"I don't believe it."

to approach her, she rose and was crossing Theodore,

Theodore pushed back his chair, and stared at his when he caught her by the hand, and drew her upon friend. his knee.

"What do you mean?" said Theodore.

"I mean that I entertain some doubts as to the accuracy of your grounds for concluding that Rosalie is inconstant to you."

"Theodore!" exclaimed the fair one, coloring.

"My wife," was his reply, while he imprinted a kiss upon her lips.

They had been married that morning.

THE PATRIARCH.

"Gently on him, had gentle Nature laid
The weight of years.-All passions that disturb
Had passed away."-

Southey.

"Did I not read the proof of it in the public papers?" "The statement may have been erroneous.' "Did not her own letter assure me of it?" "You may have misunderstood it." "I tell you I have been at BI have been at her house. I inquired for her, and was told she had gone up to London to be married! Oh, my friend," continued he, covering his eyes with his handkerchief,- SOON after my entrance upon clerical duties, in the "'tis useless to deceive ourselves. I am a ruined man! state of North Carolina, I was informed of an isolated You can see to what she has reduced me. I shall never settlement, at a considerable distance from the place of be myself again! Myself! I tell you I existed in her my residence. Its original elements were emigrants being more than in my own. She was the soul of all I from New England; a father, and his five sons, who, thought, and felt, and did; the primal vivifying prin- with their wives and little children, had about thirty ciple! She has murdered me! I breathe it is true, years before become sojourners in the heart of one of and the blood is in my veins and circulates; but every the deepest Carolinian solitudes. They purchased a thing else about me is death-hopes! wishes! interests! tract of wild, swamp-encircled land. This they subthere is no pulse, no respiration there! I should not bejected to cultivation, and by unremitting industry, rensorry were there none any where else! Feel my hand," dered adequate to their subsistence and comfort. The added he, reaching his hand across the table, without sons, and the sons' sons, had in their turn become the removing his handkerchief from his eyes; for the sense fathers of families; so, that the population of this sinof his desolation had utterly unmanned him, and his gular spot comprised five generations. They were tears continued to flow. "Feel my hand. Does it not described as constituting a peaceful and virtuous comburn. A hearty fever, now would be a friend," contin-munity, with a government purely patriarchal. Secluued he, "and I think I have done my best to merit aded from the privileges of public worship, it was said call from such a visitor. The whole of the night before that a sense of religion, influencing the heart and conlast I slept out in the open air. Guess where I took my duct, had been preserved by statedly assembling on the bed. In the green lane-the spot where I parted last sabbath, and reading the scriptures, with the Liturgy of from Rosalie!"-He felt a tear drop upon the hand the Church of England. The pious ancestor of the which he had extended-the tear was followed by the colony, whose years now surpassed four-score, had, at pressure of a lip. He uncovered his eyes, and turning at their removal to this hermitage, established his eldest them in wonderment to look upon his friend-beheld son in the office of lay-reader. This simple ministraRosalie sitting opposite to him!" tion, aided by holy example, had so shared the blessing For a moment or two he questioned the evidence of of heaven, that all the members of this miniature comhis senses--but soon was he convinced that it was in-monwealth held fast the faith and hope of the gospel. deed reality; for Rosalic, quitting her seat, approached him, and breathing his name with an accent that infused ecstasy into his soul, threw herself into his arms, that doubtingly opened to receive her. *** *** *** Looking over her father's papers, Rosalie had found a more recent will, in which her union with Theodore had been fully sanctioned, and he himself constituted her guardian until it should take place. She was aware that his success in London had been doubtful; the gen-cuitous route. erous girl determined that he should no longer be subjected to incertitude and disappointment; and she playfully wrote the letter which was a source of such distraction to her lover. From his answer she saw that he had totally misinterpreted her: she resolved in person to disabuse him of the error; and by offering to become his wife, at once to give him the most convincing proof of her sincerity and constancy. She arrived in London. His friend, who had known her from her infancy, received her as his daughter; and he and his wife listened with delight to the unfolding of her plans and intentions, which she freely confided to them. Late they sat up for Theodore that night, and when all hopes of his coming home were abandoned, Rosalie became The sun was high in the heavens when I arrived at the occupant of his bed. The next night, in a state of the morass, the bulwark thrown by Nature around this the most distressing anxiety, in consequence of his con- little city of the desert. Alighting, I led my horse over tinued absence, she had just retired to her apartment, the rude bridges of logs, which surmounted the pools when a knock at the street door made her bound from and ravines, until our footing rested upon firm earth. her couch, upon which she had at that moment thrown Soon, an expanse of arable land becaine visible, and herself, and presently she heard her lover's voice at the wreaths of smoke came lightly curling through the foot of the stair. Scarcely knowing what she did, she trees, as if to welcome the stranger. Then, a cluster attired herself, descended, opened the parlor door un-of cottages cheered the eye. They were so contiguous, perceived by Theodore, and took the place of their friendly host, who, the moment he saw her, beckoned her, and resigning his chair to her, withdrew.

The next evening a select party were assembled in the curate's little drawing-room, and Theodore and Rosalie were there. The lady of the house motioned the latter

I was desirous of visiting this peculiar people, and of ascertaining whether such precious fruits might derive nutriment from so simple a root. A journey into that section of the country afforded me an opportunity. I resolved to be the witness of their Sunday devotions, and with the earliest dawn of that consecrated day, I left the house of a friend, where I had lodged, and who furnished the requisite directions for my solitary and cir

The brightness and heat of summer began to glow oppressively, ere I turned from the haunts of men, and plunged into the recesses of the forest. Towering amidst shades which almost excluded the light of heaven, rose the majestic pines, the glory and the wealth of North Carolina. Some, like the palms, those princes of the East, reared a proud column of fifty feet, ere the branches shot forth their heavenward cone. With their dark verdure, mingled the pale and beautiful efflorescence of the wild poplar, like the light interlacing of sculpture, in some ancient awe-inspiring temple, while thousands of birds from those dark cool arches, poured their anthems of praise to the Divine Architect.

that the blast of a horn, or even the call of a shrill voice, might convene all their inhabitants. To the central and the largest building, I directed my steps. Approaching the open window, I heard a distinct manly voice, pronouncing the solemn invocation,-"By thine agony, and bloody sweat,-by thy cross and passion,

by thy precious death and burial,--by thy glorious re-breathed out in their forest sanctuary, "Thou, that surrection and ascension,--and by the coming of the takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.' Holy Ghost." The response arose, fully and devoutly, The following morning, I called on every family, and in the deep accents of manhood, and the softer tones of was delighted with the domestic order, economy, and the mother and her children. concord, that prevailed. Careful improvement of time, Standing motionless, that I might not disturb the and moderated desires, seemed uniformly to produce worshippers, I had a fair view of the lay-reader. He among them, the fruits of a blameless life and conver was a man of six feet in height, muscular and well pro-sation. They conducted me to their school. Its teacher portioned, with a head beautifully symmetrical, from was a grand-daughter of the lay-reader. She possessed whose crown time had begun to shred the luxuriance of a sweet countenance, and gentle manners, and with its raven locks. Unconscious of the presence of a characteristic simplicity, employed herself at the spinstranger, he supposed that no eye regarded him, save ning-wheel, when not absorbed in the labors of instructhat of his God. Kneeling around him, were his tion. Most of her pupils read intelligibly, and replied "brethren according to the flesh," a numerous and at- with readiness to questions from Scripture History. tentive congregation. At his right hand was the Patri- Writing and arithmetic were well exemplified by the arch-tall, somewhat emaciated, yet not bowed with elder ones; but those works of science, with which our years, his white hair combed smoothly over his temples, libraries are so lavishly supplied, had not found their and slightly curling on his neck. Gathered near him, way to this retreat. But among the learners was visiwere his children, and his children's children. His ble, what does not always distinguish better endowed blood was in the veins of almost every worshipper. seminaries; docility, subordination, and profound atMingling with forms that evinced the ravages of time tention to every precept and illustration. Habits of and toil, were the bright locks of youth, and the rosy application and a desire for knowledge were infused into brow of childhood, bowed low in supplication. Even all. So trained up were they in industry, that even the the infant, with hushed lip, regarded a scene where was boys, in the intervals of their lessons, were busily enno wandering glance. Involuntarily, my heart said,-gaged in the knitting of stockings for winter. To the Shall not this be a family in Heaven?" In the closing simple monitions which I addressed to them, they reaspirations, "O Lamb of God! that takest away the verently listened; and ere they received the parting sins of the world, have mercy upon us!"-the voice blessing, rose, and repeated a few passages from the of the Patriarch was heard, with strong and affecting inspired volume, and lifted up their accordant voices, emphasis. After a pause of silent devotion, all arose chanting, "blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he from their knees, and I entered the circle. hath visited and redeemed his people."

66

"I am a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. come to bless you in the name of the Lord."

I

The ancient Patriarch, grasping my hand, gazed on me with intense earnestness. A welcome, such as words have never uttered, was written on his brow. "Thirty-and-two years has my dwelling been in this forest. Hitherto, no man of God hath visited us. Praised be his name, who hath put it into thy heart, to seek out these few sheep in the wilderness. Secluded as we are, from the privilege of worshipping God in his temple, we thus assemble every Sabbath, to read his holy Book, and to pray unto him in the words of our liturgy. Thus have we been preserved from 'forgetting the Lord who bought us, and lightly esteeming the Rock of our Salvation.'

The exercises of that day are indelibly engraven on my memory. Are they not written in the record of the Most High? Surely a blessing entered into my own soul, as I beheld the faith, and strengthened the hope of those true-hearted and devout disciples. Like him, whose slumbers at Bethel were visited by the whitewinged company of heaven, I was constrained to say,"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.'

Se

Whatever I beheld in this singular spot, served to awaken curiosity, or to interest feeling. All my inquiries were satisfied with the utmost frankness Evidently, there was nothing which required concealment. The heartless theories of fashion, with their subterfuges and vices, had not penetrated to this hermetically sealed abode. The Patriarch, at his entrance upon his territory, had divided it into six equal portions, reserving one for himself, and bestowing another on each of his five sons. As the children of the colony advanced to maturity, they, with scarcely an exception, contracted marriages among each other, striking root, like the branches of the banian, around their parent tree. The domicile of every family was originally a rude cabin of logs, serving simply the purpose of shelter. In front of this, a house of larger dimensions was commenced, and so constructed, that the ancient abode might become the kitchen, when the whole was completed. To the occupation of building they attended as they were able to command time and materials. "We keep it," said one of the colonists, "for handy-work, when there is no farming, or turpentine-gathering, or tar-making.' veral abodes were at that time, in different stages of progress, marking the links of gradation between the rude cottage, and what they styled the "framed house." When finished, though devoid of architectural elegance, they exhibited capabilities of comfort, equal to the sober expectations of a primitive people. A field for corn, and a garden abounding with vegetables, were appendages to each habitation. Cows grazed quietly around, and sheep dotted like snow-flakes, the distant ness of horticulture, and when necessary, in the labors of harvest, thus obtaining that vigor and muscular energy which distinguish the peasantry of Europe, from their effeminate sisters of the nobility and gentry. Each household produced or manufactured within its own domain, most of the materials which were essential to its comfort; and for such articles as their plantations could not supply, or their ingenuity construct, the pitch-pine was their medium of purchase. When the season arrived for collecting its hidden treasures, an aperture was made in its bark, and a box inserted, into which the turpentine continually oozed. Care was required to preserve this orifice free from the induration of glutinous matter. Thus, it must be frequently reopened, or carried gradually upward on the trunk of the

At the request of the Patriarch, I administered the ordinance of baptism. It was received with affecting demonstrations of solemnity and gratitude. The sacred services were protracted until the setting of the sun. Still they seemed reluctant to depart. It was to them a high and rare festival. When about to separate, the venerable Patriarch introduced me to all his posterity. Each seemed anxious to press my hand; and even the children expressed, by affectionate glances, their rever-green pastures. The softer sex participated in the busience and love for him who ministered at the altar of God. "The Almighty," said the ancient man, "hath smiled on these babes, born in the desert. I came hither with my sous and their companions, and their blessed mother, who hath gone to rest. God hath given us families as a flock. We earn our bread with toil and in patience. For the intervals of labor we have a school, where our little ones gain the rudiments of knowledge. Our only books of instruction, are the bible and prayer-book."

At a signal they rose and sang, when about departing to their separate abodes,--"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, and good will towards men.' Never, by the pomp of measured melody, was my spirit so stirred within me, as when that rustic, yet tuneful choir, surrounding the white-haired father of them all,

tree; sometimes, to such a height, that a small knife |
affixed to the extremity of a long pole, is used for that
purpose. Large trees sustain several boxes at the same
time, though it is required that the continuity of bark
be preserved, or the tree, thus shedding its life-blood at
the will of man, must perish. Though the laborers in
this department are exceedingly industrious and vigi-
lant, there will still be a considerable deposit adhering
to the body of the tree. These portions, called "tur-
pentine facings," are carefully separated, and laid in a
cone-like form, until they attain the size of a formida-
ble mound. This is covered with earth, and when the
cool season commences, is ignited; and the liquid tar,
flowing into a reservoir prepared for it, readily obtains
a market among the dealers in naval stores.

Shall I be forgiven for such minuteness of detail? So strongly did this simple and interesting people excite my affectionate solicitude, that not even their slightest concerns seemed unworthy of attention. By merchants of the distant town, who were in habits of traffic with them, I was afterwards informed that they were distinguished for integrity and uprightness, and that the simple affirmation of these "Bible and Liturgy men," as they were styled, possessed the sacredness of an oath. The lay-reader remarked to me, that he had never known among his people, a single instance of either intemperance or profanity.

"Our young men have no temptations, and the old set an uniformly sober example. Still, I cannot but think our freedom from vice is chiefly owing to a sense of religious obligation, cherished by God's blessing upon our humble worship."

Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end," the young children of the forest started from their seats in wondering joy, while the changing color, or quivering lip of the elders, evinced that the hallowed music awoke the cherished echoes of memory.

But with what breathless attention did they hang on every word of Bishop Ravenscroft, as with his own peculiar combination of zeal and tenderness, he illustrated the inspired passage which he had chosen, or with a sudden rush of strong and stormy eloquence broke up the fountains of the soul! Listening and weeping, they gathered up the manna, which an audience satiated with the bread of heaven, and prodigal of angels' food, might have suffered to perish. With the hoary Patriarch, a throng of his descendants, who had been duly prepared for that holy vow and profession, knelt around the altar, in commemoration of their crucified Redeemer.

At the close of the communion service, when about to depart to his home, the white-haired man drew near to the Bishop. Gratitude for the high privileges in which he had participated; reverence for the father in God, whom he had that day for the first time beheld; conviction that his aged eyes could but a little longer look on the things of time; consciousness that he might scarcely expect again to stand amid these his children, to "behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple," overwhelmed his spirit. Pressing the hand of the Bishop, and raising his eyes heavenward, he said,--"Lord! now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Bishop Ravenscroft fixed on him one of those pier

tears, like large rain-drops stood upon his cheeks. Recovering from his emotion, he pronounced, with affectionate dignity, the benediction, "the Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."

"Are there no quarrels or strifes among you?" "For what should we contend? We have no pros-eing glances which seemed to read the soul; and then pect of wealth, nor motive of ambition. We are too busy to dispute about words. Are not these the sources of most of the 'wars and fightings' among mankind? Beside, we are all of one blood. Seldom does any variance arise, which the force of brotherhood may not quell. Strict obedience is early taught in families. Children who learn thoroughly the Bible-lesson to obey and honor their parents, are not apt to be contentious in society, or irreverent to their Father in Heaven. Laws so simple would be inefficient in a mixed and turbulent community. Neither could they be effectual here, without the aid of that gospel which speaketh peace, and prayer for his assistance, who 'turneth the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.'" Is it surprising that I should take my leave, with an overflowing heart, of the pious Patriarch and his posterity that I should earnestly desire another opportunity of visiting their isolated domain?

The Patriarch, bowing down a head, heavy with the snows of more than fourscore winters, breathed a thanksgiving to God, and turned homeward, followed by all his kindred. Summer had glided away ere it was in my power again to visit the "lodge in the wilderness." As I was taking in the autumn twilight my lonely walk for meditation, a boy of rustic appearance, approaching with hasty steps, accosted me.

"Our white-haired father, the father of us all, lies stretched upon his bed. He takes no bread or water, and he asks for you. Man of God, will you come to him?"

.

Scarcely had I signified assent, ere he vanished. Soon after this period, a circumstance took place, With the light of the early morning, I commenced my which they numbered among the most interesting eras journey. Autumn had infused chillness into the atmosof their history. A small chapel was erected in the vil-phere, and somewhat of tender melancholy into the lage nearest to their settlement. Though at the dis- heart. Nature seems to regard with sadness the passtance of many miles, they anticipated its completion ing away of the glories of summer, and to robe herself with delight. At its consecration by the late Bishop as if for humiliation. Ravenscroft, as many of the colonists as found it possi- As the sun increased in power, more of cheerfulble to leave home, determined to be present. Few of ness overspread the landscape. The pines were busily the younger ones had ever entered a building set apart disseminating their winged seeds. Like insects, with a solely for the worship of God; and the days were anx-floating motion, they spread around for miles. Large iously counted, until they should receive permission to droves of swine made their repast upon this half ethetread his courts. real food. How mindful is Nature of even her humblest pensioners!

The appointed period arrived. Just before the commencement of the sacred services of dedication, a procession of singular aspect was seen to wind along amid interposing shades. It consisted of persons of both sexes, and of every age, clad in a primitive style, and advancing with solemn order. I recognized my hermit friends, and hastened onward to meet them. Scarcely could the ancient Jews, when from distant regions they made pilgrimage to their glorious hill of Zion, have testified more touching emotion, than these guileless worshippers, in passing the threshold of this humble temple to Jehovah. When the sweet tones of a small organ, mingling with the voices of a select choir, gave "glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the

As I approached the cluster of cottages, which now assumed the appearance of a village, the eldest son advanced to meet me. His head declined like one struggling with a grief which he would fain subdue. Taking my hand in both of his, he raised it to his lips. Neither of us spoke a word. It was written clearly on his countenance, "Come quickly, ere he die."

Together we entered the apartment of the good Patriarch. One glance convinced me that he was not long to be of our company. His posterity were gathered around him in sorrow;

"For drooping,-sickening,-dying, they began,
Whom they ador'd as God, to mourn as man.”

He was fearfully emaciated, but as I spake of the | Saviour, who "went not up to joy, until he first suffered pain," his brow again lighted with the calmness of one, whose "way to eternal joy was to suffer with Christ, whose door to eternal life gladly to die with him.” Greatly comforted by prayer, he desired that the holy communion might be once more administered to him, and his children. There was a separation around his bed. Those who had been accustomed to partake with him, drew near, and knelt around the dying. Fixing his eye on the others, he said, with an energy of tone which we thought had forsaken him,-"Will ye thus be divided, at the last day?" A burst of wailing grief was the reply.

Patriarch. In the heart of their territory was a shady dell, sacred to the dead. It was surrounded by a neat enclosure, and planted with trees. The drooping branches of a willow, swept the grave of the mother of the colony. Near her, slumbered her youngest son. Several other mounds swelled around them, most of which, by their small size, told of the smitten flowers of infancy. To this goodly company, we bore him, who had been revered as the father and exemplar of all. With solemn steps, his descendants, two and two, followed the corpse. I heard a convulsive and suppressed breathing, among the more tender of the train; but when the burial service commenced, all was hushed. And never have I more fully realised its surpassing Never will that scene be effaced from my remem-pathos and power, than when from the centre of that brance: the expressive features, and thrilling responses of the Patriarch, into whose expiring body the soul returned with power, that it might leave this last testimony of faith and hope to those whom he loved, are among the unfading imagery of my existence. The spirit seemed to rekindle more and more, in its last lingerings around the threshold of time. In a tone, whose clearness and emphasis surprised us, the departing saint breathed forth a blessing on those who surrounded him, "in the name of that God, whose peace passeth all understanding."

There was an interval, during which he seemed to slumber. Whispers of hope were heard around his couch, that he might wake and be refreshed. At length, his eyes slowly unclosed. They were glazed and deeply sunken in their sockets. Their glance was long and kind upon those who hung over his pillow. His lips moved, but not audibly. Bowing my ear more closely, I found that he was speaking of Him who is the "resurrection and the life." A slight shuddering passed over his frame, and he was at rest, for ever.

deep solitude, on the brink of that waiting grave, it poured forth its consolation.

Man, that is born of woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. He fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life, we are in death. Of whom may we seek succor but of thee, Oh Lord!-who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O Lord God most holy--O God most mighty,-O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts, shut not thy most merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us, O Lord most holy,--O God most mighty,-O holy and merciful Saviour,--suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death to fall from thee."

lieve that Christ died and rose again, even so them also, that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.”

Full of thought, I pursued my homeward way. I inquired, is Devotion never encumbered, or impeded by the splendor that surrounds her? Amid the lofty cathedral,--the throng of rich-stoled worshippers,--the melody of the solemn organ,-does that incense never spend itself upon the earth, that should rise to heaven? On the very beauty and glory of its ordinances, may not the spirit proudly rest, and go no more forth to the work of benevolence, nor spread its wing at the call of faith?

Circumstances compelled me to leave this mourning community immediately after committing the dust of their pious ancestor to the earth. They accompanied me to some distance on my journey, and our parting was with mutual tears. Turning to view them, as their A voice of weeping arose from among the children, forms mingled with the dark green of the forest, I heard who had been summoned to the bed of death. Ere I the faint echo of a clear voice. It was the lay-reader, had attempted consolation, the lay-reader with an un-speaking of the hope of the resurrection: "If we befaltering tone pronounced, "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Deep silence ensued. It seemed as if every heart was installing him who spake, in the place of the father and the governor who had departed. It was a spontaneous acknowledgment of the right of primogeniture, which no politician could condemn. He stood among them, in the simple majesty of his birthright, a ruler and priest to guide his people in the way everlasting. It was as if the mantle of an arisen prophet had descended upon him, as if those ashen lips had broken the seal of death to utter "behold my servant whom I have chosen." Every eye fixed upon him its expression of fealty and love. Gradually the families retired to their respective habitations. Each individual paused at the pillow of the Patriarch, to take a silent farewell; and some of the little ones climbed up to kiss the marble face. I was left alone with the lay-reader, and with the dead. The enthusiasm of the scene had fled, and the feelings of a son triumphed. Past years rushed like a tide over his memory. The distant, but undimmed impressions of infancy and childhood,-the planting of that once wild waste, the changes of those years which had sprinkled his temples with gray hairs,-all, with their sorrows and their joys, came back, associated with the lifeless image of his beloved sire. In the bitterness of bereavement, he covered his face, and wept. That iron frame which had borne the hardening of more than half a century, shook, like the breast of an infant, when it sobbed out its sorrows. I waited until the first shock of grief had subsided. Then, passing HOPE is the leading-string of youth-memory the staff my arm gently within his, I repeated, "I heard a voice of age. Yet for a long time they were at variance, and from heaven saying,-Write, from henceforth, blessed scarcely ever associated together. Memory was almost are the dead, who die in the Lord." Instantly raising always grave, nay sad and melancholy. She delighted in silence and repose, amid rocks and waterfalls; and whenhimself upright, he responded in a voice whose deep ever she raised her eyes from the ground it was only to inflections sank into my soul, "Even so, saith the spirit, look back over her shoulder. Hope was a smiling, danfor they rest from their labors, and their works do fol-cing, rosy boy, with sparkling eyes, and it was impossilow them." ble to look upon him without being inspired by his gay

Yet surely, there is a reality in religion, though man may foolishly cheat himself with the shadow. Here I have beheld it in simplicity, disrobed of "all pomp and circumstance," yet with power to soothe the passions into harmony, to maintain the virtues in daily and vi gorous exercise, and to give victory to the soul, when death vanquishes the body. So, I took the lesson to my heart, and when it has languished or grown cold, I have warmed it by the remembrance of the ever-living faith, of those "few sheep in the wilderness."

MEMORY AND HOPE.

The following beautiful apologue, copied from the New York Mirror, is from the pen of J. K. Paulding. We hope often to enrich our pages with his productions. His style is a model of simplicity, vigor and ease, which we should like to see more generally imitated by our Literary writers.

I remained to attend the funeral obsequies of the and sprightly buoyancy. Wherever he went he diffused

around him gladness and joy; the eyes of the young spar- |
kled brighter than ever at his approach; old age as it cast
its dim glances at the blue vault of heaven, seemed inspir-
ed with new vigor; the flowers looked more gay,
the grass
more green, the birds sung more cheerily, and all nature
seemed to sympathize in his gladness. Memory was of
mortal birth, but Hope partook of immortality.

One day they chanced to meet, and Memory reproached Hope with being a deceiver. She charged him with deluding mankind with visionary, impracticable schemes, and exciting expectations that only led to disappointment and regret; with being the ignis fatuus of youth, and the scourge of old age. But Hope cast back upon her the charge of deceit, and maintained that the pictures of the past were as much exaggerated by Memory, as were the anticipations of Hope. He declared that she looked at objects at a great distance in the past, he in the future, and that this distance magnified every thing. "Let us make the circuit of the world," said he, "and try the experiment." Memory consented, reluctantly, and they went their way together.

The first person they met was a schoolboy, lounging lazily along, and stopping every moment to gaze around, as if unwilling to proceed on his way. By and by he sat down and burst into tears.

"Whither so fast, my good lad?" asked Hope, jeeringly. "I am going to school," replied the lad, " to study, when I had rather a thousand times be at play; and sit on a bench with a book in my hand while I long to be sporting in the fields. But never mind, I shall be a man soon, and then I shall be free as the air." Saying this, he skipped away merrily, in the hope of soon being a man.

"It is thus you play upon the inexperience of youth," said Memory, reproachfully.

Passing onward, they met a beautiful girl, pacing slow and melancholy behind a party of gay young men and maidens, who walked arm in arm with each other, and were flirting and exchanging all those little harmless courtesies, which nature prompts on such occasions. They were all gaily dressed in silks and ribbons; but the little girl had on a simple frock, a homely apron, and clumsy thick-soled shoes.

Why don't you join yonder group," asked Hope, " and partake in their gaiety, my pretty little girl?"

"Alas!" replied she, "they take no notice of me. They call me a child. But I shall soon be a woman, and then I shall be so happy!" Inspired by this hope, she quickened her pace, and soon was seen dancing along merrily with

the rest.

ful days, when careless and full of blissful anticipations, I
was a laughing, merry boy, only adds to the miseries I
now endure."
"Behold!" said Memory, "the consequence of thy de-
ceptions," and she looked reproachfully at her companion.
Behold!" replied Hope," the deception practised by
thyself. Thou persuadest him that he was happy in his
youth. Dost thou remember the boy we met when we first
set out together, who was weeping on his way to school,
and sighing to be a man?"

Memory cast down her eyes and was silent.

A little way onward, they came to a miserable cottage, at the door of which was an aged woman, meanly clad, and shaking with palsy. She sat all alone, her head resting on her bosom, and as the pair approached, vainly tried to raise it up to look at them.

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"Good-morrow, old lady-and all happiness to you," cried Hope, gaily, and the old woman thought it was a long time since she had heard such a cheering salutation. Happiness!" said she, in a voice that quivered with weakness and infirmity. "Happiness! I have not known it since I was a little girl, without care or sorrow. 0,I remember those delightful days, when I thought of nothing but the present moment, nor cared for the future or the past. When I laughed and played and sung, from morning till night, and envied no one, or wished to be any other than I was. But those happy times are past, never to return. O, if I could only once more return to the days of my childhood!" The old woman sunk back on her seat, and the tears flowed from her hollow eyes.

Memory again reproached her companion, but he only asked her if she recollected the little girl they had met a long time ago, who was so miserable because she was so young? Memory knew it well enough, and said not another word.

They now approached their home, and Memory was on tiptoe with the thought of once more enjoying the unequalled beauties of those scenes from which she had been so long separated. But, some how or other, it seemed they were sadly changed. Neither the grass was so green, the flowers so sweet and lovely, nor did the brooks murmur, the echoes answer, or the birds sing half so enchantingly, as she remembered them in long time past.

"Alas!" she exclaimed, "how changed is every thing! I alone am the same."

"Every thing is the same, and thou alone art changed," answered Hope. Thou hast deceived thyself in the past just as much as I deceive others in the future."

"What is it you are disputing about?" asked an old man, whom they had not observed before, though he was stauding close by them. "I have lived almost four-score and ten years, and my experience may perhaps enable me to decide between you."

In this manner they wended their way, from nation to nation, and cliue to clime, until they had made the circuit of the universe. Wherever they came, they found the human race, which at this time was all young-it being not many years since the first creation of mankind-repining They told him the occasion of their disagreement, and at the present, and looking forward to a riper age for hap-related the history of their journey round the earth. piness. All anticipated some future good, and Memory The old man smiled, and for a few moments sat buried in had scarce any thing to do but cast looks of reproach at her thought. He then said to them: young companion. "Let us return home," said she, "to that delightful spot where I first drew my breath. I long to repose among its beautiful bowers; to listen to the brooks that murmured a thousand times more musically; to the birds that sung a thousand times sweeter; and to the echoes that were softer than any I have since heard. Ah! there is nothing on earth so enchanting as the scenes of my earliest youth."

Hope indulged himself in a sly, significant smile, and they proceeded on their return home. As they journeyed but slowly, many years elapsed ere they approached the spot whence they had departed. It so happened one day they met an old man, bending under the weight of years, and walking with trembling steps, leaning on his staff. Memory at once recognized him as the youth they had seen going to school, on their first outset in the tour of the world. As they came nearer, the old man reclined on his staff, and looking at Hope, who, being immortal, was still a blithe young boy, sighed as if his heart was breaking.

"I, 100, have lived to see all the hopes of my youth turn into shadows, clouds and darkness, and vanish into nothing. I, too, have survived my fortune, my friends, my children -the hilarity of youth and the blessing of health.” "And dost thou not despair?" said Memory. "No, I have still one hope left me." "And what is that?"

"The hope of heaven!"

The publisher has received the prospectus of the Southern Magazine, or Journal of Literature, Arts and Sciences," to be published at Charleston, S. Carolina, and edited by James

"What aileth thee, old man?" asked the youth. "What aileth me," he replied, in a feeble, faltering Haig. This work "will consist entirely of original matter in

prose and verse, embracing all subjects of general interest, and voice-"What should ail me, but old age. I have outlivexclusive of controversial divinity and party politics, accompaed my health and strength; I have survived all that was near and dear; I have seen all I loved, or that loved me, nied with criticisms upon the productions of the day, and nostruck down to the earth like dead leaves in autumn, and tices of the most important passing events." It is strongly renow I stand like an old tree withering alone in the world, commended to public patronage by the Literary and Philosophi without roots, without branches and without verdure. I cal Society of South Carolina--and subscriptions to it will be have only just enough of sensation to know that I am mi- cheerfully received at the office of the "Southern Literary serable, and the recollection of the happiness of my youth-Messenger." The South is awakening!