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About Southern literary gazette. (Athens, Ga.) 1848-1849 | View Entire Issue (July 22, 1848)
SOUTHERN LITERARY GAZETTE: H’M. C. RICHARDS, EDITOR. Original Poctrii. For the Southern Literary Gazette. “ OH ! BURY HIM QUICKLY A BALLAD. BY W . GILMORE SIMMS, ESQ., author of* guy rivers,’ ‘yemassee,’ ‘atalantis,’ &c. • I. Oh! bury him quickly, and utter no word Os the memory sadden’d by sorrow so long ; But when the cold stranger shall say that he err’d, Then tell the dark tale of his crueller wrong. We may not approve, but when others condemn, ’T were crime that defence of his heart to forbear, And show that his faults were all prompted by them, —They could goad him to danger— then tly from him there. ii. You saw him for many long days ere he fell, In chains, and in solitude, sad but serene ; ‘Tis grateful to know that he battled it well, While his spirit grew strong in the gloom of the scene. They thought him all callous to feeling and shame ; Ah ! little they knew him —the spirit he bore Once aimed at, and sighed for, as lofty a fame As shines on the pages of history’s lore. hi. But pile the dank sod which no stone shall adorn, No hand ever freshen with shrub or with flow’r; We bury him coldly, we leave him forlorn — And midnight was never more dark than this hour: It. is but a year since all proudly he stood, Brave, bright, unassuming,—the sought, the pre ferr’d, f'pheld by the strong, and beloved by the good ; Now —bury him quickly, and utter no word ! For the Southern Literary Gazette. SATURDAY NIGHT. BY C . L . WHELEB. How sweet to me the twilight grey That ushers in this blissful hour, When, with the sunset’s fading ray, And eke with the closing flower, We enter on the Sabbath’s reign of rest, And cares forget that whilom wrung the breast. The murmurs of the village die Upon the sweet, dew-laden air, As Day along the western sky Reflects his dying glories rare ; Oh ! ’t is an hour to weary mortals given, To symbol forth th’ rest of yonder Heaven ! Though Even veil some beauties bright Os Nature’s ever lovely face, Still on th’ radiant brow of Night Divinest lessons we may trace The stars they tell of happy souls forgiven, Who walk their bright and sinless way to Heaven. 1 love the lambent blush of tli’ sky, When Day doth kiss the waking flow’rs, And hangs his burning shield on high To light the reign Os laughing hours; But dearer far the joys and thoughts sublime That reign o’er my soul ut this holy time. And oft as hours like this return, My soul shall plume its sin-soil’d wings, And upward soar in sweet nocturn, To catch the sense of purer things, lill Heaven at last, with ever-bright’ning ray, Shall ope in one eternal Sabbath day. Athens, Geo. For the Southern Literary Gazette. FRAGMENT. ‘‘Live,” said the ancient —with philosophy Too narrow for the progress of our race “ Live, always with thy memory set on death !”f Better the Scripture thus: So keep thy thought, Maugre the fear of death, that thou mayst live, Not once forgeting that thou liv’st for life ! t are and transition are not absolute, Save as they mark the steps which we declare In a long progress—steps from higher to higher, Where, what we seek is but to entertain I he ambition that still prompts us to aspire. WILFRFD. t “ Vive memr lethL” 2ln iUlustratcir iDccklg Journal of Bcllcs-Ccttrco, Science a\\b tl)c 2lrts. Popular (Sales. For the Southern Literary Gazette. THE MAY- PARTY: OR — LOVE S MASQUERADE. BY FL O HIO. And over bead up grew Insuperable height of loftiest shade, Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, A sylvan scene, and, as the ranks ascend, Shade above shade, a woody theatre Os stateliest view. [Paradise Lost. “Well, Fred, I’m glad you’ve come. We shall certainly give you entertainment enough to make you forget your home. By-the-by, you must make my house your home during your sojourn, for it would tell poorly of Arthur Cummings popularity and friendship, that he did not receive under his roof, so short a time as a month, a dear friend and college chum.” “Many thanks, dear Arthur; I shall be most happy to join your family circle. But I hope you will excuse me for a short time, as I shall be greatly pressed by the business which brought me here; and might disturb the privacy of your family. My business, though very pressing, is not welcomed since it has produced for me the pleasure of your company, after so long a separation. But to change the subject. When can you find time to introduce me to your family ? Independent of my desire to become acquainted with the relations of my best friends, I long to know those of whom I have read so much in your letters.” “ Any time, any time, and the sooner the better. For I assure you they will be asanx ious to see you, as you are to see them, when they hear of your arrival, even as much as your vanity could desire. Os this fault, how ever. I know you to be free. Ockie already takes you as a standard of all that is manly and refined. And her opinion is no light au thority.” “ And pray how came she acquainted with my humble name ? She certainly possesses not the gift of second sight. Neither did I know that she was even acquainted with my name. Come now, Arthur, explain.” “ It were strange for her not to recognize a faithful portrait in the descriptions of a bosom friend. Surely, Fred, there is nothing strange in this. However, there is one thing 1 kept secret concerning you. It is your versatility of mind—your talent at acting —your humor, all summed up in the words, extreme clever ness. ” “ And pray, why were these merits, if such they are, withheld “ In mercy to her pride, for she esteems her self remarkably clever—and without flatter ing her, I own that she is. Indeed, few can compete with her at her own weapons. You are an exception; she would prefer anything else to finding herself out-witted; she prides herself on the keenness of her perception ; and difficult is she to be deceived, ft would be painful to her to find an overmatch in this respect; she is however generous and noble in spirit; and when completely foiled, readily admits it, if she finds that the tables cannot be turned. The best way to gain her good graces is through such means. Not having mentioned your qualities in this respect, to her, she only sees in you a brilliant, fascina ting man, without the liveliness and humor which is so natural and becoming to you.” The conversation was still carried on by the two friends, but as its effect will be seen, in the events that followed, it will be unneces -7 I sary to record it. But we will relate who these peisons were. ATHENS, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, JULY 22, ISIS. Frederick Stanley was a young man of very j fascinating exterior. His form was rather • slender, but graceful in the extreme; he had ‘[ light chesnut locks and eyes. Arthur Cumming was more robust in stat ure, and of a larger mould. He possessed a manly set of features, combined with great gentility and elegance of manner. The two had been college mates. They roomed to gether, they studied the same lessons at the same table, and ate at the same hoard. They graduated at the same time. Both had striv en for the highest honor, but Stanley was the winner. Their friendship had begun with their acquaintance, and continued to strength en with its growth. Soon after their graduation, Stanley set out on a tour through Europe, to render himself more perfect, by obtaining opportunities for improvement which he did not possess in the United States. Besides, it had always been his desire to see those places he had read and heard so much of. Arthur Cumming had returned to his fami ly, consisting of his mother, sister and self. He began his law studies, and was admitted to the bar. At the same time they are intro duced to the reader, he was twenty-six years of age; three years after his graduation. He now had an extensive practice for one so young, by means of which, and a handsome fortune left them by his father, his family maintained (as it had ever done) the highest rank in society. His home was in the aris tocratic but hospitable town of D—. Stanley had not long returned from his visit, to the old world; when business called him to D—, where his friend lived. He made known his approach to Arthur, when, on his arrival, the foregoing conversation took place. Ar thur had a sister, as he himself has said.— She was truly a specimen of nature’s skill. Such charms as she possessed, both in mind and person, are rarely found combined in one individual. It is enough to say, that she was a peerless beauty. That same day, at the table, after the dish es were removed, Arthur addressed his sister: “Well, Ockie, I have good news for you. Guess what it is!” “The reception of a brief affording credit to you, or a verdict pronounced in your favor. If not these it may he joy on account of the near approach of the coming month, for 1 al ways knew you had a penchant for May.' 1 ' 1 This was a double allusion, for Arthur had often desired the approach of this sweet month on account of its opening day, ever a joyous one; and, moreover, a certain May Fielding in that same city had afforded unequivocal proofs of her influence over his mind. “ A truce to your railery, I pray, dear sis. But for once is your sagacity baffled.— Frederick Stanley is m town and has promis ed to remain with me, after he has finished most of the business which brought him here.” “ I am glad of it, and hope you wont delay in bringing him here ; for, as your bosom friend, I long to see him.” “He will come with me to-night, being more anxious to see you than you are to see him.” That evening Octavia prepared her toilet with unusual care. One, in whose eyes she desired to appear to the best advantage, would be there. It was an early hour when Arthur returned with his friend. Stanley’s light chestnut curls, faint mustaches, elegant im perial, dazzling teeth, and small hands, real ized Octavia’s utmost expectations. But if she was pleased with his outward appearance, she was charmed with the rich treasures stored up in his mind. His open, candid man- VOLUME I.—NUMBER 11. ner and gentle courtesy, with his brilliant con versational powers and flashing wit, almost captivated the hitherto untramelled heart of Arthur’s sister. And she too showed herself capable of making a deep .impression on the friend of her brother. They parted mutually pleased with each other, and feeling an inde finable something in their bosoms causing restlessness—a desire for solitude, though not for sleep. During the everting Frederick had spoken of his sister as being at the same hotel with himself. This delighted Octavia, who declared she would call on her on the morrow; but, Frederick hinting something about his sister being indisposed, she put it off until the day after. Accordingly the fol lowing day but one, she took her brother to introduce her, and went to see Miss Julia Stanley. Unfortunately she was not at home, “having been invited to spend a couple of days with some relations in the country.” On the fifth day she went again, escorted by her brother. This time she was successful. The two young ladies were soon on a friend ly footing, for how could it.be otherwise ! Miss Stanley was a maiden of no ordinary pretensions. She so greatly resembled her brother, that the likeness could easily be per ceived. Thick, clustering ringlets encircled her head. Her form was so exquisitely pro portioned, that, though rather large, none could have desired it smaller. With many pressing invitations to come and remain with her, Octavia took her leave. On her arrival at home she gave her mother a glowing de scription of her charming friend ; and they together determined to secure her as an inmate of their house during her sojourn, as soon as the business of the brother permitted. Frederick visited Octavia several times du ring the ensuing week, as she also visited Jus sister. Each visit strengthened a newly awakened attachment on all sides. It was altogether anew era in their lives. They were all happy, and none more so than Ar thur. He seemed scarcely able to contain his pleasure at times; so that his sister somewhat wondered at it. She could assign no motive for it, unless he had fallen in love with Miss Julia Stanley, forgetful of his gentle May.— And she chid him for his desertion. She , on on the contrary, grew low-spirited. The rea son why she did not attempt to determine. But he is now more lively than before, and none ever knew him to be otherwise. He can not possibly be guilty of deserting May Fielding for Julia Stanley, though inferior to her in beauty. “He never mentions anything of seeing his friend’s sister except the time he accompanied me,” thought Octavia. “He visits her without letting me know it. That must be it.” But, no; —Arthur’s passion for his sweet May was in no degree lessened. It was im planted in his breast too deeply to be easily eradicated. “ Brother,” said Octavia one evening to Ar thur, “ I think it strange that Mr. Stanley has never yet brought his sister here.” “ Not at all; he has told me that it was his intention to bring her to remain with us after Tuesday, and so he thought it unnecessary to bring her sooner. After that, dear sis, you can see her as much as you desire. It seems as if you are smitten with her, and no less with her brother than with her.” “ Now cease, will you, Sir Impertinent!” replied his sister, as a faint blush diffused it self over her features, “ and take heed to your speech. When I feel the need of your opin ion I shall not hesitate to ask you for it. In the present case it is more likely to be wrong than right. But tell me how is the fair May %
