The Rural Magazine, and Literary Evening Fire-Side, Vol. 1 No. 11 (1820)

Vol. I. Philadelphia, Eleventh Month , 1820. No. 11.
FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
When casting around for topics, to which the attention of my readers may be solicited, they sometimes start up in almost every quarter; and the principal difficulty arises in the task of selection. It is, however, altogether probable, that like the young lady, who after disregarding the pretensions of men of sense and merit, at length gives her hand to some empty-pated coxcomb, my final determination may not always furnish the most conclusive evidence of wisdom or correct taste. Notwithstanding this may be the case, it is possible that here and there, at distant intervals, something may be found from which improvement may be derived by those who are in pursuit of it.
On the present occasion, the attention of my little circle is respectfully invited to a few of the occurrences of the passing year. We are now approaching the confines of winter, that season which has been called with great propriety its old age. Previously to its commencement, and during the continuance of what in this country is called Indian Summer, the face of nature is expressive of pleasing melancholy; the sun divested of his ordinary radiance, courts our gaze—the prevailing stillness is only invaded by the falling leaf—and every phasis in which we behold her, is serene and tranquil. At such a period we are led into a train of sober and rational reflection; and for a moment, feel wisely disposed to appropriate to our advantage, the truths which it reveals. In contemplating the progress of decay, and witnessing the beauties with which we are surrounded, successfully fading before our eyes, we are forcibly reminded of the solemn fact, that human life, with all its sublunary enjoyments, is also rapidly hastening to the tomb. We in some degree become familiar with the image of dissolution; and the departure of those of our friends and acquaintances, who have during the past months joined the immense majority of the dead, is by the power of association brought to our remembrance. Most of them entered on the present year full of life and hope, and had every prospect of outliving many who are now their survivors; but alas! how vague and uncertain are all human calculations. The past summer and autumn, have in many parts of our otherwise highly favoured country, been accompanied with FEVER in its various appalling forms; and numerous have been the victims to this minister of death. Our own metropolis was for some time the seat of painful apprehension, and no one could doubt the presence of a most malignant visiter, whose footsteps were, however, mercifully arrested by an overruling hand. New-Orleans and Savannah have experienced more weighty and tremendous affliction from this source; and the sufferings of their inhabitants claim our deep and sincere sympathy. Many of the laws of nature are still concealed from our observation; but it is our duty to collect authentic facts, to reason from what we know, so that in some instances we may ascend from effects to their causes. It is certainly the part of wisdom, in relation to YELLOW FEVER, to guard with vigilance every supposed avenue of approach, whether domestic or foreign . The season has been remarkable in many respects. The earth has been unusually fruitful of her productions: the crops of bread-stuffs, and vegetables of every description, have been almost unprecedented.—Apples were never known to be so abundant and cheap. It may not moreover be altogether unworthy of remark, that myriads of musquitoes have for many weeks past been our unwelcome guests. Whether there be any necessary connexion between these circumstances or not, and in what manner it exists, is the proper business of philosophy to inquire, and if possible determine.