Page images
PDF
EPUB

old hat and a check apron, through of spits and skewers were ostenits broken panes. After knock-tatiously displayed over the maning several times, the lowly door tle piece, and two or three brooms was at length opened by a figure of various sizes, (much the worse clothed in all the sad variety of for wear) were observed in the wretchedness, and beut half double corner of the room. by age and infirmity; scarcely a The venerable agent of the destint of life was visible in her wrink- tinies, handed chairs to her visiled and yellow visage, but there tors, and as she eyed them with a was a shrewd twinkle in her small scrutinizing glance, she foretold gray eyes, that shewed the village their errand-(astonishing!) Couoracle had not yet lost that intellig-sin John rising, laid two half dolence, for which she was celebrat-lar pieces into her withered and ed in her art. As the wind rushed bony hand, and requested she upon her face from the open door, might commence with the Ladyher coarse grey hair streamed in oh, no! cried Sarah, pray begin every direction from beneath her with the Gentleman! and if I like soiled cap, which was confined to his fortune, I will have mine told! her head by a red pocket handker- and do you suppose your fortune chief tied under the chin. A stri- will be the same? said the Sibyl, pid article of a rather doubtful with a grin uncertain meaningcharacter, was spread over her beside you are not to hear each shoulders, and a pair of men's others fortune's told, I must take shoes, which projected some two you alone into the next room; well, or three inches beyond her heels, said John, proceed old Lady, I am were the most striking points in her ready! a pack of cards whose ficostume. Sarah would have shrunk gures were almost obliterated by from a figure so appalling, had she smoke and dust was produced, and not been cautioned of this subject taking a little black tea-pot from by her cousin, who told her the sus- the hearth, she shook it, and pourceptible Witch would never forgive ed its contents into two tea-cups, a disrespectful notice of her dress and then mumbling something a or person. Therefore grasping his bout the moon, and the perigee and arm, she entered the enchanted apogee planets, she took a dogsHall' with a trembling step; every eear'd Almanac, that hung in the object, (of course,) in this apart- chimney corner, and having lookment wore a mysterious aspect, ed attentively at the signs of the an old clock without a case, click'd Zodiac, she poured off the liquor loudly against the unplastered wall, from one of the cups, and carefuland a huge cat, lay purring in the ly retained the sediment at the only sunbeam that found its way bottom, and then raking open the through the narrow casement. embers, she placed something beSarah also observed many articles neath them, which Sarah believes around the fire place, which though was a Horse-Shoe! and on her setoften in requisition for culinary ting aside the tongs, she perpurposes, still wore an ominous ceived Molly had reversed them! character, a large pot, (or caldron) (these ceremonies certainly had a bubbled over a slow fire, into portentious bearing) finally, taking which, (soon after their entrance) the Cards, Almanac, and Tea-cup, the Witch was observed to throw she with her foot pushed open a some Salt, and several sorts of low narrow door, and motioning herbs! a flesh fork of uncommon with her skeleton arm, she pointdimensions, and an unusal numbered to a dark sepulcral apartment,

[ocr errors]

from a corner of which, gleamed held by Molly, just above her head; the faint light of a small tallow in a moment he heard her scream! candle. Cousin John was no cow- and rushing to the door, found it ard, but the countenance which he boited-be called, but no answer turned towards Sarah, as he obey- was returned-he listened, and ed the summon of the Sorceress, heard only a gentle whisper, which was certainly not so florid as form-seemed to be employed to calm erly. After half an hours' anxious her agitation; the next instant, expectation the door opened, and her well known voice exclaimed John advanced with a face beam-with emotion, oh yes, I am satising with satisfaction, followed by fied, and now pray let me go! the the Witch; who taking the other door opened, and the blushing tea-cup, said with a smile, horri- Sarah, smiling through ber tears, ble as that of Milton's death! come came out, a convert to the DocMiss, now's your turn-Sarah fix- trine of Witchcraft. Cousin John, ed her eyes full upon her cousin, although anxious to know, stopwho clasped her hand, and whisp-ped not there, to enquire the cause ered something in her ear, on which the old woman frowned, and said, in a sharp key, why she knows that, as well as you do! Heavens! exclaimed Sarah, how could you know what he said to me? by the same rule that I can fore tell your fate! Come said Molly in a softened voice, I fore see a good fortune for you; you must say the charm to the Moon! and if your planet is favorable, perhaps I can shew you your future husband's face in the Magic Mirror-this was enough, in went Sarah, and the door was closed upon them. Cousin John passed a quarter of an hour with great patience, he then began to scrape acquaintance with the cat, but all his friendly pattings of her head, and the trailings of his whip-Fate. lash to excite her mirth, were regarded with the most dignified coolness; he then rose, and as he sauntered round the room to examine. the Witch's curiosities; he stopped before a square of glass that was I TOO have perused the Alphabet of set into the wall, so as to comthe Angels' and I love those beautiful mand a view of the next room, hieroglyphics of nature, for they speak a (this glass he had not before perceived, as a garment hung over it language that the heart acknowledges, when he entered the room.) He and they convey a moral to the undernow applied his face close to the standing, by which even the proudest glass and saw Sarah in a remote philosopher might profit! who hath ever part of the room with her back to-beheld the modest lily, shaded by the emwards him, looking at a mirror bowering verdure of the valley, without

of the scream,' hastingly hand-
ing her into the carriage they
departed. During their ride home,
on comparing their fortunes, it
was very evident that the Fates
had destined them for each other,
particularly, when he drew from
the artless girl that she had seen
his face in the Magic Mirror! [with-
out either of them dreaming, it
was reflected from the little win-
dow in the wall.]
About three years after this event,
the Witch's Visitors,' were mar-
ried! and her prophecy was thus
fulfilled, to the astonishment
of many, who might have predict-
ed the same circumstance, with-
out boasting of any supernatural
powers of divining the secrets of

*

*

Bower of Caste.

K.

I know the language of the flowers.'
R. D.

viewing it as an emblem of female worth
and purity, withdrawing from the glare of
fashion, and extravagance, and diffusing
a charm in the tranquil sphere of domes-
tic retirement. Who hath ever look'd
on the glory of Spring! her first young
Rose bud; without associating with its
bloom, the charms of infancy, and the
promise of youth? or watched its expan-I
sion, without reference to the maturity of
physical, and intellectual beauty? or wit-
nessed its decay, unmindful that such is
the fate of all created things!---In culti
vating the fragrant Geranium, and Myrtle,
the perennial bloom, and verdure, of these
beautiful exotics, reminds us of the faith
and constancy of those, whose love, or
friendship we delight to cherish.

Flowers, may also be considered as monitors to warn us against Vanity, Indolence, Flattery, and false Delicacy. Among these, are the Tulip, the Poppy, the Sun Flower, and the Balsamine; but their beauties, are of a coarser and obtrusive character, and they therefore create in the heart, no sentiment that induces us to wish their fragile existence prolonged.

The language of the flowers' is, in short, the History of Human Nature, for they are alike emblematic of our virtues, and our vices, but in order to cultivate the former, we must exterminate the latter, for they cannot exist on the same soil.

[ocr errors]

SIR WALTER SCOTT.---It is said this gentleman has been applied to, and is expected to become the Editor of Charles Heath's splendid annual, entitled the Keepsake.' The sale of this work has been immense---over 13,000 copies have been circulated through Europe, and this

country.

Tremont Theatre.
We learn that the Orchestra of this
Theatre will take a Benefit, on Monday

exertions, they have made always to please the audience, during their engagement at this house, will indeed be rewarded by a bumper! as expressive of the nniversal approbation of the Public.

ORIGINAL ANECDOTES.

I have cut all my wisdom teeth since was married, said a lady to her Physician--I am sorry for that madam, replied he, as this is no favorable argument in the cause of matrimony.

A gentleman who was requested by the artist to give his opinion respecting he resemblance of his Portrait, replied

Sir, I am perfectly satisfied with the Likeness, but I do not approve of the set of the coat---I paint from God's works! Sir, not from Tailors, [replied the indignant Philosoper of Heads.]

The author of the best TALE which may be presented for the 'Bower of Taste,' on or before the 15th of June, will be complimented with a volume of approved American Poetry, splendidly bound and lettered with the name, or signature of the successful writer.

The Tale will be embellished by a fine lithographic print, illustrative of some interesting scene. On no account will the envelope inclosing the name of the writer be opened unless the piece is accepted.

Errata.---In the above article last week the word piece was by a mistake of the publisher rendered Poem.

THE BOWER OF TASTE.---All communications for or relative to this work, should be addreseed [post paid] to the editor, MRS. KATHARINE A. WARE. It is published every Saturday by SAMUEL G. ANDREWS, No. $2,50 in advance, or $3 at the expira 30, Market Street, Boston Terms

evening next; we hope the indefatigabletion of six months.

[graphic][merged small]

The following lines were founded on the melancholy story of a young man of high birth and talents, who had long paid his successful addresses to a beautiful girl. The Period of their marriage was appointed, but his friends perceiving some indications of declining health, proposed to him a voyage to some more congenial climate and that their union should be postponed till his return. On the eve of his departure he consigned his heart's best treasure to the protection of an only brother---who in his ab sence, (faithless to his trust) invented a most plausible story of his death, by which, with other artifices, he obtained from the lady the promise of her hand at the close of the year. On the bridal night, just as the husband was leading her from the altar. the lover suddenly burst into the church! and in a paroxysm of phrenzy and despair. rushed through the crowd and stabbed him to the heart! horror and consternation prevented the arrest of the rash fratricide and he fled. At length, many years afte this event he was found the wretched inhabitant of a solitary cave, in a state of sav age fierceness and mental derangement. Those who discovered him, vainly attemp ted to draw him from his cell by assurances that they knew him, and would reliev his wants; this he strongly resisted, until compelled by force, after which a few weeks of suffering terminated his existence.

THE MANIAC.

Away! ye know me not-ye cannot know

The deed!-'twas dark-none but the fiends below
Bore witness to that scene! and ye have lied-
You never knew me, in my hour of pride!

You never saw me, when the brightest flower
That ever bloom'd to deck a bridal bower
Was mine-yes mine! thou jeering elf-
Nay-glare not on me thus! Am I myself?
Who slew my brother? hark! heard you that groan?
Hence! leave me men-for I would be alone.

I feel I am a wretch-the verriest one
That ever shrunk before yon glorious sun!
Year after year in this dark, cold recess-
Meet home for wild despair and wretchedness,
I've pray'd-oh! no-I could not pray for death-
But I have sought him in the whirlwind's breath!
I've bared my bosom to the midnight storm,
Whose blasts were to its mad'ning pulses, calm!
I've seen yon mountain cliff by light'ning riven-

Nor shrunk, e'en from the wrathful bolt of Heaven-
Yet Death flies from me, though this weary frame
Is tired of life! its pale and wasted flame
Burns dim and sickly-yet I fear to die

With all this weight of guilt and misery!

[blocks in formation]

OUR DEAR NATIVE SHORE.

Blow briskly ye breezes! and press the white sail:
See the broad swelling canvas invite the strong gale!
How proudly our bark the blue billow divides,
Which sparkles with foam as it cleaves her dark sides.
Blow briskly ye breezes! and bear us safe o'er
Old Neptune's domain, to our dear native shore.
When at eve the grey cloud over ocean impends,
How fondly soft fancy her influence lends;
Then groves, plains and streams as by magic arise,
And scenes dearly cherished revisit our eyes.

Blow freshly ye breezes! and swiftly restore

AUGUSTA.

Us to those whom we love on our dear native shore.

How freely each bosom expands with delight!
How gay and how sweet are the visions of night-
As through meadows and lawns we again seem to rove,
With the friend of our youth, or the maid of our love!

Blow strongly ye breezes! your aid we implore-
Oh! waft us in peace to our dear native shore.

But hark! that glad shout from the mariner brave-
'A sail !'-see-her EAGLE Soars proud o'er the wave!
"Tis a FRIEND, with glad tidings from home greets the ear,
Dispelling each doubt and allaying each fear.

Blow blithly ye breezes! and bear us once more

To the blessings of home and our dear native shore.
See! at morn what bright column ascends from the West,
Spreading forth like a snow-wreath on ocean's fair breast!
"Tis the cloud* that hangs over our favor'd land,
Like the star in the East over Palestine's strand.

Blow fairly ye breezes! there's pleasure in store,
For ourselves and our friends, on our dear native shore.
And mark yon blue speck on the ocean's far verge-
As the gale wafts us on, see its features emerge!
Green hills, blooming vales and proud turrets appear,
As swiftly with joy the lov'd landscape we near.

Blow softly ye breezes! our perils are o'er,

See! the welcome of joy gaily waves from the shore.
Blow gently ye breezes! our bark's safely moor'd;
To friendship and love now each wanderer's restor❜d,
While our orisons rise and our bosoms expand
To the POWER that protects us on ocean and land---

Breathe softly ye breezes! 'tis rapture, once more
To meet friendship and love on our dear native shore.

N.

* The clouds over land assume this peculiar appearance and by sailors are called land clouds in contra distinction from sea clouds.

« PreviousContinue »