The omission of testifying their respect in a military manner to the chief magistrate of the village during their first parade, had occurred to them at the hill, and concluding that it had better be done late than never, they had returned to the village, contrary to their intention when they had left it, in the manner described, and drawing up in front of the dwelling of that excellent man, they commenced and kept up a tremendous firing, shouting and huzzaing until nightfall, when all who were able dismissed themselves, (their officers having abandoned them,) leaving many on the ground as it were _dead_--_pro tempore_. Thus terminated the village celebration of the anniversary of the day out of which a great and virtuous nation was ushered into being. However much our mirth may have been excited by the description given, yet none will deny that the feeling which actuated them in their celebration, was the identical feeling that dictates the observance of the same day throughout the cities of the union--with this difference only, that _this_ savours of the pomp and circumstances of wealth, pride and refinement, while _that_ is perfectly in character with nature,--true, simple and unsophisticated. I will conclude with a quotation from Boileau. "La simplicité plaît sans étude et sans art. Tout charme en un enfant dont la langue sans faìd, A peine du filet encor débarrassée, Sait d'un air innocent bégayer sa pensée. Le faux est toujours fade, ennuyeux, languissant: Mais la nature est vraie, et d'abord on la sent; C'est elle seule en tout qu'on admire et qu'on aime." T. P. _Alexandria, November 1834_. EXTRACT FROM LACON. Mental pleasures never cloy; unlike those of the body, they are increased by repetition, approved of by reflection, and strengthened by enjoyment. _University of Virginia, Nov. 13th, 1834_. To the Editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. SIR--If you think the following verses worthy of an insertion in the Messenger, you will gratify me by giving them a place. They were written two or three years ago, by a young lady of this state; and it certainly never was her intention to publish them, but I am induced to offer them to the public eye, because I think they are creditable, and that they will not appear disadvantageously in the Messenger. R. TO D----. I'll think of thee--I'll think of thee In every moment of grief or of glee; The memory will come of these fleeting hours, Like the scent that is wafted from distant flow'rs; Like the faint, sweet echo that lingers on When the tones that waken'd it are gone. There's many a thought I may not tell, Hidden beneath the heart's deep swell; There's many a sweet and tender sigh Breath'd out when only God is nigh; And each familiar thing I see, Is blended with the thought of thee.