broken. A low heap of stones on the place, revealed the secret.They remain there to this day, and the little mound is shown by the villagers as Pomperaug's grave. FOR THE BOWER OF TASTE. age or military prowess; in gaining signal victories or extensive conquests; or in having their noble deeds recorded, and their praises sung. But such cannot forget, that the garland of honor, which crowns the head of the warrior, is at all times stained with blood; the record of his deeds wet with the PLEASURES OF SCIENTIFIC ATTAIN- tears, and the song of his praise MENTS. To increase in wisdom, and to enlarge the sum of happiness in life, are subjects which seem to occupy the first place in the thoughts and actions of men; and it is interesting to notice the diversity of opinion which prevails with respect to the sources whence this pleasure may be derived. accompanied with the cries of the widow and orphan. Even that class of society, who delight much in the pleasures of kindness and affection, will not deny that these frequently operate to lead them into anxieties and troubles which they might otherwise have escaped. And by far the greater part of All seem to agree with regard mankind fix upon objects of pleato what ought to be the chief ob- sure which are obvious to all; and ject of human pursuit; and all in their endeavors to attain them, are exerting their power and skill pursue the same open road, which in some way, for the improvement is trodden by the multitude with of their condition; yet so vari- such various and unequal success. ous are the notions, and so dissim- They are wholly ignorant of the ilar the standards of enjoyment pleasures derived from the imformed by mankind, that it is ob-provement of those noble faculvious some must fail in their at- ties, which among so large a protempts, and never realize that portion are but imperfectly culticomplete success which they anti-vated. They may observe the cipate. On one side, we see num- nearest and most evident relations bers employing every method of things, and feel a sort of dewhich ingenuity can devise, or the light in dwelling upon their outpatience of industry accomplish, ward charms; yet they pay little for the accumulation of treasures, regard to the higher and more rebelieving that the mere possession mote relations of objects. This of wealth will afford them uncor- refined and elevated class of conrupted enjoyment. Others ima- ceptions and feelings is reserved gine that in the gratification of the for the man of profound science senses, they shall discover that and extensive research. It is perhigh state of felicity which is the fectly natural, that persons should common object of pursuit. Yet put but little value upon objects how small is the number of the which do not attract their attensuccessful, compared with the tion; or upon improvements which crowd who have labored in vain, are unappreciated by them: hence and who have found not only dis- it may be easy to see why so masatisfaction in enjoyment, but un-ny look upon the pursuits of scicertainty in possession. Others ence as wholly uninteresting, or seem to be impressed with the be- important only in the affairs of lief, that great human happiness life, rather than as the sources of is enjoyed in the exhibition of cour-pleasure and gratification. But if only to bring before us the geometrical forms and construction of the face of nature, but to discover its wonderful mechanism,the different laws by which it is governed,-and the various operations and changes to which it is subject ;-those by which we are informed not only of the present state and appear the limited power of man be capa- be a little increased, if the result ble of procuring happiness in any is of great importance to mankind, degree; if his contracted views of or of extensive and constant apthe splendid greatness of nature's plication to the affairs of life. Of fabric, be a source of enjoyment, this character are many of the certainly the extension of his propositions in Natural Philosophy knowledge, the exercise of his ge--those by which we are enabled not nius, and the enlargement of his reasoning powers will not diminish it. Such is the direct tendency of scientific investigations and researches and though the pleasure received, is to the mind, of a perfectly different kind from that enjoyed in the contemplation of gay and verdant scenery, or nameless and gigantic ruins, yet we denom-ance of things, but what they have inate the object that produces it as beautiful. The demonstrations of Euclid are, and will remain, the admiration of the wise and learned, though they be little esteemed by the idle and heedless. Here we are habituated to a mode of reasoning which cannot possibly deceive us-here we can drink of the pure waters of truth uncorrupted by error and doubt-and though our progress may be slow, our acquisitions will not be superseded by any subsequent discoveries-but we shall enlarge our fund of enjoyment, from the intelligibility of every step, the clear and regular train of argument, and the connected order of the whole. There is an inclination for inquiry implanted in our very natures, from which we have a pleasure in arriving at any truth, whether it be of consequence or not; and the more remote is this truth, the greater is the pleasure received, having overcome the difficulties in the way to it: 'For man loves knowledge; and the beams of truth More welcome strike his understanding's eye, Than all the blandishments of sound his ear; Than all of taste, his tongue.' been in years gone by, and what they will be in centuries to come. If there be any pleasure in reviewing present scenes and objects with a natural eye, would it not be greatly enhanced-should we not feel the liveliest sensations of pleasure, in being enabled, as it were, with a prophetic eye, to pierce the veil of futurity-to roll on, as it were, with infinite velocity, ages yet to come; and trace the effect of causes, which will require thousands of years for their full developement. The illiterate person may look upon the celestial sphere as some inexplicable phenomenon; his eyes may be directed to the stars, as to some wonderful appearance, yet comparatively speaking, he sees nothing. But when conducted from the abodes of ignorance and error by the enticing rays of science, which illumine his path, with delight he beholds the planetary system, and all those luminous points' that beautify the night. The man of taste, the follower of the muses, may be charmed by the sweet influences of nature, and delighted with the contemplation of the spangled concave; yet how will his joy be increased, and his felicity perfected, when admitted to the Besides, his gratification will not temple of science as or failed to delight, are now sources of real pleasure. a guest at Nature's feast!' Then his limited imagination is permitted to roam in more distant The pursuits of science are calspace, and his mind conducted to culated also to add a charm and a the hidden beauties of creation-sweetness to virtue. Aided by this, the heavens put on a new and man is enabled to discover legible pleasing aspect, not to the under- traces of the deity in every thing standing merely, but to the sens- he meets-he sees divine wisdom es--new worlds burst upon his and goodness enstamped upon the sight, and all the phenomena of the whole face of nature. By witheavens are magnified vastly be- nessing the perfect order and regyond their former appearance-ularity of the works of creation, even those little stars that twink- and being sensible of his own inle over our heads, and seem only significance and entire dependance, particles of light, become immense globes, like the sun in size and splendor, and giving light and life to other systems. How different must be the situation,--how widely different the enjoyments of the man of science from those of the person who is educated only in the vulgar opinions of the day, and conversant only with error. The latter seems but little superior in the faculties of his mind to the wild beast of the forest-instead of pressing forward to penetrate the wonders of creation, he stands neglectful and careless to all the mysteries that throng about him, without the least desire to investigate them he is led to raise his affections, with the warmest sensations of gratitude, to that Being who overrules and governs all. While reflecting upon the pleasures of science, and the sweets of that pure enjoyment flowing from its pursuits, may we not look forward, with anxious hope, to a time when ignorance and superstition shall yield their dominion to the more powerful empire of reason and truth-when knowledge and taste shall be more widely diffused; and native works of imagination and genius encouraged; when the pages of our future history shall be gilded with the names of those men, who have extended the bounds of natural science, by exploring the mysteries of our own country. Then will be justly esteemed, and duly appreciated the pleasures arising from scientific pur suits. A SCRAP. R. L. P. Oh! let me court Lethean streams, The sorrowing sense to steep, And drink oblivion of the themes On which I cannot weep.' IN that season of life, when the heart's enthusiasm gives fervor to all its affectations, first commenced that unfortunate attachment between Augustus and Amelia.— The genius and accomplishments of Augustus were the themes of too, whose presence was once so every tongue. He possessed a proud and aspiring soul-he anticipated with sanguine confidence, the time when his talent and industry would be an honor to himself and service to those around him. His own Amelia, with a heart that could so well appreciate his excellences, found a proud enjoyment in those plaudits so often associated with his name, and happiness in those warm affections which her own charms had created. O! there was not one thorn among the roses of their own Eden -there was not one cloud in the pure skies that illumined its powers; there were no sounds but those that told of happiness, in cheering whispers to the heart. If Amelia's voice was heard in song, the strain was of the most joyous melody-her harp had not one sound of sadness in its varied notes-had not lost that which ought to and lightest in the dance were her own footsteps among its graceful evolutions. Thus passed those days away, till Augustus, in the tumults of the world, exchanged the dreams of those romantic hours, for the cold realities of life -and cold they were to one so enthusiastic! rugged indeed, to one so ambitious, were those steeps towards the temple of fame, over which not even genius could give wings to bear him-but step by step his wearied feet must tread, till even the hope which carried him along seemed to sicken with delay. Deep in his susceptible heart were the stings of disappointed ambition! In those woods which surround the beautiful village where so many of his days had been passed, where breathed the murmurings of his discontent, and even those haunts which endeared his adopted home were sought not at once, to indulge in dreams of love and hope-but to hide amid their shades the dark despondence of his spirit. Amelia have secured them. But with all the splendor of talent, Augustus was deficient in firmness of mind and independence of spirit. His time was wasted in gloomy indolence, till he at length sought in intemperance a fancied oblivion of his ills. The companions of his virtuous days forsook him— his friends, while they mourned his degeneracy, left in the haunts of dissipation one who might command the respect and admiration of all. But Amelia, with woman's constancy, was faithful still.Many were the efforts of her family to lead those affections from an object no longer worthy her regard--but Augustus, scorned and forsaken, found one, at least, whose look would not reproach, whose tongue would never censure. For him the music of her harp was still awakened-but at times a melancholy tone would steal into those strains meant for gaiety alone-that eye, though its glances were all its own, was fast losing the lustre of its hue-and a scene that cheek, where the rose once not give way to the train of asbloomed so brightly, had not now sociations which such one trace of its crimson tinge.-is calculated to inspire-and is Each day, as it passed, brought it not consoling and delightful on deeper melancholy to the heart such occasions to view the myrof Augustus-and fainter, with ev-iads of stars that surround us, ery morning's dawn beamed the and conceive each to be like our eye of the unfortunate Amelia-own an inhabited world? For till at last it was shrouded in why may not this be the case? death! She died the victim of love Is it unreasonable to supand grief. Deeper, still deeper in the intoxicating bowl, Augustus sought to steep his distracted senses. Thour't nothing-all are nothing (thought he)-he dare not think upon the past-he would not dwell upon the future-his constitution, exhausted by excess, and wasted by the desponding melancholy which so long had cherish-tor. ed, warned him of his approaching enter into a discussion of this subend. He waited it with impatient lime subject as I have not the despair * * and Augustus power to do so, but I merely beg too found an early grave-the vic-leave to relate the adventures of a tim of disappointed ambition and of blighted affection. But alas! * * The only heart-the only eye Had bled or wept to see him die, Had mourned above his stone pose, that the same power and wisdom, which causes the whole solar system to move in a regular and prescribed order, that power which adapts all upon earth to its particular element might not by a similar adaptation, cause every planet in the heavens to resound to the praise of its creaIt is not my intention to tourist among the planets (taken from his Journal) which, with making due allowances for historical licences are doubtless as true as half the terrestrial perigri That heart had burst-that eye was nations with which the press a closed, Yea-closed before his own!' FOR THE BOWER OF TASTE. NATIVE SKETCHES, NO. XI. "Consult with reason, reason will reply, Each lucid point which glows in yonder sky, Informs a system in the boundless space, And fills with glory its appointed place. bounds from the pens of our modern travellers. The gentleman alluded to above was an astrologer and the resident of a planet scarcely discernible from this earth; vain of distinction he had endeavored to promulgate some absurd and dangerous theories among his countrymen respecting his own as well as the numerous planets that surrounded them, and having by the ingenuity and plausibility of his conclusions, gained many proselytes, was arraigned at the bar of justice, and sentenced to be I am no astrologer, nor have I banished from the planet, on the made the science of astronomy charge of being an insidious suba study; yet who, not excepting ject. In disgust and indignation the most rude and uncultivated he heard the sentence pronounced peasant, can look upon the vast against him, and having taken an expanse of the heavens, on a clear affectionate farewell of his relaand still summer's evening, and tives and friends, he prepared to With beams unborrow'd brightens other skies, And worlds, to thee unknown, with heat and life supplies. |