CHAPTER V. "Le destin regle le cours de la vie, What is the good of earth? a shadow ! What is the fame of earth? a dream! Thou, poor man! who hast fondly dreamt of shadows, GEILLPAISER's Golden Fleece. It was the Sabbath morning. Theodore arose from his pillow, with a mind as free from care, as the bright blue sky from clouds; his spirits as buoyant and elastic, as the keen pure air of this winter morning. The sun had not more completely chased away the mists and darkness of night, than hope had dispelled the fears and doubts which had corroded his mind. The wide perspective of years, which life spreads before the eye of youth, is free from those dark shades that invest the contracted prospect of man's closing scene, which, like clouds formed by the exhalations of the day, obscure the setting sun. It is not un til experience has detected the illusions of fancy, and disappointment blighted the blossoms of hope-until the eye has been dimmed by the tears of sorrow, and the heart chilled by unkindness, that we believe life to be a scene of trial and suffering. But be it so. In the paradise which hope and fancy have created, allow the youthful mind to expatiate freely, ere experience leads him to the tree of knowledge, whose fruits, when gathered, will too soon reveal to him the melancholy truth "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." But is ignorance ever bliss? or wisdom ever folly? Try, young enthusiast, if this maxim, taught by the world, be true. Go on; build high thy fabric of ideal happiness; heap joy on joy, hoping thus to attain to felicity; but know, that he who rests on earth, lays his foundation on sand; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, his high-raised edifice shall be swept away, and not a wreck remain. Be, then, early wise; chasten the ardour of affection, moderate the eagerness of desire, check the flight of fancy; and thus avoid those bitter disappointments, those keen regrets, that sickness of the heart, produced by hope deferred, or an ill-placed confidence in aught that earth can give. Build, then, upon the Rock of Ages; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, thy fabric of happiness shall not be destroyed, but remain secure amidst the "wreck of matter and the crush of worlds." Such were the lessons of wisdom, to which Theodore listened, when he went, that morning, to attend public worship in the Capitol. The audience was composed of the young, and gay, and fashionable, in addition to the members of the senate, the house, and the cabinet, who preferred this resort to the other more humble places in which divine service was performed; for scarcely could the name of churches be given to the little frame buildings, which, twenty years ago, were used by the different denominations of Christians in the city. The splendid hall of the representatives, with its marble pillars, its painted dome, its draperied walls, its statues, pictures, and entablatures, resembled more a heathen temple than a Christian church. The platform, on which stood the speaker's chair, was of a semicircular form, elevated several steps above the floor of the hall, and covered with a rich carpeting. drapery was over the A canopy of scarlet chair, and a colossal statue of the goddess of Liberty, the presiding genius of the place, was raised on a pedestal behind it. The hall was, likewise, a semicircle, and the seats and writing-tables of the representatives were arranged, in amphitheatrical order, around the platform where the speaker sat, in all the majesty of the sovereign people. On the Sabbath-day the preacher occupied this place, and the ladies and gentlemen the seats of the members of congress. The rest of the audience filled the spacious galleries which surrounded the building. The ladies were dressed almost as gaily and splendidly as at balls, and were handed in by the gentlemen, with as much ceremony as into a drawing-room. Blazing fires warmed and enlivened the circle; nor was it unusual to see groups of this gay company collected round the fireplaces, conversing in an under tone, as much at their ease as if it were indeed a place of amusement or fashion. The president, accompanied by his pri vate secretary, never failed to attend divine service; and the seat he first chose was ever afterwards reserved for him, by the courtesy of the audience. The chaplains of the senate and house of representatives alternately officiated; and when they were men of talents, they generally succeeded in fixing the attention of even this gay and fashionable congregation. On all occasions the president shewed his respect for religion, by his respect for its ministers, and the most serious and undivided attention to the service; as if impressed with the truth of the observation of the French writer, who says " Avec de la vertue, de la capacité, et une bonne conduite, l'on peut-être ensupportable; les manières que l'on néglige comme des petites choses, sont souvent, ce qui fait, que les hommes décident de vous, en bien, ou en mal.” The president, on all occasions, was pointedly attentive to the feelings and convenience of others. These little attentions are more accurate tests of character, than circumstances more obvious and important. Opportunities for great kindness, or important service, seldom occur; but little atten |