Camden commercial courier. (Camden, S.C.) 1837-1838, August 26, 1837, Image 1
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OOM?fTOOIA.L J90T7RX3R <
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From the New York Miiror.
NOTHING TRUE BUT HEAVEN. |
" Farewell the tranquil mind
JuAN^was a fine, dashing, noble fellow, j
as ever wooed or won a wnmag. There ,
was nothing mean in his disposition, but \
'his fault was rather in the other extremfc ; |
for he was romantic, impetuous, and eler- 1
nally animated by vivid and ungoveriia- j
ble feeling. I think he would not have J
knelt to the great Mogul, to have saved his
neck from the bow-string; and he often j
wondered why, to match his? spirit, fate j
had not given him the wings of an eagle, i
and the strength of a lion. In such a ;
case, he would have raised a pretty racket, |
indeed, when- his blood was up? for, |
although his nature was full of sweetness, j
yet, arouse him, and it changed like h1 <
soft spring day, when the tempests shrouds \
thejieavens in darkness, and spreads ruin |
Over the earth. Men of his temperament i
are very apt to fall in love. They will i
love any thing for the want of a better. <
A ~~ i: ?s.i- .i i - -
iv itiuniu iigm c, wiiu inu siigniesi preien-11
sioii3 to beauty?expressive eyes, sweet j
lips, and sunny forehead?a soft voice i
and a gentle touch, make sad havoc among
their reasonable ideas, even where there is |
110 wit to enchant, or intellect to gain the 1
sanction of their prudence. But, O wo- <
iftatv!?when to the fascinations Of loveli- 1
ness areadde I virtue, modesty, grace, hnd '
education?when sweet lips breathe out 1
smart replies, and flashing eyes beam with
feeling?when the workings of the heart
are made almost visible by the blushes of
the cheek, and the snowy hand traces fair
sentiments in characters as fair; if heaven
had formed me one of these harum-scarum
fellows, I could almost wish never to
set eyes on you again.
A creaturcTlike this?for wo know there
1/'A ftre suc'1?hcp? flung at, first by ac-'
citlent; and afterwards by design, into s
^"Juan's society. It was his first love. It'i
had risen into rapture, and been indulged ij
in, with an enthusiasm which admitted of ,
ho restraint. She was pretty enough? <
for, although there was nothing extraor- |
dinary in her appearance, one scarcely ]
knew when to withdraw his eyes from her i
soft and faultless complexion: her ring- i
lets flowing so freely around her snowy i
neck?her speaking, sparkling eyes; her ,
theeks, where health seemed contending j
with pleasure?and her mouth, changing j
with ever-varying expressions of her (
Hvely fancy and hor affectionate heart,
He was as excelling in his manly face |
and form, as she in her girlish beauty , and |
\ if he had gazed upon her, and followed |
, her graceful figure, with an emotion of
' 1 deep tenderness, she, too, had been con- j
} cious of thoughts new, pleasing, and hot ,
{J to be'tepredsed, as she observed his hand- (
J some countenance, and listened to the j
\ words whieh fell so eloquently from lips ,
/ almost as expressive as her own.
-A It WaS now the travelling season of! i
* summpr. The heat _of the city, and the /
general langour of business, induced many ]
' td steal a brief and merry visit to the s
green fields, and among the breezy rnoun- |
tains ; and, picking up all that can awake ,
mirth, or contribute to pleasure, they em- ,
bark on board magnificent barges, for <
scenes almost as beautiful a& any in the (
world. I
One afternoon, a very gay party came
laughing anil chatting along in their carriages
to the bright Hudson, and were (
soOn the merriest of all the crowds that <
thronged the deck of the Lady Clinton.
Among them, and the happiest of them f
all, were Julia and Juan. Many acquaintances
they met, ami much they observed
to excite interest among some hundreds
of both sexes, crowded good naturcdly
IArrnltiAv nil --- ? ? i* ' - '1
vgwiivi?an 111(3 iruiu uu8incs8f nil
bent on pleasure, lfow variously fortune
issues lier decrees ! This kind and happy
multitude, thus exchanging every offlce of
bcnevolenco, might, by- circumstances
which have /often before occurred, have ,
been arrayed against each other in the
angry battle, anxious to stocp their hands
in blood. So much is tnan the creature
of circumstances. But they were now
destined to a belter enterprise. The banners
are dying?the music is playing?
handkerchiefs wave here and there from
parting friends?and - sweet young voices
are calling] farewell, with* a mixture of
merriment and melancholy.*! which we
scarcely know whether to laugh or wccp.J^
**' ....
/ 4
And now theihugb engine commences its
labor,-?the dock, crowded With citizens,
recedes rapidly from the sight The giant
vessel ploughs her restless journey along
the nolftte sfieet of water, with its track
of white billows behind, and the foam
dancing at the bow. As the wide, busy,
and roaring city lessens, house, steeple,
cupfelo, ana dome are gone?and woods
and fields are around, and farm-houses
with their pleasant objects, the cattle
lowing from the shore, and the sloping
green hills, brightened with the farewell
rays of thesun,.ali appear, and pass aivay
like visions of the fancy. \i
And now the sun is hastening to his
? ?i ? ?--? - * * -
.fcjjuno, uuu svoiiis wcantju as ne seeks hts
couch among the western clouds; while
the round moon, so often gazed at by the
melancholy, and invoked by the inspired,
beqeath whose pensive smile, lovers, poets,
the'solitary ahd the frolicsome, of all
ages and climes, have wondered, and then
passed away, that haj seen so many stupendous
enterprises ruined, so many fair
cities, with their thousands and millions,
melt away like a dream, that has shone
lirlsb'rhany of thefcbeaiitifdl and the enptykouredf
on whoso graves it now shine.?, |
that noVsees'sojmany happy,"who i: i
syltl soon sec no more, the changing, yet
immortal queen of night, already rose
above the horizon.
. And now evening came gradually over
ihe face of things ; and the great earth, as
if tired with the ardour of day, seemod
turning to the softness and silence of night.
A.s the cloudsjn the western heavens lost
their gorgeous hues, and all the objects
become tinged with the moonlight, the
passengers betook themselves to their
various occupations. The men, lighting
their segars, collected in groups here and
there, and talked of politics, trade, and all
the common-place topics of the traveller's
* La? mi ? - - ? ?
sunvcrsuuon. I no ladies, With their
gallants, were also busy, walking, chatting,
and laughing, reviving old jokes, and
inventing new, admiring the scenery and
thus beguiling lime.
Juan and Julib, in all this variety of
pleasure, were together. Unconsciously,
they wandered arm in arm, where there
were the fewest people to interrupt their
ivulk or their conversation. They weTe
very happy, -and each thought that this
ivas a night which they never could forget.
Young folks arc so strange in their
feeling, there is so little experience and
reflection about them, that often they Indulge
in hours of bliss unknown to the
aged and wise; and these make life, deso
laie anu cheating as it is, dear enough to
thoqu It has sometimes i>cen a question
with me, which is the preferable situation
Llrat of the philosopher, whose penetration
sees through the .seeming surface of
things, and always distinguishes the reality
from imagination; or the child of
simplicity and enthusiasm, who is deceived
into tne enjoyment of delight, which
charm only because he does not comprehend
them. IF I possessed the power of
living a thousand years, and advancing
ivith uniform progress in the paths of
tvisdom, certainly I should ever seek the
naked truth. I should discard every
consolation not founded on immutable
principles of natare, and thus endeavor
so to adopt myself to the world, as to become,
at length a wise and happy man.
But life is so fleeting and subject to so
many miseries by which it may be imbiltered,
and accidents by which it may
be destroyed; the world is so replete
with wickedness, ignorance and pain, that
t am friclrtted to envy tho boy who knows
nothing of it, except that it is a bright
scene of dreamy enchantments, the prospect
of which inspires him with confidence
and hope. .
However the reader may determine
this question, we may be sure that the
*, . i ? - - ?
pum, wun me maiden Hanging familiarly,
and sometimesv aflectionately, on his
irm, enjoy a degree of pleasure which
not often falls to our lot; and whlcK he
exhibited no wish to reject, until he had
examined its foundation. Their bosoms
were full of emotions, yet their tongues
could find no words to give them utlerterancc.
''It is a beautiful night," said Juan.
"It is, indeed, a beautiful night," echoed
Julia ; and then they looked intO'Cach
other's eyes, and then they were silent.
"If every night could be like this !"
said Juan. "Oh,
if it could !" sighed Julia:
"I have rend of philosophers," said
Juan, gaining strength by repeated efforts,
and swallowing pio obstruction \gliich
had swollen into his throat?"I have rend
of philosophers who declared there was
no such thing as true happiness in the
world."
"They could not have studied human
nature in an us varieties," answered Ju-j
lia.
"And they have asserted," continued
he, " that true aflcction was not to be
found."
"They jverc mistaken, indeed," replied
JuliaT " They werenever happy,
because?"
"Because," int^rupted Juan,, thsy never
loved." ,, ^
M She blushed, and looked down. Joan
p
? -jgy; - r
caught the fire of his aubj*#|JTSil 'Resumed?
" The metaphysicians of the world ore
fools. They juajgb from partial. views*
and imagine the pain<?jM "mortification
which their folly and vanity have entailed
upon them, to be the common lost of humanity.
, Because a few things are false?
because the rainbow melts in a moment,
and the hues and forms of the cloud
change with the wind?because spring
flowers fade, and summet-leaves wither
and full off, they deem ail the joys and
atTcctions which heaven has given to bless
the path of life, equally false and fleeting.
But as for me, I am sure I have found the
true secret of happiness' Many think
lhl>V llBSA ifr liilin r.r.,1 lli.m.aln.. * ?
IIM V ?? ?V 11V IIKIU AH
the end, bitterly disappointed, but 1 am
sure, because nature and experience unite
in convincing me that I am right." t
Julia looked up into his face with an
inquiring air, and her image thus before
him, with her beautiful and expressive
countenance, and her confiding and familiar
manner, encouraged him to proceed.
" I,have examined many means of happiness,"
he continued ; "I have followed
I the sailor in his wanderings, and the
soldier through his wars ; hut the privations
of the one overbalanced his reward,
and the emptiness of distant and unseen
| fame was no recompense for the toils and
dangers of the other. Avarice is a mean
| passion, and ambition a vain one. In the
shortness of existence. I cannot find in
my heart to compress all the high feelings
and restless energies of my nature into
the service of the first, and all the pomp
and noise of the passing world cannot
repay mo for the selfishness of the last.
Even knowledge is a pursuit which soon
tires the fancy, and often deadens the
warmer affections. The more we learn,
tllC less we nrizp the common nlnnsnrps nf
society ; and when wc have ilung down
all that is sweet and dear to us, at the
gloomy shrine of science, we again, in
turn, but glance into an abysss which we
know can never be fathomed. But, in the
exercise of the affections, dear Juiia, happiness
is at length grasped."
Almost surprised at his own boldness,
he took her unresisting hand, while and
beautiful as it was, anil pressed it to his
lips, and, having introduced this insignificant
jesture, by way of semicolon into his
discourse, he proceeded.?
"We have it in our souls?it revels in
our hearts?it soothes down the rugged
feelings which spring up in the contemplation
of this reckless life?it pervades
our thoughts and actions. The pernicious
fascinations of false pleasure enn no longer
lure us from the quiet paths of peace;
and the heart developes itself in this
general element, as a rose unfolds its
leaves when the morning dew washes it,
and the sun almost gives it life."
As he finished s'peaking, the company
were eagerly attracted to the opposite
side of the deck, to view a mountain,
considered as a great curiosity. But if it
had been high Olympus, Juan and his
companion would not have taken their
gaze from each other, though ol every
glance they might have embibed the inspiration
of the muses. .As he drew the
blushing and bashful girl towards him,
and overcoming her slight and graceful
resistance, imprinted a long and delicious
kiss upon her lips, the first pure kiss of
love, the bashful moon hid her face behind
a cloud, and the very breeze heaved a
sympathetic whisper, as if sharing in an
emotion as soft and passing as itself.
As the light again came down on the
scene and the company , were once more
scattered over the deck, the persevering
vessel was yet plowing its way along the
river, and the water yet foamed, and the
music played, and the sensible old gentlemen
were still at their politics and
trade, blowing out repeated pulls of tobacco
smoke, .as if nothing had happened.
Time travels as if recked not of the
interest of man; foi our happiest, as our
saddest moments, are borne rapidly away.
That sweet night, with all its little unspeakable
adventures, was soon numbered
| among the hours that were passed forever;
find as it lapsed away, and lessend in the
distance, pensive memory only was left to
dream it over, and repeat how delicious it
was. The same rapidity of time is well
enough on ordinary occasions, and munv,
very many, behold its swift flight with
delight; but if one might discover a
method of arresting it in its pleasant humors,
what a merry world this would be!
Often, I confess, if any exertions of mine
could have accelerated its passage, I should
rhave labored at the most wearisome task;
but there have been moments of content
so complete?of joy so pure and so perfect?that
my fancy in its fartherest soaring,
can see nothing moro heavenly. But
sweet, swift meteors in the atmosphere of
tho mind, burn out with their own fires,
and it were a vain attempt for me to describe
the clouds that come,
another, to overshadow it whh gj
The Lady Clinton soon rested ^Fy tFe
lone dock before the bustling citv of Al
bany, and miles were between the members
of the gay party who had followed
the bent of their various inclinations.
Seme to the falls of Niagara, some to
Imke George, aod somd to l*etS?gon
?Mh w.? r?al
springe, to drink lif&lbspiring waters,
and peep at tBs denfbre quakers,
whose clean, neat settldtoent it pear the
hotel. To the latter. ^place tent our
friends. With the intentiontef passing a
few days Of uninterrupted pleasure.--But
who shall read the book of fate! What
cruel sport fortune enjoys, in raisipg a
world of joy and beauty in the pUlh of
the ever cheated mortal, end in reducing
it to nothing, just wheo he believes it moat
ineveiably his!
The very evening after their arrival*
there was a ball. Of course, they were
there. Never was Juan so happy. Never
did Julia look so beautiful; indeed, few
hesitated to pronounce her the loveliest
of all the crowd who were there n?
bled: and, of course, the band bucks, arrayed
in their superfine, advanced as candidates
for her smiles, animated with all
the great ambition of fashion. Julia in
particular, met an acquaintance in a young
gentleman, rich and handsome, and celebrated
by his talents, as well as his virtuous
character and amiable and affectionate
disposition. An invitation to dance wUh
him, Julia could not refuse; and, as he
led her to their place, and stood whispering
in her ear, while his deep black eyes
seemed to'flash with joy of her hopes, and
his witty remarks continually called up
the most enchanting smiles upon her lip,
Juan thought he had never seen a man
more calculated to win woman's affection,
and more likely to retain and deserve it.
IIis heart beat quick?his cheek glowed
with a strangely dissatisfied feeling?and
his hands were clenched with an energy
which subjected liim 'to notice. Perceiving
this, and willing to believe that he
suffered only the natural effects of a warm, j
O nd O '1 -** ?
UIIM |IVMIU|/P| U JVUIUU3 UI8|Jll8lll(lllt nc
walked forth to struggle against his melancholy
feelings, and recovery, in solitude,
his tranquility.
As the entertainment was given in the
hotel where they lodged, he entered a
deserted parlor, 3nd called up all the evidences
of affection which he had received
from her who was dearer to him than ever,
now that lie seemed in danger of losing
her. He remembered, last night, the 1
smile, the kiss, the look that accompanied
it; and with re-established confidence iivhis
own power over her heart, he flung his
fears away, and was about to return to the
dancing-room, when a slight scuffle attracted
his notice. He paused, and, from
the dark shadow of the room, perceived
Julia in some haste, and yet in excellent
spirits; while her partner, her hated, impudent
partner, had seized her hand, and
arrested her flight. She whispered. "Not
again George, they will miss us, I am
sure, they will."
"One?only one," interrupted her
companion; and smothered at once her
laughter and her remonstrances. Juan,
with an agony of heart, heard the rude
kiss again, and they were gone.
He stood thunderstruck, till the last
sound of her retreating steps died away.
His next impulse was to rush forth into
the air.
Tito moon was no loncrer to be seen?
and all those bright stars, which on the
preceding evening, h^d shed their light
upon him iri bliss, were wrapt in clouds.
The scene itself was dark and dreary?a
few sprinkles of rain fell upon his uncovered
h#ad, and then the wind whistled
mournfully alongy like the sigh of griel
and despair. In spite of his manhood,
tears-gushed into his eyes; and at the
moment the sound of music and the
dance came from an open window ; a
mingling of happy voices, careless of his
misery; and he thought he heard the soft
sweet tones of Julia in the gaiety of Iict
soul, unconscious of the pang which she
hud indicted, lie turned away; and, as
his eye fell upon the black sky and desolate-looking
earth, he strode along rapidly,
he knew not whither, exclaiming?
"The philosophers qnd moralists were
right; there is no real happiness; there
is 110 true affection! " tjassius.
SCENES IN HAVANA, IN 182&
It was lutely slated in the papers, that
General Tacon, the Governor of Cuba bad
been recalled by the Spanish. This report,
which however proved to be unfounded,
gave rise to regret, on the part of
those who have been familiar with the
notice reenlnlinns h'f f-Tnvmi.i oAmn i
I - "O wm BV1 MVM,V
years past; and are aware of the great
and important changes, which General
Tacon introduced soon after his accession
to office?by which the lives and propertics
of foreigners as well as citizens, are
rendered comparatively safe?and gaming
and other vicbs of magnitude, have received
a salutary check.
General Tacon is deserving of much credit
for the firmness and judgment wbi-ch
he has evinced in purifying the moral atmosphere
of Cuba. But it may be questioned
whether he should bo complimented
it the expense of his predecessor.?
When General Vives was appointed to
the office of Governor General of Cuba,
some twelve or fifteen years ago, the conditjon
of the police?and of the morals
4&Jhe people, were at the lowest ebb.
Tw coast was lined with pirates, whose
blood-thirsty depredations received no
check from the civil authorities?robbe
rics were frequent in the harbor as well as
on shore?gangs of armed ruffians boldly'
parading the streets and attacking dwellings
where money or jewels were deposited
?or boarding some vessels at anchor,
in the night, and carrying off every thing
valuable, and perhaps wounding or murdering
some of the crew. Assassinations
were frequent in'the streets of Havana?
and bands of mounted brigands would
sometimes enter the city from the interior
?and'commit acts of violence and rapino
fr*?flll?nl li- tvitknnt K.?? .. ? ?- -
. - ? -J ? ? ... mj ?? ...... VI V IIIU1VOKI I ilMI, UUl SWIlIt*
limes they would be opposed by the city
guard,and sanguinary engagements would
take place in the streets of Havana.?
Scarcely a morning passed that the dead
body of some helpless being could not
be seen, with a deep wound indicted by a
stillctto or - apai^sh knife, in the bosom,
exposed in froQt of the Cathedral, that it
might be rcrognizeds.fpy some individual
and conveyed to his friend* tg receive the
rites of sculture. * .
When Mr. Vives was appointed to the
Government of the Island, he displaced
an energy of character and a dispositWffc^
to reform abuses, which reflects upon his
character the highest honor. The aysteru
of piracy was broken up?the brigands
were exterminated?and life and property
became comparatively safe. He did much
towards establishing an efficient police-1?
and although after lie had carried his improvements
to a certain point, he suffered
his energies to relax?yet as he was the
means of effecting an astonishing change
in the moral as well as civil condition of
the people, and did it at a great personal
risk?his name should always be mentioned
with respect by the inhabitants of Cu
ua, ana all loreigners, who enjoyed the
benefits of his praiseworthy conduct.
We happened to be in Havana daring
the summer of IS22, a short time before
General Vires assumed the reigns of the
Government?and the cases of j^ghamcful
violation of all laws, human and divine,
both nightly and daily, covertly and
openly, were numerous and appalling.
We will relate a few instances, that our
readers may see, that when Vives was
appointed to the office of Governor General
of Cuba, he could not boast of having
obtained a sinecure,
An American Shipmaster belonging to
Boston, hud occasion to visit the Reglas,
an island in the harbor, from whence molasses,
honey, dec. are generally furnishod
to American vessels. Being a stranger,
lie landed at the wrong quay, end left his
boat, to go to the head of the wharf to
make enquiries. He had hardly turned
the corner when he was seized by the collar,
by two ferocious looking men, one of
whom held a knife to his throat?making
at the same'time, some expressive though
by no means graceful gestures, but Vfitjb^
out speaking a word. A-third very adroitly
took possession of his wat?h, turned
his pocket inside out, and picked up a
few half doubloons, a pencil case, &c,
which hud fallen from them. His coat.
of (ino broadcloth, and hat, a handsoma
drab?were next doomed to change proprietors?when
with the finishing ceremony
of a sturdy kick, en dcrrierc, he was
dismissed, and returned chop-fallen to his
boat, to the great astonishment of his crew;
having been absent less than five minutes.
Several American gentlemen undertook
one afternoon to make an excursion along
the beach to the eastward of Moro Castle.
in search of marine shells, which were
said to bo abundant in that place. As
this beach is distant two or three miles
from Havana?and there being hardly any
inhabitants in the neighborhood, they anticipated
no rude and inhospitable treatment,
and left the different vessels, which
they commanded, or which they regarded
as their temnorarv home. w#?ll drrea**/1
personable looking men, in fine spirits
and ready for any frolic. They returned
in about two hours almost in a state of
nature; having met witfe- a band of ugly
looking fellows, who did not take tho
trouble to examine their pockets, but stript
them, with the exception of a single garment,
of all their clothes. In this state
they wero compelled to return to tho landing
place, nearest to one of the ships, an
object of much curiosity to tho few Spanish
women and children whom they met;
and when the boat landed they returned
on board, with woe-begone countenances
and saddened hearts, wiser if not bettet
for the result of their researches M that
branch of Natural History called Coitchology.
, .
Several instances occurred during that
summer of vessels, anchored at the Reglas
taking in cargoes of molasses, being atk-v-i.-d
^i -i
vuciteu uiiu |'iiiiiiit rui 111 1110 i?jj?? ?no
hands of piratical wretches. In every
instance the crews made their escape by
swimming, or concealed themselves in the
hold and were not discovered. These
vessels were of course unarmed, which
circumstance was known to the pirates,
whose cowardisc was as remarkable.as
their propensity for tnfntv. A brig be- longing
to some port in Maine, was laying
at the Rcglas, when one morning
about three o'clock, the watch hastened
below with the smarming intelligence that
a boat filled with Spaniards was coming
alongside. In a moment afterwards thew jr
were on deck, and the officers and crew/ *
1: