The New-York Weekly Magazine, or Miscellaneous Repository Part 37

_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._

HAPPINESS.

"Whatever diff'rent paths mankind pursue, "Oh, Happiness! 'tis thou they keep in view."

Mrs. ROWE.

Thou art the being that the whole race of mortals are in search of, or more properly, thou art the _phantom_ they seek! how different their pursuit! The king endeavours to find thee in his palace, while surrounded by his courtiers. The courtier thinks he is happy when paying adulation to his prince. The statesman pursues thee, when fulfilling the duties of his station. The citizen seeks thee in his family. The debauchee frequents the brothel, in hopes to find thee. The seducer is happy when betraying to the paths of infamy the unwary female. The votary of religion imagines thou art no where to be found but in the duties it enjoins. The poet seeks thee in his garret. The critic thinks he has thee in possession while venom trickles from his pen. The mariner is aiming at thee while he explores the "trackless path." The warrior is so fascinated with thee that even rivers of blood cannot impede his progress.

The beautiful SYLVIA was grasping at thee, while at her feet were expiring a groupe of lovers, whom she affected to treat with cold disdain; no kind looks, no tender glances were bestowed. She completely acted the coquet. At length she promised her hand to SIGISMUND; but in the short s.p.a.ce of time that was to precede their nuptuals, she manifested the greatest partiality for the libertine FREDERICK. She afterwards said it was only done to try the firmness of her lover. Her folly appeared obvious when too late. When SIGISMUND beheld himself slighted after the promise she had made him, he imagined he was odious in her eyes. He chose, therefore, for his partner, one that would not act deceitfully, the blus.h.i.+ng LYDIA became his bride.

Do these different characters follow after happiness. They do--And are they happy?---Go to the monarch, seated on his throne, with his brows encircled with a crown of gold; to him let the question be put. Should he answer, "I am the only happy mortal," would it not induce you to laugh in his face, and tell him that you were by far the happiest?

L. B.

NEW-YORK _Aug. 24, 1796_.

HUMAN LIFE.

The faint glimmerings of the pale-faced moon on the troubled billows of the ocean, are not so fleeting and inconstant as the fortune and condition of human life. We one day balk in the sun-s.h.i.+ne of prosperity, and the next, too often, roll in anguish on the th.o.r.n.y bed of adversity and affliction. To be neither too fond of prosperity, nor too much afraid of adversity, is one of the most useful lessons we have to learn and practise in the extensive commerce of this world.

_NEW-YORK._

MARRIED,

At Norwalk, On Wednesday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Burnet, OBEDIAH WICKES, of Troy, to Miss SALLY RAYMOND, of Norwalk.

_METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS._ _From August 28th to Sep. 3._

_Days of the Month._ _Thermometer observed at 8, A.M. 1, P.M. 6, P.M._ _Prevailing winds._ _OBSERVATIONS on the WEATHER._

deg. deg. deg. 8. 1. 6. 8. 1. 6.

100 100 100 Aug. 28 72 50 81 78 sw. do. s. cloudy, lt. wind, clear 29 79 89 82 sw. do do. clear, lt. wind, thunder 30 71 79 50 74 nw. do. n. clear. lt. wind, do. do.

31 58 50 66 75 67 n. sw. do. clear. lt. wind, do. do.

Sept. 1 62 71 71 50 69 50 sw. s. do. clear lt. wind high do.

2 72 50 72 50 71 25 s. do. do. cloudy, high rain do.

3 69 50 70 72 nw do. do. cloudy, lt. rain cloudy

RESULTS OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

_For August 1796._ deg. 100

Mean temperature of the thermometer at 8 A.M. 71 1 Do. do. of the do. at 1 P.M. 78 28 Do. do. of the do. at 6 P.M. 78 0 Do. do. of the do. whole month 75 76 Greatest monthly range between the 12th and 29th and 31 30 50 Do. do. in 24 hours 30 and 30 12 50 Warmest day the 29 89 Coldest day the 31 58 50

7 Days it rained, in this month, but not a large quant.i.ty.

2 Do. it thundered and lightned, viz 11th and 19th.

16 Do. the wind was to the Eastward of the North and South.

15 Do. the do. do. to the westward of do. do.

26 Do. the wind was light at 8 1 and 6 o'clock.

2 Do. it was a calm.

16 Do. it was clear at do. do.

4 Do. it was cloudy at do. do

The 29th at 1 P.M. the mercury was one degree higher than any day in this summer, and 4 lower, than the warmest day in the last.

TO ------.

Think not, TRANSCENDANT MAID! my woe Shall ever trouble thy repose; The mind no lasting pang can know, Which lets the tongue that pang disclose.

Sorrow is sacred when 'tis _true_, In deep concealment proudly dwells: And seems its pa.s.sions to subdue, When most th' impulsive throb compels.

For HE who dares a.s.sert his grief, Who boasts the anguish he may prove; Obtains, perhaps, the wished relief, But O! he surely does not love!

The lover is a man afraid, Has neither grace, nor ease, nor art; Embarra.s.sed, comfortless, dismay'd, He sinks, the VICTIM OF HIS HEART.

He feels his own demerits most, When he should most aspire to gain; And is at length completely lost, Because he cannot urge his pain.

And when, alas! her hand shall bless Some more attractive youth than HE; He never can adore the less, But glories in his agony.

He sees her to the altar led, And still commands his struggling sighs; Nor will he let one tear be shed, He triumphs then, for then he dies!

_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._