126 THE RAVEN. 



state it has attained a very long life. How Jong ex 

 tended its existence may be, when roaming in an un- 

 restricted state, we have no means of ascertaining. 

 This liberty may be most favorable to longevity ; yet, 

 from the numerous contingencies attending the condition 

 of these creatures, it is probable that few of them live 

 out all their days, so as to become the " bird of ages. 

 However, the supposed longevity they have attained 

 their frequent mention and agency in holy writ, the ob- 

 scure knowledge we possess of their powers and motives, 

 with the gravity of their deportment, like an "all- 

 knowing bird," have acquired for them, from very re- 

 mote periods, the veneration of mankind. The changes 

 in our manners and ideas, in respect to many tilings, 

 have certainly deprived them of much of this reverence ; 

 yet the almost supernatural information which they ob- 

 tain of the decease, or approaching dissolution, of an 

 animal, claims still some admiration for them. This 

 supposed faculty of " smelling death " formerly ren- 

 dered their presence, or even their voice, ominous to 

 all, as 



" The hateful messengers of heavy things, 

 Of death and dolor telling ; " 



and the unusual sound of their harsh croak, still, when 

 illness is in the house, with some timid and affectionate 

 persons, brings old fancies to remembrance, savoring 

 of terror and alarm. I am no friend to the superstition 

 of converting natural transactions, or occasional events, 

 into signs and indications of coming things; supersti- 

 tions are wearing out, and shortly will waste away, and 

 be no more heard of; but I fear, in their place, deism, 

 infidelity, impiety, have started up, the offspring of in- 

 tuitive wisdom : the first belief arises from weakness 

 and ignorance ; the latter disbelief is ingratitude, pride, 

 wickedness. 



Of the natural duration of animal life it is, from 

 many circumstances, difficult to form an accurate state- 

 ment, the wild creatures being in great measure re- 

 moved from observation, and those in a condition of 

 domestication being seldom permitted to live as long- 

 as their bodily strength would allow. It was formerly 



