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THE RICHMOND COUNTY MIRROR:

A WEEKLY PAPER PRINTED ON STATEN ISLAND, DEVOTED TO SCIENCE, LITERATURE, & NEWS.

THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

SELECT TALES.

From the Lady's Book.

LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE.

A STRANGER was ushered into the parlor, where two young ladies were seated, one bonnetted and shawled, evidently a morning visitor, the other in a fashionable undress, as evidently a daughter of the inmate of the mansion. The latter rose, with a slight inclination of the head, and requested the gentleman to take a chair. "Is Mr. Temple at home?"

46

No sir, but he is expected in presently."

NEW BRIGHTON, MAY 18, 1839."

table bridegroom! the one who was represented as be-
ing clothed in every grace calculated to fascinate a fe-
male heart-and I, fool that I was, I believed it, and
looked forward with rapture to the hour of our first
meeting." Here she paused, and throwing herself into
a chair, burst into a passion of tears.

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Mary Manning, her more rational companion, endeavored to soothe the excited feelings of her friend, and suggested to her that whatever disappointment she felt with regard to his personal appearance, his character might be such as to awaken a very ardent attachment. 'Indeed,” added Mary, “I thought there was someThe young ladies exchanged mirthful glances as the thing very interesting in his address, and his voice is stranger drew nearer, and certainly his extraordinary remarkably persuasive in its tones. He has evidently figure might have justified a passing sensation of mirth been very ill, and his bad looks are owing to this cirif politeness and good feeling had restrained its expres- cumstance. He will become handsomer by and by.sion. His extreme thinness, and the livid hue of his Besides, my dear Augusta, what is mere beauty in a complexion indicated recent illness, and as he was ap- man? It is the prerogative of woman, and you are so parently young, the almost total baldness of his head highly gifted in that respect yourself, you should be wilwas probably owing to the same cause. His lofty fore-ling that your husband should excel in those qualities head was above the green shade that covered his eyes, in unshadowed majesty, unrelieved by a single lock of hair, and the lower part of his face assumed a still more cadaverous hue from the reflection of the green color above. There was something inexpressibly piteous and forlorn in his whole appearance, notwithstanding an air of gentlemanly dignity which pervaded his melancholy person. He drew forth his pocket book, and taking out a folded paper, was about to present it to Miss Temple; who, drawing back with a suppressed laugh, said—“ A petition, sir, I suppose;" then added in a whisper to her companion, "the poor fellow is perhaps getting up a subscription for a wig."

The whisper was very low, but the stranger's shaded, but penetrating eyes were fixed upon her face, and the motion of her lips assisted his knowledge of their sound. He replaced the paper in his pocket-book.

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"I am no petitioner for your bounty, madam," said he in a voice whose sweetness fell like a reproach on her nor have I any claims on your compassion, save being a stranger and an invalid. I am the bearer of a letter to your father, from a friend of his early youth, who, even on his death bed, remembered him with grateful affection-will you have the goodness to present him my name and direction?"

Then laying his card on the table, he made a low bow and retreated, before Miss Temple had time to apologize, if, indeed, any apology could be offered for her levity and rudeness.

She approached the table, and took up the card "Gracious heavens! it cannot be possible! Sydney Allison that bald, yellow, horrid looking creature, Sydney Allison! they described him as the perfection of manly beauty! I never will believe it--he is an impostor-the wretch!"

The young lady who was with her, beheld with astonishment the passion which lighted up Miss Temple's face, and her looks besought an explanation.

alone which men most generally arrogate to them-
selves."

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'Oh, father, do not speak of such a thing."

"Do not interrupt me. Mr. Allison, the uncle of this young man, was my benefactor and friend when all the world looked dark upon me. He extricated me from difficulties which it is unnecessary to explain-gave me the means of making an ample fortune, and asked no recompense but a knowledge of my success. It was by his influence that I was united to your now angel mother-yes, I owe every thing to him-wealth, reputation, and a brief but rare portion of domestic bliss. This dear, benevolent old man had one nephew, the orphan child of his adoption, whom he most tenderly loved.— When commercial affairs carried me to Cuba, about ten "Husband!" repeated Augusta, "I would as soon years ago, Sydney was a charming boy-(here Augusta take a death's-head for my husband. I care nothing for groaned)--and when I spoke with a father's pride of my mere beauty, provided there is intelligence and spirit. own little girl, whom I had left behind, my friend gladBut with such a bald, livid looking wretch, such a liv-dened at the thought that the union which had bound ing memento of mortality, I should sink into my grave our hearts together, would be perpetuated in our childin a fortnight. I will never marry him unless I am ren. We pledged our solemn promise to each other that dragged to the altar." this union should take place at the fitting age; you have long been aware of this betrothal, and I have seen with pleasure, that you seemed to enter into my views, and to look forward with hope and animation to the fulfilment of this contract. The engagement is now doubly bind

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Here Mr. Temple entered the room and interrupted her rash speech. Miss Manning retired, feeling that her presence might be an intrusion. He looked astonished at the agitation of his daughter, who handed him the card, and turning away, leaned against the mantle-ing, since Death has set his awful seal upon it. It must piece, the image of woe.

"Sydney Allison arrived!" exclaimed Mr. Temple, "where is he-when was he here, and why is he gone? why-what is the matter with you, Augusta? The first wish of my heart seems accomplished, and I find you weeping. Tell me the meaning of all this."

"Oh, father!" sobbed Augusta, covering her face with her handkerchief, "he is so ugly, and you told me he was very handsome."

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Mr. Temple could not forbear laughing at the piteous tone in which Augusta uttered this melancholy truth, though he immediately replied, in an accent of displeasure 'I am ashamed of your folly. I have always given you credit for being a girl of some sense; but you talk like a little fool. Ugly! If a man is not so ugly as to frighten his horse, he is handsome enough. Besides, it is nothing but a whim—I saw him when a child, and he was an uncommonly beautiful boy. I hope you did not behave in this manner before him, why did you suffer him to go away?"

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be fulfilled. Do not, by your folly, make me unhappy at a moment like this."

"Forgive me, my dear father; but, indeed, when you see him, you will not wonder at the shock that I have received. After all you have said of him, after reading his uncle's letters, so full of glowing descriptions, after dwelling so long on the graceful image my fancy drew, to find such a dreadful contrast!"

"Dreadful contrast! why, surely he cannot be transformed into such a monster.”

"You have not seen him yet," said she mournfully. "No, you remind me of my negligence. After the strange reception you have given him, it is doubly urgent I should hasten to him. Have a care, Augusta; you have always found me an indulgent father, but in this instance I shall enforce implicit obedience. I have only one fear, that you have already so far disgusted him with your levity, that he may, himself, refuse the honor of the alliance.”

"He refuse me!" murmured Augusta, in a low voice, as she glanced at herself in a mirror that shone above the mantel-piece.

As the nature of her reflections may be imagined, it may be interesting to follow the young man whose figure had made so unfortunate an impression on his intended bride, and learn some of the feelings which are passing through his mind

Sydney Allison returned to his lonely apartment at the hotel with a chilled and aching heart. The bright | day-dream, whose beauty had cheered him, even when mourning over the death-bed of his uncle, while himself

languishing himself on the bed of sickness, and while, a sea-sick mariner, he was tossed upon the boisterous waves- -this dream was fled. She, who had always risen upon his imagination as the morning star of his destiny-this being he had met after years of romantic anticipation: what a meeting! He was well aware of the sad ravages one of the most violent fevers of a tropical clime had made upon his beauty, but never attaching much value upon his own personal attractions, he could not believe that the marks of a divine visitation would expose him to ridicule or unkindness. Of an extremely sensitive disposition, he was peculiarly alive to the stings of satire, and the sarcastic whisper of Miss Temple wounded him to the quick.

"What!" said he to himself, as he folded his arms in melancholy abstraction, in the solitude of his chamber, "what if the dark luxuriance of waving hair that once shaded my temples is now gone, is not thought and intelligence still lingering on my brow? Are there no warm and animated feelings in my heart, because the tide of health no longer colors my wan and faded cheek? These enfeebled eyes, which I must now shelter from the too dazzling light, can they not still emit the rays of soul? This proud beauty-may she live to know what a heart she has wounded!"

He rose and walked slowly across the floor, pausing before a large looking glass which fully reflected his person. He could not forbear smiling, in the midst of his melancholy, at the ludicrous contrast to his former self, and acknowledged it was preposterous to expect to charm at first sight, under the present disastrous eclipse. He almost excused the covert ridicule of which he had been the object, and began to pity the beautiful Augusta for the disappointment she must have endured. It was under the influence of these feelings that Mr. Temple found him.

“My dear fellow," said the latter, warmly grasping his hand, and gazing earnestly at him-" My poor boy, how ill you must have been !—your uncle, too-" the warm hearted man was incapable of uttering another syllable, not more moved at the moment, by the recollection of his friend, than affected by the transformation of the blooming boy whose waving locks were once so singularly beautiful. His sympathy was so unaffected, his welcome so warm, and his affection expressed in so heartfelt a manner, that Sydney, who had just been arming himself with proud philosophy against the world's indifference and neglect, melted into woman's softness. He had been so long among strangers, and those, too, of rougher natures, had experienced so cold a disappointment in his warmest hopes, he had felt so blighted, so alone the reaction was too powerful, it umanned him.

In his short interview with her he had gained such an | figure was of superb proportions, her features formed on
insight into her character, that he recoiled from the idea the model of oriental symmetry, while her eyes glittered
of appearing before her as her professed lover.
through their dark sweeping lashes like sunbeams thro'
"Receive me as a friend," said he to Mr. Temple, the forest foliage. She stood with her head a little aver-
"let your daughter learn to look upon me as such, and ted, and her profile presented the softened outline of the
I ask no more. Unless I could win her affections, no- lineaments ascribed to the beautiful daughters of Judah.
thing could induce me to accept of her hand. Under He forgot himself entirely in the contemplation of her
existing circumstances I believe that to be impossible, loveliness, when he saw her turn, with an arch smile,
and much as I feel your kindness, and sacred as I hold and hold up her hands in a whimsical attitude in the di-
the wishes of the dead, I hold your daughter's happi- rection of his head, as if in the act of warming them;
ness paramount to every other consideration. This for the full blaze of the chandeliers seemed concentrated
must not be sacrificed for me. Promise me, sir, that it on that point, and all eyes, attracted by Augusta's ges-
shall not. I should be more wretched than words can ture, were turned upon his illuminated skull. For one
express, if I thought the slightest force were imposed moment Sidney lost his self-possession, and the angry
on her sentiments."
spot was seen distinctly burning on his sallow cheek.—
The next, he smiled superior to such weakness, and
bowed for her to pass on. She had relied on the shade
that covered his eyes, for security from detection, uncon-
scious of the piercing glances that were darting from be-
neath. Her conscience now upbraided her for her folly,
and she felt with bitterness how low she must be in the
estimation of the man whose good opinion she secretly
coveted, notwithstanding the ridicule she had dared to
throw
upon his person.

Be satisfied on that score; say nothing about it; only let her get fully acquainted with you, and there will be no occasion to employ force. You must forget the mistake of this morning. This yellow fever makes sad work with a man when it gets hold of him, but you will soon revive from its effects.

Sidney Allison became a daily visitor at Mr. Temple's. Had he assumed the privileges of a lover, Augusta would probably have manifested for him, in rather a wounding manner, the aversion she felt for him in that character; but it was impossible to treat with disdain, one who never attempted to offer any attentions beyond the civilities of friendship.

Though rendered vain by adulation, and selfish from indulgence, and though her thoughtless vivacity often made her forgetful of the feelings of others, Augusta Temple was not without redeeming virtues. Nature had gifted her with very ardent affections, and opened but few channels, in which those affections could flow. She had the misfortune to be the only child of a rich, widowed and doting parent, and from infancy had been accustomed to see every one around her subservient to her will. She had reached the age of womanhood, without knowing one real sorrow, or meeting with a being who had excited in any degree the affections of her heart. Her warm and undisciplined imagination had dwelt for years on one image. She had clothed it in the most splendid hues that fancy ever spread upon her pallet; and had poor Sidney appeared before her in all his original brightness, the reality would probably have been dim to the visions of ideal beauty by which she had been so long haunted. In the greatness of her disappointment, she became unjust and unreasonable, violent in her prejudices, and extravagant in her manifestation of them. But after the first ebullition of her grief, she grew more guarded, from the dread of her father's anger; and as Sydney continued the same reserved and dignified deportment, she began to think that her father's prediction was fulfilled, and that their aversion was mutual. She did not derive as much comfort from this supposition as might have been anticipated. She had dreaded his importunity, but she could not endure his indif ference.

It was in vain that Mr. Temple urged his young friend to a different course of conduct. He always answered, "Let her cease to dread me as a lover, that she may prize me as a friend."

After the company had dispersed, she remained alone in the drawing room, dissatisfied with herself and sickening at the pleasure that surrounded her. The door softly opened. It was Sidney-he had returned for his gloves, which he had left on the mantel-piece. It was the first time she had found herself alone with him, and she felt excessively embarrassed. In that tone, which even she acknowledged to be irresistibly sweet, he apologized for his intrusion, and taking his gloves, was retiring when she, ever impulsive, arrested his motion.

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'Stay one moment, Mr. Allison-you have great reason to despise me—I have treated you with unpardonable levity and rudeness. Though I can hardly hope for your forgiveness, I cannot withhold this acknowledgement of my errors-your calm forbearance has done more for my reformation than a thousand reproofs."

Surprised and softened by this frank avowal from the cold sarcastic Augusta, whose fluctuating complexion and agitated voice bore witness to her sincerity, Allison was at first incapable of replying.

'Your present candor," at length he said, “would indemnify me for much greater suffering than ever you have inflicted on me. Allow me, Miss Temple, to take advantage of the first moment of confidence to disarm you of all fear on my account. The relative situation in which we have been placed by others, has been the cause of much embarrassment to us both; but, be assured, my only wish is to be looked upon as your friend. Consider yourself entirely unshackled. In brighter hours I might have aspired to the distinction our parents designed for me; but worn down by sickness, the mere shadow of my former self, I feel but too sensibly that the only sentiment I can now inspire in the female heart is that of compassion."

Augusta was so much impressed with his delicacy and generosity, she began to hate herself for not having more justly appreciated his worth. She raised her eyes to his face and sighed—“Ah!" said she to herself, “I must respect and esteem him, although I can never love him."

Mr. Temple was a remarkable instance of a man who retained a youthful enthusiasm and frankness of character after a long and prosperous intercourse with the world of business. The rapid accumulation of wealth, instead of narrowing, as it often does, enlarged his benevolent heart. When, in a long and confidential conversation with Sidney, he learned that Mr. Allison had left a small fortune for his support, instead of the immense one he had been led to expect, he was more than ever anxious to promote his union with his daughter.However mysterious it seemed that Mr. Allison's property should be so diminished, or have been so overrated, Mr. Temple, who had been absent the whole evenhe rather rejoiced at the circumstance, as it gave him ing, returned at this moment, and his countenance exa fair opportunity of showing his gratitude and his dis-keeping time to the harmony, while in a pier-glass op- pressed his pleasure at finding them thus alone, and apinterestedness. posite, he had a full view of the group behind. Augus-parently engaged in confidential conversation with each But Sydney was proud. He felt the circumstance of ta was a little in the rear, leaning on the arm of Miss his altered fortunes, and though not a poor man, was no Manning. He could gaze on her, thus reflected, withmore the heir of that wealth which was his in reversion out her being conscious of the act, and he sighed as he when Mr. Temple had plighted his daughter to him.-paid involuntary homage to her brilliant beauty. Her

One evening, there was a concert at Mr. Temple's. Sydney, who was passionately fond of music, forgot all cause of disquietude while abandoned to its heavenly influence. He stood near the fair songstress of the hour,

other.

"Do not go, Allison, "I have been oppressed with business to-night, and I want a little social enjoyment before I sleep. Besides, I do not feel quite well."

They now observed that he looked unusually pale, and pressed his hand upon his head as if in pain.

"Father," said Augusta, "you do indeed, look illyou have fatigued yourself too much. A glass of wine will revive you."

"There is a blessing above mingled with mine," faintly articulated the dying man. "I bless you, my dear children, and you will be blessed." These were the last words he ever uttered.

Augusta fell almost lifeless on her father's bosom, but what was but a few moments before the temple of an immortal spirit, was now but dust and ashes. At the same time an orphan and a bride, she was incapable of comprehending the startling realities of her situation. The images that flitted through her mind were like the phantasmagorias of a dream-a vague idea of something awful and indescribable having occurred, a wild fear of something more awful still impending, filled her imagin

She brought him the glass, but just as he took it from her hand, with a smile, a sudden spasm came upon him, and he fell back in his chair, speechless and convulsed. Augusta's piercing shriek alarmed the servants, who, rushing in, beheld their master supported in the arms of Allison, gasping for breath, while Augusta was trying to loosen his cravat, with hands nerveless from terror.A physician was directly summoned, who bled him profusely, and after a few hours consciousness was restoration and paralyzed her frame. ed. He was removed to his chamber, and Allison re- But Allison had a full and aching sense of the resmained with him the remainder of the night. ponsibilities so unexpectedly imposed on him. He had Augusta sat by her father's bed-side, holding his to mourn for the generous and venerated friend thus hand, almost stunned by the suddenness of the calami- suddenly snatched away, but he grieved most of all that ty. Never, since her recollection, had her father been his last act had placed in his keeping that to which he one hour sick, and now to be prostrated at once, in the felt he had no legitimate right. No selfish repining fillmidst of florid health-it was awful. She dared noted his heart-but to find himself married, joined irrevask the physician if there was danger, lest he should confirm her worst fears. She looked at Allison, and in his pale and anxious countenance she beheld a reflection of her own anxiety and sorrow.

Towards morning, Mr. Temple opened his eyes and looked earnestly around him-" My children," said he, "come near me, both-both."

"Father," cried Augusta, "we are near thee-oh! my father, say that you are better-say that you will live." As she uttered the last word, she bowed her he ad on the bed-cover, and sobbed as if her heart was breaking.

heart, when I think of myself as the involuntary cause
of your wretchedness, you would pity me, even as much
as you abhor. Hear me, Augusta, while I repeat, with
all the solemnity of the vows that bound us to each oth-
er, that I never will claim the name of husband, until
your own free affections hallow the sacred title. In the
mean time, I will leave you with one who will be to you
as a loving sister, in whose father yon will find a faith-
ful and affectionate guardian-will you not part from
me at least in kindness?"

Augusta sat with her arms thrown around Miss
Manning, weeping, yet subdued. All the best impulses
of her nature were wakened and active. She would
have given worlds to say something expressive of her re-
morse and regret for her waywardness and selfishness.
Clasping her hands together, she exclaimed, “Oh, for-
give me, Sidney, that I cannot love you"-then, con-
scious that she was only wounding more deeply, when
she wished to heal, she only uttered, "what an unfortu-
nate wretch I am."

ers.

"We are both unfortunate," said he, moved beyond ocably to a woman who had given him so many proofs of his power of control-but we may not he always miserapersonal aversion; who never till that day evinced toward ble. Something whispers me that we shall meet again him the slightest sensibility—a woman whom he did not with chastened feelings, capable of appreciating all that love, and whose superior fortune burdened him with a is excellent in each other, and both earnest in the enpainful sense of obligation-there was something ex-deavor to merit the blessing that hallowed our nuptial cessively galling and humbling in these circumstances to tie. I leave you that you may be restored to tranquilithe sensitive and high-minded Allison. Tenderness, ty-I may never return-I pray God that He may find however mingled with the bitterness of his reflections; me a grave in that ocean to whose bosom I am about to and even then he could have taken her to his heart, and commit myself, if I am only to live for the misery of othwept over her tears of sympathy and sorrow, had he not dreaded that she would recoil from his embraces. He did not intrude on the sacredness of her grief, and for 'My child," said Mr. Temple, faintly, "you must days she buried herself in the solitude of her chamber. call upon God to sustain you, for there is need. I feel She admitted no one but her chosen friend, Miss Manthat the hand of Death is on me. Sudden and awful ning, who represented her as inconsolable, either sunk has been the summons—but it must be obeyed. Doc-in a torpor from which nothing could house her, or in a tor, I would see my minister, not to give peace to my state of nervous excitement still more distressing. He parting soul, for all is peace here," said he, laying his waited, hoping that time would restore her to comparahand feebly on his heart, "peace with God and man- tive composure, and that she would be willing to receive but there is one thing I would witness before I die." from him the consolations of friendship. Finding, at Sidney, who stood at the bed-side, trembled at the im-length, that she persevered in her system of solitary grief, port of these words-Augusta, in her agony, comprehended them not.

"Sidney, my son, give me your hand; Augusta, is this your hand I hold? My dear children, if you would bless my last hour, you must let my dying eyes behold your union. It will gladden my friend when I meet him in another world, to tell him his last wishes are consummated. Do you consent, my dear children?”

He looked up at Sidney with the earnest expression which is never seen except in the eye of the dying, and pressed their hands together in his, already cold and dewy with the damps of death.

Sydney sunk upon his knees, unutterably affected.— All the happiness of his future life was at stake, but it seemed as nothing at that moment. "Your daughter, sir," was all he could utter.

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and that Time, while it must, according to its immuta-
ble laws, soften her anguish for her father's death, prob-
ably increased her dread of the shackles that bound her,
his resolution was taken. In a short time, every thing
was arranged for his departure for a foreign land. The
ship in which he was bound a passenger, was ready to
sail, when he requested a parting interview with Au-
gusta.

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Allison was greatly shocked to see the change wrought Augusta," repeated Mr. Temple, in a voice fearful-in her radiant face. He was so much agitated that he ly hollow, "will you not speak?" forgot every thing he purposed to say, and remembered Oh, my father!" she murmured, "do with me as only the strangeness of their situation. He endeavored you will, only take me with you."

66

The reverent figure of the minister was now added to the group that surrounded that bed of death. Strange and awful was the bridal ceremony, performed at such a moment, and attended by such solemnities. Sidney felt that he was irresistibly and mysteriously impelled on to the fulfilment of his destiny, without any volition of his own. It was with bloodless lips and deadened perceptions that Augusta repeated her vows; but, low as they were, they fell like music on the ear that was shortly to close on all earthly sound.

to repress his own emotion, that she might not increase
hers, while she, unused to self-control, abandoned her-
self to a passion of tears. He approached her with ten-
derness and solemnity, and entreated her to listen to
him as a friend; as one willing to promote her happi-
ness, by any sacrifice she might require. "I go," said
he, "Augusta, to another clime, whose genial influence
may restore me again to some portion of my former vig-
I go, too, in the hope that in my absence you will
learn submission to a destiny which my presence renders
insupportable. If you knew the anguish that fills my

or.

"No, no,” cried Augusta, "this must not be; you must not become an exile for me."

"Listen to her," said Miss Manning, earnestly, her whole soul wrought up to the most painful excitement, at the sight of their mutual distress-" indeed, sir, you are doing what is rash and uncalled for-oh! why, with so much to bind you together, with qualities capable of inspiring the strongest attachment in each other, will ye close up your hearts in this manner and resolve to be miserable?"

"I cannot now remain if I would, as I have taken steps which cannot be well recalled-your father, Miss Manning, knows and approves my intention. He is the delegated guardian and protector of Augusta. I will not, I cannot prolong the pain of these moments. Farewell Augusta-think of me, if possible, with kindness; should I live to return, I will be to you, friend, brother, or husband, as your own heart shall dictate." He pressed her cold and passive hand in his, turned, and was gone.

Augusta would have spoken, but she seemed as if under the influence of the night-mare-her faculties were spell-bound-she would have returned the parting pressure of his hand, but her fingers seemed icicles. She shuddered with superstitious dread. Her father's upbraiding spirit appeared to her imagination, armed with the terrors of the grave, and threatening her with the retribution of heaven. Poor Augusta! her mind required the stern but salutary discipline of adversity, and that discipline was preparing.

How she profited by the teachings of this monitress, whose lessons, however hard, have such high and celestial bearings, the events of after years may show.

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man or any thing which the voice of the people raises certainly know that the earth is a sphere, and that its cir-
on its breath?
cumference is about three times its average diameter.—
Thus it appears that the runaway would find it rather
difficult to twice double his distance, as he says. There
is but one step,' &c.

commerce, that they will also effect as great if not grea-
ter, hereafter? Were a merchant of Tyre or Sidon to
rise from his grave and recal those proud sensations with We must take the preceding as the cool, prejudged ma-
which he regarded his respective city as the Queen of lignity of its writer; and, whether it was so intended or
Commerce, and cross the Atlantic in the splendid pack-not, it should be considered an indignity offered to the
et ship or the Great Western, he might naturally enough American People-a majority of whom have chosen a
imagine himself in a paradise expressly made for mer- certain one of their number as their highest representa-
chants, and those who lorded it over the commerce of tive. The editor of a public newspaper should never
mankind. He would look in vain for the corn and oil be excused for thus telling us that we have elevated a
from which he gathered so many profits, or commissions, thief to the highest office under our government.
if you please; but in their stead he would find the gi- If any man on whom the misguided affections of the
gantic ship richly freighted with merchandize of which people have been so plastically conferred has become un-
he had never dreamed, and advancing onward over the worthy of his trust, his accuser must owe it to his coun-
waters with a speed that defies their power, and laughs try's dignity if not to his own, to prefer his charges in
to scorn the sluggish and feeble argosy that floated the a cool and stoic manner. The accuser, in such cases,
commerce of the wealthiest cities in the East. Great will always suppose himself standing forth as the cham-
and thorough as is the change in commerce in past times pion of his native land, and it is unworthy of the cause
compared with the present, it will yet be greater. Every which he espouses that he should rave like a madman or
day is working a revolution in human enployments and scold like a hag.
objects; nothing is stationary-and most of all, the wheel
of commerce is perpetually revolving. And those na-
tions will act wisest and best who are the first to see
what is right and the first to pursue it.

The Mirror.

Norfolk Beacon.

FRANCIS L. HAGADORN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

The Mirror has been well defined
The emblem of a thinking mind,
For, look upon it when you will,
You'll find it is reflecting still.

NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y. MAY 18, 1839.

LOVE of COUNTRY.

"We wish it to be distinctly understood that if there is any thing we despise in the whole world, if there is one thing more wicked than another, it is Van Burenism.— The President came into office with a smile upon his lips and hypocrisy in his heart, and he has not deceived those who knew him. His whole administration has been imbecile and inefficient, kept together only by the love of plunder and the fear of exposure. No honest man can support it if he inquires at all into its merits, for he will find it "every thing by turns and nothing long." The head is bent on filling itself out of the public coffers, and the lower extremities are daily treading in the lowest depths of mire and vice, to feed the pampered appetites of the members above them."

New England Galaxy.

We give the above string of words for what they are worth. But cannot refrain from an expression of regret that they originated in one of the most widely circulated gazettes of New England. The person who could both write and feel the above is unworthy the name of an American. It is not for us to enquire what party is disgraced by such an excrescence; or what party must partake the unmeasured censure thus heaped upon the present executive representative of the sovereign power of the American people. It is enough that we have to mourn an apostate in our midst who can so heartlessly and wantonly thrust his impious but pigmy bodkin at the vitals of his native land-its forms of government.

The liberty of the press and the liberty of speech are such potent weapons in the hands of those who have an opportunity of uniting their might, that we must not be surprised occasionally to witness their abuse. While thousands of the free presses of this country breathe a tone of patriotism and filial love of country, it would be unreasonable to suppose that there were no exceptions to so proud a characteristic. The pervading love of country, so genially prevalent in every scion-land of Anglo-Saxon paternity, renders more conspicuous the slightest tarnish upon its bright escutcheon.

And will it be said that the above ebullition of spleen does not involve a hatred of that generous freedom whose prerogative it is, in this land, to crown with honors any

In the science of Politics it is admitted that all power must be either derived from or supported by the people. And under our form of government, which is the simplest exemplification of this axiom, we acknowledge its truth in all the ramifications of our domestic polity.One of the most conspicuous ways in which we choose to acknowledge it, is in the periodical delegation of our power to Executive, Judicial and Legislative agents.These agents are clothed in authority for a certain term, during which they represent and exert the sovereign power. If then we respect ourselves and our institutions we should show becoming deference for those to whom for a certain season, we have given up our power. And hence it follows that a suspension of that deference must of a necessity involve a disregard and distaste for those institutions.

We confess that we are not one of those who can

learn to smile upon a frequent crime, and offer its very
frequency as a plea of extenuation. Therefore we can-
not excuse him of "the New England Galaxy" because
he has brothers in iniquity.

If we have evinced a rude censoriousness in the above
we much regret it. But if the reader will read again
the quotation at the head of this article, we think he
will satisfy himself that there is enough in it to provoke
the resentment of any American who loves his country.

A GENIUS. We find the following satire upon a prevalent literary error, (that of putting an appropriate Genius to every vice and virtue) in an old German romance.

The baron Von Grogzwig was seated at his table before his favorite hock, when a long, gaunt, grizly looking figure stalked opposite to him.

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ANCESTRY.-We have ever detested that useless, pedantic class of the genus homo, (the locality of whose virtues has been so justly ranked with that of a turnip's) who build their high pretensions upon the crumbling ashes of the dead, and who aspire to no glory but what may be filched from the flickering tapers of the tomb.But we were reminded a few days ago, while turning over the pages of a facetious contemporary, that these persons who 'trace their lineage through a lengthy line' are losing greatly by basking in the sun of these early days. For surely had cruel Nature dealt more gently with them, she would have created them the very last men in the world—as it is physically certain that "the last man"-be he a cobbler or tinker-will have a longer pedigree than the most famed gentleman or stallion now alive.

SUDDEN ELEVATION.-If a man were born on a steeple and never permitted to tread on terra firma he would naturally look down upon the apparent Liliputs below him, and suppose himself the largest person in existence. But would we not think it strange should one ascend to him, and so far from undeceiving him, take on his erroneous ideas? Yet, in the fashionable world, how often is this so! It is the sudden elevation which bewilders.

PRESCIENCE.-A modern paragraphist attributes to Valerius Maximus a story of the people of Thrace who rejoiced at the death of a man, but wept when one was born. He commences by calling them "; a sensible people," and adds by way of comment, "they were right.” Wonder if he speaks from experience?

ARTS AND SCIENCES.

From Combe's Lectures on Phrenology, as reported for the New Yorker
PHILOPROGENITIVENESS.

This organ is situated on each side the mesial line, immediately above the cerebellum, and corresponds to the protuberance of the occiput. Gall remarked that in the human race the occiput is in general more prominent in the female skull than in the male, and he inferred the brain lying beneath to be the organ of some faculty that is stronger in women than in men--but of what faculty he knew not. At length he noticed the corresponding part of the monkey's head to be similar in this respect to

"Who are you?" said the Baron, looking up in sur- woman's, and he concluded it to be the probable seat of prise. some faculty which is strong both in women and these "I am a genius," answered the spectre. animals. For a long time he tried without success to "You don't look much like one," gruffly replied the ascertain what the faculty could be, till one day during baron. a lecture, it occurred to him that monkeys were exceed"I am the Genius of Despair and Suicide!" exclaim-ingly fond of young, and the thought flashed upon his ed the spectre, at the same time opening his cloak and discovering a walking stick run completely through him.

GEOMETRICAL.-The editor of "the Western World,"
after speaking like a good boy, in a very touching man-
ner about the reception of a letter from his mother, says,
"More than two long years have passed since last we
met, and more than the distance of the earth's diameter
divides us; which time and distance may be more than
twice doubled ere we meet again; yet in reference to
her how warmly do we feel, and truly say,

Where'er I go, whatever realms to see,
My heart, untravelled, fondly turns to thee."
It seems to us that the editor of "the World" should

mind that this might be the long-sought faculty. He dismissed his class, retired immediately to his cabinet, and found that the female skull exceeded the male, in this part, throughout all species of animals. He now pursued his observations with vigor, which ended in the full establishment of the organ as that which gives attachment to children.

This feeling has been confounded with that of benevolence, but it is often large when benevolence is very small, and small when benevolence is very large. When large it renders the office of rearing children pleasant, nay, delightful, even when they belong to others. Sir Walter Scott remarks that among children there is a sort of freemasonry by which they detect almost instantly

those who pay attention to them merely that they may be pleasant to the parents, and that they recognize by intuition those who take real pleasure in their society. This faculty is frequently abused; people often pamper and spoil children instead of training them rationally. They forget that this feeling is not so much a virtue as a reward; that it is a blind feeling; indeed, all the propensities are blind-and by proving this, Phrenology will confer one of its greatest boons on man.

This faculty sometimes takes an interesting direction. In the United States, all ladies who have arrived at an adult age seem to be married; but in my country thisalas!—is not the case; and among unmarried ladies we see the amiable feeling now under consideration lavished upon lap-dogs, cats and birds, those delightful and interesting little animals being used as substitutes for children. The practice is often ridiculed; but recollect that it is the manifestation of a feeling which under more favorable circumstances would have rendered them excel

lent and devoted mothers.

broadest, that of the female the longest. Owing to the greater size of this organ, the manifestations correspond. The girl, as soon as she can walk, wants her doll; but the boy seldom cares for such a play-thing; he wants his whip and top.

travels. The small-pox was very destrustive in Persia
and the surgeons of the embassy commenced vaccinat-
ing. The women took their children in crowds. The
priests disliked this, but wishing to put it down without
appearing to do so, and being well skilled in human na-
ture, they got Government to put ferashes at the ambas-
sador's gate, under the pretence of doing him honor, but
in reality to prevent women from bringing their chil-
dren. They said the fathers, and not the mothers must
bring them. This produced a remarkable decrease in
the number of applications.

This organ is sometimes diseased. Mental derange-
ment is one of those subjects upon which Phrenology
throws a flood of light. Afflictions of the mind, have,
by man's ignorance, been the source of immense anx-
iety and maltreatment. People have known not what
to do. Sometimes terrified, sometimes horrified, some-
times mystified, they have had no idea that it was the dis-
ease of a material organ, which was probably in a state
of excited action, and which, like inflammation of the
eyes, might be got rid of by a proper medical course.

DESULTORY SELECTIONS.

MRS. SIDDONS AND THE POT-BOY AT LEEDS.-The

evening was excessively hot, and Mrs. Siddons was tempted by a torturing thirst, to consent to avail herself of the only obtainable relief proposed to her at the moment. Her dresser, therefore, despatched a boy in great haste "to fetch a pint of beer, for Mrs. Siddons was in a hurry for it." Meanwhile the play proceeded, and on the boy's return with the frothing pitcher, he looked about for the person who had sent him on his errand, and not seeing her, asked, "Where is Mrs. Siddons?" The scene shifter, whom he questioned, pointing with his finger to the stage where she was performing the sleeping scene of Lady Macbeth, replied, "There she is." To the surprise and horror of all the performers, the boy promptly walked on the stage, close up to Mrs. Siddons, and with a total unconsciousness of the impropriety he was committing, presented the porter! Her distress may be imagined; she waved the boy away in her grand manner several times without effect; at last,

The difference between male and female skulls is discernible at the earliest age. That of the male is the A woman attended by Dr. Combe had intense pain in the people behind the scenes, by dint of stamping, beckthis organ, attended by great anxiety about her child-oning and calling in half-audible whispers, succeeded in ren. Under proper treatment, the pain and the anxiety getting him off the stage; while the audience was in an diminished simultaneously. I saw a woman in a Luna- uproar of laughter, which the dignity of the actress was tic Asylum in whom this organ was very large, and unable to quell for several minutes. whose sole anxiety appeared to be about her children.She thought they had been stolen; and she uttered the most piercing shrieks and plaintive moans. She fell on her knees to the Superintendant, and implored him to restore them, with a depth of feeling which I could not have thought it possible to express.

Dr. Gall knew instances of ladies who never took an interest whatever in their children, though they tenderly loved their husbands. I found it difficult to realize this fact till I met with a case precisely similar. A lady in Edinburgh used to send her children away from home to be reared and educated, and never cared about seeing them till they were grown up, when she treated them not as children, but as friends and companions. I was not sufficiently acquainted with her to examine her head, but a lady of my acquaintance, who was an excellent phrenologist, did so, and found the organ to be uncommonly small. Her head seemed truncated behind.

It is a remarkable ordination of Nature that this feeling bears a reference to the weakness and helplessness of its objects rather than to any other of their physical or moral qualities. A lady of this city told me that the very stupidity of a daughter three or four years of age strongly excited her affection.

A lady of New York, in whom this organ is very large, told me that she frequently dreams of children. She described one dream which imparted to her the most exquisite delight, in which she seemed to have her lap full of babies, which were smiling, sprawling raising their hands, and tossing about in the most interesting manner imaginable.

I now come to what is called the Natural language of the Organs. Up to this time you will perhaps grant that I have been talking with a show, at least, of reason, but now you will probably set me down as fanciful and absurd. I am prepared for this; but I doubt not that you will acknowledge its truth before the end of the course; for, as most of you have some predominant organ, and, as each organ has a language of its own, although you may think my description of the natural language of those organs in which you are weak to be ridiculous, yet you will recognize the language of your own strong organs, and be convinced that there is something in it,

In twenty-nine women who committed child-murder, twenty-five had the organ very small. It may be thought from this that its absence leads to infanticide; recollect, however, that you can never bring a positive out of a negative. The murder depends upon certain exciting causes operating on a peculiar organization. Were this feeling strong, it would supply a powerful restraining | after all. motive.

The law of action, as laid down by Gall, is, that the Here is the skull of a negro; this of a Scotch high-motions are all in the direction of the seat of the organs. lander; this of a Charib from the island of St. Vincent; That natural language does exist all will allow when see how largely the organ is developed-and these peo- they reflect that by mein, walk and gesture the actors of ple strikingly manifest love of children. When at Brus- pantomime are enabled to operate powerfully on the feelsels, I was talking with a woman concerning the beha-ings without uttering a word. The natural tendency viour of the Scotch highlanders. She said they were as of Philoprogenitiveness is to throw the head backward. gentle and affectionate in the house as they were brave Near Manchester I saw a young woman bring her in the field, and that they were very fond of children.-husband's breakfast to him and sit by the road-side till See what a large developement in the head of the poet Burns-and how beautifully is the feeling manifested in his poetry! In the Esquimaux it is very large: here is a specimen. Captain Perry says that love of country is almost the only amiable feeling they manifest. He met a party of them without food and almost dying of hunger; he relieved them, and the first thing they did was to feed their children, not attending to their own wants till the little ones were fully satisfied.

Matthew's Memoirs.

VALUE OF THE WILLOW.-The importance of the willow to man has been recognized from the earliest ages; and ropes and baskets made from willow twigs were probably among the very first of human manufactures, in countries where these trees abound. The Romans used the twigs for binding their vines and tying their reeds in bundles, and made all sorts of baskets of them. A crop of willows was considered so valuable in the time of Cato, that he ranks the salictum, or willow field, next to the vineyard and garden. In France, the leaves, whether in a green or dried state, are considered the very best food or goats; and horses in some places are fed entirely on them from the end of August until November. Horses so fed, it is said, will travel twenty leagues a day without being fatigued. In the north of Sweden and Norway, and in Lapland, the inner bark is kiln-dried and ground, for the purpose of mixing with oat meal in years of scarcity. The bark of the willow, and also the leaves, are astringent, and the bark of most sorts may be employed in tanning.

It is needless to add that comment is unnecessary.

Evening Star.

ROYAL PRESENT FROM PERSIA.-A splendid cadeau from the Persian Court to her Majesty Queen Victoria has just reached this country by the Hermes, steamer. It consists of between fifty and sixty shawls, woven in the looms of Shiraz and Ispahan, and exhibiting proofs of skill and taste that fully authorize the Shah to anticipate a favorable reception for the "rich gifts" he has transmitted. The borders of some exhibit, in all its details, a triumphal procession; trains of camels and Arab steeds sumptuously caparisoned; elephants carrying palanquins, musicians gathered in groups, and the counthe ate it, spending the time in caressing her child. Her less attendants of many mighty chiefs, being all porwhole manner was expressive of the highest delight.-trayed with equal âdelity and splendor. These striking She kissed and fondled the infant, and then she threw and complicated objects are woven in the most exquisite back her head and pressed it toward the neck as close as colors, with perfect accuracy of outline, and present a possible, repeating the same action several times. It combination of forms and hues, blended into one great would have formed a most beautiful subject for a paint- ensemble of beauty, with which the workmanship of EuThe great painters of Italy noticed the same exrope, would, perhaps, strive in vain to compete. pression, and in their representations of the murder of the innocents, they place the bereft mothers with their The superiority of the feeling in females is beautiful-heads thrown back, and the extreme of agony depicted iy exemplified in a story told by Morier, in his Persian in their faces.

er.

MARRIED-At Tompkinsville on Wednesday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Miller, Col. Nicholas Burgher, aged 73 to Mrs. Phœbe Laforge, aged 51.

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