Virginia illustrated : containing a visit to the Virginian Canaan, and the adventures of Porte Crayon and his cousins . made ill-humored byso slight a matter as a rain. The complaint of the Sybarite, whocould not sleep because of a crumpled rose-leaf in his couch, isscarcely more absurd than what we hear daily on the subject ofthe weather. The farmer, indeed, may grieve over his blastedcrops, and the mariner dread the coming storm. Where fortuneand life may be at stake, it is but human to murmur. But to thebutterflies of existence, how can it matter whether it rains, orsnows, or blows, Avhen t
Virginia illustrated : containing a visit to the Virginian Canaan, and the adventures of Porte Crayon and his cousins . made ill-humored byso slight a matter as a rain. The complaint of the Sybarite, whocould not sleep because of a crumpled rose-leaf in his couch, isscarcely more absurd than what we hear daily on the subject ofthe weather. The farmer, indeed, may grieve over his blastedcrops, and the mariner dread the coming storm. Where fortuneand life may be at stake, it is but human to murmur. But to thebutterflies of existence, how can it matter whether it rains, orsnows, or blows, Avhen the worst result to them is but the defeat A SEKMON ON THE WEATHER. 165 or post23onement of some idle scheme of pleasure ? Unless, in-deed, a man may have inconsiderately eaten and drunk himselfinto a fit of gout or inflammatory rheumatism—then he may cursethe weather a little. The orator descended a little toward the last, I think, saidFanny, laughing; like a lark, he flew high and lighted low. Dora asked when Porte intended to preach again ; and Minnieinquired if he meant to classify them with the THE BUTTER FLIES. Of that S2:)ecies, replied he, tliat will make the butter flywhen the time arrives. Bah ! what a worn-out joke! Porte was about lighting the match of an intellectual rocket,intended to carry confusion and dismay into the ranks of the en--emy, when supper was announced. Peace and cheerfulness being thus restored, our friends weregathered around the blazing parlor fire, where, with needle, pen,and jDencil, they busied themselves pleasantly enough. The circlewas shortly enlarged by the pale, meek-eyed young woman whohad done the honors of the table, and who appeared to be thedaughter-in-law of the old couple. She seemed to think it herduty to entertain the strangers, but her. subdued manner did notmuch enliven the conversation. Minnie, behindhand with herwork, as usual, was engaged in finishing a pair of red socks forher doll. 16(3 PORTE CRAYON AND HIS
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectvirginiasociallifean
