Vol. I. Philadelphia, Eleventh Month, 1820. No. 11.
FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
When casting around for topics, towhich the attention of my readersmay be solicited, they sometimes startup in almost every quarter; and theprincipal difficulty arises in the taskof selection. It is, however, altogetherprobable, that like the younglady, who after disregarding the pretensionsof men of sense and merit,at length gives her hand to someempty-pated coxcomb, my final determinationmay not always furnishthe most conclusive evidence of wisdomor correct taste. Notwithstandingthis may be the case, it is possiblethat here and there, at distant intervals,something may be found fromwhich improvement may be derivedby those who are in pursuit of it.
On the present occasion, the attentionof my little circle is respectfullyinvited to a few of the occurrences ofthe passing year. We are now approachingthe confines of winter, thatseason which has been called withgreat propriety its old age. Previouslyto its commencement, and duringthe continuance of what in thiscountry is called Indian Summer, theface of nature is expressive of pleasingmelancholy; the sun divested ofhis ordinary radiance, courts our gaze—theprevailing stillness is only invadedby the falling leaf—and everyphasis in which we behold her, isserene and tranquil. At such a periodwe are led into a train of soberand rational reflection; and for a moment,feel wisely disposed to appropriateto our advantage, the truthswhich it reveals. In contemplatingthe progress of decay, and witnessingthe beauties with which we are surrounded,successfully fading beforeour eyes, we are forcibly reminded ofthe solemn fact, that human life, withall its sublunary enjoyments, is alsorapidly hastening to the tomb. Wein some degree become familiar withthe image of dissolution; and the departureof those of our friends andacquaintances, who have during thepast months joined "the immensemajority of the dead," is by the powerof association brought to our remembrance.Most of them entered on thepresent year full of life and hope, andhad every prospect of outliving manywho are now their survivors; butalas! how vague and uncertain are allhuman calculations. The past summerand autumn, have in many partsof our otherwise highly favoured[402]country, been accompanied with FEVERin its various appalling forms;and numerous have been the victimsto this minister of death. Our ownmetropolis was for some time theseat of painful apprehension, and noone could doubt the presence of amost malignant visiter, whose footstepswere, however, mercifully arrestedby an overruling hand. New-Orleansand Savannah have experiencedmore weighty and tremendousaffliction from this source; andthe sufferings of their inhabitantsclaim our deep and sincere sympathy.Many of the laws of nature arestill concealed from our observation;but it is our duty to collect authenticfacts, to reason from what we know,so that in some instances we mayascend from effects to their causes.It is certainly the part of wisdom, inrelation to YELLOW FEVER, to guardwith vigilance every supposed avenueof approach, whether domestic or foreign.The season has been remarkablein many respects. The earthhas been unusually fruitful of her