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THE TEMPLE OF HOPE,
A Vision.
Reading one summer’s eve in a grove, by which ran a most beautiful
translucent rivulet, I was, by its murmurs, mingled with the sighs of
Zephyr, lulled into an agreeable slumber. Somnus had no sooner laid me
on his couch of poppies, than I thought myself transported to a dreary
waste, where Nature sits on her heath-blossom’d throne, dispensing the
seeds of furze, broom, brambles, and thistles around her.
The sight of this barren scene would have awakened me with dismay, had
not my sight been immediately charmed, and my mind astonished with the
rising of a most superb Temple. Multitudes were repairing thither.
Misery sat on their wan cheek---but I was pleased to see, at the same
time, expectation glisten in their eye. Around the Temple spontaneously
rose, in their most perfect, fragrant, and variegated bloom, the most
beautiful parterres. Amidst the flowering shrubs and ever-greens, were
playing charming infants of both sexes, whose talk was as melodious as
the vesper of the nightingale, and as gay as the matin of the lark.
Their countenances were as blithe and as beauteous as Flora, blushing
with the kiss of Spring. I was informed, that they were the children of
Arts, Sciences, Peace, Plenty, and Pleasure. Rills murmured through the
walks. Fountains scattered over the beds of perennial blossoms, their
pearls of liquid crystal, and Zephyrs, with Æolian harps, caused every
leaf to dance to their delightful harmony.
The style of the Temple itself united every order of architecture to
denote that it was free to the access and devotion of every country. The
Gothic, Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite were there
displayed. The walls were supported by a foundation, that, I learned,
was dug from the sand-pit of Expectation and the quarry of Enterprise.
The walls themselves were formed of one entire crystal, taken from the
mountain of promise. I presume the goddess chose them to be formed of
this material, to denote that her various devotees might here be
delighted with the most charming prospects which the magic of fancy
could create for their allurement and entertainment. It had no roof,
that nothing might impede their incessant view of the etherial throne of
Providence. Instead of pillars, the portico was supported with anchors,
which had been formerly the salvation of thousands sailing in the bark
of human misery, from being shipwrecked against the rocks of despair. In
varied festoons, hung around every apartment, cables in the style of the
most exquisite and elegant fancy. They were likewise, wreathed with
flowers of various sorts, which appeared to be always changing, but
never losing their bloom.
The innumerable persons of all ages, ranks, and descriptions, which were
going to this Fane, having gained admittance, the Temple rose most
majestically to the regions of bliss. Every votary knelt around the
shrine, and sung hallelujahs whilst it ascended.
I followed it with admiration, satisfaction, and astonishment, until it
disappeared; and the chorusses of the happy mortals, thus transported,
left my listening sense to taste in silence that ecstasy in which so
delightful a scene of human enjoyment had enwrapped my sensibility.
I awoke, and was sorry to find the happiness of so many of my fellow
creatures, was only the delusive prospect of a vision.
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