306. One large star arose in heaven-and a wide white glimmer over a breaking mass of clouds told that the moon was struggling through, and in another hour, if the upper current of air flowed on, would be apparent. 307. He was too weak, however, to talk - he could only look his thanks. 308. She made an effort to put on something like mourning for her son; and nothing could be more touching than this struggle between pious affection and utter poverty a black riband or so -a faded black handkerchief, and one or two more such humble attempts to express by outward signs that grief that passeth show. 309. One great clime, whose vigorous offspring by dividing ocean are kept apart, and nursed in the devotion of freedom which their Fathers fought for and bequeathed a heritage of heart and hand, and proud distinction from each other land, whose sons must bow them at a monarch's motion, as if his senseless sceptre were a wand full of the magic of exploded science still one great clime, in full and free defiance, yet rears her crest, unconquered and sublime, above the far Atlantic. The Dash sometimes precedes something unexpected; as when a sentence beginning seriously ends humorously. 310. Good people all, with one accord, lament for Madam Blaize; who never wanted a good word- from those who spoke her praise. 311. The needy seldom passed her door, and always found her kind; she freely lent to all the poor- who left a pledge behind. 312. She strove the neighborhood to please, with manner wondrous winning; and never followed wicked ways except when she was sinning. 313. At church, in silks and satin new, with hoop of monstrous size, she never slumbered in her pew - but when she shut her eyes. 314. Her love was sought, I do aver, by twenty beaux, and more; the king himself has followed her - when she has walked before. 315. But now, her wealth and finery fled, her hangerson cut short all; her doctors found, when she was deadher last disorder mortal. 316. Let us lament, in sorrow sore; for Kent-street well may say, that, had she lived a twelve-month more she had not died to-day. The Dash is sometimes used with other pauses to lengthen them. 317. That God whom you see me daily worship, whom I daily call upon to bless both you and me and all mankind; whose wondrous acts are recorded in those Scriptures which you constantly read, that God who created the heavens and the earth; who appointed his Son Jesus Christ to redeem mankind :—this God, who has done all these great things, who has created so many millions of men, with whom the spirits of the good will live and be happy forever; this great God, the Creator of worlds of angels, and of men, is your Father and Friend. 318. It is not therefore, the use of the innocent amusements of life which is dangerous, but the abuse of them; -it is not when they are occasionally, but when they are constantly pursued; when the love of amusement degenerates into a passion, and when, from being an occasional indulgence, it becomes an habitual desire. 319. In every pursuit whatever gives strength and energy to the mind of man, experience teaches to be favorable to the interests of piety, of knowledge, and of virtue; in every pursuit, on the contrary, whatever enfeebles or limits the powers of the mind, the same experience ever shows to be hostile to the best interests of human nature. 320. From the first hour of existence to the last, from the cradle of the infant, beside which the mother watches with unslumbering eye, to the grave of the aged, where the son pours his last tears upon the bier of his father, in all that intermediate time, every day calls for exertion and activity, and the moral honors can only be won by the steadfast magnanimity of pious duty. 321. They say they have bought it.-Bought it! Yes;-of whom?-Of the poor trembling natives who knew that refusal would be vain; and who strove to make a merit of necessity, by seeming to yield with grace, what they knew they had not the power to retain. 322. We gazed on the scenes, while around us they glowed, when a vision of beauty appeared on the cloud; it was not like the sun, as at mid-day we view, nor the moon, that rolls nightly through star-light and blue. 323. It is not the lifeless mass of matter, he will then feel, that he is examining, it is the mighty machine of Eternal Wisdom: the workmanship of Him, in whom every thing lives, and moves, and has its being. - 324. The expanding rose, just bursting into beauty, has an irresistible bewitchingness; the blooming bride led triumphantly to the hymeneal altar, awakens admiration and interest, and the blush of her cheek fills with delight; but the charm of maternity is more sublime than all these. 325. But Winter has yet brighter scenes; he boasts splendors beyond what gorgeous Summer knows, or Autumn, with his many fruits and woods, all flushed with many hues. 326. When suffering the inconveniences of the ruder parts of the year, we may be tempted to wonder why this rotation is necessary; — why we could not be constantly gratified with vernal bloom and fragrance, or summer beauty and profusion. 327. I feared, - said the youth, with a tear in his eye, -I feared that the brute's voice, and the trampling of the horse's feet would have disturbed her. 328. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes: - There was silence, and I heard a voice-Shall mortal man be more just than God? The Dash is sometimes to be read as a question. 329. Is it not enough to see our friends die, and part with them for the remainder of our days to reflect that we shall hear their voices no more, and that they will never look on us again—to see that turning to corruption which was but just now alive, and eloquent, and beautiful, with all the sensations of the soul? 330. He hears the ravens cry; and shall he not hear, and will he not avenge, the wrongs that his nobler animals suffer wrongs that cry out against man from youth to age, in the city and in the field, by the way, and by the fireside? 331. Can we view their bloody edicts against us their hanging, heading, hounding, and hunting down an ancient and honorable name -as deserving better treatment than that which enemies give to enemies? 332. Are these the pompous tidings ye proclaim, lights of the world, and demi-gods of fame? Is this your triumph this your proud applause, children of Truth, and champions of her cause? 333. Still what are you but a robber a base, dishonest robber? [See Lesson 3d, page 7th.] 334. Was there ever a bolder captain of a more valiant band? Was there ever but I scorn to boast. 335. And what if thou shalt fall unnoticed by the living—and no friend take note of thy departure? 336. Seest thou yon lonely cottage in the grove with little garden neatly planned before its roof deep-shaded by the elms above, moss-grown, and decked with velvet verdure o'er? 337. What shall we call them? - Piles of chrystal light a glorious company of golden streams-lamps of celestial ether burning bright-suns lighting systems with their joyous beams? [See Lesson 5th, page 8th.j 338. Can you renounce a fortune so sublime- such glorious hopes-your backward steps to steer, and roll, with vilest brutes, through mud and slime? No! no! your heaven-touched hearts disdain the sordid crime ! The Dash is sometimes to be read like an exclamation. 339. Now for the fight-now for the cannon-pealforward through blood, and toil, and cloud, and fire! 340. They shake-like broken waves their squares retire, on them, hussars! Now give them rein and heel; think of the orphaned child, the murdered sire: earth cries for blood, in thunder on them wheel! This hour to Europe's fate shall set the triumph seal! -- -- 341. What dreadful pleasure! there to stand sublime, like shipwrecked mariner on desert coast, and see the enormous waste of vapor, tossed in billows lengthening to the horizon round, now scooped in gulfs, with mountains now embossed - and hear the voice of mirth and song rebound, flocks, herds, and waterfalls, along the hoar profound! 11 342. The chain of being is complete in me; in me is matter's last gradation lost, and the next step is spiritDeity! I can command the lightning, and am dust! 343. Sadly to Blount did Eustace say, Unworthy office here to stay! no hope of gilded spurs to-day but, see, look up his tent. - - on Flodden bent, the Scottish foe has fired 344. Good God! that in such a proud moment of life, worth ages of history- when, had you but hurled one bolt at your bloody invader, that strife between freemen and tyrants had spread through the world; that then -O, disgrace upon manhood! e'en then you should falter — should cling to your pitiful breath, cower down into beasts, when you might have stood men; and prefer a slave's life to a glorious death! 345. Beneath the very shadow of the fort, where friendly swords were drawn, and banners flew, ah! whocould deem that foot of Indian crew was near?--Yet there, with lust of murderous deeds, gleamed like a basilisk, from woods in view, the ambushed foeman's eye-His volley speeds, and Albert Albert-falls! the dear old father bleeds! 346. Above me are the Alps, the palaces of Nature, whose vast walls have pinnacled in clouds their snowy scalps, and throned Eternity in icy halls of cold sublimity, where forms and falls the avalanche the thunderbolt of snow! 347. Now, now, the secret I implore; out with it speak discover utter! 348. Peace! I'd not go if staying here would strew his hoar hairs in the tomb not stir, by heaven! Must I toss counters? sum the odds of life, when honor points the way ? When was the blood of Douglas precious in a noble cause? 349. How has expectation darkened into anxiety anxiety into dread · and dread into despair! Alas! not one memento shall ever return for love to cherish. All that shall ever be known is, that she sailed from her port, and was never heard of more. 350. A measure of corn would hardly suffice me fine flour enough for a month's provision, and this arises to above six score bushels; and many hogsheads of wine and other liquors have passed through this body of mine |