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ut what must I do, then, with my volume in green morocco? Very true, I did not think of that. We have all read the DIARY OF AN INVALID, the best of all diaries since old Evelyn's.-- Well, then,--Here beginneth the DIARY OF A BLUE DEVIL. What inconsistent beings are we!--How strange that in such a moment as this, I can jest in mockery of myself! but I will write on. Some keep a diary, because it is the fashion--a reason why _I_ should not; some because it is _blue_, but I am not _blue_, only a _blue devil_; some for their amusement,--_amusement_!! alas! alas! and some that they may remember,--and I that I may forget, O! would it were possible. When, to-day, for the first time in my life, I saw the shores of England fade away in the distance--did the conviction that I should never behold them more, bring with it one additional pang of regret, or one consoling thought? neither the one nor the other. I leave behind me the scenes, the objects, so long associated with pain; but from pain itself I cannot fly: it has become a part of myself. I know not yet whether I ought to rejoice and be thankful for this opportunity of travelling, while my mind is thus torn and upset; or rather regret that I must visit scenes of interest, of splendour, of novelty--scenes over which, years ago, I used to ponder with many a sigh, and many a vain longing, now that I am lost to all the pleasure they could once have excited: for what is all the world to me now?--But I will not weakly yield: though time and I have not been long acquainted, do I not know what miracles he, "the all-powerful healer," can perform? Who knows but this dark cloud may pass away? Continual motion, continual activity, continual novelty, the absolute necessity for self-command, may do something for me. I cannot quite forget; but if I can cease to remember for a few minutes, or even, it may be, for a few hours? O how idle to talk of "_indulging_ grief:" talk of indulging the rack, the rheumatism! who ever indulged grief that truly felt it? to _endure_ is hard enough. It is o'er! with its pains and its pleasures, The dream of affection is o'er! The feelings I lavish'd so fondly Will never return to me more. With a faith, O! too blindly believing-- A truth, no unkindness could move; My prodigal heart hath expended At once, an existence of love. And now, like the spendthrift forsaken, By those whom his bounty
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