There is a poetry in every scene, in every daughter; her limited pecuniary possessions position, nay in every passing event of life, whe- had been a sad drawback to the worldly adther favourable or unfavourable to our worldly vancement she coveted for her children; but views,-riches do not increase, neither does when her son became old enough to superintend poverty detract from it; truly, while suffering the management of their small farm, their cirunder the actual pressure of want or destitu- cumstances became more flourishing, and their tion, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to position consequently ameliorated; and by mark its presence; but the recollections of such practising strict economy, the widow was enatrials when they are passed, if they have been bled to partially bestow on her little Martha, the attended by honesty of heart, purpose, and essentials she considered necessary to fit her for practice, will induce a true poetic feeling, and be the sphere she wished and hoped she would one more intrinsically valuable and valued than gold, day ornament. Mrs. Sharman was a consior than the remembrance of the most vivid derate mistress, a kind neighbour, and an affecpleasures and enjoyments pertaining to perish- tionate parent, and what is usually styled an able humanity, even though they may have been amiable woman, but a little too solicitous for in themselves perfectly innocent and blameless. the worldly advancement of her children, and Aye, as we said, poetry is everywhere around rather too fearfully apprehensive of future deus, in the air, the water, the earth. The sigh-privations. Jesse Sharman was to have been ing of the wind, the restless turbulence of the ocean, the dreaded oscillations of the earth, the fearful devastating property of fire, the sublimity of precipitous and sterile mountains, the calm tranquillity of fertile plain, the gorgeous palace, and the humble cot, each in its own peculiar style possesses poetry, true poetry. "Most surely, truth is poetry, and poetry is truth." Can any one look into the sacred record of the Christian's faith, and then doubt it? Not here, in a world of sin and woe, can we rightly comprehend the height, depth, or strength of that intuitive affection of the mind we designate poetry, and which, save in the harmony of language, is no more affected by rhyme and measure than is the weight of bodies by their colour. When the poor man who performs his part of the divine malediction, " By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread," and, unlike Cain, envies not the seeming ease and luxuries of the affluent; when by a portion of self-denial he procures for his patient, enduring partner, and innocent offspring, some comfort to add to their absolute necessities, and in his hours of relaxation shuns selfish enjoyments; when he can do this, and turn from every temptation to dishonest practices, what can be more truly beautiful than to witness the enjoyment of such a family-truly it is God's own poetry of man. Mrs. Sharman was a widow, with a son and educated by a maternal uncle, but he dying when his education was little more than begun, he was left to scramble himself into what learning he might, assisted only at intervals by the schoolmaster of the village. He had at this time numbered about twenty-two years, and his sister Martha was four years his junior. Neither the circumstances nor inclination of Mrs. Sharman had prompted a very long sojourn for the young Martha at the very third-rate boardingschool, where she was induced to place her darling from necessity alone, the superior of which professed to teach on the very newest models of fashion, paying more attention, however, to la manière than la morale of her pupils. Martha Sharman fortunately, therefore, returned to her childhood's home before the school discipline had eradicated all her singleness of heart and purity of feeling. How happy was she now, freed from scholastic restraint, with the perfect freedom she enjoyed when household duties permitted her to ramble over the wild hills and cultivated valleys; everything appeared to her young mind touched with some delightful romance, and her pleasure was too great for utterance even to her mother. Hers was at this time a poetical existence; the duties required of her were not too laborious, and they thus lent a charm to the whole, by assuring her she was useful-that she had a part to perform, both necessary and indispensable; and likewise by putting it out of her power to be always rambling, taught her to enjoy a quiet stroll with keener delight than she would have felt had whim or caprice alone been dictator; her leisure was consequently carefully husbanded; and thus she lived, each passing day more and more withering the weeds of vanity, conceit, affectation, and love of display, so injudiciously planted and fostered during that period intended for education. Withered, we said-not crushedfor the tiniest seed of vice scattered in the young mind will too often a soil but too congenial, and will grow and spread without care or attention, while virtues, even if indigenous, require the most fostering hand to bring them to maturity; and sometimes even then they will "fade and fall away" before suspicion has arisen that they were diseased. Mrs. Sharman allowed, nay encouraged, her children to associate with none but what is usually called “good society," and which with her bore the universal interpretation of those "above" them in a worldly point of view; to the character, either moral or religious, she was totally indifferent, save that they offended not the public eye by any misdoings. The mother did this with all the usual and vaunted feeling of a mother, hoping by these means to gain for her children friends who might further that advancement in their future walk of life, which she fancied was out of her power to procure for them so effectually in any other way. So continuous and numerous became the visitings paid and received, that the weight of their additional expenses was almost burthensome, and without a proportional degree of enjoyment to either of them; still they struggled on and on, every day adding some mortification, till, as they were compelled to mentally acknowledge, though they were profuse in their expenditure to a blameable degree, yet they found it impossible to vie with their more affluent neighbours; and then came dissatisfaction, frequent contentions, bickerings about trifles, which threatened a total wreck to their before-enjoyed unity. Heart and soul were made comparatively desolate, as one by one their comforts and late homely pleasures were obliged to be forgone, to make up for some at best but paltry imitation of their associates' splendour. Things were in this position; the inhabitants of the sweet little peaceful-looking cottage, who so shortly before rejoicing in their bettered circumstances, had been joyous and happy, were now sullen and discontented; when one evening Martha, displeased with herself, and inclined to rail at others, and cavil at the simplest event which ran counter to her wishes, took a solitary walk, one which had once been a favourite, though lately unfrequented, if not entirely forsaken. It was early in the autumn, and summer still deigned to leave a rich though deepened shade of green on field and tree, which shone and sparkled like the smile of benevolence on the brow of tranquil age; here and there might be observed corn-fields partially reaped, but for the most part the grain was much too immature for the operation of the sickle, and the few shocks that did appear gave more wonder by their novelty and beauty, than unity to the scenery around. The very birds had not yet by hoarse voices proclaimed the departure of summer; the nightingale still at intervals awoke the echoes with her song; while the nightjar afforded its tribute, content to be a foil to its more famed and musical rival. One by one the stars broke forth, as if rejoicing in the command given them to "beautify and illumine the night;" the heavy autumnal dew was falling, and by its sweet tinkle momentarily relieving the evening stillness; herb and flowers were drenched, while from the lofty tree it was again distilled on the defrauded ground; and yet Martha Sharman still continued her solitary walk in silence and abstraction, till chancing to come suddenly to a small hillock, which had in former times afforded her a desirable resting-place, impelled by habit, she was about to seat herself, when her hand coming in contact with the damp grass, recalled her attention. "Ah! this bank is like the walk," cried she, "both used to be my greatest delight, and now nothing but discomfort arises from either, and yet thou art not changed, my pretty bank; for if thou art now wetted with the dews of night, they will but renovate thee, and heighten thy loveliness; and if I but visit thee to-morrow, thou wilt receive me with thy wonted welcome-not so my home; dark frowns rest upon the faces of those who once were kind— ah ! how kind! Mother-brother-why are not your tears like this refreshing moisture? but no, each sorrow is but the prelude to a deeper. Now that the splendid moon and glittering stars show me this earth so calm and placid, surely it is intended to convey to us the certainty that there is peace even here, but then it dwells with content, and we, I fear, have bartered ours for a glittering gewgaw not worth its purchase." She had turned to proceed homeward, when hurried footsteps were heard on the humid grass, and in a few seconds she was accosted by her brother. "Why, Patty, what makes you walking so late, my girl? Strolling by moonlight always looks suspicious." "Nay, sister, do not appear so inconsistent as her such a prize in the matrimonial lottery as to refuse the invitation, for it is universally would render her the envy of all her acquaintknown you have set your heart upon going." ances, and at once place her above such paltry "True, brother; but do you recollect remind- considerations as those which now agitated her ing me, nay almost taunting me, with the shab-young heart. Hitherto her competitors in the biness of my apparel, and saying I should not appear with you again, unless-I-and unfortunately it is not in my power." "Or in your purse," gaily suggested Jesse; "and if that is all, the mere want of a dress and etceteras, why we must ask my mother to advance sufficient for the purchase. Come, we will see what can be done." “I really would much rather you should not trouble mamma about it. I dare say I shall be much better at home, and my remaining away need not prevent you going." "What has come over you, Martha? Do you forget, that if either of us miss this, we shall be the ridicule of half the neighbours, who will at once declare and believe we had not the privilege of appearing among them? I am sure I thought you were particularly anxious about it, or I should not have taken so much trouble to procure my own requisites." "And how have you done that," inquired Martha, a little softened by her brother's tone of disappointment. After some bantering on her curiosity, as a sort of stimulus, which brothers are apt to use, and as large a pretence of indifference on hers as sisters are prone to affect, the plan was disclosed. department of beauty had been too insignificant, Mrs. Sharman sorrowfully declared it to be out of her power to advance the sum required, yet at first opposed her son's proposal; but a few minutes' conversation convinced the mother that the future welfare of her children might depend on their making a proper and suitable appearance at this loud lauded and long-talkedof fète, and she acceded. Time passed: the day of days arrived, and the party was more numerous and more brilliant than even was anticipated, and our young friend in high spirits and beauty. The end and aim for which some people say young ladies dress, look, seem, was achieved; and Martha Sharman could boast of the conquest of the most distinguished beau of the company. He was handsome-rich-gay, the envied of the gentlemen, and the contended-for among the ladies; yet Circumstances had given them some credit when, after a proper interval had been allowed with a business acquaintance, and Jesse had, to elapse, she received the offer of his hand and with some little difficulty, stretched that credit fortune, strange to say, it conferred no real to serve the present emergency, and he conti-pleasure; certainly it gratified her vanity, and nued, "The idea has just occurred to me, that if my mother be unable or unwilling to supply you, it may as well be made to overcome your difficulty." "But how are we to acquit ourselves of the obligation thus incurred," inquired Martha with much earnestness, "for surely you cannot have forgotten how much time, toil, and trouble, it cost to clear ourselves from our compulsory involvements during mamma's illness." I have not forgotten, Martha; but we were then unfortunate in our crops, and they may, indeed they will be good, very good, this year, there is every promise of it; and even our having had short crops for two seasons preceding, is a very good reason whereon to ground our expectations of a plentiful supply this year.' There was, indeed, every possibility of the young man's hopes being realized, if one might judge from appearances; and thus do we too often err, taking possibilities for probabilities, and probabilities for realities and established certainties; but not to anticipate, the weed vanity thrust its head above the humble flower of propriety. Martha had learned at school that she was pretty, and fancied she needed but a fair field for the exhibition of those charms nature had bestowed upon her, (which her mother counselled, and she believed ought not to be neglected), to gain caused a sensation of exultation at the expense E of gratified maternal pride, bidding her note, give it, and by which it is withheld from none this as a reward for having fulfilled her duties. who ask it in humble hope and unswerving Poor Martha, the incense of such praise was no longer pleasing to her; the self-communings which had returned with all their force since the effervescing excitement had ceased, now convinced her of the real though poetic truth, that the honour of a sought conquest was doubtful, and its results to be dreaded; and while the trouble it inflicts on a feeling heart is certain, the pleasure is at best but hazardous, and quite unworthy a resting-place in the breast of a sensible woman. In her own case, decide as she might, the result must be unhappy; for, on the one hand, if she declined the proffered distinction, her position was too humble to shield her from the censure of coquetry but too many would be ready and willing enough to fasten on her, which imputation she could not conscientiously refute; added to this, came the bitter disappointment of her anxiously affectionate mother and brother, who had taken so much upon themselves to gain for her what she now felt it would be her greatest pleasure to cast away. On the other side, the picture was still more fearful, for how could she link her fate to that of one, whom a subsequent knowledge of his character had made her suspect unworthy her regard; while his practices on many points, both in morals and religion, being sadly lax, rendered it impossible they should agree, their opinions being as diametrically opposed as day and night, north and south. It seemed worse than death. Young ladies, belles of irresistible attractions, for to you I write-when about wantonly to increase the number of your captives, think for one moment; ask yourselves-where is the honour, the glory, in making an inroad upon another's peace? You may screen yourselves under the plea, that most of those affected pertain to a class to which it is too ordinary an event to cause harm. It may be so, but if it be, is it not wasting time on worthless objects; or worse, a sad abuse of that power and influence given you for a higher purpose? When Martha had gained sufficient courage to request from her mother and brother a dismissal of her suitor, their altered demeanour at first weighed heavily on her spirits; but the cool composure with which the gentleman received the announcement, perfectly reassured her, and convinced her that she had this once acted rightly in following the dictates of her own heart; and from the gentleman quickly marrying another, she felt relieved of a sense of depression, and justified in the opinion that he was incapable of entertaining a sincere attachment. From this time she was upheld by a rectitude of thought and integrity of purpose, which had often been wanting in many of her former pursuits; and the consciousness that she was now suffering many inconveniences, rather than avoid them at the expense of sincerity. And when her mother's failing health increased her labours and anxieties, she looked for support from that hand which alone can faith. A harder and severer trial awaited her than any she had yet undergone, in the loss of her mother, who was rather hastily snatched away; and almost before they, the brother and sister, had recovered the effects of their bereavement, payment of the former loan was pressed for, now that the expenses necessarily attendant on sickness and death had increased their inability; added to which was a hail-storm, rendering much of their corn valueless, and they were reduced to request clemency and time from their creditor. His remonstrances, though very just and very true as regarded their unfairness in contracting a debt they had no certain means of defraying, were in ill time, as they could be of no immediate use for the business in question; he, however, required what security they could give, and which amounted to nearly all they could estimate their property to be worth. Jesse, vexed by the retrospection of his own folly, conscious that poverty was staring them in the face, and irritated with the galling indig nities incident thereto, reproached his sister with her share in the transaction, hinting that it was done solely to benefit her, and that when the good had been placed at her own disposal, she idly threw it from her, or they would not now have been in their present condition. But while uttering these vituperations, what he called a lucky thought came into his head, which was, that as his sister was a minor when the debt was contracted, he had but to declare the fact, and no payment could be forced. Anxious as Martha was once more to be free from pecuniary obligation, she yet resolved to leave no argument she could use unessayed, to prevent Jesse putting his threat in execu tion, and thus cheating one who had at least dealt kindly by them. She led him to speak of the last moments of their mother, of her injunc tions to them, and of her late conviction, that this world's preferments are but dust in the balance; then reminded him of several of his youthful acts which, though simple, had yet required some self-denial; concluding with, "Surely you are not altered, my dear Jesse." "Yes, I am," retorted he, striving to retain the morose humour he had assumed. "Is not the cold selfishness of the world enough to change any one?" "It may be so," said Martha, mildly, "but surely there is no necessity we should expose ourselves to its influence." Why we should!" petulantly exclaimed Jesse;" have we not already done so?” "And what have we experienced more than is justly our due?" questioned Martha. "If we were at first successful in our endeavours to inculcate in others a belief that we were richer than we were, ought that to induce us to calcu late on their assistance; and that when they found we had put on false pretences, to expect they would assist in making them realities?" "Well, sister, that a small amount of folly will bring forth serious annoyances,' I am per Patience, brother; our reward may be a better year, which may enable us to free ourselves." Aye, so we said of the last." fancied lay every enjoyment. Nor did Martha forget to remind her brother that a generous action will not go unrewarded; for it was the recalling the generosity of his youth which prehe had proposed; and when he felt he was vented him from the injustice and dishonesty relieved from his embarrassments without stain to heart or character, he acknowledged his present feelings were beyond all price. He ultiYes, but then we were not content with say-mately had the additional delight of seeing his ing, we acted as if such were already the case; beloved sister, whom he now styled his guardian this time we will hope with prudence, not act angel, united to one between whom and herself with presumption." there existed a warm and mutual attachment, attained without artifice or design; and on the same basis gained for himself an amiable and sensible partner. He then acknowledged the truth of her favourite axiom, and made it a principle of action, remembering at the same time his own observation, "That a small amount of folly will cause a large amount of pain and suffering." H. É. A. E. This time Providence rewarded their unceasing assiduity with better crops, and they in time became honourably free of the debt they had so unwittingly of consequences incurred; and they then looked back with thankful hearts upon their season of trial, nor would they exchange their now comparatively secluded style for the glitter and pageantry in which they had formerly EXTRAVAGANCES OF EXPRESSION. went to Street immediately on leaving you yesterday; when alone I charged him with his ungrateful conduct. He indignantly denied it, and taxed me with coldness and want of faith. I was quickly drowned in tears. He drew towards me, humbly besought my pardon, and "Pardon me, Mr. Scribbler, but to what extravagances of expression do you allude?-of the features, such as a leer or a grimace, or a smile expanded to a grin? Perhaps you refer to expressions in music, when the air is lost in a superabundance of appoggiaturas, or ruined by long and drawling intonations, which the performer imagines will give effect? Or you intend "The long and the short of it was, you were saying a word or two with regard to the extra-half eaten up with kisses, and became quite vagances of common parlance?" Just so, my friendly reader. There, at length you have it; and if you would only have granted me time to explain my meaning, you might have saved yourself the trouble of guessing. Yes, it is to those absurdities which we so often hear silly young people and unreflecting old ones make use of in conversation, it is my present whim to draw the attention of yourself, and the rest of my readers. One would really imagine that human nature was vastly more frail, and exposed to three-fold the dangers that it really is, did we take for granted all that we hear uttered. Hearken, for instance, to the following conversation between two young ladies-bosom friends, of course one having just called on the other to unburthen her mind of its load of fancied troubles : "Goodness, my dear Maria, whatever brings you here so early, and in such a flurry too! am ready to faint with surprise. Tell me quickly what has happened. I am bursting with curiosity to know the result of your interview with Edward." "Oh, Lucy, dearest, we are reconciled once again. Burning with impatience to see him, I reconciled.-Ha! ha! ha!-I could die with laughing at these little quarrels-now do not pout, we will talk of something else." There, good reader, is a specimen. Here we have one young lady fainting, bursting, and dying with laughter; and another burning, drowning, and eaten up, in the space of a minute and some few seconds. "Oh! ah! yes!" cries my previous querist; "then you know it was all spoken figuratively." Doubtless. No one ever imagined that the said ladies were actually placed in such awkward dilemmas, so inimical to the continuance of the vital functions themselves; nay, it may be said, without any fear of contradiction, that neither of them had the slightest fears of such direful events happening as they expressed; and for this reason such extravagances of expression ought not to be employed. That figurative language in poetry forms one of its greatest beauties, every one will acknowledge; that in prose, also, metaphorical allusions are frequently employed to advantage; like water-lilies blooming on a stagnant pond, they enliven and beautify an otherwise charmless waste; but in conversation, their use should be attended with caution; |