SCENES FROM THE PAST.

BOOK SECOND.

CONTENTS.

ENTERING COLLEGE-The Freshman-First Visit to the Theatre-In-
dolence-Contemplation-Ambition-Devotion--The Sophomore--On
Horseback-The Unknown Beauty-The Sleigh Ride-The Dance-
Dissipation-Vice-Excitement-The Junior-Developement of Taste,
as displayed in admiration of the Beautiful and the Sublime-Influence
of Mind on Matter--The Beautiful--The Beauty of Holiness--The
Truth of Nature-Music-Sculpture-Painting-Morning Walk-Even-
ing Walk--Walk in Winter--The Ocean-The White Hills--The
Mountain Streams.

HOPE is the guide of youth; yet sudden fear
Seized on me, Harvard! as at first thy walls
I entered; slow along thy solemn halls
Pacing, in silent dread, to where appear
Thy grave instructers, marshalled forth to hear
Me, inexpert, from morn to eve, expound
The mysteries of syntax; depths profound
Of prosody explore; the mazes clear

Of conjugations; and declensions run
Through all varieties of changeful speech.
If well, enquire not, since the task is done;
Not ill, belike, for lo! the goal is won;
Nor further now my fondest wishes reach,.
Matriculated, Harvard! as thy son.

THE FRESHMA N.

Resistless burns the fever of renown,

Caught from the strong contagion of the gown.

JOHNSON.

How shall I paint the Freshman? Proud in thought,

As deeming that his toils have won, at length,
The virile robe; rejoicing in the strength
Of nascent virtue; modest too; yet fraught
With high resolves, of honor to be sought-

By studious arts, and scholarship attained.
Henceforth, his mind no needful task will shun,
Howe'er laborious: rising with the sun,

To toil till midnight, all his powers are strained
To utmost effort. No base thought of ease,
Or sloth inglorious, can his fancy please,

Nor vice allure. Already, in his eye,

The course is traversed; and he springs on high, Eager the academic wreath to seize.

FIRST VISIT TO THE THEATRE.

I.

Honey with poison, in one flower,

Is mingled oft, in narrow bound:

The bee, that shuns the poison's power,
Hath yet the treasured honey found:

So, haply, may thy care attain

The Drama's sweets, nor taste its pain.

The play was Alexander, in the pride

Of Cooper's early acting; and he trod

The swelling scene, in word and deed, a God,

Young Ammon, mortal, but yet deified.