TRUTHFULNESS. 336 Let no one say that confidence on the end, and renders unnecessary, in a great part of the insane in the word of others, is measure, the whole restraining apparatus, not to be expected, as a general thing. Op-|-muffs, mittens, and solitary confinement. posed to such an opinion is the striking fact, Indeed, what could such an Institution as that there is scarcely a class of patients in a this do, but for this principle of confidence, well-managed institution that does not exer- and what would become of all confidence cise this confidence to a greater or less de- here, but for the strict observance of veragree. Go to the worst ward in this Asy-city between man and man! ium, and you will find a company of men walking at liberty, and, for the most part, peaceful and manageable, who, but for the faith they have in the word of their attendants, would be furious as the beasts of the forest. They have been made to under-pensed with. In all conscience then, it stand, that so long as they maintain good be- surely should be. It is not necessary to use havior they shall enjoy certain privileges; the language of constant and irritating conthey have learned by experience that this condition will be strictly fulfilled on the part of their attendants, and it is their confidence in the assurance given them, that secures, to a most remarkable degree, the desired ordered mind. But we will not, at this time, prolong our remarks further. We are satisfied that the whole system of deceit and falsehood practised towards the insane can safely be dis tradiction. Kindness joined with firmness; gentleness with honesty; truth spoken in love,-these are the best of all human restoratives for the malady of a diseased and dis THE SORROWFUL TREE. [It is said that on the island of Goa, near Hindostan, is a Sorrowful Tree; it has received this name from the fact of its blooming in the night, and only then, throughout the year.] DAY: ST. VALENTINE'S DAY: OR, A CAUTION TO THE RECKLESS. In The inhabitants of D. were a very plain, unpretending, unostentatious sort of people, sufficiently acquainted with the comforts and In this age of marvellous coincidences, projects into execution;-and furthermore, wonderful innovations, and fantasies une- had pretty thoroughly convinced the family qualled, there is not to the lover of mirth that the transactions of the day were to be and oddity, any thing that is attended with of no ordinary kind. Then, one might take more real delight than the practice of Valen- a peep into Frank's domains, and perchance tine-writing. The 14th of February causes feel a slight uprising of envy, as he beheld a smile to play upon the visages of old bach- the self-satisfied rustic before a rousing fire, elors, and maidens, young lads and lassies, devoid of care and perplexities, and bountias one and another make friends with the fully supplied with writing-utensils. goose-quill, and with its aid, string out sen- truth, he looked wonderfully good-natured; timentalisms by the wholesale. Many a des- there was a sweetly-gathered expression, perate bachelor, or tearful maiden, as they like that of a person who is about to sip grasp their blue-tinted, or snow-white billet-warm maple-sugar upon a Spring day. doux, (just emerged from the Post-Office,) can not for the moment, but fancy themselves the favorite object, and tenderly-regarded one of the pretended inamorato, conveniences of life, but wholly ignorant of whose signature appears at the termination its bon-ton and improvements. The most of those pathetic disclosures of admiration that the elder portion of them aspired to, and love. was ascertaining the best method of extendBut by no one was St. Valentine's day ing their plans of economy, and what would more eagerly met, or truly enjoyed than most rigidly comport with their own peculiar Frank Risley. Indeed, one might know, interests. The young men thought of little without consulting his Almanac, the arrival of aside from the toils of the day, but glancing the 14th of February, did the hurry of busi- at the country-papers, now and then, gleanness but allow him to notice the movements ing some information concerning the Price of Frank upon that all-important day. Current, reading the marriages, deaths, etc., Long before the morning dawned, Frank save, perhaps, occasionally, to accumulate was released from his usually indulgent money sufficient to supply them with a new friend, Somnus, and soon followed an almost suit to appear in at the next Thanksgivingunendurable commotion, so great his haste party. The damsels of the village found to commence the merriment he had planned their chief pleasure to consist in exchanging for the day. Down would fall the tongs, social visits, learning how yarn was selling, away fly the shovel, and fortunate for the and deciding upon the prettiest way of dressstove, if with its appendages of grates, grid-making. Thus they lived, their peace never dles, etc., it was able to assert its independ-interrupted, or their domestic happiness ence, and retain its position amid the tumult marred by contentions, and the endless conthat Frank bestirred upon that day. Frank blustered about till breakfast was served, and to his heart's content, he had made a display of his ability and determination to carry his catenation of new-fangled projects, and absurd notions that were continually claiming attention in more populous places. Such a frivolous thing as a Valentine was unknown to those demure villagers, and would never have found its way to their premises, had not Frank Risley upon a certain time stumbled into a thriving village, not far distant, and agreeably to advice, spent a few months at the Academy there. In that village, Frank mingled in society just enough to acquire a slight touch of the fashion and etiquette of the present day, and to enable him to throw off a portion of his rusticity. He certainly learned two very important items of fashion, viz: making New Year's calls, and writing Valentines. At the expiration of six months, Frank found himself again among the hospitable, sober people of his native village, who looked askance, and thought him most too polished to enjoy an abode among their country-bred lads and lassies. But Frank had not undergone a very striking change, and was heartily glad to find himself freed from the restraints of fashionable society, and chose to glide through life with the quiet, warm-hearted companions of early days.Frank Risley was wonderfully fond of sport, and indulged in it to a degree that caused him no small share of trouble, and led him to regret his proceedings when quite too late. He was not wanting in self-esteem, consequently, always considered his own way the most proper one,-and was often led to scorn the counsels, and disregard the chidings of his very discreet old mother.— Frank's first efforts at Valentine-writing but too plainly illustrated his obstinacy and unyielding purpose. He heeded not the gentle reproofs of his anxious mother, and caused her, as well as himself a vast deal of sorrow, by choosing to have his own way.— Soon after his return home, came Valentine's day, and having collected his writing implements and conveniently arranged them, he declared his intention of penning a Valentine to every girl in the village. Said Frank, "I shall have sport now." Scarcely had he seated himself, with his gilt-edged, embossed, and flowered paper and envelopes, in rich profusion before him, when, who should present herself, but his watchful old mother, expressing the deepest solicitude lest her son's love of merriment should involve him in difficulties from which he would be unable to extricate himself. "Frank," said she, "there is one 66 girl in town, I hope you will not send one of those Balentines, that is, Nella Burton."Well mother, I tell you, at once, she will have one in spite of every thing. Nella is pronounced by all sensible people a nice, well-meaning girl, and, surely, I shall not deprive myself of the pleasure of sending her one." "True, Nella is a worthy girl, and that is the very reason why she should not be duped by a Balentine." "Prithee, mother, do not make such a murderous use of that word;-it is Valentine, not Balentine, mother. But, you may as well quell your fears, for Nella will understand that it is all sport." "No, Frank, you are not sure of that, for Nella is an honest, homespun girl, knowing nothing of Valentines, and, no doubt, will think you sincere in your declarations of regard for her. It will cause you a deal of sorrow if you deceive one of farmer Burton's daughters." "Well, mother, I wish old women's eyes and ears were not always upon the alert when young people are indulging in a little innocent sport. I think some one raps; perhaps it may be well for you to step to the door," said Frank, (wishing to free himself from incumbrance,)" and see who may be there." Frank's suggestion was listened to, and the old lady safely out of the way, he went on rail-road speed, to complete his billetsdoux. But Frank was a stranger to quietude on that day. Ere long, the old lady again appeared, to warn him of the evils of making false assertions, even, upon Valentine's day. "You know," said she, "that farmer Burton is a very particular man, and there would be no bounds to his rage should any one trifle with the feelings of his favorite daughter, Nella." Frank said nothing, but wrote on with more rapidity than ever, while the old lady looked over her spectacles, and gave a bitter sigh, as she left the room. Frank, feeling a weight of impatience at being so continually assailed, muttered to himself: "I shall not have my Valentines blockaded by an old lady's fears, or my plans defeated by her reproofs." After the last exit of the old lady, Frank lost no time in securing the door against all ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. intruders. However, the old lady was so uncomfortable, she failed not to find her way to the door now and then, and succeeded in making Frank hear, if not heed her admonitions. The Valentines were at length despatched, regardless of entreaties, to all the maidens of the village, and withall, a very tender one to Miss Nella. But, true enough, not a long time elapsed, ere the fears of old lady Risley were fully realized, and Frank's merriment was followed by chagrin and sorrow. The reader must understand that Nella was an old maid, and having never received a billet-doux through many long years, most eagerly grasped the one from Frank, and felt a strong assurance that her reply would decide her destiny, for life. 39 muttered Frank, "that any one should by taking possession of it, become acquainted with the secrets of this day, particularly, should it chance to be my prudent old mother." Just at that moment, when Frank's cogitations were any thing but agreeable, the very old, care-crazed lady, herself, appeared with Nella's letter. Not few or faint were the reprimands Frank received for deceiving poor Nella. Frank clothed himself with an air of indifference, although, in reality, he was completely nonplussed concerning what course to pursue, and, in truth, wished he had not scorned the advice of a wise old lady. Meanwhile, Nella, as well as other members of farmer Burton's family were busily occupied in preparing to receive a visit from Frank. But, Frank Risley was sure to keep at a respectful distance, whatever might be the result. Weeks passed on, and when he had nearly persuaded himself that he should go on unmolested, to his great mortification, he was sued for a breach of promise, and by some unfair means on the part of Mr. Burton, the affair terminated in a way that greatly impoverished the father of Frank, he being com Frank might have escaped very easily the troubles to which his Valentine to Nella was drawing him into, had he annexed a fictitious name to it; but in all the fanfaronade and haste of completing those unmeaning effusions, he had appended his real name, Frank Risley, to Nella's. So, in farmer Burton's opinion, Nella really could boast of an offer. Next in order, then, poor Frank's peace was disturbed by the appearance of a clever look-pelled to settle the affair, by advancing no ing note from Miss Nella, and in a very modest way, accepting his proposals. Frank fairly turned pale, and almost benumbed with fear, and apprehensions, he threw the note upon the floor, and rushed out of the house to inhale a purer atmosphere. Not long, ere he returned to the spot where he left it deposited, but to his surprise, it had vanished. "This is worse than all the rest," small amount of money. Valentines, if Here's a caution to you, young men, TO EMILIE P WHO PRESENTED US WITH A BEAUTIFUL SINGING BIRD SOON AFTER THE DEATH OF POOR 66 DICK." Sovereign o'er every bird is he Who takes "Dick's" place, to sing to me, |