29 



cultivating his La Grange; and our own Jay, retired to the sanc- 

 tuary of his villa, now calmly meditates upon his rest above.' 



Were it given to me, on this festival, to distribute garlands, 

 I would thus place them upon the brows of our youth ; I would 

 supply them also as a decoration for the fair; I would fill our 

 country and our city with their fragrance and their verdure ; 

 and I would present them as a reward of publick services. 



Were there some happy realm, where might be realized 

 the joys, which, inspiration teaches, were the first blessed- 

 ness of man, I would delight to resort thither with the beloved 

 circle of my friends, that in the tranquillity of the terrestrial 

 Eden, we might live in rural happiness and die in peace. But, 

 with the learned, we shall in vain seek the enviable spot. One 

 tells us, it was in the confines of the ancient Armenia ; another 

 points us for its bliss to the lovely valley of Cashmere ; and ano- 

 ther teaches, that in Persia were its gladdening groves. But it 

 is no longer upon earth. Like good men of old, it has been 

 translated. Yet, I would indulge, in reference to it, the kindest 

 sympathies toward my associates ; I would embody my best 

 feelings in a devout ejaculation : that, when our studies and our 

 cares and toils shall have ceased here below ; when, like the 

 grass that withereth, we shall have mingled with the dust; 

 we may hereafter meet within the bowers, and be regaled with 

 the enrapturing transports of that Eden in the skies. 



