66

observing, that " in one respect he believed all man- | the Sylla and Charybdis to the happiness of thoukind were alike." sands! Amor vincit omnia.'"

66

'What is that?" quickly replied Miss L if agreeably surprised.

as

6

"Et nos cedamus amori," chimed in the Don. The ladies thought there was more truth than

"All seem to coincide in loving flowers," an- poetry in the Squire's remarks. swered the Squire.

"A button," 99 66 a button," now exclaimed Miss The Rubicon was passed, and the Squire was L- ; at which, the squire, feeling that he dehimself again-for his tongue, like the Irishman's served one for his eloquent defence of love, began donkey, was hard to get started, but when once it to "color up" and feel for his kerchief. But he got a-going the D― couldn't stop it." In the was agreeably relieved by seeing those around him conversation which followed, the words "Italy," form a circle with the chairs, for the purpose of South," and "Georgia" were frequently over-playing the game of " button;" which, though under heard. And occasionally, after the Squire had a very unassuming name, allows one, as will be spun some wondrous tale about the land of his seen by the sequel, to assume more liberties than birth, the fair one expressed her surprise by the gaming generally. emphatical language of "do tell!"

Our company now became more familiar and communicative; when Glaucus suddenly called the attention of all present to himself by the exclamation of "never loved!"

Here the old maid of the house was introduced, to "complete the number and superintend the performances." I have hitherto eschewed all descriptions of our fair friends; because, in most cases, they are neither more nor less than a great bore.

"You are progressing rapidly, Glaucus;" said But for the benefit of those who are over-scrupathe Don.

lous on this subject, I will here simply state, that "The fact is, ladies," replied Glaucus, rising up, the girls were all pretty, and needed none of your "Miss E- has just told me she never loved." rouge to give their cheeks the glow of health. "Why, Eugene !" exclaimed the other fair-ones, Their dresses were made after the latest city fashand simultaneously approached the "loving pair." ions, including of course the "bustle❞—A propos"Well, be that as it may," said Eugene, "I will speaking of "bustles" reminds me of a verse I be bold enough in return, Mr. Glaucus, in presence lately saw somewhere in print, celebrating their of these witnesses, to ask if ever you were in love?" beauty and utility; and, as it expresses my own "I in love! ha, ha, ha," shouted Glaucus, draw-sentiments in regard to those "back-gammons," I ing himself up to his full height, "why, dont you think me capable of loving really you might as well have asked me if I ever eat anything."

66

quote it:

"Bustles are not an empty show,

For man's illusion given;

They're filled with bran, or stuffed with tow-
They stick out 'bout a feet, or so,

And look first rate, by Heaven."

By no means, by no means," interrupted the Squire; "no one acquainted with you ever doubted your capacity for that office." The laugh was on Glaucus; but Miss E- again put her question : "seriously though, did you ever love, Mr. Glau-selves, with the exception of one-but this person

eus ?"

"To speak frankly, ladies," he replied, "If I never had loved, the time has arrived when my heart would no longer prove invulnerable to the shafts of Cupid."

"Downright flattery," exclaimed the ladies all at once; "and," continued one voice, "I sometimes think there is no such thing as love-'tis a mere fiction of the imagination."

But to proceed with our game; all seated them

took the "button," (which by-the-by was a ring) and went round giving, or at least pretending to give it, to all; then, each one would be asked “who has the button?" If we happened to guess the right one, no penalty ensued; but if not, we must needs appoint some one of the company to pronounce sentence on us; and whatever this sentence may be (even to the kissing of such-and-such a young lady) we are expected to execute it.

"Fiction of the imagination"-" no such thing Accordingly, we began the game, anticipating as love, indeed!" said the Squire, repeating the much pleasure. The button was passed-and bewords with considerable emphasis-"all the ani- ginning with the Squire, Miss E inquired of mal and physical world exhibit a sympathy of feel- him, "who has the button?" He was no Yankee in ing-a love. Stray forth upon the neighboring" guessing"-his judge was appointed-and the hills, Miss E- and you will hear the feathered Don sentenced him to "kneel to Miss Land warblers of the groves, singing the praises of their kiss her left hand!" As the play was entirely new lady-love! The school-miss, while secluded from to the Squire, he remained for a moment in his the world, thinks and dreams of naught but love! chair, doubting the propriety of venturing so far as The cottage-girl in her silent musings, chants a bal- to kiss the young lady's hand. Being urged, howlad that tells a tale of love! It mingles with the ever, by the other fairies to "do his duty," he Poet's fancy, and wakes his lyre to its sweetest stepped up rather awkwardly to Miss L————— and melodies! It has led the warrior captive, and proved (to the great amusement of all present) dropped

down on both knees and kissed his Psyche's hand. At|
last the Don was called upon to "kiss the old maid,"
which he readily complied with; wishing, how-
ever, that it had been some one else. Miss Z-
and myself once were judged to "go-a-roaming ;"
which implies, that she must "accept my arm,"
and walk round the circle-while she kisses each
gentleman, and I each lady. The Don and Squire
were very particular not to be overlooked during
this manœuvre; and the former, was sentenced to
express his opinion on Temperance. The game,

however, proved highly interesting to our young
southern gallants-especially the "circumstances"
and "indispensables." Just before closing the
"performances," it was whispered round among
the ladies, that the Squire was a Poet, and more-
over, an improvisatore! The penalty soon followed;
he was to favor us with an "original extempora-
neous song."

66

guitar."

My heart leaps up when I behold"
Her heave a gentle sigh!
This village will for e'er unfold

"A rainbow in my sky!"

Here the song ended; and Glaucus, who had with difficulty refrained from laughter, while the Squire was singing, now gave vent to his pent-up feelings, by observing in a jocose manner, "that the song led him back in imagination to the palmy days of

The Squire made objections by saying, that that chivalry and romance; when the wandering minwas impossible, unless he had a "You shall not long plead that as an excuse," said Miss Z; and running into an adjoining room, she soon re-appeared with the stringed instrument-and handing it to the Squire, laughingly observed, "now for the song."

Miss L was requested to propose a theme for the poet (!); while his objections to singing at all, were wholly unheeded; the guitar trembled in his hands. At length Miss L judged Zarina to be seated directly facing the Squire, and that she should be the "burden of his song."

Miss Zwas accordingly led blushing to the chair; where she remained even more embarrassed than the Squire himself. In the meantime, the guitar sent forth "sweet discord," as the fingers of the poet carelessly strayed across its strings. All were silent, and inquiringly gazed upon "him of the lyre;" who, suddenly striking up the plaintive tune of "Poor Bessy was a sailor's wife," and looking at the inspirer of his muse, began :

I.

Zarina is the girl I love,

Zarina fair and gay;

As harmless as the turtle dove,

And lively as the Jay.

11.

Her cheeks are like the rosy morn,
Ere Phoebus in his car,

To chase the night from hill and lawn,
Comes beaming from a-far!

III.

And, O her eyes, her clear blue eyes!
There there, I see them now,
As, sparkling at my verse, they rise
Beneath her snow-white brow!

IV.

While on her gently budding breast,
Which moves them up and down,
Her auburn hair, in ringlets rest,
In rich profusion thrown!

VOL. IX-56

strel and Troubadour poured forth their wild and impassioned notes in the attentive ears of "fair ladye." Truly the gift of song is great! and right well has the Venusian bard expressed it—“ poeta nascitur, non fit."

He then moved that a 66 'copy of the Squire's song be requested for publication." But our poet peremptorily refused; at the same time quoting something from Cowper about "poetic birth" and "labors of their own." By the aid of a good memory, however, I have been enabled to rescue from oblivion the above verses, which we hope

"Time shall admire, his mellowing touch employ, And mend the immortal fabric, not destroy." At a late hour, having wished our fair enterhave accompanied us thus far, we wended our way tainers happy dreams, as we now do those who home, satisfied with having added another to the Gal-adays of our college life.

On the following morn, much to our regret, and, doubtless, to that of the young ladies also, the Don and Squire bade us adieu, and returned to the city, like him of La-Mancha, highly elated at their " unheard-of adventure;" and with the very natural resolution, that this should not be their last evening in a New England village. Yours, truly,

Sandhill, Ga.

LAPSUS PENNE..

E. S. S.

Even Mr. Alison, one of the most popular and brilliant writers of the day, is sometimes found tripping in his style. Referring to the violent excesses of the English opposition, and their reprehensible palliation of the crimes of the French Jacobins, he says-" No hesitation need be felt by an English writer in expressing this opinion, because the ablest of the liberal party, in France themselves, admit that their partizans in this county fell into this erroneous error." This is certainly inelegant, to say nothing of its incorrectness.

LOVE SKETCHES.

NO. VII.

THE POET'S EXPERIENCE.

Ah! never yet, hath human hope,
By human love been filled,
There liveth in the dreaming heart
A longing never stilled.

And poet for a better light,

Thy soul must ever yearn,

Till thoughts that had their birth in heaven
To heaven shall return.

and heavily. Gradually I lost the perpetual consciousness of my own debility, and my mind sought within itself for solace. The world of my silent thoughts became to me the palpable and real-and actual existence, the nothingness. Education opened resources which prevented the long continuance of depression; I found sympathy and companionship among the poets of many lands, and the sweet shadow-realm of romance, with its inexhaustible and rapturous delights, unfolded before me its enchanted treasures. I well remember the enthusiastic realization of pleasure they produced, and the It were a singular history, the relation of the marvellous loveliness of those untold and bewilimpulses which prompt individuals to trace the de-dering visions which "came without slumber." tails of their own thoughts and feelings. With I lived a life of abstraction, lonely and apart; a life many, doubtless that amour propre which delights full of beautiful creations, and brilliant with an in painting itself, has been the moving motive; enthusiast's hopes. There were periods too, when some have written from the lack of pleasanter occu- the past lent me a strange sense of enjoyment, pation; and a very few, from a painful conviction when I felt, with the distinctness of reality, that of their own indiscretions, or failings, have wished peculiar conviction of a prior existence which proto render them to others, a lesson and a warning. bably all have experienced. It came to me, not In neither of these classes can I be included, and vaguely but with almost a visible presence, enI can scarcely define the emotions which actuate wrapping my common lot with the mysteries of a me, to picture now some brief memories of a life different world, with the consciousness of a former that begins to grow wearisome, though its spring-life, of which memory retains no records, save these time has hardly past. To you, my friend, the momentary glimpses, which serve but to startle the guardian angel of my childhood, the companion of soul with the knowledge of its own marvels. my boyish pleasures, the untiring comforter of my It was a blessed era for me, when the power of graver and sadder years, to you, Edith, these lines composition first gleamed on my mind, when I exwill not be valueless, and where could I better lay ulted in the wild impulses of a new gift, and hailed my vague remembrances, than before one who has the golden dawning of a brighter day. The facility, long and tenderly striven to render those recollec- or perhaps the conviction of possessing it, rose tions happy? We are separating now for the first upon me suddenly, and I was astonished at the aetime, and with grief at our parting, mingles a de-curacy with which I could portray emotions that sire to leave with you something of an explanation had hitherto appeared so strangely unutterable. As of feelings, which even by you, have been occa- this faculty strengthened, I became ambitious, and sionally misconstrued. You well know amid what the serenity of my existence was lost. For awhile sad and humiliating impressions my boyhood passed, I was happy in the mere expression of my secret and how wholly destitute it was of the sacred ties dreams, and I indulged unrestrainedly in the wild which usually link the young heart to its first home. aspirations of a fervent and suddenly awakened Perhaps that consciousness of loneliness which intellect. Composition at length, deepened from came so early for me has tended to strengthen my an impulse to a passion, and gradually I grew more yearning for home happiness, and my desire for the and more divided from the living world around me. domestic sympathy so soon denied. I believe my It is a singular thing, how little even those who character was prematurely developed, and the phy- love us best, know of all we think and feel and sical defects, under which I labored, seemed to de- hope. Even you, Edith, who watched over me bar me from the natural enjoyments of my age, and with a tenderness passing that of a sister, knew served to sadden and confirm the reflective cast of nothing of the delirious excitement which frequently my temperament. And yet, with all its humbling swayed me; even you divined not the undercurrent and keenly felt griefs, my lot was not then a dark of morbidly passionate reflection, concealed by an It had hours of vivid ecstasy which would exterior prematurely calm and subdued. As these have atoned for trials even greater than mine, and new promptings were confirmed, my character when it was a strange pleasure to me to fancy I grew reserved, and I shrank from even attempting held spiritual communion with better and brighter the utterance of feelings, whose whole depth I had beings than those our mortal eyes may look on. no words to tell. I labored under the usual conse I imagined their presence was ever around me, quences of such habits, the misconstruction of my that they haunted me in my nightly dreams, as in motives and the false interpretation of my actions. my waking visions, and watched with angelic pity Often, even as a child, have I borne in silence, and more than human tenderness, over one on whom reproofs which I did not deserve, and been blamed the weight of bodily infirmity had pressed so soon for coldness and indifference when my young

one.

heart

which proffered them, and thanked her with one of his sweet sad smiles. Then, as the visitor turned, on his mentioning my name, I met the lustrous eyes of Nina.

was full to overflowing of an enthusiasm I was too | nate in his literary labors, public criticism had dealt proud and too shy to display. From what source harshly with him, and the sudden disappointment these censures came, you know, dear Edith, and I of his ambition, had acted fatally on one, whose need not sully my page by tracing a name, whose physical strength could not contend with intellecsound has long been to us both, a sorrowful and tual depression. His health became feeble, and at forbidden thing. Is it always the lot of fervent the period I first sought him, he was beyond the feelings to prove a grief to their possessor? I hope of permanent recovery. My intimacy with sometimes believe so, for they have been to me, a one he had vainly loved, formed a link between us, source of trial through life, and I owe to the care- though I did not add to his grief, by revealing that less condemnation which greeted and repressed my more than friendship united me to the object of his childish impulses, that spirit of reserve and dis-early affection. trust which has often darkened my maturer years. I visited him frequently during the months we The reliance on my own powers which attends all spent at —, and the morning after the concert, my intellectual exertions, totally forsakes me where called at his residence. He was more than ordithe affections are exercised, and I yearn with a narily ill and sorrowful, and at his request, I was visionary's fervor, for that intuitive and compre-reading to him, selections from various poems, hending sympathy, which perhaps no tie of the when the door of the apartment was noiselessly earth can ever bestow. Like all poetical tempera- opened, and with a step whose graceful elasticity I ments, mine is slightly superstitious, and I would have never seen equalled, a lady approached the not relinquish for many material blessings, my plea-invalid's couch, and placed some beautiful flowers sant confidence in spiritual guardianship and com- on his pillow. He pressed to his lips the fair hand munion. Smile if you will, Edith, at the wildness of my dreamings; but who shall say such faith is utterly vain and valueless, if it serve to cheer the solitary hours of bodily suffering, and to raise us beyond the thraldom of humanity; if it bear our If I had been dazzled by her brilliancy the prethoughts upward, even for a moment, from the cares ceding evening, I was more touched by her gentle which soil them, and open before us, a passing kindness to our young companion, and the winning glimpse of the beautiful land of the blest? O! not manner in which she endeavored to enliven his the growth of our own natures, are the glorious weariness and cheer his solitude. She spoke of visions which visit us; there are holy watchers whatever could interest the sufferer in passing without, prompting the mystery within, and the events, and at length opened the volume from which poet, who turns in childlike credulity from the com- I had been selecting passages. "Will you read mon, to the purer world, is wafted by angels' wings, to me?" asked the invalid, "but find something and the written words of his inspiration, are but sorrowful, for I can appreciate nothing else now!" the recorded teachings of spirit-voices. There I shall not soon forget the glance the lady gave have been periods in my own experience so full of me, as these words were spoken-it was so fraught excited emotion without visible cause, so fraught with eloquent pity and womanly sympathy. She with permanent influences when I least expected silently turned over the leaves of the book, and them, that I may be forgiven for fancying such in- then read aloud the few, but beautiful verses of stants the peculiar gift of some presiding genius. Körner's invocation " In der Nacht." Do you remember, Edith, the evening we attended the concert of Nina de - ? Have you forgotten how ardently I praised her singing and appearance, during our homeward ride, and how I accused you of unusual indifference, because you were strangely sad and quiet? My feelings that night were uncom- Yet with all her witchery, Nina was far from monly impressed by the mingled melody and beauty being young, or regularly handsome. It would of the songstress, and her voice haunted my dreams have been difficult to pronounce on her age; she with its rich and perfect harmony. My imagina- was probably older than she appeared, for she was tion was interested for the time, though even then an artist in her toilette, and years had bequeathmy tenderer thoughts were linked with another's ed no trace, save that polished perfection of manimage, and I should probably soon have forgotten ner, which only time and varied experience can the vivid impression left by the Italian, had it not bestow. It was thus we first met, and many after been accidentally confirmed. I went, the following hours found us visitors to the young invalid, from day, to visit a young man whose situation had long whom I learned, that during his whole illness, Niexcited my melancholy interest. His was a sad, na's kindness had been unchanging. He had bat common story. Like many of his class, he formed her acquaintance during his brief literary had mistaken aspiring for inspiration, and poetical career, but knew nothing of her situation or her enthusiasm for genius. He had proved unfortu- history, and he had attained that state of bodily

Her tones were soft and musical, and lent their own melody to a language, which, more than any other, owes its beauty to the voice of its speaker. I regarded her as one inspired, and could have listened to her thus for hours.

feebleness, at which, curiosity ceases to influence. wings. Who has not felt the spell of such a time? From meeting the stranger under such circum- Who has not lingered in reverie, upon those hauntstances, we speedily became, as it were old friends, ed moments, when reflection forms, as it were, a and more familiar with each other's characters," bridge of sighs" between light and darkness, when than would have resulted from an intercourse of we turn instinctively from the palpable and actual many months, under different auspices. to the spiritual world within; when the fire-gleam is You will perhaps, be surprised, Edith, that I full of images, and those we love gather around us never mentioned to you, having met the Italian lady. with almost a visible presence; when in fancy, we I scarcely know my motives for silence on the sub-grasp the hand never again to touch ours, hear ject at first, and I did not afterwards allude to it, voices, that long ago, have ceased to speak, and from a fear you would imagine, from the early con- feel nearer to those who have gone before us to the cealment, that I was more interested than I was silent land, the loved, the loving, and the sadly willing to confess. This intellectual communion missed? continued for several weeks, and my fancy was I possess, perhaps, in an unusual degree, the singularly fascinated by the graceful mental endow-power of withdrawing my mind from actual things, ments of the stranger, but her attractions had no and of wandering at will among imaginative and power over my gentler feelings, though in many of bright creations. To one who has loved and sufmy upward aspirings she evinced a sympathy Ifered-and few are they, who have not! this gift have never found elsewhere. She seemed to read of abstraction is no idle blessing, but a strange and my mind, as it were an open book, and I felt in her precious link between the common world and the presence, as if my inmost thoughts lay visibly be- hidden existence, the two-fold nature of the human fore her. I regarded her as one highly gifted and heart. As I rested solitary and still, vividly came improved, as strangely captivating in appearance the past with its dream-like realities, the future, and manner, but my heart was no longer accessible, with its more dream-like anticipations, to color my even to charms like these; and when I compared fancies. And with both, blended a soft tone, ever her dazzling attractions and careless independence answering tenderly, and a sweet face, looking up of opinion, with the simpler beauty and more timid in love to mine own. spirit of the one I loved, the contrast was ever in It is one of the beautiful things in life, this hoverTheresa's favor. Yet, Nina had noble traits and ing of affectionate remembrance and solicitude, mental capacities I have seldom seen equalled, around those from whom distance divides ns. Not blended with a rare blandness and suavity which a single taint of selfishness sullies such devotedmade even her defects seem but the dark and essen-ness, not a stain of the earth rests on its snow-like tial shading in the glowing mosaic of her character. purity, but, hallowed by the sorrowful ordeal of It was well for me there existed so wide a difference in our ages, and that I was strengthened by the enduring influence of an earlier love, or there might have been danger to me, in this flattering and familiar communion with a being so fraught or a prayer. with poetry and enthusiasm, a woman in whom art I had been long indulging the wayward imagi had perfected the loveliest endowments of nature. nings of this visionary mood, when I was interrupted You know the painful event which marked our by the entrance of a messenger, who brought me sojourn at —, and the impetuous grief, whose two letters. One was from Theresa, for well I violence I could not restrain, though its cause was knew her fair familiar writing, and I greeted it not unexpected, and you will not marvel that in the eagerly, as an interval longer than usual had elapsed, depth of this new affliction I ceased to visit, even since the reception of her last letter. my suffering friend. Many days elapsed without | How delightful it is to grasp a letter from the my leaving my own apartment, and shrouded in the one we love, as we would clasp a friendly hand; dark solitude of an irreparable sorrow, all lighter to unclose the folds carefully, as if it were profaimpressions perished from my memory. I was one nation to break the seal which affection had placed; evening sitting alone, as usual, holding silent com- and then to pore over the lines traced in tendermunion with my mournful thoughts. It was early ness, never beheld by another, but spoken with twilight, the passers-by were few in the shadowed sweetest mystery to our inmost heart! It had come street below, and the stars looked down pale and dim at last, that letter sighed and prayed for, through upon the faintly lighted city. The night was chilly, long dark hours of loneliness and grief-it had for the autumn had then nearly past, and the fire come at last, and after I had read again and again, in my room threw restless and fantastic shadows its words of kindness, why was it, that something around. There was a charm for me in the hour of disappointment succeeded that perusal? I could and its melancholy loneliness, and the visions, which not have explained whence such an impression in the busy daylight fold their pinions and lie still sprang, nor have pointed to one sentence as its within the heart, now flitted before me on spirit foundation, but the unsatisfying tone of the whole,

separation, thought follows the pathway of the absent with angelic guardianship, and there is holiness in the watchfulness which looks upward to the sky, and whose only audible utterance is a blessing