[wild

707. THE STREAM OF LIFE. Life-bears | In park, in city, yea, in routs and balls, us on like the stream of a mighty river. Our The hat was worn, and borne. Then folks grew boat, at first glides down the narrow channel, With curiosity,—and whispers rose, through the playful murmurings of the little brook, and the windings of its grassy border. The trees shed their blossoms over our young heads, the flowers, on the brink, seem to offer themselves to our young hands; we are happy in hope, and we grasp eagerly, at the beauties around us; but the stream hurries on, and still our hands are empty.

And questions passed about-how one so trim
In coats, boots, pumps, gloves, trousers, could
His caput-in a covering so vile. [ensconce
A change came o'er the nature of my hat-
Grease-spots appeared-but still in silence, on
I wore it-and then family, and friends
Glared madly at each other. There was one,
Who said-but hold-no matter what was said,
A time may come, when I-away-away--
Not till the season's ripe, can I reveal
Thoughts that do lie too deep for common minds,
Till then, the world shall not pluck out the heart

Our course in youth, and manhood, is along a wider, and deeper flood, and amid objects more striking, and magnificent. We are animated by the moving picture of enjoyment, and industry, which passes before us; we are excited by some short-lived success, or depressed, and made miserable, by some of this, my mystery. When I will—I will !— equally short-lived disappointment. But our energy, and our dependence are both in vain. The hat was now-greasy, and old, and tornThe stream bears us on, and our joys, and But torn-old-greasy--still I wore it on. our griefs, are alike, left behind us; we may A change came o'er the business of this hat. be shipwrecked, but we cannot anchor; our Women, and men, and children, scowled on me; voyage may be hastened, but it cannot be delayed; whether rough or smooth, the river My company was shunned-I was alone! hastens towards its home, till the roaring of None would associate with such a hatthe ocean is in our ears, and the tossing of Friendship itself proved faithless, for a hat. the waves is beneath our keel; and the lands She, that I loved, within whose gentle breast lessen from our eyes, and the floods are lifted I treasured up my heart, looked cold as death-up around us, and the earth loses sight of us, and we take our last leave of earth, and of its Love's fires went out-extinguished-by a hat. inhabitants; and of our further voyage, there of those, that knew me best, some turned aside, is no witness, but the Infinite and the Eternal. And scudded down dark lanes-one man did place And do we still take so much anxious His finger on his nose's side, and jeeredthought for future days, when the days which Others, in horrid mockery, laughed outright; have gone by, have so strangely, and uniform-Yea, dogs, deceived by instinct's dubious ray, ly deceived us? Can we still so set our Fixing their swart glare on my ragged hat, hearts on the creatures of God, when we find by sad experience, the Creator only is perma- Mistook me for a beggar--and they barked. nent? Or, shall we not rather lay aside every Thus, women, men, friends, strangers, lover, weight, and every sin which doth most easily One thought pervaded all-it was my hat. [dogs, beset us, and think of ourselves, henceforth, A change-it was the last-came o'er this hat. as wayfaring persons only, who have no For lo! at length, the circling months went round, abiding inheritance, but in the hope of a better world, and to whom even that world The period was accomplished—and one day would be worse than hopeless, if it were not This tattered, brown, old, greasy coverture, for our Lord Jesus Christ, and the interest we (Time had endeared its vileness,) was transferr'd have obtained in his mercies. To the possession of a wandering sonOf Israel's fated race-and friends once inore Greeted my digits, with the wonted squeeze : Once more I went my way-along-alongAnd plucked no wondering gaze-the hand of With its annoying fi..yer-men, and dogs, [scorn Once more grew..ess, jokeless, laughless, growlless:

708. THE OLD HAT.

I had a hat-it was not all a hat-
Part of the brim was gone,-yet still, I wore
It on, and people wondered, as I passed.
Some, turned to gaze-others, just cast an eye,
And soon withdrew it, as 'twere in contempt.
But still, my hat, although so fashionless,
In complement extern, had that within,
Surpassing show-my head continued warm;
Being sheltered from the weather, spite of all
The want (as has been said,) of brim.

A change came o'er the color of my hat.

And last, not least of rescued blessings, love-
Love smiled on me again, when I assumed

A bran new beaver of the Andre mould;
And then the laugh was mine, for then came out
The secret of this strangeness, 'twas a BET.

That, which was black, grew brown, and then What are riches, empire, pow'r,

men stared

With both their eyes (they stared with one before);
The wonder now, was twofold-and it seemed
Strange, that things so torn, and old, should still
Be worn, by one who might-but let that pass!
I had my reasons, which might be revealed,
But, for some counter reasons far more strong,
Which tied my tongue to silence. Time passed on.
Green spring, and flowery summer-autumn
brown,

And frosty winter came,-and went, and came-
And still, through all the seasons of two years,

But larger means to gratify the will?
The steps on which we tread, to rise and reach
Our wish; and that obtain'd, down with the scaf
folding
[served their end,
Of sceptres, crowns, and thrones; they have
And are, like lumber, to be left and scorn'd.
Honor and virtue-are the boons we claim;

Nought gives a zest to life, when they are fled;
Nought else, can fan aright the holy flame:
And, should they perish, every hope is dead.
The man, who builds, and lacks wherewith to pay,
Provides a house-from which to run away.

709. LOCHINVAR.

708. CHARACTER OF PITT. The secretary-stood alone; modern degeneracy-had O young Lochinvar is come out of the west, not reached him. Original, and unaccom- Thro' all the wide border, his steed was the bestmodating, the features of his character-had the hardihood of antiquity. His august mind And save his good broadsword, he weapon had overawed majesty: and one of his sovereigns He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. [none, thought royalty so impaired in his presence, So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, that he conspired to remove him, in order to There never was knight, like the young Lochinvar. be relieved from his superiority. No state He staid not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, chicanery, no narrow system of vicious politics, sank him to the vulgar level of the great; He swam the Eske river, where ford there was bt overbearing, persuasive, and impractic- But ere he alighted, at Netherby gate, [none. ave, his object-was England, his ambition The bride had consented, the gallant came late. was fame. Without dividing, he destroyed For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, party; without corrupting, he made a venal Was to wed the fair Ellen, of brave Lochinvar. age unanimous. So boldly he enter'd the Netherby Hall, [all, 'Mong bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers and Then spoke the bride's father,his hand on his sword, For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word, "O come ye in peace, here, or come ye in war, Orto dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar ?" "I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied ; Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide; And now am I come, with this lost love of mine, To tread but one measure, drink one cup of wine. There are maidens in Scotland, more lovely by far, That would gladly be bride to the young Lochin

var."

France- sank beneath him. With one hand, he smote the house of Bourbon, and wielded, with the other, the democracy of England. The sight of his mind-was infinite; and his schemes were to affect, not England, and the present age only, but Europe, and posterity. Wonderful were the means, by which these schemes were accomplished; always seasonable, always adequate, the suggestions of an understanding, animated by ardor, and enlightened by prophecy. The ordinary feelings, which rende: life amiable, and indolent, were unknown to him. No domestic difficulty, no domestic weakness reached him; but, aloof from the sordid occurrences of life, and unsullied by its intercourse, he came, occasionally, into our system, to counsel, and to decide. A character so exalted, so strenuous, so various, and so authoritative, astonished a corrupt age; and the Treasury trembled at the name of Pitt, thro' all her classes of venality. Corruption imagined, indeed, that she had found defects in this statesman; and talked much of the ruin of his victories; but the history of his country, and the calamities of the enemy, refuted her. Nor were his political abilities-his only talents: his eloquence-was an era-in the senate; peculiar, and spontaneous, familiarly expressing gigantic sentiments, and instinctive wisdom; not like the torrent of Demosthenes, or the splendid conflagration of Tully, it resembled sometimes the thunder, and sometimes the music of the spheres. He did not, like Murray, conduct the understanding through the painful subtlety of argumenta-So light to the croupe, the fair lady he swung, tion, nor was he, like Townshend, forever on So light to the saddle, before her he sprung, the rack of exertion; but, rather, lightened "She's won, we are gone, over bank, bush, and upon the subject, and reached the point by flashings of the mind, which, like those of his eye, were felt, but could not be followed.

Upon the whole, there was something in this man, that could create, subvert, or reform; an understanding, a spirit, and an eloquence, to summon mankind to society, or to break the bonds of slavery asunder, and to rule the wilderness of free minds with unbounded authority something that could establish, or overwhelm empires, and strike a blow in the world, which should resound throughout the universe.-Grattan. Reward him for the noble deed, just Heaven! For this one action, guard him, and distinguish him, With signal mercies and with great deliverances; Save him from wrong, adversity and shame: Let never-fading honor flourish round him, And consecrate his name ev'n to time's end: Let him know nothing but good on earth, And everlasting blessedness hereafter.

The bride kiss'd the goblet, the knight took it up,
He quaff'd off the wine, and he threw down the cup.
She look'd down to blush, and she look'd up to sigh,
With a smile on her lip, and a tear in her eye.
He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar;
"Now tread we a measure,'
,"said young Lochinvar.
So stately his form, and so lovely her face,
That never a hall such a galliard did grace;
While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,
And the bridegroom-stood dangling his bonnet
and plume,
[ter by far,
And the bride maidens whispered, ""T were bet-
To have match'd our fair cousin, with young

Lochinvar."

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, When they reach'd the hall door, and the charger stood near,

scaur,

[young Lochinvar. They'll have swift steeds that follow," quoth There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Netherby clan,

[they ran,

Fosters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and
There was racing, and chasing on Cannobie Lea,
But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see.
So daring in love, and so gallant in war, [invar?
Have you e'er heard of gallant like young Loch-

The good merchant wrongs not the buyer in number, weight, or measure. These are the landmarks of all trading, which must not be removed: for such cosenage were worse than open felony. First, because they rob a man of his purse, and never bid him stand. Secondly, because highway thieves defy, but these pretend, justice. Thirdly, as much as lies in their power, they endeavor to make God accessory to their cosenage, deceiving, by pretending his weights.

710. EULOGIUM ON KOSCIUSKO.

Speech of Gen. W. H. Harrison, the ninth President, in the Congress of the United States, in the year 1818, on a motion to adopt some public testimony of respect for the memory of General Thaddeus Kosciusko.

The public papers-have announced an event, which is well calculated-to excite the sympathy of every American bosom. KOSCIUSKO, the martyr of Liberty, is no more! We are informed, that he died at Soleure, in France, some time in October last.

erty,

and independence, was a work of as much difficulty, as danger. But, to a mind like Kosciusko's, the difficulty, and danger of an enterprise -served as stimulants to the undertaking.

The annals of those times-give us no detailcomplishing his great work, from the period of ed account of the progress of Kosciusko, in achis return to America, to the adoption of the new constitution of Poland, in 1791. This interval, however, of apparent inaction, was most usefully employed to illumine the mental darkness, which norant and bigotted peasantry with the hope of enveloped his countrymen. To stimulate the igfuture emancipation-to teach a proud, but gallant nobility, that true glory is only to be found, in the paths and duties of patriotism;-interests the most opposed, prejudices-the most stubborn, and habits-the most inveterate, were reconciled, dissipated, and broken, by the ascendancy of his virtues and example. The storm, which he had foreseen, and for which he had been preparing, at length burst upon Poland. A feeble and unpopular government-bent before its fury, and submitted itself to the Russian yoke of the inva der. But the nation disdained to follow its example; in their extremity, every eye was turned on the hero, who had already fought their battles, the sage, who had enlightened them, and the patriot, who had set the example of personal sacrifices to accomplish the emancipation of the people.

In tracing the events-of this great man's life, we find in him, that consistency of conduct, which is the more to be admired, as it is so rarely to be net with. He was not, at one time, the friend of mankind, and at another, the instrument of their oppression; but he preserved, throughout his whole carcer, those noble principles, which distinguished him in its commencement; which influenced him, at an early period of his life, to leave his country-and his friends, and, in another hemisphere, to fight-for the rights-of humanity. Kosciusko was born, and educated, in Poland; (of a noble, and distinguished family,) a country, where the distinctions in society are, perhaps, carried to greater lengths, than in any other. His Creator had, however, endowed him with a soul capable of rising above the narrow prejudices of a caste, and breaking the shackles, which a vicious education had imposed on his mind. Kosciusko-was unanimously appointed generWhen he was very young, he was informed, by alissimo of Poland, with unlimited powers, until the voice of Fame, that the standard of liberty the enemy should be driven from the country. On had been erected in America-that an insulted his virtue, the nation reposed with the utmost conand oppressed people--had determined to be free, fidence; and it is some consolation to reflect, or perish-in the attempt. His ardent and gen- amidst the general depravity of mankind, that erous mind-caught, with enthusiasm, the holy two instances, in the same age, have occurred, flame, and from that moment he became the dovo- where powers of this kind were employed-soleted soldier of liberty. His rank in the American ly for the purposes for which they were given. It army-afforded him no opportunity--greatly to is not my intention, sir, to follow the Polish chief distinguish himself. But he was remarkable--throughout the career of victory, which, for a through his service, for all the qualities which considerable time, crowned his efforts. Guided adorn the human character. His heroic valor in by his talents, and led by his valor, his undiscipthe field, could only be equaled-by his modera- lined, ill-armed militia-charged, with effect, the tion and affability, in the walks of private life. veteran Russian and Prussian; the mailed cuiHe was idolized by the soldiers-for his bravery, rassiers of the great Frederic, for the first time, and beloved and respected by the officers, for the broke-and fled, before the lighter, and more apgoodness of his heart, and the great qualities of propriate cavalry of Poland. Hope filled the breasts of the patriots. After a long night, the Poland. But to the discerning eye of Kosciusko, dawn of an apparently glorious day-broke upon the light which it shed-was of that sickly, and portentous appearance, indicating a storm more dreadrul than that, which he had resisted.

his mind.

Contributing greatly, by his exertions, to the establishment of the independence of America, he might have remained, and shared the blessings it dispensed, under the protection of a chief, who loved and honored him, and in the bosom of a grateful and affectionate people. Kosciusko had, however, other views. It is not known, that un- means entirely inadequate. To the advantages He prepared to meet it with firmness, but with til the period I am speaking of, he had formed any of numbers, of tactics, of discipline, and inexdistinct idea-of what could, or indeed what ought haustible resources, the combined despots had seto be done-for his own country. But in the Rev- cured a faction-in the heart of Poland. And, if olutionary war, he drank, deeply, of the princi- that country-can boast of having produced its ples, which produced it. In his conversations Washington, it is disgraced also, by giving birth with the intelligent men of our country, he acqui--to a second Arnold. The day at length came red new views of the science of government, and which was to decide the fate of a nation and a of the rights of man. He had seen, too, that, to hero. Heaven, for wise purposes, permitted that be free, it was only necessary that a nation should it should be the last-of Polish liberty. It was will it; and to be happy, it was only necessary decided, indeed, before the battle commenced. that a nation should be free. And was it not pos- The traitor, Poniski, who covered, with a detachsible-to procure these blessings for Poland! for ment, the advance of the Polish army, abandoned Poland, the country of his birth, which had a his position to the enemy, and retreated. claim to all his efforts, to all his services?

Kosciusko-was astonished, but not dismayed. That unhappy nation-groaned under a com- The disposition of his army would have done plication of evils, which has scarcely a parallel honor to Hannibal. The succeeding conflict was in history. The mass of people-were the abject terrible. When the talents of the general-could slaves of the nobles; the nobles, torn into factions, no longer direct the mingled mass of combatants, were alternately the instruments, and the victims, the arm of the warrior was brought to the aid of of their powerful and ambitious neighbors. By his soldiers. He performed prodigies of valor. intrigue, corruption, and force, some of its fairest The fabled prowess of Ajax, in defending the provinces had been separated from the republic, Grecian ships-was realized by the Polish hero. and the people, like beasts, transferred to foreign Nor was he badly seconded by his troops. As despots, who were again watching for a favora- long as his voice could guide, or his example fire ble moment-for a second dismemberment. To their valor, they were irresistible. In this uneregenerate a people-thus debased, to obtain for a qual contest-Kosciusko-was long seen, and ficountry-thus circumstanced, the blessings of lib-nally-lost-to their view.

Such was the man, sir, for whose memory I ask from an American congress, a slight tribute of respect. Not, sir, to perpetuate his fame, but our gratitude. His fame-will last as long as liberty-remains upon the earth; as long as a vota-There's a tear that flows from the half-brok'n heart, ry-offers incense upon her altar, the name of Kosciusko-will be invoked. And if, by the common consent of the world, a temple shall be erected to those, who have rendered most service to mankind-if the statue of our great countryman, Washington-shall occupy the place of the "Most Worthy," that of Kosciusco will be found by his side, and the wreath of laurel-will be entwined with the palm of virtue--to adorn his brow. Oh grief, beyond all other griefs, when fate First leaves the young heart-lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it lov'd-to live, or feared-to die; Lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken Since the sad day-its master-chord was broken.

They seize my heart!-they choke my breath! Death!-death! ah, welcome death!-R. M. C.

It is a very poor, though common, pretence to merit, to make it appear by the faults of other men: a mean wit, or beauty, may pass in a room, where the rest of the company are allowed to have none: it is something to sparkle among diamonds; but to shine among pebbles, is neither credit nor value worth the pretending.

BEST CURE FOR TROUBLE.

Ben Brisk-a philosopher was,

In the genuine sense of the word;
And he held, that repining, whatever the cause,
Was unmanly, and weak, and absurd.
When Mat Mope-was assaulted by Trouble,
Though in morals-as pure as a vestal,
He sigh'd, and exclaimed, "Life's a Bubble,"
Then blew it away-with a pistol!

Tom Tipple, when trouble intruded,
And his fortune, and credit were sunk,
By a too common error deluded,

Drown'd Trouble, and made himself drunk

But Ben--had a way of his own,

When grievances--made him uneasy; He bade the blue devils begone,

Braved Trouble, and made himself busy.

When sorrow embitters our days,

And poisons each source of enjoyment; The surest specific, he says,

For Trouble, and Grief is-Employment.