in the rear of the road
the property of the weallhiest planter of tn
island, NJ. Durant.
This enchanting spot, seen on such lovel
evening es have attempted to describe, ma
well have been deemed the resting place
happy mortals. |, seemed The home of tran
, quill happy hearts, where nothing sorrowl,
might find a corneri where men might hav
been content to end their days on earth Y,
this was not so. The apple of the desert, a
beauty to the eye, was not more bitter at Ii
core than this same planters homestead
Watching the parting sunlight from the fror
veranda, sat the young wife of the proprieto
Reclining on a couch of ebony, garnished vii
tbs richest drapery, with the incense of swee
est flowers about her, with crowd of slaves
!. obey her every wish, with all that physical Ii
pnul1 6anon1 thiS 60 wos tnhannv
Alas the one thing needed to make joyf