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THE GOLDEN AGE, &c.
IN one of our American States, lives the retired and devout Celadon. A man strictly honest, and a real lover of his country. That such is his true character, appears by the whole tenor of his conduct for several years past.
During our late noble contest with British fury, he signa|lized himself above many of his equals in age and fortune. Not contented to plead the glorious cause of liberty in private only, he bravely entered the bloody field, and actually served several campaigns, in vindication of our common rights. Nor did he once discover the least timidity in the day of battle.
Since the restoration of peace, and establishment of our independency, he, like another Daniel, has been anxious to know the future condition of his people—and what may be the consequences of a revolution so extraordinary in itself —which is the wonder of the present, and will probably be the joy of many succeeding generations.
Often musing on this delightful subject, he was at last in|dulged with an agreeable vision, which gave him the greatest satisfaction. This, as related by himself, is faithfully recorded in the following pages.
Having walked out on a summer's evening, and grown weary, I sat down on the verdant bank of a neighbouring stream, leaning against a tree, whose spreading branches shel|tered me from the solar blaze. In this easy posture, I was awhile delighted with the music of the groves. The mur|muring waters below, and chirping birds,—together with the sighing gales above, soothed my imagination, and by degrees, lulled every ungrateful care to rest; 'till, in short, I fell into a kind of drowsy trance.
Whilst thus dissolved in slumberous indolence, lo, to my apprehension, a wondrous form darting from the sky swift as