Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thoughts On The New-Year; And On The Vicissitudes Of Life.
by the known abilities of my guide , and was conduced byjiim to the spot I had just left ; but there I beheld the scene very muclf changed . I now perceived scattered among the cheerful and the gay , many melancholy and dejected persons , on whose faces meagre want , keen remorse ,- and lively sorrow , were strongly painted . I was struck with these spectacles of griefand turning to my guidesaid" Sir , I had
, , , much rather have continued in my error , if it be one , than be con . vinced of a truth , which I am afraid will yield me very little satisfaction . " The sage smiling , said , " It is the common folly of your age to chuse the pleasant , though it be the wrong way ; but it is the part of Experience to inform you , that truth is worth the purchase , though it seems unpleasant . " Know then" continues he , " the present scene
, is not designed to hurt but to benefit you ; attend and be wise . " " Behold , scattered up and down among the busy multitudes , many of the very people who before appeared so gay and pleasant ; the year which they ushered in with all the demonstration of joy , is not yet concluded ; notwithstanding , behold yonder man , who at the commencement of the year was opulent and wealthynow pale and thoughtful ,
, and carrying all the appearance of the deepest distress . That wealth , which before created his cheerfulness now occasions his pain , His fortune was then great , and he unwary ; he ventured his all upon a die that deceived him : this made him the miserable wretch he now
appears . . " On the other side observe a female mourner , seeking some unfre- ? qu . cnted solitude , where she may breathe out her complaints . The beg inning of the year made her a happy bride ; the middle of it makes her a disconsolate widow . But , continues my instructor , I should rend your heart with pity , was I ; to point out all that variety of distress , which death produces in the wijrjd ; the unavailing cries of helless
p orphans , the melting griefs cf tender widows , the groans of parents , and the si g hs of friends ; and . yet , though these are great and heavy , and sufficient to excite every tender sentiment in nature , these are nof all the inlets to unhappiness , an instance of which you see in yonder frantic madman . He was lately raised to the utmost hei ght of joy , by a sudden and unexpected affluence of fortune ; the weak powers of rea- *
son could not support the strong impression it made upon him , and he is now an object of p ity and horror to all that see him . Heboid , on the other hand , that man walking pensive and alone—^ on every feature the strong lineaments of horror and despair are painted . " " Alas ! " cry' 4 I , " that very man I saw a while ago , one of the most gay and joyous creatures in the whole company ! " " Ah ! " replies my monitor , " to
that hei g ht of mirth , and gaiety he owes his present misery . He then lived in- riot and profusion , has now consumed his fortune , and is this moment ag itated with the . most distressing doubts , whether he should employ his p istol to extort his neighbour ' s property , or to finish his own miserable' life . " " Alas ! " I cried , " I can bear no more . If these be the prospects you entertain me with , let me look onl y 03 the joyous throng , and conceal those miserable objects from my view . " f Mi . & ken youth 1 " replies my guide , " are yott not yet made sgnsi- * ¥ %
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Thoughts On The New-Year; And On The Vicissitudes Of Life.
by the known abilities of my guide , and was conduced byjiim to the spot I had just left ; but there I beheld the scene very muclf changed . I now perceived scattered among the cheerful and the gay , many melancholy and dejected persons , on whose faces meagre want , keen remorse ,- and lively sorrow , were strongly painted . I was struck with these spectacles of griefand turning to my guidesaid" Sir , I had
, , , much rather have continued in my error , if it be one , than be con . vinced of a truth , which I am afraid will yield me very little satisfaction . " The sage smiling , said , " It is the common folly of your age to chuse the pleasant , though it be the wrong way ; but it is the part of Experience to inform you , that truth is worth the purchase , though it seems unpleasant . " Know then" continues he , " the present scene
, is not designed to hurt but to benefit you ; attend and be wise . " " Behold , scattered up and down among the busy multitudes , many of the very people who before appeared so gay and pleasant ; the year which they ushered in with all the demonstration of joy , is not yet concluded ; notwithstanding , behold yonder man , who at the commencement of the year was opulent and wealthynow pale and thoughtful ,
, and carrying all the appearance of the deepest distress . That wealth , which before created his cheerfulness now occasions his pain , His fortune was then great , and he unwary ; he ventured his all upon a die that deceived him : this made him the miserable wretch he now
appears . . " On the other side observe a female mourner , seeking some unfre- ? qu . cnted solitude , where she may breathe out her complaints . The beg inning of the year made her a happy bride ; the middle of it makes her a disconsolate widow . But , continues my instructor , I should rend your heart with pity , was I ; to point out all that variety of distress , which death produces in the wijrjd ; the unavailing cries of helless
p orphans , the melting griefs cf tender widows , the groans of parents , and the si g hs of friends ; and . yet , though these are great and heavy , and sufficient to excite every tender sentiment in nature , these are nof all the inlets to unhappiness , an instance of which you see in yonder frantic madman . He was lately raised to the utmost hei ght of joy , by a sudden and unexpected affluence of fortune ; the weak powers of rea- *
son could not support the strong impression it made upon him , and he is now an object of p ity and horror to all that see him . Heboid , on the other hand , that man walking pensive and alone—^ on every feature the strong lineaments of horror and despair are painted . " " Alas ! " cry' 4 I , " that very man I saw a while ago , one of the most gay and joyous creatures in the whole company ! " " Ah ! " replies my monitor , " to
that hei g ht of mirth , and gaiety he owes his present misery . He then lived in- riot and profusion , has now consumed his fortune , and is this moment ag itated with the . most distressing doubts , whether he should employ his p istol to extort his neighbour ' s property , or to finish his own miserable' life . " " Alas ! " I cried , " I can bear no more . If these be the prospects you entertain me with , let me look onl y 03 the joyous throng , and conceal those miserable objects from my view . " f Mi . & ken youth 1 " replies my guide , " are yott not yet made sgnsi- * ¥ %