and dazzling brilliancy. The lively carol of the plumed songsters of the grove may be heard on every bough, from the earliest dawn of day till the shades of night have closed over the scene; and warbling forth their gay anthems they fill the air with melody. The flocks and herds are feeding in the green meadows and shady pastures. The buds of spring are changing to leaves and flowers; and the rose, the pink, the violet, the jassamine will soon bloom in the garden, in the vale and on the mountain's brow. The purling rivulet in gentle cadence runs down the sloping hillside, mingles with a sister stream, and then in unison they flow on and join the wild cascade, the impetuous torrent, the foaming cataract, and roll in madness and fury to their ocean home, the dark blue sea! Ah! give us the bright and balmy days of summer, the cool and rosy dewy morn.-the warm and cheering noon,-the soft and refreshing breeze of evening, the glowing and golden sunset,the clear blue cloudless sky, the soft mellow starry twilight. Then is the time to live, then the season that we enjoy life. When nature in her loveliest aspect, is arrayed in her gayest and brightest robes, then it is that we are happy. And why not, when all around us are gay and smiling as the joyous season itself? We have sometimes almost wished that this would last forever,—that it would always be summer! Bradford, Vt., 1843. From the Green Mountain Gem. JUNE. A. B. F. H. Month of leaves and month of roses; Softly nature's self reposes While thou ling'rest here. Bright o'er valley, plain and mountain, Gayly now from many a fountain "Songs of praises, never ceasing," All the face of nature blooming, From the Boston Olive Branch. ADVERTISING FOR WIVES. A. B. F. H. BY A. B. F. HILDRETH. The practice of advertising for wives is becoming too common in this country, and should awaken serious inquiry in the mind of every reflecting person. Too common-yes; were there but one solitary instance existing, that one would number too many. But instead of there being solitary instances, such advertisements have nearly ceased to be a singularity; and soon will cease to cause a passing remark. Should this be so? Do they promote a just regard for marriage obligations and a due consideration of their solemn importance? Nay. When wives are ranked at par excellence with a box of merchandise we may well question whether the buyer values the one more than the other. Some of these bidders in market plead, in extenuation of their dernier resort, a want of social and intimate acquaintance with the other sex. In reply I would ask, whose is the fault? Is it not that the gentlemen have been so assiduous in their attention upon the inanimate possessions of this earth that the animate treasures, piqued at the successful rivalry of their opponents, "take to themselves wings and fly" at the too tardy efforts to woo them? But angry as the fair ones may seem to be at too late an appreciation of their charms, I must say that any gentleman who has not sufficient tact and address to gain a favorable introduction and acquaintance with any lady who has not particular reasons for avoiding his society, is too dull to render himself agreeable, and is destitute of that sympathizing tenderness of heart which adds peculiar fascination to social intercourse. That such emotions have never startled with a thrill of heaven's own bliss the sluggishness of that man's views who can coolly make out a bill of endowments that his wife must possess, as he would a "bill of sale," of tea and sugar,—that he has never learned that "love is a holy thing," the most perfect prototype of God's nature given man, is evident from the manner in which he treats the subject. He has yet to learn that the affections, like the grace of Him who is their author, are from free gift. They cannot be bought; neither can prudential motives beget them. Let those who have loved tell, if they can, how, where, and when the first beam of life's sun darted its ray into their bosoms. Let them analyze, decompose and elucidate the process of loving. Incidents and circumstances may be noted, but did they intend to love? Did they know that they were yielding up the happiness of a separate existence? Nay. For when they knew this they already loved. Those who advertise to form matrimonial engagements betray a total want of knowledge of the mysterious influence of love. They want a wife; they desire to enter into the matrimonial state; and imagine very extenuating circumstances for leaving the only ingredient, which should render the state desirable, entirely out of the question. They want a wife; and, forsooth, they are disposed to bargain for one, even as they would buy a horse! They write out their "bills," stating the qualities desired, and the contingences to be expected in return; and if there is an animal to be disposed of upon such terms it can find a purchaser by giving due notice. ། Indeed, these advertisements for wives generally bear a striking resemblance to those of the jockey for a horse. For instance: The horse must be six years old; of a bright bay color; fifteen hands high; and well fitted for the situation in which it will be placed. It must possess a firstrate pace; a graceful gait; never kick; and be of a respectable pedigree." Seriously, cold, calculating alliances like these are a libel upon the sweetest boon vouchsafed to man, and make one of the holiest alliances a matter of mere bargain and speculation! Can situation be offset with goodness, virtue and sympathy? Can even talents and worth pay the price of devoted affection? They might excite it; but when they are offered as "for value received,' refinement and delicacy must turn in scorn from the proffered exchange. How insignificant look earth's richest treasures, or the wreath that surrounds fame's glittering pinnacle, compared with the rich treasures of the soul, "Where thought meets thought ere from the lips they part, And each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.' He who would make this generous sympathy of mind with mind a mere article of merchandise; I had almost said, must be lost to all delicacy and refinement of feelings. Does such a man think that He who taught the bird to seek its mate and rear its nestlings, has neglected to implant the same mysterious sympathy of kind with kind in the nature of His beings of higher intelligence? Do they think to awaken that melody where heart tunes heart by a shrill whistle and public call? In countries where wives are to be procured for "fixed value," the course would be admissible; but in a land, and amid society, making pretensions to civilization and refinement, we cannot but say that it is wanting in delicacy, derogatory to the female character, and stamps the divine ordinance of marriage as a mere mercenary contract. LITERATURE. The literature of a community cannot regulate itself. It will receive its character from those who purchase its journals and books. Then let every moral citizen consider it his duty to watch over the state of the popular journals and magazines with the most careful vigilance; guarding them against any and every feature that shall dishonor our literature or the country whence it springs. Imbibing the spirit of Grimke, let us "covet for our country the noblest, purest and loveliest literature the world has ever seen,—such a literature as shall honor God and bless mankind, -a literature whose smile might play upon an angel's face, and whose tears would not stain an angel's cheek."-Editor G. M. Gem. From the American Protector. THE DEATH OF A BELOVED COMPANION. BY A. B. F. HILDRETH. Farewell, dear companion, a sad farewell; Thou'rt gone from earth in heavenly scenes to dwell; Might hope for bliss, thine was that holy trust. Thy last soft prayer was heard-No more to roam; The slow dread hours, the sighs without relief; That part my hopes, my fates, my paths, from thine! Thou art at rest, where storms can vex no more; The tears of joy in one eternal day? When sickness came, though short and hurried o'er, It made thee more an angel than before. But oh, how vain, by art or words to tell What ne'er was told-affection's magic spell! When death strikes down, with sudden crush and power, *Her dying words were, "I want to go home." |