Newspaper Page Text
little to the credit of either Virgil or jEn«*a that
the latter should have slept" while on the point
of leaving the realm of Dido; and it map be
added that a man with half » conscience could
not have slept for a week! 1 * Soberly speaking,
there are traits of character belonging to the
Trojan hero whieh Virgil seems greatly to admire
to the great injury of his reputation, so far as
our judgment goes. These peculiar traits are:
first, a sort of cowardice ; and, second, a low
opinion of women.
No one who has carefully retd the .Eneid ean
deny that these blemishes exist in the great epio.
When these blemishes are pointed oat, fault
finding mast end ; for, though other and serious
objections can be urged to the -Eneid, each as im
itation, Ac., these faults had their origin in the
customs of the time in which they were written,
and not in a want of originality in the mind of
Virgil-f Here is another good place for a moral
izing episode; but we will not scare the ambitious
but somewhat self-conoeited young Uterateur
by away inserting one if he will allow us to say
“just one word." Take the beet parts of the best ef
forts of the best writers for your pattern in compo
sition. Do not take up with the faults of an author
because that author is ranked among the classics.
Beware, also, of making “pets" of the books of
certain authors; this frequently leads to involun
tarp plagoirisms. Take the general rule of great
writers as yonr gnide, without falling upon any
particular one as a faultless pattern. Perhaps
it was Virgil’s profound reverence for the genius
of Homer that led him to draw largely from the
Iliad and Odyssey in the composition of the
■iEneid. There is no doubt thtt Hilton unwitting
ly stole from Homer, Virgil and Dante, aimply
because he looked at their writings as pieces of
perfection.
The description of the games, more properly
contests, which takes up a great portion of book
fifth, is graphic and exciting. Nowhere in the
bounds of literature can there be found an in
stance so striking of the peculiar effect of minute
painitaking in description. The latter portion of
this book (sth) is powerfully imaginative as well
as superlatively beautiful. Beginning at verse
835, the reader may enjoy a picture which is, of
itself, sufficient to immortalize the man who
could Conceive and execute it:
“Jamque sere mediam cceli nox humid metain
Contigerat; placida laxarant membra quiete
Sub remls fusl per dira sedllls, nautm," 4c.,
In its construction the first sentence of the above
quotation much resembles the following from tbe
Bomninm Sfipionis:
“Deinde snbter mediam sere reglonim sol obti
net.”—Somn, Scip., cap. IV.
Indeed there is something in the precise,
pointed manner in which the Alneid is told that
reminds us forcibly of the -imaginative portions
of Cicero’s works. Os course, such a resem
blance weuld bs hard to trace out; nor would
it appear to one bat slightly acquainted with tbe
Latin idiom, that it could possibly exist. Any
one wishing to examine this subject further, will
find “profitable pleasure!’ in comparing the
Btyles of these great Remans.
“In medio ram os annosaque braobia pandit
Ulmns, opaca, ingens ; quam aedem Bomnia vulgo
Vans tenere ferunt, foliisque sob omnibus hso
rent.’’*
I'ew students have noticed tbe peculiarly striking
comparison—the happy imitation of "everyday
nature ” contained in the above verses. Without
directly pointing the reader to his peculiar and
apt fignre, Virgil merely, draws his picture so aa
to suggest the idea he intends to convey. Who
that has noticed with any degree of interest tjfe
habits of insecte, has discovered that moths or
innumerable kinds, aa well as other sight flies,
eling to the underside of the leaves of trees
during the day-time. Now Virgil no doubt hid
this fact in mind when he wrote:
Foliisque sub omnibus hcercni.f
“They cling beneath every leaf."
Antkon's restoring.
Interea videt ddae&s in valle redneta
Seclusum nemos, el virgulta sonantia tihit,
Lethseumque, domos plaeidas qui prenatal, am
nem
Hum circum hummers gentes, populique vola
bant;
Ac, velnti in pratis nbi apes Estate serena
Floribus insidunt variis, et Candida circnm
Lilia funduntur ; strepit omnia murtnure campns.
The italicized clause, et virgulta conanha
silvis, is not properly rendered by Anthon. Bat,
• .Eneas celaa in puppi, jam certos eundi,
Carpebat somnos, Ac.—Eneid, /V., 554-5.
f The reader will find a fair estimate of the
literary character of Virgil prefixed to Anthon’a
edition of the .lineid. Much valuable informa
tion may also be obtained from Wagner, (Qumst.
Virg.)
* (Vide Book VI, 84.) ' We have derived much
pleasure, and not a little fund of useful informa
tion by thus ferreting out the oftimes obscure
suggestions of the ojd writers, especially the
poets. We won’t be always advising—bur, young
writer! verbum sat sapienti!
t This is imaginative, leaving out the suggested
comparison; but when we think coolly we must
imagine those clinging dreams to have the form
of hedeful moths.
THE SOUTHERN FIELD AND FIRESIDE.
perhaps, after all, it cannot be better translated.
The verb sono, and the worths derived from it, are
used by the best Latin writers, including Virgil
himself, to convey the idea of sound, and, of
course virgulta sonantia are “rustling bushes ;’’
there is no need for Wagner’s emendation, nor fer
“observing" the zeugma in vxdet, for do zeugma
exists. Supply audit. If Virgil had been writing
in prose form this verb would have appeared in
the sentence; but the poetical effect is height
ened by its omission; for, had audit appeared,
music would have bad to succumb to strength of
expression, and really the sentence would have
been but little stronger ; moreover, what would
then be done with the
LethEumque, demos plaeidas qui prmnatat, am
nem, Ac. I
We would like to know ?
Non—Our readers will forgive the printer for
the typographical errors in our preceding papers;
for, though we do write s fair hand, we use most
miserable Confederate paper.
ENTRAPPING A MURDERER.
In the year 1833, I went to the Bed River
country, with a view of speculation in horses,
lands or anything that might give proqaise of a
profitable return for a cash inveatment. Os
course, I carried a good deal of money with
me, but knowing I was going among a wild,
lawless class, of every grade and eolor —among
half civilized Indians, negroes, gamblers, thieves
robbers, murderers and assassins—with per
hsps a few settlers of some claims to honor or
honesty, if they could be sifted out from among
the mass—l thought it the safest plan not to
teem well off in the world’s goods. Accordingly
I secured my money in a belt around my body,
put on a very coarse, rough dress, which, by
intentional carelessness, soon had a very mean,
slovenly appearance, and allowed my hair and
beard to manage matters their own way, with
out auy troublesome interference of razor or
comb. Thus prepared, and armed with two
revolvers sud a Bowie knife, I passed over
some dangerous territory in comparative safety,
and flattered myself that no one guessed my
riches through my apparent poverty.
While passing between two settlements,
over a very lonely, gloomy horse path, leading
through a dark, hemlock wood, aud while in
the most solitary part, there suddenly came
before me, leaping from a thicket on the right
a human fignre of a moat startling appearance.
It was a man of medium height, but of a stout
robust frame, all covered with dirty tatters,
that he appeared to have worn and wallowed
in for years. He had no covering for his head
and his skin was so coated with grime, that it
was difficult at a first look to tell whether he
belonged to the white race or not. His face,
high up on his cheeks, was covered with a
dirty, brown beard, and his matted hair bung
in wild profusion all around bis head, except a
little spaoe before his swollen, blood-shot eyes
and altogether he looked like a madman or
a human devil. His hands held and swung a
formidable club, and his attitude, as he leaped
into the road before me, was one of fierce me
nace and defiance.
I stopped in alarm, and while fixing my
eyes sharply upon his, quietly slid my hand
into a convenient pocket and grasped tbe butt
of one of my revolvers, firmly determined to
keep him at the short distance that divided us
or kill him, if he advanced.
For perhaps half a minute we stood silently
regarding and surveying each other, and, then
resting one end of his club on the ground, and
partly leaning forward on the other, ha said, in
a coarse, gruff tone, with a kind of chuckling
laugh.
“Well, me I I’s in hopes I’d got a prize
at last, but if you’re much better off nor me,
you don’t show if, by ! Stranger, who
are you, and whar you from ?"
“Well," returned I, feeling highly compli
mented, of course, that I resembled such a vil
lainous looking object as himself) “some peo
ple call me beggar, and I knew I don’t pass for
a genteel gentleman."
‘Til swar to that—haw I haw ! haw ! " was
his chuckling response. “The world haint
made much of you, more’at it has of me. I
see steal in your face as plain aa daylight. Say
wbat jail or penitentiary lost you last
“Nevermind that,’.’ said I, “probably neither
of us have got our deserts.’’
“Well, if you had been decently dressed,
looked like yon had five dollars about you, I
would have knocked your brains out," pursued
tbe villain with a broad grin- “As it is you
can pass—for I can swar yon haintgot a rad.’’
\
“Mucb obliged for your candor, anyhow,"
rejoined I.
He still stood before me, looking straight
into my eye, and now seemed to be pondering
some new idea. Presently he muttered as if
to himself.
“I think he might do.’’ Then a moment
afterwards, he said to me, “I say old fellow,
how'd you like to make a raise ?”
“How would I like to cat when hungry ?’’
I answered, thinking it not unlikely that the
scoundrel had gome darx project in view,
which by seeming to chime in with him 1 might
discover.”
“Well, I've got a plan," he said throwing
down his elub, as if to assure me of hi* pacific
inteutioue towards myself, and quietly advan
cing to my side, “I’ve got a plan that will
give us both a heap of money, and it’ll take
just two to cafry it out. I've been wanting a
pal, and if you’ll join in I’ll go you halves.”
“If there's any chance to turn a penny, I’m
your man,” said I.”
“Hood," returned he, “you look like a trump
aud I’ll bet high on you. I don’t know he
added, eyeing me sharply, “but I may be de
ceived, but then I’ll risk it. If you go for to
play any game on me, you’d better look out for
yourself, that’s all."
“Do I look like such a scamp as that,” re
turned I in an indignant tone.
“Well, let's take a seat and talk it over.’’
We found an old log, and eat down, aud
after some preliminary conversation, my new
and interesting acquaintance unfolded to me a
most damnable scheme, the substance of which
was as follows 1
He knew the country well for miles around,
aud the exact position and condition of every
settler. Oue man, living in rather a lonely
quarter, about five miles distant, was a specu
lator in horses aud cattle, which he sometimes
bought up and drove to a distant market. He
had a good deal of money, which it was sup
posed he secreted in his dwelling, and te get
pessessionof this money was, of conrse, the
object in view. The trouble was that the man
himself was a brave, determined follow, whe
always went well armed, and also had besides
his wife, two grown up sous aud a daughter)
which was a force too great for auy one man to
encooßter. About a aaile from him lived a
poor widow, who had nothing worth stealing,
except hor ciethos, whrch would be valuable
for carrying out our plan. This plan was to
rob tbe widow first of her clothing, dress me
up in them, aud have me seek lodging at the
speculator’s house. Then, in the night, when
all tho family should be asleep, I was to unbolt
the door, let in my confederate, and wp were
to attempt the murder of the inmates—the
robbery and burning of the house to follow and
be the soncluding scene.
I secretly shuddered at the atrocity of the
contemplated crime, but appeared to receive
the disclosure with the business air of the
most hardened wretch, inquiring as to the
amount of money we should thus probably ob
tain, aud objecting to nothing but the great
risk we should to run, both before and after
tbe accomplishment of our purpose. I per
mitted my eager companion to gradually quiet
my fears, and at last consented to act.
When everything had thus become settled
we struck off into tbe fields, to avoid being seen
and just before dark came in sight of the
widow’s house. As my companion was ac
quainted with the premises, I insisted that he
should procure the female garments—but sol
emnly warned him that if he harmed the poor
woman in the leaet, I would have nothing fur
ther to do with the affair.
As good luck would have it, the widow was
not at home, arid my murderous friend man
aged to break in and get the necessary cloth
ing without doing any further damage. The
widow being a large woman, I had no trouble
in arranging the dress so as to pass in a dim
light as a tolerably respectable female; and
then, having agreed upon the story I was to
tell, how I would manage matters, and the sig
nal that would assure my accomplice of ell be
ing right, we went forward together, till we
came in aight of the house to be robbed, when
I made my nearest way to the road, and con
tinued on alone, reaching the dwelling about
an hour after dark, and just as the family were
about concluding their evening meal.
Had my designs been really what I bed led
my villainous companion to believe, I certainly
could never have gone forward with such con-
fident boldness; bat feeling my conscience all
right, and knowing I was acting from a good
motive, I kept up a wonderful assuraace, feel
ing curious to see how well I could play my
part, and to what extent I could carry the de
ception.
I asked for lodging for the night, and some
thing to eat, and was kindly and hospitably
received. The first thing that set the blush of
ebame and confusion to my cheeks was the
coming forward of a young lady, about eigh
teen, beautiful as an houri, and in a sweet,
gentle tone, asking me if I had walked far, if I
was much fatigued, and offering to take my
hood, telling me I should soon be refreshed
with a hot cup of tea. This was a little too
much for my equanimity. I could have got
along with all the rest, without being espeoially
disturbed; but I was then a young, unmarried
man, and, though not particularly susceptible
to female attractions in general, I thought I had
never looked upon so lovely and interesting a
creature before. I stammered out some unin
telligible replies, kept my hood well drawn over
my face, and asked to be permitted to have a
few minutes private conversation with the
master of the house.
Os course this request caused considerable
surprise, but it was granted; and as soon as we
were alone together, I told him in a few words
who and what I was, the strange adventure I
bad met with, and disclosed in full the plot of
my road acquaintance to murder aad rob bim.
He turned pale at the recital, and seemed much
astonished, but begged me not to mention the
design to bis wife and daughter. He then call
ed his two sons—strong, determined fellows—
recounted the plot to them, aid arranged to
have everything go forward as if the scheme
were being carried out os its vile author de
signed.
It took«some shrewd management to keep
me to my part without letting the females into
the secret; but it was effected; and before mid
night, I cautiously opened the door and looked
out. There was my man ready, and waiting.
“Is all right," he whispered. "Yes, come
in,’’ said I.
As he crossed the threshold, the father and
sons sprang upon him. But the fellow was
strong and desperate, and, perhaps, had some
' slight suspicion of the truth. With a wild yell,
he cleared their united grasps at a bound,
le&viug a large portion es his rags in their
hands. The next moment the whole four of
us were in chase of the villaiu, as he ran across
the road to gain the cover of a wood about
twenty rods distant.
“Fire!" shouted the father; "shoot down
the scoundrel!"
We were all armed and prepared, aad at the
word four revolvers began to crack behind
bim. But he seemed to lead a eharmed life,
and still he ran on, keeping a short distance
ahead of us. Once I fancied i saw him stag
ger ; but he gained the woods and disappeared
and we reluctantly and with deep chagrin gave
up the chase.
When we returned to the house, the wife and
daughter were both there and terribly alarmed.
Os course an explanation followed—the host
being disappointed of making tha capture, as
he intended, without exciting their feara There
was ho more sleep m that house that night.
The next morning we went out to the wood
and discovered a trail of blood. We followed
on for half a mile, and found the ruffian lyin
dead, face downward, bis hands firmly clenched
upon some bushes. One of the sons recognized
him as a suspected murderer, who bad a couple
of years before left that part of the country.
He was buried with little ceremony. I was
warmly thanked for the part T had played tc
save the family; but from no other did the words
sound so sweet to me at from the lips of th«
beantiful maiden.
The family pressed ms to stay with them.for
a wbils, and I stayed—long enough to lose my
heart and win another. Strange as it appears,
in looking back to it, the event of that villain
leaping into the road before me, changed my
whole fortune! and sometimes, when I gaze
fondly upon my wife, I am tempted to bless the
dark and wicked design that providentially led
me to so muoh happiness.
Friendship is a silent gentleman that makes ao
parade; the true heart dances ne hornpipe on the
tongue.
It is not the multitude of applause, but the good
sense of the applnnden, which gjvee veins to
reputation.
7