| £793 the solitudes: 6g 
THE SOLITUDES. 
Communicated by Senex. 
In compliance with the request of our respectable correspondent Se- 
nex, we do not hesitate to insert the following reflections, though 
sensible that to some of our readers they will not be altogether ac- 
ceptable: but to such as have had the tender ties of friendfhip and 
gongenial feelings disunited by death, and other crofs acci~ 
dents ot life, so as to give the susceptible mind that serious cast 
which looks forward to a state of future existence, as to a resting 
place, where care and sorrows fhall be for ever banifhed, it will ex- 
cite a voluptuous flow of tender ideas which are ineffably plea- 
sing. 
Sotrrary fields where nature is silent, buried in dismal 
horror! burning plains where melancholy dwells! fright- 
ful rocks! hide the world from my view; my wearied 
soul sighs for repose. The universe, my heart, every 
thing is like a desert :—all is calm like the tomb. 
O thou, my lyre! who by thy harmonious sounds canst 
tender peace to the soul! thou who wert wont to sing 
the fleeting sorrows of my youth! thou art now silent, 
and liest neglected in the dust: still make these savage 
wilds resound with thy tender plaints! And thou, spark 
of eternal light, O Sun! conceal thy sad rays: here all 
is frightful ! . 
What majestic divinity Machi slowly from the hill, with 
dow ncast eyes, and plunged in a deep reverie? Her beau- 
ty fhines through her sadnefs; her forehead is crowned 
with cyprefs; the zephir gently waves her flowing hair : 
fhe advances slowly with a celestial serenity ; the deserts 
even become beautiful at her approach. She resembles 
the inhabitants of Olympus, or thee, O fair Amelia. Young 
| man, know the muse destined by heaven to console ten- 
ly 
