| 1 | Author: | Smith
Richard Penn
1799-1854 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | The actress of Padua, and other tales | | | Published: | 1997 | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | Description: | In the year 1812, shortly after the declaration of
war with Great Britain, I made an excursion, partly
on business, partly of pleasure, into that beautiful
and romantic section of Pennsylvania, which lies
along its north-eastern boundary. One morning,
while pursuing my journey, I heard at a distance
the sound of martial music, which gradually became
more distinct as I ascended the Blue Ridge, and
seemed to proceed from a humble village, situated
in the deep valley beneath, on the bank of the Delaware.
Nothing could exceed the splendour of the
scene that lay below. The sun was just rising; his
first beams were gradually stealing through the break
or gap in the distant mountains, which seems to have
been burst open by the force of the torrent; and as
they gilded the dark green foliage of the wilderness,
presented a view which might well awaken the genius
of art, and the speculations of science, but was far
too pure to be estimated by those, whose taste had
been corrupted by admiration of the feeble skill of
man. Circumstances that it is impossible for me to explain
to-day, compel me to postpone our union for
the present, and perhaps forever. If I have any
influence over you, pray suspend your visits at Singleton
Hall, until such time as I may deem it prudent
to recall you. | | Similar Items: | Find |
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