(_From the portfolio of a Correspondent._)
There oft times dwells within the human breast, a grievous and a bitter
sorrow; a sorrow once formed--seldom, if ever, entirely eradicated. Such
sorrow hath borne down to the grave many a noble, though ill-fated,
heart; there to seal up the remembrance of the degraded, the broken,
feelings of its once fine nature, and for ever crush the spirit of its
love. It is a sorrow that cometh not as the whirlwind's rushing blast,
in the fury of the tempest, or as the lion's roar; but rather as the
soft, still moan of the desert's poisoned breeze, or as the silent
gnawing of a cankering worm: so comes it preying on our heart's fondest
hopes till they gradually sink to ruin and oblivion. It is a grief that
mortal eyes cannot see; it is only keenly felt; its tears are the
wasting away of health, and its lamentation is the low beating of a
sinking pulse. The loudest cry of its woe is but the dull, bitter sigh
of its lonely unhappiness, engendered by the deep misery of the secret
depression of its mental complaining, making the heart like a faded
flower in a gloomy wilderness; like a blighted tree in a sultry waste.
Weep! weep! and sigh from thy very soul; yet thy sorrows will not end;
their root will still remain to spring and spread afresh. Unhappy they
that such sorrows have! alas! for them! R.N.
_Pleasure Gardens._--Has it never occurred to any nurseryman that his
garden might be made delightful and profitable promenades for the
public, at a low charge for admission? In the neighbourhood of
Philadelphia, we learn from a communication to the _Gardeners'
Magazine_, there is a class of gardens very distinct from any in this
country; those of plant-growers, who to a small nursery, and green and
hot-houses, add the appendage of a tavern. The two principal ones of
this description are kept by Mr. Arran, and M. d'Arras: the first has a
very good museum in his garden; and the latter possesses a beautiful
collection of orange and lemon trees, very large, but trimmed after the
French fashion. These places are the resort of many of the citizens;
Philadelphia having no park, or national gardens, for the purpose of
recreation.
_American Prejudice._--Everything British creates a spirit of rivalry
among the vulgar Americans. A great number of the workmen's anecdotes
are directed against the aristocratical bearing of Englishmen: nothing
gives greater delight to the rustics than to hear of the Honourable D.S.
or Lord John P. having been the last served, or badly served, at an inn
for being surly to the waiters, &c.
_Cheap Fruit._--In Philadelphia, peaches are 25 cents, (about a
shilling) per bushel; pine-apples from the West Indies from 5 to 15
cents. (2d. to 6d.) each, and water melons cheaper.
_Newtown Pippin._--Near New York, at the residence of Mrs. Col. More, is
the original tree of the celebrated apple called the Newtown pippin. It
stands in the centre of an old orchard; the tree divides itself about
2-1/2 or 3 feet from the ground; but, although the estate has been in
the possession of Colonel More's family for two centuries, they are
unable to give any account of its origin; consequently the tree must be
of very old standing.
_Hyde Park on the Hudson River._--Our Hyde Park on this side the water,
can bear no comparison with its namesake on the other side of the
Atlantic, The latter is extensive; the rides numerous; and the variety
of delightful distant views embrace every kind of scenery. The
pleasure-grounds are laid out on just principles, and in a most
judicious manner; there is an excellent range of hot-houses, with a
collection of rare plants; remarkable for their variety, their
cleanliness, and their handsome growth. The construction and arrangement
of the farm buildings deserve the strongest praise; but, in fact,
everything connected with Hyde Park is performed in a manner
unparalleled in America. The proprietor of Hyde Park is Dr. David
Hosack, a gentleman well known in the literary and scientific world--the
Sir Joseph Banks of America.
_Modern Cincinnatus._--Near Bordentown, in the state of New Jersey is
the seat of the Count de Survilliers, elder brother of Napoleon
Buonaparte, and formerly King of Spain. He has effected great
improvements on this estate, and is now actively employed in others. It
is most gratifying to see this amiable nobleman withdrawing himself from
the busy scene of politics into retirement, and expending his princely
fortune in rural improvements.
_Fiddling Poetry._--The following may be seen in the first volume of
Purcell's _Catches_, on two persons of the name of Young, father and
son, who lived in St. Paul's Churchyard; the one was an instrument
maker, and the other an excellent performer on the violin:--
"You scrapers that want a good fiddle well strung,
You must go to the man that is old while he's Young,
But if this same fiddle you fain would play bold,
You must go to his son, who'll be Young when he's old.
There's old Young and young Young, both men of renown,
Old sells, and Young plays, the best fiddle in town;
Young and old live together, and may they live long,
Young to play an old fiddle, old to sell a new song."