are those upon which I set out in early life, and, as I grew older, I became more and more confirmed in them; not that I changed my practice, while I held fast my profession, and got my fingers burned at last, by trusting my name in a day-book; for I never did it, because I saw the evil effects of credit around me, in every shape and form.— Emporium Trenton.
The speaker of the following is now an esteemed citizen of California.
|
THE INFANT ORATOR.
You'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage;
And if I chance to fall below
Demosthenes or Cicero,
Don't view me with a critic's eye,
But pass my imperfections by.
Large streams from little fountains flow;
Tall I oaks from little acorns grow;
And though I now am small and young,
Of judgment weak, and feeble tongue,
Yet all great learnèd men, like me,
Once learned to read their A,B,C.
But why may not Columbia's soil
Rear men as great as Britain's Isle;
Exceed what Greece and Rome have done,
Or any land beneath the sun?
Mayn't Massachusetts boast as great
As any other sister state?
Or where's the town, go far and near,
That does not find a rival here?
Or, where's the boy but three feet high
Who's made improvements more than I?
These thoughts inspire my youthful mind
To be the greatest of mankind;
Great, not like Cæsar, stained with blood;
But only great, as I am good. — Everett.
|
This was heard from one of a "poetic temperament."
|
ELEGY ON MRS. MARY BLATZE.
Good people all, with one accord,
Lament for Madam Blaize;
Who never wanted a good word,—
From those who spoke her praise.
The needy seldom passed her door,
And always found her kind;
She freely lent to all the poor
Who left a pledge behind.
|
page 87
© Laurel O'Donnell 1998 - 2005, all rights reserved
This document may be downloaded for personal non-commerical use only
and should not be reproduced or distributed without permission.
|