Class_| > ■ ,' . ; . Boolc_Aik^ A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH, ®tl)er Poems. BY A GENTLEMAN OF NATURE — — " For honest men Are the gentlemen ofJNTatare." BOSTON : PUBLISHED BY J. V. PIERCE. No. 32 CORNHILL. 1844. Imagination makes it often real ! 16 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. XXI. I've been where there was much of female grace. And always found that they would have their way ; Some fellow, with a bull-dog head and face, Has led the prettiest envied one astray ; The modest handsome gentleman gives place Unto the bold, who " smile for to betray ; " But to sum up this stanza, and be terse, In Vicksburgh things are nearly the reverse ! XXII. Here comes a female, I think needs assistance, * A Chinese waddle — shuffle — somewhat smirk — Her sense 's acute, she 's smelled us at a distance ; She turns her side upon us, a la Turk I A believer in the creed of non-resistance — Or takes us for the vulgar things vot vork ! You have no wife, like me, to hold the purse. You pay your debts, perhaps not worth a curse. XXIII. But it may be she's only in a trance. Or takes me by my whiskers for a bear. Or head is giddy from the last night's dance, Or vexed may be by some mischievous fair ; * The southern fashion of some simpletons placing a parasol before their faces, when they see a man before them, straining their eyes from or of turning their gide to him, as they pass him, struck me as a touch of the sublime. On turning a corner upon them, the ridiculous manoeuvre is insulting. A man is doubtless a very vulgar animal to a lady, (I mean when he is not in a ballroom.) Besides, it indicates modesty ! Some Caspar Hauser, who had never seen a female, might mistake them for Houries. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 17 Afraid, perhaps, of vulgar insolence, Of those who at a lady turn and stare; Or she may think we're anxious for a hug. And take me for that nondescript, John Bug ! XXIV. Appropos of this lion, — by the way John is said to be a perfect gentleman ; He makes, 'tis true, a masculine display About the mouth ! but then the fellow can Treat you decently, by night or day ; And ladies very seldom from him ran ! John's independence does a stranger strike, He's the only big bug here that I much like. XXV. John takes the lead in singing often times, He goes ahead as rough as a bassoon ; He likes the preacher to gives out the lines. It gives him time, he thinks, to change the tune. Which sacred music unto him refines ; — But John's been struck with love, or by the moon. And my good soul, don't go to Arkansas, Or, like Matthias, they will clean your jaw ! XXVI. What means those asses, mules, is it a fray ? Some with a gun, a jug, or fishing line ; Why, don't you know ? it is the Sabbath day ; To break the Sabbath here is thoucht no crime. 18 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. E'en when with dogs they hunt a runaway ; And pious ladies go abroad to dine. The Methodists I found the greatest sinners — They care less for their Bibles than their dinners.* XXVII. See, see, the toupees, jewelry, and lace, — This is the Vicksburgh Methodist Society ! It is, I'm sure, a democratic place. And there's, somehow, a great variety Of spitiers, scarce an intellectual face : I've no barometer to guage the piety. There's one high in the church, I think a sample- Few copy by his head or his example. XXVIII. 'Twas here Judge Taylor gave such a surging! To " Holy Mother " on purgatory ; As I suppose to her as good a purging Asa double dose of fish-hooks well could be ; * Having been frequently amongst the Methodist brethren, I can voiich that their Sunday dinners are very fine. If they have a parson to dine with them, the hubbub among the " niggers " is quite agreeable to one who loves peace and quietness on^the Sabbath. Not being over fond of communing with heaven, they make am.ends by stuffing their bellies. f You will often hear the question asked here, — will Judge so-and-so preach to-day ? As they are men of disciplined minds they have a large auditory. And whether they think it beneath their dignity to consecrate themselves wholly to the ministry or not, 1 cannot say ; or whether they wish to reap laurels from both professions. For men having plantations and large incomes, it savors little of the apostolic spirit. And as Dr. Wi- nans stated in New York, many of the best (heaven help the worst !) of their preachers could not read, I should think a few learned men would be an accession. Thus you will hear it said, Judge tried a cause, A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 19 But some thought him from the point diverging, So he quoted from their authors two or three. And lighted up their heads with such effulgence, That the old woman cried for some indulgence. XXIX. I visited these folks, in conference time, — I mind it well, though it is long since past ; The preacher had a most uncommon whine. And sometimes in his preaching did stick fast, When he would come grandiloquence sublime, But in an hour the Rubicon he passed ! He went it hot on his peroration. The soul's post-mortem examination. XXX. When in the pulpit he announced his text. He squinted round with a peculiar frown ; It made me think — good heavens ! what's coming next! Then he commenced to rant worse than a clown, At least with repetition me he vexed : His dress, I think, was either blue or brown ; I was relieved when he at last sat down : The conference ought to vote this bore a gown. married a couple, and preached a sermon the same day, — in the same gilt- buttoned coat, of course. But T need not say their influence in the min- istry, however pure their motives, is extremely limited. How different many of the brightest lights of the church, who left a lucrative legal pro- fession, — the late Dr. Jennings of Nashville, — Blair Linn, and Dr. J. P. Wilson of Philadelphia, and a host now living. 20 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. XXXI. They have religion here in noisy form ; In numbers they, as usual, are quite strong, — At the camp-meetings they are in a storm — * It shows to what communion they belong — In the class meeting they get rather warm- But 'tis soon over, like a lady's song. There's many do not have family prayers, They are what Wesley would pronounce the tares. XXXII. These Christians have, it seems, a discipline, Which says — they shall not not dare to buy or sell Their brother, for it is a grievous sin ; How they get over this, I cannot tell : It says, they shall not marry near of kin,! Or infidels — 'gainst this they do rebel : For some, I know, would wed a Puseyite, If he had the bait — and would let them bite ! ^ It is generally rainy weather during a camp meeting. As most of the bloods and sporting gentlemen have horses, the attendance is very large. Some get co7iverted rega]sirly every season ; but the strong desire to shoot a runaway, see a horse-race, go to a ball, or " feed the tiger," soon plunges them in the " slough" of rascality. I was listening to a fervid and elo- quent exhorter in Memphis, (Tenn.) and asked a preacher who he was, — He said he was a poioerful man 3 he had backslidden three times, but he thought he would " hold out " this time. They will have things better when they get a few more slave-holding bishops ! 1 1 oifended some of the brethren by telling them, that Dr, Adam Clark, speaking of Christians marrying '• sinners," quotes the following verse : " Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity against God "^ " And yet many here will jump at a man, however immoral, if he has the negroes. And the minister scarce asks the question of those who present themselves as candidates for mat- rimony. Burn your discipline, I beseech of you. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 21 XXXIII. It says they must not have deceitful curls, — And, to be even, they do curl the true Hair, which is a venial act for girls, Who read the Lady's Book, and nothing do ; And they must wear no ornaments or pearls ; Like plug tobacco some their hair do screw : But I presume they make a reservation To break the rules, when they've the inclination. XXXIV. And here's a member, with a hang-dog look,* You'd think he robbed a butcher of his meat ; He's conning o'er his Bible, the hymn book ; Familiar there, his knowledge is complete : The preacher oft him for a sinner took. His carcass slanterndicular on the seat : He is a Washingtonian, true grit, An ignoramus and a hypocrite. XXXV. Like a conceited coxcomb, he is prim ; He deems all those, save Wesleyans, a faction ; Their hair is very seldom cut so trim, They have no froth for him, and too much action ; *This is a character I meet frequently in church and class meetings. Their utter " abandon " of common sense, modesty, and gumption, makes it difficult how to classify them. To me their squinting, staring, and grinning indicates the ass 5 and their looks insult me. They have the fundament-dl organ largely developed. 3 22 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. See, how he stares as females enter in ! But I can't see the point of his attraction : They veil from vulgar gaze their facial muscle ; He doubtless is attracted by the bustle. XXXVI. The ladies here, I think, do have the sway,* For the majority, you know, must rule ; In meetings they do very seldom pray. And when they do, they manage to keep cool ; Or when they chance to go to the next play, They might be classed with some poor simple fool. If Wesley could rise here, he'd make a muss. And die exclaiming, " the devil is with us ! " XXXVII. And pray, what is this building here below. Grated and barred, much like a nunnery ? I see a black nun looking out the window ! This is the place for evil company. * It is worthy of note, the comparatively large number of females who are members of the Church south. Few single men join, except their in- tention is, to get acquainted with the sisters. Out of the church you are looked upon as a loafer. How many "dairyman's daughters" belong to the society, I cannot tell. But the notions of some of the tee-total ladies, that a little wine or egg-nog, on new years', is no harm, is funny. It is fashionable to be a member of the church here, and few duties are exact- ed of members. To say grace and go to camp meeting comprises the re- ligion, I should judge, of the largest number ; and I affirm that the ac- counts of conversions in many places south, published in the S. W. C. Advocate, are empty exaggerations. I would be thought an arrant liar, if I stated facts as 1 knew them to be in Memphis, Tenn. But do not many deplore this state of things '? Are there no Elijah Steeles left ? Yes ; but as it is respectable to do nothing, and puritanic to take an interest in the spiritual welfare of their servants, their piety burns low, and, for want of exercise, becomes extinct. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 23 Where petit larceners and loafers go: The duelist and cut-throat go scot free ; Murderers here are never kept in jail, If they can find some '* straw," or other bail. XXXVIII. And if a darkey chance to run away, With his own legs and body, they keep him here. As a kind of lunatic, gone astray. Till some one, called an owner, does appear ; And then he's very often made to pay The forfeit, with a burned breast, or cropped ear ; 'Twas here they kept the infamous Wild Bill, — This fellow nearly ate them out of swill \ XXXIX. 'Tis wondrous with what boldness, and how free From care consummate rogues do shove along ; With a kind of obsolete dignity, Sans every thing but reputation gone ! Great bloods for mirth, and fight, and revelry ; And when their necks want stretching, they are on Their way to Texas, that land of gentihty. Where diamond cuts diamond with civility ! XL. See this large house, the garden trim and slick ; Pray who lives here ? But knock, or ask the porter; This is the place, I think, of Vick — No, no ; of him who wed his pretty daughter ; 24 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH, He thought he touched the Baptists to the quick, By proving that they used too much cold water ; He was, some years ago, a good mechanic, * Which puts one old maid often in a panic ! XLT, Perhaps I may erelong propose for her, — I'm of the natural aristocracy ; And noble blood, would certainly prefer A scion of the true nobility ! — To which pretensions should she once demur, I'll go it solely on gentility. With the exception in the marriage writ — That I can't be an empty hypocrite ! XLII. *' Frailty, thy name is woman ! " — one hath said Who human nature read, plain as a book ; He hit the nail I think upon the head. Presuming- he a walk round Avon took : And then we know that he was married ; — His Mary's frock — the pretty dem^ to hook : Angels ! that God in mercy banish'd here. But tainted by earths vicious atmosphere. * A man who has been a good mechanic may make a good preacher 5 but one who has not skill enough to fashion the " material " would make sad work to mould for good the "immaterial.'' I boarded with one of this kind in IVFeraphis, Tenn. He said he had experienced Christian per- fection twenty years. One evening in the act of rising from prayer, he said fiercely, (having heard the dog bark while praying,) ''I must have my gun loaded; I bet I'll pepper some of them niggers who are strolling around here." I concluded he might take my hat. A WALK ABOUT VICSKSBURGH. 25 XLIII. He is, 'tis true, a man of sterling merit, Fine roman nose, a forehead high, and bold, Hair a la Maffit — conceited, full of spirit ; But what is worth or character to gold. Which if you from a horse thief should inherit, You'll be in every Album here enroll'd ! But worth and merit often live to be Move a mushroon aristocracy. XLIV. And, pray, what house is this down here below ? The garden is quite pretty, trim, and tasty ; That is Chapman's, — what, him that tries to crow ? Or he who brother Mina kill'd so hasty ? The man who makes the razor strop I trow, Which makes you shave as slick as eating pastry ? You seem to know too much, pray do keep cool, Chapman — the man that keeps the female school. XLV. Oh yes ! and here's another at the Phoenix, A monster, for to rise from out its ashes ; 'Twas this which put — in such a fix. And broke this child of mammon all to smashes. Look at the window, see that little vix- en the school-mistress — what eye-lashes ! I'd like to be her bright " particular star " — But seem to think I would prefer Miss Car ! 3* 26 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. XL VI. One Sabbath here I with a friend did roam, We met four beauties, all were dress'd in white, Not meet, for to surround the upper throne, — The "Lamb " does there the "pure in heart" invite! One bawled, or bellow'd, in a harlot tone Between a sucking calf and screeching kite ; — "What's the matter girls, don't be afraid of them. They're only a simple pair of Irishmen."* XLVII. But here the petticoats usurp control, And manly modesty of course is dumb ; For when these pure Sapphiras go the whole Hog principle in ethicks — we succumb ; * I made enquiry about this virago, and learnt that she was a decent girl , probably a boarding school miss, who had been stufF'd with the idea that a man was an inferior animal — (especially if not made by the tailor 3) and the prerogative of her sex to insult with impunity must not be questioned. The expression of her countenance, and tones of her voice, were ex- tremely insulting. A short time afterwards, coming from work in the evening with a large butterfly in my hand, when passing a sweet dark complexioned creature — T can see her bright eye now ! — a tall cadaverous ugly wench by her side, while the former smiled, the latter hemm'd and scraped her skeleton throat — with the intention of insulting. These are small matters to some, but to the sensitive and discerning they portray a character truly despicable. The female who makes the prerogative of her sex — (exempt from chastisement,) an excuse for gratuitous insult; is scarce fit for a brothel. If young women knew the sentient hearts that beat under a rough exterior, and how cheering a pleasant countenance and modest deportment was to those whose station in society may be below theirs 3 they would not sacrifice even their good wishes for the indulgence of a petty spleen, or the gratification (which is peculiar to slavery,) of inflicting pain. For many a modest young man, who has been insulted by an empty headed Miss for his poverty, has lived to see his daughters dignified with virtue, while her progeny has become a nuisance on the earth. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 27 You'll lose your body, if not lose your soul, By a stray bullet from some gallant's gun ; For you're a stranger, shocking — but a male ! And he'll believe the tender virgin's tale. XLVIII. I've known some splendid specimens of yoie. And always seen that they reap'd their deserts, — Cuckold their husbands or else turned w , Live on the fullness of their rotten hearts ; If they don't chance to turn to dust before They long have practised their hellish arts ; And when they wed, their temper's at the worst. Their children rise henceforth — and call them cursed. XLIX. But why be disconcerted by a goose. Whose noisy babblings frequently assail thee ? They have no fear, you will their front teeth loose, E'en though with billingsgate the furies hail thee ; Nor would you wish them drowned in a sluice — Though you might skin them were they not too scaly! The softer sex, how hard that cheek can be, That loses woman's charms — sweet modesty. L. Some females are most brutal and ingrate. Towards those whose cv'ry action deem them kind ; And who to pain a slave would hesitate — And who to wed their equals have declined — 5 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. Retiring virtues impudence does hate ; The god of fashion does these hecates blind : They jeer at modest meritj manly worth, Then wed the meanest vagabond on earth ! LI. See here ! — is this a Jewish synagogue ? I have no doubt they'll let a stranger in ; Or we, perchance, can get in here incog, Unled — unfettered — unrestrained by Gioin, — He'll tell his hearers something for to jog Their memories — when he does begin, But list the music ! these are very brisk airs ; The man in the robes — I don't like his whiskers ! LII. A lady's man, — and he's been getting spliced Unto a damsel — pious, proud, and wealthy, Though gold I do not think his heart entic'd ; Perhaps he feels that preaching is unhealthy, As once a week has barely some sufficed — And then his visits where not short or stealthy : At temperance meetings he is never seen. Or Bible anniversaries, — 'twas too plebeian ! LIII. There is a sprinkling of the upper classes. The ladies dress'd, as for Dick Johnson's ball ! But there is one, who all the rest surpasses ; In person graceful, dignified, and tall — A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 29 It may be " Alice," here there are no " masses," They read the prayers, not praying, one and all. This is the " true Church," I very much suspect 'Tis Bishop Otey's — but not God's elect ! LIV. They had a fair, and 'twas a sin to Moses To see the notions, if not pretty faces ; A half eagle bought a bunch of posies, And ten a very pretty pair of braces — Which the great wealth of " Oliver " discloses ! — He'll wear this " roland " doubtless at the races. In fairs, it seems there's many things unMr ; I cannot say, I was but seldom there. LV. Friend Lawrence here his calling does pursue, To hammer Greek and Latin in the head ; Although he looks at green uncommon blue, ^ He is a gentleman, I think well read; Whether or not he likes his timid crew, He'll ne'er " give up the ship," till he is dead : I took him for a Scotchman by his pate — But he affirms he is from New York state. * That an aged and respectable Divine should be cowhided, for the midaucity of turning a young lady out of school for misconduct, is not remarkable in a city where a. petticoat " has the splendor of a coronation garment." And if the jury award him damages I shall think it more remarkable ! so A WALK ABOUT VICKSEURGH. LVI. About these parts there is a poetess, Whose verses, have a most melodious chime. And who she is I surely cannot guess, Although her stanzas were preferr'd to mine — Still that has never caus'd me much distress, For there is one who can us both outshine - — You've doubtless read, it thrill'd me through and through That peerless gem, — call'd the last " interview.' LVII. The moral's very curious to be sure. It is the praise of rank hypocrisy, — To kill yourself another for to cure, Whose love perchance may also fickle be ; — But woman's love some say is always pure. Until a wealthier rival she does see ! But to turn critic is not my intent — I waive the moral for the sentiment. LVIII. 'Tis what I call " exceeding beautiful ! " 'Twould look so pretty in the best review ; Although it does not seem to give in full The reason, why she did that course pursue ; For women oft are stubborn as a bull, — And when they will — ivill force a passage through. Led on by impulse, fancy, or desire. In loves intrigues, they very seldom tire ! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 31 LIX. And she, quite probable, don't write for hire ; Her poetry is not a " compilation," That general readers never can admire, Or some Professor's wonderful translation, To show that perseverance does not tire ; She gives it fresh her own warm heart's creation ; -— Like Pollock, scouting Painim's base mythology, For love, and holy Virtue's etymology. LX. Sing on, sweet nymph — thou strik'st a magic lyre ! For the sweet " bird of Paradise "=^ has flown r Pow'r, beauty, genius, brilliancy and fire. And melancholy sweetness is thy own, — Thy muse will many a tender thought inspire, In hearts that have nat all been turn'd to stone. For, dear madam, I would kiss your big toe, t Before the lips of beauties here below ! "J LXI. We'll go to Hacks, — perhaps he'll not complain, If one should call just as a visiter ; For we may get a job to measure rain ; Or take observations since he's lost his sister ; § * Mrs. Hermans, f As I am a catholic admirer. | Below — down the river. § This horticulturist, who published barometical observations, the quantity of rain which fell, &C; — suddenly stopped his learned diary, during the fall and winter rains. His sister, who understood these things, having died, some wags attributed the " observations " to her pen. But as the rains were tremendous, it was probably found impossible to meas- ure them. 32 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. Or he might pettishly seize up his cane, And raise upon my tangled moss a blister ! For since the rain, his Oracle's not spoken The quantity — I think his gauge has broken. LXII. Here, see the rail-road ! but it does not please The denizens, it takes the trade to Jackson, When Graves the treasurer stuck that breeze, This likely is the road he made his tracks on : It's managed by three assignees. Who, it does seem, most always have their hats on Eight thousand dollars on/i/ for each one, I'd do it all — for merely half that sum. LXIII. This old baronial white wash'd castle, (Or should be old,) — 'tis worthy of a lecture From Roscoe ; to my notion it is past all • Order, and ideas of architecture ; But as we are on the top of the last hill, We will not bother much about the texture Of things within, nor will we stay to grieve For the "days," — or picture of "Adam and Eve."' LXIV. Here lives Tom R s; Tom is quite a genius. At least since the great rail-road bank did break ; There's a resemblance, I do think, between us, Especiall^in whiskers, — but that don't make * A copy of Dubufe's great painting. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 33 That crime of thine, great duelist, less heinous, Trying to make a widow of Mrs. liake. Tom, my dear friend, don't fight another duel — The de'il may have you, whiskers and all, for fuel ! LXV. Here's life — a riding on a fine black horse, How unlike ''death on the pale horse," West's gifted Picture ; looks like a baron, rather sour and course — As if some rogue his money bags had shifted ! He neither looks to right nor left, the force Of habit ; I'd like to have his head sifted By some Phrenologist, — to see if he could stray, " Above the golden path, or milky way." LXVI. Here see a sight ; — those tall wax candles burning ! Is it a wake .'' — I wonder where's the whiskey ! See ! See ! — that lad, mouth open like a sturgeon. Fins sprinkling " holy water " quite frisky ! — Oh, bless my stars — he's praying to the Virgin ! I took him by his coat for Prezaminsky : * But the performance here does beat the Jews — I wonder if they'll let us in the pews ? LXVII. He'll tell us sure how man was made a crature. And Cain was born some time before his brother, * A Polish exile, I was mistaken : still I think he was a pat-xioi, 4 34 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. That there is, very clartly, ev'ry fature Of the Apostles' Church in Holy Mother ; t And tnat in purgatory you may mate your Dearest friends, and know one from another I But to my mind there's something- very stygian In this ould Irish Catholic religion. t It is curious to an observer of men, to him with a sensibility acute, subtle, and discriminating, with" no education'' to bias his judgment, to mark the wide difference between the profession and practice of those who arrogate to themselves the sounding title of the Holy Apostolic Church. There are so many, especially from Europe,who are incapacitated by prejudice, or want of soul, to think, — that the name answers for the es- sence. And although to a child of nature, a wild Indian, or a Negro, the discrepancy between their pretensions and actions is apparent; they op- pose insult, and condemn those who, with purest motives, practise a pure religion. The questions arise, what is Christianity ? — From whence our knowledge of God? In the view of a sane and sensible man, religion does not consist in mummery, — in mere form, — in any externals merely whatever ; but to " love thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself" And can those love God who are ignorant of his character, and take the instructions of card playing priests for the teachings of the Bible? It would puzzle the great author of all error, as well as evil, to tell the motives of the originators of the various systems of error which have cursed the earth. To the honest inquirer after truth, the Bible is a sufficient guide. Men being fallible and peccable beings, they will disagree on unimportant things. But the wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err if he is honest in heart, in all that pertains to salyation. What Christian would reject that hymn of the sublimest of poets ; — " Alas ! and did my Savior bleed ? "—What Catholic but looks upon it as rank heresy? Not having that faith which purifies the heart, and overcomes the world, penances and purgatories are resorted to as an offset ! — Miserable de- ceivers ! — Foolish sciolists ! — Insane reasoners !— Infatuated beings ! — The preaching of the Cross which is to these Greeks foolishness, is to the poor Indian the power and the wisdom of God. The Christian missionary who labors among the heathen, addresses them from the Holy Volume. But he that dispenses with the Bible for the teachings of the " Church,"— must first have his paraphernalia of images, Avax candles, «fec., to humbug the staring natives into a belief of Catholicism ! I remarked, south, that it was rare to find a negro simple enough to be a sincere Catholic ! They meet two or three of them together to pray and sing hymns of praise, 9,nd know, and feel when their sins are forgiven. But among the large number of Catholics I have known, I never knew any to have a prayer meeting ! 1 have known them meet together to curse the heretics ! Some of these " lights of the world," will be offended at my remarks- Who thought Bishop Hughe's denunciatiation of the advocates of the Bible in New York, (as infidel agrarians, and subverters of the true faith,) was sound doctrine. If they were Christians, (I mean generally — I do'nt say there cannot be such among them in spite of their doctrines,) would they A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 35 LXVIIT. See, how the fellow shakes his incense round ! (God loves the incense of a heart sincere ;) And then the childish bells must often sound, To tell them when, and what, for to revere; While the priest enters with his bows profound, As if to say, you heretics, stand clear ! This fellow's rubbed himself against the college, — Still his priest's head retains more brogue than knowledge. not pray for and strive to convert their erring brethren ? Who would take the last words of Bishop England to be those that a Christian would naturally utter? I was much amused at a controversy in Memphis, Tenn. between a Mr. Stewart; a builder^ and the priest or schoolmaster of the place. Mr. Stewart denounced their church in the process of erection, as a black altar of superstition, «fec. The grandiloquent and Jesuitical re- ply was worthy of Hughes himself. His argument was the usual one, to wit : — that Carrol, and Gaston, Hosiusko, La-fayette, &c., were all Catho- lics, — though he might have kaown that La-fayette told a distinguished American citizen, that if the liberties of this country were ever endanger- ed, it would be by the intrigues of the Jesuits. He did not add Pope Alexander, Voltaire, &c., to the list. Before their church was finished, (part of the money for the erection of which was sent from Rome,) they held their meetings in a wretched old school house in the " grove." Op. passing,one Sabbath, the door being open, my attention was arrested by a genius with a slouchy looking theatrical dress on, bowing and crossing himself before two wax candles, in common brass candlesticks, on an old table with a small image (intended for) Christ, while some were gaping at him with their mouths wide open. I thought for a moment that the fellow was conjuring with the devil ! — not dreaming of the " august ceremonies" of Holy Mother being performed in this crazy tenement : the first emotion was involuntary laughter ! The next was the incomprehensible idea, that any one could take this to be the intelligent worship of Him, who requires truth in the inward parts, and whose sacrifices are those of a broken heart and contrite spirit. But the confidence these votaries place in their ghostly instructers is unbounded. I worked a few years since in Troy, with two brothers, (McGuires,) rather intelligent young men : In an argument in favor of Catholicism, he adduced the words of the great Dr. Moriarety, since " burnt out " in Philadelphia. In a sermon to the faithful in Troy, this eloquent " defender of the faith," used the following lan- guage : — " If an angel was to come from the shining courts above and stand in this aisle, and proclaim with a voice of thunder, that the Catholic religion was false, I would say, away, thou demon damn'd — the Church is founded on a rock 5 and the storms and commotions of ages has not shaken the glorious fabric, — and she will arise in splendor, and be adorned with majesty, when all other systems shall fall 3 and the true Apostolic (i. e. the Catholic,) religion shall pervade the earth ! " I need not say that this was to them a demonstration stronger than proof of Holy Writ. SQ A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. LXIX. And those young actors coming on the stage, To enlighten Yankees with their Latin singing ; And O benOj homo, romeos, by the page ; Like Roman improvisatries, numbers ringing ! And they do look so pretty and so sage, Their star-spangled dress (not banner) round them swinging ; If these young priests are never to be mated, For fear of danger — let them be c d ! But when men reject the Bible, from whence our knowledge of God is derived, to follow vain traditions, what can be expected of them? But one says, there are great and good men among Catholics. So there are among Mormons. If this work is of man or God, judge ye ? Look into Catholic countries and see the workings of the system : see Louis Philippe, having his palace repaired on the Sabbath ! Look at the Pope appropriat- ing money for a theatrical exhibition, in Carnival time. See his last " Bull," trying to gore those who dare read and think for themselves ! See the miserable state of Catholic Ireland compared with Protestant Scotland !— and let the Bible be the light of thy feet, and the guide of thy path. The assertions of Catholics that the Bible has made a hundred sects, is as philosophical and true as that all within their fold think alike, or that the triumph of Catholicity is the hope of the world. And the disengen- uousness of certain " Protestant " editors when speaking of what they call sectarianism, furnishes the papists with a strong argument, (to him at least,) against the Bible. With such men, a Tyng, or a Barnes, a Chee- ver, or a Chambers, or any other pure patriot who would speak in favor of the Bible, are sectarians. There is no common ground with them on which " evangelical'' Christians can meet: and if a man have the piety and learning of Baxter, the moment he opposes fundamental errors, he is sectarian. But I shall not dispute with nothingariatis ! We have lately had an example of the spirit and modesty of the Catholics ; in the form of an address to Messrs. Clay and Frelinghuysen, ostensibly to ask their views of certain matters ; but really to irritate and insult the Protestant portion of the community. I have not this paper at hand. 1"hey call them knaves and hypocrites for carrying a Bible in a procession 5 and ask for the evidence that Protestanism has ever been the distinguishing re- ligion of the United States. I add a note from a New York paper. With " characteristic " meanness and fa!sehood,they make most protestants par- ticipants in outrages, in which probably no member of a Christian Church was engaged in. These exponents of American principles are particularly severe upon the " Native American " party 5 and the idea of carrying a " Protestant " Bible in a procession, was as painful to their feelings as the elevation of the "■ host" in New Orleans, is insulting to tlie common A WALK ABOUT VICSKSBURGH. 37 LXX. I cannot help but blame the architect, Who has not placed upon the roof o. cross ! This should be done ; it is a sad neglect, As there's none in their preaching — a great loss ! Or they might pay St. Peter some respect, And carve him with the keys, as he's their boss ! Or Torquemada, or if some better Man^ Stick up a bust of Madam Pope Joan ! sense of a heretic. When the great high priest of their professsion, Daniel O'Connell; gets matters arranged in Ireland, I hope they will re- turn — install him their Vicar Genera!, and as the millenium will soon com- mence, they will be from the annoyances, the tract and Bible societies of Protestants, and that ^' licentious liberty of the press,'' which is so fatal to their success here 5 and which from their associations,habits, education,and «nfi-republican religion, they are utterly disqualified to appreciate. I hope my fellow mechanics will acquaint themselves with the genius and spirit of Roman Catholicism, that they may be able to oppose it successfully 5 -and bxirn the mark of the " beast " so deep in her forehead, that all their holy water will not be able to wash it out. In one of the largest churches in St. Louis, during the '' performance," the priest holds up to view a golden image, (Nebuchadnezzar like) of a foot in length ! This sight, with the concomitant of good music, drav/s hundreds of Protestants to the church. In JNew Orleans, the services are diversified with, — I'm stuck now! fmagine a small hearse lined with velvet, tassals, &c., — four things carrying it, and the silver hairs of one of the apostles' successors, (Oh dear ! Oh dear I) peering above the top, like Paddy in the sedan chair with the bottom out ; and you will have some idea of the mummeries practised in the '' One true, Holy Apostolic Church," which would disgrace Mormonism itself! How an " Irish Gentleman in search of a religion," could select this as his beau ideal, is somev;hat inexplicable to '^ a gentleman of nature." The Religion of '76. — In a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Smith of Washington, on the Fourth July, 1844, entitled " Religion and Patriot- ism of '76," the statement is quoted from Dr. Baird, of the number of ministers and churches existent in our country at the time of the Declara- tion of Independence. The Episcopalians had 250 ministers, and 300 churches; Baptists, ministers, 350, churches 380; Congregationalists, ministers, 575, churches, 700; Presbyterians, ministers, 140, churches, 300; Lutherans, ministers, 25, churches, 60; Associate ministers, 13, churches 20; Moravians, ministers, 12, churches 8; Roman Catholics, priests, 26, churches 52; German Reformed, ministers 25, churches, 60. Total : ministers, 144.1 ; churches, 1940. Thus the Declaration of Independance was a Protestant act. There is but one Roman Catholic name on it, out of 56. The Presbytery of Hanover, in Virginia, was the first body of ministers of any denomination 4* 38 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. LXXI. They paint the windows to keep out the sun ; But there's a beauty, shining like a star ! She from the beauteous " groves of blarney " come, The peace of some poor heretic to mar ; I'd like to know if her heart has been won, I'd pray to her — my prayer she might not bar, — She would protest, 'tis likely, against me, Or go, perhaps, into a nunnery. LXXII. Hereditary , let them go At a priest's beck, and tremble at his nod ; Hoodwinked — humbugged — their actions show They love the humbug, while they kiss the rod. " Nescience, the mother of devotion," know Is an insult to reason and to God. These are a curiosity — Ahem ! So requiescat in pace — Amen ! that openly recognized that act. This they did in a memorial to the As- sembly, now among the archives of the State The spirit and temper, as well as the doctrines of the Puritans, are well known. The men who de- clared and the men who achieved our Independence, believed in the Bible as the only rxile of faith and practice. Nay, Congress officially recog- nised the Bible. On the 11th of September, 1777, a Committee of Con- gress recommended the importation of 20,000 Bibles, as the proper types for printing a Bible could not be had in this country ; the importations to be made from Holland, Scotland, and elsewhere. Whereupon, it was moved that the Committee on Commerce be directed to import 20,000 Bibles from Europe. Among those who voted for this resolution, are the illustrious names of Samuel Adams, (a Puritan indeed,) John Adams, Elbridge Gerry, John Witherspoon, Laurens, &c. How they must have felt their dependence on the overruling providence of God ! And this is our Protestant Bible which the Romanists would exclude from our public schools ! Holland, that gave a refuge to the Puritans, had it ; Scotland, the land of the free, the fearless and heroic contenders for the faith, could supply us with the Word of God. These things should not be for- gotten, especially in these times of resistance unto blood. The enemy of the Protestant Bible is abroad. May a standard be raised against him ! — Neio York Journal of Commerce. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 39 LXXIII. Here comes a beauty, without dress or paint, If not in countenance, in character ; For modesty on her lays no restraint, — And at vulgarity she don't demur ; A naked regiment would not make her faint ! And virtuous feelings are not much to her : She may be called one of the vulgar great, Known by her manners, and her large estate. LXXIV. She says she is a widow : — " By my sowl," (As Paddy says) that is too much for me ; For I am sure, if I did wear a cowl. It would draw out my risibility ! And I don't think there's many here would growl, If she goes to Maria's nunnery. But as true love is very often crossed, I'll tell you how the widowee was lost : — • LXXV. Her bettei' half was going to be hung. Was on the way which to the gallows led ; The sheriff said to him, but not in fun, To save his neck from stretching, he should wed ! The dame full scon, with squire and bridesmaid come. In hopes for to be lawful married ; But in place of yielding her his hand and heart, He bawled out fierce, — ' 'Hangman, drive on that cart!" 40 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. LXXVI. Yet she is not of fretful, southern blood ; She is of a harder and more northern stock ; And though she's somewhat past her maidenhood, She's fixed in brass, as solid as a rock ! Perhaps she'd wed a stranger, if she could, And wind him up as we do wind a clock ; And if she names the ground, and time, and place, I'll run some Cuff* for her — a scrub-foot race. LXXVII. Here, rushing, comes a southern exquisite ! I took him, at first sight, to be a stager ; A southern belle was by his riding smit ; For see, he rides as if 'twas for a wager ! He has more nonchalance, 'tis true, than wit ; With a rich Pa he surely can engage her ; Though he looks savage, he is not a cannibal, — Still his propensities are rather animal. LXXVIII. Fierce, furious, with an independent air, A half-genteel, though rather martial bearing. As if to say, " insult me, and take care. This bowie knife your vitals shall be tearing ! I'll send your spirit that place for to share. Where Hagan's coward ruffian should be sharing:" Of Homer's heroes here you few will find ; Where '' mildest manners mark'd the noblest mind." * And take care that he wins. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 41 LXXIX. Is this a creek or river, here below, Deep sunk between those slippery banks of mud ? This is the Mississippi, whose overflow Does cause a pestilence when falls the flood ; Its rise is caused by Misissouri snow, Ohio rains, a sprinkling of negro blood ; * This is the river Flint h'as oft been praising, But, to my eyes, it does not look — '' Amazon." LXXX. My body I would often been for hidipg^ In this north water, if it had been thinner ; The waves are small that I would be for striding, — ' Still I might make an alligator's dinner ! The ladies notice you when you are riding — I'd rather be unnoticed, a good swimmer : I would not swim across this far-famed stream, For the brightest belle I have in Vicksburgh seen ! | LXXXL The ladies here, to me, are not superior ; As some would make believe, an angel race, — Except a few, I think they are inferior In form — in soul — in majesty — in grace — * When the yonng negroes come down to tlie river side for water for tiie hands on the plantations, the alligators, which are lying in the sun, gobble thera up in a minute, spilling, of course, a few drops of blood. t I except one vidder. 42 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. I've seen some handsome ones in the interior, But then they would not look you in the face, If you had no negroes, and, like me. That seal of reprobation — poverty ! LXXXII. Some love to show themselves, as at a fair. Good heavens ! — but look how they do drive ! Here's one a coming now, with the cropped hair, • Jack, she'll be over us, as I'm alive ! She's riding, probably, to take the air, Or on the dust she raises, she can thrive ! Here comes a belle — what an Egyptian walk ! Her graceful mien has been with me the talk. LXXXIII. Sometimes they go to Mississippi springs. Or Brandon, famous for her many sins ; And if time pass not by on golden wings. They let it pass in playing of ten pins ; While their shrill voices through the alley rings, As with the " ponies " one the decade thins : These springs are famous for some childish plays And, worst of all, upon the Sabbath days ! * It 13 not uncommon to see a delicate creatu'-e alone, without a l)onne(, whip in hand, driving a horse at the top of his speed, hliiuling a fellow with the dust, to the admiraiion of gaping gents, (wlio, some liow or other, have a notion that a " lady" is a very extraordinary piece of humanity,) who would think it immodest to look at or to speak to a plebian ! But as they generally hold the purse, they do as they please. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 43 LXXXIV. 'Twas sport for me to be on a plantation, For sometimes with the ladies I have ate ; Like abbesses, they know, and feel, their station — Some dirtj-shirted slave does on them wait : I saw one leer at me with hesitation, — They think all " workmen " scratch a ivoolly pate ! By different ones my talents have been rated, — But here a fellow is annihilated. LXXXV. And, for myself, I'm of the Quaker notion, My person clean, I like all clean around me : To see a set of dirty sweeps in motion. If I'm poetic, it surely does confound me ; Their butter is not made so clean as '' Goshen " — * I did not tell them this, or they would pound me ! Or they might say I'm nicer than a prude — With more than female tidiness endued. * On the plantations it is rare to see any neatness or taste among the servants. The kitchen wouU frighten a Quakeress ! The miserable ar- rangement to draw water — the crazy old tubs, &c. for washing — the scan- ty cooking utensils — the manner in which they sleep with their clothes on, frequently until they become lousy, — "did me much exprise," The dif- ference in the appearance of the house and inmates, however, is very striking. The ladies seemed to me to try how many dresses they could rumple, soil, &C.5 knowing that the washing cost nothing. It is common, (though a modern innovation) fur mechanics to eat at the same table; but for a young lady to notice you as if jou were a human being, is " vastly ungenteel." With three or four ladies sitting opposite me, I have tried repeatedly to catch their eyes, but in vain. I mention this for the novelty oi the thing. It is apparent that you should not sit with them, if they had their way in the matter. To one who has been used to be treated like a white man, and smiled on by the beautiful, it was cutting — very ! 44 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. LXXXVI. Pray what is this, a smoke-house, or a stable ? A place, most probably, to boil pitch in ; Oh, see the negro, squalling, on the table ! This is what they call, down south, a kitchen ; The house, and cooks, to me, are rather sable. Although they turn their eyes up quite bewitching ! But I must travel very quickly from it. Or it might give a fellow the black vomit ! LXXXVII. I worked once in Louisiana, Where a tall creature tried to hide her face, When she would pour the coffee, hand the manna — (I mean corn bread,) or took her mother's place ; Her name, I seem to think, was Julian,* — A Remnant of a somewhat prosperous race : She kept her bonnet on, much like a nun ; To some it was insulting — to me 'twas fun I LXXXVIII. I wrote these stanzas underneath her roof ; If she had known it, I would have had to bolt ! I wish I had her portrait by Dubufe ! My friends might think perhaps I was a dolt — * I saw one of those ladies, so much afraid of seeing a " poor fel- low," (lier fiither, when he squatted here some tv\enly years ago, was as poor as a beggar,) take a board several inches wide, and wail a little De- gress till she squalled considerable. That slavery annihilates the gentle- ness and tend'^rness connatural to the female heart, 1 have seen many striking proofs. " Oh ! there is something about Julia, that is very peculiar ! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 45 I know she's flesh and blood, I have the proof, — She made a negro squeal worse than a colt ! To some, some things quite feminine do seem ; To others, assinine, in the extreme ! LXXXIX. How numerous are the ladies that can chat — How few we find are able to converse ! They can ogle, giggle, wriggle, and all that, Or some stale, snivelling balderdash rehearse ; Some have set phrases wonderfully pat ; And some are always whispering, which is worse ; To me the girls are either kind or rude. The good for nothing — or the very good ! XC. They 're not like the male gender, apt to think — E'en when they read in church the holy Psalter, They/eeZ sometimes, when feeling strikes a link That chains affection to the holy altar ; Or from a billet-doux ideasdrink, Which makes her very tender heart to falter ; As with the revelation of his flame. He gives the day, when she must change her name. XCI. The Scripture says, they are the weaker vessel ; 'Tis true, they cannot do without a mate ! This is the notion, I believe, of Cecil, Or Milton, blinded in the marriage state ; 46 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. Some pregnant dears are very apt to mess ill ; Though barrenness, like old maids, they do hate I Some are destructive as the little weavel — But still, withal, a necessary evil ! XCII. How pale some look, for want of exercise ! For coward custom holds them in her thrall ; The dusty atmosphere, and sunny skies, Renders their chance of riding rather small ; Their lungs are strengthened by their frequent cries For help — if they should let a toothpick fall ! If they are married, and should have an heir, — A hlach wet nurse would make a stranger stare. XCIII. Two modest beauties, — stop till they are past — How lovely both to an unpractised eye ! But in their minds how ivondrous the contrast ! Though the exterior scrutiny defy : The one has charms that will forever last — The other is a painted butterfly ; But are not both of them surpassing fair ? So oft are idiots — save a vacant stare. XCIV. Ob, could we in each beauteous mien descry * The mental worth that unto each belongs ! * Nothing has more strikingly arrested my attention than the infinite difference between the minds of persons in the same stations in life. With some little observation I have mentally ejaculated in places where I have A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 47 How often does the mien the soul belie, Though flatter 'd with love's eulogistic songs ? How many empty heads would be passed by, That gain the homage of admiring throngs ? How high does seem a palace from a bog ! — How infinite an angel from a hog ! xcv. I've seen some females who were quite fastidious, And look'd as dumb as any telegraph ; Whom, notwithstanding, I did find perfidious, And deal behind you in a rude horse-laugh ; And meant their sneers, and looks, to be invidious, — A modest, poor young man with them's a calf; Though God on him hath majesty bestowed. He the immortal pyramid — they the toad. * been, judging comparatively, — there sits an angel — here a fool — there a provokingly lovely woman — here a beautiful wretch, impudent, and scarce above a brute ! And yet such is the assinine nature of a majority of bi- peds, that a man is judged of by his coat, gold, or any and every thing, save morals and brains ! 1 have rarely seen females who had common gump- tion in this matter, save and except those who were " children of God;" and they are as much above my eulogy as the great mass of conceited and smart ladies are beneath the contempt of a man of sensibility. If a young man of genius, after struggling for years witli poverty and scorn, becomes distinguished as a man of merit, how anxious some ladies are for his smiles and company, not one of whom but would have frowned on him with contempt a few years before. If nobleness of soul, if exalted virtues, if sensibility and mental qualities, were always portrayed in the beauty of the countenance, and the opposite qualities by the reverse, I doubt not many beauties would strikingly resemble the pig- faced lady ; and some pale and rather disagreeable features, would be lovely indeed. * S )me one, speaking of O'Connell's slander on Washington, compares it to a toad spitting its venom at the base of the immortal pyramids. 48 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. XCVI. Here is a lady, lovely in her mien, Con-natural grace — a modest dignity ; As if like " Vic " she had been born a queen ! From vulgar pride — patrician meaness free. For have you ever in her presence been ? She'll treat the meanest slave vi^ith decency : — And as your husband only kind of lent is — I'll be your second, if he's shot, Mrs. P ! XCVII. Woman, dear woman ! in thy sunny smiles We taste the purest bliss, nor wish for more ; Thy heavenly converse anxious care beguiles, And makes the cup of ecstacy run o'er, — But Oh, my fond heart ! thou art many miles From those transcendant ones, I half adore : I '11 yield my heart to their supreme control — For I do love them, body, heart and soul. XCVIII. Oh, might I nestle in some quiet place. Where this fond fluttering heart would be at rest I Where I could see some kind familiar face. Like an unmated dove share her warm nest ! Then twilight hours would not all run to waste, — But in sweet converse be entirely blest : The bliss, that Christian intercourse bestows ! The love, that on her sainted features glows! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 49 XCIX. For dear to me is female modesty, Hearts that can feel, and cheeks that oft do blush, Yet not with guilt ; eyes that can suffering see, As the warm tears from " feelings fount " do gush ! A model pure of filial piety : With love's warm kiss, a sister's cries doth hush. How thought of love the youthful bosom warms ! To hold heav'ns masterpiece within our arms ! C. Not to be welcome'd by some sylph-like form. In sickness for to comfort — health to tease^ Is for to be disconsolate — forlorn — Enduring pangs that man cannot appease ; — Some burning heart we would not, could not scorn, To plead for mercy on our bended knees ! Woman — thy potent charms what tongue can tell ? Though we have loved not " wisely, but too well ! " CI. Oh love ! first love ! with purest pleasure fraught — The selfish, proud and base, feel not thy flame ; — Whose bosom heaves with purity — each thought Glows with affection, virtuous and immane ; As if an angel in our arms we caught, And from her native heav'n did detain ! Some hasten to be angels from their birth ; And soar on high, to wean our hearts from earth. 5* 50 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CII. Oh blest enchantment ! — let me linger here, Where sacred music does my heart rejoice ; Released from toil most arduous and severe, How sweet the tones of dearest woman's voice ! Shut out from wan anxiety, and fear, The world's vain bubble, its delirious noise. How fine the fibres of a sentient heart ? How glorious nature, when sublim'd by art ! CHI. But pleasure upon earth, how rare, how brief I For few and evil are our days below : And those loved ones that gave our hearts relief, Alas, how soon, are monuments of woe ! See this dear woman ! overcome with grief — And will not heav'n some cordial now bestow ? She lingers on the memory of her son, And Oh ! why not ? — he was her only one. CIV. Exalted matron — though in widow's weeds. Thou hast the charms that should be beauty's boast Thy works of love — those charitable deeds That never gain from vulgar lips the toast : For sufF'ring worth thy tender heart oft bleeds, And those who know thee best, love thee the most,-— But thou dost seek a brighter world to come — A pilgrim here, far from thy father's home. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 51 cv. We'll wend our i^eet unto the place of sculls, Where there at least is true equality, Save in the monumental stone, that gulls The stranger, with unwonted eulogy ; And though there may be silence here, that lulls The senses, here I would not wish to lie ; — No tender heart to shed the burning tear — To stand in deepest sadness o'er my bier ! CVI. Almighty death ! how potent is thy sway ? How galling thoughts of thee to pompous pride ? Beauty lies here, 'twas hop'd would not decay — E'en in the honey-moon the lovely bride ; The stranger, who did chance here for to stray. With no intention long for to abide ; Here servants lie, those who are soon forget — Perhaps with them may be the happier lot. CVII. Death's open throat, how hard to be supplied ! Thou heedest not the tender infant's cry ! Nor those that have thy arrows long defied, As if they'd take some holi-day to dfe. When this world for a paradise they've tried, Hoping that earth could lasting peace supply : How insecure, how fragile is our breath, — '' Thou hast all seasons for thy own, Oh death ! " 52 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CVIII. Here lies the young, the mirthful, and the gay, The sons of pleasure, and the slaves of crime ; He whom the assassin's demon hand did slay, And many more the rigors of the clime ; And some the fruits of Southern Chivalry — I see the grave of one, the youthful Ryan.* What can this coward custom here restrain ? "These laughing stocks of devils, and of men." ■* This young and modest looking man, who assumed a station for whuh faint ladicn, — good looking ! " But it lakes the vidders ! " — 90 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CXCIX. Some think a little hand aristocratic, — Give me a beautious mouth, that does not scorn A burning kiss ! — so simple yet emphatic : (Which utters words, affectionate and warm, Though they may not be always most didactic ; ) Like Jacob's kiss, that surely was no harm ! But when I kiss the girls, I do not cry ; t Some lovely one's, I know, I've made to sigh ! CC. The haughty beauty's lips, are always dry — The modest virgin's, like an infant's, sweet : Whom if you ever chance to kiss, you'll try This pledge of dearest friendship to repeat ; — How few can kiss a "lady," no — no — a woman scientifically 1 How few have an aristocratic mouth 1 I don't mean your tobacco chewing gen- try, who are only fit to live in a bar-room, — ncjr your miu^lachioet) booby who looks as if he was turning into a monkey ! — But the modest gentle- man. Who ever knew a poet, that had not a pretty mouth 1 1 don't mean the tribe of poetasters however, for their " name is legion ', " nor do 1 wish with him ot the " archangel's harp," — That all the beautiful had but one mouth, That we might kiss at once, from north to south. By the by, what a time they must have at some Persian weddings ? How many 1 have seen I would prefer kissing to Queen Victoria ? I had one such in my mind, when I penned — " Affection'^ Kiss." But like all other luxuries it riuist be indulged in witii moderation. I speak to the " Elect " now ! 1 remember a lew years since, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, to have seen a woman with the prettiest mouth imaginable, though her lij)s were chapped by the cold, and sighed for a kiss ! — That woman's mouth, (not features,) I never can obliterate, — I can't tell why. To have one that loves you, cling to you at parting, and with tears in her eyes — kiss you ! who can ever forget it 1 But I must live in the past — not in the future. f " And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept." A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 91 A few there are, and they I trust know why, I'll kiss them if I can, where'er we meet ! Affection's kiss, 'tis love's effectual leaven — I've sometimes wonder'd if they kiss'd in heaven ! CCI. The girls are lovely in the quaker city ; One reason why, they're bathing ev'ry day; Which makes their ideas, bright and witty. And purifies their aivhard lumps of clay ! The quakeresses, I do think quite pretty, Unskill'd the sweet piano for to play. They spoil, however, in this southern state — For most, save negroes, here deteriorate ! ecu. My eyes ! — here comes an amazonian dame ! Some think all vulgar animals are male ; — A bull head creature, with a giant frame And one well fitted for to take the ivliale ! So hideous ugly that she gives me pain, — She'll wear the breeches if her lord should fail, 'Twas one of this kind, a fierce Lucinda In London, threw her husband from the window ! CCIII. A truce, a truce, I now must surely stop, Not for the mud, musquitoes, or the heat ; But for a good, or rather a bad cause, The rain confound it's wash'd away the street ! 92 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. Which like some characters is full of flaws — Well, I'll return and try some other beat. Stagnations boast ! the rain and fire, will kill her, And leave but little for good parson Miller ! CCIV. For Satan here has stablish'd his head quarters, ('Twas formerly by Natchez's river side,) Where red hot chivalry, and fashion's daughters, Are steel'd in impudence, or starch'd in pride ; And e'en in church the "roaring lion " loiters. He likes a cloak his cloven foot to hide. Down east, the natives drove him to the bush, But here he goes it with a perfect rush ! ccv. Thou hmd of dust, and mud, and ugliness. How any one did take thee for the site Of a great city, I could never guess. Unless he stray 'd here somehow in the night. And sigh'd to live in utter loneliness. At least from those, whose skins are somewhat white! Newport, Troy, and Bennington, knock under, — Yicksburg, does eclipse you all to thunder ! CCVI. This Burgh would make a good "Botany bay," For Newport gentry guilty of high treason ; They'd find it somewhat hard to run away — Particularl)' in the rainy season! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 93 They might get the hydrophobia ! — And that indeed would be the only reason, Why they should have a remedy, therefore — Make them swear allegiance, or bar the door. CCVII. Or they might place him on the highest hill, With Marshall's telescope to watch each star ; There he might gaze, or stare, or sleep, until The morn, depriv'd of a mosquitoe bar ; Or listen to the cry of whip-poor-will — Or the shrill whistle of the midnight car : 'Twould not be long before he'd lose all hope. And call for coffee for one — and a rope ! ccYiir. Here's a poor wretch, I very often meet, — Thou knowest what it is to be a slave ? No shoes that can be call'd such to thy {eet — With half a shirt the elements to brave ; Thy crime, old age — success' with thee defeat. For thou a life time to some ingrate gave, Who hast thee now on servant's mercies thrown ; For slavery, turns e'en female hearts to stone ! CCIX. And these professors, seldom do they pray * For slaves, and try to have them for a star * It is a rare thing for the house servants to be called in to prayers, they pray for them not to die sometimes, — but faithful, earnest prayer for them, and interest in their spiritual welfare, is uncommon. On the plantations 9 94 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. In their eternal crown ; their actions say, — Oh let them go to hell, I fear they'll mar My joy in heav'n, if they should get that way, My nerves so delicate, would surely jar — God never intended, that they should walk the street Of New Jerusalem, with their flat feet ! ccx. Like brutes they live, and worse than brutes they die- There's few that careth for my soul, or me They well may say, to lead my thoughts on high, Or show the glories of eternity. But Ethiop's sons, to heav'n soon shall cry ! — " Servant of servants," though they now may be. For the millennium, many here do pray ; Yet strive to keep far off that glorious day. CCXI. Some hold that negroes are beneath the brute, Though they do deem them human, in the use Of them, when taste or appetency suit ; Then worse than brutes the sufferers abuse : of many professing Christians, no plan is devised, no arrangement made for their instruction. J have known a small quarter house used, that would not hold one half of them, while the hateful overseer must be among them preventing all good. The extreme degradation of some of them is in- credible. Ask them who they belong to, they cannot tell ! And as they are compelled to work for their masters or themselves on the Sabbath, it is difficult to tell how they can be Christians. The washing, chopping Avood, &c., being on many farms a Sunday job. Many are compelled to hawk vegetables about the city on the Sabbath — professors buying the A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 95 Poor suffering wretches must of course be mute, Hopeless, till death their painful bonds does loose : Here's one delights on them to curse, or frown, Though scarce above a negro — yet he's brown. CCXII. See on this grove there stands an ancient frame, Where there appears as usual quite a crowd ! Some founder'd — others halt, or blind, or lame, ' Some smoking, cutting — others swearing loud — Some brought up north, others again that came Down on a raft ! of course not over proud. So unlike me, if you are fond of much men — Why walk in, it's kept by a buckeye Dutchman ! CCXIII. This is the place where they do take in boarders. And where the chinses stole my flannel shirt ! As I suppose, it went without my orders ; And these perfumers do a fellow hurt : The women folks, are like most money hoarders, They love the money, and neglect the dirt ! I can go 'part frog, or sourcrout in my eating, — But cannot go the ivhole hog, in my sleeping ! same as others ! And from their extreme ignorance of Scripture truth, an occasional sermon is of little benefit — for they must not be preached to as free men. An acquaintance knew of a singular circumstance' a few years since; the minister in preaching to the servants made use of some ijidifscrest expressions — telling them not to break the Sabbath — to obey God in preference to man, or ideas of that import ; this would be Scrip- ture to free men — but to those whose souls and bodies are bound; it was treason ! — he was accordingly dismissed. 96 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CCXIV. I've often fanci'd I saw Hogarth there, The time, say one, when we sat down to dinner ; To watch some covey how surpris'd he'd stare. As flesh, and fish, most magically grew thinner ! Or the expression of his calm despair, Especially if a new beginner ; — He'd think with me, the eloquence of eating Was action, action, three times repeating ! ccxv. The madam is not so ugly, or so thin. As a raw fellow might at first suppose ; She has, 'tis true, a fascinating grin. For those whose silver in her pocket goes ; And 't may be sometime yet, ere nose and chin, Forget their friend between, and come to blows ! But henceforth I'll try to steer clear of such, — The green Irish, the broivn Spaniard, and the black Dutch ! CCXVI. In travelling you're apt to get acquainted With strange bed fellows, as all know is a fact ; From some how hard to keep from getting tainted, More nauseous than a dose of ipecac ! I thought some of these beauties to have painted. Though coloring matter, I should oft have lack'd. If this sells well, and I can raise the means, I'll take a walk, I think, round New Orleans ! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 97 CCXVII. For I have ta'en but a little canvass, And daub'd the likeness of a few, not all ; There's one at least, that I have wrote an ass — And he's in soul, if not in body, small ! The men do here the ladies far surpass In ev'ry thing, but getting up a ball ! And I do think, a new importation From old Kentuck, would work a reformation. CCXVIII. It's a strange place, where there is nothing queer. Though some will say it's all the force of habit ; For if you chance to Pekin for to steer, You'll find they dish up rats, much like a rabbit ! In other places dog meat is quite dear, — 'Twould make you hoivl to see the children grab it! — In El-dorado, where they want some force, They go it neck and ears, upon the horse : CCXIX. It is not bad, although it^s somewhat coarse, If salted nicely, and cook'd till well done ; 'Tis true, that you may feel a little hoarse — Instilling life 'twill help you for to run ; Improve the senses, for to smell the source Whence comes the bullet, from a Camanche's gun ! 9* 98 A WALK ABOUT VICKSEURGH. But to sum up this stanza and be brief, I'll tell you in a note, of the horse thief. * ccxx. But I have walk'd until my legs are tir'd ; — Here see a blood — a native Cherokee ! The Vicksburgh ladies have these lads admir'd, Dress'd in the height of fashion do you see ! These fellows can't be bought, or sold, or hir'd To work ; — they are the " fierce democracy." From time immemorial, these outlaws Have scalp'd the Christians, and have beat their squaws. CCXXI. In this dull city you will see no Quakers, Or as they wish for to be called, Friends, — They always are, or try to be peace-makers ; The poor and needy, one and all befriends. I've seen some dames here, who would make good Shakers ! And here the moral of this stanza ends. — Mormons, Shakers, and the "great idolatry ; " Are to the devil all I think an oddity ! * A young man who had served in the Texian wars, observed, there was at one time no hanging for murder, though there was for horse steal- ing, on account of the difficulties they were put to by being deprived of their horses. A noted rascal having murdered a young man, a jury was summoned and the rascal tried — but what was the surprise of the judge when the verdict was rendered by the foreman, — we find this felloAV guilty of horse stealing ! They got him on the hip that time. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 99 CCXXII. Here's a gay lady, I would not upbraid For following foolisb customs, had she wealth ; She's bought a yard of cambric — she's afraid To carry it, 't might injure her dear health ! See a bare-footed and bare-headed maid, Does creep behind her close, as if by stealth, To carry the enormous bundle home, Weight of a box of pills, or corset bone ! CCXXIII. Oh affectation ! simple — prudish — shy — - Thou art to men of sense, a laughing stock ! To me at least a curiosity ; A pretty pet, the tenant of a frock. How strange that they in bed with man should lie, You'r apt to think they would prefer a block ! — Give me the flashing eye, warm flesh and blood ; None of your puling, mincing, icy brood. CCXXIV. Who comes ? A gentleman — or should I say One who is thought so, must I tell you why } His father once was rich, though he can't pay His debts, and, worst of all, he will not try ! And brought him up a loafer, though he may Fight himself to be editor, by-and-by ; — But do the ladies treat him with politeness ? Oh, certainly — their eyes do flash with brightness ! 100 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. ccxxv. If you had the mien of the pig-faced lady — The actions of a trog — the manners of a boor — If Pa has had the " brads," they won't upbraid thee ; For some a murderer with gold endure ! — Not quite so natural as Byron's Haidee ! — Though Don Juans do often them allure. What matters, if you're handsome and a scholar ? You are a fool, without the potent dollar ! CCXXVI. Who is a gentleman ? — pray let me ask ? * " One that's effeminate, with lady's hands, Does in the sun of gold and beauty bask. With slaves by hundreds tilling of his lands ; * Who are gentlemen "? What constitutes a gentlemen 1 — are qcestions few answer to my satisfaction. With some he must have dignity of char- acter — must be able to converse to edification — must love the society of females, &c. In Memphis, Tenn., a man wlio owns two negroes, a thirty dollar horse, and can raise a potgui on himself, — he's a gentleman ! In Vicksburgh the son of a planter, or any one who can live without work — him that has property or a profession — a j)enniless lawyer, or quack phy- sician — are more respectable than a working man with property. (I al- lude to the estimation in which they are .held by the ladies, and speak of things in the general.) There is a vast dilTerence, however, between a man thinking, and calling himself a gentleman, and one who feels he is one. I somewhat offended a young man on his mother's plantation, by telling liiai that some young gents, who were sitting talking to his sisters, cursing and swearing, speaking savage to the servants, &c., could not go into the society a decent mechanic could down east. He would have it that money made the gentleman, or at least the ladies in the parish made him think so. I enjoyed a hearty laugh with a middle aged gentleman in Memphis. A i\lr Scott, of New Orleans, was preaching in the Presbyterian church. We went frequently to hear him ; my friend w;is knoion. He had been a man of wealth in Kentucky — was now poor. The " business man," Mr. l^ias, always put him in a l)ack seat, though I was taken to a front one. In a shurt time, however, he placed me back ; h^ had ascertained I was a plebian, and mistaken me for a gentleman ! The pews at this time, I think, were not rented. It is strange to one who could never Io(jk on wealth in the same light with the m iss, to see the vagabond son of a rich father, h )W he will be caresssd by feiiiales, who would scorn a young nmn of low extraction, though he had tlie person of Milton when young, the sensibility and soul of Pollock, or the convesational powers of Burns. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 101 Who squanders wealth, though widow'd age some asks, With looks of sufF'ring and with wither'd hands ; With empty head, dress'd like a peacock fine ! Unfit 'mongst men of genius for to shine ? " ccxxvai. *• The man of spirit, with the oath profane ; As if without he could not be believ'd ? For to be decent, seems to some too tame ; The devil has his children much deceiv'd — Like the bold harlot, glory in their shame. As though they were awhile from hell reprieved. To wax continually from bad to worse, Till they resound hell's everlasting curse ! " CCXXVIII. " Not those who boast of honor, and have none ; Integrity, and often from it swerve ; A spotless reputation, when it's gone. Or such as blustering politicians serve : I made a bargain on a time with one Whom I did think, had honor, sense, and nerve ; — Hunter's mistake — a skunk, oft for a hare ; But I mistook a jackass, for a mare ! * * There is one tiling in the character and conduct of many gentlemen Fdutl), that I abominate, to wit — the meanness and duplicity with which they treat those they deem their dependants, or InferiorK. If a man goes Koiith in the capacity of a "gentleman," nothing is too good for him, even the ladies notice liim. 13ut change the pretended gentleman, (fur guch he may be,) to a generous and intelligent mechanic, and how different the treatment. You may eat at the same table, there is no conversation di- 102 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CCXXIX. The well bred gentleman is always mild, Like the great Washington — modest, yet firm ; Whose lips profanity hath ne'er defii'd — Who would a swearer from his presence spurn ; Bright virtue's unobtrusive, honor'd child, Whom gold nor menace could from duty turn : Meek, modest, noble, virtuous, thoughtful, brave, Who'd scorn for to insult or pain a slave. reeled to you — you must sit mute. The servants will scarcely serve you at table ; they will give you something similar to a hog pen to sleep in j and then set a watch on you for fear you will hug Dinah. If you are riding through the country, especially Louisiana, it is almost impossible to get a place to stay over night. Among the Methodists itis.rare they will treat a stranger with the courtesy of decency. The young ladies will gabber without even a decent recognition ! 1 judge not only by my own experi- encCj but of otheis also. The master of the house is frequently too famil- iar, but his daughters, whom you would not kiss perhaps for a "diamond,," think it indicates quality — and. Oh saw my leg off! respectability to cut you. — (Those of education, and who drum on the piano, I do net include.) What a difference in plates north where I have been, the farmer's daugh- ters would so pester you with their attention, that the roughest of us would blush considerable. And were they less respectable % — I trow not. I made a bargain with a wealthy planter near Milliken's Bend, La., in Vicksburgh, and said to him, — Now sir, I depend upon your " honor" in this matter, for when you reach home you will find a rival who will try to bargain with you. It whs all right, I must ride up, measure the building, &c. When I arrived within a few miles, I met my rival, with a note from the man of honor, that 1 need not come for he had eng;iged others — of course his word was nothing with a mechanic, — but with a "gentleman gambler," it would have cost him a shot. J. had the satisfaction of walk- ing back ten miles in the rain and mud, beside* expense of going in the boat. An acquainlance spent some twenty-five dollars in riding and waiting on a planter, who said he wanted a house buiided ; after he had troubled him sufficiently — he told him he should nor. build now. These things, perhaps, are not general, but the idea of being honorable to those who they deem beneath ihem is something not included in the code of a gentleman. And the notion of a man travelling as a gentleman, to know . any thing of the manners and customs of the south — is all ludge ! To know things as they are, you must travel (to them) incog, i. e. as a gentleman in the capacity of a mechanic. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 103 ccxxx. What means this crowd ? — Hays' selling human cattle ;^ Not " Old Hays " though, but listen to his brogue ! Is this not strange ? I have not look'd in " Vattel ; " But 'tis a business very much in vogue About these parts, which makes some north to tattle : But hear him lie — hark ! listen to the rogue ; He says her age is forty, and no more, — I'll bet a likely negro, she's three score ! * To a person who was never soutli — the first time he sees a bright mulatto sold, it will make him stare ! The ideas of revenge, of oppression, of lechery, and of infinite meanness, will Hash upon his mind ; — at least it was so with me. But when he hears a " broth of a boy,'' from oppressed Ireland, selling his fellows, it sets him a thinking. But only make a thing lawful, and conscience sleeps. I seriously believe, if "burking" was made lawful, — that a certain class of men could be killed with impunity and profit 5 you would see many signs with,— The best price given for large and sound subjects. 'N. B. Those with mustachioes preferred! And some gent whose sables was rather rusty, might overhear a couple of ruffians behind him saying, — here's a good subject, and take to his heels as if the devil was after him ! 1 saw some yellow girls, sisters, who were about to be sold, and their pleading looks gave me pain — they knew they must be separated. I judged by their resemblance to their master, that he was their father. I went down to New Orleans, a deck passage with tv/o slave dealers, they had six or eight slaves with them, one woman fifty years of age, blind of an eye, they offered tor one hundred dollars. A man of forty-five years old, a blacksmith, they told him he must say he was only thirty -five : a boy of sixteen, ajjiused the company by telling them of his compulsory falhership ! — while the most of them looked, as if they had been torn from their humble homes, by these heartless speculators. It is doubtless necessary to sell or transfer slaves, but a little observation will convince you that it is frequently a rascally piece of business. One of the wealthiest traders in Virginia, commenced business with on old negro that his father gave him— by taking him to N. Orleans, and selling him for fifty dollars ! 1 knoAv an extensive brick- maker who was a brute with his hands, when the few months were gone which one of his negroes had been hired for, the negro told him — he was glad his time was out, for he was too hard a man for him ; he went imme- diately and bought him : was there no meanness in this ? That the African race were doomed by God to slavery, few will doubt, — but that those whose black blood is nearly run out, should be ranked with them, is to me cruel and unjust. And I can see, and feel, how slaveholders can be Christans — (those born and brought up under the system,) but in this day of light, when the Eagle of liberty is hovering over the nations ready to take his final resting place, the man v/ho is free from this curse, and en- gages in it to possess and retain slaves, sins against his own conscience j and becomes as far as my observation went, destitute of piety — if in- deed he ever had any. 104 A WVr.K AHOUT VICKSBURGII. CCXXXI. Thoro's many (hinos Ihut seoni to us (luito strange, And fill ns ut lirst sight, with consternation ; 'i'ill time, unil habit, does our ieclings cliangc And \vc have soniohow got a " now creation" Hellvvard, though nvo ieel iuohnod io range In tnanimon's marts, e'en to the soul's starvation ! Past the post-ollicc quickly now I slope, There is a boat in si:j;ht, 1 hvnnhly hope. rrxxxn. 1 lore is a liigh, and somewhat splendid store, Though Dr. II. think strange, yet I do ween Since J)r. (^reen poor lollow is ni> more. The ugliest men in N'ickshurgh may be seen ! But this the ladies nmst have known before : Still there is H 1, but he's no kin to Win, — But go in good society this fellow can, Do you ask why ? — why he has kill'd his man ! CCXXXIII. "Well, hero's some heads would suit the friends of Gall- For great, and small, about these quarters lurk ; Here's one largo man, whom some arc apt to call Or name him **Mac," he is not loud i>f work ! And this owl face, you'd think he'd made a haul At gambling — he does gang unto the "kirk." But I am oif, they aVe not worth the trouble 0( a review : I'll have a chat with Hubbcl. A WALK ABOUT VICSKSBURGH. 105 CCXXXIV. Well I have but a tithe of things Burvey'd, Yet like the wandering .^(^w I'll journey on ; And yet though cautious, I am much afraid Of having skipped some things in days by gone ; But I must not by trifles be delay 'd, For I hope soon, to see some verdant lawn, Where I shall have the pleasure for to greet Some long lost friend, within some lov'd retreat. ccxxxv, Oh might I live in some retired spot. With some fond heart, by heav'n in mercy sent ! Alike the world forgetting", and forgot. With health and love, (a competence,; content ; I would not envy mammon's slave his lot — Chain 'd to his gold, till life's best blood is spent. But far from venal selfishness would try. To live a peaceful life, in peace to die. CCXXXVI. 'Tis probable I will grow fat sometime, When I got clear of trouble and of sorrow ! Or on the couch of ease I do recline, — Which will bo I am thinking, on the morrow : And if the past will serve us as a sign, A lucky hint for years to come I'll borrow. In passing through earth's fiery ordeal — Have some conception of the hell that's real ! 10 106 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CCXXXVII. And now, I have a notion for to halt ; Not that my muse, but audience may be tir'd ; Though that would truly be the muse's fault — E'en if she had good humoredly desir'd, To give these boys a dose of " attic salt " For being oft within their mud-hole mir'd ! And if from coming back I'll be debarr'd, I'll leave these lines — as others leave their card ! CCXXXVIII. Though they may seem nor poetry, nor wit, Reliev'd and ornate, with no learned lumber ; Still burning thoughts into my brain would flit, Though I kept cool as melon or cucumber ; And shall, till " Poe " does get me on his spit ! Though he cannot disturb my nightly slumber ; Yet he like Ellery, might clinch me hard, And take me for an " amateur," or Ward. CCXXXIX. An oblong square, a monstrous pile of brick, — The Prentiss house as you may plainly see ! 'Tis part upon a rock, the walls quite thick — But Childer's, not Saint Peter keeps the key. I done some of the work there mighty slick. And have the luck to have the dimes with me : This house may do for Vicksburgh, and for Prentiss, But there is one which kills it dead at Memphis ! A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 107 CCXL. Well, I am swamp'd at last, I've lost my way, — Fire ! murder ! rape ! — I've nearly lost my boot ! It serves me right, I should have ta'eri the dray ; For I believe I've almost taken root In this black mud, or Misissippi clay ; If I stay here to summer I shall shoot I Goodheav'ns ! I'm out, and don't I look poetic ! I know, at least, that I do feel quite hectic. CCXLI. Well, here I am, if not adrift — afloat — And fierce for fight, my pen's the sword I wield I I'll prick the chieftain of this huge wharf boat : He'll bring his Irish porters in the Jield ! He's impudence personifi'd — he smote A fellow man — his heart's 'gainst mercy steel'd : Such men are qualified to get along. Among a motley, and a swell-head throng. CCXLII. But here she comes, black as a British steamer ! Looks much, as I suppose, like Noah's ark Without the upper story, perhaps meaner : But such a puffing, bellowing^ mercy — hark ! Let " Chuzzlewit " describe her, he's a screamer, — A coward whelp, which loves it's snappish bark. The girls, and boats, are handsomer in York, Those graceful swans — these awkard as a stork. 108 A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. CCCXLIII. Heigho ! Heigho ! I'm on the king of rivers, Not quarter'd on the deck this time however ! She's off— she's off— good heaven's how she quivers ! The captain though and crew are mighty clever ; — Fire up my boys, and let her go to shivers ! There is ties behind, for me to sever ; I'd rather blow up here, with none to pity, Than die a natural death, in Vicksburgh city !* CCXLIV. The rolling wheel the water fast displaces, We leave the model city far behind ; Thou land of gelid hearts, and pallid faces, I leave thee now, a warmer home to find ! And fancy, I do feel their warm embraces, — Those that do love me constant, true, and kind ; Farewell ! farewell ! — no love is lost between us, I've only been a " looker on in Venice." CCXLV. How swift we glide, what raptures now are mine — Lo ! see ! the fated city view again ! The river is so strangely serpentine, t We've run five miles, five hundred yards to gain. * I am not so bad as a Virginian who spent part of the winter here, he observed; he would rather be hxmg in Virginia — than die a natural death in Vicksburgh ! t When you have journeyed some five miles you are nearly opposite the City, the river running almost to a circle : the possibility of the river cutting through a narrow Isthmus, and leaving the city some two or three miles in the rear, has of late years much alarmed some Vicksburgians. A WALK ABOUT VICKSBURGH. 109 If it would cut a channel on a line The city then would high and dry remain ,- Like " Tadmor in the wilderness " to be Immortal Vick — a thing of memory ! 10 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS TO I've seen more beautiful than thou ! With cheeks of ruddier, healthier bloom ; The form of majesty — the brow That wit and genius does illume ; Sweet lips of beauty's purest mould — The swan-like neck — the melting eye ; And oh ! those thousand charms untold, That make the youthful heart to sigh : But though more brilliant I have seen, Where art doth every grace bestow ; Even since my heart thou hast subdued, 1 feel there's none like thee below ! As pillow'd on thy breast I lay, So tender, guileless, free from stain ; I in a moment, chase away Whole years of misery and pain. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Ill I've seen the beautiful advance, To join the gay and giddy throng ! To thread the mazes of the dance — The queen of beauty, as of song ! How many hearts can she command ? If haply she hath none undone ; And he who gains her heart, and hand. Doth deem he hath a kingdom won ! But thou dost brighter, holier shine. Religion's meek and lowly child ; Whose dowry is of grace divine. By sin untainted — unbeguil'd ; Exemplar of pudicity, And heritor of bliss thou art ; How white thy vestal purity ! How blessed are the pure in heart ! For thou dost leave the scenes of mirth, For the sick couch where want doth lie Like messengers of love to earth ; Or guardian angels from the sky ! To wipe the tears from mourners' eyes, To lead the young in wisdom's ways ; And where foul blasphemies did rise, To wake the melody of praise ! 112 MISCELLANEOUS I'OEMS. How otl thou'st mourn \1 in agony, That daring, fashionablo guilt, Wliich deeuif! no insult wip'd away. Until a brother's blood is spilt, — Oh ! had thy prayers but power to stay This relic tVoni a barbarous age ; This blot on southern chivalry ! This stain upon our nation's page ! I see around the proud, the gay, The lov'd, the llatter'd, the adniir'd ; The pageants of an idle day, Hearts tilTd with hope — with rapture tir'd But that angelic purity — Those works of love — that lovely brow Where virtue clasps humility — Does tell me few are blest as thou ! The forms of beauty's fairest mould. Though vigorous, will fade full soon ; And every grace which it iniblds Will be intblded in the tomb : ' Tis virtue only shall remain, To charm all hearts — delight all eyes ; Like thee, dear woman, freed trom stain To bloom fore'er in paradise ! MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 113 THE SHIPWRECKED MAID. Mountainous high the billows rise, The winds as mighty thunders roar ; While darkness veils the frowning skies, And hope departs forevermore ; The vessel sinks — the good, the brave Find in the deep a watery grave. One awful rush — we sink ! we sink ! They in one mighty chorus cry ! As on eternity's dread brink The prayer — the shriek — does pierce the sky ! Not one of all her crew is sav'd — None seen, save one distracted maid ! The fury of the storm gone by, And hush'd the elemental shock, The light returns, but to descry The wretched maiden on the rock ; Her bleeding" breast, and loosen'd hair. Picture the image of despair ! As if our Savior there had stood. To calm the raging of the storm ; So in a wild, yet awful mood The virgin seem'd, cold and forlorn ; A motbuM'V lovo was near hor Koart, Aud his from whom 'i was vloath to |>art. Our hearts »U bleovl tor tl^y J road fate — Bach boscau hoavos a sigh lor thoo ! Tho bark has vontvirM, but too late I See ! view hor ^|>cochlc?is «^g'^^»^v ! As by the biUowj surges driven — She*s lost to us — restored to luavou ! Shk does not s^oom to uotioo luo, Though very otteu we do meet ; And 1 do yearu her form to see. In crowded church, or open street ; Though when we pa^, it gives me pain, My bosoui then tceb doubly lone ; I think wo may not meet again — I feel that we must bo unknown ! Oh, if she knew I did admii^e That mien, no picture oau express ! That soul, that shames the poet's lyr^ For to portrav its lovelinoss ! MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 115 Then she, perchance, might smile on me, With smiles that bless her mother's home ; But oh, the thought — 't is agony. That we must ever be unknown ! I see her kneeling now in prayer, I know, I feel, she is sincere ; No selfishness can e'er be there, I've seen her wipe the burning tear ; Her thoughts are centred now above — They dwell, they rest on Christ alone ; My heart is fill'd with burning love, For one who is to me unknown ! Oh, hours of bliss ! I love to muse On joys that never will be mine ; For we have not. power to choose Our destiny — at least in time ! I think how alter'd she will be. When months and years of care are flown ; And sigh to think her destiny Must be to me on earth unknown I Without some virtuous heart to love. How cold, how dreary is this life ; No one to welcome or to soothe — No dear beloved friend or wife : 116 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS, I've thought no one could feel like me, In secret for some heart I groan ; But I must disappointed be, To her that bleeds my heart unknown ! But years have pass'd — I miss thee now. Though southern belles come riding by ! But they to money only bow, I do avert from them mine eye ! This is no land of poetry, Where lovers for a mate do moan ; A land where all's sterility — Where I do wish to be unknown ! But Oh ! I shortly shall return To tread those isles, my feet have trod ! Yet thou may'st lie in the cold urn. Thy spirit have return'd to God. And the blest thought, that we may meet In peace, around the heavenly throne — The thought how ravishing, how sweet. That we will not be there unknown I MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 117 STANZAS. Joyous hopes of youth arise. Memory do your active part, Brighter scenes and sunny skies Hasten for to glad this heart ! Let me linger for a while. In beauty's arms — 'neath beauty's smile. Come with all your welcome train, Nights of love and days of joy ! Gives me pleasures back again, For the sorrows that annoy ; Let me kiss again the rose, That sweet maiden's cheeks disclose. Pleasant days of childhood come, Welcome to this pensive heart ; Laden with rich sweets from home. Thou dost much of bliss impart ; Thoughts of love that cannot die — Sabbath hours of ecstacy ! Hopes and loves of early days. In our hearts you linger still, Joys that time cannot erase : Though our eyes with tears do fill, As some lost one slow does pass. By sweet mem'ry's looking-glass. 11 118 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. And those hours of sweel pleasure In her heav'nly company ; When life seemed a bright treasure, Hid, and swallow'd up in thee ! But thou liv'd for Christ alone, And in heav'n are still mine own. Days of prayer, and holy fear, Conscience tender, motives pure ; Constancy, and truth sincere. Friendships which do still endure ; Time will wane, and hearts grow cold, Yet memory will not grow old. SONNET TO THE SUN. LuciFic orb, with majesty divine Thou speak'st the glory of thy maker God ; As 'mid celestial glories, far abroad On millions of immortals thou dost shine ! Supernal beam ! thy vast and boundless light Does banish melancholy far away ; Magnific grandeur ! whose lucidity Enthrones creation on the womb of night I MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 119 Thou shone divinely on the primal morn, Reviving nature with thy cheering ray ; But in the " last, decisive, solemn day," Thy lucid beams shall be forever shorn ! — Jesus, the " Sun of righteousness," shall be The lamp of life, to all eternity ; And those who in this world refus'd his light, Shall wander hopeless on — in everlasting night ! HOME. How sweet is the spring, how gay and enchanting, As over the valleys we roam ; While beauty and fragrance, all sorrow supplanting, Chaste rapture does triumph alone ; And the girls they are smiling, Our spirits beguiling, To remind of dear pleasures at home. Oh the charms of the fair, they delight us, Though our bosoms be troubled and lone ! And their sweet pretty lips, they invite us, To the sweets, of the sweet honeycomb ! And they sing with such pleasure. It speaks of the treasure, We enjoy in the bower of home. 120 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. But a stranger to permanent pleasure, Unpitied, unfriended, I roam ; Oh my heart the fond treasure, the treasure^ That awaits thy reception at home ! Joy and peace shall go with me, And love my passport be. To the blessing of blessings, sweet home. SONNET TO SLEEP. Come, welcome to this breast, refreshing sleeps And chase away my spirit's agony ; As discomposed and nervous here I lie, Wrapt in emotions, sombre, dark and deep. Come, and my senses in " oblivion sleep,'* And feast my spirit with Saturnian dreams. That life may be a moment what it seems. Though in the morn, I wake but for to weep. Emblem of *death — and prelude to the tomb — - How like the closing scene, these closing eyes ; Perchance no more to see the sun arise. But ere the morn have met my deathless doom ! Oh may I now lie down, at peace with God ; Cloth'd with the merit of a Savior's blood. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 121 ON BEING DISAPPOINTED IN MARRIAGE. How sweet this music's echoes to my ear, As on thy banks, fond Trenton, I do rove ; While thoughts of and unrequited love, Does force from " feeling's fount the burning tear.' Alas, for joys most holy, and most dear. Connubial — consecrated — tender ties ! My spirit now does groan with agonies, That will increase, severer — and severe. Pensive and lonely ever I must roam. Nor fortitude to act a manly part. Till time with lenient hand, does heal this heart. That never more may feel the sweets of home. But though supremest grief my heart does thrill, 'Tis resignation whispers — '' Peace, be still I " TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. CHARLOTTE WHITE CANSEL. AGED 23. " No pageant marks thy couch of lowly sleep, But living statues there are seen to weep 5 Affliction's semblance bends not o'er thy tomb — ^ Affliction's self deplores thy youthful doom." Thou spirit of grace and of love. Why hast thou oii7' Charlotte remov'd So early to regions above. Though on earth so endear'd and belov'd ? 11* l!22 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. With the martyrs, and saints to rejoice, Though the summons our hearts has distressed ; But Oh, we'll not grieve that her voice, Now warbles the songs of the bless'd ! Thou hast met thy dear father ere this, Whom you lov'd with devotion supreme ; To thee what unspeakable bliss ! While the '* crucifi'd Lamb" is your theme. Thy heart was as warm as the sun, To cheer the sick, wretched, and poor ; How they wept when thy spirit was gone ! When no mortal thy ailment could cure. Single-minded, pure-hearted, sincere. Thou show'd what a Christian should be : Toward thy Savior, affection and fear — Thy opposers, forgiveness most free ; Toward thy sisters from virtue beguil'd, Prudence, elTort, importunate pray'r ; For thou wert simplicity's child — Of endless salvation the heir ! Thy dear scholars will never forget Their instructress, so meek, firm, and kind : Thy dear brethren and sisters regret, That you left not your equal behind : But they'll put on your armor so bright, And strive in God's name to o'ercome ; Nor faint, tire, or fail in the fight. Till they hear the blest plaudit — " Well done. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 123 I knew thee when thoughtless and vain, As giddy, as folly could be ; But Oh, when I met thee again. How alter'd thy language to me ! Thy features with holiness glow'd — In converse, or singing, or prayer ; i Thy heart with affection o'erflow'd — And we all felt that Jesus was there. Thy love an unquenchable flame — No efforts thy spirit could tire — To be holy, and useful thy aim — Thy heart to do good was on fire — The timid and v.'avering did feel That faith, hope, and love lur'd on high ; While they quicken'd afresh at thy zeal. For thy ardor they could not but sigh. Still sorrow had enter'd thy breast, And through much tribulation 'twas given ; (Though thy motto was — " All's for the best,") To enter the portals of heaven ! A soul so ethereal as thine. How unfit for a temple of clay ! Those orbs that the brightest do shine. Their lustre does soon pass away. But eulogy we would not give. The glorifi'd elogy suhame ; In our hearts, thy example does live — High and low, young and old, lisp thy name ! 124 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Thy memory will ever be green — Thy grave be a hallow 'd spot ! Those meetings for pray'r where thou'st been. And thy presence, will not be forget ! Then why should we mourn for thy loss ? Thy savor of grace does remain — Thy affections were nail'd to the cross, And death, though our loss, is thy gain. Oh thou saint, so devoted — deplor'd — How few upon earth live like thee .' Great Jehovah, my Savior and Lord, Grant her mantle may fall upon me. "MY OWN PEAR LOVE." Thou writest dearest unto me. As if thy love I had not prov'd ; As I had once forgotten thee. Or thou wert not by me belov'd. Remember thee ! yes dearest maid, While e'en mortality is mine ; My heart, my soul on thee is staid. And thou dear girl art only mine. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 125 Remember thcc ! — can mother's e'er Forget the first-born of their womb ? Can kindred hearts be insincere ? Nor live, and love, beyond the tomb ? Remember thee ! yes when my mind In meditation, soars above ! Tjy hope, and happiness, sublim'd Hy innocence, and youthful love. Remember thee ! yes tenderly, When we shall meet to part no more ; When holy sensibility, Our pristine raptures shall restore. Think not though ocean rolls between Thy heav'n lighted home and me, This heart hath ever callous been, Or I have once forgetton thee ! Though duty call'd me far away, I left thee love, reluctantly ; Yet flowers will strew the pleasant way, That leads my footsteps unto thee ! And Oh, this semblance beauteous fair, Thy smile, thy winning smile, I see ! And as I gaze, I seem to share Thy parting look of love for me. 1^6 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. How hard to leave the heart behind, When we to foreign clines do roam ? But Oh dear girl do be resign'd, I'll think of thee, and thy dear home. And will you shed the chasten'd tear Of sensibility, for me .'* Yes virtuous maid, forever near Thy heart, you'll often muse on me ! Oh day of bliss ! — ecstatic hour I When I in thy embrace shall be ! When love's supreme, absorbing pow'r. Shall own — I've not forgotten thee ! But hope shall be my beacon star. And love the wanderer steer to thee ! Yea, guide my spirit from afar To find a paradise in thee ! THE INDIAN CHIEFS LAMENT. Farewell to the land of the brave ! Hawaii forever must part ; My Sisto is dead, and my children have fled, And the cold barren earth I reluctantly tread. Responds to my quivering heart ! MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 127 The eagle has taken his flight, To crimson his beak in the dove ; And the panthers do cry, as the fawns startle by, And my heart echoes wildly, is it I — is it I — That must leave the fond land which I love I But Sol in his glory's departed To crimson the crest of the sea ; And I take my sad flight, mid the darkness of night, Bid adieu to the scenes of my early delight, When none but Menteai * can see ! Our warriors brave spirits surround me. Though their ashes are trod by the foe ! And the death song of war, that was heard from afar. Is now changed for the flute or the lively guitar Whose contrast increases my woe. Farewell to the land of our braves ! I shall look on my birth-place no more ! But I must be gone, and forever unknown In the land of the pale face till death I must groan, With none to console, or deplore. * The great spirit. 130 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Till the cold tomb thy wretched form receive ? For no green laurels shall bedeck thy tomb, But hemlock wave sad emblem of thy doom ! No vestal tears, bedew the unhonor'd spot, But like the vile, thy " memory shall rot ! " One glowing outline but supplies the whole — The immortal madness, of the immortal soul ; Proverbial for the deeds that stain'd thy name, By lechery damn'd to everlasting shame. Like the proud graceful ship that left the shore In majesty, strange regions to explore. Majestic glides before the driving wind, Though many leave their hearts, and hopes behind. But ere she reach'd her purpos'd destiny. She found another in the boundless sea ! Thus on the ocean of her passions tost. Reason the helm — Virtue the compass lost — Her treacherous bark on desert shores is driven, Beyond all mortal aid, the scorn of heaven ! Yea, on the wings of hope triumphant, she Reach'd the dark bourne of endless misery ; By lust o'ermastered her spirit fell, And rank'd its victim with the spoils of hell. Not so the sister of a holier faith. Who vice resisted even unto death ; Who when the siren open'd wide her arms, Resisted all her fascinating charms ; Who the straight path of thorny virtue trod, And overcome, and now is with her God. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 131 Like the proud buttress of some lofty rock, Which hath withstood the tempest's mighty shock, Or lifting high its huge and mighty form, Does seem to laugh the raging waves to scorn, Or when the strife of waters has pass'd o'er. Is made more clean - , brighter than before ; So with the helmet of salvation on, She bid the surging tide of sin begone. The shield of faith, she would not, dare not yield ; While hope, and patience, do maintain the field. It was with thee " a holy war " — the strife Thou felt was only over with thy life. In every state of life how truly blest, Thou held that sorrows all were for the best. Dear sainted one, how few on earth like thee ! A " voice potential " — holy energy. No one could know thee for an hour, nor see That Jesus was the all in all to thee. The aged felt when thou with them did plead. It was no common saint did intercede ; And where thy charity made thee a guest, Thou wast by all aheav'nly one confest. For no one grace assum'd the mastery. But meekness, patience, and simplicity, With holy love, and faith, and zeal combine. To show that " hope's assurance " all was thine. Had thou liv'd here,* where piety is rare, Vicksburgh 132^ MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. How many sermons would thy worth declare I Here have I known the useless rich, to be The subject of a lengthen'd eulogy ; And those a feeble star, to thee a sun Deem'd by their friends immortal glory won. Yet though no flowing pen thy memoirs write, The young, the sage, thy works of love recite ; The schools you gather'd though a sable race. And taught with all the majesty of grace ; Meetings for pray'r, where Afric's sons could kneel, And pray to Christ that he their hearts would heal : Thy burning words, thy looks of holy love. That could the old and harden'd sinner move ! Thou burn'd with an Apostle's holy fire — The missionary cause thy heart's desire ; But God, who sees as with unclouded eyes When all to us is full of mysteries, Cut short from this proud world thy lovely breath — This world whose "friendship seem'd as cold as death:" And left it for his spirit to record. How blest are those who die in Christ the Lord ! The savor of their grace does still remain, — Their works of love and faith, do follow them. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 133 AEFECTIOFS KISS -TO' How sweet rapt music to our ears, From virgin hearts of tenderness ! But sweeter far, what love endears. Affection's fond, and fervent kiss ! Congenial minds create delight — Congenial hearts awaken bliss — But who with coldness, can recite The raptures of affection's kiss ! Oh, for one glance of her I love. To give this troubled bosom peace ! But potent more my heart to move. Affection's undissembled kiss ! I'm frigid in this sunny south — Sick of the cold, and formal miss ; Oh give me beauty's eyes — the mouth That welcomes me with love's warm kiss Of " hope deferr'd " my heart does ache, I seek I sigh in vain for peace ; For Oh this heart will surely break, Unheal'd by love's uxorious kiss ! You shant have time for to upbraid When we do meet, the reason's this. If love should linger he's afraid, Nor trembling steals the honied kiss ! 12* 134 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Restless, impatient of eontrol, I sigh tov the niellithuous bhss Which thrills iiiv heart — tills my soul 7\' wed u'itJi love's aviiiiiinii' A^k