The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-31


Villa at Rome, for the sunlight steals
10 and out there as here, and tho blue
sky bends over each as lovingly.
We tore ourselves away from this
enchanted spot, and crossed the rustic
bridge over the spring branch. We
peeped into the dairy window aud saw
the bouutiful supply Of milk and cream.
We glanced ut the neat farmyard and
comfortable stables, aud the ponds
where the black bass aod specklcd
trout dart through the limpid water,
taking no thought Of the morrow. We
paused before the picturesque waterfall
turning the wheel of little mill which
supplies the house and gardens with
water. We surveyed the private baths,
which Nero might have cnyied, erected
over large spring, and quite secluded
by the oyerbanging branches Of beau.
tiful elm, aud SO wandered along, fol-
lowing the mcanderipss Of the crystal
rivulet as it
"Winds about, 10 and out,
To join the brimming river"
We are lost in the beauty Of the deep
glens, romantic dells, messy banks, rus
tic bridges, graceful cascades, fairy
grottoes, fowery islands and vine clad
arbors aud at last rest GU the rustic
sofa under the branches of grand
oak, the monarch of the forest, which,
though it may not
.Circe In the grain
Five hundred rings OF years."
"Was SO broad OF girth
II could MT be embraced"
aud doubtless, ifgiven to garruiity, could
relate stories as tender as the Talking
Oak" How many lovers have liugere d
here, End how many hearts have throb-
bed beneath these sylvan bowers!
We came from the garden oyerladen
with roses selected by Dir. Blair, and
cut by his own slender and annotated
hand. Near this wilderness Of bright
gcraniums-of fragrant hcliotropes and
mignone,tes, rests the most interesting
feauture Of tho whole. 1t is the family
vault.-The mound containing this il
surrounded by grove Of fine young
oaks and piues, and here, beneath the
shade OF these lovely trees, where theil
children and their childrcn's children
come daily to play, aud weave bright
garlands, these old people have chosen
their final resting place. The velvet
sod is covered with ivy and myrtle, and
here this aged couple come TO kneel
over it. They have lived their bright.
est days, and under it they expect to
lie down together, in death as in life,
surrounded with the singing of birds,
the music Of fountains, the perfume OF
flowers aud the laughter Of children.
1t was like poem full Of pathos to
hear this old man talk; no man living
now has read or studied more, and
pearls Of ga.nished and precious culture
arc ever dropping from his lips.
We bade them an affcctionato good
bye; aud as the twilight deepened
around us we drove back to the xnity,
along the road that Mr., and Mrs. Blair
frequented iu their daily rides on horse
back, aud our hearts we're full Of tender
musing on those two remarkable aud
interesting characters, who have shorn
death Of its terrors, and stand there
waiting SO TRANQUILITY for its summons.
Our carriage was full Of fruits and
flowers, and | was unconcious of the
passing time until found myself back
again in the lighted city, clasping ten
derly sprig Of ivy which Mr. Blair
had given me, telling me it was from a
vine given him by Washington Irving,
who received it from the hands Of
Burns veritable "Bonnie jean"