that ventured its whole happiness in thy arms, to doubt one moment of thy kindness or thy truth; if thou art a friend, and hast ever wronged in thought, or word, or deed, the spirit that generously confided in thee; if thou art a lover, and hast ever given one unmerited pang to that true heart which now lies cold and still beneath thy feet; then be sure that every unkind look, every ungracious word, every ungentle action, will come thronging back upon thy memory, and knocking dolefully at thy soul; then be sure that thou wilt lie down sorrowing and repentant on the grave, and utter the unheard groan, and pour the unavailing tear, more deep, more bitter, because unheard and unavailing. 10. Then weave thy chaplet of flowers, and strew the beauties of nature about the grave; console thy broken spirit, if thou canst, with these tender, yet futile tributes of regret; but take warning by the bitterness of this thy contrite afflic tion over the dead, and henceforth be more faithful and affectionate in the discharge of thy duties to the living. LESSON LXIII. THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR. PRENTICE. 1. 'Tis midnight's holy hour, and silence now Is brooding like a gentle spirit o'er The still and pulseless world. Hark! on the winds a Knell; funeral tolling. Young spring, bright summer, autumn's solemn form, Like the far wind-harp's wild and touching wail, 2. 3. 4. For memory and for tears. 'Tis a time Within the deep, Still chambers of the heart, a specter dim, Whose tones are like the wizard voice of Time, And solemn finger to the beautiful And holy visions that have passed away, On the dead waste of life. That specter lifts The coffin-lid of hope, and joy, and love, And, bending mournfully above the pale, Sweet forms that slumber there, scatters dead flowers In its swift course It waved its scepter o'er the beautiful; a Dirge; a funeral song. 5. 6. It passed o'er The battle-plain, where sword, and spear, and shield, Remorseless Time! 7. Fierce spirit of the glass and scythe! what power And bathe his plumage in the thunder's home, Revolutions sweep O'er earth, like troubled visions o'er the breast d Condor; a Serried; compact, pressed together. b Hour glass. c Scythe of Death. probably the largest bird of flight known. The wings of one of the largest measured from the tip of one extended wing to the other, fourteen feet. 8. And rush down like the Alpine avalanche, Yet Time, Time, the tomb-builder, holds his fierce career, LESSON LXIV. INTEGRITY. 1. AMONG the prisoners taken at the battle of Hoosac," by the Americans, was an inhabitant of Hancock, in the county of Berkshire, a plain farmer, named Jackson. This man с had conscientiously taken the side of the British in the revolutionary contest, and felt himself bound to seize the earliest opportunity of employing himself in the service of his king. Hearing that Colonel Baum, a British officer, was advancing, with a body of troops, towards Bennington in Vermont, he rose early, saddled his horse, and rode to Hoosac, intending to attach himself to his corps. 2. Here he was taken prisoner in such circumstances as proved his intention, beyond every reasonable doubt. Besides, he was too honest to deny it. Accordingly he was committed to the charge of the high sheriff of the county, who immediately confined him in the county jail. This building was, at that time, so much out of repair that, without a guard, no prisoner could be kept in it, who wished to escape. But to escape, however, was in no degree consonant with Jackson's idea of right; and he thought no more seriously of making an attempt of this nature, than he would have done in his own house. a Hoo'sac; a town in New York, celebrated for the battle between the British and the Americans under Gen. Stark. b Berkshire; one of the western counties of Massachu setts. © Bauin (Bawm;) the English commander, slain in the battle of Hoosac, gen ly called the battle of Bennington. 3. After he had lain quietly in jail a few days, he told the sheriff that he was losing his time and earning nothing, and wished he would permit him to go out and work in the daytime, promising to return regularly at evening to his quarters in the prison. The sheriff having become acquainted with his character, readily acceded to his proposal. Accordingly Jackson went out regularly during the remaining part of the autumn, and the following winter and spring, until the beginning of May, and every evening returned at the proper time to the jail. 4. In this manner he performed a day's work every day, with scarcely any exception besides the Sabbath, through the whole period. In the month of May, he was to be tried for high treason. The sheriff made preparations to conduct him to Springfield, where he was to be tried. But he told the sheriff that it was not worth his while to take this trouble, for he could just as well go alone, and it would save both the expense and the inconvenience of the sheriff's journey. a 5. The sheriff, after a little reflection, assented to his proposal, and Jackson commenced his journey; the only one, it is believed, which was ever undertaken, in the same manner, for the same object. While on his journey, he was overtaken by the Honorable T. Edwards, from whom this account was received. "Whither are you going?" said Mr. Edwards. "To Springfield, sir," answered Jackson, “to be tried for my life." Accordingly he proceeded directly to Springfield, surrendered himself to the sheriff there; was tried, found guilty, and condemned to die. 6. Application was made to the executive council for par don. The facts were stated, the evidence by which they were supported, and the sentence grounded on them. The question was then put by the president, "Shall a pardon be grant ed to Jackson?" The gentleman who first spoke, observed that the case was perfectly clear; the act charged against Jackson was unquestionably high treason; and the proof was • Springfield; a town in Massachusetts. |